Including Permanent Magnet Or Suction Cup To Secure Elements Patents (Class 446/92)
  • Publication number: 20090181595
    Abstract: There is provided a block for building a toy, including a body, a case provided in the body, a holder with a sliding-prevention part, provided movably and rotatably within the case, and a magnet with south and north pole faces, installed in the holder. The blocks, each with this construction, can connect to each other to build a toy, without sliding off relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Kyoung Woon SONG, Jong Sung KIM
  • Patent number: 7559821
    Abstract: The present invention provides such a spherical block structure wherein each spherical block is made up of three intersecting rings corresponding to the three axes (x, y and z) of the sphere. Each ring comprises eight subunits with two of those subunits being shared with each of the other two rings. The spherical block structure created by the intersecting rings results in a hollow center with eight cavities radiating outward, the cavities providing a location for the disposition of a connection means whereby individual spherical blocks may be releasably connected to form larger structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Francisco Pacheco
  • Publication number: 20090170396
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides portable magnetic toy construction system having a base plate upon which to build magnetic toy constructions, the base plate configured to accept and hold in position ferromagnetic or magnetic base elements, such as ferromagnetic balls. The base plate comprises at least one flexible membrane that stretches around a base element and holds the base element in position. The membrane exerts a force that holds the base element in position resisting lateral movement, although the elasticity of the flexible membrane still allows a user to manipulate the base element through the membrane to move the base element laterally. In one configuration, the base plate forms part of a travel case that can additionally include compartments to store magnetic building components. Further embodiments provide a magnetic toy construction, and a method for building the construction, that incorporate the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: MEGA Brands International S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Andree-Anne Tardif, Gustavo Castro
  • Patent number: 7537506
    Abstract: Toy figures having a moveable appendage, an object associated with the toy figure at a first position, and a transfer mechanism configured to couple the moveable appendage with the object, and transfer the object to a second position on the figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel de la Torre
  • Patent number: 7520793
    Abstract: A manipulative toy is provided comprising a body and a plurality of interchangeable appendages, such as arms, legs, heads, tails and wings, removably attachable to the body at certain predefined coupling points using complementary magnetic elements disposed within both the appendages and the body. The appendages are retained in place by the interaction between two sets of complementary ribbed elements disposed on both the body and the appendages about the magnetic elements, which complementary ribbed elements are formed in a beveled configuration. The configuration of these ribbed elements, in combination with attractive force of the complementary magnetic elements and the frictional engagement of the complementary ribs, limits the appendages from moving rotationally about the point of attachment, and limits the movement of the appendage in the plane of the point of attachment, thereby allowing the manipulative toy to be posed by a user and retain its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventors: Gopala Pillai, Mark Yager, Mike Grasela, Jason Karecki
  • Patent number: 7507136
    Abstract: A set of magnetic blocks by which connection is made between blocks through a force attracting multiple ferrous protrusions on one face to multiple recessed magnets on another face. The multiple points of magnetic connection provide alignment and rigidity to the assembled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Claire Jean Patton
  • Publication number: 20080305708
    Abstract: A children's toy is disclosed, including a block, a casing affixed to the block, and a magnet housed within the casing, the magnet freely moveable within the casing. The freely moveable magnet allows for universal magnetic connections to be made with other similar blocks, as well as other fixed or moveable magnetic elements. Also disclosed are a variety of connectors that connect to the blocks in several different manners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Donald E. Toht, Gary E. Aigner
  • Publication number: 20080264522
    Abstract: A magnetic stone device and assembly is provided. The magnetic stone device includes a magnetic stone and a metallic coating applied to at least part of the surface of the magnetic stone. The coating has a first color at a first portion of the magnetic stone and a second color different from said first color at a second portion of the magnetic stone. A method of manufacturing the magnetic stone device is also provided. A magnetic bead, assembly, and method of manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: W. Frederick Conway
  • Publication number: 20080200090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geometric construction toy for building geometrical structures and consists of a multiplicity of spherical magnetizable bodies which may be magnetically coupled to a connecting member. The connecting member has an upper boundary surface which is a concave surface of revolution and a lower boundary surface which is also a concave surface of revolution. The lower boundary surface is the mirror image of the upper boundary surface. A permanent magnet is captively carried by the connecting member and so disposed therein such that the poles of the magnet are located adjacent to or interiorly of the respective boundary surface thereby permitting a stable coupling of magnetizable bodies to each pole of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Steven H. Balanchi
  • Patent number: 7413493
    Abstract: A children's toy is disclosed, including a block, a casing affixed to the block, and a magnet housed within the casing, the magnet freely moveable within the casing. The freely moveable magnet allows for universal magnetic connections to be made with other similar blocks, as well as other fixed or moveable magnetic elements. Also disclosed are a variety of connectors that connect to the blocks in several different manners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: RC2 Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Toht, Gary D. Aigner
  • Publication number: 20080139077
