WO2018055631A1

WO2018055631A1 - Device and kit for mounting media to surfaces

Info

Publication number: WO2018055631A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/051082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoel SKIBA; Yotam SKIBA
Original assignee: Skiba Yoel; Skiba Yotam
Priority date: 2016-09-26
Filing date: 2017-09-26
Publication date: 2018-03-29

Abstract

The invention provides a reusable device for temporary or prolonged mounting a sheet of media to various surfaces in a variety of locations, comprising an assembly of a suction cup and a magnet, a cap for reversibly accommodating and protecting at least a portion of the suction cup, and an additional magnetic element, optionally attached to the cap or incorporated thereto. The sheet is mounted to a magnetic surface or a surface comprising a magnetic element, by attaching the sheet between the magnet and the surface while the assembly is accommodated in the cap. On a smooth surface, the sheet is held between the magnet of the assembly and the additional magnetic element, while the suction cup is attached to the smooth surface. The invention further provides a kit for convenient storage and portability of more than one device, especially for applications where more than one mounting device is required for mounting the sheet.

Description

DEVICE AND KIT FOR MOUNTING MEDIA TO SURFACES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of hangers. In particular to devices for mounting sheets of media on surfaces. BACKGROUND ART

Sheets of media such as paper, posters, construction plans, photographs, cloths items, notes, and other flat small items need to be temporarily displayed on wall surfaces of construction sites, offices, schools, homes, public lobbies, vehicles and shops to name a few. The media is usually attached to the surface using various types of hangers or attaching devices. As there are many types of surfaces such as dry -wall, smooth surfaces (glass, ceramic, lacquer painted) and metallic surfaces, there is also an array of solutions for attaching different types of media to different types of materials. These solutions are also categorized as disposable or reusable solutions.

Disposable solutions offered today include tapes or other adhesives, nails, screws, tacks. The problem with these solutions is that they tend to harm the surface being mounted to and the items being mounted. Harm caused includes leaving perforations, marks or adhesive material on surface being mounted to, and leaving perforations, tears, adhesive on the items being displayed. In addition, as these solutions are disposable they require a new application each time an items is moved from place to place. In addition, disposable solutions may be more expensive over time than a reusable solution. In addition, disposable solution are not ecological and create debris that needs to be handled.

Reusable solutions exist in the form of suctions cups that adhere to smooth surfaces, magnets that adhere to metal surfaces; nails, tacks and screws that can adhere to dry- wall surfaces. US Patent No. 6,886,793 discloses a combination of a suction cup attached to a first magnet and tethered to a second magnet allowing a sheet of paper to be held between the two magnets while the suction cup adheres to a smooth surface. Some of the deficiencies with the solutions provided by the prior art are as follows:

Mounting devices involving suction cups tend to wear and lose their effectiveness quickly due to tearing or accumulation of dust or dirt especially on the active surface which adheres to the non-porous smooth surface. This is due to fact that the suction cups are exposed, not covered and not protected.

In addition, the suctions cups do not have a convenient handle to adhere and remove the suction cup from a surface to which it is attached.

The magnets of mounting devices involving magnets do not have a convenient handle to help attach and remove magnet from a surface. When more than one mounting device of a magnet coupled to a suction cup is required for mounting a large sized item such as a construction plan, or for mounting a number of small items, the numerous mounting devices cannot be properly packed and managed together to allow them to be conveniently available as a kit of two or more mounting devices due to the magnetic forces interacting between magnets of separate devices held in proximity to each other.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to provide a device for mounting a sheet of media such as paper, posters, maps, construction plans, photographs, cloths items, notes, and other thin and flat items, to various types of surfaces while overcoming inter alia the above mentioned deficiencies of the prior art.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a device for mounting a sheet of media to a surface comprising (i) a suction cup capable of attaching to a smooth surface, the suction cup comprising a cup shaped sidewall comprising an interior surface defining a cavity, an external surface and a back end portion; (ii) a magnet capable of attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface or to a magnetic element; and (iii) a cap having a form of a container comprising a closed plane sidewall, a bottom end opening and a top end surface. The back end of the suction cup is connected to the magnet, both defining a suction cup- magnet assembly. The cap is fit to accommodate and protect at least the suction cup portion of the suction cup-magnet assembly. The suction cup-magnet assembly is reversibly accommodated in the cap having the internal surface of the cup shaped sidewall facing the top end surface of the cap, the external surface of the cup shaped sidewall being covered by the sidewalls of the cap, and the magnet being exposed through the bottom end opening of the cap.

