Heavy duty magnet mount

What is this patent about?

’058 is related to the field of mounting systems for portable electronic devices, specifically addressing the challenges of securing increasingly large and heavy smartphones or tablets within a vehicle environment. Traditional mounts often rely exclusively on either mechanical cradles, which can be cumbersome, or magnetic attraction, which frequently fails when users place ferromagnetic plates behind thick protective cases or internal battery covers. The invention seeks to bridge this gap by providing a hybrid support structure that maintains a sleek profile while offering enhanced stability.

The underlying idea behind ’058 is the integration of a dual-retention mechanism that combines magnetic attraction with deployable mechanical shelving. The inventor recognized that while magnets provide convenient, quick-attach functionality, the air gap created by device cases significantly weakens magnetic flux. By incorporating legs that are both telescopically extendible and foldable, the mount can transition from a minimalist magnetic disk to a reinforced cradle, ensuring that the device does not slide or detach during high-vibration events like vehicle acceleration or cornering.

The claims of ’058 focus on a mount body featuring a magnet secured within a face plate and a specialized articulated leg assembly. Specifically, the independent claims protect a design where at least one leg is movable from a stored position—where it sits flush or coplanar with the face plate—to a support position. This assembly includes a leg body that extends outward from the housing and a distal extension that rotates to a position perpendicular to the face, creating a physical ledge to catch the bottom edge of the electronic device.

In practice, the system utilizes a ferromagnetic element that the user attaches to their device or hides behind a case. When the device is placed against the mount, the magnet provides the primary lateral and vertical hold. For larger devices, the user pulls the leg assembly downward from the housing and flips the extensions forward. This mechanical ledge bears the weight of the device, effectively offloading the gravitational stress from the magnetic interface and preventing the device from pivoting or falling off when the magnetic bond is attenuated by intervening case materials.

This approach differentiates itself from prior art by offering a modular geometry that adapts to the specific needs of the hardware. Unlike fixed cradles that are always bulky, or purely magnetic mounts that lack a safety failsafe, this invention allows the support legs to remain hidden and coplanar when not needed. The ability to adjust the extension length of the legs ensures that the ferromagnetic plate remains optimally aligned with the internal magnet, regardless of the device's height, providing a customized fit that maximizes both magnetic and mechanical security.