Magnetic toy construction modules with corner-adjacent magnets
OwnerCharles Kowalski, Lawrence Roseninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Three-dimensional assemblies include substantially planar structural components having various two-dimensional generally polygonal shapes. Each such structural component includes a plurality of magnets positioned immediately adjacent the polygonal corners of the structural component and in other locations for use in connecting multiple instances of such structural components together, e.g., via the use of interconnecting ferromagnetic balls. Such structural components can also include one or more slots extending peripherally inward from the component edge for use in assembling corresponding structural components together in an interlocking fashion.
Claims20
A planar body having a generally polygonal shape, comprising:
- a first major surface;
- a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface;
- a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, the peripheral edge surface including a first side edge and a second side edge;
- a slot formed in the first side edge;
- and
- a first pocket formed adjacent the slot, the first pocket having a first magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface.
A planar body having a generally polygonal shape, comprising:
- a first major surface;
- a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface;
- and
- a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces,
- the peripheral edge defining a recess, the recess including a substantially cylindrical side wall which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, and
- the peripheral edge defining a pocket disposed adjacent the recess, the pocket having a magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface.
A three-dimensional assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of substantially planar bodies, each substantially planar body having a generally polygonal shape including
- a first major surface,
- a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface,
- a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces,
- the peripheral edge defining a slot, and
- the peripheral edge defining a first pocket formed adjacent the slot, the first pocket having a first magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface;
- and
- a first planar body and a second planar body of the plurality of substantially planar bodies interlocked such that the slot of first planar body engages the slot of the second planar body and the first magnet of the first planar body magnetically bonds to the first magnet of the second planar body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.