Abstract: In an aspect a modular field manipulation apparatus is presented. A modular field manipulation apparatus includes a central field manipulation device. A central field manipulation device includes a first surface having a first field polarity. A central field manipulation device includes a second surface positioned opposite a first surface. A second surface includes a second field polarity. A modular field manipulation apparatus includes a plurality of interconnecting components. Each interconnecting component of a plurality of interconnecting components includes at least a contacting member. At least a contacting member engages with at least a first surface of a central field manipulation device.

Abstract: A magnetic toy construction block includes an inner shell and an outer shell which are arranged to form a module having a shell-within-a-shell construction. Disc-shaped magnets are rotatably received and maintained in pockets formed in the inner shell of the module. The inner shell is permanently housed within the outer shell such that the magnets lie in close proximity to its sidewalls and hence sidewalls of the module itself.

Abstract: This describes a treatment method for autism/ASD intended to encourage greater eye contact by affected children. The treatment method incorporates an artificial demonstration of the phenomenon of eye contact, and that method is described herein along with the principles of action of the treatment and the necessary procedure to perform it. Also described are two embodiments of the physical portion of the invention that can be used for the demonstration: first, an item in the form of a cuboid with animatronic eyes affixed to one side that most purely reflects the principles behind the treatment, and second, another in the form of a stuffed toy that is perhaps more practical.

Abstract: A magnetic block toy includes: a block body having, on outer surfaces thereof, coupling sections and non-coupling sections; and disk magnets provided inside the coupling sections in the block body. The block body includes magnet-holding portions where the disk magnets are arranged along the coupling sections and held in a circumferentially rotatable manner. Length of at least one side of the block body is equal to or longer than 30 millimeters and shorter than 40 millimeters. Only the coupling sections are provided with labels indicative of being capable of coupling to a coupling target. In the coupling sections, stepped portions are formed so that at least part of an outer-edge portion of each coupling section protrudes.

Abstract: A toy construction kit has a plurality of magnetic modules, each with a housing having a plurality of sides, each side having an internal hollow. A magnet is contained within each of the hollows at a given polar orientation relative to the housing and the hollow. The hollow has dimensions that permit the magnet to move within the hollow, but substantially constrains the magnet to the given polar orientation relative to the housing. When a side of a module is placed near a side of another module, they are bound by magnetic attraction by the respective aligned magnets, either because the polar orientations are opposite when they are initially juxtaposed or due to shifting of one or both magnets in their respective hollows to achieve relative polar opposition.

Abstract: An animatronic eye with fluid suspension, electromagnetic drive, and video capability. The eye assembly includes a spherical, hollow outer shell that contains a suspension liquid. An inner sphere is positioned in the outer shell in the suspension liquid to be centrally floated at a distance away from the shell wall. The inner sphere includes painted portions providing a sclera and iris and includes an unpainted rear portion and front portion or pupil. The shell, liquid, and inner sphere are have matching indices of refraction such that interfaces between the components are not readily observed. A camera is provided adjacent a rear portion of the outer shell to receive light passing through the shell, liquid, and inner sphere. A drive assembly is provided including permanent magnets on the inner sphere that are driven by electromagnetic coils on the outer shell to provide frictionless yaw and pitch movements simulating eye movements.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a flexible creation animated by magnets or electromagnets brought near the flexible creation. Iron particles blended with a flexible material of the flexible creation may interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets, causing the object or portions of the object to move toward or away from the controlling magnets, thereby animating the object.

Abstract: The present document describes an entertainment device including one or more mini-crafts provided in a fluid medium within the sides of an electromagnetic frame. Each mini-craft includes a magnet and has a different cutoff frequency. Motion of the mini-crafts may be controlled by a user using a controller such as joystick, remote control etc. A processor computes, based on the multidirectional navigation signals received from the controller, electromagnetic signals for each coil in the electromagnetic frame. The electromagnetic signals are amplified and sent to the coils to generate superimposed rotating magnetic fields which cause the mini-crafts to rotate separately within the electromagnetic frame, each mini-craft following a distinct magnetic field with a frequency that is lower than its cutoff frequency.

