US20010021619A1 - Magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle - Google Patents

Magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US20010021619A1
US20010021619A1 US09/739,247 US73924700A US2001021619A1 US 20010021619 A1 US20010021619 A1 US 20010021619A1 US 73924700 A US73924700 A US 73924700A US 2001021619 A1 US2001021619 A1 US 2001021619A1
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Prior art keywords
magnetic
coupling device
toy vehicle
magnetic coupling
fixing element
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Granted
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US09/739,247
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US6352463B2 (en
Inventor
Kristian Forkman
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Brio AB
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Individual
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Assigned to BRIO AB reassignment BRIO AB ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FORKMAN, KRSTIAN
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
    • A63H17/26—Details; Accessories
    • A63H17/264—Coupling mechanisms

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle, said device having a magnetic element and a fixing element, by means of which the magnetic element is fixed to the vehicle and which has a substantially dome-shaped coupling surface, which is arranged to be kept in abutment by magnetic attraction against a coupling surface of a coupling device on another toy vehicle.
  • the magnetic element consists of a disk-shaped magnet with a through center hole and the fixing element consists of a metal nail with a head and a shank.
  • the magnet is nailed to the toy vehicle by means of the nail, whose shank extends through the center hole of the magnet and whose head abuts against the magnet and presses the same to abut against the vehicle.
  • the magnet is kept fixed to the vehicle.
  • the surface of the nail head facing away from the magnet is dome-shaped and forms the coupling surface of the magnetic coupling device.
  • magnetic coupling devices which have a magnetic element, which is arranged to rotate on a shaft extending transversely of the driving direction of the toy vehicle, said shaft being supported by two arms, which project from the end of the toy vehicle. Since in this case the magnetic element can rotate, it automatically takes the correct position, i.e. such a position that its north magnetic pole is directed towards a south magnetic pole and vice versa, when the magnetic coupling device is moved towards another magnetic coupling device.
  • the above-described solution suffers from the great drawback that the magnetic coupling device can easily break if the toy vehicle is treated roughly and, for instance, dropped on the floor.
  • the projecting arms, on which the magnetic element is rotatably mounted, can easily be snapped off.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic coupling device, which solves the problem described by way of introduction while having a robust and strong design.
  • this object is achieved by a magnetic coupling device, which is of the kind stated by way of introduction and characterized in that the fixing element inside the coupling surface has an inner cavity, in which the magnetic element is arranged to be freely movable.
  • the fixing element has a head, whose outer surface forms the substantially dome-shaped coupling surface and in which the cavity is formed, and a shank, which projects from the head and which extends into a hole in the toy vehicle and is fixed in said hole.
  • the fixing element substantially has the form of a button, which is fixed to the toy vehicle.
  • the fixing element is made of plastic material.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing how three toy vehicles are coupled to each other by means of magnetic coupling devices according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a magnetic coupling device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows the magnetic coupling device according to FIG. 2 in longitudinal section.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the magnetic coupling device according to FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • FIG. 1 shows three toy vehicles 1 , 2 and 3 in the form of wagons, which are part of a toy train driven on a railway track (not shown) composed of wood elements.
  • the driving direction of the train is indicated by an arrow.
  • the wagons 1 , 2 and 3 each have a front and a rear magnetic coupling device 4 and 5 , respectively, according to the invention.
  • the front wagon 1 and the middle wagon 2 are coupled to each other by means of the rear magnetic coupling device 5 of the front wagon 1 and the front magnetic coupling device 4 of the middle wagon 2 .
  • the middle wagon 2 and the rear wagon 3 are coupled to each other by means of the rear magnetic coupling device 5 of the middle wagon 2 and the front magnetic coupling device 4 of the rear wagon 3 .
  • the magnetic coupling devices 4 , 5 are made of plastic material and each have a head 6 and a shank 7 .
  • the head 6 consists of a substantially part-spherical shell 8 , which has a substantially dome-shaped outer surface 9 , which forms the coupling surface of the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5 , and a disk 10 , which is formed at one end of the shank 7 and to which the shell 8 is fixed, for instance, by gluing or ultrasonic welding.
  • the shank 7 and the disk 10 are inserted into a shoulder bore 11 in the wagon 1 , 2 or 3 and kept therein by means of circumferential, barb-like beads 12 on the shank 7 .
  • a disk-shaped magnet 13 made of so-called super-magnetic material is arranged to be freely movable inside the head 6 , i.e. in the cavity 14 between the shell 8 and the disk 10 .
  • the magnet 13 can move freely in the cavity 14 and take any position therein.
  • the north pole of the magnet 13 is situated at one of its circular surfaces and its south pole at its other circular surface.
  • the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5 When the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5 is moved towards an arbitrary magnetic element, its magnet 13 automatically adjusts depending on which magnetic pole of this magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5 .
  • the north pole of the magnet 13 is turned towards the magnetic element if the south pole of the magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5
  • the south pole of said magnet is turned towards the magnetic element if the north pole of the magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4 , 5 .
  • two magnetic coupling devices 4 , 5 according to the invention are approaching each other, their two magnets 13 adjust in such manner that the devices attract each other.
  • two wagons 1 , 2 or 3 are coupled to each other irrespective of which magnetic coupling device 4 or 5 on one wagon is moved towards a magnetic coupling device 4 or 5 on the other wagon.
  • the described magnetic coupling device can be modified in many different ways within the scope of the invention.
  • the fixing element which is formed by the head 6 and the shank 7 and intended for fixing the magnet to the wagon 1 , 2 or 3 can be replaced by a fixing element in the form of a button, which corresponds to the head 6 but without a shank.
  • This button can be fixed to the wagon 1 , 2 or 3 in arbitrary manner, for instance, by gluing.

