ADJUSTABLE, AMORPHOUS APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING SCREENED DEVICES AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF

Abstract

An adjustable apparatus comprises at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the amorphous, elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable, and the adjustable apparatus also comprises at least one first mating connector thereon. The first mating connector may be a magnet, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, and combinations of these. Optionally, first mating connector is a magnet. Alternatively, the magnet is a magnetic bead configured to slide substantially along the length of the armature and configured to be positionable substantially along the length of the armature. The magnet or magnetic bead selectively couples to a magnetic surface on a screened device and the elongated armature may be adjusted to position the screen of the screened device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/807,117 for “Adjustable, Amorphous Apparatus for Positioning Screened Devices and Method for the Use Thereof”, filed on Apr. 1, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for adjusting the position of a screen of a screened device, where the invention more particularly relates to apparatus and methods for adjusting the position of a screen of a screened device, which apparatus and devices having at least one first mating connector thereon.

BACKGROUND

Beginning in the early years of the twenty-first century, a large variety of new screened devices have been developed and sold, including, but not necessarily limited to, mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers. Many of these portable electronic devices have a view screen for displaying text. Some of these devices also are used for displaying photographs and in some cases movies. The newest of these devices display photographs and movies in high definition. While some electronic devices such as digital picture frames, come with a mechanism such as a stand for positioning the screen for viewing, phones and tablet computers generally do not. However, often the original manufacturer and/or third parties sell separate stands for such devices.

With the advent of portable electronic devices, it has become common to observe such devices being used in many public venues and social settings. Such venues include coffee shops, restaurants, shopping malls, and the like. These devices can be seen in just about any public setting. It is often desirable for the screened device to be positioned vertically or at a generally vertical angle so that one or more people can view the same photograph, text or video being displayed. If the viewing time is extended, such as during the display of a long series of photographs, or a television show or movie, it is desirable to be able to position or prop the screened device into an orientation for viewing without a person holding it, to avoid the person becoming fatigued.

It would thus be desirable in the art of supporting screened devices, if such devices could be positioned using an apparatus and method that is quickly and easily employed, which apparatus and method are simple and therefore are not costly.

SUMMARY

In one non-limiting embodiment there is provided an adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices, which apparatus include at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable, and at least one first mating connector on the armature. Optionally, the at least one first connector is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, adhesive, and combinations of these.

There is also provided, in another non-limiting form, an adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices, the apparatus including at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnet thereon. Optionally, the magnet is a magnetic bead. In an alternate, non-limiting embodiment, the magnet or magnetic bead is configured to slide along substantially the length of the armature and configured to be positionable along substantially the length of the armature.

There is further provided in another embodiment a multi-component system for positioning screened devices which system includes at least one mounting component configured to mount to a case of a screened device bearing a screen, the mounting component comprising a magnetic surface. The multi-component system also includes an adjustable apparatus for positioning the screened device. Again, the apparatus includes at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnetic bead configured to slide substantially along the length of the armature and configured to be positionable substantially along the length of the armature.

In a different non-restrictive embodiment there is provided a method for positioning a screened device which method includes attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus comprises at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable, and at least one first mating connector on the armature, where the method further involves adjusting the at least one amorphous, elongated armature and/or the at least one first connector to position the screened device.

Additionally there is provided in another non-limiting version a method for positioning a screened device which method includes attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus is described as above, and then adjusting the at least one amorphous, elongated armature and/or the at least one magnetic bead to position the screened device. In one non-restrictive version of the method, the screened device comprises a screen and a magnet where the method further involves coupling the magnetic bead of the adjustable apparatus to the screened device magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices having an amorphous, elongated armature and a magnetic bead depicted as configured to slide along substantially the length of the armature;