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: The present document describes an entertainment device including one or more mini-crafts provided in a fluid medium within the sides of an electromagnetic frame. Each mini-craft includes a magnet and has a different cutoff frequency. Motion of the mini-crafts may be controlled by a user using a controller such as joystick, remote control etc. A processor computes, based on the multidirectional navigation signals received from the controller, electromagnetic signals for each coil in the electromagnetic frame. The electromagnetic signals are amplified and sent to the coils to generate superimposed rotating magnetic fields which cause the mini-crafts to rotate separately within the electromagnetic frame, each mini-craft following a distinct magnetic field with a frequency that is lower than its cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A simulated eye capable of being changed between a normal and a dilated state. The simulated eye includes an eyeball, a receiving member, at least one first electromagnets, at least one second electromagnets, and magnetic powder. The receiving member includes a translucent portion and a cylindrical portion. The at least one first electromagnets is received in the cylindrical portion and is adjacent to the translucent portion. The at least one second electromagnets is fixed to the cylindrical portion and engages with the translucent portion to close the cylindrical portion to form a closed receiving space. The magnetic powder is received in the closed receiving space. When the first and second electromagnet operates to move the magnetic powder toward and away from the translucent portion, a size of a color area of the translucent portion is changeable, whereby the simulated eye is changed between the normal state and the dilated state.

Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may involve a flexible material infused with fine iron particles to form at least a portion of a flexible character or object. The flexible creation may be animated by one or more magnets or electromagnets brought near the flexible creation such that the iron particles blended with the flexible material may interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets. The infused iron particles may be attracted to the magnets, causing the object or portions of the object to move toward or away from the controlling magnets, thereby animating the object or portions of the object. Another implementation may use a magnetic field of a magnet to create an iron-infused flexible plant-like object that may be animated by a magnet. The object may be constructed of a flexible iron-infused material that is introduced into the magnetic field while the material is in a liquid or semi-liquid state.

Abstract: A crawling device includes a first end with a first magnet recessed therein, a second end with a second magnet recessed therein, an elastic member disposed between the first end and the second end, a power source module, and a controller. When the first and second ends are supported on a supporting surface, and the controller connects the power source module to the first end and the elastic member, the first magnet extends beyond the first end onto the supporting surface and the elastic member becomes compressed toward the first end. When the elastic member is compressed, and the controller connects the power source module to the second end, the second magnet extends beyond the second end onto the supporting surface and the elastic member returns to the normal state.

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 100a 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.

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 100a 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.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated amusement device includes a supporting structure having a fulcrum which pivotally supports rigid suspending elements each having a permanent magnet at its outer end. The magnetic swinging elements are arranged in an arc, sharing a common fulcrum, such that they will repel neighboring swinging elements in the arc, the motion of the swinging elements being constricted to swinging in the plane containing the arc.

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 100a 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.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated amusement device includes a supporting structure having a fulcrum which pivotally supports rigid suspending elements each having a permanent magnet at its outer end. The magnetic swinging elements are arranged in an arc, sharing a common fulcrum, such that they will repel neighboring swinging elements in the arc, the motion of the swinging elements being constricted to swinging in the plane containing the arc.

Abstract: A magnetic floating paper towel holder consists of a magnetic stand that has magnetic blocks installed at four corners and four sides and a magnetic paper towel holder which has two magnetic wheels and one magnetic connecting tube. The magnetic polarity of the stand magnetic blocks, the magnetic wheels and the magnetic connecting tube is properly arranged to create a repelling force against each other between the stand magnetic blocks and the magnetic paper towel holder. Therefore, the magnetic paper towel holder floats in air when it is placed on top and in the middle of the magnetic stand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic item comprising a container having an end; a base portion having a cavity and a first end connected with the end of the container; a first magnetic means movably received in the container; a second magnetic means arranged at the end of the container or the first end of the base portion and disposed in a manner that the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means attract each other; and a third magnetic means received and disposed within a second end of the base portion in a manner that the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means repulse each other; wherein the repulsion force generated between the second and third magnetic means overweighs the attraction force generated between the first and second magnetic means, when the second and third magnetic means are made to come near to each other.

