Apparatus and method for magnetically mounting an object to a sheet of material

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting an object, including functional objects as well as ornamental objects, to an intermediate sheet of material such as fabric or glass includes pieces that are magnetically coupled through the intermediate material so that the magnetically coupled pieces are securely and replaceably held thereto. An object retainer is secured in any desired manner to at least one of the magnetically coupled pieces. One or both of the magnetically coupled pieces may be placed into forms for added mechanical strength, ease of handling, distribution of force, or protection to the intermediate material. A coating layer may be placed on the retainer, on some or all of the magnetically coupled pieces, or on the forms if used, either over the entirety thereof or over selected surface areas.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent document claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 534,918 filed Jan. 7, 2004 (Verbaas et al., Magnetic holder apparatus), which hereby is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to the mounting of an object on a sheet of material, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for magnetically mounting objects to sheets of material. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Ornamental items such as corsages typically are displayed from nonmetallic flexible material such as fabric, paper, and the like. A variety of techniques are known for mounting ornamental items to the material. Some of them rely solely on mechanical means, while others use a combination of magnetic and mechanical means. [0006] Numerous exclusively mechanical approaches are used for hanging ornamental items on c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting objects using magnetic coupling. The invention has advantages over previous magnetically coupled pieces in that it is flexible and can maintain strong magnetic coupling even when the intervening material is stressed or distorted. The invention includes a retainer for the object, which is visually inobtrusive and can be camouflaged. The invention can be used with various types of sheets of material such as fabric, paper, glass, and cardboard. The invention includes a first magnetically coupled section, a retainer for the object, and a second magnetically coupled section. The first and second sections can be permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to each other. The invention also includes a light and a container for the object. The technical effects of the invention include secure and easy mounting of objects to various sheets of material, protection of delicate objects, and prevention of objects from sagging or twisting."

Problems solved by technology

This approach requires either hooking onto the edge of a garment or penetrating through the garment, which results in mounting in an undesirable location or damage to the garment, respectively.

However, the disclosed crimping mechanism requires deformation of the material resulting in unsightly lines to be apparent in the way the material hangs.

Further, this crimping mechanism damages delicate clothing.

Generally speaking, known nonmagnetic corsage holders have disadvantages in the manner that they hold a corsage onto a piece of fabric.

Some corsage holders deform or damage clothing during the process of mounting the corsage.

Some corsage holders insecurely hold the corsage, or are difficult to position and often result in off-vertical axis orientation of the held object, or are difficult to replaceably mount.

Both approaches are disadvantageous in that the holder is visually intrusive.

It extends beyond and around part of the ornamental object, and may detract from the appearance thereof.

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