Pivoting magnet security latch

1. A locking module for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device comprising:

a housing;

a locking element movably connected to said housing between a locked position and an unlocked position, said locking element including a magnetic material;

a rotatable shaft including a magnet extending into said housing, said shaft having an opening complementary to a portion of said locking element;

a biasing mechanism coupled to said locking element to bias said locking element towards said locked position;

wherein in said unlocked position, said locking element is received within said opening in said shaft in response to a magnetic force of said magnet acting on said locking element.

2. The locking module of claim 1 , wherein in said locked position, a portion of said locking element extends beyond said housing into engagement with said second component.

3. The locking module of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.

4. The locking module of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism operably coupled to said shaft.

5. The locking module of claim 4 , wherein said mechanism is a mechanical mechanism that rotates the shaft in response to a user input.

6. The locking module of claim 4 , wherein said mechanism is an electromechanical mechanism that rotates the shaft in response to a user input.

7. A locking assembly comprising:

a first locking module for selectively locking a first component to a second component;

a second locking module for selectively locking a third component to said second component;

at least one shaft operably coupled to the first locking module and the second locking module; and

a mechanism operably coupled with the at least one shaft, said mechanism being controllable to operate said first locking module and said second locking module independently.

8. A method of operating a locking module of a lockable device comprising:

operating a mechanism in response to a user input;

rotating a shaft associated with said locking module about an axis between a first position and a second position;

moving a locking element from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position, said locking element is at least partially arranged within an opening formed in said shaft; and

retaining said locking element in said unlocked position via application of a magnetic field.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said magnetic field acts on said locking element is-when said shaft is in said second position.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a permanent magnet is arranged within said shaft to attract said locking element.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

rotating said shaft between said second position and said first position; and

biasing said locking element from said locked position to said unlocked position.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said mechanism is operable in response to a mechanical input.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein said mechanism is operable in response to an electromechanical input.

14. A method of operating a locking assembly comprising:

providing a first locking module associated with a first component;

providing a second locking module associated with a second component;

providing at least one shaft operably coupled to the first locking module and the second locking module;

providing a mechanism coupled to the at least one shaft;

operating said mechanism in a first mode in response to a user input to unlock said first locking module; and

operating said mechanism in a second mode in response to a user input to unlock said second locking module.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said first mode includes operating said mechanism in a first direction.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said second mode includes operating said mechanism in a second direction, opposite said first direction.