Tn some embodiments, the device further comprises a magnetic element, optionally attached or incorporated to the cap, for attaching a sheet of media between the magnetic element and the magnet of the assembly when the suction cup is attached to a smooth surface, and/or for allowing a first device to connect to a second device through magnetic force between the magnetic element of the first device and the magnet of the assembly of the second device.

Tn some embodiments, the magnetic element of the top end surface of the cap is a magnet having a magnetic dipole being parallel to the magnetic dipole of the magnet of the assembly when the assembly is accommodated in the cap.

In some embodiments, the magnet and the back end of the suction cup of the assembly are enclosed in an encasement optionally designed to allow a grip for facilitating detachment and removal of the assembly from a smooth surface when the suction cup of the assembly is connected to said smooth surface, and for detachment of the accommodated magnet suction-cup assembly from the protecting cap.

In some embodiments the cap is adapted to allow an easy grip, optionally comprising a collar surface laterally extending from the top end surface or from the closed plane wall, for detaching the cap from the accommodated assembly, detaching the magnet of the assembly from a magnetic surface or for detaching the device from an adjacent device.

In some embodiments the cap comprises at least one slot for attachment therethrough of a tethering element. In some embodiments, the cap may further comprises at least one additional element such as a laser, a level er, a ruler, a mirror, a LED and a stud finder.

In some embodiments, the cap is characterized by at least one of:

Being adapted to reversibly attach a first device to a second device while maintaining all parts of the device intact;

Attenuating the attraction between two assemblies of two adjacent devices;

Having a back end surface being rigid flat and magnetic allowing to hold a sheet of media between the back end surface and the magnet of the assembly;

Having a back end surface being rigid flat and magnetic allowing a magnet of an assembly of an adjacent device to attach thereto.

In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising at least two devices as defined above and a kit housing for accommodating the at least two devices. Optionally, the devices are arranged in the kit housing in a linear head to tail arrangement having the top end surface of a cap of one device attached through magnetic forces to a magnet of an assembly of an adjacent device. The kit may further comprises a housing cap which in some embodiments is designed as a handle for easy carrying of the kit or for tethering/hanging the kit.

The present invention provides a device for mounting sheets of media on various types of surfaces dry-wall, smooth surface, and metal surface and non-wall objects providing protection to the suction cup when the suction cup is not in use. Tn addition, some embodiments of the present invention provide means which facilitate attaching and removing the suction cup and the magnet. Some embodiments of the invention allow the tethering of the device to an external item such as a belt. Furthermore, the modularity of the device allows a number of devices to attach to each other, to be managed and packed together, optionally as a kit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the present invention and in order to exemplify how it may be implemented in practice, several embodiments are hereby described, which should be interpreted only as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures. It is noted that the sizes and scale of the embodiments presented in the figures are exemplary and non-limiting

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic side blown view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. IB depicts a schematic cross sectional blown view along line A-A of Fig. I A of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C depicts a schematic top isometric blown view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 1 A.

FIG. ID depicts a schematic bottom isometric blown view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 1 A. FIG. 2A depicts a schematic side view of a device in a closed form according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B depicts a schematic cross sectional along line A-A of Fig. 2A of a device in a closed form according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C depicts a schematic top isometric of a device in a closed form according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D depicts a schematic bottom isometric of a device in a closed form according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 2A.

