An electronic device having a pivotable magnetic mount system and a magnet support bracket for use therewith

Abstract

The electronic device includes a housing that defines a magnet attachment area, a bracket disposed in the magnet attachment area, and a magnet attached to the bracket. The bracket is configured to allow angular displacement of at least a part thereof about a rotation axis to be equal to or less than a predetermined displacement. The bracket may include a platform and a pair of spaced pivot arms. In such a case, the platform is configured to support the magnet, and the pivot arms are attached to the platform at separate positions aligned along the rotation axis. Alternatively, the bracket may include a platform, a pair of pivot arms, and pins. Each of the pivot arms may define a respective pin aperture, may be orthogonal to the platform, and may be spaced apart such that the platform is positioned therebetween. The pins are disposed in the pin apertures of the pivot arms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to magnetic mount devices and systems for electronic devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, pivotal magnetic mount devices and systems.

Background Art

[0002] As is well known, many different types of electronic devices use magnets to attach the device to a metal surface. When used as part of an attachment mechanism, the mechanism is typically configured to secure the associated electronic device to a flat metal surface. Existing magnetic mount systems lack sufficient flexibility to provide sufficient attachment force to non-flat surfaces such as curved or arched surfaces. There is no known magnetic attachment mechanism that can attach an electronic device with sufficient attachment force to multiple types of surface shapes.

[0003] All of the subjects described in the background art section are not necessarily prior art, and should not be assumed to be prior art simply as a result of being described in the background art section. Accordingly, the prior art described in the background art section, or the recognition of problems associated with such subjects, should not be treated as prior art unless explicitly stated as such.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing defining a magnet attachment region, a bracket disposed in the magnet attachment region, and a magnet attached to the bracket. In such an embodiment, the bracket is configured to allow at least a partial angular displacement about a rotation axis by no more than a predetermined angular displacement.

[0005] Also, according to an exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may include at least one pivoting member disposed in the magnet attachment region. A bracket is disposed on the at least one pivoting member. In such a case, the pivoting member may be integrated (e.g., integrally formed) with one or more outer surfaces of the housing or attached to one or more outer surfaces of the housing.

[0006] According to a further exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may include a spaced pair of pivoting members disposed in the magnet attachment region. In such a case, the bracket includes a pair of pivoting arms. The pair of pivoting arms is disposed on the pair of pivoting members and has a size and shape such that it rotates about the pair of pivoting members.

[0007] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the pivoting member or (if a pair of pivoting members is used) each pivoting member may include an arch portion having a first arc radius. In such a case, a part of the arm bracket such as one or more pivots of the bracket to which the magnet is not directly attached is arched to have a second arc radius greater than the first arc radius or is arched with a second arc radius greater than the first arc radius. The arc radius or segment radius is the radius of the circle of which the arc or segment is a part. The difference between these arc radii is sufficient for the bracket or a part of the bracket supporting the magnet to pivot or rotate up to a predetermined (e.g., maximum) angular displacement. In an alternative version of this embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket may include a platform having a first surface and a second surface. Here, at least a part of the first surface of the bracket supports the magnet, and at least a part of the second surface of the magnet is arched to have a second arc radius. The platform preferably has high rigidity but may alternatively conform to the shape of the magnet.

[0008] According to another exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket may include a platform to which a magnet is attached, a pair of pivot arms spaced apart along a rotation axis and each defining a pin aperture, and a pin disposed within and / or passing through the pin apertures of the pivot arms. In this embodiment, the platform is disposed between the pair of pivot arms, and each of the pivot arms is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the platform. With respect to this exemplary embodiment, one of the pair of pivot arms may be connected to a first end of the platform, and the other of the pair of pivot arms may be connected to a second end on the opposite side of the platform. Alternatively, the platform may define a cylindrical aperture along its length, and the pin may pass through the aperture of the platform.

