FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 OF 1970]
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10; Rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION MAGNETIC TRIM ATTACHMENT AND DETACHMENT MECHANISM
APPLICANT TATA MOTORS LIMITED
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, INDIA.
INVENTORS 1) Yatin Manocha 2) Sandeep Karyakarte and 3) Pankaj Jhunja
All are of Tata Motors Limited,
Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: Indian
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification describes the invention and particularly the manner in
which it is performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to joining of two components. More particularly, the present invention relates to joining of two components by means of a combination of mechanical snaps and strong magnet which make up a magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Broadly, there are two types of joining processes to join two objects of same/different materials:
1. Permanent fixing includes processes like welding, brazing, soldering and adhesive fixing
2. Temporary fixing includes processes like bolts, screws, plastic snaps etc.
Various joining processes such as welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening, are used for joining two components together. Welding is a material joining process for a permanent combining of two (or more) parts that involves melting and subsequent solidification of the material from two parts thus forming a strong joint between them. Brazing is a metal-joining process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint, the filler metal having a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Soldering is a process in which two or more items (usually metal) are joined together by melting and putting a filler metal (solder) into the joint, the filler metal has a lower melting point than the adjoining metal. Soldering differs from welding in that soldering does not involve melting the work pieces. In brazing, the filler metal melts at a higher temperature, but the work piece metal does not melt. Adhesive bonding is a process of joining materials in which an adhesive is placed between the adjoining surfaces of the work pieces / parts) to be joined. For facilitating adhesive bonding, either heat, pressure or both are applied. Further, mechanical fastening means mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. Mechanical fastening also known as joining by means of fasteners. In general, fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints.

In this invention we are more concerned about temporary fixing. While bolts and screws are easy to assemble and disassemble they are not much favored to attach two plastic parts since they are visible from outside and hamper the aesthetics. The plastic snaps which are widely used currently to join interior trims. Though easy to assemble, this requires special skills and tools to detach two parts in an event of servicing, repair etc. and even with special tool sets, many a times these snaps tend to break and hence the part gets damaged and is either not useable or spoils the fit and finish of the part.
Although, the above-mentioned joining processes/ systems are helpful for joining two components together, these joining processes has certain limitations. For example, the presently existing joining processes/ systems are comparatively difficult to assemble and dis-assemble. Further, the presently existing joining processes/ systems are difficult to operate.
Accordingly, there is a need of a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system, for joining two or more components together, that is easy to assemble and dis-assemble. Further, there is a need of a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system that is easy to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system, for joining two or more components together that is easy to assemble and dis-assemble.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system that is easy to operate.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system that reduces the time required to assemble and dis-assemble the components.

Also, yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide magnetic trim attachment and detachment system that does not require skilled labor for assembly and dis-assembly of the components.
Further object of the present disclosure is to provide magnetic trim attachment and detachment system that does not damage the components to be joined.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Accordingly the present invention discloses a magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism (100) comprising a trim or male component 102, a female component 104, a ring magnet 106 and a detachment tool 108; wherein said trim or male component 102 is provided with a male part 110 embedded with the trim or male component 102 and a metal piece 112; said female component 104 is provided with the ring magnet 106 and a female part 114; said male part 110 is configured with a shape for securely coupling and decoupling with said female part 114 for attachment and detachment of the male component 102 and the female component 104 by a combination of mechanical snaps and strong magnetic force; and said detachment tool 108 to disassemble a trim or male component 102 from the female component 104.
The ring magnet 106 is configured for freely moving towards and against metal piece 112 of the trim or male component 102 by deflecting the female part 114 towards and against the male part 110 along the female part 114 for attachment and detachment of the said mechanism 100 respectively. The metal piece 112 is configured to have magnetic properties and is embedded with the trim or male component 102. The ring magnet 106 is configured to be positioned at the bottom portion of the female part 114 in dis-assembled position for facilitating unlocking of the male part 110 with the female part 114. The ring magnet 106 is configured to be positioned at the top portion of the female part 114 in assembled position for facilitating locking of the male part 110 with the female part 114.