FIG. 2 illustrates the adjustable apparatus of FIG. 1 where a screened device has a mounting component affixed to the back side thereof, where the mounting component has a magnetic surface, and the magnetic bead removably couples with the magnetic surface while the ends of an amorphous, elongated armature are positioned and oriented in an inverted V-shape to hold the screened device in a generally upright position;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the adjustable apparatus where the amorphous, elongated armature comprises four extensions or legs configured to engage and protect the corners of a screened device;

FIG. 4 illustrates the adjustable apparatus of FIG. 1 where the magnetic bead has been slid to and positioned on one end of the amorphous, elongated armature to removably couple to the magnetic surface of a mounting component on the back side of a screened device while the other end of the elongated armature is configured into a hook shape to hook around the rearview mirror support post of a vehicle;

FIG. 5 illustrates a different embodiment of the adjustable apparatus shown holding a screened device in a generally upright position similar to that of FIG. 2, except that the embodiment of FIG. 5 has five extensions to give the appearance of a humanoid figure, the two “legs” of which provide a stand for the claimed device, the two “arms” of which may hold one or more objects, and where the fifth extension resembles a head or face; and

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the adjustable apparatus where the amorphous, elongated armature bears two magnetic beads that are configured to slide along substantially the length of the armature where each magnetic bead removably couples to the magnetic surface of respective mounting components in upper corners of the back side of a screened device, where the central portion of the elongated armature has been formed into a V-shape to serve as a stand to hold the screened device in a generally upright position.

It will be appreciated that the various Figures are not necessarily to scale and that certain features have been exaggerated for clarity and do not necessarily limit the features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It has been discovered that an adjustable apparatus of a relatively simple and compact design may be used to position a screened device in a wide variety of contexts so that the screen may be more easily seen by one or more viewers without one of the viewers having to physically hold the device. The adjustable apparatus is configured to selectively and removably couple to at least one case using at least one first connector, optionally a magnetic attractive force. For the purposes of this application, the term “at least one case” means the primary case used by a manufacturer to hold and protect the individual electronic and other components of which a screened device is composed, but it can also mean a protective case that functions to protect the primary case. For example, a smartphone generally comprises electronics disposed within a rigid shell-like case. This would be the primary case. There are available protective cases, often made of leather, rubber, polymer elastomer, even wood, and/or rigid or flexible plastic, that serve to prevent scratches and blemishes on the primary case and sometimes to impart a bit of shock resistance as well.

The term “screened device” includes devices having a view screen including, but not limited to cell phones, smartphones, some cameras, some telescopes, some weapons scopes, tablet computers, laptop computers, DVD players, digital photograph frames, portable electronic game players, digital music players (e.g. iPOD® player) and the like. Other non-limiting examples include computer monitors, televisions, laboratory apparatus (both portable and non-portable), mobile devices to collect and/or analyze data, and the like. While it is expected that the adjustable apparatus will find its greatest use in positioning electronic screened devices, the apparatus may also position mechanical screened devices including, but not necessarily limited to, devices that children and others may draw on such as an Ohio Art ETCH A SKETCH®, an Ohio Art DOODLE SKETCH™ (where the screen is wiped clean by a lever), a Magic Slate pad, or other drawing device with a screen or the like. Since the images on these non-electronic devices are static, the multi-component system or adjustable apparatus may serve as a display stand. The method of this application may be used with any screened device having a view screen.

The term “selectively couple” describes the process wherein an adjustable apparatus described herein is applied to a screened device and adheres to it because of a physical force, e.g. a magnetic force. The at least one first connector includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a magnet, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, adhesive and combinations of these. In some cases, only a first connector is required, for instance a suction cup. In the case of adhesive, the adhesive should be of the removable and repositionable kind, such as the type well-known for use on sticky notes, in contrast to stronger adhesives that are permanent and not repositionable or not removable.

