Patent Application
20200246715
Devices, systems, and methods consistent with the invention relate to a building toy, in particular a toy that includes panels that connect magnetically at their edges, or to a base structure, to construct scenes, structures, and vehicles, or combinations thereof, along with related accessories.
Building toys have long provided children with educationally enriching play. Through the act of building, kids develop foundational science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills such as spatial reasoning and decision making. Magnetic building toys such as Magformers®, Tegu®, and Magna-Tiles® have made building more accessible to children by having pieces that join magnetically without the need for precise dexterity that is often required when assembling with plastic building bricks such as Lego) or even plain wooden blocks that can easily topple. These existing magnetic building toys are composed of abstract plastic or wood shapes (panels) that can be combined magnetically to form a larger structure.
Build & Imagine's U.S. Pat. No. 9,713,777 discloses a magnetic construction toy that greatly improves on the prior art by providing illustrated, thematic backdrops for imaginative play and magnetic panels that may be assembled and re-assembled with ease and without small pieces that could present a choking hazard to small children.
The magnetic panels disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 9,713,777 do however, suffer from manufacturing and performance problems. Additionally, there is a need for further improvements to the system to enhance the play value, such as by adding base structures upon which the panels can be mounted, new panel types and constructions, new combinations of elements, and further accessories.
Construction toys are disclosed herein that encourage building and imaginative play via panels that connect magnetically to form a larger scene, structure or vehicle. The panels connect regardless of orientation, providing the child with freedom of choice to combine the panels in any way they choose. The magnetic connections are facilitated by magnets housed within the edge(s) of each panel, so that no separate small magnet connectors are required. The panels can be used with other base structures and with various accessories. These items and the freedom of configuration of the panels increase replayability as children experiment with different designs, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play.
In an embodiment, a construction toy has a first panel capable of magnetically connecting to a second panel, where the first panel includes: a first plate including a face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, a core side having an outer peripheral flange, and at least three edges: a second plate including a face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, a core side, and at least three edges; a first U-shaped edge portion including an outer surface and a core side, the first U-shaped edge portion extending along and shaped to interface on the core side with a first one of the at least three edges of the first and second plates, the first U-shaped edge portion comprising a first magnetic pocket having a volume defined at least partially by the core side and said outer peripheral flange of said first plate; at least one magnet arranged in the first magnetic pocket of the first U-shaped portions; and wherein the first U-shaped edge portion includes a first distal end that extends along, abuts, and at least partially covers a first one of the outer peripheral edge portions of the top plate, and a second distal end that extends along, abuts, and at least partially covers a first one of the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate.
In another embodiment of the construction toy, the first distal end of the first U-shaped edge portion is ultrasonically welded to the outer peripheral edge portion of the top plate in a plane parallel to the face side of the first plate and the second distal end of the first U-shaped edge portion is ultrasonically welded to the outer peripheral edge portion of the top plate in a plane parallel to the face side of the second plate. In another embodiment of the construction toy, the core side of the second plate comprises an outer peripheral flange; an outer face of the outer peripheral flange of the second plate is in contact with an inner face of the outer peripheral flange of the first plate in a plane perpendicular to the face side of the first plate and the face side of the second plate. In another embodiment of the construction toy, the core side of first U-shaped portion comprises a first female connector; and an outer face of the outer peripheral flange of the first plate comprises a first male connector inserted into the first female connector on the first U-shaped portion. In another embodiment of the construction toy, a second U-shaped edge portion is provided, where the core side of first U-shaped portion comprises a first male interlock element, a core side of the second U-shaped portion comprises a first female interlock element, and the first male interlock element is inserted into the first female interlock element. In another embodiment of the construction toy, an outer face of the outer peripheral flange comprises a rib that at least partially defines said first magnetic pocket; and the magnet is permanently affixed to the rib.
In some embodiments, panels may be connected at their magnetic edges to form a three-dimensional scene, structure or vehicle. Faces of the panels may be unadorned, illustrated, connective, or decoratable. Panels may be connected at their magnetic edges such that illustrations, decorations, or connected features on adjacent faces form a contiguous illustrated scene or portion of a structure or vehicle. Panels may also be rearranged in sequence and/or converted to different orientations to create a multitude of different scenes or portions of a structure or vehicle. This freedom of configuration increases replayability as users modify a story context and experiment with different designs, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play. In some embodiments, panels have openings with one or more doors or play elements to enhance play. In some embodiments, a base structure is used in conjunction with panels to form a scene, structure, or vehicle.
In some embodiments, at least one accessory item is provided that is capable of attachment to or use with at least one face of at least one panel. In various embodiments, an accessory item may attach or adhere to the face of panel by magnetic attraction, adhesion, static electricity, or mechanical attachment. In various embodiments, an accessory may include a human or animal figure, furniture, clothing food, a tool, an appliance, a bag, a container, a scenery embellishment, a vehicle, a light fixture, or a weapon. Accessories may also be used together. Accessories may be used with the panels to further customize and embellish the scenes, structures, or vehicles. In some embodiments, accessories may be used on their own.