The detachment tool 108 is provided with a strong magnet having stronger magnetic field than said ring magnet 106 configured for disassembling said trim or male component 102 from said female component 104 with the strong repulsive magnetic force of said detachment tool (108).
Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism (200) comprising a trim or
male component 202, a female component 204, a ring magnet 206 and a
detachment tool 108;
wherein said trim or male component 202 is provided with a male part 210 of a
non-magnetic material embedded with the trim or male component 202 and a
metal piece 212;
said female component 204 is provided with the ring magnet 206, plurality of
non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b and a casing 216 of resilient non-magnetic
material;
said male part 210 is configured with a shape for securely coupling and
decoupling with said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b in a casing
216 of female component 204, for attachment and detachment of the male
component 202 and the female component 204 by a combination of mechanical
gripping of said male part 210 between said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a
and 214b and strong magnetic force of said ring magnet 206; and said detachment
tool 108 to disassemble a trim or male component 202 from the female
component 204.
The ring magnet 206 is configured for freely moving towards and against metal piece 212 of the trim or male component 202 by deflecting the resilient non¬magnetic casing towards and against the male part 210 in the upward and downward direction along the casing 216 in its cylindrical axis for attachment and detachment of the said mechanism 200. The metal piece 212 is configured to have magnetic properties and is embedded with the trim or male component 202. The ring magnet 206 is configured to be positioned at the bottom portion of said casing 216 in dis-assembled position for facilitating unlocking of the male part

110 from between said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b of said female component 204. The ring magnet 206 is configured to be positioned at the top portion of the female part 114 in assembled position for facilitating locking of the male part 110 between said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b within said casing 216. The detachment tool 108 is provided with a strong magnet having stronger magnetic field than said ring magnet 206 configured for disassembling said trim or male component 202 from said female component 204 with the strong repulsive magnetic force of said detachment tool (108).
The Method of attachment and detachment of magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism comprising the steps of: Mounting the ring magnet 106 around the female part 114 arranged in a circular array; Mounting the trim or male component (102,202) with insert molded metal piece (112,212) on the female part (104,204) to form coupling with the help of the magnetic force of said ring magnet (106,206) by moving of said ring magnet (106,206) towards and against metal piece (112,212) of the trim or male component (102,202) by deflecting said female part (114) or casing (216) of resilient non-magnetic material of the female component (104,204) respectively to secure the male part (110,210) of the trim or male component (102,202) facilitating joining of the trim or male component (102,202) and the female component (104,204) by the combination of magnetic force and mechanical fixation; mounting detachment tool 108 with a strong magnet having like magnetic pole of that of the ring magnet (106,206) on the trim or male component (102,202) for detachment of the trim or male component (102,202) and the female component (104,204) wherein the like poles of the tool 108 and the ring magnet (106,206) repels each other and thereby pushes the ring magnet (106,206) at the bottom portion of the female part (114) or casing (216) of resilient non-magnetic material to unlock the snaps 114 or non-magnetic balls (214a,214b) and attaching the trim (102,202) to said the detachment tool 108 to remove/detach the trim (102,202) from the female component (104,204) respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates the system of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition;
FIGS. 3a to 3c illustrate schematic representations of attachment process of the magnetic trim attachment and detachment system of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4a to 4b illustrate a schematic representation of a detachment process of the magnetic trim attachment and detachment system of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 5 illustrates a magnetic trim attachment and detachment system, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates a schematic representation of an attachment process of the magnetic trim attachment and detachment system of Figure 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates a schematic representation of a detachment process of the magnetic trim attachment and detachment system of Figure 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a magnetic, trim attachment and detachment mechanism 100 (hereinafter referred to as “mechanism 100”) is disclosed. The

mechanism 100 includes a trim or male component 102, a female component 104, a ring magnet 106 and a detachment tool 108.
The trim or male component 102 includes a male part 110 and a metal piece 112. The male part 110 manufactured from a non-magnetic material has engravings for a possible fixation with a female part. The metal piece 112 is magnetic in nature and is embedded with the trim or male component 102. The female component 104 includes the ring magnet 106 and a female part 114 of resilient non-magnetic material. The ring magnet 106 may be of neodymium material. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular magnet or any particular material of magnet used. The female part 114 affixes to the male part 110 of the trim or male component 102. In the dis-assembled position of the mechanism 100, the ring magnet 106 is positioned at the bottom portion of the female part 114 for unlocking of male part 110. In the assembled position of the mechanism 100, the ring magnet 106 is positioned at the top portion of the female part 114 thereby deflecting the female part 114 towards the male part 110 for facilitating locking of the male part 110 with the female part 114. The mechanism 100 achieves the fixation by a combination of mechanical snaps and strong magnets to affix two components (the male component 102 and the female component 104) together. The combination of magnetic force and mechanical fixation of the male and female components provide the necessary fixation force. The male component 102 and the female component 104 may again be separated using the detachment tool 108. The detachment tool 108 includes a strong magnet which has a stronger magnetic field than 106 that is used to disassemble a trim or male component 102 from the female component 104.
Referring to Figures 3a to 3c, the process of attachment of the two components using the mechanism 100 of the present disclosure is illustrated. Firstly, the ring magnet 106 is placed around the female part 114 arranged in a circular array. The trim or male component 102 with insert molded metal piece 112 is brought closure to the ring magnet 106 for fixing. Due to the magnetic field the ring