Clips, clamps and clasps may be envisioned that also only require a first connector (e.g. spring clips, hair clips, and the like), but others exist that require a second connector, in which case the first and second connectors are mating connectors that each require the other for the adjustable apparatus and the screened device to selectively couple. In a non-limiting instance a plurality of loops and a plurality of hooks, when properly sized, can when placed together physically selectively couple with one another. A well-known example of loop-and-hook fasteners is a VELCRO® fastener. Of course, loop and hook connectors must be used in mated pairs and are ineffective on their own. Snaps are similar in that there must be a male and female snap to engage as a mated pair. While the apparatus and methods will be described herein where the at least one first connector is a magnet, it will be appreciated that these other embodiments may also be employed.

In the case of a magnet in one non-limiting embodiment, there is sufficient magnetic force to allow the adjustable apparatus to remain in place despite casual movements of the electronic device, but to still be easily removed by a human operator. Hence, the coupling is selectable.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a three-quarters view of an adjustable apparatus 100 which has an amorphous, elongated armature 101 that is adjustable and positionable, but posable or configurable, by which is meant once the armature 101 is posed or positioned, the position is held and maintained until a force acts upon it to change the pose or configuration. This may be accomplished by having a sufficiently strong wire core (not shown) of metal or other suitable material that is flexible and adjustable, but posable and configurable. The wire core may be encased or covered in rubber or polymer elastomer to protect the metal wire from the elements and prevent corrosion, but also to protect the user from the possible sharp ends of the wire core. By “amorphous” is meant lacking a definite shape; that is, the armature 101 can change shape, it has no set shape, it is bendable and posable. The amorphous, elongated armature 101 may have a constant exterior diameter and cross-sectional shape; in one non-limiting embodiment circular, as for conventional coated wire. However, alternatively the diameter may vary along the length thereof and the cross-sectional shape may also vary along its length. For instance, please see the elongated armatures 301 of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

The amorphous, elongated armature 101 has a length with a first end 102 and a second end 103 and at least one magnetic bead 104 on the armature. As will be seen, the exact position of the at least one magnetic bead 104 on the armature may differ from one application or use to the next. In one non-limiting embodiment the magnetic bead 104 may have a flat side 105 to engage other magnetic surfaces over a greater surface area for a more secure selective coupling thereto.

The magnetic bead may be ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic and may comprise iron or other conventional ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic substance. More specifically, the magnetic bead may have or include at least one metal, such as but not limited to MnBi, MnAl, MnAlC, alloys of MnBi, alloys of MnAl, alloys of MnAlC, barium hexaferrite, strontium, neodymium, hexaferrite, NdFeB, alloys of NdFeB, samarium cobalt magnetic materials, alloyed cobalt materials, hard magnetic nitride materials, hard magnetic carbide materials, or rare earth magnetic materials, iron, iron-cobalt alloys, or iron-based alloys including silicon steel, nickel iron permalloys, iron-cobalt-vanadium alloys, or high saturation soft ferrite materials and combinations thereof.

The magnetic bead may be of a variety of shapes depending on the desired use of the adjustable apparatus, e.g. spheres, cubes, pyramids, ovoids, circles, squares, rectangles, etc. The dimensions, i.e. thickness, length, and width of the magnetic beads may also vary. In one non-limiting embodiment there may be more than one magnetic bead 104 on the elongated armature 101, for instance as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6, as will be discussed in more detail later. Multiple magnetic beads 104 on the same armature 101 may have the same or different shapes.

The at least one magnetic bead may optionally have a coating, such as but not limited to a metallic plating, an epoxy resin, plastic, and combinations thereof, or almost any coating to prevent oxidation to the magnets and/or reduce the brittleness of the magnets. In a non-limiting embodiment, the metallic plating may be or include metals, such as but not limited to gold, nickel, zinc, tin, silver, and combinations thereof. This type of metallic plating, as well as other magnet coatings mentioned, may protect the magnet under specific external conditions, such as but not limited to temperature changes, pressure changes, pH changes, corrosion, and the like. The magnet coating may also increase or decrease the magnetic force of the magnet. Additionally, the coating may be a thin shock absorbing material for absorbing some of the shock to the magnetic device and/or the magnets; the coating may have a force dampening effect. Such an effect may protect brittle magnets.

