Patent Application
20240261698
This invention relates generally to a magnetic toy and more particularly to a magnetic toy having a magnetic figurine that is moveable over a game board.
Magnetic toys can be enjoyed by players and encourage motor skills and creativity. Magnetic toys generally include a game board, metal filings or iron powder, and a magnetic wand.
Conventional magnetic toys typically involve the use of a magnetic wand where a player holds the magnetic wand in his or her hand and moves the magnetic wand over the game board to move the metal filings or iron powder in position around the game board in order to draw features like sideburns, a mustache, or different hairstyles on a cartoon face that is printed onto the game board. Conventional magnetic toys, however, are limited in that they can be played with in a small number of ways.
Accordingly, what is needed is a magnetic toy that can be played in numerous ways, encouraging more creativity, and leading to greater enjoyment for the player.
The present invention relates to a magnetic toy. An embodiment includes a magnetic toy comprising a housing comprising a game board coupled thereto; a magnet disposed within the housing below the game board and moveable about an area defined by the game board; a figurine magnetically coupled to the magnet; wherein the figurine comprises magnetic material; a motor assembly; control circuitry electrically coupled to the motor assembly and configured to controllably operate the motor assembly in response to receiving an input signal; and an input device capable of generating the input signal and configured to controllably move the figurine over the game board.
The motor assembly may comprise a first linear rail assembly and a second linear rail assembly. The first linear rail assembly may comprise a first rail, a first pair of pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the first linear rail assembly, a first belt wrapped around the first pair of pulleys, a first platform slidable on the first rail, and a first stepper motor connected to one of the first pair of pulleys and configured to drive or turn the first belt via one of the first pair of pulleys. The second linear rail assembly may comprise a second rail, a second pair of pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the second linear rail assembly, a second belt wrapped around the second pair of pulleys, a second platform slidable on the second rail, and a second stepper motor connected to one of the second pair of pulleys and configured to drive or turn the second belt via one of the second pair of pulleys.
A first end of the second linear rail assembly may be coupled to a first platform of the first linear rail assembly and a second end of the second linear rail assembly may be coupled to a third rail, wherein the first platform may move along a first axis and wherein the second linear rail assembly may move along the first axis in unison with the first platform. A second platform of the second linear rail assembly may move along a second axis independent of movement of the second linear rail assembly and wherein the second platform may move along the first axis and the second axis. The magnet may be coupled to the second platform and wherein the motor assembly may be configured to move the magnet along the first axis and the second axis.
The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to a first stepper motor and a second stepper motor via a first motor driver circuit and a second motor driver circuit, respectively. The control circuitry may provide a plurality of control signals to the first and second motor driver circuits. The plurality of control signals may comprises enable signals and/or disable signals. The magnetic toy may further comprise a ball launching device extending through an aperture of the game board and is configured to dispense a game ball onto the game board. The magnetic toy may further comprise an enclosure positioned over the game board and coupled to the housing.
The magnetic toy may further comprise a magnetic scoop provided on the housing. The magnetic toy may further comprise at least one speaker provided in the housing. The magnetic toy may further comprise at least one touch sensor provided on a lower portion of the enclosure. The game board may comprise a recycling area having a storage container with an opening therein providing a repository for the magnetic material. The game board may comprise a depressed area for receiving the magnetic material from the figurine. The magnetic material may comprise metal filings. The metal filings may comprise iron filings.
Another embodiment includes a method of using a magnetic toy, comprising: providing a housing comprising a game board coupled thereto; providing a magnet disposed within the housing below the game board and moveable about an area defined by the game board; providing a figurine magnetically coupled to the magnet, wherein the figurine comprises magnetic material; providing a motor assembly; providing control circuitry electrically coupled to the motor assembly and configured to controllably operate the motor assembly in response to receiving an input signal; providing an input device capable of generating the input signal; and controllably moving the figurine over the game board.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a magnetic toy having a magnetic figurine that can be manipulated and moved over a game board.
The magnetic toy may use magnetic material to grow and/or shrink the magnetic figurine, configured to be shaped like a small animal or pet. The figurine grows in size by gaining magnetic material and shrinks in size by losing magnetic material. This arrangement may be enclosed, for example, within a clear enclosure, such as a glass or plastic enclosure, including a dome, allowing for safe and visible interaction with a user. The magnetic toy may include a game board having a house-like structure, a feeding area or bowl, and/or a litter box area for a pet to go to the bathroom and a recycling area to reuse the magnetic material.
The litter box area may have a slightly depressed surface. As the figurine moves over this area, some magnetic material is left behind, simulating the act of defecating and facilitates the recycling of the magnetic material.
The magnetic toy uses a magnetic scoop, enabling the movement of magnetic material within the enclosure. The magnetic toy is configured for life-like movements and interactions, driven by a motorized system beneath the game board. The magnetic scoop is used to transport magnetic material from a litter box area of the game board to a recycling area having a storage container and back to a feeding area or bowl. This storage container serves as a repository for magnetic material during play and transport.