magnet 106 is attracted towards the metal piece 112 of the male component 102. In the process of moving of the ring magnet 106 from bottom position towards metal piece 112 of the trim or male component 102, the female part 114 of the female component 104 secures the male part 110 of the trim or male component 102 by deflecting the female part 114 towards the male part 110. Thereby, the mechanism 100 of the present disclosure facilitates joining of the trim or male component 102 and the female component 104 by the combination of magnetic force and mechanical fixation.
Referring to Figures 4a to 4b, for detachment of the trim or male component 102 and the female component 104, the detachment tool 108 having a strong magnet is brought closer to the trim or male component 102. The poles of the magnet in the tool 108 are symmetric to those present in the ring magnet 106. The like poles of the tool 108 and the ring magnet 106 repels each other and thereby pushes the ring magnet 106 at the bottom portion of the female part 114 to unlock the snaps. Further, the detachment tool 108 attaches itself to the trim 102 and helps remove/detach the trim from the female component 104.
Referring to Figure 5, a magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism 200 is disclosed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The mechanism 200 includes a trim or male component 202, a female component 204 of resilient non-magnetic material, a ring magnet 206 and a detachment tool (not illustrated). The trim or male component 202 includes a male part 210 manufactured from a non-magnetic material and a metal piece 212. The female component 204 includes a ring magnet 206, plurality of non-magnetic balls, such as 214a and 214b and a casing 216 of resilient non-magnetic material. During assembly, the ring magnet 206 that is free to move in its cylindrical axis magnetically attaches itself to the metal piece embedded/pasted with the trim and in the process pulls the non-metallic balls 214a and 214b. The balls are seated and grips the male part 210 of the male component 202. Apart from the some structural differences depicted above, the magnetic trim attachment and

detachment mechanism 200 is similar in function to the magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism 200.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism 100 and/ or 200 may also include springs and other forms of mechanical attachments. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular mechanical fixation mechanism disclosed.
Referring to Figures 6A to 6B, the process of attachment of the two components using the mechanism 200 of the present disclosure is illustrated. Firstly, the ring magnet 206 is placed around the female part 214 arranged in a circular array. The trim or male component 202 with insert molded metal piece 210 is brought closure to the ring magnet 206 for fixing. Due to the magnetic field the ring magnet 206 is attracted to the metal piece 212 of the male component 202. In the process of moving of the ring magnet 206 that is free to move in its cylindrical axis magnetically attaches itself to the metal piece embedded/pasted with the trim and in the process pulls the non-metallic balls 214a and 214b. The balls are seated and grips the male part 210 of the male component 202. Thereby, the mechanism 200 of the present disclosure facilitates joining of the trim or male component 202 and the female component 204 by the combination of magnetic force and mechanical fixation.
Referring to Figures 7A to 7B, for detachment of the trim or male component 202 and the female component 204, the detachment tool 108 having a strong magnet is brought closer to the trim or male component 202. The poles of the magnet in the tool 108 are symmetric to those present in the ring magnet 206. The like poles of the tool 108 and the ring magnet 206 repels each other and thereby pushes the ring magnet 206 at the bottom portion of the female part 204 to unlock the snaps. Further, the detachment tool 108 attaches itself to the trim 202 and helps remove/detach the trim from the female component 204.

