A mechanism comprising a first component having a first magnetic part, a second component, and a third component having a second magnetic part, the third component being moveable relative to said first component in a given direction to effect connection and or disconnection of the first and second components by causing interaction of the first and second magnetic parts, wherein, when connected, the first and second components are able to move relative to one another in said given direction. The mechanism further comprising a fourth component for engagement with said first component to prevent movement of the third component relative to the first component as a result of relative movement of the first and second components, thereby to prevent unintended disconnection of the first and second components.

A closure system for connecting a first assembly to a second assembly includes a first closure device which includes a first closure part, which is to be arranged on the first assembly and includes a first magnetic element and a second closure part, which is to be fastened to the second assembly and includes a second magnetic element. The first closure part and the second closure part can be attached to each other along a closing direction and are mechanically latched with each other in a closed position. A second closure device serves for releasably fastening the second closure part to the second assembly. The second closure device includes a traction element arranged on the second closure part and a tensioning device connected to the traction element, wherein the tensioning device can be actuated to tension the traction element for fastening the second closure part to the second assembly.

A device incorporating both a magnet and a living hinge may be employed to construct cases to protect electronic devices and to function as a closure for cases and lidded containers. Such cases often can be bent three 360 allowing the cases to be either closed protecting devices therein are closed upon themselves allowing the case to function to secure an electronic device to a substrate such as an article of clothing. The devices of the disclosure can also be used to organize and hold loose items together.

An electronic device or electronic device assembly may comprise a first portion and a second portion, a first magnet disposed inside the first portion and rotatable about a pivot axis with respect to the first portion, and a second magnet disposed inside the second portion and rotatable about a pivot axis with respect to the second portion. The first and second magnet may be configured to rotate so that the first and second magnets magnetically engage each other when the distance between the first and second magnet is equal to or smaller than a first distance.

An apparatus having a fast drop-off in attraction force between magnets is provided. The apparatus includes a first magnet array having a plurality of magnets with different magnetic field orientations fixedly positioned in a first housing. The apparatus also includes an adjacent magnet assembly relative to the first magnet array and provided in a second housing that includes second and third magnet arrays, each having a plurality of magnets with different magnetic field orientations. The apparatus includes an activation mechanism configured to move the adjacent magnet assembly from at least a first relative position to a second relative position. The adjacent magnet assembly in the second relative position has a second magnetic attraction force with the first magnet array that is substantially reduced as compared to a first magnetic attraction force with the first magnet array in the first relative position. The magnet arrays may define a magnetic fastener controlling opening and/or closing of portions of a device.

A device incorporating both a magnet and a living hinge may be employed to construct cases to protect electronic devices and to function as a closure for cases and lidded containers. Such cases often can be bent three 360? allowing the cases to be either closed protecting devices therein are closed upon themselves allowing the case to function to secure an electronic device to a substrate such as an article of clothing. The devices of the disclosure can also be used to organize and hold loose items together.

Systems and methods for auto-aligning protruding connectors in docking interfaces are described. In some embodiments, a docking interface may include a male portion comprising: a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device disposed across from the first magnetic device, and a guidepost disposed between the first magnetic device and the second magnetic device, where the guidepost comprises a third magnetic device. The docking interface may also include a female portion comprising a fourth magnetic device and a fifth magnetic device disposed across from the fourth magnetic device leaving a gap between the fourth magnetic device and the fifth magnetic device, where the gap is configured to receive the guidepost.

An electronic device or electronic device assembly may comprise a first portion and a second portion, a first magnet disposed inside the first portion and rotatable about a pivot axis with respect to the first portion, and a second magnet disposed inside the second portion and rotatable about a pivot axis with respect to the second portion. The first and second magnet may be configured to rotate so that the first and second magnets magnetically engage each other when the distance between the first and second magnet is equal to or smaller than a first distance.

Connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor, readily mate when brought into proximity to each other, and disconnect when subjected to a non-axial force.

A device incorporating both a magnet and a living hinge may be employed to construct cases to protect electronic devices and to function as a closure for cases and lidded containers. Such cases often can be bent three 360? allowing the cases to be either closed protecting devices therein are closed upon themselves allowing the case to function to secure an electronic device to a substrate such as an article of clothing. The devices of the disclosure can also be used to organize and hold loose items together.