CORRELATED MAGNETIC SYSTEM AND METHOD
An improved magnetic system includes a first magnetic structure comprising a first plurality of magnetic sources having a first polarity pattern, a second magnetic structure comprising a second plurality of magnetic sources having a second polarity pattern and at least one mechanical support structure. The first magnetic structure is movable relative to the second magnetic structure. The first and second magnetic structures are engaged and produce a peak spatial force when in a correlated state where the first and second polarity patterns are aligned. The first and second magnetic structures produce an off peak spatial force when in a decorrelated state where the first and second polarity patterns are misaligned, w off peak spatial force resulting from cancellation of at least one repel force by at least one attract force. The at least one mechanical support structure can be engaged to augment the peak spatial force to secure the first and second magnetic structures and can be disengaged to allow the first and second magnetic structures to be disengaged when said first and second magnetic structures are in a decorrelated state.
1 . A magnetic system, comprising:
a first magnetic structure comprising a first plurality of magnetic sources having a first polarity pattern;
a second magnetic structure comprising a second plurality of magnetic sources having a second polarity pattern, said first magnetic structure being movable relative to said second magnetic structure, said first and second magnetic structures being engaged and producing a peak spatial force when in a correlated state where said first and second polarity patterns are aligned, said first and second magnetic structures producing an off peak spatial force when in a decorrelated state where said first and second polarity patterns are misaligned, said off peak spatial force resulting from cancellation of at least one repel force by at least one attract force; and
at least one mechanical support structure which can be engaged to augment said peak spatial force to secure said first and second magnetic structures and which can be disengaged to allow said first and second magnetic structures to be disengaged when said first and second magnetic structures are in a decorrelated state.
2 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , where said first and second magnetic structures comprise linear arrays of magnetic sources.
3 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , where said first and second magnetic structures comprise cyclic arrays of magnetic sources.
4 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said first polarity pattern is complementary to said second polarity pattern such that said peak spatial force is a peak attract spatial force.
5 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said first polarity pattern is anti-complementary to said second polarity pattern such that said peak spatial force is a peak repel spatial force.
6 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic system is configured such that the first and second magnetic structures must be brought together in a first orientation corresponding to said decorrelated state prior to said at least one mechanical support structure being engaged after which said at least one mechanical support structure can be engaged while said first and second magnetic structures remain in said decorrelated state and then said first magnetic structure can be moved relative to said second magnetic structure to a second orientation corresponding to said correlated state while said at least one mechanical support structure is engaged.
7 . The magnetic system of claim 6 , wherein said first and second magnetic structures are brought together in said first orientation by inserting a tab into a slot.
8 . The magnetic system of claim 7 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure is engaged by moving said first magnetic structure relative to said second magnetic structure to cause said tab to enter into and become slidably engaged within a channel.
9 . The magnetic system of claim 6 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure comprises at least one of a tab, a slot, a channel, a groove, a niche, a screw, a hole, or an aperture.
10 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure is configured such that the first and second magnetic structures must be brought together in a first orientation corresponding to said decorrelated state and then said first magnetic structure can be moved relative to said second magnetic structure to a second orientation to achieve said correlated state prior to said at least one mechanical support structure being engaged after which said at least one mechanical support structure can be engaged.
11 . The magnetic system of claim 11 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure comprises at least one of a flap, a hinge, a button, a snap, a closure, a fastener, a tab, a knob, or a hook.
12 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure is configured such that the first and second magnetic structures must be brought together in a first orientation corresponding to said decorrelated state and then said first magnetic structure can be moved relative to said second magnetic structure to a second orientation to achieve said correlated state while said at least one mechanical support structure is being engaged.
13 . The magnetic system of claim 12 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structures comprises at least one of a cotter pin, a loop, a split pin, cotter pin, a button, a snap, a loop, a hook, a tab, a flap, or a bolt.
14 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic system is configured such that said peak spatial force produced when said first and second magnetic structures enter into said correlated state causes said at least one mechanical support structure to become engaged.
15 . The magnetic system of claim 14 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure comprises at least one spring and said peak spatial force causes said at least one spring to bend resulting in mechanical engagement of said at least one mechanical support structure.
16 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic system is configured such that causing said first and second magnetic structures to decorrelate causes the at least one mechanical support structures to become disengaged.
17 . The magnetic system of claim 16 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure comprises at least one spring and said decorrelating of, said first and second magnetic structures causes said at least one spring to relax resulting in mechanical disengagement of said at least one mechanical support structure.
18 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one mechanical support structure comprises a Zeus locking mechanism.
19 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said Zeus locking mechanism comprises at least one of a block, a slot, a spool, a notch, a lock point, a pin, a lock dog, or a spring.
20 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second magnetic structures are brought together and engaged in an orientation corresponding to said correlated state.