The magnetic toy is configured to respond to at least one touch sensor provided about a lower portion of the enclosure for a user to move the figurine in random patterns, creating an illusion of spontaneity and responsiveness. Beneath the game board, a motor may move rails with a magnet, which manipulates the figurine's position and actions. Further, the motor may have a pivotal arm which moves the magnet, which manipulates the figurine's position and actions.
Control circuitry enables autonomous movement of the figurine when not actively engaged. At least one speaker may be provided in the housing, for producing various sound effects. Control circuitry enables the magnetic toy to also be used as a memory game creating a position sequence that children must memorize and replicate. This feature challenges cognitive skills and enhances memory retention in a fun, interactive way.
Referring to
The housing 110 may comprise a base surface 112, a top surface 114, and a sidewall 116 extending upward from the base surface 112 to the top surface 114. The housing 110 may be in the form of any suitable size or shape such as a rectangular-shaped body or a cubic-shaped body. The base surface 112 of the housing 110 may comprise a substantially flat or planar surface. Similarly, the top surface 114 may comprise a substantially flat or planar surface. The top surface 114 may however, be shaped in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the housing 110 may comprise a cutout or opening 115 to provide a player with easy access to various components that are contained within the housing 110. Additionally, a glass or plastic cover or enclosure 118 may be detachably coupled to the top surface 114 or the game board 120 to prevent children from accessing and/or swallowing various components of the magnetic toy 100.
The game board 120 may be mounted onto the top surface 114 of the housing 110. In one embodiment, the game board 120 may be detachably coupled to the top surface 114. In an alternative embodiment, the game board 120 may be integrally formed on the top surface 114. The game board 120 may be constructed from one or more thin sheets of plastic material. In one embodiment, the game board 120 may be covered with a single overlay sheet of cellophane or other similar material to form an anti-static shield. The game board 120 may however, be coated with any suitable material to prevent the accumulation of electrostatic charges, such that when a hand of the user or player is moved over the game board 120, the hand movement will not cause particles of the magnetic material (metal filings, iron filings) to be accidentally scattered over the surface of the game board 120. The particles of the magnetic material may, however, move in a manner similar to fur of an animal when a player strokes or pats the figurine 105.
Modifications may be made to the game board 120 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of covering the game board 120 with a single overlay sheet, the game board 120 may be coated with an anti-static agent. The anti-static agent may be applied directly to the game board 120 by dipping, spraying, or wiping the game board 120 with a solution containing the agent. When an anti-static sheet covering is used, cellophane may be used. When an anti-static coating is used, it may consist of a 1% by weight solution of polyoxyethylated nonylphenol, other oxyalkylated alkyl phenols, and various polyhydric alcohols.
The game board 120 may comprise various components and/or structures coupled thereto. For example, in one embodiment, a house-like structure 121, a recycling area 122 comprising a storage container 123 having an opening 124, a bowl 126 containing a magnetic material 131 therein, and an obstacle course 128 may each be coupled to the game board 120. A magnetic scoop 134 may be secured to the housing 110. The magnetic scoop 134 is provided access underneath the game board 120 through the opening 115 in order to allow movement of the magnetic material to various locations on the game board 120. A litter box area 136 is provided in the game board 120 as a slightly depressed area in order to accumulate magnetic material from the figurine 105.
At least one touch sensor 138 is provided about a lower portion of the enclosure 118 in order to allow users to manipulate the figurine 105. At least one speaker 139 is provided in the housing 110 in order to provide various sounds emanating from the magnetic toy 100.
In addition, the magnetic toy 100 may comprise a ball launching apparatus or device 125 that extends through an aperture 127 of the game board 120 and is capable of dispensing a game ball 129 onto the game board 120. The ball launching device 125 may be activated when a user presses a button 132, which may extend outward from sidewall 116 of the housing 110. Accordingly, in operation, a player may utilize input device 160 to move the figurine 105 and game ball 129 around the game board 120. Additionally, the player may utilize the input device 160 to move the figurine 105 through the obstacle course 128 or in and out of the house-like structure 122.
In some embodiments, the figurine 105 that is formed by the magnetic material may be configured to change sizes, becoming larger or smaller. For example, when the figurine 105 is moved within close proximity to the bowl 126, the magnetic material 131 may be magnetically coupled to the magnetic material of the figurine 105 via the magnet 130, thereby enlarging the figurine 105. Furthermore, the magnetic material of the figurine 105 may compress when a player strokes or pats the figurine 105, thereby reducing the overall size of the figurine 105.
In one embodiment, the motor assembly 140 may comprise a first linear rail assembly 142a and a second linear rail assembly 142b. The first linear rail assembly 142a may comprise a first rail 143a, a first pair of pulleys 144a positioned at opposite ends of the first linear rail assembly 142a, a first belt 145a that is wrapped around the first pair of pulleys 144a, a first carriage or platform 146a that is slidable on the first rail 143a, and a first stepper motor 147a connected to one of the first pair of pulleys 144a and configured to drive or turn the first belt 145a via the first pair of pulleys 144a.
