Magnetic mounting apparatus

Abstract

A magnetic mounting apparatus for mounting objects having a first support member comprising a receptacle for receiving an accessory item to be mounted and a first magnet, and a second support member comprising a second magnet with an unlike polarity that creates an attractive force between the support members. The second and first magnets are configured so that placement of the second support member near the first support member causes the support members to secure each other in place on a surface via friction through their magnetic force and hold an object in place with the surface sandwiched in between the first and second support members.

1 . A magnetic mounting apparatus, comprising:
 a first support member, including a receptacle formed in the first support member, and a first magnet, the receptacle including a first channel having a first width and a second channel having a second width greater than the first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first support member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface; and   a second support member, including a second magnet that is oriented to mate with the first magnet of the first support member.   
   
   
       2 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first magnet is disposed within the first support member. 
   
   
       3 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first magnet is disposed upon a surface of the magnetic mounting apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second magnets each have a thin, flat shape. 
   
   
       5 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second magnets are disk-shaped. 
   
   
       6 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second magnets each have a square or circular shape. 
   
   
       7 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first support member is a substantially cube shape. 
   
   
       8 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cavity terminates proximate to the second surface. 
   
   
       9 . The magnetic mounting apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the cavity is T-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . A support member, comprising:
 a first receptacle having a first channel having a first width and a second channel having a second width greater than the first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first support member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface; and   a first magnet having a first polarity.   
   
   
       11 . The support member of  claim 10  wherein the cavity terminates proximate to the second surface. 
   
   
       12 . The support member of  claim 11  wherein the cavity is T-shaped. 
   
   
       13 . The support member of  claim 10 , further comprising a second receptacle proximate to the first receptacle, the second receptacle having a first channel having a first width and a second channel having a second width greater than the first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at the first surface of the first support member and proceeding toward the second surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface. 
   
   
       14 . A modular support member, having an interchangeable first module and a second module, the first module being configured to slide onto the second module;
 the first module comprising:
 a first receptacle having a first channel of a first width and a second channel of a second width greater than the first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first support member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface; 
 a keyed housing channel; and 
 a catch; 
   the second module comprising:
 a key on the second module adapted to mate with the keyed channel and the catch of the first module such that the first module attaches to the second module; and 
 a magnet. 
   
   
   
       15 . The modular support member of  claim 14  wherein the second module further comprises the key extending above the second module at an oblique angle and away from the second module body. 
   
   
       16 . The modular support member of  claim 15  wherein the second module further comprises a rib oriented to mate with the catch of the first module. 
   
   
       17 . The modular support member as in  claim 14 , further comprising a third module configured to slide onto the second module, the third module including:
 a first receptacle having a first channel of a first width and a second channel of a second width greater than the first width, the first and second channels forming a cavity with an opening at a first surface of the first support member and proceeding toward a second surface of the first support member opposite to the first surface;   a keyed housing channel; and   a catch;   wherein the cavity of the third module is of a different size than the cavity of the first module.   
   
   
       18 . The modular support member as in  claim 17  wherein the cavity of the third module is smaller than the cavity of the first module. 
   
   
       19 . The modular support member as in  claim 17  wherein the cavity of the third module is larger than the cavity of the first module. 
   
   
       20 . The modular support member of  claim 14  wherein the first module is positioned vertically to the second module with the key housing channel facing the key of the second support member and slid down onto the key and wherein the first module interlocks with the second by the rib of the second module engaging the catch of the first module and by vertically aligning the first module and the second module to prevent separation.