In an embodiment, a construction toy has a first panel capable of magnetically connecting to a second panel, and the first panel has a first face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, a second face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, at least one magnet arranged between the outer peripheral edge portions of the first and second face side, an opening extending between the first and second face sides, a first retention member arranged along the perimeter of the opening, a first door in said opening, connected to said first retention member on a first side of the opening, and a second door in said opening, connected to said first retention member on a second side of the opening. In another embodiment, the first door is shaped as an awning and the second door is shaped as a counter.
In an embodiment, a construction toy has a first panel capable of magnetically connecting to a second panel, and the first panel has a first face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, a second face side having an outer peripheral edge portion, at least one magnet arranged between the outer peripheral edge portions of the first and second face side, an opening extending between the first and second face sides, a first retention member arranged along the perimeter of the opening, and a first additional play element in the opening, connected to said first retention member on a first side of the opening so as to be articulatable in at least one direction, where the first additional play element is representative of any attachment that can normally be found on a vehicle.
In an embodiment, a construction toy includes a vehicle and at least one panel capable of being magnetically connected to another panel along its edge, where the vehicle further provides retention features in which the edge of the at least one panel may be retained to form a structural feature of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the construction toy includes at least two panels capable of being magnetically connected along their edges, where the vehicle is a truck and the two panels form at least one side and a roof of the truck. In another embodiment, the construction toy includes at least two panels capable of being magnetically connected along their edges, where the vehicle is a ship and the two panels form sails. In another embodiment, the construction toy includes a crows nest having a second set of retention features connectable to the two panels.
The above stated aspect, as well as other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description. It should be understood that the description and specific examples, while describing several exemplary embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
The above and/or other aspects of the invention will be more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described below by reference to the attached Figures. The described exemplary embodiments are intended to assist the understanding of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Building toys and methods of use for constructing scenes, structures, and vehicles, are provided. The building toys disclosed herein include, as their basic structure, panels of varying shapes and sizes that connect at their edges via magnetic attraction. The panels may have unadorned, connective, illustrated, or decoratable surfaces, in whole, in part, or in combination. The panels may be connected to each other, or to a base structure, to create a scene, a structure, a vehicle, or a combination thereof. Further accessories may be provided.
The basic component of the building toys described herein is a panel. Each panel contains at least two faces, typically parallel or substantially parallel to each other, and at least three edges. The faces are in the form of polygon shapes, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, etc., and may be of varying sizes. Each panel contains two faces of the same polygon shape and of the same or substantially the same dimensions, and each side of the polygon forms an edge of the panel (e.g., three edges for a triangular panel, four edges for a square or rectangular panel, etc.). The edges are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the faces. Each edge has a depth suitable to contain one or more embedded magnet(s), as described herein.
Exemplary panels are shown in
A panel may be connected to one or more other panels to form a scene. Non-limiting examples of scenes are scenic backdrops, maps, playing surfaces, or gameboards. A panel may also be connected to one or more other panels to form a structure. Non-limiting examples of structures are houses, buildings, or enclosures. A panel may also be connected to one or more other panels to form a vehicle. Non-limiting examples of vehicles are cars, trucks, planes, or ships. A panel or panels may also be connected to a base structure representing portions of a scene (e.g., a hill or holder), a structure (e.g., a building foundation), or a vehicle (e.g., a truck frame or ship hull) to form a composite scene, vehicle, or structure. As used herein, a plurality of panels refers to two or more panels and typically refers to a number of panels that is sufficient for the user to construct a scene, structure, or vehicle for imaginative play.
A panel's opposing faces may be unadorned for simple play, or may have various interactive features as described in the following exemplary embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panel faces may be illustrated. Non-limiting examples of illustrations are rural, urban, or natural exterior scenes, an interior or exterior floor, wall, or roof of a building or other structure, or the body, hull, or structural or mechanical features of a vehicle. The illustration itself can be in any suitable form. Non-limiting examples include drawings, sketches, paintings, photographs, engravings, etchings, or embossings, of things seen, remembered, or imagined, using a graphic or tactile representation, or combinations of such elements.
In another exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panel faces may be decoratable, which means that the panel face surface allows a user to decorate the panel face using their own imagination and creativity. Non-limiting examples of decoratable faces include dry erase surfaces, chalkboard surfaces, or fixed or removable/replaceable paper, cardboard, or canvas features, or combinations of such elements.
In another exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panel faces may be connective, to allow a user to add accessory elements, such as decorations, people, animals, or other details, to the face. Examples of connective faces include magnetic surfaces, magnetically receptive surfaces, mechanically connectable surfaces (e.g., Velcro®), surfaces that support adhesion by static electricity, and adhesive surfaces.