FIG 3A depicts a schematic top isometric of a device attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface or a surface comprising a magnetic element according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B depicts a schematic side view of a device attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface or a surface comprising a magnetic element according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C depicts a schematic cross sectional along line A-A of Fig. 3A of a device attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface or a surface comprising a magnetic element

FIG. 4A depicts a schematic front isometric of a device attaching a sheet of media to a smooth surface according to an embodiment of the invention.

FTG. 4B depicts a schematic side view of a device attaching a sheet of media to a smooth surface according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FTG. 4 A.

FIG. 4C depicts a schematic cross sectional representation along line A-A of Fig. 4A of a device attaching a sheet of media to a smooth surface according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A depicts a schematic side view of a kit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FTG. 5B depicts a schematic cross sectional along line A-A of Fig. 5A of a kit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5C depicts another schematic side view representation of a kit according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 5A. FTG. 5D depicts a schematic cross sectional along line B-B of Fig. 5A of a kit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A depicts a schematic top isometric of a tethered cap according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B depicts a schematic bottom isometric of a tethered cap according to another embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in example of a device for mounting a sheet of media on various surfaces, the invention is not limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing from the invention and the equivalents of the claims. However, the construction and method of operation of the invention together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1A-1D. The present invention provides a device 10 for mounting a sheet of media such as a paper, poster, construction plan, photograph, cloth item, note, or any other flat and thin item to a surface, comprising an assembly 12 of a suction cup 14 connected to a magnet 16, and a cap 18 for reversibly accommodating and protecting at least a portion of the assembly 12. As exemplified in Figs. 3A-3C, the assembly 12 can mount a sheet of media 100 to a magnetic surface 200, such as a bare metallic stud, a body of a car, a metallic wall a metallic window frame or a surface comprising a magnetic element 210 such as a nail, a bolt, a metallic handle mechanism in a wooden door or a hidden stud in a non-metallic wall, by attaching the sheet of media 100 between the magnet 16 and the surface 200. Making reference to and Figs. 4A-4C, to attach a sheet of media 100 to a smooth surface 300 that is not necessarily magnetic, such as a glass window, ceramic tiles, a mirror the assembly 12 is attached to the smooth surface 300 using the suction cup 14, and the sheet of media 100 is held between the magnet 16 and an additional magnetic element 56, which may optionally be attached to the cap 18 or incorporated thereto. In some embodiments, the sheet of media 100 is attached to the surface 200 or 300 with more than one device 10. The suction cup 14 comprises a cup shaped sidewall comprising an interior surface 20 defining a cavity 22, an exterior surface sidewall 24 and a back end portion 26.

The term suction cup" refers to a cup structured object, having an elastic working surface with an interior surface defining a cavity. In some embodiments the working surface is concave. In some embodiments the interior surface is conic or cubic. When the working surface is pressed against non-porous (or smooth) surfaces, it loses some of its curv ature leading to reduced volume of the cavity between the working surface and the smooth surface to create a partial vacuum which adheres the suction cup to the surface. The holding force of the suction cup 14 to the smooth surface depends on the degree of vacuum which is generated by pressing the working surface against the smooth surface. The duration which the suction cup 14 stays adhered to the surface depends on the efficiency of holding the vacuum. Both of these factors depend on the degree of elasticity of the working surface and smoothness of the interior surface 20. A person of skill in the art would know how to produce or obtain a ready-made suction cup that has adequate properties for the device of the invention. Without being limited thereto the suction cup is made of an elastic material such as rubber (e.g. PVC) or silicon. In some embodiments the interior surface 20 of the suction cup 14 is round, in some embodiments it is oval, square or rectangular. In some embodiments, the suction cup is a surface made of multiple microscopic suction cups, for example a surface made of NanoHold™.

The back end portion 26 of the suction cup 14 is connected to the magnet 16. In some embodiments, the back end portion 26 of the suction cup 14 comprises a chamber cavity 30 which encapsulates the magnet 16. In some embodiments the chamber comprises an aperture 32 such that the magnet 16 is exposed through the aperture 32. In some embodiments, the back end 26 of the suction cup 14 is connected to the magnet 16 with an adhesive such as a high bonding adhesive. In some embodiments the back end 26 is connected to the magnet 16 by double sided adhesive. In some embodiments the suction cup is prepared by molding the melt in a mold containing the magnet, to encompass the magnet or to obtain the back end surface of the suction cup attached to one of the faces of the magnet.

