Modular screen with magnetic joints

Abstract

In an embodiment, a gaming screen comprising a first panel having a first edge, a first magnet rotatably mounted at the first edge, a second panel having a second edge, and a second magnet rotatably mounted at the second edge. The first and second magnets are arranged to attract to each other and form a hinge between the first panel and the second panel. The panel may be folded into a compact state for carrying or storage.

1 . A gaming screen comprising:
 a first panel having:
 a first edge; and 
 a first magnet rotatably mounted at the first edge; 
   a second panel having:
 a second edge; and 
 a second magnet rotatably mounted at the second edge; 
   wherein the first and second magnets are arranged to attract to each other and form a hinge between the first panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming screen of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first magnet has a cylindrical body and is mounted so that its central axis is substantially parallel to the first edge. 
 
     
     
         3 . The gaming screen of  claim 2  wherein the first magnet is mounted so that it is free to rotate about its central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming screen of  claim 2  wherein the first magnet has a mounting hole through a central axis of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming screen of  claim 4  wherein the first panel comprises a mounting spindle and the first magnet is mounted so that the mounting spindle passes through the mounting hole. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming screen of  claim 2  wherein:
 a first half of the first magnetic has a magnetic north polarity and a second half of the first magnet has a magnetic south polarity, wherein the first and second halves of the first magnet are lengthwise halves of the first magnet. 
 
     
     
         7 . The gaming screen of  claim 1  wherein the first panel comprises:
 an opposite edge, opposite to the first edge; and 
 an opposite magnet rotatably mounted at the opposite edge. 
 
     
     
         9 . The gaming screen of  claim 1  wherein the first panel, the second panel, or both comprise a substantially flat rectangular body. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming screen of  claim 1  wherein the first panel comprises a plurality of magnets rotatably mounted along the first edge. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming screen of  claim 1  wherein the hinge allows about a 360-degree swing between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         12 . A screen comprising:
 a plurality of panels, each panel comprising:   a first edge;   a second edge opposite the first edge;   at least one rotatably mounted magnet positioned at the first edge and/or the second edge;   wherein the at least one rotatably mounted magnet of a first panel of the plurality of panels attracts the at least one rotatably mounted magnet of a second panel of the plurality of panels to form a hinge between the one panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         13 . The screen of  claim 12  wherein the hinge allows the first panel to swing about 360-degrees with respect to the second panel. 
     
     
         14 . The screen of  claim 12  wherein the rotatably mounted magnets comprise cylindrical bodies. 
     
     
         15 . The screen of  claim 14  wherein a first lengthwise half of each cylindrical body comprises magnetic north and a second lengthwise half of each cylindrical body comprises magnetic south. 
     
     
         16 . A modular panel for a screen comprises:
 a first edge; and   one or more magnets mounted at the first edge to rotate about an axis through the one or more magnets, the one or more magnets comprising:
 a body; 
 a magnetic north half; 
 a magnetic south half; 
 wherein the magnetic north half and the magnetic south half are defined by a plane through the axis of the body; 
   
     
     
         17 . The modular panel of  claim 16  further comprising a mounting hole positioned through the axis of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         18 . The modular panel of  claim 16  wherein the body is a cylindrical body. 
     
     
         19 . The modular panel of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a second edge; 
 a third edge; 
 a fourth edge; and 
 one or more magnets rotatably mounted on the second, third, and/or fourth edge. 
 
     
     
         20 . A screen comprising:
 a plurality of panels; and   means for coupling the panels together to form hinges between the panels.