WO2004022192A1

WO2004022192A1 - Magnetic play module

Info

Publication number: WO2004022192A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/001364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerker Pettersson; Nicky HORN AF ÅMINNE
Original assignee: Trendus Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2002-09-04
Filing date: 2003-09-04
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2003258926A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetic toy module, comprising a magnetic element (1) having a linking body (2) that at both ends thereof is provided with a permanent magnet (3, 4), and that together with at least one ferromagnetic linking element (7) forms a module (A), whereby each module (A) can be magnetically attached to at least one other module (B), to form larger structures, wherein said linking body (2) is designed to have a low weight and in that principle parts of it consist of a non-magnetic material, so that magnetic contact can be avoided between the permanent magnets.

Description

Magnetic play module

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a magnetic toy module, comprising a magnetic element having a linking body that at both ends thereof is provided with a permanent magnet, and that together with at least one ferromagnetic linking element forms a module, whereby each module can be magnetically attached to at least one other module, to form larger structures.

PRIOR ART

Magnets are used in the toy industry inter alia to form games, such as chess sets, where (chess)men are attached by magnets to a (chess)board manufactured from a ferromagnetic material.

A magnetic toy is previously known from WO 99/60583, which toy is designed with cylindrical units that can be interconnected to form larger structures. Said units contain a rod-shaped core of a ferromagnetic material, at the short sides of which magnets are attached. By linking the poles accordingly, a stronger magnetic field will result in and about the unit, which enables the building of large structures. A magnetic field that is too strong may however result in an increased risk of injury to children, due to the risk of attraction of surrounding magnetic, sharp-edged objects, and therefore it is not desirable. The presence of a ferromagnetic material in all units will make the toy relatively expensive to manufacture and also make it heavy. On the market, said magnetic toy is only available in large packages having a high price, which only makes it available to a limited part of the market.

BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate or at least minimise the problems mentioned above, which is achieved by a magnetic toy module, comprising a magnetic element having a linking body that at both ends thereof is provided with a permanent magnet, and that together with at least one ferromagnetic linking element forms a module, whereby each module can be magnetically attached to at least one other module, to form larger structures, characterised in that said linking body is designed to have a low weight and in that principle parts of it consist of a non-magnetic material, so that magnetic contact can be avoided between the permanent magnets. Thanks to the absence of a ferromagnetic material in the linking body, the weight is reduced. Furthermore, the alteration means that cheaper materials and manufacturing methods can be chosen in the manufacturing of the linking body, so that an additional cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, the big advantage is attained that the low weight lessens the need of magnetic force to hold together large, complex structures. Furthermore, the transport/handling costs will be lower. In summary, this results in that a magnetic toy module that both reduces the risk of injuries and results in a considerably improved availability to a much broader part of the consumers.

According to further aspects of the invention:

- said linking body is designed to obtain a non-rotationally symmetrical geometry in at least one plane that extends perpendicularly to a centre axis that extends in a longitudinal direction through both ends of the linking body. Thanks to this, the modules can be used to play different games, in which for example a magnetic element is thrown in order to land in given positions (e.g. in order to give different points depending on the position).

- said linking body has a surface that is plane-parallel with the centre axis. Thanks to this design, a first given landing position may be defined for each magnetic element, and/or the plane surface can be used to make the magnetic element attach to different parts of a target having a top layer of a ferromagnetic material.

said linking body is designed to resemble a character.

among said linking bodies having different outer geometrical design, there is a group having at least one common visual property by aid of which a certain belonging may be identified, the number of linking bodies in said group preferably being 2 to 15 and more preferably 4 to 10. Such a visual property could be a common colour or range of colours, transparency or glittery details.

This enables a collecting of similar units in series. It is also conceivable that the characters included have different accessories, such as pickaxes, spades or swords.

