Abstract: A convertible stand/table may be converted for use alternately as a table or a stand, and in particular, a stand suitable for use in mounting, securing, holding, or otherwise retaining or mounting one or more items for viewing and/or use by an individual, including, for example, a tablet or other portable computing device. Further, in some configurations, a magnetic mounting pad, including a suction cup surface and at least one permanent magnet, may be used to mount a portable electronic device such as a tablet on an inclined and magnetically-attractive surface, with the suction cup surface, e.g., provided by a microsuction layer, adhered to the back of the portable electronic device, and with the permanent magnet attracted to the magnetically-attractive surface.

Abstract: A magnetic ball joint, usable in connection with a convertible stand/table, as well as in other applications, utilizes an array of interleaved magnets and ferromagnetic bodies to both magnetically engage and retain a magnetically-attractive ball using concentrated magnetic force as well as to provide frictional resistance to movement of the ball in the joint.

Abstract: A locking hinge design relies on a mechanically-actuated magnetic clutch to selectively disengage first and second gears respectively coupled to first and second members and thereby selectively enable relative rotation between the first and second members about an axis of rotation. The mechanically-actuated magnetic clutch includes first and second magnetic members disposed in an opposing relationship, such that permanent magnets respectively disposed in each magnetic member may be placed into either a mutually attractive or mutually repellant relationship in response to relative movement therebetween. One of the magnetic members is coupled to one of the gears to move the gear along the axis of rotation and thereby selectively disengage or engage the gear from or with the other gear such that the gears are selectively engaged in response to mechanical movement of the magnetic members.