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Magnetic hanging system and methods of useRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, Paper Or Textile Sheet Type, Pivoted Support, Wall MountedMagnetic hanging system and methods of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060219646, Magnetic hanging system and methods of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a retaining system or device. In particular, the present invention is directed to a retaining system for a sheet, such as paper, the system including an elongate hinge, a magnet and a piercing member. [0002] Various designs of systems and devices for retaining a sheet, such as a paper page, are known. A very common system that grips the sheet is a standard clipboard. A clipboard generally has a jaw that is urged against a planar surface or tablet, often by a spring mechanism or other tension mechanism. Attempts have been made to improve on the common clipboard. One design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,758, which provides a piercing clamp for holding sheets of paper. In addition to the spring-loaded jaw to hold the paper, the device includes piercing pins on the jaw, which pierce and thus enhance the hold on the paper sheet. This overall design is fairly old, also having been generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,878,12 and 9,588,01. U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,447 teaches a similar paper holder, having a self-punching, spring loaded, hinged clamp that can hold a sheet in a vertically depending orientation. [0003] There is always room for alternate designs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention is a sheet hanging system that is capable of securely holding a sheet or sheets, in a vertically depending orientation. Magnetic forces and piercing the sheet hold the sheet in place. Sheets can be easily inserted into and removed from the system. [0005] In one particular aspect, the invention is to a sheet hanging system having a first elongate portion pivotally connected to a second elongate portion by an elongate hinge. The first portion has an inside surface, first end and an opposite second end, the second portion has an inside surface, a first end and an opposite second end, and the hinge has a first end and an opposite second end. The first ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge are aligned, and the second ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge are aligned. A magnetic surface is present on the inside surface of the first portion, and the inside surface of the second portion is configured to magnetically attract to that magnetic surface. There is at least one piercing member on the inside surface of one of the first portion or the second portion, and there can be at least one receiver on the other of the first portion and the second portion to align with the at least one piercing member. There could be at least three receivers, with at least one of the receivers aligned with the at least one piercing member. In one particular embodiment, the piercing member(s) are on the first portion having the magnetic surface. [0006] There could additionally be a decorative element, such as a decorative plate, on the system. The decorative element could have a first end being flush with or extending past the first ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge, and a second end being flush with or extending past the first ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge. [0007] In another particular aspect, the invention is to a sheet hanging system having a first elongate portion pivotally connected to a second elongate portion by an elongate hinge. The hinge extends at least between the first end and the second end of the first portion. There is a magnetic surface present on the inside surface of the first portion, and the inside surface of the second portion is configured to magnetically attract that magnetic surface. There is also at least one piercing member on the inside surface of one of the first portion and the second portion, typically on the inside of the first portion. There can be at least one receiver on the other portion aligned with the at least one piercing member. There could be a decorative element, such as a decorative plate, on the system. The decorative element could have a first end flush with or extending past the first ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge, and a second end flush with or extending past the second ends of the first portion, second portion and hinge. [0008] Any of the above described sheet hanging systems may have the first portion pivotally connected to the second portion, and where one of the first portion and the second portion is configured into at least two units. In one embodiment, the first portion has three units, the total length of which is generally equal to the length of the second portion and the hinge that pivotally connects the first portion to the second portion. [0009] In yet another particular aspect of the invention, a method of holding a sheet is provided. The method includes providing a retention system, positioning a sheet within the retention system, and holding the sheet by magnetic forces between the first portion and the second portion. The sheet could also be held by puncturing the sheet. [0010] In a particular preferred method, the retention system has a first elongate portion pivotally connected to a second elongate portion by an elongate hinge. There is a magnetic surface present on the inside surface of the first portion and the inside surface of the second portion is configured to magnetically attract to that magnetic surface. There is preferably at least one piercing member on the inside surface of one of the first portion and the second portion. The method of holding the sheet includes positioning a sheet between the inside surface of the first portion and the inside surface of the second portion and then pivoting the first portion toward the second portion, thus retaining the sheet between the first portion and the second portion by magnetic forces between the first portion and the second portion. Also, the method can include piercing the sheet with the at least one piercing member to retain the sheet both by magnetic force and mechanical force (i.e., by piercing). [0011] These and other aspects of the invention are described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanging system according to the present invention; in particular, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanging system having a first hanging unit and a second hanging unit, the first hanging unit illustrated in a first, disengaged, position and the second hanging unit illustrated in a second, engaging, position; [0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a hanging unit according to the present invention in a disengaged position, illustrating a sheet positioned to be engaged and held by a magnetic force and piercing structure; [0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a hanging unit according to the present invention in a disengaged position; and [0015] FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, except that the sheet is positioned to be engaged and held only by the magnetic force. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0016] Referring now to the figures, where like reference numerals indicate like structure throughout the various figures, a sheet hanging system is indicated at reference number 10. In FIG. 1, sheet-hanging system 10 is shown as having a first hanging unit 10a and a second hanging unit 10b. In FIG. 1, first hanging unit 10a is configured to secure sheet 102 and second hanging unit 10b is shown with sheet 104 secured. Unit 10a is illustrated in a disengaged position, with unit 10a in an "open" position, allowing insertion and removal of sheet 102. Unit 10b is illustrated in an engaged position, with unit 10b in a "closed" position, securing sheet 104. In FIGS. 1 and 2, system 10, having units 10a and 10b, is illustrated mounted on wall or other surface 100. [0017] Units 10a and 10b are used as an illustration to show that multiple units can form system 10. It should be also understood, however, that a single unit can form system 10. The following discussion will use unit 10a as the reference, although the nomenclature used will be "unit" or "system". Generally, each unit, such as unit 10a and unit 10b will have similar features. [0018] Referring to FIG. 1, unit 10a includes a first portion 12 having a first end 12a, an opposite end 12b and an extended length therebetween. Unit 10a also includes a second portion 14 having a first end 14a, an opposite end 14b and an extended length therebetween. In the configuration illustrated in the figures, second portion 14 is mounted to wall 10 and first portion 12 is pivotally attached to second portion 14. [0019] First portion 12 and second portion 14 are pivotally connected by an elongate hinge 15 having a first end 15a and an opposite second end 15b. An elongate hinge is often referred to as a `piano hinge`. In preferred embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, first ends 12a, 14a, 15a align and second ends 12b, 14b, 15b align. In other words, in preferred embodiments, each of first portion 12, second portion 14, and hinge 15 are the same length. In preferred designs, first portion 12 and second portion 14 are integral with hinge 15; that is, the three elements can be obtained as a single unit. [0020] When in the closed or engaged position, first portion 12 and second portion 14 are positioned generally against each other, with an angle therebetween of generally 0 degrees. It is to be understood, however, that depending on hinge 15, when in the closed position, first portion 12 and second portion 14 may actually have some angle therebetween, but this is minimal. When in the open or disengaged position, the angle between first portion 12 and second portion 14 can essentially be any degree between 0 degrees and 360 degrees. Typically, however, when system 10 is mounted on wall 100, the maximum angle therebetween is 180 degrees. In most configurations however, the typical maximum angle therebetween is about 90-120 degrees. Continue reading about Magnetic hanging system and methods of use... Full patent description for Magnetic hanging system and methods of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Magnetic hanging system and methods of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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