The present invention is in the field of interactive fidget toys, and in particular relates to providing a hands on experience that is intended to engage the user and challenge him or her to explore, experience and experiment with the dynamics and uniqueness of magnets and magnetism.
A fidget toy allows for manipulative play and is typically a small object used for activity with the hands, either manually fidgeting or stimming. Some users believe the fidget toys help them tolerate anxiety, frustration, agitation, boredom, or excitement. The present invention provides a three-dimensional “hands on” activity involving multiple senses, and requiring participation and thinking. Human beings in general have incredible hand eye coordination, incredible sense of touch and complicated proprioceptive systems which is an important sense human beings have that allows them to know where we are in space. Humans crave tactile engagement and fidgeting might be tapping into an unconscious need to train, develop and maintain fine motor skills.
The play devise is comprised of 2 side form embodiments, which are attached to one another by a length of Thread. The 2 side form embodiments have magnets molded on the inside. The magnets are placed, spaced and molded inside the side form embodiments. The side form embodiments face each other when held out, the length of the Thread. When the side form embodiments are facing each other, the magnets molded inside the side form embodiments have the same polarity facing each other. The user will use both hands when in play. The user will hold one side form embodiment in one hand and hold the other side form embodiment on the other hand. The length of the Thread will determine and limit the distance between the 2 side form embodiments. Thus as the user tries to push the 2 side form embodiments close together and the magnets in the 2 side form embodiments are aligned, the user will experience the side form embodiments repelling each other, because the magnets molded inside the side form embodiments have the same polarity facing each other and are repelling each other. In regards to magnets like poles repel. However, when the user twists the 2 side form embodiments in opposite directions, either clockwise or counter clockwise, the user will either experience the push or pull of the magnets molded inside the side form embodiments, because of the different positions of the magnetic fields of the magnets molded inside the side form embodiments. This allows the user to discover, explore, experience and experiment with the invisible forces of the magnetic fields, created by the magnets molded inside the side form embodiments.
Definition of the word FORM: the visible shape or configuration of something.
Magnets 101 represents one or multiple magnets.
Magnets 201 represents one or multiple magnets.
Magnets 101 are placed, spaced and molded inside side form embodiment 100. Magnets 201 are placed, spaced and molded inside side form embodiment 200.
Magnets 101 and magnets 201 used in the play device come in different shapes, dimensions and sizes, depending on the particular design of the play device.
Side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 are attached together using Thread 102.
Thread cover 104, covers Thread 102 on the outside part of side form embodiment 100 and Thread cover 204 covers Thread 102 on the outside part of side form embodiment 200.
Side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 come in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations.
Magnets 101 inside side form embodiment 100 have their magnetic polarity facing the same direction. The Magnets 201 inside side form embodiment 200 have their magnetic polarity facing the same direction.
Thread 102 is of length and that is what attaches side form embodiment 100 to side form embodiment 200.
Thread 102 is made of strong material.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments are generally described and illustrated in the figures herein. The following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of the example embodiments.
Furthermore, the described features, structures or characteristics, in the description below, will be indicated by the same reference numerals.
With reference to
The side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 could be made from either molded structures or from a solid material.
The rigid substance of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200, made from a molded structure was at first a liquid substance that has dried and hardened after it was poured into the mold of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200. This allows for side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 to be molded into a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations.
Side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 that are molded, have magnets 101 molded inside side form embodiment 100 and magnets 201 molded inside side form embodiment 200. The magnets 101 are placed and spaced inside the molds of side form embodiments 100 and the magnets 201 are placed and spaced inside the molds of side form embodiment 200. The liquid substance is then poured into the molds of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200, and that is how the magnets 101 become a part of side form embodiment 100 and magnets 201 become a part of side form embodiment 200.
The side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 can also be made from a solid material.
The solid material can be designed in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations and dimensions.
The solid material also comes in a variety of colors and color combinations as well.
The side form embodiments that are made from solid material goes through a different process.
Once the shape and design of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 are formed and the position and location of magnets 101 and 201 are determined, hollows are created onto the solid material of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 in the shape and size of magnets 101 and magnets 201 that will be used.
Once the hollows have been made, magnets 101 are placed inside the hollows and are bonded or molded into side form embodiment 100, and the magnets 201 are placed inside the hollows and are bonded or molded into side form embodiment 200.
Magnets are generally brittle and can easily chip, shatter, crack or break, when in use, creating a dangerous situation.
Having the magnets molded inside side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200, ensures that the magnets don't chip, shatter, crack or break during use or play.
The magnets 101 inside side form embodiment 100 are placed and spaced inside side form embodiment 100, have their magnetic polarity facing the same direction.