[0009] According to yet another exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may further include a second bracket disposed in the magnet attachment region or the second magnet attachment region, and a second magnet attached to the second bracket. In this case, the second bracket is configured to allow at least a partial angular displacement about the rotation axis by no more than a predetermined angular displacement. Here, the angular displacement may be equal to the allowable angular displacement of the magnet attachment region or another bracket disposed in each magnet attachment region. The second bracket may include a pair of pivot arms sized and shaped to be disposed on and rotate about a pair of pivot members located in the applicable magnet attachment region. Alternatively, the second bracket may include a platform to which a magnet is attached, a pair of pivot arms spaced apart such that the platform is located therebetween and each defining a pin aperture, and a pin disposed within and / or passing through the pin apertures of the pivot arms.

[0010] According to a further exemplary alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device includes a housing defining a magnet attachment area, at least one arched pivoting member located in the magnet attachment area, a bracket disposed on at least a portion of the at least one pivoting member, and a magnet attached to the bracket. In this exemplary embodiment, the bracket and the at least one pivoting member have a size and shape that allow an angular displacement of at least a portion of the bracket about the axis of rotation to be less than or equal to a predetermined angular displacement.

[0011] According to an exemplary aspect of a further exemplary alternative embodiment, the electronic device may include a first pivoting member and a second pivoting member spaced apart from the first pivoting member. Also, the bracket may include a platform configured to support the magnet, a first pivoting arm attached to the platform at a first position (e.g., a first longitudinal end), and a second pivoting arm attached to the platform at a second position (e.g., a second longitudinal end). In this case, the first pivoting arm may be configured to be disposed on the first pivoting member, and the second pivoting arm may be configured to be disposed on the second pivoting member. Also, the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm are preferably aligned along the axis of rotation. Further, either or both of the pivoting members may have respective arc radii, and either or both of the pivoting arms of the bracket may include respective arch portions having an arc radius greater than the arc radius of the pivoting member on which the pivoting arm is disposed. Additionally, each of the pivoting arms of the bracket may define an opening having a size and shape that allows the passage of a standoff for a fastener. In such a case, the fastener and the standoff fix the pivoting arm to the housing so as to allow an angular displacement of the magnet attached to the bracket.

[0012] According to a further exemplary alternative embodiment, the magnet support bracket includes a platform configured to support a magnet on its surface, a first pivot arm attached to the platform at a first position (e.g., one longitudinal end), and a second pivot arm attached to the platform at a second position (e.g., the opposite longitudinal end). Here, the pivot arms are aligned along the axis of rotation of the platform. The platform may be rectangular and generally flat in shape, or generally U-shaped. Additionally or alternatively, the platform may be configured such that the magnet can be attached with at least one fastener or using an adhesive. Each of the pivot arms may include an arch having a radius of arc greater than the radius of arc of the respective receiving member in which the respective pivot arm is disposed. Additionally or alternatively, each of the pivot arms may define an opening having a size and shape that permits the passage of a standoff for a fastener.

[0013] According to a further exemplary alternative embodiment, the electronic device includes a housing defining a plurality of magnet attachment regions, a plurality of brackets disposed in the plurality of magnet attachment regions, and a plurality of magnets. Here, each of the magnets is attached to a respective bracket. Each of the brackets is configured to permit an angular displacement of at least a portion of the bracket about its respective axis of rotation that is less than a predetermined angular displacement. Also, the electronic device may include, among other things, at least one pivot member disposed in each magnet attachment region. In such a case, each of the brackets may be disposed at least partially over the pivot member of the associated magnet attachment region in which the bracket is disposed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, like reference numerals refer to like parts or elements throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of the various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve the readability of the drawings. The shapes of the elements depicted are selected to facilitate recognition in the drawings and do not limit the scope of the appended claims.

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[0015] In the following description, specific specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that these embodiments may be practiced without one or more of such specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. Also, in these examples, well-known structures are omitted or shown and described with reduced detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0016] Generally, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device having a pivotable or rotatable magnetic mount system and a magnet support bracket for use therewith. The electronic device includes a housing defining a magnet attachment region, a magnet support bracket disposed in the magnet attachment region, and a magnet attached to the bracket. The bracket is configured to allow angular displacement of at least a portion of the bracket about a rotation axis (e.g., a single axis) to be no more than a predetermined angular displacement.

