CREATIVE MAGNET APPARATUS
United States Patent 3714612
Magnetic toy comprising a permanent magnet having north and south poles and juxtaposed magnetic pole pieces or pole shoes associated with the magnet, which establish a magnetized platform that extends the field so that magnetizable pieces of material of various shapes and sizes can be joined and erected on the platform and held together by magnetic forces. A circular recess or bore is provided in a piece of non-magnetic material such as wood. The magnet is disposed diametrically in the bore or recess. The shoes or pole pieces, preferably comprise two generally semicircular platform areas each having a depending leg juxtaposed against the sides of magnet in the bore.
US Patent References:
PERMANENT MAGNET DEVICE FOR HOLDING OR CONVEYING PURPOSES
Spodig - October 1970 - 3537048
Magnetic latch
Korodi - September 1959 - 2904364
Magnetic pencil holder
Kinzler et al. - October 1950 - 2527482
Magnetic kit and related apparatus
Barnett et al. - February 1963 - 3077696
Game board and playing pieces therefor
Nelson et al. - January 1958 - 2819904
PERMANENT MAGNET DEVICE FOR HOLDING OR CONVEYING PURPOSES
Spodig - October 1970 - 3537048
Magnetic latch
Korodi - September 1959 - 2904364
Magnetic pencil holder
Kinzler et al. - October 1950 - 2527482
Magnetic kit and related apparatus
Barnett et al. - February 1963 - 3077696
Game board and playing pieces therefor
Nelson et al. - January 1958 - 2819904
Application Number:
05/088883
Publication Date:
01/30/1973
Filing Date:
11/12/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Pacific Game Company (North Hollywood, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
446/129, 273/456
International Classes:
A63H33/26; H01F7/02; H01F7/02
Field of Search:
273/1M 335/285,302 46/16
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Gilheany, Bernard A.
Assistant Examiner:
Bell F. E.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. Apparatus comprising means forming a circular platform of magnetizable material, support means for the platform means comprising: a solid block of non-magnetic material having a circular recess in it; permanent magnet means disposed in the recess along a diameter thereof; the platform means having depending parts extending into the recess in contact with the permanent magnet whereby to magnetize the platform means, the platform having peripheral parts supported by surfaces of said block around said recess; and magnetizable elements adapted to be supported on said platform means and held together by magnetic attraction.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises two sections of magnetizable material each having apart in contact with the permanent magnet whereby the said two sections are magnetized with opposite polarities.
3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each of said sections has a part depending into said recess and in contact with said permanent magnet means.
4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said platform parts comprises substantially semi-circular flat sections.
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said block of non-magnetic material has a shallow counterbore at the end of said bore, said platform means comprising generally semi-circular sections of magnetizable material disposed in said counterbore and each having a depending part depending into the bore and being in contact with said permanent magnet means.
6. Apparatus as in claim 5, including a strip of non-magnetic material extending along a diameter of said counterbore in a position between the two semi-circular sections of magnetizable material.
1. Apparatus comprising means forming a circular platform of magnetizable material, support means for the platform means comprising: a solid block of non-magnetic material having a circular recess in it; permanent magnet means disposed in the recess along a diameter thereof; the platform means having depending parts extending into the recess in contact with the permanent magnet whereby to magnetize the platform means, the platform having peripheral parts supported by surfaces of said block around said recess; and magnetizable elements adapted to be supported on said platform means and held together by magnetic attraction.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises two sections of magnetizable material each having apart in contact with the permanent magnet whereby the said two sections are magnetized with opposite polarities.
3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein each of said sections has a part depending into said recess and in contact with said permanent magnet means.
4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said platform parts comprises substantially semi-circular flat sections.
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said block of non-magnetic material has a shallow counterbore at the end of said bore, said platform means comprising generally semi-circular sections of magnetizable material disposed in said counterbore and each having a depending part depending into the bore and being in contact with said permanent magnet means.
6. Apparatus as in claim 5, including a strip of non-magnetic material extending along a diameter of said counterbore in a position between the two semi-circular sections of magnetizable material.
Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a magnetic toy or game of a type wherein geometrical or other designs and structures can be formed or erected from small magnetic parts on a platform and held together by magnetic forces. The playing pieces may be of various different shapes and configurations, either regular and symmetrical in outline, or irregular. They can be joined and held together to erect various shapes and designs. Thus the opportunity is greatly facilitated, of the played or user to exercise and give expression to his artistic or creative abilitY in erecting the different types of configurations. To erect, all that is necessary is to bring pieces into contact with each other and the pole pieces or shoes.