- said magnetic toy is a part component of a game and in the game there are included linking bodies of different outer geometrical design. said linking body is part of a module together with at least one ferromagnetic linking element, whereby each module can be magnetically attached to at least one other module, to form larger structures. Thanks to this, larger models can be built in which the modules resemble different building elements and together may form a house e.g.

- the weight of each magnetic element is less than 5 g. Hereby, the transport cost inter alia of the modules can be kept down.

- said linking element can have a variety of designs, such a spherical or cubical.

Thanks to this, additional possible variations can be achieved in the building of larger structures.

- said linking body comprises a case consisting of two halves, which increases flexibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing figures, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of a module according to the invention, consisting of a magnetic element and a linking element, Fig. 2 A, B show horizontal cross-sections of a magnetic element, Fig. 3A-G show examples of designs of the magnetic element, Fig. 4 shows a package that contains modules,

Fig. 5 shows to interconnected modules according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows a modified embodiment of a magnetic element according to the invention, FFiigg.. 66aa,, 66bb show a detachable and attachable outer part of an element according to Fig. 6 as seen from the front and from the back, respectively,

Fig. 7 shows in principle the same type of embodiment as in Fig. 6, but with another appearance and a to some extent modified design,

Fig. 7a, 7b show two halves of an outer body that is used in the unit according to

Fig. 7,

Fig. 8 shows a specific toy that can be built together with magnetic elements according to the invention, Fig. 8a shows a device according to Fig. 8, as seen from above,

Fig. 8b-8e shows an alternative embodiment to achieve a device according to Fig. 8, and Fig. 9 shows yet a modified embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows an axial cross-section of a magnetic element 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The magnetic element 1 comprises a linking body 2 that suitably is made of a plastic material, e.g. polypropylene. At the ends of said linking body there are two magnets 3, 4 that are suitable moulded in place at the same time as the body 2 is manufactured. It is clear that the extension L of the magnetic element 1 in its longitudinal direction, in parallel with the centre axis 5, is considerably larger than the maximum diameter d at the end of the linking body 2, it preferably being true that L_3d, which improves the possibility to build voluminous structures. For material/strength reasons, it is however most often suitable not to let the element 1 be too long and narrow, it preferably being true that 10d>L. According to an embodiment that has been tested with a good result, the element 1 is about 6 cm long L and designed to have an outer diameter d of about 1 cm. The figure also shows a linking element 7 comprising a ferromagnetic material, that magnetically attaches to the lowermost magnet 4 (according to the figure) of the magnetic element 1. It is clear that the maximum extension!) of said linking element 7 most preferably exceeds the maximum diameter d of the end of the magnetic element 1, it preferably being true that D>2d.

In Fig. 2A, a horizontal cross-section of a magnetic element 1 is shown. Here, it is clear that the outside 6 of the linking body 2 is designed to obtain a non-rotationally symmetrical geometry in at least one plane that extends perpendicularly to the centre axis 5. Thanks to this, visual effects can be attained and/or the modules can be used to play different games e.g., in which for example a magnetic element is thrown in order to land in given positions (e.g. in order to give different points depending on the position).

In Fig. 2B, a horizontal cross-section of a modified magnetic element is shown. Here, it is clear that the outside 6 of the linking body 2 still is designed to obtain a non- rotationally symmetrical geometry but also so that a planar surface 6A is obtained, which planar surface is parallel to the centre axis 5. Thanks to this design, a first given landing position may be defined for each magnetic element 1, and/or the plane surface 6A can be used to make the magnetic element attach more securely to different parts of a target having a top layer of a ferromagnetic material.

Fig. 3A-3G show examples of asymmetrically designed linking bodies according to different conceived embodiments of the invention.

In Fig. 3 A, the linking body 2 is designed to resemble a monkey standing with its arms lifted above the body, and the magnets 3, 4 are designed as balls at the hands and feet of the monkey. Said linking body is e.g. manufactured in polypropylene and will, together with the magnets, weigh about 4 g. The length is about 5 cm and its diameter is about 2 cm. Here, a green colour e.g. can be used to create a group belonging and/or to create associations to the jungle.