Portions of individual panel faces may be entirely unadorned, illustrated, decoratable, or connective. Alternatively, individual panel faces may have two or more separate sections of an unadorned, illustrated, decoratable, or connective configuration. The same panel face or panel face section may also include two or more interactive features. For example, a panel face may be illustrated and connective, or illustrated and decoratable, or decoratable and connective, or any appropriate combination of the features described herein. Opposite panel faces may include the same face provisions (e.g., two illustrated faces) or different face provisions (e.g., one decoratable and one illustrated face), in whole or in part.
Each panel contains one or more magnetic edges. A magnetic edge refers to an edge of a panel that contains at least one magnet embedded within the panel and in proximity to the edge, and configured to magnetically attract a magnetic edge of another panel. One, some, or all of the edges of a panel may be a magnetic edge. Panels may be connected by magnetic attraction between their respective magnetic edges to construct the scenes, structures, or vehicles discussed herein. In some embodiments, panels are connected in a parallel manner (180° angle). In other embodiments, panels are connected in a perpendicular manner (90° angle). In other embodiments, panels are connected at acute or obtuse angles. Scenes, structures, and vehicles built by magnetically connecting panels may include any one or more of these parallel, perpendicular, acute, or obtuse connections, or any other geometric connection afforded by the panel configurations.
In some exemplary embodiments, panels may be connected magnetically at adjacent edges to form a scene, such as a contiguous rural scene, cityscape, or natural landscape. Or the panels may be connected to form a more interactive scene, such as a map, playing surface (e.g., a playground or soccer field), or gameboard.
An example of a scene 7 is shown in
Scenes may be made by following instructions (e.g., instructions may be provided to the user to show how to form a particular scene by arranging panels in a particular manner) or may be user-defined. Scenes may also be connected to vehicles or structures, or other scenes.
In some exemplary embodiments, panels may be connected magnetically at their magnetic edges to form a three dimensional structure, such as a house, building, or other enclosure. In such an arrangement the panels may form, for example, interior and/or exterior walls, floors, ceilings, or roofs.
An example of a structure 8 is shown in
Structures may be made by following instructions (e.g., instructions may be provided to the user to show how to form a particular structure by arranging panels in a particular manner) or may be user-defined. Scenes or vehicles, or other structures, may also be connected to the structure. For example, the scene 7 of
In some exemplary embodiments, panels may be connected magnetically at their magnetic edges to form a three dimensional vehicle, such as a car, truck, ship, submarine, construction equipment, etc, with the panels forming various vehicle exterior and interior surfaces or components.
An example of a vehicle 9 is shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, square panels, such as panels 41 and 46, may be connected to form the ship's hull. Square panel 45 may be arranged horizontally to provide the ship's deck. Square panels, such as panel 47, may be arranged vertically to form the walls of the ship's superstructure. Triangular panels, such as panel 43, may be arranged to form the roof of the ship's superstructure. And triangular panels, such as panel 44, may be arranged to form the ship's bow structure. In this embodiment, the triangular panels are arranged at angles to the adjacent square panels to form the roof and bow structures described above. The panels in this exemplary embodiment have various illustrated faces. In the arrangement shown in
Vehicles may be made by following instructions (e.g., instructions may be provided to the user to show how to form a particular vehicle by arranging panels in a particular manner) or may be user-defined. Vehicles may also be connected to scenes or structures, or other vehicles.
Panels with one or more unadorned, connective, decoratable, or illustrated faces or face portions, or any combination thereof, may be used to form scenes, structures, or vehicles. And any of the scenes, structures, or vehicles may be connected to each other to provide a combined interactive set.
In any scene, structure, or vehicle made by connecting panels, such as are shown herein, where panels with illustrated faces or face portions are used, the illustrations may be designed such that panels may be rearranged in sequence and/or orientation to form different scenes, structures, or vehicles from the same set of panels. And the illustrated faces of panels are not intended to limit the creation of scenes, structures, or vehicles to a particular arrangement or orientation. A user may arrange panels in any configuration, with the content of the particular illustrated faces consistent or inconsistent, or continuous or discontinuous, with a particular scene, structure, or vehicle.
In some embodiments, scenes, structures, or vehicles may be formed by panels connected magnetically at their magnetic edges to other panels and/or to a base structure. An exemplary embodiment of such a configuration is shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, four panels 54, 55, 55, 56 may be connected along common edges to form the ship's sails, as shown in
Base structures can be formed in any suitable manner. For example, ship hull 51 may be made of two halves, a deck 56, a rudder 55, and crow's nest 52. The rudder 55 and deck 56 are retained between the right and left halves of hull 51 when they are connected. The halves of hull 51 may be held together in any suitable manner, such as by glue, fasteners, or ultrasonic welds, and may be located to each other by pins.
The panels described herein can be of various sizes and shapes, and scenes, structures, and vehicles can be formed of panels of one size or varying sizes. Examples of such connection strategies are illustrated in
Edges of the panels may have configurations appropriate to allow the connections described herein, such as the perpendicular, parallel, acute, and obtuse connections described above that are used to form scenes, structures, or vehicles. For example, panel edges may have angled sections and chamfers to aid in retention, particularly when panels are arranged in a perpendicular fashion.
