System, panel and method

A panel for building a play area, the panel comprising:

• a connector defining a first recess at a first end of the connector and a second recess at a second end of the connector;
• a plurality of magnets, each magnet positioned in the connector such that each magnet is able to rotate;
• and
• a plurality of dowels comprising:
• a first dowel, a first end of which is received within the first recess;
• and
• a second dowel, a first end of which is received within the second recess;
• wherein the plurality of magnets comprises a cylindrical magnet, the cylindrical magnet being diametrically magnetized;
• wherein the plurality of magnets comprises:
• a first magnet housed in the first recess;
• and
• a second magnet housed in the second recess;
• wherein the connector is coupled to the first dowel and the second dowel.

A method of manufacturing a panel, the panel for building a play area, the method comprising:

• providing a connector defining a first recess at a first end of the connector and a second recess at a second end of the connector;
• a plurality of magnets, each magnet housed in the connector such that the magnet is able to rotate, wherein the plurality of magnets comprises:
• a first magnet housed in the first recess, the first magnet able to rotate in the first recess;
• and
• a second magnet housed in the second recess, the second magnet able to rotate in the second recess;
• and
• wherein each of the first magnet and the second magnet comprises a cylindrical magnet, the cylindrical magnet being diametrically magnetized;
• and
• coupling to the connector a plurality of dowels comprising a first dowel and a second dowel angled with respect to the first dowel, further comprising receiving the first dowel within the first recess and receiving the second dowel within the second recess.

A system for building a play area comprising:

• two or more panels, each of the two or more panels comprising:
• a connector;
• at least one magnet positioned in the connector such that the at least one magnet is able to rotate, the at least one magnet comprising:
• a first magnet housed in a first end of the connector;
• and
• a second magnet housed in a second end of the connector;
• wherein the at least one magnet comprises at least one cylindrical magnet, the at least one cylindrical magnet being diametrically magnetized;
• a first dowel;
• a second dowel, wherein the connector is coupled to the first dowel and the second dowel;
• a first clip configured to hold the first magnet in the first end of the connector, wherein the first clip defines a hole to hold the first dowel;
• and
• a second clip configured to hold the second magnet in the second end of the connector, wherein the second clip defines a hole to hold the second dowel;
• wherein, for each of the two or more panels, when at least one edge of a first panel of the two or more panels is brought towards at least one edge of a second panel of the two or more panels from any direction, the at least one magnet in each of the first panel and the second panel orientates such that a magnetic connection is formed between the first panel and the second panel.