Patent · US Expired

Refrigerator magnet

US6302363A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
8References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 1999
Grant dateOct 16, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 24, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T24/32
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerator magnet for holding thin non-magnetic sheet material, such as paper, against a flat, smooth, magnetically attractive metallic surface, such as a refrigerator door. It comprises a one-piece rigid unitary body having a first bottom planar magnetic surface and at least one other adjoining bottom planar magnetic surface. The magnetic surfaces are joined along a common bend line at an obtuse angle. In use one of the magnetic surfaces is in contact with the metallic surface, leaving one or more paper-receiving gaps between the other magnetic surfaces(s) and the metallic surface. The bend line functions as a fulcrum whereby the body may be flipped by application of finger pressure to lift the first magnetic surface from the metallic surface and cause one of the other magnetic surfaces to clamp the paper and hold it magnetically against the metallic surface. The magnetic attraction between the body along the bend line and the magnetic surface holds the body in place while being flipped from one position to another.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.