MAGNETIC BUILDING BLOCK

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to magnetic building block toys. In particular, aspects of this disclosure relate to a magnetic building blocks with internal magnetic elements that releasably connect with one another to allow a user to create different shapes.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic building blocks have been popular educational toys for decades, allowing children and adults to create three-dimensional structures using magnetic connections. Traditional magnetic building blocks often use simple cube or rectangular prism shapes with magnets embedded in their faces. While these designs allow for basic construction, they can be limited in their connection possibilities and structural stability.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in a simplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detailed description provided below.

This disclosure may relate to a magnetic building block comprising a base that includes a bottom wall, a first outer wall extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall, and a second outer wall adjacent the first outer wall, where the second outer wall extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. The first outer wall may be connected to the second outer wall. The base may also include a first receiver connected to the first outer wall, where the first receiver includes a first cavity and a first back wall that is generally parallel to the first outer wall, and a second receiver connected to the second outer wall, where the second receiver comprises a second cavity and a second back wall that is generally parallel to the second outer wall. The magnetic building block may also include a first magnetic element located in the first cavity, where the first magnetic element has a generally cylindrical shape and is rotatable within the first cavity, and a second magnetic element having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, where the second magnetic element is located in the second cavity. A lid may be connected to the base to cover the first cavity and the second cavity. The magnetic building block may further comprise a third receiver connected to the second outer wall, where the third receiver comprises a third cavity and a third back wall that is generally parallel to the second outer wall. A third magnetic element may be located in the third cavity. A diameter of the second magnetic element may be within a range of 90% and 99% of a distance between an inner surface of the second outer wall to an inner surface of the second back wall. The first receiver may comprise a first end wall extending inward from the first outer wall and a second end wall extending inward toward the first back wall. The first magnetic element has a length that is within a range of 30% and 50% of a length of the first outer wall. The first magnetic element may include a first portion with a first polarity and a second portion with a second polarity, where a plane along a longitudinal axis of the first magnetic element divides the first magnetic element into the first portion and the second portion. The first outer wall may have a length within a range of 40% and 60% of a length of the second outer wall. A thickness of the magnetic building block may be defined as a distance between an outer surface of the bottom wall and an outer surface of the lid. The thickness may be within a range of 6% and 12% of a length of the first outer wall. The first cavity may include a cradle extending from the bottom wall, where the cradle holds the first magnetic element above the bottom wall. In some examples, the magnetic building block may include a third outer wall adjacent to the first outer wall and a third receiver connected to the third outer wall. The third receiver may comprise a third cavity. A third magnetic element may be located in the third cavity, where the third magnetic element may have a generally cylindrical shape and be rotatable around its longitudinal axis.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a magnetic building block that includes a base comprising: (a) bottom wall; (b) a first outer wall extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall; (c) a second outer wall adjacent to and connected to the first outer wall, where the second outer wall extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall; (d) a first receiver connected to the first outer wall; (e) a second receiver connected to the second outer wall; and (f) a third receiver connected to the second outer wall. The first receiver may have a first cavity, and the second receiver may have a second cavity. Similarly, the third receiver may have a third cavity. The first outer wall may have a length within a range of 40% and 60% of a length of the second outer wall. A first magnetic element may have a generally cylindrical shape, where the first magnetic element is located in the first cavity and is rotatable around a first longitudinal axis. A second magnetic element may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, where the second magnetic element is located in the second cavity. A third magnetic element may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, where the third magnetic element is located in the third cavity. A lid may be connected to the base, where the lid covers the first cavity, the second cavity, and the third cavity. The first magnetic element may have a first portion with a first polarity and a second portion with a second polarity, where a plane along the first longitudinal axis divides the first magnetic element into the first portion and the second portion. The second magnetic element and the third magnetic element may be non-rotatable within their respective cavities. The second magnetic element and the third magnetic element may be arranged in their respective cavities with different polarities. The first magnetic element may have a length that is within a range of 30% and 50% of the length of the first outer wall. A diameter of the first magnetic element may be within a range of 90% and 99% of a perpendicular distance between an inner surface of the first outer wall and an inner surface of a back wall of the first receiver. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element may have a magnetic strength within 20% of each other.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a set of magnetic building blocks comprising: a first magnetic building block comprising: (1) a first base comprising: (a) a first bottom wall, (b) a first outer wall extending substantially perpendicular to the first bottom wall, (c) a second outer wall adjacent the first outer wall, where the second outer wall extends substantially perpendicular to the first bottom wall; (d) a first receiver connected to the first outer wall, where first receiver comprises a first cavity and a first back wall that is generally parallel to the first outer wall; and (e) a second receiver connected to the second outer wall, where the second receiver comprises a second cavity and a second back wall that is generally parallel to the second outer wall; (2) a first magnetic element having a generally cylindrical shape, where the first magnetic element is located in the first cavity; (3) a second magnetic element having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, where the second magnetic element is located in the second cavity; and (4) a first lid connected to the first base, where the first lid covers the first cavity and the second cavity. And a second magnetic building block comprising: (1) a second base comprising: (a) a second bottom wall, (b) a third outer wall extending substantially perpendicular to the second bottom wall, (c) a fourth outer wall adjacent the third outer wall, where the fourth outer wall extends substantially perpendicular to the second bottom wall, (d) a third receiver connected to the third outer wall, where the third receiver comprises a third cavity and a third back wall that is generally parallel to the third outer wall; and (e) a fourth receiver connected to the fourth outer wall, where the fourth receiver comprises a fourth cavity and a fourth back wall that is generally parallel to the fourth outer wall; (2) a third magnetic element may have a generally cylindrical shape, where the third magnetic element is located in the third cavity; (3) a fourth magnetic element may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, where the fourth magnetic element is located in the fourth cavity; and (4) a second lid connected to the second base, where the second lid covers the third cavity and the fourth cavity. The first magnetic element and the third magnetic element may each have a first portion with a first polarity and a second portion with a second polarity, where a plane along their respective longitudinal axes divides the respective magnetic element into the first portion and the second portion. The first magnetic element of the first magnetic building block may rotate to magnetically connect with the third magnetic element of the second magnetic building block to releasably connect the first magnetic building block and the second magnetic building block. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element may have a magnetic strength within 20% of each other. The first outer wall may have a length within a range of 40% and 60% of a length of the second outer wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary magnetic building block according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 1 with some components removed according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged view of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 4 according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of an exemplary cylindrical magnetic element of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an exemplary rectangular magnetic element of the exemplary magnetic building block of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an alternate magnetic building block with some components removed according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of an alternate magnetic building block with some components removed according to aspects described herein; and