In a preferred form of the invention, it embodies a unique construction which greatly facilitates manufacture and production as well as utilization by the user. In the exemplary form of the invention described in detail herein, a circular bore or recess is provided in a block of non-magnetic material which preferably may simply be a block of wood. The permanent magnet is disposed diametrically in the bore. The pole pieces or shoes preferably comprise generally semi-circular shaped pieces of thin magnetic material each having a downwardly depending leg positioned close to a diameter. The bore has a shallow counter bore of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the pole pieces or shoes which are put in position with their depending legs or parts juxtaposed to the sides of the permanent magnet with the peripheral edges of the pole pieces or shoes received in the counter bore, and preferably these edges may be glued in the counter bore. An adornment strip is placed over the top surface of the permanent magnet between the pole pieces and shoes.
The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved toy apparatus or game of this type having improved supporting and holding arrangements for the pole pieces or shoes, and further to provide pole pieces or shoes of a particular or unique shape which enhances not only the utility of the article but its appearance as well.
Another object is to provide a magnetic toy apparatus of the type referred to wherein a permanent magnet is positioned diametrically in a bore in a block of non-magnetic material and flat generally semi-circular pole pieces or shoes are arranged to form a circular platform each pole piece or shoe having a depending leg adjacent to and juxtaposed against the side of the permanent magnet.
Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the toy apparatus or game;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are pictorial views illustrating the manner of usage or play with the apparatus.
Referring now more particularly to the figures, numeral 10 designates a generally rectilinear block of wood which is, of course, non-magnetic. Formed in the block of wood is a circular bore or recess 12 having a shallow counter-bore 14. Numeral 16 designates a bar magnet which is a permanent magnet of generally available commercial type. The bar magnet may be polarized so that the poles are at the top and bottom or on the other hand, it may be polarized so that the north and south poles are at the sides of the bar. The bar magnet 16 is positioned diametrically in the bore 12.
Associated with the bar market are a pair of pole shoes or pole pieces that form a working platform, as designated at 20 and 20, and they are of similar construction. Each comprises a flat platform part of approximately semi-circular construction as designated at 22 and 22. Depending from the platform sections are flat vertical legs or parts as designated at 24 and 24'. The pole pieces or pole shoes 20 and 20' are positioned as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with peripheral edges of the flat platform parts 22 and 22' of the pole pieces or shoes, resting in the counter bore 14 at the end of bore 12, and these peripheral edge portions may be attached to the wood block 10 by adhesive. The pole pieces or shoes form a circular platform as shown, the depending legs 24 and 24' being spaced from each other, by the thickness of the permanent magnet 16, so that the depending parts come into juxtaposition against the sides of the magnet as may be seen in FIG. 2. The legs 24 and 24' have the same length, that is, along a direction parallel to a diameter, as the length of the permanent magnet 16 so at the ends of these depending legs there is a gap between adjacent edges of the two generally semi-circular portions 22 and 22' as designated at 30 and 30'. The permanent magnet 16 preferably may be secured to the bottom 32 of the recess 12 by adhesive as designated at 34. The vertical dimension of the permanent magnet 16 is slightly less than that of the depending legs 24 and 24' so that there is left a shallow diametrical channel between the top flat surfaces 22 and 22' of the pole pieces or shoes. Numeral 36 designates a strip of flexible decorative material that is placed on the top surface or side of the permanent magnet 16 and is preferably adhesively attached to it. Preferably this decorative strip has the same coloration or a similar coloration to the metal of the pole pieces or shoes 20 and 20' so as to provide a pleasing decorative appearance.
At one side of the wood block there is an elongated hole or recess 40 adapted to contain the small magnetic pieces or parts that are used in the apparatus for constructing or erecting figures or designs. These parts may comprise small metal pieces of shapes and configurations as illustrated in FIG. 3, 4 and 5, such as flat, rectangular, square and triangular pieces; bars of round or square cross-section, flat semi-circular pieces; etc. An advantage of the apparatus is, however, that there can be added to the pieces at will, all sorts of readily available items such as pins, paper clips, tacks, nails, washers, bolts, etc. Such additional pieces can add uniqueness and charm to the designs and creations erected or constructed. Pieces can, of course, be painted also to add decorative value to the erections or art work.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate typical pieces as identified by numerals 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56. These figures illustrating examples of designs or configurations that can be created with the apparatus.
FIG. 4 illustrates the utilization of an additional piece which is a short tube 60 of plastic or other non-magnetic material which is used as shown to join the ends of two of the bars 52 and 52' of square cross section, 60, thus forming a joint between structures or erections of opposite polarity, that is erections that are associated with the two pole shoes of the opposite polarity. Thus, the magnetic field associated with the two poles shoes of opposite plarity is not shorted by magnetically connecting the erections on the two sides as will be further understood from the description hereinafter.