[0017] An electronic device incorporating a pivotable magnetic mount system may be one of any number of devices intended for attachment to a metal surface and is not limited to the electronic devices illustrated or described herein. For example, the electronic device may be a distribution transformer monitoring (DTM) device. This can be used with and can be mounted within distribution transformers of different configurations, such as an overhead transformer attached to a pole having a generally cylindrical shape with an arched or curved mounting surface (where the outside of the transformer is convex and the inside is convex), or a transformer with a generally rectangular shape having a flat mounting surface to which a pad is attached. Alternatively, the electronic device may be an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor, camera, motion sensor, lighting unit, or other electronic device intended to be attached to a magnetically attachable surface.

[0018] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a magnet / support bracket assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows the assembled assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes a magnet support bracket 102, a magnet 104, and an optional shock-resistant layer 108 for protecting one or more exposed surfaces of the magnetic element 110 of the magnet. The bracket 102 may include a portion to which the magnet 104 is directly attached and a portion to which the magnet 104 is not directly attached. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the magnet support bracket 102 includes a platform 111 disposed between a pair of pivot arms 101a, 101b. The magnet 104 is directly attached to the platform 111 but not directly attached to either of the pivot arms 101a, 101b. Preferably, the platform 111 is flat and rigid so as to conform to the same plane with respect to a housing (not shown) of an electronic device including the assembly 100, but may have an alternative shape or appropriate flexibility so as to complement the attachment surface of the magnet 104 or the attachment surface of the housing of the electronic device.

[0019] The magnet 104 may be attached to the platform 111 of the bracket using one or more fasteners such as screws 106 (two are shown for illustrative purposes) that pass through holes 105 of the magnet 104 and through screw holes 103 of the platform 111. When screws 106 are used, they are preferably countersunk screws, and the holes 105 of the magnetic element 110 are preferably counterbore holes for accommodating the heads of the screws 106. The magnet 104 may optionally include a U-shaped support member 115 for protecting the magnetic element 110 from possible damage. The support member 115 may be formed from metal, plastic, or other materials suitable for the purpose of using the magnet. When the support member 115 is included, the support member 115 may define a screw passage opening that aligns with the holes 105 of the magnetic element 110 of the magnet 104 to allow the screws 106 to pass through the screw holes 103 of the platform 111 of the bracket.

[0020] Instead of being fixed to the platform 111 of the bracket using one or more fasteners such as screw 106, magnet 104 may be fixed to bracket 102 using other means such as using one or more rivets or applying an adhesive. Also, any washer (not shown) may be used between screw 106 and the screw hole 105 of the magnetic element 110 of magnet 104.

[0021] The shock-resistant layer 108 such as a pad may be formed of silicone or other suitable material, providing shock resistance when attaching the electronic device including the magnet bracket assembly 100 to a metal structure, and may also provide a certain degree of frictional holding force. Note that the thickness of the shock-resistant layer 108 may affect the attractive force of magnet 104. For example, the material disposed in front of the magnetic element 110 of magnet 104 may reduce the attractive force of magnet 104 from 1 / r 4 to 1 / r 7 where r represents the thickness of the shock-resistant layer 108. Therefore, when the shock-resistant layer 108 is used, the shock-resistant layer 108 needs to be as thin as possible to protect the exposed surface of the magnetic element 110 under the expected usage conditions of magnet 104.

[0022] Each pivot arm 101a, 101b of the exemplary magnet support bracket 102 is attached to the platform 111 at respective positions such as the respective longitudinal ends of the platform 111. The pivot arms 101a, 101b are aligned along the rotation axis 117 of the platform 111 and the bracket 102. Each pivot arm 101a, 101b may include one or more arch-shaped elements 113 (two are shown for each pivot arm 101a, 101b for illustrative purposes) sized and shaped to be disposed on an arch-shaped pivot member located in the magnet attachment region of the housing of the electronic device. Also, each pivot arm 101a, 101b may define any opening 107 sized and shaped to allow the passage of standoffs for fasteners such as screws or bolts.