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.

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.

Abstract: A toy includes at least two articles. At least one of the articles has a movement or change of condition component which is caused to occur by magnetic attraction between magnets and/or magnetically attractive material via the respective articles when brought into proximity. The movement is created by a drive assembly provided in one of the articles and connected to a magnet or magnetically attractive material such that the movement force can be transferred between the articles via the magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A lighting device (10) has an elongated light tube (12) to be used in combination with a holster (80) in a manner which will enable the holster (80) to hold the lighting device (10) as may be necessary and also enable the holster (80) to adjust the extent of illumination of the light tube (12) of the lighting device by light received from a light source (24) disposed within the lighting device (10) using magnets (66, 96).

Abstract: A reusable ball unit able to be repeatedly modeled in three dimensions, which include magnetic beads fully filled in a ball bag with excellent expansion and contracting ability. Wherein, the magnetic beads have suitable magnetic attraction, thereby, when they are pressed, hit or squeezed by hands to move, the magnetic beads in the ball bags can attract on another to endue the ball units with a contour. The ball units can be modeled repeatedly and stacked in taking advantage of magnetic attraction thereof; so that they can be used for modeling inventive three dimensional articles.

Abstract: An infant toy for drawing a colored picture, capable of carrying out a colorful multi-color display, to thereby be suitable as an intellectual training toy. The toy includes a pair of substrates (12a, 12b) and a multi-cell structure arranged between the substrates and including a number of cells (16), which are previously classified into a desired number of regions 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, . . . ). The toy also includes dispersions (20) encapsulated in the cells of the regions in such a manner that the regions adjacent to each other may exhibit colors different from each other, respectively. The dispersions each include magnetic particles (18) having a respective one of the different colors put thereon, a dispersion medium and a coloring agent constituting a background.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an article of manufacture, which can be in various shapes and forms as disclosed herein, based on the principle of magnetic levitation. When motion is applied to the article of manufacture, there results a body moving through the air without mechanical support. This invention can be used for many purposes including entertainment and educational uses.

Abstract: A drawing board having a body and a generally transparent screen on the body. The screen has front and rear sides and contains a viscous opaque liquid and iron dust in the liquid. A magnetic eraser is movable within the body between a rest position away from the rear side of the screen and an operating position against that rear side for operation to move, through magnetic attraction, the iron dust away from the front side of the screen such that the iron dust becomes invisible on the screen. A spring biasses the eraser towards the rest position. A pen having a magnetic tip is used to draw on the screen.

Abstract: A playhouse kit which includes a building constructed of thin light weight materials with dry eraser surfaces provided on both the interior and exterior surfaces thereof. The building is constructed using members forming walls, roof, and floor of a house shape structure while the members to construct the house are attached to each other utilizing Velcro.sub..TM. or any other securable attachment means. Numerous magnetically attachable accessories are provided including thematic accessories and/or any accessories which would may interest the child's imagination. In addition to the accessories numerous dry eraser markers in various colors are provided that allows the child to draw on or decorate the interior or exterior surfaces of the playhouse as desired.