In Fig. 3B, the linking body 2 represents an octopus, the arms of which extending to grasp the magnets 3, 4.

In Fig. 3C, the linking body represents four fishes attached to each other in a row by biting each others tails. The connection to sea animals (octopus and fish row, respectively) forms a common visual effect that indicates that these two characters are part of one and the same group/family. This enables a collecting of similar units in series. Suitably, this group belonging can be strengthened by using a common colour, blue e.g.

Fig. 3D shows that a character may be part of fantasy unit, i.e. the head of a monster having an open mouth, which suitably is part of a group/family that consists of a number of different monsters.

In Fig. 3E, the linking body resembles a science fiction craft (space group) and in Fig. 3F it resembles some flowers attached to each other (fairy tale group).

Finally, in Fig. 3G the linking body represents a board with a small mouse that is meant to be able to be included in a barn group. It is realised that the skilled man can conceive of a number of other embodiments and themes, from the given examples.

Fig. 4 shows a package 8 manufactured from foil, a flexible material having a caliper of 0.1 mm. Said package 8 contains four magnetic units 1, three linking elements 7 and preferably a card (not shown) including rules of the game. The package weighs less than 5 g when it is empty and with contents it weighs about 20 - 30 g. Suitably, the seals 8 of the package are hot sealed, by which rational manufacturing is enabled.

Fig. 5 shows two interconnected modules A and B. Each module comprises a magnetic element 1 and a ferromagnetic linking element 7.

Fig. 6 shows a magnetic unit 1 that looks like the one in Fig. 3B, but is made according to the last mentioned, modified embodiment, i.e. comprising an exchangeable body 21. As is clear from Figs. 6a and 6b, the body consists of two halves 22, 23 that suitably are symmetric in relation to a symmetry line, along which a number of hinges 24 are arranged. Each half 22, 23 is provided with a longitudinal recess 25. Suitably, the recess 25 has a cross-sectional design that corresponds to the shape of the magnetic part element 20, 3, 4, such that if the element 20 is cylindrical, each recess 25 has the shape of a half cylinder . It is furthermore clear that the body 21 is provided with male 26 and female elements 27, respectively, to allow the body 21 to be put together by swinging the halves 22, 23 about the hinges 24 and snapping the male element 26 into the female element 27, such that the magnetic part element 20, 3, 4 is enclosed by the body 21.

Fig. 7 shows an element 1 that in principle is of the same type as in Fig. 6, but having a different appearance (a car instead of an octopus). Another difference is that hinges are not used in this embodiment, but instead the body 21 consists of two separate halves 21a, 21b that are easily put together by aid of male-female elements 26, 27.

Figs. 8, 8a show a special kind of toy that can be built by using a number of magnetic elements 1 A-AD, in accordance with the invention. Here, at least two, preferably more (four e.g.), such magnetic part elements 1 are used, which are placed in a common plane on either side of a centre axis 31 that constitutes the normal to said plane. The toy 30 consists of an upper 32 and a lower half 33. Fig. 8a shows that the lower half 33 has four recesses 25 provided to accommodate the magnetic part elements 1 A- ID, whereby the diameter of the toy 30 will be somewhat larger than the double length L of one part element 1. Projecting appliances 34, 35 are arranged on either side of the toy, co-axially with the centre axis 31, which appliances are intended to provide points of rotation for the toy 30. The toy 30 can be rotated by affecting the magnetic elements 1 in the toy 30 by another magnet. Figs. 8b-8e show a slightly modified embodiment in which diagonally arranged recesses 25, 25 A have been provided in each half 32, 33. The diameter of this device is about L, i.e. about half of the one in Figs. 8, 8a, so that each element 1 extends across the inside of the toy. Fig. 9 shows an embodiment in which the body 21, similarly to Fig. 6-8, is separately arranged at the magnetic part element 20, 3, 4. In the preferred embodiment, the body 21 is then separately moulded and is then mounted on the magnetic part element by gluing, clamp fitting or some other suitable method. As an alternative, the body 21 may be moulded directly around the bar shaped unit 20. As is evident, there is a certain distance x between each end 3, 4 and the body 21, which is advantageous in order to provide space for the construction of larger structures. Suitably, x is at least 10 % of L, but less than 40 % of L, i.e. 0,1L < x < 0,4Z.