[0023] Figures 3 and 4 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled view of an exemplary electronic device 300 including magnets 104 and support brackets 102 (collectively referred to as magnet / support assembly 100) in a plurality of magnet attachment regions 303 defined by a housing 302 of the electronic device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, each magnet attachment region 303 of the housing 302 includes at least one pivoting member 308 on which the bracket 102 of the assembly 100 is disposed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each magnet attachment region 303 may include a pair of spaced pivoting members 308 (or multiple pairs) having a size and shape that allow pivoting arms 101a, 101b of the magnet support bracket 102, having an appropriate size and shape, to be disposed on the pivoting member 308 and rotate about the pivoting member 308. In some embodiments, each pivoting member 308 includes an arch portion (e.g., the arcuate element 504 of FIG. 5), and a portion of the magnet support bracket 102 to which the magnet 104 is not directly attached (the pivoting arms 101a, 101b or (e.g., the bottom surface of the platform 111 as described later with respect to FIG. 13) is arcuate or includes an arcuate element 113 having a radius of arc greater than the radius of arc of the arch portion 504 of the pivoting member 308. The radius of arc or segment radius is the radius of the circle of which the arc or segment is a part.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the arch portion 504 of each pivoting member 308 receives the complementary arch portions 113 of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b. In a preferred embodiment, the arc radius of the arch portions 113 of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b is larger than the arc radius of the arch portion 504 of the pivoting member 308. Thereby, the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 can rotate freely about the pivoting member 308. The ratio of the arc radius of the arch portion 504 of the pivoting member 308 to the arc radius of the arch portions 113 of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b, together with the distance between the bottom surfaces of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b and the surface of the housing 302 of the magnet mounting region 303, defines the maximum range of angular displacement of the magnet / support bracket assembly 100. According to an exemplary embodiment, the arc radius of the arch portion 504 of the pivoting member 308 is 1.7 millimeters (mm), the arc radius of the arch portions 113 of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b is 3.4 mm, and the maximum distance between the bottom surfaces of the pivoting arms 101a, 101b and the surface of the housing 302 of the magnet mounting region 303 is selected to allow a maximum angular displacement of 20 degrees to 30 degrees (±10 degrees to 15 degrees from the center). Alternatively, the arc radii of the arch portions 113, 504 and / or the height of the surface of the housing 302 of the magnet mounting region 303 may be selected or configured to set the maximum angular displacement of the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 as desired by those skilled in the art.

[0025] In some embodiments of the electronic device 300 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnet mounting region 303 of the housing 302 may include threaded standoffs 306 or other fastener receiving regions that allow a fastener 310, such as a screw or bolt, to secure the magnet support bracket 102 to the housing 302 within the magnet mounting region 303. In such a case, the opening 107 defined by the pivoting arms 101a, 101b of the bracket has a size and shape that allows the passage of the standoff 306.

[0026] When the electronic device 300 is a DTM device, the housing 302 of the device may further define a well or cavity region 320. Here, communication ports 408, 410, or other ports, connectors, or components may be present. When communication ports are included, the communication ports may be used for remote measurement or geolocation and may include a GPS antenna port and / or a cellular antenna port. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 300 may further include various other connectors or components attached to its housing 302, including connectors 402, 404, 406 to facilitate connection to Rogowski coils or current transformer cables, power cables, and various sensor cables.

[0027] Note that the quantity of magnet / support bracket assemblies (such as assembly 100) used in a particular electronic device may be selected based on the size and weight of the electronic device and the intended use case of the electronic device. Depending on the use case, a single magnet / support bracket assembly may be sufficient to secure the electronic device to a structure, while in other use cases, multiple magnet / support bracket assemblies may be required. For example, the electronic device 300 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes four magnet / support bracket assemblies 100 disposed in four magnet attachment regions 303. Generally, multiple small rotating magnets can provide a greater attractive force compared to the attractive force of a single large magnet because the reorientation of the magnetic flux field by rotation or pivoting increases the attractive force. Also, by using smaller magnets, the weight of the electronic device can be reduced.

[0028] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of the electronic device 300 of FIG. 4 and a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary angular displacement of the magnet support bracket 102 and the attached magnet 104 when the electronic device 300 approaches the metal surface of the structure to which the electronic device 300 is attached according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure may be a curved or arched structure such as an aerial distribution transformer 700, or a flat structure such as a wall of a distribution transformer to which a pad is attached. When curved, the structure to which the electronic device 300 is attached may have a convex or concave curvature.