Abstract: A device for displaying the loose coupling between magnetic fields is provided, comprising a first disk having a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the first disk so that the magnetic field of said magnets extend radially from an outer edge of the first disk, a second disk having a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the second disk so that the magnetic field of said magnets extend radially from an outer edge of the second disk so that the magnets on the disks are loosely coupled to each other, the strength of the loose coupling depending on the orientation of the magnets with respect to each other, and a rotatable control member having a magnetic element attached to an end of the control member, the control member magnet being rotated to a first position such that a predetermined pole of the control member magnet is located adjacent to the magnets on said first disk causing a magnetic coupling of the magnet on said control member to the magnets on said first so that loose coupling and the chao

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an article of manufacture, which can be in various shapes and forms as disclosed herein, based on the principle of magnetic levitation. When motion is applied to the article of manufacture, there results a body moving through the air without mechanical support. This invention can be used for many purposes including entertainment and educational uses.

Abstract: A device for displaying the loose coupling between magnetic fields is provided, comprising a first disk having a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the first disk so that the magnetic field of the magnets extend radially from an outer edge of the first disk, a second disk having a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the second disk so that the magnetic field of the magnets extend radially from an outer edge of the second disk so that the magnets on the disks are loosely coupled to each other, the strength of the loose coupling depending on the orientation of the magnets with respect to each other, and a rotatable control member having a magnetic element attached to an end of the control member, the control member magnet being rotated to a first position such that a predetermined pole of the control member magnet is located adjacent to the magnets on the first disk causing a magnetic coupling of the magnet on the control member to the magnets on the first disk so that loose coupling and the chao

Abstract: An electromagnetic drive apparatus and method are operative to rotate a magnetically levitated object for an indefinite period of time. The object, such as a spinning magnetic top with a spindle, is levitated over a base magnet and a horizontal component of a pulsed magnetic field is applied at the region of the spinning magnetic top to maintain the top spinning and levitating indefinitely. The pulsed magnetic field is generated by applying a pulsed dc voltage or an ac current to a coil situated in proximity to the top. The coil may have a cylindrical or oblong shape and a core may be provided in the coil. Levitation stability and duration are improved by positioning a loosely fitting washer on the spindle of the spinning magnet so as to permit relative rotation therebetween during application of the pulsed magnetic field.

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.

Abstract: A magnetic pen for drawing lines on the main surface of a magnetic display sheet consisting of a plurality of microcapsules in which oily liquid having photoabsorptive ferromagnetic powder and photoreflective non-magnetic powder are mixed in sealed relationship, and wherein the magnetic pen includes a core member having a spherical crown shape, a magnet constituting part of a notched surface of the core member, the core member being supported by the pen such that the notched surface of the core member protrudes from the tip of the pen and a spherical contraposition is generated by a part of the spherical surface of the core member, and wherein the notched surface of the core member is brought into contact with the main surface of the magnetic display sheet by the force of a stroke drawing line.

Abstract: A structure of a viewing bottle, especially one which uses the mutual rejection force of those having the same polarity to generate a flying and dancing scene of figurines of insects, the bottle has on its bottom a layer of magnetic iron and a lot of flowers and grasses a cover which covers the bottle has suspended from a lower surface many figurines. The figurines are suspended from lines of differing lengths, and have differing weights. These figurines posses the same polarity as that of the magnetic iron of the bottle, hence when the cover and the bottle body are assembled, the figurines create a flying and dancing scene above the flowers and grasses due to the repulsing forces created by the polarity of the magnetic elements.

Abstract: A magnetic display system uses a display wherein a non-magnetic substrate has applied thereon a microcapsule coating layer having sealed light-absorptive magnetic particles and light-reflective non-magnetic particles which are dispersed in an oily liquid. A permanent magnet causes a shift of the light-absorptive magnetic particles in one direction and, as a result, causing a shift of the light-reflective non-magnetic particles in the other direction. In the microcapsule coating layer, microcapsules having a plurality of diameters within a range from 100 microns to 1,000 microns are combined together. Furthermore, the light-absorptive magnetic particles sealed in the microcapsules have a plurality of particle diameters ranging from 0.2 microns to several icons. A suitable amount of magnetic particles capable of becoming a permanent magnet when magnetized after the microcapsule coating layer is coated is added.