In another non-restrictive embodiment the at least one magnetic bead 104 is configured to slide or move along substantially the length of the armature 101 and configured to be positionable substantially along the length of the armature 101. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate this movement. In this embodiment, the elongated armature 101 may have a restraint 106 and a restraint 107 on the first end 102 and second end 103, respectively, adapted to keep the at least one magnetic bead from sliding off the armature 101. The restraints 106 and 107 need not have the shape shown in FIG. 1 but may be any suitable shape, for instance, but not necessarily limited to, spheres, cubes, pyramids, ovoids, or other suitable size and shape to keep bead 104 from sliding off armature 101 and being lost.

By “substantially the length of the armature 101” is meant that most of the length of armature 101 may be traversed by the bead 104, except for the restraints 106 and 107 and one or more other bead 104 or structure present in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. By “positionable” is meant that the bead 104 will stay at its position on the armature 101 until a force moves it from that position. As previously described, the amorphous, elongated armature 101 may also be understood as positionable. In one non-limiting embodiment the magnetic bead is frictionally positionable, in one non-limiting instance the coating or covering on the armature 101 is a friction fit to the inside bore of the hole 108 through the bead 101. The tolerances of the armature 101 diameter and the hole 108 diameter would be such that when forced the bead would slide or move, but when the force is released the bead 104 would stay in place. This is a well-known phenomenon when the coating or covering is an elastomer that can be compressed during movement, but which expands back to its usual position or shape (or as close as possible within the hole 108) so that the bead 104 is held frictionally in place on the armature 101.

Alternatively, the position of the bead 104 on armature 101 may be held using another mechanism, including, but not necessarily limited to, a screw, pin, spring-actuated stop, clamp, or other structure known in the art.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a multi-component system 200 for positioning screened devices. A screened device 201, such as a cell phone or tablet computer is shown having a substantially rectangular shape although this shape is just for convenience, the screened device may have any suitable shape. The screened device 201 is shown from the back side (202 in FIG. 2), so that the screen is facing away from the viewer in FIG. 2, as well as in FIGS. 3-6. In FIG. 2, adjustable apparatus 100 has the same reference numbers as in FIG. 1 for consistency.

Back side 202 of case of screened device 201 has at least one mounting component 203 mounted to a case of screened device 201, where the mounting component 203 comprises a magnetic surface 204. Where other connector types are used, for instance, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, adhesive, etc., the mounting component 203 may be at least one second connector to mate with the at least one first connector 104 on the armature 101 Throughout FIGS. 2-6 mounting component 203 and magnetic surface 204 are shown as having a circular shape, but this is merely a convenient shape (different reference numerals are used for FIGS. 3-6). Their shapes may be the same or different from each other (in the case where there are more than one) and may include, but not necessarily be limited to, circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, pyramids, rhombuses, even decorative shapes such as flowers, stars, moons, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment the magnetic surface 204 is flat to maximize its contact with the magnetic bead 104 in one non-restrictive version, and even further with flat side 105 of magnetic bead 104.

Further shown in FIG. 2 is magnetic bead 104 selectively coupled to the magnetic surface 204 of mounting component 203. The amorphous, elongated armature 101 is shaped by the user into an inverted V-shape and first and second ends 102 and 103 of elongated armature 101 are positioned as two legs which hold the screened device 201 in an upright or generally vertical position for viewing. It should be noted that although the screen of the screened device may be positioned so that it is 90° or at a right angle to the support surface that it is sitting on, that it is not necessary for the screen to be exactly at this angle, but that the angle of the back side 202 of the screened device 201 may be at a less than 90° angle, i.e. an acute angle and still be in a suitable viewable position. It may be that restraints 107 and 108 may have an increased surface area that serves as a “foot” to contact more surface area of the support surface so that the adjustable apparatus 100 serves as a more stable stand for screened device 201.

