Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements
AssigneeMEGA Brands International
InventorsDANIEL TREMBLAY, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein. Magnets are disposed in each of the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
Claims20
A magnetic construction assembly comprising:
- at least two panels, each of the panels having at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein;
- magnets disposed in each of the magnet holders, each of the magnets having a dipole axis, the magnets being arranged in the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon;
- and
- at least two ferromagnetic spheres magnetically connected to magnets in the at least two panels,
- wherein two ferromagnetic spheres connect two adjacent panels such that a first ferromagnetic sphere attaches to a first magnet disposed on a first panel and a second magnet disposed on a second panel, and a second ferromagnetic sphere attaches to a third magnet disposed on the first panel and a fourth magnet disposed on the second panel, and wherein the dipole axes of the first magnet and the fourth magnet are collinear.
A magnetic construction assembly comprising:
- at least two panels, each of the panels having at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein;
- magnets disposed in each of the magnet holders, each of the magnets having a dipole axis, the magnets being arranged in the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon;
- and
- at least two ferromagnetic spheres magnetically connected to magnets in the at least two panels,
- wherein a hinge is formed between two adjacent panels by two ferromagnetic spheres such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear.
A magnetic construction element, comprising:
- a longitudinally extending rod formed of a non-magnetic material;
- at least one magnet holder disposed at an end of the longitudinally extending rod;
- a magnet embedded in the magnet holder;
- a ferromagnetic material disposed at a center portion of the longitudinally extending rod, the ferromagnetic material being formed of two generally hemispherical portions that are attached to each other with at least a portion of the non-magnetic material of the longitudinally extending rod being disposed within the hemispherical portions when attached.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.