Magnetic carrying apparatus and method

Abstract

A magnetic carrying apparatus and method for an object. The apparatus has a first mating portion coupled to an object (such as a wireless device case, flashlight, keys, flash memory drive, etc.) and a second mating portion coupled to a personal item, such as a belt or purse. The first and second mating portions are coupled to each other by the positioning of a magnet proximate the surface of at least one and preferably both of the first and second mating portions. Bringing the first and second mating portions into sufficient proximity causes them to be coupled, and permits the use of the apparatus for carrying. When the object needs to be removed for use, a pulling action will separate the first and second mating portions.

1 . A magnetic object carrying apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 a first mating portion having a first end and a second end;    a second mating portion having a first end and a second end;    a first magnet located proximate one of the first end of the first mating portion and the first end of the second mating portion;    a first attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the first mating portion and an object; and    a second attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the second mating portion and a personal item.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first end of said first mating portion is concave.  
   
   
       3 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first end of said second mating portion is convex.  
   
   
       4 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second magnet located proximate the other of said first end of said first mating portion and said first end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       5 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first attachment mechanism comprises a pin inserted through said case and into a longitudinal opening in said second end of said first mating portion.  
   
   
       6 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first attachment mechanism comprises: 
 a pin inserted through said case and coupled to a first ring; and    a second ring coupled to said first ring;    wherein said second ring is inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said first mating portion.    
   
   
       7 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first ring inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said first mating portion.  
   
   
       8 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a second ring inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       9 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a belt clip having an eyelet thereon; and a ring inserted through each of said eyelet and said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       10 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a carabiner clip and a ring inserted through each of said carabiner clip and said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       11 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a loop having an eyelet thereon; and a ring inserted through each of said eyelet and said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       12 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the object is one of a flashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.  
   
   
       13 . A magnetic object carrying apparatus comprising, in combination: 
 a first mating portion having a first end and a second end;    wherein the first end of the first mating portion is concave;    a second mating portion having a first end and a second end;    wherein the first end of the second mating portion is convex;    a first magnet located proximate the first end of the first mating portion;    a second magnet located proximate the first end of the second mating portion;    a first attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the first mating portion and an object; and    a second attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the second mating portion and a personal item.    
   
   
       14 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a first ring inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said first mating portion.  
   
   
       15 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a second ring inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       16 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a belt clip having an eyelet thereon; and a ring inserted through each of said eyelet and said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       17 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a carabiner clip and a ring inserted through each of said carabiner clip and said second end of said second mating portion.  
   
   
       18 . The carrying apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the object is one of a flashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.  
   
   
       19 . A method for carrying an object comprising: 
 providing a first mating portion having a first end and a second end;    wherein the first end of the first mating portion is concave;    providing a second mating portion having a first end and a second end;    wherein the first end of the second mating portion is convex;    providing a first magnet located proximate the first end of the first mating portion;    providing a second magnet located proximate the first end of the second mating portion;    providing a first attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the first mating portion and an object;    providing a second attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the second mating portion and a personal item;    attaching the first attachment mechanism to each of the second end of the first mating portion and the object; attaching the second attachment mechanism to each of the second end of the second mating portion and the personal item; and    bringing the first magnet into sufficient proximity to the second magnet so as to cause coupling of the first end of the first mating portion to the second end of the second mating portion.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the object is one of a flashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.