Mounting component 203 may be permanently, semi-permanently or temporarily affixed to the back side 202 of the case of screened device 201, or to a secondary, after-market case that at least partially covers the original manufacturer's case for screened device 201. An adhesive may be used for permanently affixing mounting component 203, for instance an epoxy, “super glue” (cyanoacrylate adhesive) or other permanent adhesive. Semi-permanently affixing the mounting component 203 may be done using the types of removable, repositionable adhesives used for “sticky notes” such as POST-IT® notes from 3M. Mounting component 203 may also be affixed using conventional means such as clips, brackets, screws, snaps and the like.

It will be further appreciated that both magnetic surface 204 of mounting component 203 and magnetic bead 104 need not be both be magnetic, although at least one of them should be and they both may be (in the non-limiting case of magnetic connectors). Magnetic surface 204 may be any of the materials noted previously as suitable for magnetic bead 104 or may simply have enough iron so that magnetic bead 104 may be selectively coupled or attached thereto. Of course, the poles of the magnetic surface 204 and magnetic bead 104 should be of opposite polarity for the two components to couple together or attach. Mounting component 203 should be mounted on the screened device in any location that permits the adjustable apparatus 100 to perform the desired function.

Shown in FIG. 3 is another, alternative embodiment of a multi-component system 307 where an adjustable apparatus 300 has four amorphous, elongated armatures 301 which in this particular embodiment terminate in corner guards 302 adapted to engage and protect the corners of the screened device 303. Magnetic bead 304 selectively engages the magnetic surface 305 of mounting component 306 as previously described. In this embodiment, elongated armatures 301 may be positionable as previously described and/or may be somewhat elastic and stretchable so that the fit of the corner guards 302 on the corners of the screened device 303 (which in this non-limiting embodiment is rectangular so that there are four corners) is relatively snug or tight so that the corner guards do not readily come off during ordinary handling. The FIG. 3 embodiment may thus function as a protective case. Corner guards 302 are conveniently of a rectilinear shape, but they do not have to be of this shape; they may be any shape, for instance, spherical, ovoid, pyramidal, etc. that permits them to serve their stated purpose. Magnetic bead 304 may slide or move along the elongated armatures 301 as previously described with respect to magnetic bead 104 and elongated armature 101, or its position may be permanently fixed. The more versatile the adjustable apparatus 300, the more variety of shapes and sizes of screened devices 303 with which the adjustable apparatus 300 may be used.

Shown in FIG. 4 is yet another non-restrictive embodiment of a multi-component system 408 including an adjustable apparatus 400 which may be very similar to adjustable apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment magnetic bead 404 is temporarily or permanently positioned at or near first end 402 of amorphous, elongated armature 401. Magnetic bead 404 is selectively coupled to the magnetic surface 405 of mounting component 406. The second end 403 of elongated armature 401 is configured or posed into a hook shape so that it may engage the post 409 of a conventionally mounted rear view mirror 410 in a motor vehicle. First end 402 and second end 403 may have restraint 406 and restraint 407, respectively. In this way a mobile screened device 411 such as a smartphone, GPS navigator, digital thermometer or other device may be placed in convenient view of the driver and/or passenger. It will be appreciated that a similar arrangement may help engage or attach a screened device to another structure, including but not necessarily limited to, a bathroom mirror or light, a computer monitor, a structure in a workshop, or the like.