Advantages:
The magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism 100 of the present disclosure provides following advantages:
• easy to operate;
• reduces the time required to assemble and dis-assemble the components;
• does not require skilled labor for assembly and dis-assembly of the components;
• does not damage the components to be joined;
• ease of part removal helps in ease of part serviceability; and
• provides scope and ease of customization of interior panels in terms of color.
Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such

phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a mechanism having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to mechanisms that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a mechanism having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to mechanisms that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects

and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We Claim:
1. Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism (100) comprising
a trim or male component 102, a female component 104, a ring magnet 106 and a detachment tool 108;
wherein said trim or male component 102 is provided with a male part 110 embedded with the trim or male component 102 and a metal piece 112;
said female component 104 is provided with the ring magnet 106 and a female part 114;
said male part 110 is configured with a shape for securely coupling and decoupling with said female part 114 for attachment and detachment of the male component 102 and the female component 104 by a combination of mechanical snaps and strong magnetic force; and
said detachment tool 108 to disassemble a trim or male component 102 from the female component 104.
2. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ring magnet 106 is configured for freely moving towards and against metal piece 112 of the trim or male component 102 by deflecting the female part 114 towards and against the male part 110 along the female part 114 for attachment and detachment of the said mechanism 100 respectively.
3. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said metal piece 112 is configured to have magnetic properties and is embedded with the trim or male component 102.
4. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ring magnet 106 is configured to be positioned at the bottom portion of the female part 114 in dis-assembled position for facilitating unlocking of the male part 110 with the female part 114.

5. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ring magnet 106 is configured to be positioned at the top portion of the female part 114 in assembled position for facilitating locking of the male part 110 with the female part 114.
6. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said detachment tool 108 is provided with a strong magnet having stronger magnetic field than said ring magnet 106 configured for disassembling said trim or male component 102 from said female component 104 with the strong repulsive magnetic force of said detachment tool (108).
7. Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism (200) comprising
a trim or male component 202, a female component 204, a ring magnet 206 and a detachment tool 108;
wherein said trim or male component 202 is provided with a male part 210 of a non-magnetic material embedded with the trim or male component 202 and a metal piece 212;
said female component 204 is provided with the ring magnet 206, plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b and a casing 216 of resilient non-magnetic material;
said male part 210 is configured with a shape for securely coupling and decoupling with said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b in a casing 216 of female component 204, for attachment and detachment of the male component 202 and the female component 204 by a combination of mechanical gripping of said male part 210 between said plurality of non¬magnetic balls 214a and 214b and strong magnetic force of said ring magnet 206; and
said detachment tool 108 to disassemble a trim or male component 202 from the female component 204.

8. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ring magnet 206 is configured for freely moving towards and against metal piece 212 of the trim or male component 202 by deflecting the resilient non-magnetic casing towards and against the male part 210 in the upward and downward direction along the casing 216 in its cylindrical axis for attachment and detachment of the said mechanism 200.
9. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said metal piece 212 is configured to have magnetic properties and is embedded with the trim or male component 202.
10. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ring magnet 206 is configured to be positioned at the bottom portion of said casing 216 in dis-assembled position for facilitating unlocking of the male part 110 from between said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b of said female component 204.
11. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ring magnet 206 is configured to be positioned at the top portion of the female part 114 in assembled position for facilitating locking of the male part 110 between said plurality of non-magnetic balls 214a and 214b within said casing 216.
12. The Magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said detachment tool 108 is provided with a strong magnet having stronger magnetic field than said ring magnet 206 configured for disassembling said trim or male component 202 from said female component 204 with the strong repulsive magnetic force of said detachment tool (108).
13. The Method of attachment and detachment of magnetic trim attachment and detachment mechanism comprising the steps of:

Mounting the ring magnet 106 around the female part 114 arranged in a circular array;
Mounting the trim or male component (102,202) with insert molded metal piece (112,212) on the female part (104,204) to form coupling with the help of the magnetic force of said ring magnet (106,206) by moving of said ring magnet (106,206) towards and against metal piece (112,212) of the trim or male component (102,202) by deflecting said female part (114) or casing (216) of resilient non-magnetic material of the female component (104,204) respectively to secure the male part (110,210) of the trim or male component (102,202) facilitating joining of the trim or male component (102,202) and the female component (104,204) by the combination of magnetic force and mechanical fixation; and
mounting detachment tool 108 with a strong magnet having like magnetic pole of that of the ring magnet (106,206) on the trim or male component (102,202) for detachment of the trim or male component (102,202) and the female component (104,204) wherein the like poles of the tool 108 and the ring magnet (106,206) repels each other and thereby pushes the ring magnet (106,206) at the bottom portion of the female part (114) or casing (216) of resilient non-magnetic material to unlock the snaps 114 or non-magnetic balls (214a,214b) and attaching the trim (102,202) to said the detachment tool 108 to remove/detach the trim (102,202) from the female component (104,204) respectively.