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Abstract

A magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle has a magnetic element and a fixing element, by means of which the magnetic element is fixed to the vehicle. The fixing element has a dome-shaped coupling surface, which is arranged to be kept in abutment by magnetic attraction against a coupling surface of a coupling device on another toy vehicle. Inside the coupling surface, the fixing element has an inner cavity, in which the magnetic element is arranged to be freely movable.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle, said device having a magnetic element and a fixing element, by means of which the magnetic element is fixed to the vehicle and which has a substantially dome-shaped coupling surface, which is arranged to be kept in abutment by magnetic attraction against a coupling surface of a coupling device on another toy vehicle. [0001]
    • BACKGROUND ART
  • In a prior-art magnetic coupling device of this kind (see SE 7301083-7), the magnetic element consists of a disk-shaped magnet with a through center hole and the fixing element consists of a metal nail with a head and a shank. The magnet is nailed to the toy vehicle by means of the nail, whose shank extends through the center hole of the magnet and whose head abuts against the magnet and presses the same to abut against the vehicle. Thus, the magnet is kept fixed to the vehicle. The surface of the nail head facing away from the magnet is dome-shaped and forms the coupling surface of the magnetic coupling device. [0002]
  • When two toy vehicles, each provided with at least one such prior-art magnetic coupling device, are coupled to each other by means of two coupling devices, whose magnets are oriented such that their portions facing the respective coupling surfaces have opposite polarity (north and south), the coupling surfaces of the two devices are kept in abutment against each other by the magnetic attractive force. When the magnets of the two coupling devices are oriented such that their portions facing the respective coupling surfaces have the same polarity (north or south), the coupling surfaces are instead repelled from each other. Each toy vehicle is usually provided with two magnetic coupling devices, which have different outwardly directed polarity and of which one is mounted in the front part of the toy vehicle and the other is mounted in its rear part. Therefore it is important that two toy vehicles, which are to be coupled to each other, be turned in the right direction in relation to each other in order to permit coupling. Thus, it may be difficult for small children to couple the toy vehicles. [0003]
  • To find a remedy for this, magnetic coupling devices are provided, which have a magnetic element, which is arranged to rotate on a shaft extending transversely of the driving direction of the toy vehicle, said shaft being supported by two arms, which project from the end of the toy vehicle. Since in this case the magnetic element can rotate, it automatically takes the correct position, i.e. such a position that its north magnetic pole is directed towards a south magnetic pole and vice versa, when the magnetic coupling device is moved towards another magnetic coupling device. [0004]
  • Thus, if a first toy vehicle, which is provided with a magnetic coupling device of this kind, is to be coupled to a second toy vehicle, which is provided with a magnetic coupling device, a coupling is provided irrespective of how the poles of the magnetic element in the coupling device of the second toy vehicle are oriented. [0005]
  • However, the above-described solution suffers from the great drawback that the magnetic coupling device can easily break if the toy vehicle is treated roughly and, for instance, dropped on the floor. The projecting arms, on which the magnetic element is rotatably mounted, can easily be snapped off. [0006]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic coupling device, which solves the problem described by way of introduction while having a robust and strong design. [0007]
  • According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a magnetic coupling device, which is of the kind stated by way of introduction and characterized in that the fixing element inside the coupling surface has an inner cavity, in which the magnetic element is arranged to be freely movable. [0008]