Abstract: An apparatus for animating a figurine movable element having a pivot point for pivotally coupling the movable element to the figurine to allow the movable element to pivot between the first position and a second position, a first portion of the movable element extending in front of the pivot point and a second portion of the movable element extending behind the pivot point; a hollow solenoid on the figurine with an elongated steel shaft having one end inserted in the hollow solenoid winding and the other end pivotally attached to the second portion of the movable element behind the pivot point such that the shaft pivots the movable element between the first position and the second position depending upon the solenoid operation.

Abstract: An apparatus having a base with a plurality of magnetic members attached thereto, an arm connected to the base and extending upwardly above the base, and a rigid rod articulated to one end of the arm. The rigid rod has a magnet attached to the end of the rod opposite the arm. This magnet is interactive with the magnetic members of the base. The magnetic members are arranged in a circular pattern within the base. Each of the plurality of magnetic members extends upwardly in the base such that it has a common magnetic pole adjacent an upper surface of the base. A reverse polarity magnet is fastened within the base generally central of the circular pattern of the plurality of magnetic members. The arm has a ball joint that allows the rigid rod to be articulated to the arm. A magnet is affixed to the end of the dowel rod and has a polarity opposite the polarity of the plurality of magnetic members. Indicator pads are provided on the surface of the base adjacent to the plurality of magnetic members.

Abstract: A magnetic display system which comprises a display having a non-magnetic substrate and a microcapsule coating layer provided on the substrate, with sealed magnetic particles having an excellently light-absorptive surface characteristic and also sealed non-magnetic particles having an excellent light-reflective characteristic. Both the magnetic and non-magnetic particles are dispersed or dissolved in an oily liquid in the microcapsules. A magnetic device for reversing the position of the light-absorptive magnetic particles and light-reflective non-magnetic particles in the microcapsules is provided. The magnetic device causes a local shift by attraction of the light-absorptive magnetic particles in the microcapsule coating layer of the display to the front side thereof to thereby invert the position of the light-reflective non-magnetic particles in the corresponding areas, thereby forming characters or images.

Abstract: Several permanent magnets are on a playing surface, with all the magnetic field vectors perpendicular to the surface and oriented in common (pointing in the same direction) relative to the surface. A player positions a magnetic manipulator below the surface, and below a selected magnet on the surface, and controls the manipulator so that the selected magnet forms a predetermined array with at least one other magnet on the surface. The field of the manipulator interacts with those of the magnets on the surface to apply exclusively magnetic force or torque to the selected magnet or the other magnet on the surface, or both. The field vector of the manipulator may be oriented either (a) generally in common with those of magnets on the surface--to levitate the "other" magnet above the selected magnet by an interactive magnetic-wedge effect--or (b) generally parallel to that of the selected magnet, but in opposition, to repel the selected magnet above the other magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic device that may be used for storing and dispensing paper clips, and the like, and which may also be used as an amusement or novelty product. A plastic housing houses a bar magnet with the poles arranged vertically. The bar magnet is positioned near but spaced from the upper surface of the housing by a spacer disc made of magnetizable material. The spacer disc has a central opening, above which opening, on the housing's upper surface, magnetic lines of induction are produced that tend to orient a paper clip, or the like, vertically on end and which also allow for prolonged gyratory motion of the paper clip about the end. A plastic, transparent casing may be provided housing iron powder or tiny magnet bits of different shape, which casing is slidably and rotatably mounted with respect to the upper surface of the housing, so that, as the casing is slid or rotated, different patterns are formed in kaleidoscope-fashion.

Abstract: A detenting device used in the form of a puzzle including magnets and balls using a nonmagnetic tube around which an annular tubular magnet surrounds the tube with one magnetic pole on the entire inside surface of the tubular magnet and the opposite magnetic pole on the entire outside surface of the magnet wherein the ball or other magnetically attracted body is positioned at either one end or at the other end of the magnet requiring force to dislodge it from either position to the other position.