    Abstract: A set of magnetic blocks by which connection is made between blocks through a force attracting multiple ferrous protrusions on one face to multiple recessed magnets on another face. The multiple points of magnetic connection provide alignment and rigidity to the assembled structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Claire Jean Patton
  • Patent number: 7371147
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for realizing complex constructions, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of basic elements, and a plurality of constructive and/or figurative elements, that can be coupled with said basic elements, each basic element being comprised of ferromagnetic material, to be coupled with a first type of constructive and/or figurative magnetic elements, said basic elements being further provided with not-magnetic coupling means, for coupling with at least a second type of plastic material elements, said plastic material elements being provided with coupling means corresponding to the coupling means provided on said plurality of basic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Edoardo Tusacciu
  • Patent number: 7322873
    Abstract: A construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different structures includes a plurality of illuminated elements. Each illuminated element has a light source and is electrically conductive. Tin one embodiment, the kit includes a plurality of connectors for linking the plurality of illuminated elements mechanically and electrically to form an illuminated structure, each connector having at least two apertures and being electrically conductive. The kit can include a power supply for supplying power to one connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the power is transferred from the one connector to each of the plurality of illuminated elements and each of the remaining plurality of connectors, thereby illuminating the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: MEGA Brands America, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence I. Rosen, Parvis Daftari
  • Patent number: 7320633
    Abstract: Disclosed is a built-up type toy having plural parts 10a of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces 11a that are joined with other joining surfaces 11b of other parts 10b. The built-up type toy of the present invention has the parts respectively having magnet portions 10a on the joining surfaces 11a thereof, wherein the magnet portion 100a of the part 10a and the magnet portion 100b on the joining surface 11b of the parts 10b are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof. The built-up type toy of the present invention provides the effects that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, the assemble state is not likely to be demolished easily, and it is helpful to develop the initiative of infant as it can be assemble to various shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Orda Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Hwa Park
  • Patent number: 7276270
    Abstract: In an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of a grid structure, a joining element for connecting rigidly at least a first and a second elongated modules of the grid structure, characterised in that it comprises: a body of the joining element; at least a first and a second tubular projections of the body for axial attachment of the first and respectively second elongated modules; and a housing of the body for securing the body to a further module of the grid structure; the at least first and second tubular projections being in direct communication with the housing for contact of the further module to the at least first and second elongated modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Claudio Vicentelli
  • Patent number: 7273404
    Abstract: Magnetic structural components utilized to permit construction of a wide variety of structural profiles and to thereby increase design and/or construction flexibility and choice. The structural components each include a number of magnets operatively associated with a periphery thereof to provide a number of points of magnetic connection. In addition, each structural component has at least one mechanical connector operatively associated therewith to provide at least one point of mechanical connection. The structural components can be magnetically and/or mechanically interconnected to form a variety of different two or three-dimensional structural profiles of varying complexities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: MEGA Brands America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Kowalski, Jeffrey H. Rosen, Lawrence I. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20070190892
    Abstract: A geometric construction set for building a stable cubic structure, comprising a plurality of like-dimensioned connecting members, spherical magnetically sensitive bodies and anchoring members. Each connecting member has radial symmetry along its axis of elongation and includes permanent magnets at its first and second ends. The anchoring members have three mutually perpendicular and substantially semi-cylindrical arms, a partial spherical cavity at the intersection of the three arms, and a cavity within each of the arms created by its semi-cylindrical shape. The partial spherical cavity is adapted to receive the spherical magnetically sensitive bodies. The cavities in the arms are adapted to securely receive either the first end or the second end of the connecting members. After securely received in the arms, the first or second ends of the connecting member with the permanent magnets are magnetically coupled with the spherical magnetically sensitive bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Hovannes Manvelian
  • Patent number: 7255624
    Abstract: A construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different structures includes a plurality of illuminated elements. In one embodiment, an illuminated element has a plurality of substantially transparent panels forming a three-dimensional shape, a self-powered light cartridge within the three-dimensional shape, and a plurality of externally directed magnets. The cartridge can include a housing disposed on a panel of the plurality of substantially transparent panels, a light located within the housing and positioned approximately in the center of the three-dimensional shape, circuitry within the housing for controlling an operation of the light, a battery within the housing for powering the light via the circuitry, and a removable cover for sealing the light, circuitry and battery within the housing. The illuminated elements can be directly connected to each other with the externally directed magnets or with connecting members (e.g., ferromagnetic spheres) between the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: MEGA Brands America, Inc.