  • In a preferred embodiment, the fixing element has a head, whose outer surface forms the substantially dome-shaped coupling surface and in which the cavity is formed, and a shank, which projects from the head and which extends into a hole in the toy vehicle and is fixed in said hole. [0009]
  • In another preferred embodiment, the fixing element substantially has the form of a button, which is fixed to the toy vehicle. [0010]
  • Advantageously, the fixing element is made of plastic material.[0011]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0012]
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing how three toy vehicles are coupled to each other by means of magnetic coupling devices according to the invention. [0013]
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a magnetic coupling device according to the invention. [0014]
  • FIG. 3 shows the magnetic coupling device according to FIG. 2 in longitudinal section. [0015]
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the magnetic coupling device according to FIGS. 2 and 3.[0016]
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 shows three [0017] toy vehicles 1, 2 and 3 in the form of wagons, which are part of a toy train driven on a railway track (not shown) composed of wood elements. The driving direction of the train is indicated by an arrow. The wagons 1, 2 and 3 each have a front and a rear magnetic coupling device 4 and 5, respectively, according to the invention. The front wagon 1 and the middle wagon 2 are coupled to each other by means of the rear magnetic coupling device 5 of the front wagon 1 and the front magnetic coupling device 4 of the middle wagon 2. The middle wagon 2 and the rear wagon 3 are coupled to each other by means of the rear magnetic coupling device 5 of the middle wagon 2 and the front magnetic coupling device 4 of the rear wagon 3.
  • The [0018] magnetic coupling devices 4, 5 are made of plastic material and each have a head 6 and a shank 7. The head 6 consists of a substantially part-spherical shell 8, which has a substantially dome-shaped outer surface 9, which forms the coupling surface of the magnetic coupling device 4, 5, and a disk 10, which is formed at one end of the shank 7 and to which the shell 8 is fixed, for instance, by gluing or ultrasonic welding.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, the shank [0019] 7 and the disk 10 are inserted into a shoulder bore 11 in the wagon 1, 2 or 3 and kept therein by means of circumferential, barb-like beads 12 on the shank 7.
  • A disk-[0020] shaped magnet 13 made of so-called super-magnetic material is arranged to be freely movable inside the head 6, i.e. in the cavity 14 between the shell 8 and the disk 10. The magnet 13 can move freely in the cavity 14 and take any position therein. The north pole of the magnet 13 is situated at one of its circular surfaces and its south pole at its other circular surface.
  • When the [0021] magnetic coupling device 4, 5 is moved towards an arbitrary magnetic element, its magnet 13 automatically adjusts depending on which magnetic pole of this magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4, 5. The north pole of the magnet 13 is turned towards the magnetic element if the south pole of the magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4, 5, and the south pole of said magnet is turned towards the magnetic element if the north pole of the magnetic element is facing the magnetic coupling device 4, 5. When two magnetic coupling devices 4, 5 according to the invention are approaching each other, their two magnets 13 adjust in such manner that the devices attract each other. As a result, two wagons 1, 2 or 3 are coupled to each other irrespective of which magnetic coupling device 4 or 5 on one wagon is moved towards a magnetic coupling device 4 or 5 on the other wagon.
  • The described magnetic coupling device can be modified in many different ways within the scope of the invention. Thus, the fixing element which is formed by the [0022] head 6 and the shank 7 and intended for fixing the magnet to the wagon 1, 2 or 3 can be replaced by a fixing element in the form of a button, which corresponds to the head 6 but without a shank. This button can be fixed to the wagon 1, 2 or 3 in arbitrary manner, for instance, by gluing.