For example, as shown in
As a further example shown in
Similarly, the angles and chamfers can provide additional lateral support when panels are arranged as two adjacent walls.
Sets of panels and related accessories and base structures may be provided in a box, bag, or any other suitable enclosure capable of holding and/or sorting these elements. Base structures may also include storage provisions for panels and accessories. The panels themselves may also be configured to provide their own storage configuration for the panels and accessories.
For example, panels may be stored or carried in a sandwiched configuration, with faces parallel or substantially parallel to each other and bound together by magnetic attraction at the magnetic edges. Depending on the configuration, when sandwiched, the magnetic attraction between panels may make it challenging to pull the panels apart to initiate play, particularly for small children or individuals impaired in certain motor skills.
In some embodiments, a spacing is provided in the form of a ridge or gap between panels, which facilitates pulling sandwiched panels apart. Spacings may be configured to provide finger hold leverage and/or to reduce panel-to-panel magnetic attraction when panels are sandwiched face-to-face, by increasing the distance between the edge magnets. In some embodiments, spacings are configured such that magnetic attraction between sandwiched panels is reduced to a degree sufficient to facilitate pulling the panels apart, while preserving sufficient magnetic attraction between panel edges for use as a construction toy as described herein, e.g., sufficient attraction between magnetic edges to hold a three dimensional structure and/or scenery backdrop together.
In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of a panel edge may be beveled 82, as shown in
In other exemplary embodiments, panels may contain at least one recessed area or ridge on at least a portion of at least one edge and/or on at least a portion of at least one face.
The angled and chamfered ends described above may also provide similar functionality, where these features provide a gap 78 along the edges 70 of the panels when they are stacked face to face, as shown in
In any of these nonlimiting examples, a gap or space is created between adjacent panels in a stack, making it easier to pull the stacked panels apart by providing a finger hold, reducing the magnetic attraction between panels by increasing the distance between adjacent magnets, or both. Combinations of these examples may also be used as appropriate. Each of these examples, or other similar features, may also be used along with the other edge design elements discussed herein.
In some embodiments, a carrier may be provided for ease of carrying panels that are stacked or otherwise connected together. For example, a carrier may contain magnetic or magnetically receptive material at one end, which may attach by magnetic attraction to one or more edge(s) or face(s) of one or more panel(s) to allow easy carrying of one or more panels. A carrier may also include provisions to contain and carry accessories or base structures. A carrier may be made of any suitable material that is capable of supporting the weight of a desired stack or other arrangement of panels. For example, materials that may be suitable for construction of a handle include, but are not limited to, ribbon, cloth, rope, fabric, leather, plastic, wood, or metal chain.
In another embodiment, a carrier may also attach to a panel edge using any suitable mechanical attachment method, including hooks and loops, snaps, etc. In another embodiment, a carrier may also be provided as part of a panel. For example, the carrier may be an extendable portion of the edge of a panel that can be released and extended by mechanical action.
As described above, panels may have unadorned, connective, decoratable, or illustrated faces, in whole or in part.
An unadorned panel face is simply that; it has no interactive features. In one exemplary embodiment, it is formed of whatever material the remainder of the panel is formed of. In other embodiments, it may be formed of any suitable material.
A connective face may be provided in a number of ways, but generally contains a material on at least a portion of its exterior surface, or interior to at least a portion of the face of the panel, that is configured to connect one or more elements, such as accessory item(s), to the exterior surface of the panel. This allows a user to add accessory items, such as decorations, people, animals, or other details to the connective face.
In some embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may contain an interior or exterior magnetically receptive material, which may attract a magnetic portion of an accessory item. In other embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may contain an interior or exterior magnetic material, which may attract a magnetically receptive portion of an accessory item. In other embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may contain both magnetic and magnetically receptive materials in different interior and/or exterior areas of the panel face. Magnetic receptive material refers to a material that attracts a magnetic material but is not itself permanently magnetic. Magnetic receptive material may include, but is not limited to, rolled steel, a steel plate or grid, a flexible magnetic roll product, such as FlexIron™, FlexMag™ or RubberSteel®, or a magnetic paint.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface of a panel face includes a magnetic receptive material. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface of a panel face includes a magnetic material. In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface of a panel face includes a magnetic receptive material and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the face also includes a magnetic material. In a still further embodiment, the exterior surface of the panel face is constructed of a material that is not magnetic or magnetic receptive, and magnetic and/or magnetic receptive material(s) are interior to the panel face but configured such that they are capable of magnetically attracting magnetic receptive and/or magnetic materials, respectively, to the exterior surface of the panel face.