The invention is not limited to that described above but may be varied within the scope of the claims. It is realised for example that the linking body 2 can be made of some other material, such as some other type of plastics or a metal without magnetic properties, or a combination thereof, and that its dimensions may be varied. It is also conceivable of course that certain units only have one magnet or that the shape of the magnet is varied. The magnets may be attached by a number of methods, e.g. by clamp fitting or gluing. It is also realised that the size of the units may be varied. Furthermore, it is realised that in an embodiment in accordance with Figs. 6-8, the tubular body 20 may be eliminated in certain cases, whereby the magnets 3, 4 can be arranged directly inside the halves. It is also realised that the body 20 does not have to be tubular, but that it instead may be solid, in which case the magnets for example are glued or moulded in place. The man skilled in the art will realise that the concept according to Figs. 6-8 can be used also in connection with previously known magnetic elements, such as those described in WO 99/60583.

Claims

1. A magnetic toy module, comprising a magnetic element (1) having a linking body (2) that at both ends thereof is provided with a permanent magnet (3, 4), and that together with at least one ferromagnetic linking element (7) forms a module (A), whereby each module (A) can be magnetically attached to at least one other module (B), to form larger structures, characteris ed in that said linking body (2) is designed to have a low weight and in that principle parts of it consist of a non-magnetic material, so that magnetic contact can be avoided between the permanent magnets.

2. A magnetic toy module according to claim 1, characterised in that said linking body (2) is designed to obtain a non-rotationally symmetrical geometry in at least one plane that extends perpendicularly to a centre axis (5) that extends in a longitudinal direction through both ends of the linking body (2).

3. A magnetic toy module according to claim 2, characteri sed in that said linking body has a surface that is plane-parallel to the centre axis.

4. A magnetic toy module according to claim 2, characterised in that said linking body (2) is designed to resemble a character.

5. A magnetic toy module according to claim 2 or 4, characterised in that said magnetic toy is a part component of a game and that in the game there are included linking bodies of different outer geometrical design.

6. Magnetic toy module according to claim 5, characterised in that among said linking bodies having different outer geometrical design, there is a group having at least one common visual property by aid of which a certain belonging may be identified.

7. A magnetic toy module according to claim 6, characteri sed in that the number of linking bodies in said group is between 2 and 15, preferably 4 to 10.

8. A magnetic toy module according to claim ^ characterised in that the weight of a linking body (2) is less than 5 g, the extension L of the magnetic element (1) in its longitudinal direction, in parallel with the centre axis (5), being considerably larger than the maximum diameter d at the end of the element (1), it preferably being true that 3d < L < 20d.

9. A magnetic toy module according to claim ^ characteri sed in that said ferromagnetic linking element (7) is designed as a sphere.

10. A magnetic toy module according to claim 1, characterise d in that said ferromagnetic linking element (7) has at least one planar surface.

11. A magnetic toy module according to claim 9, characterised in that said linking element (7) has at least two planar surfaces, said surfaces preferably being parallel to each other.

12. A magnetic toy module according to claim 1, characteris e d in that the maximum extension D of said linking element (7) is considerably larger than the maximum diameter d of the end of the magnetic element (1), it preferably being true thatD>2

13. A magnetic toy module according to claim 11, characterised in that said linking element (7) is a cube.

14. A magnetic toy module according to claim 10, characteri s ed in that said linking element (7) is a tetrahedron.

15. A magnetic toy module according to claim ^ characteris e d in that said linking body comprises a bar shaped element (20, 3, 4) at which an outer body (21) is arranged.