Aircraft Stair System Using Magnets
Opposing magnets are used to hold two hinged stairway portions together by including the magnets into opposing surfaces in an aircraft stairway arrangement. The relative position of one of the magnets relative to the other is used to establish a desired holding force.
1 . A system for securing a first object and a second object, the system comprising:
a first magnet on an abutting face of the first object;
a second magnet on an abutting face of the second object;
a hinge by which one or more of the first object and the second object rotate relative to the other;
a relative position established between the first and second magnets when first and second objects are in a secured mode, the relative position established between the first and second magnets creating a desired holding strength.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second magnets are circular.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second magnets are oval.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the magnets nearly or directly contact another when the first object is in a secured configuration relative to the second object.
5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the first and second magnets are configured to have an extent of overlap required to meet a force required to hold the first object in position relative to the second object.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second magnets are included in recesses formed into each of the first and second abutting faces, respectively.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second recesses formed into each of the first and second objects make the first and second magnets flush with each of the first and second abutment surfaces, respectively.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment system exists for at least one of the first and second magnets, the adjustment system configured to create the relative positions of the first and second magnets.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment system comprises one or more pathways on which the first magnet slides to create the relative positions of the first and second magnets.
10 . The system of claim 9 wherein the pathways include channels on which the first magnet can slide.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein a linker mounted on a side of the first magnet is configured to be received within the channels enabling slidable adjustment.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein the linker includes a fastening mechanism on a distal end of the linker, the fastening mechanism retaining the first magnet into the channels.
13 . The system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment system comprises one or more slots into which a linker on the first magnet is secured to create a position resulting in desired overlap with the second magnet.
14 . The system of claim 1 wherein the relative positions of the first and second magnets are created by positioning the first magnet using one or more of snaps, Velcro®, suction, or additional magnets.
15 . The system of claim 1 wherein the relative positions establish a degree of overlap between the first and second magnets.
16 . The system of claim 1 wherein the relative positions establish an offset distance between the first and second magnets.
17 . An aircraft stairway comprising:
a first stairway portion pivotally mounted to an aircraft doorframe;
a second stairway portion pivotally mounted below the first stairway portion on a hinge arrangement;
a first magnet on a surface of the first stairway portion;
a second magnet on a surface of the second stairway portion abutting the surface on the first stairway portion;
each of the first and second magnets configured to be at a distance from the hinge arrangement; and
a relative position established between the first and second magnets when the second stairway portion is secured onto the first stairway portion, the relative position established between the first and second magnets creating a desired holding strength.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the relative position is established by a degree of overlap between the first and second magnets.
19 . The system of claim 17 wherein the relative positions establish an offset distance established between the first and second magnets.
20 . A method of securing a first object to a second object, the method comprising:
mounting a first magnet onto a surface on the first object;
mounting a second magnet onto a surface on the second object, the surface on the first object abutting the surface on the second object;
establishing a position of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a desired holding force is created by either a degree of offset, or an extent of overlap of the first and second magnets.