In some embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may include a mechanically connectable surface (e.g., Velcro, snaps, hooks, etc.), which may mechanically connect to a compatible mechanical connection of an accessory item. In other embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may include suitable constructions that allow adhesion of compatible accessories by static electricity. In other embodiments, a connective face (or face portion) may include an adhesive surface that allows adhesion of compatible accessories. In each of these non-magnetic connective faces, the connective structure may be arranged on the panel face by any known method, such as by adhesive or integrally molding the structure on the panel face.
An illustrated panel face may also be provided in a number of ways. An illustrated panel face (or face portion) may be formed by directly printing, engraving, etching, or embossing a design on the exterior face of a panel in any suitable manner. Alternatively, an illustrated panel face (or face portion) may be provided by affixing an exterior sheet with printing, engraving, etching, or embossing on an unadorned panel face (or face portion) by any known manner, such as by adhesive.
In some embodiments, the exterior sheet(s) may be constructed of a printed sticker, printed cardstock, a vinyl layer printed onto magnetically receptive material, wood veneer with illustrations heat transferred, painted, etc. onto the surface, or other suitable materials known to those of skill in the art. The particular illustration on an illustrated panel face (or face portion) may be relevant to a particular scene, structure, or vehicle, or may be generic.
The properties of an illustrated panel face (or face portion) and connective panel face (or face portion) may also be easily combined in several ways to provide increased play opportunity. For example, the exterior illustrated sheet described above can itself be formed of a magnetic or a magnetically receptive material, or include magnetic or a magnetically receptive portions.
In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
A decoratable panel face (or face portion) may also be provided in a number of ways. For example, a decoratable panel face (or face portion) may be provided by affixing an exterior sheet that allows a user to decorate the panel face using their own imagination and creativity by any known manner, such as by adhesive.
Non-limiting examples of decoratable faces include dry erase surfaces, chalkboard surfaces, or fixed or removable/replaceable paper, cardboard, or canvas features, or combinations of such elements.
Similarly to the exemplary embodiment of
As described above, panels may have unadorned, connective, decoratable, or illustrated faces, in whole or in part. Portions of individual panel faces may be entirely unadorned, illustrated, decoratable, or connective. Alternatively, individual panel faces may have two or more separate sections of an unadorned, illustrated, decoratable, or connective configuration. The same panel face or panel face section may also include two or more interactive features, such as the combinations of connective and illustrated or decoratable faces described above, or any appropriate combination. Opposite panel faces may include the same face provisions (e.g., two illustrated faces) or different face provisions (e.g., one decoratable and one illustrated face), in whole or in part, or any other appropriate combination.
The panel described herein may be made of any suitable material, and be constructed to provide the panel face and magnetic arrangements discussed herein. As a safety feature, the panel may be constructed such that magnets cannot be easily removed by a user.
In one exemplary embodiment, a panel 100 is constructed as illustrated in
Plates 101, 102 and U-shaped edges 103, 104 can be made of any suitable material that can provide structural support and retention of additional layers (if any) and magnets. In one embodiment, these elements are made of high impact ABS plastic. In other embodiments, these elements may be constructed of suitable plastic or wood, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, these elements are constructed of injection molded plastic.
In this exemplary embodiment, plates 101, 102 are connected to each other by press fitting of a pin 109b and post 109a connection in each corner, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the pins 109b are round and the posts 109a are hexagonal, which provides improved retention. As can be seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, internal ribs 108 are provided on at least plate 102 for use as ultrasonic weld energy directors. Additional ultrasonic welding can provide further improved retention if required. Internal ribs also provide better rigidity for the assembled panel. Internal ribs 108 can be provided in either plate 102 or plate 101.
In these exemplary embodiments, the pin and post connections, glue, and ultrasonic welding, alone or in suitable combination, provide improved rigidity and stability for the panel as a whole, and make additional fasteners, such as screws, unnecessary.
As shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment, pins 121 are round and posts 124 are hexagonal, which provides at least the benefits discussed above (e.g, spacing for glue therebetween to provide improved retention, and looser manufacturing tolerances). As with the pin and post connection between plates 101, 102, glue and/or ultrasonic welding may also be used to provide enhanced retention of the U-shaped edges 103, 104 to plates 101.
In one exemplary embodiment, U-shaped edges 103, 104 may also include interlock elements at each corner to provide enhanced strength and resistance to impact damage. In this embodiment, such interlock elements include male interlock element 122 on U-shaped edge 103 and female interlock element 125 on U-shaped edge 104, as illustrated in
Using the pin and post connections, glue, interlocks, and ultrasonic welding attachment methods discussed above, alone or in combination, provides significantly improved rigidity, stability, and component retention for the panel as a whole, and makes additional fasteners, such as screws, unnecessary. This provides manufacturing, durability, and safety improvements over the prior art.
Also illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of
Cross sections of U-shaped edge 103 according to other exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in
In the embodiment of
In other exemplary embodiments, multiple ribs, rather than a rib and depression combination, may be used for lateral retention of magnet 105. These ribs may extend from one or more of the plate 101 and U-shaped edge 103, and may extend in the longitudinal direction of magnet 105, like rib 141, or perpendicular to that direction.
