Planar magnetic kinetic device with vertex-mounted rotational elements
OwnerFredrick D. Tumlinson, Alexandre R. Tumlinsoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A kinetic magnetic toy system designed for tactile manipulation. The system comprises a planar frame with rotatable magnetic objects mounted at the vertices. The vertex regions feature cutouts to allow manual spinning of the magnets. The magnets rotate on axes coplanar with the frame, creating a “flipping” interaction. Embodiments include conical pivots with differential radii for durability, multi-material housings for acoustic dampening, and central spherical pivots that allow for slip-fit rotation. The system may be configured as a set of interacting frames with pencil-mounting apertures or hexagonal geometries. Sublimation printing may be integrated into the frame or magnet housings.
Claims21
A kinetic magnetic toy comprising:
- a substantially planar frame defining a central region and a plurality of vertex regions;
- a plurality of magnetic objects, each rotatably coupled to the frame at one of said vertex regions;
- wherein each vertex region defines a structural cutout configured to expose a portion of the magnetic object for direct manual tactile manipulation;
- and wherein each magnetic object is configured to rotate about a fixed axis substantially coplanar with the frame, enabling periodic magnetic coupling between the plurality of magnetic objects.
A kinetic toy system comprising:
- a first frame unit comprising a central spherical pivot protruding from a bottom surface;
- and a second frame unit comprising a central divot configured to accommodate the protrusion of the spherical pivot of the first frame unit when the units are in a stacked configuration;
- wherein both first and second frame units define a substantially square geometry and comprise exactly four rotatable magnetic objects disposed at four vertices.
A child-safe kinetic magnetic toy comprising:
- a structural frame defining a plurality of vertex regions;
- a plurality of magnetic objects, each permanently secured to the frame at one of said vertex regions in a manner preventing removal without destruction of the assembly;
- wherein each vertex region defines a structural cutout configured to expose a portion of the magnetic object for direct manual tactile manipulation;
- and wherein each magnetic object is rotatably coupled to the frame about a fixed axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.