MAGNETIC SUPPORT SURFACE WITH MAGNETIC SHAPES
A magnetic toy assembly includes a plurality of magnetic shapes and a support having hinged sections, each section having a magnetic array surface to which each of the magnetic shapes can be positioned thereon and held thereto with magnetic attraction. The magnetic array surface comprises an array of magnets wherein the magnets of the array are disposed or formed in a continuous side-by-side relationship so as to form a single unitary body. Each of the magnetic shapes and the magnetic array surface are formed of material that has magnetism.
This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 of international application PCT/US2007/025168, filed Dec. 7, 2007 and published in English as WO/2008/073345 (the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application entitled “MAGNETIC SUPPORT SURFACE WITH MAGNETIC SHAPES” having Ser. No. 60/869,253, and filed Dec. 8, 2006. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application entitled “MAGNETIC SUPPORT SURFACE WITH MAGNETIC SHAPES” having Ser. No. 61/060,697, and filed Jun. 11, 2008, the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDThe discussion below is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present invention relates to toys for children; and more particularly toys for children having magnets.
There are numerous toys that have incorporated magnets yet this fact does not diminish the need for new and creative toys. Although a toy that is capable of occupying a child's mind and serves to expand the child's imagination by itself is always needed and valuable, a toy that also allows a child to learn or practice skills is particularly useful and needed because, in addition to a toy, it is a teaching aid.
SUMMARYThis Summary and the Abstract herein are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
A first aspect of the invention is magnetic toy assembly that includes a plurality of magnetic shapes and a support having hinged sections, each section having a magnetic array surface to which each of the magnetic shapes can be positioned thereon and held thereto with magnetic attraction. The magnetic array surface comprises an array of magnets wherein the magnets of the array are disposed or formed in a continuous side-by-side relationship so as to form a single unitary body. Each of the magnetic shapes and the magnetic array surface are formed of material that has magnetism.
In another aspect of the invention, each of the magnetic shapes and the magnetic array surface comprise a pattern of magnets such that the magnetic shape has one or more positions relative to the magnetic array surface where magnetic attraction between each of the magnetic shapes and the magnetic array surface is strongest. For example, this can be achieved when each of the magnetic shapes also comprises a magnetic array surface, and in a further embodiment when the magnetic array surface on each magnetic shape has the same pattern, such as strips, as the magnetic array surface on the support.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the magnetic array surface of the support is disposable in an operative position where the magnetic array surface of the support accepts each of the plurality of magnetic shapes, and disposable in a transport position where the sections are facing each other and magnetically joined to each other. If desired, each of the plurality of magnetic shapes is of size so as to be trapped between the sections in the transport position.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a magnetic shape can comprise sections that are hingeably attached to each other, one or more apertures, a label, which can be removable, for the one or more of the magnetic shapes and/or apertures and/or a reference indicator so as to indicate an orientation relative to the magnetic array surface of maximum magnetic attraction.
In yet another aspect of the invention, toy assembly can include an addition sheet of material that has magnetism so that additional shapes can be obtained, such as via cutting, for example from a pattern made on a writing surface thereof. The sheet of material can have a magnetic array surface with the same pattern as the magnetic array surface on the support, and where the magnetic shapes and/or sheet of material can include foam.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the magnetic shapes can form a set, and wherein each magnetic shape comprises a tracing stencil with or without apertures, and wherein when the magnetic shapes are used sequentially as separate tracing stencils that are aligned with respect to each other, a composite design is formed via tracing using the magnetic shapes. A registration indicator, such as an aperture or notch, can be used to align the shapes with respect to each other during sequential use.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a carrying case can be joined to the support. In one embodiment, the carrying case is hingably joined to the support in such a manner so as to be positioned away from the user when the support is in disposed in an operative position to accept the magnetic shapes, and/or so that an opening of the case is accessible to the user when the support is in disposed in an operative position to accept the magnetic shapes.
In a further use of the toy assembly 10, a sheet of paper 16 can be laid upon the magnetic array surface 12 and one or more of the magnetic shapes 14 can be laid over the sheet of paper 16 so as to trap or sandwich the sheet of paper 16 between the magnetic shape and the magnetic array surface 12. Using a pencil, pen, crayon, marker or other writing device, the assembly 10 becomes a teaching aid because the user can trace (inside or outside) around a portion or all of the magnetic shape so as to form an image on the sheet of paper 16 corresponding to the magnetic shape or part thereof.
Use of both a magnetic array surface 12 and magnetic shapes 14 is advantageous in that the shapes 14 can have one or more positions relative to the magnetic array surface 12 where the magnetic attraction between the magnetic shape 14 and the magnetic array surface 12 is strongest. Interaction of the magnetic fields from the magnetic shape 14 and the magnetic array surface 12 tends to hold the magnetic shape 14 on the magnetic array surface 12 in the selected position allowing the user to trace the shape 14 without having to use the other hand in order to maintain pressure to prevent rotation. This allows a user that is just learning or relearning how to manipulate writing devices to concentrate on moving the writing device correctly, which can lead to improved muscle memory.