    Inventor: Parvis Daftari
  • Patent number: 7247075
    Abstract: This invention is a set of magnetic building blocks. Each block or piece in the set is in the shape of a right golden rhombic pyramid. There are two important fixed proportions that dictate each block's shape. The first is that the pyramid's base is a golden rhombus. That means the ratio of its long diagonal to its short diagonal is 1.618, otherwise known as ?, or the “golden ratio.” The other important proportion of each block's shape is the height of the pyramid. The height of the pyramid as measured from the rhombus base centroid (the point at which the two base diagonals intersect) to its apex is (?+1)/2 or approximately 1.309 times the length of the short diagonal in the rhombus base. Each building block has magnets embedded in its interior faces. This means that the pieces will stick together magnetically. The user can build various shapes and designs with the blocks. The set of building blocks can be used as a creativity tool, toy, puzzle, game, display device, creativity prop, and cognitive stimulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Roger V. von Oech
  • Patent number: 7234986
    Abstract: A movable magnetic construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different construction profiles and including at least one primary connecting element that can be operatively associated with one or more secondary connecting elements via magnetic and/or mechanical connections. The primary connecting element has at least one aperture therein and a plurality of magnets operatively associated with an edge thereof. The primary connecting element in combination with the secondary connecting elements provides for a movable construction kit for enhanced construction and design capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Mega Brands America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Kowalski, Jeffrey H. Rosen, Lawrence I. Rosen
  • Patent number: 7160170
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a panel-type magnetic toy having compartments where permanent magnets move. The magnetic toy includes a polygonal panel body having a space therein, a plurality of compartments defined in the space of the panel body, and separated from each other by at least one partition wall, and a permanent magnet movably provided in each of the compartments. According to this invention, as the magnets are rolled in the hollow compartments partitioned by the partition walls, attractive force is generated between the magnets of neighboring panels. Thereby, it is possible to connect the panels to each other at various positions. Since the magnets move according to the contact position of the panels, it is possible to manufacture variously shaped structures using a small number of panels, thus increasing creative potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Magnet 4 U Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-Seok Yoon
  • Patent number: 7154363
    Abstract: A magnetic connector apparatus provides a plurality of magnetic connector bodies in various different forms for magnetic connection of two or more bodies together along mutually-confronting, longitudinally-elongated, linear peripheral border edges, each linear peripheral border edge having at least one particularly-configured longitudinally elongated, cylindrical magnet supported adjacent thereto for rotation of the magnet adjacent said peripheral edge of each connector body for orientation of the magnetic polarity of magnets of confronting connector bodies for mutual magnetic attraction along, mutually confronting, linear peripheral border edges of magnetic connector bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Larry Dean Hunts
  • Patent number: 7066778
    Abstract: Construction kit with two- and/or three-dimensional construction elements (1, 9) with magnetic elements (4) in the corners and/or sides and ferromagnetic spheres (11), which can be placed between the magnetic elements (4) of adjacent construction elements (1, 9) to connect the construction elements (1, 9) together using a magnetic bond so that they can be detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Mega Bloks International S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Michael Kretzschmar
  • Patent number: 7038567
    Abstract: A module (1, 16, 19, 28, 50, 52, 54, 100) for the creation of assemblies comprising at least one active magnetic element of attraction (2, 3, 17, 20, 33, 34, 42, 47, 48) and at least one ferromagnetic element (6, 21, 22, 30, 40, 44) suitable for defining areas (13, 14, 35, 36, 88, 90, 80, 82, 110, 10, 250, 260, 92, 94) for connection to other modules, with which it is possible to create an assembly of modules (1, 16, 19, 28, 50, 52, 54, 100, 37, 15) which provides a magnetic circuit which closes totally or at least partially via the ferromagnetic elements present (6, 21, 22, 30, 40, 44, 55, 104, 37, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Claudio Vicentelli
  • Patent number: 6969294
    Abstract: In an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures, one or more elements for stabilization of the grid structure are inserted in the form of panels (6, 12, 6?) which can be removably slotted in corresponding polygonal areas circumscribed by the modules of the grid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Claudio Vicentelli
  • Patent number: 6945841
    Abstract: A doll having the likeness of a person or animal, wherein the doll form includes a body and head in the general shape of a human or animal is provided. The head includes a facial portion comprised of a first support having a receiving surface for receiving a face member. The face member is made of a second support having a transfer surface for transfer of facial features having the likeness of a particular person or animal. The first and second supports are compatible such that the face member is attached and secured to the receiving surface. The face member can be easily removed and changed with another face member having different facial features. Other exchangeable accessories, including hair and clothing, are used to customize the doll to become anyone so desired. The doll may also contain a voice recording mechanism to correlate to the voice of the individual whose facial features are on the face member. In an alternate embodiment the doll form is a hand or finger puppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventors: Rose Marie Becker, Regina Marie Morris, Frederick Walter Becker, Jr., Edmund Joseph Powers Becker, Frederick Walter Becker, III