In some embodiments the back end 26 of the suction cup 14 together with the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 are enclosed in an external encasement 34. In some embodiments the encasement 34 has an aperture 36 leaving the magnet 16 exposed. In some embodiments the aperture 36 exposes a portion of the surface 17 of the magnet 16 being distal from the suction cup 14. In some embodiments the magnet 16 is designed such that the exposed surface 17 of the magnet is coplanar with the external encasement 34, to minimize the distance between the outer surface of the magnet and the magnetic surface to which it is attached (or to a neighboring cap of another device, when for example, it is stacked in a kit). In some embodiments the external encasement 34 encloses only the back end portion 26 of the suction cup 14, leaving the exterior surface 24 and the interior surface 20 of the suction cup 14 exposed. In some embodiments the encasement 34 encloses the surface of the back end portion 26 facing the exterior surface 24 of the suction cup with a collar 34.3, leaving an aperture 34.4 about the boundary between the exterior surface 24 and the back end portion 26. In some embodiments the encasement 34 is a plastic encasement. In some embodiments the encasement 34 is comprised of more than one complementary part (i.e. at least two parts that are complementary to each other, such as 34.1 and 34 2, that join together along a joining line 38).

The magnet 16 of the assembly 12 is an element which produces a permanent magnetic field and is attracted by (and attracts) magnetic materials and surfaces. The magnet 16 has a magnetic moment strong enough to enable attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface, to a surface comprising a magnetic element or to a magnetic element.

In some embodiments the assembly's magnet 16 is strong enough to magnetize magnetizable surfaces or elements (e.g. nails or bolts) and attach to said magnetizable surfaces or elements. In some embodiments the magnet of the assembly produces a magnetic field of at least 1800 Gauss at a distance of 3 mm.

It is noted that the terms "magnetic surface" and "magnetic element" as used herein encompass magnetizable surfaces and magnetizable elements, respectively.

Any commonly known permanent magnetic material can be used to obtain the magnet 16 of the assembly 12. Non-limiting examples of types of materials that can be used as magnets 16 are, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets in particular iron. In some embodiments the magnet 16 (as well as the magnetic element 56, see below) can be coated, for example, against corrosion. Non-limiting examples for anti-corrosion coating are nickel-cupper-nickel, epoxy, nickel-chrome, nickel-gold, and Teflon™. The person of skill in the art would know which coating to use and what should be the layer thickness of the coating.

The prior art discloses use of magnets for attaching articles to magnetic surfaces only when these items are limited in size, for example notes, letters, pictures or single page printouts. The modular structure of the device 10 of the present invention allows the use of an especially strong magnet which enables the use of the device 10 to mount particularly large and relatively heavy sheets of media 100 such as a permit set of drawings without compromising on the feasibility of stacking several devices together. In some embodiments the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 has a holding force strong enough to attach a sheet of media 100 weighing 70 gr, in some embodiments 80 gr, to a non-magnetic wall 300 having inside a stud made of a magnetic material, such as galvanized tin in a distance of 12 mm from the surface of the wall 300. In some embodiments the magnet of the assembly produces a magnetic field of at least 500 Gauss at a distance of 12 mm from the surface of the magnet. In some embodiments, two devices each having a disc-like magnet 16 having a diameter of 25 mm, thickness of 7 mm, a magnetic dipole perpendicular to the long horizontal axis of the disc, and aholding force of at least 8 Kg, attach together the sheet described above to the aforementioned non-magnetic wall 300, when each device is attached to one corner of the AO sheet.

The choice of strength of the magnet 16, is dependent on the particular intended use of the mounting device 10. For domestic use, for hanging particularly small items such as notes, drawings and photographs usually a magnet having a weaker holding force than the described above should suffice. The person of ordinary skill in the art would be able by simple trial and error to find the adequate magnet for the desired application.