FIG. 10 depicts a top view of an alternate receiver of the base of the magnetic building block of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example structures, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “back,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.

The terms “connect” as used herein indicates that components, surfaces, or features and the like may be directly or indirectly (i.e. through an intermediary) joined, linked or attached.

As used herein, the term “generally” means mostly, or almost the same as, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of manufacturing the article being formed.

The term “approximately” means close to, or about, a particular value, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of manufacturing the article being formed.

“Substantially parallel,” as the term is used herein, means that a first line, segment, plane, edge, surface, etc. is approximately (in this instance, within 5%) equidistant from with another line, plane, edge, surface, etc., over at least 50% of the length of the first line, segment, or edge, or over at least 50% of the area of the plane or surface, etc. In some examples, lines, segments, or edges may be considered “substantially parallel” if one such a line, segment, or edge is approximately equidistant (65%) to another respective line, segment, or edge over at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of a length of either of the lines, segments, or edges being considered. Additionally, planes or surfaces may be considered “substantially parallel” if one plane or surface is approximately equidistant (65%) to another respective plane or surface over at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of a surface area of either of the planes or surfaces being considered.

“Substantially perpendicular,” as the term is used herein, means that a first line, segment, plane, edge, surface, etc. is approximately (in this instance, within 5%) orthogonal from with another line, plane, edge, surface, etc., over at least 50% of the length of the first line, segment, or edge, or over at least 50% of the area of the plane or surface, etc. In some examples, lines, segments, or edges may be considered “substantially perpendicular” if one such a line, segment, or edge is approximately orthogonal (65%) to another respective line, segment, or edge over at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of a length of either of the lines, segments, or edges being considered. Additionally, planes or surfaces may be considered “substantially perpendicular” if one plane or surface is approximately orthogonal (65%) to another respective plane or surface over at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of a surface area of either of the planes or surfaces being considered.

Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Generally, this disclosure relates to a magnetic building block toy that includes a cylindrical magnetic element is that is rotatable within a receiver of the magnetic building block and a nonrotatable rectangular magnetic element that is within a different receiver of the magnetic building block. By using different types of magnetic elements, the magnetic building block is able to connect easily to other magnetic building blocks.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an exemplary magnetic building block 100. The magnetic building block 100 may comprise a base 102 and a lid 150 that connects to the base 102. The base 102 may include a bottom wall 104, a plurality of outer walls 106, 108, 110, 112 that extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 104. The outer walls 106, 108, 110, 112 may be connected to each other at the ends creating corners on the base. For example, outer walls 106 and 108 may be opposite each other and connected together indirectly, while outer wall 110 may extend and connect between outer walls 106, 108 at a first end of each of the outer walls 106, 108, and outer wall 112 may extend and connect between outer walls 106, 108 at a second end of the outer walls 106, 108. Thus, outer wall 106 may be adjacent to outer walls 110, 112, and outer wall 108 may be adjacent to outer walls 110, 112. The exemplary magnetic building block 100 of FIGS. 1-5 illustrates a rectangular shaped block when looking from a top view such as FIG. 3. As such, outer walls 106, 108 may have a length, L1, that is less than a length, L2, of outer walls 110, 112. In some examples, outer walls 106, 108 may have a length, L1, of outer walls 106, 108 that is approximately 50% of a length, L2, of the outer walls 110, 112 or within a range of 40% and 60% of the length, L2, of the outer walls 110, 112. In some examples, the length, L1, of outer walls 106, 108 may be approximately 30% of a length, L2, of the outer walls 110, 112 or within a range of 15% and 40% of the length, L2, of the outer walls 110, 112. The magnetic building block 100 may have a thickness that is defined as a distance between an outer surface of the bottom wall 104 and an outer surface of the lid 150. The thickness may be within a range of 6% and 12% of a length, L1, of the outer walls 106, 108. The overall size of the magnetic building block 100 may fit into a child's hand where the length, L1, of the outer walls 106, 108 may be within a range of 30 mm and 50 mm and the length, L2 of the outer walls 110, 112 may be within a range of 60 mm and 100 mm or may be within a range of 60 mm and 200 mm.

The base 102 may include a plurality of receivers 120. Each receiver 120 may be connected to a corresponding outer wall 106, 108, 110, 112, where each receiver 120 includes a cavity 122, a back wall 124, a first end wall 126 and a second end wall 128 opposite the first end wall 126. Each end wall 126, 128 may extend inward from its corresponding outer wall 106, 108, 110, 112, toward and connecting to the receivers'respective back wall 124. Each back wall 124 may be generally parallel to its corresponding outer wall 106, 108, 110, 112. The back walls 124, end walls 126, 128 may all be connected to and extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 104. In addition, each receiver 120 may be sized (i.e., a different length and width) to receive a different type of magnetic element 130, 140 as described in more detail below.

The magnetic building block 100 may different shaped magnetic elements. For instance, the magnetic building block 100 may include a cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 and/or a rectangular shaped magnetic element 140. These magnetic elements are designed to have similar magnetic attraction strengths, despite their different shapes and placement within the magnetic building block 100. By ensuring that both magnetic elements 130, 140 have a similar magnetic attraction, the magnetic building block 100 maintains consistent connection strength across all possible connection points allowing a user to create stable structures regardless of which magnetic elements are used for connections. For instance, each magnetic element 130, 140 may have a magnetic strength within 10% of each other, or in some examples within 20% of each other when measured with a gaussmeter.

The cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 may have a circular cross-sectional shape along a plane that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis 132. The magnetic element 130 may have a first portion 134 with a first polarity and a second portion 136 with a second polarity, where a plane that extends along the longitudinal axis 132 of the magnetic element 130 divides the magnetic element 130 into the first portion 134 and the second portion 136 as shown in FIG. 6. The cylindrically shaped magnetic elements 130 may be received in receiver 120A, where the cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 can rotate around its longitudinal axis 132 within the cavity 122 of the receiver 120A. By being able to rotate within the cavity 122, the polarity of the outward facing portion of the magnetic element 130 can change to magnetically attract the magnetic building block 100 to a neighboring surface of an adjacent magnetic building block regardless of the polarity of the magnetic element used for the connection within the adjacent magnetic building block. Thus, the rotation of the cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 provides flexibility to create structures using the magnetic building block 100 regardless of orientation.

