Flexible composite structure for magnetic coupling

Abstract

An illustrative composite structure for magnetic coupling includes a non-rigid bendable, flexible and optionally easily bendable member such as urethane that is molded into a desired shape and embeds a pliable strip such as woven fiberglass and a series of spaced apart magnets positioned along the fiberglass strip. Some embodiments are formed to serve as magnetically coupling devices for forming voids in precast concrete, including a chamfer form, a magnetic coupler for frame and other shaped voids, and a magnetic coupler and protective plug for attachment channel inserts. Another embodiment provides coupling of other metallic objects, for example, holding of small loose parts in an abrasive blasting or other industrial processes.

1 . A composite structure for magnetic coupling, comprising:
 a compound molded into a first pliable member;   at least one pliable strip embedded within the first pliable member, a structure of the at least one pliable strip allowing compound to seep into the at least one pliable strip during molding; and   each of a plurality of spaced apart magnets embedded within the first pliable member and positioned adjacent a first side of the at least one pliable strip.   
     
     
         2 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure at least one pliable strip is woven. 
     
     
         3 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pliable strip is woven fiberglass and the compound is urethane. 
     
     
         4 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein a structure of the at least one pliable strip is perforated. 
     
     
         5 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first pliable member defines an elongate stick having a triangular cross-section between a first and second end, and the at least one pliable strip extends from adjacent the first end to adjacent the second end of the elongate stick. 
     
     
         6 . The composite structure of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the plurality of spaced apart magnets each:
 include a flat side, an opposite side, and at least one edge between the flat and opposite sides; and 
 are magnetized through the thickness between the flat and opposite sides; and 
   for each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets, the flat side is positioned adjacent a first side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick; and at least a first portion of the width of the pliable strip is positioned between the flat side and the first side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick.   
     
     
         7 . The composite structure of  claim 6 , wherein for each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets:
 the at least one edge is positioned adjacent a second side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick, the second side adjoining the first side, and   a second portion of the width of the pliable strip extends from the flat side and is folded adjacent the at least first edge; the second portion of the width of the pliable strip is positioned between the at least first edge and the second side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick.   
     
     
         8 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first pliable member defines a sheet have a first and second side;   the at least one pliable strip includes a plurality of spaced apart pliable strips; and   at least a portion of the plurality of spaced apart pliable strips positioned adjacent the first side of the first pliable member; and   each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned adjacent a side of one of the plurality of pliable strips opposite the first side of the rectangular sheet.   
     
     
         9 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first pliable member defines a sheet have a first and second side;   the at least one pliable strip includes a plurality of spaced apart pliable strips;   a first portion of the plurality of spaced apart pliable strips positioned adjacent the first side of the first pliable member;   a second portion of the plurality of spaced apart pliable strips positioned adjacent the second side of the first pliable member; and   each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned between ones of the plurality of pliable strips opposite the first side of the rectangular sheet.   
     
     
         10 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the compound is further molded into a second, third, and fourth pliable members;   each of the first, second, third, and fourth pliable members including at least one pliable strip and a plurality of magnets embedded within the respective pliable member and the plurality of magnets spaced apart and positioned adjacent a first side of each of the pliable strips; and   each of the first, second, third, and fourth pliable members arranged to form a frame.   
     
     
         11 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first pliable member defines an elongate structure having a central portion and two flanges, the central portion having a top and bottom side, and two flanges coupled to opposite edges of the top side of the central portion and extending outwardly above the opposite edges of the central portion;   the at least one pliable strip extends through the central portion adjacent the top side and into each of the two flanges; and   the plurality of magnets are positioned within the central portion below the at least one pliable strip and adjacent the bottom side of the central portion.   
     
     
         12 . The composite structure of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of magnets are interleaved with ferrous metal members. 
     
     
         13 . The composite structure of  claim 12 , wherein an edge of the ferrous metal members are exposed at a bottom side of the central portion of the first pliable member. 
     
     
         14 . A composite structure for magnetic coupling, comprising:
 a compound molded into a first member;   at least one woven fiberglass strip embedded within the first member; and   each of a plurality of magnets embedded within the first member and positioned spaced apart from one another and adjacent a first side of the at least one woven fiberglass strip.   
     
     
         15 . The composite structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first member defines an elongate non-rigid, bendable, flexible stick having a triangular cross-section between a first and second end, and the at least one woven fiberglass strip extends from adjacent the first end to adjacent the second end of the elongate stick. 
     
     
         16 . The composite structure of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the plurality of spaced apart magnets each:
 include a flat side, an opposite side, and at least one edge between the flat and opposite sides; and 
 are magnetized through the thickness between the flat and opposite sides; and 
   for each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets, the flat side is positioned adjacent a first side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick; and at least a first portion of the width of the woven fiberglass strip is positioned between the flat side and the first side of the triangular cross-section of the elongate stick.   
     
     
         17 . The composite structure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first member defines a non-rigid, bendable, flexible sheet have a first and second side;   the at least one woven fiberglass strip includes a plurality of spaced apart woven fiberglass strips; and   at least a portion of the plurality of spaced apart woven fiberglass strips positioned adjacent the first side of the first member; and   each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned adjacent a side of one of the plurality of woven fiberglass strips opposite the first side of the rectangular sheet.   
     
     
         18 . The composite structure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first member defines a non-rigid, bendable, flexible sheet have a first and second side;   the at least one woven fiberglass strip includes a plurality of spaced apart woven fiberglass strips;   a first portion of the plurality of spaced apart woven fiberglass strips positioned adjacent the first side of the first member;   a second portion of the plurality of spaced apart woven fiberglass strips positioned adjacent the second side of the first member; and   each of the plurality of spaced apart magnets positioned between ones of the plurality of woven fiberglass strips opposite the first side of the rectangular sheet.   
     
     
         19 . The composite structure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the compound is further molded into a second, third, and fourth members;   each of the first, second, third, and fourth members being non-rigid, bendable, flexible and including at least one woven fiberglass strip and a plurality of magnets embedded within the respective member and the plurality of magnets spaced apart and positioned adjacent a first side of each of the woven fiberglass strips; and   each of the first, second, third, and fourth members arranged to form a frame.   
     
     
         20 . The composite structure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first member defines a non-rigid, bendable, flexible elongate structure having a central portion and two flanges, the central portion having a first and second side, and two flanges coupled to opposite edges of the first side of the central portion and extending outwardly beyond the opposite edges of the central portion;   the at least one pliable strip extends through the central portion and the two flanges; and   the plurality of magnets are positioned within the central portion between the second side of the central portion and the at least one pliable strip.