[0029] The rotation of the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 occurs about a rotation axis 502 over the length of the magnet attachment region 303 of the housing 302 of the electronic device. As shown in FIG. 6, when the electronic device 300 is disposed near a metal object such as the curved tank housing of the aerial distribution transformer 700, the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 pivots or rotates by an angular displacement due to the attractive force of the magnet 104. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration of the pivot member 308 is such that the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 is allowed to rotate more in one direction than the other. Such a configuration of the pivot member 308 may be useful or preferable when the electronic device 300 is attached only to convex and flat surfaces. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the maximum angular displacement of the magnet / support bracket assembly 100 is in the range of 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0030] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two exemplary use cases of the electronic device 300 of FIG. 4. In the first exemplary use case, the electronic device 300 is a DTM device magnetically attached to the outer surface of a cylindrical aerial distribution transformer 701. The transformer 701 may be fixed to a utility pole 710 and includes two primary bushings 702 (one is shown) and one or more secondary bushings 704, 706 (two are shown). Cables from Rogowski coils or current sensors appropriately coupled around the primary and secondary bushings 702, 704, 706 may be connected to appropriate cable ports 402, 404, 406 of the electronic device 300.

[0031] In the second exemplary use case, the electronic device 300 is a DTM device magnetically attached to the inner wall of a distribution transformer 800 to which a pad is attached (e.g., the wall separating the transformer tank and the transformer hatch). The transformer 800 may be disposed on a concrete pad or on the ground and may include two primary bushings 802 and one or more secondary bushings 804, 806 (two are shown). Cables from Rogowski coils or current sensors appropriately coupled around the primary and secondary bushings 802, 804, 806 may be connected to appropriate cable ports 402, 404, 406 of the electronic device 300.

[0032] Figures 9A - 9C show an alternative magnet support bracket 900 for an electronic device 920, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, the magnet support bracket 900 includes a platform 901 to which a magnet 902 is attached (e.g., with a fastener as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2), a pair of pivot arms 903, 904 spaced apart along a rotation axis such that the platform 901 is disposed between the pair of pivot arms 903, 904, and a pin 908 disposed within a pin aperture 906 defined by the pair of pivot arms 903, 904. Each pivot arm 903, 904 defines a respective pin aperture 906 and is oriented in a common direction that is substantially orthogonal to the platform 901. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pivot arms 903, 904 may be connected to longitudinal ends on both sides of the platform 901. As shown in FIG. 9B, the magnet / support bracket assembly including the magnet 902 and the support bracket 900 may form part of an electronic device 920 that is magnetically attached to a metal surface of a structure such as a power transformer 701. The magnet / support bracket assembly is rotatable up to a maximum angular displacement about a rotation axis defined by the centerline of the pin 908.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 9C, the electronic device 920 may include two or more magnet / support bracket assemblies. The magnet / support bracket assemblies each include a magnet 902 and a support bracket 900 and are disposed in respective magnet attachment regions of the housing of the electronic device. In this case, each magnet / support bracket assembly is individually rotatable up to a maximum angular displacement about a rotation axis defined by the center of the pin 908 of its respective magnet support bracket 900 Figures 10A and 10B show another alternative magnet support bracket 1000 for an electronic device 1020 according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, the magnet support bracket 1000 includes a multi-section platform, a pair of pivot arms 1004, 1005, and a pin 1008. The platform includes two platform portions 1001a, 1001b to which magnet portions 1002a, 1002b of a multi-section magnet are attached. Each magnet portion 1002a, 1002b may be attached to the respective platform portions 1001a, 1001b by fasteners or other means as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Each pivot arm 1004, 1005 defines a respective pin opening 1003, 1006, and the pin 1008 is disposed within and / or through the pin openings 1003, 1006. The centerline of the pin 1008 defines the axis of rotation of the bracket 1000 and the assembly combining the magnet and the support bracket. As shown in FIG. 10B, the magnet / support bracket assembly including the magnet portions 1002a, 1002b and the support bracket 1000 may form part of an electronic device 1020 that is magnetically attached to a metal surface of a structure such as a power transformer 701. Each pivot arm 1004, 1005 is individually rotatable about the axis of rotation defined by the centerline of the pin 1008 to its respective maximum angular displacement.

