Abstract: An ornament assembly with a suspension effect, including a base having a bottom frame and a transparent bottom cover, the transparent bottom cover being fixed on the bottom frame; a top frame fit combined with the base to form an integral body, wherein a transparent top cover is fixed on the top frame and the top cover is fit with the transparent bottom cover to form a holding space; a first magnetic member provided on the base; and an ornament, wherein a second magnetic member is provided on the ornament. The ornament is provided in the holding space and magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are oppositely arranged such that the ornament is suspended in the holding space under the repulsive force of magnetic forces.

Abstract: An educational apparatus for educating, testing and entertaining individuals includes a rotatable spherical element, a planar support structure and a plurality of rollers for supporting the spherical element for rotational movement. The planar support structure defines an elevated planar surface with a circular opening therein. The rotatable rollers are hingedly mounted to the planar support structure around the opening for supporting the spherical element with a majority of the spherical element above the level of the planar support structure. A fixed element is fixed to the spherical element and a magnetic complimentary element is disposed adjacent the spherical element for contact by the fixed element.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, yet flexible mechanism for affixing items to a magnetic board such that they are accurately aligned to the board and to one another. Such mechanism allows positioning and repositioning of the items as desired by the user, including stacked configurations. Contact between the items and the board is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a bearing surface that allows for repositioning of items using a sliding motion. Further, aligning the items is convenient for the user and does not distract from the primary task at hand.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a system to electrostatically mount a display system with a number of visible indicators that define regions and magnetically mount a number of tokens that correspond to the defined regions. In an illustrative example, the display system may include a flexible vinyl carrier of between 0.004 and 0.010 inches which may be sufficient thickness to facilitate removal of air bubbles but sufficiently thin to support magnetic tokens on a wide variety of target surfaces. One surface of the carrier may provide a retention force generated by electrostatic forces between the first surface and a target surface. In an example implementation, the target surface may be the exterior of a residential appliance. An opposite surface of the carrier may include visible indicia, for example, of a map.

Abstract: A multidisplay globe comprising a globular body including a globe spherical surface representing the earth, support means for mounting the globular body, and spherical film overlays removably mounted over the globe spherical surface for displaying selected features related to the earth. Each film overlay is preferably in two units comprising the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth. The spherical film overlays include one, two or more transparent film overlays each of which has a spherical surface one of which is removably mounted over the spherical earth surface and in turn each further film overlay is further removably mounted one over the other. The selected features related to the earth spherical surface are imprinted on the spherical surfaces of each of the film overlays.

Abstract: An Earth planet model based on the science of plate tectonics. Accordingly, the model (10) includes a plurality of curved members (12), each curved member representing one of Earth's crustal tectonic plates. Each plate member (12) is formed of a durable, lightweight plastic material and molded in raised and indented relief to illustrate such tectonic features as subduction zones, collision zones, mid-ocean ridges, island chains, island arcs, continental shelves, terrestrial and ocean floor topography, and the like. Plates (12) are attached to the exterior of a base globe (14) forming, as a whole, the surface layer of Earth, or lithosphere. The base globe itself consists of a plurality of spheroidal members, an inner core (22), an outer core (20), and a mantle (18), representing Earth's internal strata. The assembled model is positioned on a supporting pedestal (11) for display or demonstration. The pedestal includes a simple rotary mechanism which allows rotation of the model.

Abstract: Two-dimensional designs are created by providing a magnetic surface and attaching magnetic parts to the surface. The parts may be precut geometric and representational forms cut from flexible magnetic material. The surface may be a surface painted with a magnetic paint. Three-dimensional designs are created by providing a metallic surface and attaching parts to the surface using small permanent magnets. A magnetic paint formulation and formulations for moldable clay-like and dough-like magnetic compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The globe is rotationally molded of iron particles and a plastisol of polyvinyl chloride and has embossed therein, from the mold, lines of longitude and latitude. Two or more layers of magnetized puzzle pieces are formed by printing their indicia on flat, soft, magnetized thermo plastic sheets and then die cut. The indicia is printed such that, when necessary, successive layers of puzzle pieces have their magnets aligned so that specific pieces adhere to specific places on pieces of adjacent layers. When necessary, the pieces are heat formed to conform to the globe shape. Preferably, the first layer contains continental and longitude and latitude information; the second layer, geologic features; and the third layer, political information. The globe stand has a recess therein, the bottom of which is of the same curvature as the globe and may incorporate or have sprayed on iron containing material so that the puzzle pieces may be conveniently stored there when not applied to the globe.

Abstract: A puzzle apparatus utilizing a curved member having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. A plurality of interlocking pieces are employed, each possessing a concave surface conforming to the convex outer surface of the curved member. Each of the multiplicity of pieces includes a convex surface displaying indicia. The plurality of interlocking pieces are held to the curved outer surface to form a rendition.