Magnetized Cable For Improved Cable Management
Patent No. US11972881 (titled "Magnetized Cable For Improved Cable Management") was filed by Reaction Labs Llc on Jun 22, 2023.
What is this patent about?
’881 is related to the field of cable management, specifically addressing the problem of tangled cables associated with electronic devices. Traditional cables often become entangled when not in use, leading to user frustration. The patent aims to provide a solution that simplifies cable storage and prevents tangling.
The underlying idea behind ’881 is to integrate magnetic properties directly into the cable itself. This is achieved by embedding magnetic particles within a flexible polymer matrix, forming an elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC). The magnetic field generated by the EFMC causes the cable to attract itself, facilitating coiling and preventing tangling.
The claims of ’881 focus on a magnetized cable comprising one or more electrically conductive wires and an elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) . The EFMC produces a persistent magnetic force, causing portions of the cable to attract each other when coiled. Key features include the EFMC's composition (pliable polymer binder with magnetic particles), a substantially rectangular cross-section with defined major surfaces, and specific positioning of the wires either embedded within or adjacent to the EFMC.
In practice, the EFMC is manufactured by combining a pliable polymer (like rubber or silicone) with magnetic particles (such as ferrite or neodymium). This mixture is then extruded or molded into an elongated shape. A strong magnetic field is applied to align the magnetic particles, creating a permanent magnetic field within the cable. This field causes the cable to self-coil, simplifying storage. The rectangular cross-section further enhances the magnetic attraction between adjacent loops when the cable is coiled.
Unlike traditional cables that rely on external organizers or ties to prevent tangling, ’881 integrates the organizing mechanism directly into the cable's structure. The magnetic self-attraction eliminates the need for external accessories and provides a more convenient and user-friendly solution. The use of a flexible polymer allows the cable to remain pliable and easy to uncoil when needed, addressing a key limitation of rigid magnetic solutions.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’881 was filed, at a time when cables for electronic devices were typically manufactured with a focus on electrical performance and durability, when cable management solutions commonly relied on external accessories such as ties or clips rather than integrated features, and when hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to integrate magnetic components directly into the cable structure without affecting signal integrity or flexibility.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the claims because the prior art, whether considered individually or in combination, did not teach or suggest all the features of independent claims 1, 4, 8, 9 and 11. Specifically, the prior art failed to disclose a magnetized cable comprising electrically conductive wires and an elongated flexible magnetized component (EFMC) configured to produce a persistent magnetic force, wherein the magnetized cable is magnetically attracted to other portions when coiled. Furthermore, the EFMC includes a pliable polymer binder and magnetic particles, the cable has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and a major surface lies within a polarity region of the persistent magnetic field. Also, the prior art did not teach the EFMC having magnetic particles substantially aligned to produce the persistent magnetic force, or the electrically conductive wires being embedded in and surrounded by the EFMC, or the wires being positioned within elongated grooves of the EFMC. Finally, the prior art did not teach a method for fabricating a magnetized cable including forming an EFMC, exposing it to a magnetic field, and incorporating conductive wires within or adjacent to the EFMC.
Claims
This patent contains 18 claims, of which claims 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 are independent. Independent claims 1, 2, 6, and 7 are directed to a magnetized cable comprising electrically conductive wires and an elongated flexible magnetized component, while independent claim 9 is directed to a method for fabricating such a cable. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, materials, or processes related to the magnetized cable and its fabrication.
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Date
Description
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US11972881
- Application Number
- US18339272
- Filing Date
- Jun 22, 2023
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jun 22, 2043
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents