Reusable Magnetic Device for Temporary Retention of a Vehicle Opening Element

Abstract

A reusable magnetic device for temporary retention of a vehicle opening element in a closed position. The reusable magnetic device includes one or more magnets engaging at least one of the opening element and the fixed element of the vehicle in the closed position. The reusable magnetic device may include one or more pads to reduce the contact surface area between the device and either one or both of the opening element or fixed element.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of releasably engaging a door with respect to a fixed element of a vehicle body comprising the steps of:
 providing a reusable magnetic device comprising:
 a bracket body with a first end and a second end, wherein said first end includes a U-shaped member, said U-shaped member having a first side member spaced from an opposing second side member and interconnected by a bottom side member therebetween, each of said first side member, said second side member, and said bottom side member has an inwardly facing inner abutment surface to define a receiving slot, wherein said first side member inner abutment surface of said bracket body first end includes one or more first magnets, and 
 wherein said bracket body second end includes an abutment surface, wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end includes one or more second magnets; 
   magnetically engaging said abutment surface of said bracket body second end to said door when the door is in a closed position relative to the fixed element via said one or more second magnets;   magnetically disengaging said abutment surface of said bracket body second end from the door when opening the door away from the closed position towards an open position relative to said fixed element via said one or more second magnets; and   engaging said fixed element within said receiving slot of said first end U-shaped member when said door is in both the open position and the closed position relative to said fixed element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more first magnets are spaced inwardly from said first side member inner abutment surface by a first distance. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end is substantially parallel to said first side member inner abutment surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said one or more second magnets are spaced inwardly from said abutment surface by a second distance. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end includes one or more pads, wherein said one or more pads extend outwardly from said abutment surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of said inner abutment surfaces defining said receiving slot has a surface area, wherein said surface area of said second side member is less than said surface area of said bottom side member inner abutment surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of engaging said fixed element within said receiving slot of said first end U-shaped member includes magnetically engaging the fixed element via said one or more first magnets. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a latch catch having one or more metal members, and further comprising the steps of engaging said latch catch to said door, magnetically engaging said abutment surface of said bracket body second end to said latch catch when said door is in the closed position relative to said fixed element via said one or more second magnets, and magnetically disengaging said abutment surface of said bracket body second end from said latch catch when opening said door away from the closed position towards the open position relative to said fixed element via said one or more second magnets. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of spacing the door with respect to the fixed element of the vehicle body for a distance. 
     
     
         10 . A reusable magnetic device for releasably engaging a door with respect to a fixed element of a vehicle body comprising:
 a bracket body with a first end and a second end, wherein said first end includes a U-shaped member, said U-shaped member having a first side member spaced from an opposing second side member and interconnected by a bottom side member therebetween, each of said first side member, said second side member, and said bottom side member has an inwardly facing inner abutment surface to define a receiving slot, wherein said receiving slot of said first end U-shaped member is adapted to engage the fixed element when the door is in both the open position and the closed position relative to the fixed element;   wherein said bracket body second end includes an abutment surface, wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end includes one or more first magnets, wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end is adapted to engage the door when the door is in a closed position relative to the fixed element and said abutment surface of said bracket body second end is adapted to be disengaged from the door when the door is in an open position relative to the fixed element; and   wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end is substantially parallel to at least one of said first side member inner abutment surface and said second side member inner abutment surface.   
     
     
         11 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein said first side member inner abutment surface of said bracket body first end includes one or more second magnets. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 11  wherein said one or more second magnets are spaced inwardly from said first side member inner abutment surface by a first distance. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein said one or more first magnets are spaced inwardly from said abutment surface by a second distance. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein said abutment surface of said bracket body second end includes one or more pads, wherein said one or more pads extend outwardly from said abutment surface. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein each of said inner abutment surfaces defining said receiving slot has a surface area, wherein said surface area of said second side member is less than said surface area of said bottom side member inner abutment surface. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  further comprising a latch catch having one or more metal members, and wherein said latch catch releasable engages to said door, said abutment surface of said bracket body second end magnetically engages to said latch catch when said door is in the closed position relative to said fixed element via said one or more first magnets, and said abutment surface of said bracket body second end magnetically disengages from said latch catch when opening said door away from the closed position towards the open position relative to said fixed element via said one or more first magnets. 
     
     
         17 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  further comprising a non-stick paint release coating. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein said bracket body is L-shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The reusable magnetic device of  claim 10  wherein said bracket body includes a through opening.