The arrows on the various figures and drawings illustrate generally the shape or configuration of the magnetic field which is, of course, associated with the north and south pole areas of the permanent magnet. The pole shoes or pieces 20 and 20' being magnetic serve the purpose of extending or shaping the magnetic field in a desired way and supply the platform to which the pieces can be magnetically attracted in a convenient way. The term "air gap" in the field of magnetics, of course, refers to an open space or area between pole pieces of opposite polarity such as for example the ends of a horse shoe magnet. The magnetic field, of course, tends to and seeks to follow a path formed by magnetic material rather than being forced to traverse the air gap. Thus, when pieces are erected on the two semi-circular platforms, the pieces not being connected, the air gap is between the erections on opposite sides of the magnet and whenever the erections of opposite polarity are magnetically connected such as for example by the bar 52, FIG. 3 closes or shorts the magnetic circuit and the magnetism follows the bar 52. the field having been shorted, the pieces as shown, 46, 48, and 50 will then not tend to be magnetically adhered to each other. As pointed out, an erection or construction on either side of the bar magnet base on one of the semi-circular platforms 22 and 22' tends to shape the configuration of the magnetic field on that side since it follows the magnetic pieces. Thus the player or user can design a field shape as desired and design different configurations unlimitedly.
It is possible to mechanically connect configurations or erections on opposite sides of the magnets without shorting the field as referred to above and as illustrated in FIG. 4 by physically connecting the erections on opposite sides by non-magnetic coupling pieces such as the tube 60. In this way, more elaborate constructions and configurations can be arrived at with the structures on opposite sides ultimately being connected by a magnetic piece shorting the field at a higher level.
It is also possible to construct designs or configurations completely on one side of the magnet as illustrated by the design shown in FIG. 5.
From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand the nature and construction of the invention and the manner of utilization and play with it. It will be observed that it provides an extraordinarily and convenient way for one to exercise his creative and artistic ingenuity and to give expression to it in creating designs and configurations which are done merely by placing pieces in juxtaposition to each other so that they adhere by magnetic attraction. The apparatus is extremely simple, particularly in simply the use of a bore formed in a piece of non-magnetic material with the bar magnet placed along a diameter, and then the platform being formed by the semi-circular or half moon shaped pieces that form a circular platform.
The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.
The invention is a magnetic toy or game of a type wherein geometrical or other designs and structures can be formed or erected from small magnetic parts on a platform and held together by magnetic forces. The playing pieces may be of various different shapes and configurations, either regular and symmetrical in outline, or irregular. They can be joined and held together to erect various shapes and designs. Thus the opportunity is greatly facilitated, of the played or user to exercise and give expression to his artistic or creative abilitY in erecting the different types of configurations. To erect, all that is necessary is to bring pieces into contact with each other and the pole pieces or shoes.
In a preferred form of the invention, it embodies a unique construction which greatly facilitates manufacture and production as well as utilization by the user. In the exemplary form of the invention described in detail herein, a circular bore or recess is provided in a block of non-magnetic material which preferably may simply be a block of wood. The permanent magnet is disposed diametrically in the bore. The pole pieces or shoes preferably comprise generally semi-circular shaped pieces of thin magnetic material each having a downwardly depending leg positioned close to a diameter. The bore has a shallow counter bore of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the pole pieces or shoes which are put in position with their depending legs or parts juxtaposed to the sides of the permanent magnet with the peripheral edges of the pole pieces or shoes received in the counter bore, and preferably these edges may be glued in the counter bore. An adornment strip is placed over the top surface of the permanent magnet between the pole pieces and shoes.
The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved toy apparatus or game of this type having improved supporting and holding arrangements for the pole pieces or shoes, and further to provide pole pieces or shoes of a particular or unique shape which enhances not only the utility of the article but its appearance as well.
Another object is to provide a magnetic toy apparatus of the type referred to wherein a permanent magnet is positioned diametrically in a bore in a block of non-magnetic material and flat generally semi-circular pole pieces or shoes are arranged to form a circular platform each pole piece or shoe having a depending leg adjacent to and juxtaposed against the side of the permanent magnet.
Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the toy apparatus or game;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are pictorial views illustrating the manner of usage or play with the apparatus.
Referring now more particularly to the figures, numeral 10 designates a generally rectilinear block of wood which is, of course, non-magnetic. Formed in the block of wood is a circular bore or recess 12 having a shallow counter-bore 14. Numeral 16 designates a bar magnet which is a permanent magnet of generally available commercial type. The bar magnet may be polarized so that the poles are at the top and bottom or on the other hand, it may be polarized so that the north and south poles are at the sides of the bar. The bar magnet 16 is positioned diametrically in the bore 12.