Orientation of the magnets shapes 14 on the magnetic array surface 12 in their position of strongest attraction can take various forms depending upon the orientation of the magnets making up the magnetic array surface 12 and each of the magnetic shapes 14. In the embodiment illustrated in
Although the magnetic shape 14 will be somewhat attracted to the magnetic array surface 12 at almost any orientation of the magnetic shape 14 to the magnetic array surface 12, there does exist one or more positions where the magnetic attraction is the strongest. In the embodiment illustrated this position occurs when the longitudinal strips 20 of magnetic material of the magnetic array surface of the shape 14 corresponds or aligns with the longitudinal strips 18 of magnetic material of the magnetic array surface 12. Although the width of the strips 20 of the magnetic shape 14 can differ from that of the strips 18 of the magnetic array surface 12, the strongest magnetic attraction may occur when the patterns (e.g. width) coincide with each other (i.e., when the magnets are aligned).
Forming the magnetic array surface of magnetic shapes 14 with longitudinal strips 20 as well as the magnetic array surface 12 with longitudinal strips 18 illustrates one embodiment in which the magnetic shapes 14 can be oriented or aligned relative to each other. In the example illustrated in
The magnetic array surface 12 can be rigid or flexible and can be positioned at an inclined or laid flat. Besides the flat magnetic array surface 12 herein exemplified, the magnetic material can be applied to any surface such as a sphere, cone, pyramid, etc.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment as illustrated, spacer 70 is fixedly attached or otherwise formed integral with section 12A. In this manner, when the assembly is laid open for use as illustrated in
As illustrated, spacer 70 can be disposed along the perimeter edge of section 12A but for the edge common with section 12B. In this embodiment, the hinge 75 (for example formed integral with sections 12A and 12B or formed of a flexible material) joining sections 12A and 12B functions as the remaining wall of the cavity 72 when the assembly is in the closed position of
As illustrated, the magnetic shapes 14 can take any number of forms. In one embodiment, the name of the shape (e.g. as indicated at 39) is also included, for example, being printed thereon or attached thereto. In one embodiment, the names can be provided on separate magnetic pieces so that the user can practice naming shapes or apertures such as indicated by an aperture for a door 41 and an aperture for a window 43 in the shape comprising that of a house 21. The apertures of course allow the user to trace other images inside the magnetic shape 14 besides just tracing the outer perimeter. An indicator such as illustrated at 45 can be provided on each shape as desired so as to provide a reference indicating to the user the orientation of the shape on the magnetic array surface 12 that provides maximum magnetic attraction. In the embodiment illustrated when the indicator 45 is oriented so as to be parallel to double arrow 24, the shape is in position of maximum magnetic attraction.
In a manner similar to that of magnetic array surface 12 where magnetic array surface sections 12A and 12B can be fastened together in a hinge like manner. It should be noted that one or more of the magnetic shapes 14 can also have attached and hingeable sections. For example, for the magnetic shape generally indicating house 21, tape or other fastening mechanism can be provided such that roof section 21A can be laid upon a main body 21B of the house along dashed line 52 so that when section 50A is positioned in this manner, a simple square can then be traced.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a set of magnetic shapes 14 that each have apertures or openings, which when each of the magnetic shapes 14 of the set are used in series where one or more of the openings are used to execute a trace, a selected figure, shape or design is obtained. Stated another way, the combined openings of the set of magnetic shapes 14 form a composite design when one or more of the openings of each magnetic shape of the set is used to draw one or more lines.
By way of a simple example illustrated in
Registration indicators such as the holes indicated at 57 can be provided to allow the user to properly orient each magnetic shape sequentially. Of course, other forms of registration indicators such as but not limited to a notch along the side of each of the magnetic shapes can also be used. In addition to tracing one or more of the openings of the first magnetic shape, the child would also trace the registration indicator such that a mark is provided on the sheet of paper 16 that can then be used to align subsequent magnetic shapes of the set. In view that the magnetic shapes tend to acquire preferred orientations due to the interactions of the magnetic array surfaces as discussed above, proper alignment and placement of the magnetic shapes of each set using the registration indicators and the mark on the sheet of paper 16 is easy. Besides practicing the strokes that comprise the foundation of writing and drawing, using the set magnetic shapes employs and thus practices fine motor skills (both the act of tracing and alignment of each of the magnetic shapes) as well as instills concepts of “order” and “sets” in addition to identifying shapes as discussed above.
