Abstract: A clamping mechanism comprising: a first part; a clamp coupled to said first part to enable the clamp to slide relative to said first part in a first linear direction, the clamp being provided with a first magnetic component; a second part for clamping by said clamp, the second part being provided with a second magnetic component. The mechanism is configured such that movement of the clamp in said first linear direction, between a clamping and an unclamped position, is effected by movement of the first part and the clamp, relative to said second part, in a second linear direction substantially orthogonal to said first linear direction as a result of alignment and misalignment of the magnetic components.

Abstract: A mechanism for fixing together first and second parts and comprising first and second guides provided respectively in or attached to the first and second parts. The mechanism further comprises first and second magnetic components coupled respectively to the first and second guides such that the first magnetic component is rotatable with the first guide and the first part, and the second magnetic component cannot rotate relative to the second guide, the magnetic components being moveable axially and rotationally with respect to each other and having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position in which one of the magnetic components straddles the two guides and an unlocking position in which it does not straddle the two guides.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism comprising a first part provided with a first magnetic component, a second part, and a third part provided with a second magnetic component and being coupled to the second part. The mechanism is such that, bringing the first and second parts together along an axis causes rotational alignment and relative radial movement of the first and second magnetic components to effect axial clamping of the first part to the second part, and wherein relative rotation of the first and third parts to misalign the first and second magnetic components reverses this radial movement and effects unclamping of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a first component having a first magnetic part, a second component, and a third component having a second magnetic part, the third component being moveable relative to said first component in a given direction to effect connection and or disconnection of the first and second components by causing interaction of the first and second magnetic parts, wherein, when connected, the first and second components are able to move relative to one another in said given direction. The mechanism further comprising a fourth component for engagement with said first component to prevent movement of the third component relative to the first component as a result of relative movement of the first and second components, thereby to prevent unintended disconnection of the first and second components.

Abstract: A mechanism for fixing together first and second parts and comprising first and second guides provided respectively in or attached to the first and second parts. The mechanism further comprises first and second magnetic components coupled respectively to the first and second guides such that the first magnetic component is rotatable with the first guide and the first part, and the second magnetic component cannot rotate relative to the second guide, the magnetic components being moveable axially and rotationally with respect to each other and having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position in which one of the magnetic components straddles the two guides and an unlocking position in which it does not straddle the two guides.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a first component having a first magnetic part, a second component, and a third component having a second magnetic part, the third component being moveable relative to said first component in a given direction to effect connection and or disconnection of the first and second components by causing interaction of the first and second magnetic parts, wherein, when connected, the first and second components are able to move relative to one another in said given direction.

Abstract: A mechanism for fixing together first and second parts and comprising first and second guides provided respectively in or attached to the first and second parts. The mechanism further comprises first and second magnetic components coupled respectively to the first and second guides such that the first magnetic component is rotatable with the first guide and the first part, and the second magnetic component cannot rotate relative to the second guide, the magnetic components being moveable axially and rotationally with respect to each other and having magnetic poles oriented such that rotation of said first magnetic component causes relative axial movement of the magnetic components between a locking position in which one of the magnetic components straddles the two guides and an unlocking position in which it does not straddle the two guides.