  • Patent number: 6896577
    Abstract: A toy assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy assembly is a spherical object that can be temporarily compressed into a disc. A short time after compression, the toy pops back into its original ball-like shape. The toy assembly has arcuate sections that join form a generally spherical body. The arcuate sections are symmetrically disposed around a central axis. The spherical body is bisected by an imaginary equatorial plane that is perpendicular to the central axis. A leaf spring is provided behind each of the arcuate sections that bias the arcuate sections into a spherical shape. A connector mechanism is provided that temporarily connect opposite sides of the spherical body when the spherical body is compressed. The leaf springs provide a spring bias that resists any compression and causes the arcuate sections to return to a spherical shape when the connector mechanism release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Jung Chung Feng
  • Patent number: 6893315
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetized joint for a toy figure. The magnetized joint may include a peg, and a socket for receiving and magnetically engaging the peg. In another embodiment, an appendage may be removably attached to a member of a toy figure by a magnetized joint, including a peg and a socket that engage coaxially. The joint may allow pivotal movement by allowing the peg to rotate within the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 6846216
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved geometric construction toy for building geometrical sculptures and consists of a multiplicity of magnetizable bodies and a multiplicity of construction members. The construction members have a plurality of connecting arms that have a first cantilevered end and a second portion that is integral with a hub portion and a permanent magnet in the first end for magnetically coupling with a magnetizable body. The hub portion has a geometrical center and the connecting arms have an axis of symmetry that passes through the geometrical center where the axes of symmetry are in the same plane and where the peripheral surface of a connecting arm intermediate the first end and second portion is symmetrical to the axis of symmetry in planes orthogonal to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Steve H. Balanchi
  • Patent number: 6790117
    Abstract: Composition toy including at least one main template, e.g. a body shape and at least one secondary template, e.g. clothing. The main template is provided with first magnetic attraction elements and the secondary template is provided with second attraction elements. The first and the second attraction elements are configured in order to determine a magnetic attraction between the main and secondary templates. The attraction elements are placed at specific points on the templates which orient the templates to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: María Teresa Ruiz Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20040116038
    Abstract: The devise described herein relates to connecting plural multi-shaped non metallic bodies utilizing disc shaped permanent magnets. The invention consists of disc magnets with axial orientation. The disc magnets are adhered within the center of a plastic bearing. The shape of the plastic bearing consists of a spherical segment relative to the height of the disc magnet creating a pivot point in the center of the disc magnet. Magnet and bearing combinations are placed into the spherical segment cavities reset into the plural bodies. When plural bodies containing the magnet bearing combination are placed close enough to over lap the flux field of each magnet the reaction will be instantaneous rotation of the opposing magnets to there position of attraction and subsequently connecting the bodies together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Larry Dean Hunts
  • Patent number: 6749480
    Abstract: The devise described herein relates to connecting plural multi-shaped non metallic bodies utilizing disc shaped permanent magnets. The invention consists of disc magnets with axial orientation. The disc magnets are adhered within the center of a plastic bearing. The shape of the plastic bearing consists of a spherical segment relative to the height of the disc magnet creating a pivot point in the center of the disc magnet. Magnet and bearing combinations are placed into the spherical segment cavities reset into the plural bodies. When plural bodies containing the magnet bearing combination are placed close enough to over lap the flux field of each magnet reaction will be instantaneous rotation of the opposing magnets to there position of attraction and subsequently connecting the bodies together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Larry Dean Hunts
  • Publication number: 20040077259
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetized joint for a toy figure. The magnetized joint may include a peg, and a socket for receiving and magnetically engaging the peg. In another embodiment, an appendage may be removably attached to a member of a toy figure by a magnetized joint, including a peg and a socket that engage coaxially. The joint may allow pivotal movement by allowing the peg to rotate within the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 6712667