An aspect of the present invention is also providing an assembly or kit comprising a magnetic support surface such as magnetic array surface 12 along with a plurality of magnetic shapes 14 that can be used in a the manner described above with or without a sheet of paper 16. In a further embodiment, a sheet of magnetic material 60 having the magnetic array surface (
One suitable sheet magnetic material for components of assembly 10 is available from Deflecto Corporation of Indianapolis, Ind., or EnduraMag magnetic sheeting sold through the various retailers such as at www.signwarehouse.com. However, a yet further particularly useful material is magnetic foam sheets such as available from Darice, Inc. of Strongsville, Ohio under the trademark “Magni-Foamies™.” This material is slightly compressible as compared to the afore-mentioned sheet magnetic material thereby allowing it to be picked up easier. In addition, magnetic shapes having one or more enclosed apertures or openings such as the magnetic shape comprising a circle can be made easily by hand using the magnetic foam sheet with a scissors rather than a knife. In particular, the desired aperture or opening is made from starting at an outer edge of the border and cutting inwardly and then around the perimeter of the desired opening. When cutting is finished, free ends are present, which can then be joined together using an adhesive such as an instant adhesive commonly known as “super glue”. The resulting bond is very strong due to the apparent affinity of the adhesive to the foam material. In addition, or in the alternative, tape can be used to join the free ends on one or both sides of the magnetic foam sheet or the afore-mentioned sheet magnetic material.
As indicated above, the toy assembly 10 can be used to make a scene using various magnetic shapes 14. As discussed above, since magnetic array surfaces are present both on surface 12 and each of the magnetic shapes 14, the magnetic shapes 14 have preferred orientations as well as can be arranged easily along a line. The organizing of objects in a scene along a line is a useful concept to teach. In addition, if the magnetic shapes 14 comprise letters the concept of arranging letters along straight lines to form words is instilled. In this manner, another aspect of the invention is a sign assembly comprising the surface 12 or hinged sections 12A, 12B and a set of magnetic shapes 14 in the form of letters, numbers and/or symbols and shapes, where both the surface 12 and each of the magnetic shapes 14 all include magnetic array surfaces that cooperate together to allow words, phrases or the like of the sign to be arranged along a line (straight or curved) corresponding to the aligned magnets of the magnetic array surfaces of the surface 12 and the magnetic shapes 14 thereon.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above as has been determined by the courts. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Claims
1. A magnetic toy assembly comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic shapes, each shape having a magnetic array surface comprising magnets formed in a pattern and in a continuous side-by-side relationship so as to form a single unitary body;
- a support comprising at least two sections hingably joined to each other, each section having a magnetic array surface comprising magnets formed in a pattern and in a continuous side-by-side relationship so as to form a single unitary body; and
- wherein the patterns of magnets of each of the magnet shapes and the patterns of magnets of each of the sections is such that the magnetic shapes each have one or more positions when disposed on the sections where magnetic attraction between the magnetic shapes and the sections is strongest.
2. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein the sections of the support are flexible.
3. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein the pattern of each magnetic shape has the same pattern as the support.
4. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 3 wherein each of the patterns of magnetic shapes comprise a plurality of strips.
5. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 4 wherein the width of all the strips are approximately equal.
6. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein the support is disposable in an operative position where the magnetic array surface of the support accepts each of the plurality of magnetic shapes, and disposable in a transport position where the sections are facing each other and magnetically joined to each other.
7. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 6 wherein the support includes a spacer to form a cavity between the sections.
8. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 7 wherein the spacer is fixedly attached to one of the sections being disposed about at least a portion of a perimeter of said section and where an outer surface of the spacer engages a surface of the other section to form the cavity.
9. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 8 wherein each of the plurality of magnetic shapes is of size so as to be trapped between the sections in the transport position.
10. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of magnetic shapes is of size so as to be trapped between the sections in the transport position.
11. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein a magnetic shape comprises sections that are hingeably attached to each other.
12. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more of the magnetic shapes includes an aperture.
13. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein a label is provided for one or more of the magnetic shapes and/or aperture contained therein.
14. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein a reference indicator is provided on at least one of the magnetic shapes so as to indicate an orientation relative to the magnetic array surface of maximum magnetic attraction.
15. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 14 wherein the label is removable from the corresponding magnetic shape.
16. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a sheet of magnetic material.
17. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 16 wherein the sheet of material includes a magnetic array surface having the same pattern as the magnetic array surface on the support.
18. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 17 wherein the magnetic sheet of material is cutable with a pair of sheers.
20. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 18 wherein the sheet of material has a surface suitable for writing thereon with a writing instrument.
21. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein magnetic shapes comprise foam.
22. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic shapes comprise a set, and wherein each magnetic shape comprises a tracing stencil, and wherein when the magnetic shapes are used sequentially as separate tracing stencils that are aligned with respect to each other, a composite design is formed via tracing using the magnetic shapes.
23. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic shapes comprise a set, and wherein each magnetic shape comprises at least one aperture through which a writing instrument can extend, and wherein when the magnetic shapes are used sequentially as separate tracing stencils that are aligned with respect to each other, a composite design is formed via tracing using the apertures of the magnetic shapes.
24. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 22 wherein each magnetic shape of the set includes a registration indicator used to align the shapes with respect to each other during sequential use.
25. The magnetic toy assembly of claim 24 wherein each registration indicator comprises an aperture.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2009
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2009
Inventor: Steven M. Koehler (Orono, MN)
Application Number: 12/480,277
International Classification: A63H 33/26 (20060101);