Similar ribs and retention features could also be provided for any rotatable magnet shape disclosed herein. In some embodiments, where freely-movable magnets are used, rib 141 could be removed to provide a volume for magnet movement and alignment. In other embodiments, where fixed magnets are used, retention feature 142 could be removed and the magnet could be held in place by rib 141 only. Or fixed magnets could be retained using both ribs and retention features, or multiple ribs as discussed above. In other embodiments, any combination of the features discussed above could be utilized to provide magnet retention as necessary depending on the magnet type and design.
In the embodiments of
As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
Although the above description is focused on the structure, number of parts, part design, material, and assembly method for square panels, it is equally applicable to other panel shapes, such as triangles and rectangles, with suitable dimensional and directional modification.
The above edge designs are also intended to provide radiused corners to avoid potential scratch and cut hazards during play.
The panels described herein contain at least one magnetic edge, where the magnetic edge includes at least one magnet embedded within proximity of the edge and oriented to magnetically attract a magnet embedded within proximity of the edge of another panel, such that the panel edges connect by magnetic attraction when they are brought into contact.
Typically, magnets are embedded at a depth within the panels that is at close proximity to a panel edge, such that magnetic panel edges will magnetically attract each other when they are brought into close contact. A suitable depth for magnets within the panel edge may be dependent on factors such as the strength of the magnets and the type of material in which they are embedded. For example, the magnets should be embedded at a depth such that when two panels are connected by magnetic attraction at their respective magnetic edges and held or suspended with panel faces in a vertical orientation and with the connected magnetic edges at an intermediate position between the top panel and the bottom panel, the bottom panel will remain magnetically attached to the top panel. In one embodiment, magnets are embedded at a depth of 1 mm from the panel edge.
As described above, various magnet sizes, strengths, and designs that provide the required connectivity may be used with the panels described herein, including the cylindrical magnets, other rotating magnets, spherical magnets, freely-movable magnets, or rectangular magnets.
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
On other exemplary embodiments, other rotatable magnet configurations may be utilized, such as the multi-sided rotating magnet 170 with sides 172 depicted in
In another embodiment, a form of rotatable magnet can be provided where the rectangular magnet 182 depicted in
In another exemplary embodiment, a magnet of any shape may be provided in a volume created by magnet pocket 135 and allowed free movement within the magnet pocket to provide adjustable magnetic connections.
In another exemplary embodiment, spherical magnets are used, such as spherical magnet 192 shown in
In still another exemplary embodiment, rectangular magnets are used. In one exemplary embodiment, the use of rectangular magnets allows magnetic attracting of the magnetic edges only when panels are contacted with a specific edge orientation. In another embodiment, rectangular magnets are arranged in a manner so that the magnetic edges may connect at any edge orientation. Exemplary manners for achieving a connection at any edge orientation include, but are not limited to, the use of two dual pole magnets or one or more multipole magnets per magnetic edge, as described in more detail below.
A “dual pole” magnet refers to a magnet that contains one pair of magnetic poles. A nonlimiting example of a dual pole magnet is shown in
The rectangular “dual pole” magnet size and strength is selected to balance the need for panel connection to, for example, form scenes, structures, and vehicles, and the ability for users to pull the panels apart.
In some rectangular magnet embodiments, a magnetic edge contains an even number of dual pole magnets (e.g., two, four, etc.) disposed in alternating magnetic orientation along the edge, and in alternating orientation around the panel if more than one edge is magnetic.
One embodiment of such a panel edge is shown schematically in
In the
In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation and symmetrically configured on the edge, with Lc, Lm, and Ls the same on each magnetic edge. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation and symmetrically configured on all edges, and in alternating magnetic orientation around the panel, with all Lc, all Lm, and all Ls lengths the same around the panel. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation with Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lm and Lc lengths the same or different. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation, and in alternating magnetic orientation around the panel, with Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lm and Lc lengths the same or different. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation with Lm and Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lc lengths the same or different. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain dual pole magnets in alternating magnetic orientation, and in alternating magnetic orientation around the panel, with Lm and Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lc lengths the same or different.
In some embodiments, a magnetic edge contains at least one multipole magnet that contains adjacent pairs of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, where the number of poles is equal to 4n and n is an integer≥1, with the magnet configured along the edge of the panel such that magnetized directions through each pair of poles are oriented with alternating polarity. A “multipole” magnet refers to a magnet that contains more than one pair of magnetic poles. A nonlimiting example of a multipole magnet is shown in
The rectangular “multipole” magnet size and strength is selected to balance the need for panel connection to, for example, form scenes, structures, and vehicles, and the ability for users to pull the panels apart. Any type of magnet may be used including, for example, Y35 and N45 magnets. The magnets are sized and spaced within the panel edges to provide appropriate magnetic properties. Examples of appropriate magnet sizes are 12 mm×3 mm×2 mm, 15 mm×3 mm×2 mm (for an N45 magnet), and 40 mm×4.5 mm×2 mm (for a Y35 magnet).
