Apple公司為了這個容易因為拉扯而脫落的電磁插頭，於2005年時提出一個美國專利申請案，申請號為11/235,875，之後這個「母案」因為限制選擇的理由被分為多案，從個別後續案的範圍可以看出，Apple對每個裝置的細節都很在意（很多大公司也有類似的布局），也會申請專利，形成一道很難突破的專利障礙！
其中母案於2007年12月25日獲得專利，其中仍有被核駁，審查委員確實引用了一些也有類似容易脫落的電插頭專利前案，如US2004/0209489，最後Apple取得專利US7,311,526，範圍如下：
1. An apparatus for electrically connecting an electronic device to an electrical relation, comprising:
- a first connector having a first magnetic element and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electronic device（這是電插頭端）; and
- a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having at least one second contact electrically connected to the electrical relation,（這是電腦裝置端）
- wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face,
- wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
- wherein the first and second connectors each comprise two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another, and
- wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise a pair of first path contacts on the connector for establishing a first path of electrical communication between the device and the relation, wherein the pairs of first path contacts form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
上述母案（11/235,875）之後產生接續專利US7,517,222，申請號11/876,733，同樣的揭露內容，但是專利範圍為一個磁性連接器系統：
1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets（這是電插頭端）; and
a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts and a magnetic element, the second plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to the second connector, （這是電腦端）
wherein the plurality of magnets of the first connector are proximally located and are arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector.
接續另又獲准專利US7,645,143（申請號12/410,457），專利範圍著重於上述裝置或系統中電源插頭端的「first connector」，除了連接關係的描述外，更具有多腳位，有些負責傳遞電力，有些可以傳遞訊號！
1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
- a first connector comprising:
-
- a first plurality of pins comprising at least a first power supply pin to convey a first power supply, a second power supply pin to convey a second power supply, and a signal pin to convey a signal; and
-
- a first magnetic element to magnetically attract a second magnetic element in a second connector, the first and second magnetic elements comprising an attraction plate and a plurality of magnets,
- where the plurality of magnets are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the attraction plate from one of the plurality of magnets to another one of the plurality of magnets.
後續又獲得另一專利US7,901,216，申請號為12/581,010，權利範圍針對連接電纜，包括絕緣部份、電連接的部份與電纜本身，結合上述電插座端的結構，又獲取新的專利
1. A cable connector assembly adapted for electrically connecting with a complementary connector comprising:
- a nonconductive body to form an insulative housing;
- a plurality of contacts, each contact comprising a contacting portion, each contact located in a passage in the insulative housing;
- a cable electrically connecting with the plurality of contacts;
- a first magnetic element to form a front cover and made of metal material and capable of being attracted by the complementary connector, wherein the front cover is assembled to the insulative housing and the contacting portions of the contacts are exposed in the front cover; and
- a shell to form a rear cover assembled to the insulative housing to enclose the rear of the insulative housing and a front end of the cable.
...目前尚有一件審查中的後續案2011/0136351，預料也是會獲得專利！
updated on April 23, 本案確實獲得專利：US8087939
Ron
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