    Abstract: The invention is a character object comprising an artistic layer formed of a sheet material. The artistic layer includes a torso having a plurality of articulation points and a plurality of appendages. Each appendage is pivotally connected to the torso at one of the torso articulation points such that each appendage may be pivoted with respect to the torso. At least one magnet is fixed to the artistic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Eric R. Melzer, Craig Williamson
  • Patent number: 6702641
    Abstract: A set of toy building blocks has several different basic block shapes with multiple numbers of each shape. Each block has a magnetic base at one end that enables the block to be attached magnetically to the base end of another block. Further, each block has one-half of a mechanical connection at its other end that is complemental to certain of the connectors on other blocks in the set. The mechanical connectors at one end of the blocks and the magnetic couplings at the other, together with a variety of different shapes, preferably of abstract form, permit a wide variety of toy structures to be created and erected in accordance with the child's imagination and creativity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Oliblock
    Inventor: Daniel R. Oakley
  • Patent number: 6626727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geometric construction toy for building cubic and square profiles and consists of a multiplicity of like dimensioned magnetizable bodies and interconnecting members. The interconnecting members have an axis of elongation and magnetic ends which magnetize and couple with a respective magnetizable body along a mutually perpendicular axis of the magnetizable body. After coupling, the axis of elongation is axially coincident with one of the mutually perpendicular axis of the magnetizable body and at an angle of 90° to each of the other axes. The magnetic ends of the interconnecting members are tapered for insertion into cylindrical recesses extending axially into the outer surface of the magnetizable body to permit stable magnetic coupling along a mutually perpendicular axis of the magnetizable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Steven H. Balanchi
  • Publication number: 20030176143
    Abstract: Composition toy comprising at least one first template (1) and at least one second template (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Maria Teresa Ruiz Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20030171062
    Abstract: Composition toy including at least one main template (1) and at least one secondary template (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Maria Teresa Ruiz Gonzalez
  • Toy
    Publication number: 20020119726
    Abstract: A self-propelled toy. Capable of climbing at least some kinds of walls. Suction cups are provided on leg-like appendages which are movable relative to a frame or body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Peter J. Wilk
  • Patent number: 6431936
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an invention comprising the connective means for connecting the blocks in which at least two or more permanent magnets are arranged on each side of said blocks in a manner such that a magnetic polarity thereof is opposite to neighboring magnets, and the invention that can easily be built into the solid from the developed plane so as to produce the educational effect by appealing to the eye by constructing said permanent magnets in a biaxially anisotropic fashion whereby each other's edge faces or surfaces are attracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: People Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chizuko Kiribuchi
  • Patent number: 6325692
    Abstract: A toy and storage play set for providing a wrestling ring and storage area. The toy and storage play set includes a container device and wrestling ring device. The container device has a housing having a top side which is open. A covering member covers the housing. The wrestling ring device has a stage portion. The stage portion is generally planar, having a facing side and a back side. The back side is releasably securable to the covering member. Four elongate members each have a first end and a second end. Each of the elongate members has central portion having two spaced bores therein such that a top bore and a bottom bore is defined. A first cord forms a closed hoop and extends through each of the top bores. A second cord also forms a closed hoop and extends through each of the bottom bores. A plurality of fastening means fasten the elongate members to the facing side of the stage portion. Each of the fastening means is coupled to one of the second ends of the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: John Webb
  • Toy
    Patent number: 6183332
    Abstract: An intellectual training toy has a large freedom of arrangement and enables connection between the driven ember and the rotary driving member even while the rotary driving member is rotating. The toy includes a base member which has a driving mechanism built-in and a field portion having a smooth surface. A rotary member is engaged with the driving mechanism and is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the smooth surface of the field portion. A driving body having a rotary portion is attachable to the field portion of the base member so that the rotary portion is connected to the rotary member to rotate according to a rotation of the rotary member. A first driven body can be held at a desired position on the field portion of the base member by magnetic attraction force and can engage with the rotary portion of the driving body while being held on the field portion of the base member by a magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tomohiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6116979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to assemblable symmetrical bodies consisting of a regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and a multitude of partly congruent covering pieces (9, 23). Fasteners (18, 19) are firmly fixed to the central body (1-5, 6-8, 26), or to the basic surface (10) of each of the covering pieces (9, 23) respectively, providing a relatively firm connection between the regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and the covering pieces (9, 23) which can be broken and re-established as often as desired using relatively little force. The covering pieces (9, 23) may be shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces (27, 28) containing projections (34) and matching cut-outs (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Weber
