Apparatus and method for magnetically mounting an object to a sheet of material

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting an object, including functional objects as well as ornamental objects, to an intermediate sheet of material such as fabric or glass includes pieces that are magnetically coupled through the intermediate material so that the magnetically coupled pieces are securely and replaceably held thereto. An object retainer is secured in any desired manner to at least one of the magnetically coupled pieces. One or both of the magnetically coupled pieces may be placed into forms for added mechanical strength, ease of handling, distribution of force, or protection to the intermediate material. A coating layer may be placed on the retainer, on some or all of the magnetically coupled pieces, or on the forms if used, either over the entirety thereof or over selected surface areas.

1 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for removably retaining the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section; and    a second magnetically coupled section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another of the first and second sections; and    wherein the first section and the object retainer are visually inobtrusive relative to the object.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the object comprises a corsage having a stem section;    the first section comprises an elongated first metal plate having generally parallel first and second surfaces;    the second section comprises: 
 a second metal plate;  
 a plurality of permanent magnets having first and second generally parallel flat surfaces containing magnetic poles, the permanent magnets being respectively coupled to the second magnetic plate by the second surfaces thereof; and  
 a nonmagnetizable form, the second plate being embedded in the form and the permanent magnets being partially embedded in the form with the first surfaces thereof being coplanar and outside of the form for magnetically coupling to the second surface of the first metal plate; and  
   the object retainer is a safety pin permanently attached to the first surface of the first metal plate.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first magnetically coupled section and the object retainer are alignable relative to a footprint of the object.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein: 
 the object comprises a corsage having a stem section;    the first section is an elongated body alignable with the stem section of the corsage; and    the object retainer is a safety pin.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first magnetically coupled section and the object retainer are small relative to the object.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first magnetically coupled section and the object retainer are camouflaged relative to the object.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first body and a second body distinct from one another, the first body comprising the first section and the second body comprising the second section.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first section comprises a surface and is integrated into a magnetized body;    the second section comprises a surface and is integrated into the magnetized body; and    the surfaces of the first and second sections are opposing.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first section comprises material other than digitally malleable metal.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second sections is rigid.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second sections is flexible.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second sections is resilient.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises a straight pin, a safety pin, a clamp, a screw holder, an adhesive, an elastic band, a hanger, or at least one crimpable tab.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second sections comprises a plurality of permanent magnets.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section; and    a second magnetically coupled section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another one of the first and second sections; and    wherein at least one of the first and second sections comprises a unitary permanent magnet having a “Y” shape, an “X” shape, a horseshoe shape, or a loop shape.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section;    a second magnetically coupled section;    a third magnetically coupled section; and    a form, the second and third sections being disposed in the form;    wherein at least one of the first, second and third sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to others of the first, second and third sections.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the form has a “Y” shape, an “X” shape, a horseshoe shape, or a loop shape.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the second and third sections comprise respective permanent magnets, the permanent magnets being disposed in the form.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section;    a second magnetically coupled section; and    a coating covering at least part of the first section, the second section, the retainer, or any combination thereof;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the coating comprises a plastic layer, a rubber layer, a camouflage layer, an ornamental design, or a picture.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section;    a light disposed at the first section; and    a second magnetically coupled section; and    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of lights disposed at the first section for illuminating the object.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section; and    a second magnetically coupled section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another one of the first and second sections; and    wherein at least one of the first and second sections comprises a magnetically coupled flexible or resilient material.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  further comprising the object, the object being a picture, a piece of art, or a broach, wherein the object is mounted to the first section by the object retainer.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a second magnetically coupled section; and    a container for the object disposed at the first section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another one of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for mounting a first object and a second object, comprising: 
 a first magnetically coupled section;    a first retainer for the first object, the first object retainer being disposed at the first section;    a second magnetically coupled section; and    a second retainer for the second object, the second object retainer being disposed at the second section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 a magnetized body having a first magnetically coupled section comprising a first surface and a second magnetically coupled section comprising a second surface, the first and second surfaces being opposing; and    a retainer for the object, the object retainer being disposed at the first section;    wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another one of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the magnetized body is a unitary permanent magnet.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus for mounting an object, comprising: 
 first magnetically coupled means;    second magnetically coupled means, wherein at least one of the first and second magnetically coupled means is permanently magnetized; and    means for retaining the object to the first magnetically coupled means, disposed at the first section.    
   
   
       30 . A method of mounting an object on a sheet of material comprising: 
 placing a first magnetically coupled section on one side of the sheet of material, the first section having an object retainer;    placing a second magnetically coupled section on another side of the sheet of material, opposing the first magnetically coupled section;    bringing the first and second sections into proximity following the placing steps to enable magnetic coupling, wherein at least one of the first and second sections is permanently magnetized for magnetically coupling to another one of the first and second sections; and    attaching the object to the retainer, wherein the object visually obscures the retainer and the first section.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the sheet of material comprises fabric, clothing, plastic, metal, glass, or skin.