In some embodiments a disc-type magnet having a magnetic dipole perpendicular to the long horizontal axis of the disc is used as the magnet 16 of the assembly.

In some embodiments the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 is attached directly to the magnetic surface and the suction cup 14 is attached to a smooth media such as a laminated sheet of media. Tn some embodiments, when the magnet 16 is attached to a magnetic surface, the suction cup 14 can be attached to a smooth item other than a sheet of media such as a back of a smartphone.

There are no limitations as to the shape of the magnet 16. In some embodiments the magnet 16 is cubic, in some embodiments it is trapezoid. In some embodiments the magnet 16 has a form of a disc, i.e., having a width being smaller than its diameter. In some embodiments the face of the magnet 16 which is supposed to attach the medium to a magnetic surface is flat.

In some embodiments the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 is strong enough to function as a stud finder, when the stud is made of a magnetic material of comprises magnetic elements (e.g. iron nails). In the most basic application the user screens the wall 300 with the magnet and once the magnet 16 is in front of a magnetic stud inside the wall 300, the user feels the attraction force between the magnet and the stud to locate the stud. In some embodiments a magnet producing a magnetic field of at least 500 Gauss at 12 mm, the standard distance of a stud from the face of the wall is used for this purpose. In some embodiments the assembly further comprises an indicator which indicates the presence of a nearby magnetic element such as a light indicator, a rotating device, or a sound generating circuit which are activated in response to a magnetic interaction between the assembly's magnet and the magnetic element. In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises means to turn off the indicator. The cap 18 has a form of a container comprising a closed plane sidewall 40 extending downward from the top end surface 42 and ending at a bottom end opening 44. Making reference to Figs. 2A-2C, the cap 18 is fit to accommodate and protect at least the suction cup portion 14 of the suction cup-magnet assembly 12. In some embodiments the cap 18 is fit to accommodate the whole suction cup-magnet assembly 12. The suction cup- magnet assembly 12 can be reversibly accommodated in the cap 18 in what is termed herein as the "closed form" of the device 10. In the closed form, The cap 18 functions as a container for the assembly 12, having the interior surface 20 of the suction cup 14 facing the top end surface 42 of the cap 18, and the magnet side 16 of the assembly 12 being proximal and/or facing the bottom end opening 44 of the cap 18 (See Fig. ID). The external surface 24 of the sidewall of the suction cup 14 is surrounded and covered by the sidewall 40 of the cap 18. In some embodiments, the cap's 18 length is equal or shorter than the length of the suction cup-magnet assembly 12. In such embodiments, when the assembly 12 is stored in the cap 18, the outer side of the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 (in the opposite direction of interior surface 20 of the suction cup 14) can be exposed through the bottom end opening 44 of the cap 18. Consequently, with reference to Figs. 3A - 3C, the magnet 16 is used for attaching a sheet of media 100 to a surface 200 being magnetic or comprising a magnetic element 210, while the suction cup 14 is kept covered and protected inside the cap 18.

Reverting to Figs. 1A-1D and Fig. IB, in embodiments where the assembly 12 is enclosed in an encasement 34, the encasement 34 and the cap 18 can be designed to have mutual temporary connecting means such as compatible grooves 46 and snitches 48. To this end, the cap 18 may comprise slots 50 to enable the sideways expansion of the cap 18 when the assembly 12 is inserted into the cap 18. In some embodiments, the assembly 12 is designed to allow a grip to facilitate pulling the assembly 12, for example during the detachment and removal of assembly 12 from being accommodated in the cap 18, but in other situations as well as will be evident further on. Similarly, in some embodiments the cap 18 is designed to allow a grip for facilitated pulling, for example detachment of the cap 18 from the assembly 12. To this end, in some embodiments the plastic encasement 34 of the assembly 12 and/or the cap 18 comprise a collar 52 or 54, respectively, extending laterally from the wall of the encasement 34 and/or of the cap 18. In some embodiments the collar 52 and/or 54 extends sideways from the sidewall of the encasement 34 or the sidewall 40 of the cap 18 In some embodiments the collar 52 and/or 54 extends from the edge of the encasement 34 and/or the top end surface 42 of the cap 18 proximal to the portion encasing the magnet. In some embodiments the grip is obtained by protrusions and/or grooves in the sidewall of the encasement 34 and/or the sidewall 40 of the cap.

