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US 2016/0250562 A1Published application
Magnetic Construction Toy
AssigneeBuild & Imagine, LLC
InventorLaura E. Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A construction toy is provided, with illustrated panels that connect together magnetically to assemble two- and three-dimensional structures and background scenery, optionally with accessory items that bind magnetically or mechanically to the panels to embellish the structures or scenes that are created.
Claims25
A construction toy, comprising:
- a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises an interior subpanel structure and an exterior frame that surrounds the interior subpanel structure,
- wherein each panel comprises two faces and at least three edges,
- wherein the subpanel structure of each panel comprises the two faces and comprises the same number of edges as the surrounding exterior frame,
- wherein at least one panel comprises an illustration on at least one face of the interior subpanel structure,
- wherein each panel comprises at least one magnetic edge,
- wherein said magnetic edge comprises at least one magnet embedded within said panel exterior frame in proximity to said edge, and
- wherein the magnets are configured such that panels may be connected by magnetic attraction at their magnetic edges to form illustrated three-dimensional structures and/or scenes,
- wherein the exterior frame comprises:
- (i) first and second frame pieces that are configured and of dimensions such that when they are joined together they form a frame that surrounds the edges of the subpanel structure, overlaps a portion of the each of the faces of the subpanel structure, and provides slots for insertion of magnets, and (ii) frame edge pieces surrounding the first and second frame pieces on all edges of the panel, encasing at least one magnet positioned in a slot formed by the first and second frame pieces, wherein the frame edge pieces are tightly sealed to the first and second frame pieces, thereby sealing the edges of the panel.
6 more elements
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A method for manufacturing a panel of a construction toy, comprising assembling a frame around an interior subpanel structure,
- wherein the panel comprises an interior subpanel structure and an exterior frame that surrounds the interior subpanel structure,
- wherein the panel comprises two faces and at least three edges,
- wherein the subpanel structure comprises the two faces and comprises the same number of edges as the surrounding exterior frame,
- wherein the panel comprises an illustration on at least one face of the interior subpanel structure,
- wherein the panel comprises at least one magnetic edge,
- wherein said magnetic edge comprises at least one magnet embedded within said panel in proximity to said edge, and
- wherein the panel is manufactured by:
- (a) joining first and second frame pieces around the edges of the subpanel structure, such that the subpanel is captured between the first and second frame pieces, wherein the first and second frame pieces are configured and of dimensions such that when they are joined together they form a frame that surrounds the edges of the subpanel structure, overlaps a portion of the each of the faces of the subpanel structure, and provides slots for insertion of magnets;
- (b) inserting at least one magnet into at least one slot provided by the joined first and second frame pieces;
- (c) covering each edge of the joined first and second frame pieces with a frame edge piece, thereby holding the first and second frame pieces together and holding the at least one magnet in place in the frame;
- and
- (d) tightly sealing the frame edge pieces to the first and second frame pieces, thereby sealing the edges of the panel and encasing the magnet and subpanel structure within the frame.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.