Associated with the bar market are a pair of pole shoes or pole pieces that form a working platform, as designated at 20 and 20, and they are of similar construction. Each comprises a flat platform part of approximately semi-circular construction as designated at 22 and 22. Depending from the platform sections are flat vertical legs or parts as designated at 24 and 24'. The pole pieces or pole shoes 20 and 20' are positioned as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with peripheral edges of the flat platform parts 22 and 22' of the pole pieces or shoes, resting in the counter bore 14 at the end of bore 12, and these peripheral edge portions may be attached to the wood block 10 by adhesive. The pole pieces or shoes form a circular platform as shown, the depending legs 24 and 24' being spaced from each other, by the thickness of the permanent magnet 16, so that the depending parts come into juxtaposition against the sides of the magnet as may be seen in FIG. 2. The legs 24 and 24' have the same length, that is, along a direction parallel to a diameter, as the length of the permanent magnet 16 so at the ends of these depending legs there is a gap between adjacent edges of the two generally semi-circular portions 22 and 22' as designated at 30 and 30'. The permanent magnet 16 preferably may be secured to the bottom 32 of the recess 12 by adhesive as designated at 34. The vertical dimension of the permanent magnet 16 is slightly less than that of the depending legs 24 and 24' so that there is left a shallow diametrical channel between the top flat surfaces 22 and 22' of the pole pieces or shoes. Numeral 36 designates a strip of flexible decorative material that is placed on the top surface or side of the permanent magnet 16 and is preferably adhesively attached to it. Preferably this decorative strip has the same coloration or a similar coloration to the metal of the pole pieces or shoes 20 and 20' so as to provide a pleasing decorative appearance.
At one side of the wood block there is an elongated hole or recess 40 adapted to contain the small magnetic pieces or parts that are used in the apparatus for constructing or erecting figures or designs. These parts may comprise small metal pieces of shapes and configurations as illustrated in FIG. 3, 4 and 5, such as flat, rectangular, square and triangular pieces; bars of round or square cross-section, flat semi-circular pieces; etc. An advantage of the apparatus is, however, that there can be added to the pieces at will, all sorts of readily available items such as pins, paper clips, tacks, nails, washers, bolts, etc. Such additional pieces can add uniqueness and charm to the designs and creations erected or constructed. Pieces can, of course, be painted also to add decorative value to the erections or art work.
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate typical pieces as identified by numerals 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56. These figures illustrating examples of designs or configurations that can be created with the apparatus.
FIG. 4 illustrates the utilization of an additional piece which is a short tube 60 of plastic or other non-magnetic material which is used as shown to join the ends of two of the bars 52 and 52' of square cross section, 60, thus forming a joint between structures or erections of opposite polarity, that is erections that are associated with the two pole shoes of the opposite polarity. Thus, the magnetic field associated with the two poles shoes of opposite plarity is not shorted by magnetically connecting the erections on the two sides as will be further understood from the description hereinafter.
The arrows on the various figures and drawings illustrate generally the shape or configuration of the magnetic field which is, of course, associated with the north and south pole areas of the permanent magnet. The pole shoes or pieces 20 and 20' being magnetic serve the purpose of extending or shaping the magnetic field in a desired way and supply the platform to which the pieces can be magnetically attracted in a convenient way. The term "air gap" in the field of magnetics, of course, refers to an open space or area between pole pieces of opposite polarity such as for example the ends of a horse shoe magnet. The magnetic field, of course, tends to and seeks to follow a path formed by magnetic material rather than being forced to traverse the air gap. Thus, when pieces are erected on the two semi-circular platforms, the pieces not being connected, the air gap is between the erections on opposite sides of the magnet and whenever the erections of opposite polarity are magnetically connected such as for example by the bar 52, FIG. 3 closes or shorts the magnetic circuit and the magnetism follows the bar 52. the field having been shorted, the pieces as shown, 46, 48, and 50 will then not tend to be magnetically adhered to each other. As pointed out, an erection or construction on either side of the bar magnet base on one of the semi-circular platforms 22 and 22' tends to shape the configuration of the magnetic field on that side since it follows the magnetic pieces. Thus the player or user can design a field shape as desired and design different configurations unlimitedly.
It is possible to mechanically connect configurations or erections on opposite sides of the magnets without shorting the field as referred to above and as illustrated in FIG. 4 by physically connecting the erections on opposite sides by non-magnetic coupling pieces such as the tube 60. In this way, more elaborate constructions and configurations can be arrived at with the structures on opposite sides ultimately being connected by a magnetic piece shorting the field at a higher level.
It is also possible to construct designs or configurations completely on one side of the magnet as illustrated by the design shown in FIG. 5.
From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand the nature and construction of the invention and the manner of utilization and play with it. It will be observed that it provides an extraordinarily and convenient way for one to exercise his creative and artistic ingenuity and to give expression to it in creating designs and configurations which are done merely by placing pieces in juxtaposition to each other so that they adhere by magnetic attraction. The apparatus is extremely simple, particularly in simply the use of a bore formed in a piece of non-magnetic material with the bar magnet placed along a diameter, and then the platform being formed by the semi-circular or half moon shaped pieces that form a circular platform.
The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.