In some embodiments, the cap 18 comprises a through hole for attaching a key holder. In some embodiments, the through hole is located on the collar 52 of the cap 18.

In some embodiments, the top end surface 42 of the cap 18 incorporates, or is attached to a magnetic element 56 such as a magnetic or magnetizable metallic component which can be in a form of a disc. The metallic disc can have a diameter of up to the inner diameter of the cap's top end surface 42. In some embodiments the magnetic element 56 is a coated magnet. In some embodiments the magnetic element 56 is a ring type magnet having a dipole moment perpendicular to the plane of the ring. In some embodiments a ring-type magnet having an outer diameter of 8 mm, an inner diameter of 2 mm and a height of 2.5 mm is used having a holding strength of 0.9 Kg. In some embodiments the magnetic element 56 produces a magnetic field of 500 Gauss at a distance of 4.5 mm. In some embodiments, the hole of the magnetic element 56 can be attached to the top end surface 42 of the cap 18 for example by an adhesive. In some embodiment the magnetic element 56 is cast inside the top end surface 42. In some embodiments the magnetic element 56 is inserted into a groove 58 in the top end surface 42. In some embodiments the top end surface 42 itself is made of a metallic material.

By having a magnetic element 56 attached to or incorporated in its top end surface 42, the cap 18 becomes a versatile element serving multiple purposes: First, as long as the suction cup 14 is not in use (i.e. when the device 10 is stored or when the assembly 12 is used to connect a sheet of media 100 to a magnetic surface 200 by using the magnet 16 of the assembly 12), the cap 18 provides protection to the suction cup 14 from wear and tear, and from accumulation of contaminants such as dust to the interior surface 20 of the suction cup 14 which deteriorate the suction capability of the suction cup.

Second, making reference to Figs. 4A - 4C, when the suction cup 14 is attached to a smooth surface 300, the cap 18 is used to attach the sheet of media 100 between the top end surface 42 and the magnet 16 of the assembly, due to the magnetic property of the top end surface 42. To this end, in some embodiments the magnetic element 56 is oriented when attached to or incorporated in the top end surface 42 of the cap 18 such that its dipole moment is parallel to the dipole moment of the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 when the assembly 12 is accommodated in the cap 18.

Third, when the dipole moments of the magnetic element 56 and the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 are oriented as explained above it facilitates storage of several units together, for example in a kit 400 as depicted in Figs. 5A-5D, as the magnet of the assembly in one device 10 is attracted and attaches to the top end surface 42.1 of a cap of another device 10.1. Consequently, the cap 18 can reversibly attach a first device 10 to a second device 10.1 while maintaining all parts of the device 10 intact as a single unit, especially when the top end surface 42.1 of the adjacent cap is rigid, flat and magnetic.