Claims (4)

What I claim and desire to secure by letters patent is:
1. A magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle, said device having a magnetic element and a fixing element, by means of which the magnetic element is fixed to the vehicle and which has a substantially dome-shaped coupling surface, which is arranged to be kept in abutment by magnetic attraction against a coupling surface of a coupling device on another toy vehicle, characterized in that the fixing element inside the coupling surface has an inner cavity, in which the magnetic element is arranged to be freely movable.
2. A device as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the fixing element has a head, whose outer surface forms the substantially dome-shaped coupling surface and in which the cavity is formed, and a shank, which projects from the head and which extends into a hole in the toy vehicle and is fixed in said hole.
3. A device as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the fixing element substantially has the form of a button, which is fixed to the toy vehicle.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element is made of plastic material.
US09/739,247 1999-12-21 2000-12-19 Magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle Expired - Fee Related US6352463B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9904681-5 1999-12-21
SE9904681A SE514023C2 (en) 1999-12-21 1999-12-21 Magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle
SE9904681 1999-12-21

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US20010021619A1 true US20010021619A1 (en) 2001-09-13
US6352463B2 US6352463B2 (en) 2002-03-05

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US (1) US6352463B2 (en)
DE (1) DE10062356B4 (en)
GB (1) GB2358811B (en)
SE (1) SE514023C2 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050227213A1 (en) * 2004-03-28 2005-10-13 Eatai Roth Molecular models
US20150079870A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 T. Dashon Howard All-shape: modified platonic solid building block
US20150079871A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for all-shape modified building block applications
US9259660B2 (en) 2013-09-17 2016-02-16 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for enhanced building block applications
US9339736B2 (en) 2014-04-04 2016-05-17 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for collapsible structure applications
US10556189B2 (en) 2013-09-17 2020-02-11 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for enhanced building block applications
USD896321S1 (en) 2018-03-15 2020-09-15 T. Dashon Howard Standing wave block
US20210129036A1 (en) * 2019-11-01 2021-05-06 Candylab Toys Inc. Combination wood and diecast model vehicle
US11247141B2 (en) * 2019-01-28 2022-02-15 Plastwood Italia SRL Magnetic assembly

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6722941B2 (en) 1999-02-12 2004-04-20 Learning Curve International Inc. Toy vehicle magnetic coupler
WO2003101567A1 (en) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-11 Mattel, Inc. Composite toy vehicles
US6896574B2 (en) * 2002-05-30 2005-05-24 Mattel, Inc. Magnetically coupled toy vehicles
US7413493B2 (en) * 2004-01-27 2008-08-19 Rc2 Brands, Inc. Magnetic building block
DE102005018755A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 LTD., Yongin Plate-type magnetic toy has polygonal plate body with inner hollow cavities divided by partitions and housing movable permanent magnets which move to create magnetic attraction to build up different designs
US8464881B2 (en) * 2011-06-27 2013-06-18 Gerhard Rieskamp Coupling device for a cart, and rail-guided cart with a coupling device
KR102136658B1 (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-07-22 (주)짐월드 Toy block

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US2939245A (en) * 1958-03-31 1960-06-07 Orel Ben Magnetically coupled toys
US3330066A (en) * 1964-02-27 1967-07-11 Fisher Price Toys Inc Magnetic connector for wheeled toys
SE392570B (en) 1973-01-26 1977-04-04 Brio Scanditoy Ab MAGNETIC COUPLING FOR TOY VEHICLES
DE2442633C2 (en) * 1974-09-06 1984-01-26 Interlego A/S, 7190 Billund Coupling for toy and model railroad vehicles
JPH0433915Y2 (en) * 1987-10-21 1992-08-13
GB2206499B (en) * 1987-06-17 1991-01-02 Kawada Co Ltd Track-running toy vehicle system
GB2269326A (en) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-09 Michihiro Yamada Magnetic coupler.
US5427561A (en) * 1994-02-03 1995-06-27 Small World Toys Battery powered toy train
SE9600265L (en) * 1996-01-25 1997-07-26 Brio Ab Magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050227213A1 (en) * 2004-03-28 2005-10-13 Eatai Roth Molecular models
US7465169B2 (en) * 2004-03-28 2008-12-16 Milwaukee School Of Engineering Molecular models
US9259660B2 (en) 2013-09-17 2016-02-16 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for enhanced building block applications
US20150079871A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for all-shape modified building block applications
US9168465B2 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-10-27 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for all-shape modified building block applications
US9192875B2 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-11-24 T. Dashon Howard All-shape: modified platonic solid building block
US20150079870A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 T. Dashon Howard All-shape: modified platonic solid building block
US10556189B2 (en) 2013-09-17 2020-02-11 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for enhanced building block applications
US9339736B2 (en) 2014-04-04 2016-05-17 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for collapsible structure applications
US9731215B2 (en) 2014-04-04 2017-08-15 T. Dashon Howard Systems and methods for collapsible structure applications
USD896321S1 (en) 2018-03-15 2020-09-15 T. Dashon Howard Standing wave block
US11247141B2 (en) * 2019-01-28 2022-02-15 Plastwood Italia SRL Magnetic assembly
US20210129036A1 (en) * 2019-11-01 2021-05-06 Candylab Toys Inc. Combination wood and diecast model vehicle
US11752442B2 (en) * 2019-11-01 2023-09-12 Candylab Toys Inc. Combination wood and diecast model vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE10062356A1 (en) 2001-06-28
US6352463B2 (en) 2002-03-05
GB0030052D0 (en) 2001-01-24
GB2358811A (en) 2001-08-08
SE9904681L (en) 2000-12-11
SE514023C2 (en) 2000-12-11
GB2358811B (en) 2002-05-01
DE10062356B4 (en) 2005-08-25
SE9904681D0 (en) 1999-12-21

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Owner name: BRIO AB, SWEDEN

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