The magnets 201 inside side form embodiment 200 are placed and spaced inside side for embodiment 200, have their magnetic polarity facing the same direction.
The placing and spacing of magnets 101 in side form embodiment 100 can be symmetrical to the placing and spacing of magnets 201 in side form embodiment 200.
The magnetic polarity direction of magnets 101 in side form embodiment 100 is the same as the magnetic polarity direction of magnets 201 in side form embodiment 200, when side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200 are facing each other as illustrated in
The side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 are attached to one another with Thread 102 as illustrated in
The attachment of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 by Thread 102, causes side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200 to face each other when they are held out the length of Thread 102 as illustrated in
The attachment by Thread 102 of side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200, causes magnets 101 and magnets 201 inside side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200, to have the same magnetic polarity direction when facing each other as illustrated in
The attachment by Thread 102 of side form embodiment 100 to side form embodiment 200, allows side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200 to be flexible and move freely within the range of the length of Thread 102.
The magnetic field of magnets 101 inside form embodiment 100 and the magnetic fields of magnets 201 inside form embodiment 200 when facing each other have the same polarity. Thus when the user tries to bring side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200 close together, and in the event magnets 101 inside side form embodiment 100 are aligned to magnets 201 inside side form embodiment 200, the user will experience the push effect of magnets 101 against magnets 201 as they are repelling each other. Like poles of 2 magnets repel each other.
As the user begins to twist side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 in opposite direction, depending on the positioning of magnets 101 and magnets 201, the user will experience either the push effect or the pull effect of magnets 101 and magnets 201 inside side form embodiments 100 and side form embodiment 200.
The attachment by Thread 102 of side form embodiments 100 to side form embodiment 200 causes the play devise to be one unit.
The present invention requires the full assembly of both side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 to function.
Thread 102 is made of strong material.
Thread 102 can either be a single Thread or multiple Threads, depending on the design.
Thread 102 comes in a variety of thread thickness. The design of the play devise will determine the size of the thickness of Thread 102, that will be implemented.
Thread 102 comes in a variety of colors and color combinations. The design of the play devise will determine the color and/or color combinations of Thread 102 that will be implemented.
Thread 102 can be attached to side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 by molding Thread 102 inside side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200.
Thread 102 can also be attached to side form embodiment 100 by drilling or pre-molding Thread holes 103 on side form embodiment 100.
Thread 102 can also be attached to side form embodiment 200 by drilling or pre-molding Thread holes 203 through side form embodiment 200.
The side form embodiment 100 and side form embodiment 200 are connected using Thread 102 that loops through Thread holes 103 on side form embodiment 100 and Thread 102 that loops through Thread holes 203 on side form embodiment 200.
Thread 102 that is looping through side form embodiment 100 is covered by Thread cover 104.
Thread 102 that is looping Through side form embodiment 200 is covered by Thread cover 204.
Thread cover 104 is bonded onto side form embodiment 100 to protect Thread 102 that is looping through side form embodiment 100.
Thread cover 104 that is bonded onto side form embodiment 100 is made of a strong material and comes in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations, which can be incorporated in the design process together with side form embodiment 100.
Thread cover 204 is bonded onto side form embodiment 200 to protect Thread 102 that is looping through side form embodiment 200.
Thread cover 204 that is bonded onto side form embodiment 200 is made of a strong material and comes in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations, which can be incorporated in the design process together with side form embodiment 200.
Thread cover 104 can also be molded onto side form embodiment 100 to protect Thread 102 that is looping through side form embodiment 100.
Thread cover 104 that is molded onto side form embodiment 100 is made of a strong material and comes in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations, which can be incorporated in the design process together with side form embodiment 100.
Thread cover 204 can also be molded onto side form embodiment 200 to protect Thread 102 that is looping through side form embodiment 200.
Thread cover 204 that is molded onto side form embodiment 200 is made of a strong material and comes in a variety of shapes, designs, characters, images, sizes, configurations, dimensions, colors and color combinations, which can be incorporated in the design process together with side form embodiment 200.
Thus, there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention of a play device which fully satisfies the goals, objects and advantages set forth herein. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variation as falls within the scope of the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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2199818 | Franke | May 1940 | A |
3550316 | Leonard | Dec 1970 | A |
3609606 | Podesto | Sep 1971 | A |
5052968 | Lodrick, Sr. | Oct 1991 | A |
6781270 | Long | Aug 2004 | B2 |
10307687 | Umberger | Jun 2019 | B2 |
10617966 | Pena | Apr 2020 | B1 |
20050059317 | McEachen | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20240050870 | Wellner | Feb 2024 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20240246006 A1 | Jul 2024 | US |