In some embodiments, the magnetic element 56 is a separate component and can be stored inside the cap 18 together with the suction cup-magnet assembly 12. Still, even if it is separated, the magnetic element 56 can be used to attach a sheet of media 100 between the magnetic element 56 and the magnet 16 of the assembly 12, and it can be used to connect the device 10 in its closed form to an adjacent device 10.1, especially if the magnetic element 56 is stored in proximity to the top end surface 42 of the cap 10. In some embodiments, the separate magnetic element 56 is in a form of a disc. In some embodiments, the separate magnetic element 56 is marked in order to show the correct direction by which it should be placed or stored in order to attract to a magnet of an assembly of another device.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6A-6B depicting another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cap 18a comprises at least two slots 60 through which a tethering element 62 can be inserted. ^'Ihe tethering element 62 can be used for attaching the device 10 to an external item. In some embodiments the external item is a belt or a hook. In some embodiments the cap 18 comprises sufficient space between the interior side of the top end surface 42 and the slots 60 for allowing the insertion of the tethering element 62 through the cap 18a without coming in contact with the accommodated suction cup 14. Tethering the cap 18a to an external surface provides that the device can be used for attaching media to non-wall surfaces. To this end, the cap 18a is tethered to a non-wall surface such as a fence, a ladder or a handle, and a sheet of media 100 is held between the top end surface 42 of the cap 18a (comprising or attached to a magnetic element) and the magnet 16 of the assembly 12. In some embodiments the tethering element 62 is selected from a string, a rubber band, a rope, a Velcro® strap and a fastener. In some embodiments the fastener is a cable-tie. In some embodiments, a mirror surface can be attached to either side of the top end surface 42 of the cap 18 or both. The mirror provides the option of using the mirror e.g. for personal use. When the mirror is placed on the exterior side of the top end surface 42 then the device 10 can be attached in its closed form to a magnetic surface 200 with the magnet 16 while the mirror on the exterior surface of the top end surface 42 faces the user. When having the mirror attached to the interior surface of the top end surface 42 then to use the mirror on a smooth surface, the cap 18 is removed from the assembly 12, the assembly 12 is attached to the surface using the suction cup 14 and the cap 18 is turned over and is connected to the magnet 16 of the assembly 12. To use the interior mirror on a magnetic surface 200, the cap is removed from the assembly 12, the assembly 12 is attached to the surface using magnet 16 and the suction cup 14 is adhered to the exterior side of the top end surface 42 of the cap 1 8. In such embodiments this requires that the exterior side of the top end surface 42 is adequately smooth to allow the suction cup 14 to adhere to it. Reference is made back to Figs. 5A-5D. For certain applications, more than one device is necessary for adequately mounting the sheet of media to the surface, for example, when the devices are used for mounting large and relatively heavy sheets of media such as construction plans which are difficult to be hung with only a single unit. Thus, in another aspect, the invention provides a kit 400 comprising at least two devices according to embodiments of the invention and a housing 410 for accommodating the at least two devices. The purposes of the kit is to allow convenient storage and portability of more than one device, while keeping the devices together and protected from wear and tear.

In some embodiments the kit comprises four devices 10. 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 according to the invention. In some embodiments the housing 410 is fit to accommodate the devices in their closed form, i.e., having the suction cup-magnet assembly 12 accommodated in the cap 18. In some embodiments the devices are arranged in the housing in a linear head to tail arrangement having the top end surface 42.1 of one device 10.1 attached through magnetic forces to the magnet 16 of an adjacent device 10. In some embodiments, the devices are kept in separate chambers in the housing. In some embodiments, the housing comprises a housing cap 420. In some embodiments the housing cap 420 is shaped as a handle for easily carrying the kit by hand, hanging it (for example on a hook) or tethering it. In some embodiments, the housing 410 and/or the housing cap 420 comprises at least one additional feature such as a ruler 430, a level and a laser a leveler, a ruler, a mirror, a LED and a stud finder.

In some embodiments the kit 400 comprises self-organizing devices 10 to 10.3. When the devices are in their closed form, then the devices of the kit can spontaneously organize in a head to tail arrangement due to the attractive magnetic forces between the top end surface of a cap of one device to the magnet of an assembly of a second device. In embodiments where the magnetic element 56 is separate from the top end surface 42 of the cap the self-organizing feature is acquired by placing the magnetic element between the interior surface 20 of the suction cap 14 and the back end surface of the cup 18 in the closed form.