Where more than one multipole magnet is embedded in an edge of a panel or where more than one edge of a panel contains the multipole magnets with pairs of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, where the number of poles is equal to 4n and n is an integer≥1, the magnets are disposed along the edge or around the panel in the same orientation of polarity. This is shown schematically in
In one embodiment, shown in
In some embodiments, the multipole magnet(s) with 4n magnetic poles in pairs of poles of opposite magnetic polarity, where n is an integer≥1, are spaced symmetrically and/or a constant distance apart on each edge of a panel, or on each magnetic edge of the panels of the construction toy. For example, where the total length of the panel edge is represented by L, the length of each magnet is Lm, the distance between magnets on a panel edge is Ls, and the distance from each corner to the nearest magnet is Lc, L=2Lc+nLm+(n−1) Ls, where n is the number of magnets on the panel edge. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain the multipole magnets symmetrically configured on the edge, with Lc, Lm, and Ls the same on each magnetic edge. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain the multipole magnets symmetrically configured on all edges with all Lc, all Lm, and all Ls lengths the same around the panel, and with the magnets in the same magnetic orientation around the panel. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain the multipole magnets with Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lm and Lc lengths the same or different. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain the multipole magnets with Ls the same on each magnetic edge, and Lm and Le lengths the same or different, and with the magnets configured in the same magnetic orientation around the panel. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contains the multipole magnets with Lm the same. In some embodiments, all magnetic edges within a group of panels contain the multipole magnets with Lm the same and Ls and Lc lengths the same or different. In some embodiments, all edges of a panel are magnetic edges that contain the multipole magnets with Lm the same and Ls and Lc lengths the same or different, and with the magnets configured in the same magnetic orientation around the panel.
In some embodiments, a magnetic edge contains an even number of multipole magnets (e.g., multipole block magnets) that each contains an odd number of pairs of poles of opposite polarity. Each magnet is oriented along the edge of the panel with alternating magnetized directions through the pairs of poles and perpendicular to the panel edge, and the magnets are configured with alternating orientation of polarity with respect to one another along the panel edge. The multipole magnets may be configured with their lengths parallel or substantially parallel to the edge of the panel, with their widths perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the face of the panel, and embedded to depths of at least their thicknesses in the edge of the panel. Each magnet contains an odd number of pairs of poles disposed along the length of the magnet with alternating magnetized directions through the width of the magnet and perpendicular to its length. In some embodiments, an even number of the multipole magnets is spaced symmetrically and/or a constant distance apart on each edge of a panel, or on each magnetic edge of the panels of the construction toy, with the multipole magnets disposed around a panel in alternating orientation of polarity.
Accessory items may optionally be used in conjunction with the building toy described herein to enhance play.
Accessory items may be designed to be moved from one location to another within the constructed scene, structure, or vehicle, or may be designed as stationary embellishments that connectively attach at a specific location on a panel. Nonlimiting examples of accessory items include human and animal figures, furniture, clothing, food, tools, appliances, bags or other containers, scenery embellishments (e.g., trees, flowers), vehicles, light fixtures, and weapons.
In some embodiments, accessory items include items that may attach or adhere to panel face(s) including, but not limited to, by magnetic attraction, adhesively, by static electricity, or mechanically (e.g., a hook, a rod that fits into an opening, etc.). Accessory items may also simply rest on or next to panel faces.
In exemplary embodiments, accessories may include a doll 242, bag 243, vase 244, and teddy bear 245, as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
In exemplary embodiments, dolls 242 can represent people or animals, and can be made of any suitable material, such as wood or plastic. Dolls 242 may be scaled so that users can play with them within the scenes, structures, or vehicles described herein, or may be scaled for independent play.
As described above, dolls 242 may be equipped with a feature that permits the doll 242 to stand upright. The feature can be integrally formed with the doll, or can be removable. Examples of removable features are illustrated in
In exemplary embodiments, doll 242 may be provided with connective features as described herein that allow it to be connected to panel faces and to allow other accessory items to be attached to doll 242. For example, doll 242 may be configured to allow other accessories to attach or adhere to doll 242 by magnetic attraction, adhesively, by static electricity, or mechanically (e.g., a hook, a rod that fits into an opening, etc.). In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Accessories 248 may be provided on a removable sheet 249, as shown in
In exemplary embodiments, dolls 242 may be dressed using accessories to provide various characters, as shown in
In some embodiments, an accessory item may include moving parts and optionally, a motor, and may be powered, for example, via a battery or electricity. Nonlimiting examples of such accessory items include a fan that spins, a light fixture that lights up, a crane that pivots, or a motile human or animal figure.
In some embodiments, panels may include openings. Openings may include passageways, fixed doors, and movable doors. The openings may be provided in conjunction with any of the panel face types (e.g., unadorned, connective, illustrated, or decoratable) disclosed herein, in whole or in part.