Similarly, the second linear rail assembly 142b may comprise a second rail 143b, a second pair of pulleys 144b positioned at opposite ends of the second linear rail assembly 142b, a second belt 145b that is wrapped around the second pair of pulleys 144b, a second carriage or platform 146b that is slidable on the second rail 143b, and a second stepper motor 147b connected to one of the second pair of pulleys 144b and configured to drive or turn the second belt 145b via the second pair of pulleys 144b. Other positioning technology may be used.
A first end 148b of the second linear rail assembly 142b may be coupled to the first platform 146a of the first linear rail assembly 142a and a second end 149b of the second linear rail assembly 142b may be coupled to a third rail 143c, such that as the first platform 146a moves along a first axis (i.e., x-axis), the second linear rail assembly 142b moves along the first axis in unison with the first platform 146a. Because the second platform 146b of the second linear rail assembly 142b may move along a second axis (i.e., y-axis) independent of the movement of the second linear rail assembly 142b, the second platform 146b may move along the first axis and the second axis. Furthermore, because the magnet 130 may be coupled to the second platform 146b, the motor assembly 140 may be utilized to move the magnet 130 along the first axis and second axis.
The input device 160 may be electrically coupled to the control circuitry 150 and may comprise any suitable device for controlling, manipulating, and moving the magnet 130 along the first axis and the second axis. Because the figurine 105, which is positioned on the game board 120, comprises magnetic material (or metal filings), the figurine 105 may be magnetically coupled to the magnet 130 located within the housing 110 underneath the game board 120. Accordingly, the input device 160 may be utilized by the player to control and move the magnet 130 along the x-axis and y-axis, thereby moving the figurine 105 around the game board 120. The input device 160 may comprise any suitable input device, such as a joystick, buttons, and the like.
In an embodiment, the control circuitry 150 may be electrically coupled to the first stepper motor 147a and the second stepper motor 147b via a first motor driver circuit 152a and a second motor driver circuit 152b, respectively. The control circuitry 150 may comprise logic circuitry for receiving various inputs and providing a plurality of control signals, i.e., enable and disable signals, to various components of the magnetic toy 100, such as the first and second motor driver circuits 152a, 152b. The control circuitry 150 may be implemented using a variety of different logic components, processors, associated configuration data and/or stored programming instructions.
Each motor driver circuit 152a, 152b may be configured to receive and respond to the plurality of control signals sent from the control circuitry 150. For example, in response to receiving an enable signal from the control circuitry 150, each motor driver circuit 152a, 152b may be enabled to draw current from a power source (not shown). Similarly, in response to receiving a disable signal from the control circuitry 150, each motor driver circuit 152a, 152b may be disabled in a manner that substantially reduces and/or eliminates the current flow therethrough. For instance, a switch, e.g., a transistor, can disable current flow through each motor driver circuit 152a, 152b.
Referring to
The housing 210 may comprise a base surface 212, a top surface 214, and a sidewall 216 extending upward from the base surface 212 to the top surface 214. The housing 210 may be in the form of any suitable size or shape such as a rectangular-shaped body or a cubic-shaped body. The base surface 212 of the housing 210 may comprise a substantially flat or planar surface. Similarly, the top surface 214 may comprise a substantially flat or planar surface. The top surface 214 may however, be shaped in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the housing 210 may comprise a cutout or opening 215 to provide a player with easy access to various components that are contained within the housing 210. Additionally, a glass or plastic cover or enclosure 218 may be detachably coupled to the top surface 214 or the game board 220 to prevent children from accessing and/or swallowing various components of the magnetic toy 200.
The game board 220 may be mounted onto the top surface 214 of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the game board 220 may be detachably coupled to the top surface 214. In an alternative embodiment, the game board 220 may be integrally formed on the top surface 214.
The game board 220 may comprise various components and/or structures coupled thereto. For example, in one embodiment, a house-like structure 221, a recycling area 222 comprising a storage container 223 having an opening 224, a bowl 226 containing a magnetic material 231 therein, and an obstacle course 228 may each be provided on the game board 220. A magnetic scoop 234 (See
At least one touch sensor 238 is provided about a lower portion of the enclosure 218 in order to allow users to manipulate the figurine 205. At least one speaker 239 is provided in the housing 210 in order to provide various sounds emanating from the magnetic toy 200.
The motor assembly 240 may comprise a pivotal arm 242 secured to a shaft member 244 (See
A plurality of limit switches 266 (See
base surface 212 of the housing 210.
The input device 260 may be electrically coupled to the control circuitry 250 (See
Referring to
Referring to
It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the present disclosure may further provide a kit-of-parts for a magnetic toy as described herein, where the kit-of-parts may comprise at least one magnetic figurine as described herein, at least one housing as described herein, at least one game board as described herein, at least one magnet as described herein, control circuitry as described herein, and at least one input device as described herein. The kit-of-parts may comprise separate components adapted to be assembled by the end consumer. In some cases, the kit-of-parts may reduce waste material, thereby increasing cost-efficiency and reducing the time necessary to manufacture the components of the magnetic toy. It will also be appreciated that, in other embodiments, any or all the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another by the manufacturer.
Referring to the drawings,
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claim.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “MAGNETIC TOY,” Ser. No. 63/483,548, filed Feb. 7, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63483548 | Feb 2023 | US |