Shown in FIG. 5 is an amorphous or freer-form embodiment having multiple appendages of the adjustable apparatus 500 in multi-component system 518, in the non-restrictive form of a figurine. Adjustable apparatus 500 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that it has two amorphous, elongated armatures 501 with a first end 502 and a second end 503 and a magnetic bead 504 which may optionally be slidable or movable along the elongated armatures 501, with restraints 506 and 507 on first and second ends 502 and 503, respectively. However, adjustable apparatus 500 also has amorphous, elongated armatures 508 and 509 with respective third and fourth ends 510 and 511. In the particular embodiment shown, end 510 is posed or positioned in the form of a loop to hold a set of ear buds 512, and end 511 is posed or positioned in the form of a loop to hold a writing implement such as a pencil 513, pen or stylus. It will be appreciated that the objects 512 and 513 shown are arbitrary examples only and may be any relatively small object that the user wants to hold. Adjustable apparatus 500 may also include a fanciful head or face 519 so that together with elongated armatures 501, 508 and 509, adjustable apparatus 500 has the appearance of a humanoid figure. It may thus be easily imagined that adjustable apparatus 500 could be designed to be any number of characters, animals, figures and the like including, but not necessarily limited to well-known characters such as GUMBY®.

Magnetic bead 504 may be fixed in position on two amorphous, elongated armatures 501 or elongated armatures 508 and 509 or optionally may be slidable or movable along one or more of these armatures. Magnetic bead 504 may be selectively coupled to magnetic surface 514 of mounting component 515, which is mounted on the back side 516 of screened device 517, which is being held in an upright viewing position by elongated armatures 501 and optional restraints 506 and 507 on first and second ends, respectively.

Shown in FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the adjustable apparatus 600 which is part of multi-component system 617 where the amorphous, elongated armature 601 has a first end 602 and a second end 603, and which armature 601 bears two magnetic beads 604 and 605 that are configured to slide along substantially the length of the armature 601. Restraints 606 and 607 are provided on respective first end 602 and second end 603. Magnetic bead 604 and 605 removably couple to the magnetic surfaces 608 and 609 of respective mounting components 610 and 611 in respective upper corners 612 and 613 of the back side 614 of a screened device 615, where the central portion 616 of the elongated armature 601 has been formed into a V-shape to serve as a stand to hold the screened device 615 in a generally upright position for viewing by the user.

It will be appreciated that the adjustable, amorphous apparatus may include any number of magnetic beads along any number of elongated armatures, and that the magnetic beads may selectively couple to one or more magnetic surfaces on one or more mounting components placed in various positions on one or more screened devices. It will also be appreciated that the multi-component system and/or adjustable apparatus as described herein may be provided with an apparatus for cleaning view screens and lenses as described in International Publication No. WO 2013/022768 A2, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, and has been described as effective in providing adjustable methods and adjustable devices for positioning screened devices. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. For example, specific designs and/or shapes and/or numbers of amorphous, elongated armatures, magnetic beads, restraints, mounting components, shown but not specifically identified or tried in a particular method or device, are expected to be within the scope of this invention.

The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. For instance, an adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices may consist essentially of or consist of at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnetic bead on the armature.

In another non-limiting embodiment a multi-component system for positioning screened devices may consist essentially of or consist of at least one mounting component configured to mount to a case of a screened device bearing a screen, the mounting component comprising a magnetic surface; and an adjustable apparatus which in turn may consist essentially of or consist of at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable, and at least one magnetic bead on the armature.

In another non-restrictive version there may be provided a method for positioning a screened device that consists essentially of or consists of attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus in turn consists of or consists essentially of at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnetic bead on the armature; and where the method further consists or consists essentially of adjusting the at least one elongated armature and/or the at least one magnetic bead to position the screened device.

In a different, non-limiting embodiment an adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices, the adjustable apparatus may consist of or consist essentially of at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable and at least one first connector on the armature.

In further non-restrictive method for positioning a screened device, the method may consist of or consist essentially of attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus consists of or consists essentially of that described in the previous paragraph, and the method further consists of or consists essentially of adjusting the at least one amorphous, elongated armature and/or the at least one first mating connector to position the screened device.

The words “comprising” and “comprises” as used throughout the claims, are to be interpreted to mean “including but not limited to” and “includes but not limited to”, respectively.