[0034] FIG. 11 shows another alternative magnet support bracket 1100 for an electronic device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, the bracket 1100 includes a platform 1102, two pairs of pivot arms (the first pair 1105a, 1105b and the second pair 1105c, 1105d), and a pin 1108. The pivot arms 1105a-1105d define respective pin apertures 1106 that permit passage of the pin 1108. In this embodiment, the magnet 1101 includes a pair of magnet arms 1103a, 1103b in a direction orthogonal to the magnetic element. Also, each magnet arm 1103a, 1103b defines a respective pin aperture 1106 for permitting passage of the pin 1108. Each magnet arm 1103a, 1103b is disposed between respective pairs of pivot arms such that the pin apertures 1106 of the magnet arms 1103a, 1103b and the pivot arms 1105a-1105c are aligned. The pin is then inserted into the pin apertures 1106 and passes through the pin openings 1106. Once fully assembled, the magnet 1101 is rotatable about the axis of rotation defined by the centerline of the pin 1108 to respective maximum angular displacements.

[0035] FIG. 12 shows another alternative magnet support bracket 1200 for an electronic device, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnet support bracket 1200 includes a platform 1202 to which a magnet 1201 is attached (e.g., by a fastener or other means as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2), a pair of pivot arms 1203a, 1203b spaced apart along a rotation axis such that the platform 1202 is disposed therebetween, and a pin 1208 disposed within and / or passing through a pin opening 1206 defined by the pair of pivot arms 1203a, 1203b. Each pivot arm 1203a, 1203b defines a respective pin opening 1206 and is oriented in a common direction substantially orthogonal to the platform 1202. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pivot arms 1203a, 1203b may be connected to longitudinal ends on both sides of the platform 1202. In this embodiment, the pivot arms are fixedly arranged and the platform 1202 defines a cylindrical opening along its length. The pin 1208 passes through the opening of the platform, and the platform 1202 and its attached magnet 1201 are rotatable about a rotation axis defined by the center line of the pin 1208 up to a maximum angular displacement. The magnet / support bracket assembly including the magnet 1201 and the support bracket 1202 may form part of an electronic device that is magnetically attached to a metallic surface of a structure.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows yet another alternative magnet support bracket for an electronic device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnet support bracket includes a platform 1301 having a first surface and a second surface. Here, at least a portion of the first surface of the platform 1301 supports a magnet, and at least a portion 1303 of the second surface of the platform 1301 is arched with a radius of arc larger than the radius of arc of the arch portion of the pivot member 1306 of the housing 1304 of the electronic device. In this case, the length of the pivot member 1306 is substantially equal to the length of the platform 1301, and the magnet support bracket is rotatable up to a maximum angular displacement (e.g., up to 30 degrees) about a rotation axis defined by the center line of the pivot member 1306.

[0037] In the absence of specific descriptions related to explicit use in a particular context, when the terms "substantially" or "about" in any grammatical form are used as modifiers in the present disclosure and the appended claims (e.g., when modifying a structure, dimension, measurement, or any other characteristic), it is understood that the characteristic can vary by up to 30 percent. For example, a wireless communication network device can be described as being mounted "substantially vertically." In these cases, a device mounted exactly vertically is mounted along the "X" axis that is perpendicular (i.e., 90 degrees or at a right angle) to the plane or line formed by the "Y" axis and the "Z" axis. Unlike the exact precision of the term "vertical," using "substantially" or "about" to modify a characteristic allows for a maximum variation of 30 percent in the particular characteristic.

[0038] The terms "comprising" and "including" and variations thereof are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense (e.g., "including, but not limited to") in all contexts in which they appear, without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive and means "and / or". The phrases "associated with" and "relating thereto" and derivatives thereof can be understood to mean including, included within, interconnected with, containing, contained within, connected to, or connected with, coupled to, or coupled with, communicable with, cooperating with, interleaved with, juxtaposed with, proximate to, associated with, or associated with, having, having the characteristics of, etc.