The receivers 120A are located on outer walls 106, 108 of the magnetic building block 100 and are primarily located on outer walls 106, 108 that have a shorter length, L1, that may only have a single magnetic element. The magnetic element 130 may have a length, L3, that is approximately 42% of a length, L1, of its corresponding outer wall 106, 108, or within a range of 30% and 50% of a length, L1, of its corresponding outer wall 106, 108, or within a range of 25% and 75% of a length, L1, of its corresponding outer wall 106, 108. In addition, the diameter, D, of the magnetic element 130 may be approximately 95% of a perpendicular distance, L4, of an inner surface 127of a corresponding outer wall 106, 108 to an inner surface 129 of the back wall 124 of the receiver 120A. In some examples, the diameter of the magnetic element 130 may be within a range of 90% and 99% of the perpendicular distance, L4. By minimizing the space within the receiver 120A around the cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130, the magnetic element 130 may rotate freely, but also not move excessively within the receiver 120A limiting any rattling or noise caused from the moving magnetic element 130. In some examples, the receiver 120A may include a cradle 138 or plurality of cradles 138 to support the cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 and allow it to rotate smoothly. The cradle 138 may connect to the bottom wall 104 and/or the back wall 124 and have a concave surface that supports the cylindrically shaped magnetic element 130 above the bottom wall 104 as shown in FIG. 10.

The outer walls 110, 112 of the magnetic building block 100 that may have a longer length, L2, may include a plurality of receivers 120B that are spaced apart from each other. Each receiver 120B may receive a rectangular shaped magnetic element 140 (e.g., a rectangular cuboid) within its cavity 122. The magnetic elements 140 may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. The magnetic element 140 may be received in the corresponding cavity 122 where the magnetic element 140 is nonrotatable and has limited movement in all directions such that the magnetic element 140 is generally fixed or stationary. The magnetic element 140 may have a different polarities arranged through the thickness of the magnetic element 140, where a first polarity is arranged along a first portion 142 of the magnetic element 140 and a second polarity is arranged along a second portion 144 of the magnetic element 140 as shown in FIG. 7. The magnetic elements 140 in each receiver 120B located along an outer wall 110, 112 may have an opposite polarity to be able to connect in different orientations. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic element 140 in a first receiver 120B along outer wall 110 may have a “North” polarity facing upward and the magnetic element 140 in a second receiver 120B along the outer surface 110 may have a “South” polarity facing upward. This opposite polarity of the pair of magnetic elements 140 arranged along outer walls 110, 112 allows the magnetic building block 100 to connect in different orientations to an adjacent magnetic building block.

The lid 150 may be permanently connected to the base 102 to cover the plurality of receivers 120 securing the magnetic elements 130, 140 within each receiver 120. In some examples, the lid 150 may be secured to the base 102 using a plurality of rivets 160 with a rivet 160 being located at each corner (i.e. a juncture between each outer wall 106, 108, 110, 112) of the magnetic building block 100. In addition to the rivets 160, the lid 150 may be sonic welded to the base 102. As an option, an adhesive may be used in addition with or as an alternative to the rivets to further secure the lid 150 to the base 102.

While the magnetic building block 100 shown in FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a generally rectangular shape, the arrangement of cylindrical magnetic elements 130 and rectangular shaped magnetic elements 140 disclosed herein may be used in other shapes. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a six-sided polygon, with outer walls 106, 107, 108, 109 that have only a single receiver 120A that receives a cylindrical magnetic element 130 and outer walls 110, 112 that each have a pair of receivers 120B that each receive a magnetic element 140. The four outer walls 106, 107, 108, 109 that have the cylindrical magnetic element 130 are located adjacent to each other. Similarly, FIG. 9 illustrates a five-sided polygon with outer walls 106, 107, 108 that have only a single receiver 120A that receives a cylindrical magnetic element 130 and outer walls 110, 112 that each have a pair of receivers 120B that each receive a magnetic element 140. The three outer walls 106, 107, 108 that have the cylindrical magnetic element 130 are located adjacent to each other.

The base 102 and lid 150 of the magnetic building block 100 may be injection molded using a polymeric material. This manufacturing method allows for efficient production of the complex shapes required for the receivers and other features of the base and lid. The polymeric material may be solid, translucent, or transparent, providing various aesthetic options. The polymeric materials may be durable, safe, and non-toxic. Some options for appropriate polymers include: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), or other material known to one skilled in the art.

The magnetic elements may be permanent magnets and may be arranged such that the strength of the generally cylindrical shaped magnetic elements 130 and the rectangular shaped magnetic elements 140 are similar. For instance, the magnetic elements 130, 140 may be ferrite magnets, neodymium magnets, or magnetic elements known to one skilled in the art.

While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. The various dimensions described above are merely exemplary and may be changed as necessary. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the embodiments described are only provided to aid in understanding the claims and do not limit the scope of the claims.