Claims

1. An adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices, the adjustable apparatus comprising:

at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and

at least one first connector on the armature.

2. The adjustable apparatus of claim 1 where the at least one first connector is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, adhesive and combinations of these.

3. An adjustable apparatus for positioning screened devices, the adjustable apparatus comprising:

at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and

at least one magnet on the armature.

4. The adjustable apparatus of claim 4 where the magnet is a magnetic bead.

5. The adjustable apparatus of claim 4 where the at least one magnetic bead is configured to slide along substantially the length of the armature and configured to be positionable substantially along the length of the armature.

6. The adjustable apparatus of claim 5 where at least one of the first end and second end of the armature is provided with a restraint to keep the at least one magnetic bead from sliding off the armature.

7. The adjustable apparatus of claim 5 where the at least one magnetic bead is frictionally positionable substantially along the length of the armature.

8. The adjustable apparatus of claim 1 where the magnet comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of MnBi, MnAl, MnAlC, alloys of MnBi, alloys of MnAl, alloys of MnAlC, barium hexaferrite, strontium, neodymium, hexaferrite, NdFeB, alloys of NdFeB, samarium cobalt magnetic materials, alloyed cobalt materials, hard magnetic nitride materials, hard magnetic carbide materials, rare earth magnetic materials, iron, iron-cobalt alloys, iron-based alloys, silicon steel, nickel iron permalloys, iron-cobalt-vanadium alloys, high saturation soft ferrite materials, and combinations thereof.

9. A multi-component system for positioning screened devices, the multi-component system comprising:

at least one mounting component configured to mount to a case of a screened device bearing a screen, the mounting component comprising a magnetic surface; and

an adjustable apparatus comprising: at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnetic bead on the armature.

10. The multi-component system of claim 9 where the magnetic surface and the magnetic bead selectively couple via a magnetic attractive force.

11. The multi-component system of claim 9 where in the adjustable apparatus the at least one magnetic bead is configured:

to slide substantially along the length of the armature;

to be positionable substantially along the length of the armature; and

to selectively couple with the magnetic surface of the mounting component.

12. The adjustable apparatus of claim 11 where in the adjustable apparatus at least one of the first end and second end of the amorphous, elongated armature is provided with a restraint to keep the at least one magnetic bead from sliding off the armature.

13. The adjustable apparatus of claim 11 where in the adjustable apparatus the at least one magnetic bead is frictionally positionable along substantially the length of the armature.

14. A method for positioning a screened device, the method comprising:

attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus comprises: at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one first connector on the armature;

adjusting the at least one amorphous, elongated armature and/or the at least one first mating connector to position the screened device.

15. The method of claim 14 where the at least one first connector is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a plurality of hooks, a plurality of loops, a suction cup, one half of a snap, a clip, a clamp, a clasp, adhesive, and combinations of these, and where the method further comprises selectively coupling the at least one first mating connector to at least one second mating connector on the screened device.

16. A method for positioning a screened device, the method comprising:

attaching an adjustable apparatus to the screened device, where the adjustable apparatus comprises: at least one amorphous, elongated armature having a length, a first end and a second end, the elongated armature configured to be adjustable and positionable; and at least one magnetic bead on the armature; and

adjusting the at least one amorphous, elongated armature and/or the at least one magnetic bead to position the screened device.

17. The method of claim 16 where the screened device comprises a screen and a magnet where the method further comprises coupling the magnetic bead of the adjustable apparatus to the screened device magnet.

18. The method of claim 16 where the at least one magnetic bead is configured to slide along substantially the length of the amorphous, elongated armature and is configured to be positionable along substantially the length of the armature.

19. The method of claim 16 where:

the screened device comprises a screen and at least two magnets;

the adjustable apparatus comprises at least two magnetic beads; and

the method further comprises coupling a magnetic bead of the adjustable apparatus to one each of the magnets of the screened device.