Patents Assigned to Mega Brands International
  • Patent number: 8556676
    Abstract: A magnetic top system for energizing, launching, and controlling movement of a spinning top. In one embodiment, a magnetic top launcher may magnetically couple to a top and induce a spinning motion in the top. A top controlling device may magnetically control a traversing movement of the top on a play surface without directly contacting the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Vic Bertrand, Stephen Donahue, Patrick Latour
  • Patent number: 8529311
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least three magnets located around the perimeter of the panel such that the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear, and such that the dipole axes are collinear with the centers of the ferromagnetic spheres. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Daniel Tremblay, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
  • Patent number: 8475225
    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: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventor: Michael Kretzschmar
  • Publication number: 20130029559
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least three magnets located around the perimeter of the panel such that the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear, and such that the dipole axes are collinear with the centers of the ferromagnetic spheres. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: MEGA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Mega Brands International
  • Patent number: 8303366
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least three magnets located around the perimeter of the panel such that the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear, and such that the dipole axes are collinear with the centers of the ferromagnetic spheres. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Daniel Tremblay, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
  • Patent number: 8292687
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly panels that have magnets located around the panel perimeter such that the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. To attach adjacent panels, ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear. Also disclosed is a magnetic construction element comprising a longitudinally extending rod formed of a non-magnetic material; a magnet holder disposed at an end of the rod; a magnet embedded in the magnet holder; and a ferromagnetic material disposed at an intermediate portion of the rod, the ferromagnetic material being formed of two generally hemispherical portions that are attached to each other with at least a portion of the non-magnetic material of the rod being disposed within the hemispherical portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Daniel Tremblay, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
  • Patent number: 8210895
    Abstract: A magnetic top system for energizing, launching, and controlling movement of a spinning top. In one embodiment, a magnetic top launcher may magnetically couple to a top and induce a spinning motion in the top. A top controlling device may magnetically control a traversing movement of the top on a play surface without directly contacting the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Vic Bertrand, Stephen Donahue, Patrick Latour
  • Patent number: 8186640
    Abstract: A portable drawing apparatus configured to act as an easel and/or desk includes a pair of upper support members each pivotally connected to a respective lower support member, and also each pivotally connected to a respective rear support member. In an operational configuration, the rear support members can project rearwardly in a plane substantially normal to a plane defined by two mutually parallel upper support members. A lower cross frame and upper cross frame are each connected to respective lower support members, and upper support members, and each further connected to the non-removable portion. A hinged lateral member, when configured in a locked position, defines the apparatus width. In a collapsed configuration, the distal portions of the upper and lower support members are configured to point in the same direction and form a bundle whose length is substantially less than that of the apparatus length in operational configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventor: Vic Bertrand
  • Patent number: 8011994
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a toy assembly system comprising a central compartment configured to house a plurality of toy bodies, each toy body having magnetic hubs arranged in an outer region of the body. The system can include outer compartments that house ferromagnetic outer components (e.g., ferromagnetic spheres) separate from the toy bodies and a release mechanism configured to release during a single operation a single toy body and a set of outer components, wherein the single toy body and the set of outer components self-assemble and automatically align. Another aspect provides a toy track system comprising a launch portion configured to magnetically retain the magnetic vehicle in a launch position, a release configured to release the vehicle from the launch position, and a track portion coupled to the launch portion and configured to guide the released vehicle along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Steven Fink, Neil Hamilton, Michael Hoeting, Yannick Poirier
  • Patent number: 8002202
    Abstract: An air brush marker includes a marker barrel having a first end and a second end, with a pump disposed at the first end of the marker barrel and a hollow nib disposed at the second end that is configured to absorb ink. A filter is disposed within the marker barrel, is configured to absorb ink and is positioned in contact with the nib. A tube is disposed within the marker barrel and provides an air passage extending from the pump to the nib. The pump is configured to supply a burst of air through the tube and the nib such that ink particles are sprayed out of the marker at the second end in a generally dispersed pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Richard Ginelli, Jonathan Jaget
  • Patent number: 7955155
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein. Magnets are disposed in each of the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Daniel Tremblay, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
  • Patent number: 7918708
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a toy construction kit comprising a light element and a construction element. The light element comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a compartment, a magnet disposed in the compartment at the first end, and a printed circuit board disposed at the second end of the housing, the printed circuit board having an illumination device mounted on its side opposite to the compartment. The construction element is held to the light element by a magnetic attractive force between the magnet at the first end of the light element and the construction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventor: Charles J. Kowalski
  • Publication number: 20090015361
    Abstract: Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein. Magnets are disposed in each of the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: DANIEL TREMBLAY, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier
  • Publication number: 20080093524
    Abstract: A portable drawing apparatus configured to act as an easel and/or desk includes a pair of upper support members each pivotally connected to a respective lower support member, and also each pivotally connected to a respective rear support member. In an operational configuration, the rear support members can project rearwardly in a plane substantially normal to a plane defined by two mutually parallel upper support members. A lower cross frame and upper cross frame are each connected to respective lower support members, and upper support members, and each further connected to the non-removable portion. A hinged lateral member, when configured in a locked position, defines the apparatus width. In a collapsed configuration, the distal portions of the upper and lower support members are configured to point in the same direction and form a bundle whose length is substantially less than that of the apparatus length in operational configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: MEGA Brands International
    Inventor: Vic Bertrand
  • Patent number: D538032
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mega Brands International
    Inventors: Lawrence I. Rosen, Parviz Daftari
  • Patent number: D538529
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mega Brands International
    Inventors: Lawrence I. Rosen, Parviz Daftari
  • Patent number: D585502
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: MEGA Brands International
    Inventors: Daniel Tremblay, Andreanne Lavoie, Pascal Messier, Louis-Rene Auclair, Daniel Bourgeois
  • Patent number: D657663
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Brands International
    Inventors: Etienne Boucher-Gagne, Geneviève Côté
  • Patent number: D659526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Brands International
    Inventors: Etienne Boucher-Gagne, Geneviève Côté
  • Patent number: D659527
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Brands International
    Inventors: Etienne Boucher-Gagne, Geneviève Cõté