Several exemplary embodiments of openings are depicted in
In embodiments where the opening is a movable door (e.g., a door that may be opened and closed), the movable door may be constructed, in an exemplary embodiment, with a front frame 271, back frame 273, and door 272 mounted about plates 101 and 102 of a panel, as depicted in
In the exemplary embodiment of
More exemplary embodiments of openings are depicted in
Instead of a door, an additional play element may also be provided in the opening. The additional play element is representative of a mechanical attachment or tool, such as a fire hose, crane, turret, or any other attachment that can normally be found on a vehicle. The attachment may be articulatable in one direction (e.g., along a hinge point) or in multiple directions (e.g., along a hinge point and with an adjustable length). In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In addition to the vehicle base structures discussed above, additional vehicles are usable with the panels and accessories discussed herein.
In one exemplary embodiment, a submersible is provided. As shown in
The clear top 303 is removable to allow access to the submersible interior. A doll, such as doll 242 discussed above as an accessory, fits inside the submersible 300 so that the doll's head is visible in the clear top 303. The clear top 303 is releasably retained to the submersible 300 in any suitable manner, such as by snap features.
In another exemplary embodiment, a car 310 is provided. As shown in
In another exemplary embodiment, a truck 320 is provided. As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the truck 320 is provided with panels and functions like a base structure discussed above. As shown in
In another exemplary embodiment, a truck 320 is provided with panels 321 as discussed above. In addition, panel 280 with doors 281, 282 is arranged to provide a foot-truck type configuration.
Another exemplary embodiment of a truck that functions like a base structure discussed above is shown in
As described above, panels may be connected to vehicles, such as the exemplary trucks shown in
For example, in the truck shown in
In the alternative embodiment of
Metal panels 327c may be attached to truck 320 in any suitable manner. In one exemplary embodiment, metal panels 327c are glued to truck 320. In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in
As a further alternative, a suitable magnet, such as the magnet designs described herein or other features that provide a magnetic connection, may be provided in the truck structure to provide connection to the panels.
Similar features may be utilized in any other vehicle configuration, such as the truck shown in
Beyond the exemplary embodiments described herein, any suitable combination of the retention features, metal plates, and magnets may be used to provide the desired connection strength, which can be balanced between the strength necessary to maintain the shape of the truck features and the strength low enough so that the truck feature collapse for safety, such as when a user falls on the truck.
To enhance play, various play sets may be provided. Each play set may have a number of components that have a special shape and graphics according to a particular theme. Exemplary play sets may include: (1) “Career Dolls,” with two dolls and a sheet setting; (2) “Fashion Friends,” with two dolls and a sheet setting; (3) “Food Truck,” with two dolls, one truck chassis, and four panels, including one rectangular panel with double door insert; (4) “Safari Rescue Truck,” with one doll, three animals, one truck chassis, five rectangular panels, and one small square panel; (5) “Draw & Build Dollhouse,” with two dolls, three large dry erase square panels, one large dry erase square panel with drawbridge, and one small dry erase triangle panels; (6) “Draw & Build Castle,” with two dolls, three large dry erase square panels, one large dry erase square panel with door, two large dry erase triangle panels, and two small dry erase triangle panels; (7) “Underwater Explorers,” with two dolls, one animal, five large square panels, one large square panel with airlock, four large triangle panels, and one submarine; (8) “Pirate Cove,” with two dolls, one animal, four large square panels, three large triangle panels, two rectangular panels, and one ship; (9) “Pizza/Ice Cream Parlor,” with two dolls, two doll stands, four large square panels, two large triangle panels, one rectangle panel, one rectangle panel with double door, one small square panel, and one truck; (10) “Fire Station,” with two dolls, two doll stands, one animal, four large square panels, one large panel with garage door, two large triangle panels, two small triangle panels, two rectangle panels, one rectangle panel with ladder, one small square panel, and one truck; (11) “Pet center,” with two dolls, two doll stands, three animals, six large squares, one large triangle, two small triangles, three rectangles, one small square, and one truck; (12) “Creativity Castle,” with two dolls, three doll stands, seven large squares, one large square with drawbridge, two large triangles, two small triangles, and two rectangles; (13) “Barn,” with two dolls, two doll stands, four animals, two large squares, four large triangles, three small triangles, five rectangles, one small square, and one truck; (14) “Hospital,” with two dolls, two doll stands, six large squares, three large triangles, five rectangles, one small square, and one truck; (15) “School,” with six dolls, two doll stands, five large squares, two large triangles, six rectangles, one small square, and one truck; and (16) “Malia's house,” with three dolls, nine large squares, two large triangles, two rectangles, two small triangles, and one car. These themes may include additional panels, accessories, base structures, and vehicles to further enhance play.
All the elements described herein are intended, where possible, to be used interchangeably with existing “Build and Imagine” panels and accessories as of the filing date of this Application.
All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes and to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Therefore, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