[0039] Throughout this specification, references to "one embodiment" or "a particular embodiment" or "some embodiments" and variations thereof mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0040] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular terms include plural referents unless the content and context clearly dictate otherwise. Also, note that the conjunctive terms "and" and "or" are generally used in their broadest sense to include "and / or" unless the content and context clearly dictate otherwise, depending on whether inclusivity or exclusivity is explicitly indicated. Additionally, when "and / or" is described in this specification, the configurations of "and" and "or" are intended to encompass embodiments that include all of the related items or ideas, and one or more other alternative embodiments that include less than all of the related items or ideas.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, serial comma, or a comma known by another similar term is utilized in a series list. Such a list is intended to connect words, clauses, or sentences such that what follows the comma is also included in the list.

[0042] Unless the context indicates otherwise, singular means plural and vice versa. Also, masculine nouns include feminine nouns and vice versa.

[0043] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, as necessary, to adopt concepts from various patents, applications, and publications to provide further embodiments.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising a housing defining a magnet mounting area, a bracket disposed in the magnet mounting area and configured to allow at least a partial angular displacement about a rotation axis to be no more than a predetermined angular displacement, a magnet attached to the bracket, and the electronic device including the above.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pivot member disposed in the magnet mounting area, and at least a part of the bracket being disposed on the at least one pivot member.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pivot member includes a pair of spaced pivot members, the bracket includes a pair of pivot arms, the pair of pivot arms are disposed on the pair of pivot members and have a size and shape that rotate about the pair of pivot members.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pivot member includes an arch portion having a first arc radius, and a part of the bracket to which the magnet is not directly attached is arched so as to have a second arc radius larger than the first arc radius.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the bracket includes a platform having a first surface and a second surface, at least a part of the first surface of the platform supports the magnet, and at least a part of the second surface of the platform is arched so as to have the second arc radius.

6. The bracket is a platform to which the magnet is attached, A pair of pivot arms spaced along the rotation axis, with the platform disposed between the pair of pivot arms, each of the pivot arms defining a pin opening, and the pair of pivot arms facing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the platform. A pin disposed within the pin openings of the pair of pivot arms. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising the above.

7. Among the pair of pivot arms, the first pivot arm is connected to the first end of the platform, and the second pivot arm among the pair of pivot arms is connected to the second end of the platform. The electronic device according to claim 6.

8. The platform defines a cylindrical opening extending along the length of the platform, and the pin passes through the opening of the platform. The electronic device according to claim 6.

9. An electronic device, A housing defining a magnet attachment region, At least one arcuate pivot member disposed in the magnet attachment region, A bracket disposed on at least a part of the at least one pivot member, wherein the bracket and the at least one pivot member have a size and shape that allow an angular displacement of at least a part of the bracket about a rotation axis to be within a predetermined angular displacement. The bracket, A magnet attached to the bracket, The electronic device comprising the above.

10. The at least one pivot member includes a first pivot member and a second pivot member spaced from the first pivot member. The bracket is, A platform configured to support the magnet, A first pivot arm attached to the platform at a first position and configured to be disposed on the first pivot member. A second pivot arm attached to the platform at the second position and configured to be disposed on the second pivot member; comprising; the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm are aligned along the rotation axis; The electronic device according to claim 9.

11. The first pivot member has a first arc radius, and the first pivot arm includes an arch portion having a second arc radius larger than the first arc radius. The electronic device according to claim 10.

12. The second pivot member has a third arc radius, and the second pivot arm includes a second arch portion having a fourth arc radius larger than the third arc radius. The electronic device according to claim 11.

13. Each of the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm defines an opening having a size and shape that allows the passage of a standoff for a fastener. The electronic device according to claim 10.

14. A magnet support bracket, a platform configured to support a magnet on its surface; a first pivot arm attached to the platform at a first position; a second pivot arm attached to the platform at a second position; comprising; the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm are aligned along the rotation axis of the platform; A magnet support bracket.

15. Each of the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm includes an arch portion having an arc radius larger than the arc radius of each receiving member on which the first pivot arm or the second pivot arm is disposed. The magnet support bracket according to claim 14.

16. The magnet support bracket according to claim 14, wherein each of the first pivoting arm and the second pivoting arm defines an opening having a size and shape that permits passage of a standoff for a fastener.

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