  • Patent number: 6074214
    Abstract: A soft organ demonstration aid, such as a heart demonstration aid, is provided for demonstrating ultrasound or surgical techniques. The aid comprises a plurality of facsimile soft organ portions having joining surfaces and connected together in correct anatomical positions along a plurality of dividing planes by means of interengaging connecting members, such as magnets for example, on the joining surfaces. When all the portions are joined together, the aid mimics a whole soft organ, such as a human heart. Furthermore the portions are capable of being dismantled relative to one another along each of the dividing planes, in order to demonstrate a respective internal view of the organ corresponding to each plane. Thus the aid may be used to demonstrate the relative positions of internal features of the organ such as may be observed in ultrasonic scanning along different cross-sections of an actual organ, the views simulating the corresponding views obtained during actual scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Oliver Browne-Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6062937
    Abstract: An assembly block for a teaching material and a plaything ensures connection of wire lines at all possible link positions at which the assembly block is linked and in all possible link directions in which the assembly block is linked. Four link recess portions 12 are formed in a link surface 11a of an assembly block 10, and a round connector 13 is disposed at the center of the link surface 11a. Bottom plates of steel are disposed at the bottom of the link recess portions 12. Magnets are inserted inside the link recess portions 12 with the link recess portions 12 opposed with each other, whereby two assembly blocks are linked to each other. The connector 13, disposed for electrical connection with the connector 13 of another assembly block, comprises connection terminals which are disposed in a concentric arrangement on an insulation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: System Watt Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6056620
    Abstract: A marble track construction toy for assembly on a vertically-oriented planar surface. The construction toy includes chutes down which the marble can roll, pivot elements and bumpers for altering the direction of the motion of the marble, and a catch basket for retaining the marble at the terminus of the track. Each chute includes a mounting means so the chute can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface with both ends of the chute oriented parallel to the planar surface. Similarly, each bumper includes a mounting means so the bumper can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface with an impact surface oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface. And each pivot element has a bucket and a pivoting bucket arm, and includes a mounting means so the pivot element can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface such that the bucket pivots in the plane of the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Think of it, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Zev Tobin
  • Patent number: 6024626
    Abstract: A magnetic block including an upper face and a lower face and side faces therebetween and a plurality of magnets located within the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hillary Singer Mendelsohn
  • Patent number: 6017220
    Abstract: A construction kit comprising a plurality of connectable magnetic members having north and south magnetic poles on their opposite faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Snelson
  • Patent number: 5746638
    Abstract: A block toy is composed of a plurality of blocks magnetically connectable to each other. At least one of the blocks comprises a block main body having plural flat surface portions, magnet holding portions formed on inner sides of the respective flat surface portions, and permanent magnets accommodated within the respective magnet holding portions for rotation about imaginary axes extending at right angles relative to the flat surface portions corresponding to the magnet holding portions. The magnet holding portions may be in the form of magnet holders arranged on the inner sides of the respective flat surface portions. The magnet holders may preferably be connected together so that the resulting connected magnet holder has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the block main body formed by the corresponding plural flat surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Stuff Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 5380233
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a hollow body having coupling openings formed in its upper side walls and bottom wall, the openings having inwardly tapered conical faces with peripherally spaced longitudinal channels. A magnet slab housed in the body is sandwiched by yoke plates which closely confront each opening. A coupling member having a circular base section with a ribbed conical face engages each opening and includes an inner portion of magnetic material engaged by the yoke plates to releasably retain the coupling members in the openings. An arm is attached to each coupling member for angular movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the coupling member base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Kiyomi Numoto