In some embodiments the dipole moment of the magnetic element 56 is weaker than the dipole moment of the magnet 16 of the assembly 12, and in some embodiments the magnetic element does not have a measurable magnetic dipole (i.e. it is a magnetizable element). When the assembly 12 is housed in the cap 18, the magnetic element 56 attenuates the attraction between the magnet 16 of an assembly 12 of one device and the magnet 16.2 of an assembly 12.2 of an adjacent device 10.2. Similarly, the magnetic element 56.1 of the other adjacent device 10.1 attenuates the attraction between magnet 16 and magnet 16.1. IN addition, the presence of the suction cup 14 between the magnet 16 of the assembly 12 and the cap 18, contributes to gap between a magnet 16 of one assembly to the magnet 16.1 of another assembly 12. 1. This enables feasible storage of several devices in a single location (e.g. in a kit). Otherwise, the strong magnets 16, 16.1 and 16.2 would have attach devices 10, 10.1 and 10.2 to each other so strongly that it would be difficult to separate them without damaging the suction cups.

In some embodiments the kit 400 further comprises an element comprising a flat surface having a first side comprising an adhesive protected by a removable cover and a second side having selected from at least one of a smooth surface 300 and a magnetic surface 200, allowing connection of the device to the smooth surface or the magnetic surface 200 when the adhesive is adhered to a rough and non-magnetic surface.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" along with their derivatives. These terms mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Claims

A device for mounting a sheet of media to a surface comprising:

a suction cup capable of attaching to a smooth surface, the suction cup comprising a cup shaped sidewall comprising an interior surface defining a cavity, an external surface and a back end portion;

a magnet capable of attaching a sheet of media to a magnetic surface or to a magnetic element; and

a cap having a form of a container comprising a closed plane sidewall, a bottom end opening and a top end surface;

wherein

the back end of the suction cup being connected to the magnet, both defining a suction cup-magnet assembly,

the cap being fit to accommodate and protect at least the suction cup portion of the suction cup-magnet assembly,

the suction cup-magnet assembly being reversibly accommodated in the cap having the internal surface of the cup shaped sidewall facing the top end surface of the cap, the external surface of the cup shaped sidewall being covered by the sidewalls of the cap, and the magnet being exposed through the bottom end opening of the cap.

The device according to claim 1 further comprising a magnetic element for attaching a sheet of media between the magnetic element and the magnet of the assembly when the suction cup is attached to a smooth surface.

The device according to claim 1 further comprising a magnetic element for allowing a first device to connect to a second device through magnetic force between the magnetic element of the first device and the magnet of the assembly of the second device.

The device according to claim 01 wherein the magnetic element is incorporated in the cap.

The device according to claim 4 wherein the magnetic element of the top end surface of the cap is a magnet having a magnetic dipole being parallel to the magnetic dipole of the magnet of the assembly when the assembly is accommodated in the cap.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the magnet and the back end of the suction cup of the assembly are enclosed in an encasement.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein said encasement is designed to allow a grip for facilitating detachment and removal of the assembly from a smooth surface when the suction cup of the assembly is connected to said smooth surface.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap is adapted to allow an easy grip, optionally comprising a collar surface laterally extending from the top end surface or from the closed plane wall, for detaching the cap from the assembly, detaching the magnet of the assembly from a magnetic surface or for detaching the device from an adjacent device.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap comprising at least one slot for attachment therethrough of a tethering element.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a combination of two devices provides a combined magnetic holding force of 16 kg.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an additional component optionally embedded in the cap selected from a laser, a leveler, a ruler, a mirror, a LED and a stud finder.

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap is characterized by at least one of:

attenuating the attraction between two assemblies of two adjacent devices;

13. A kit comprising at least two devices as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a kit housing for accommodating the at least two devices.

14. The kit according to claim 13 wherein the devices are arranged in the kit housing in a linear head to tail arrangement having the top end surface of the cap of one device attached through magnetic forces to the magnet of an adjacent device.

15. The kit according to any one of claims 13 to 14 further comprising an element comprising a flat surface having a first side comprising an adhesive protected by a removable cover and a second side having selected from at least one of a smooth surface and a magnetic surface, allowing connection of the device to the smooth surface or the magnetic surface when the adhesive is adhered to a rough and nonmagnetic surface.