Abstract:
A set of blocks for constructing game assemblies for children includes basic block members ( 10 ) and complementary block members ( 11 ) that can be magnetically anchored and assembled each other; each basic block member ( 10 ) has a hollow body ( 18 ) including lateral faces having flat and/or shaped coupling surfaces. In turn, the complementary block members ( 11 ) include a hollow body ( 16 ) having lateral coupling surfaces matching with the coupling surfaces of the basic block members ( 10 ). Magnetic elements ( 14, 20 ) are fixedly or movably positioned in each basic and complementary block member ( 10, 11 ) to enable the anchorage and the assembling of the block members ( 10, 11 ) during the construction of the game. The block members ( 10, 11 ) have dimensions suitable to be easily gripped with the hands by a children, and may be provided with differently coloured surfaces to offer different tactile, visual and sound sensations during the game.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention refers to the children games field, and in particular relates to a set of magnetically anchorable game block members, variously shaped and conformed to enable them to be easily assembled and to construct structurally simple games, capable of providing different visual and/or tactile and/or sound sensations, also contributing towards enabling a child to develop manual skills and acquire elementary information, during the construction of a game. 
         [0002]    In the field of game construction, for some time it has been suggested to make use of magnetically anchorable modular elements, substantially consisting of bars and ball shaped elements of limited dimensions, which can be assembled in various ways to create simple and/or complex reticulated structures; magnetic modules of this type are illustrated for example in EP-A-1,370,334, U.S. Pat. No. 1,535,035, U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,388 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,727. 
         [0003]    While on the one hand these modular elements offer a firm magnetic anchorage and enable the construction of structures of any shape and size, stimulating creative abilities during the game, they are not wholly suitable for use by very young children, who do not yet possess sufficient manual skills and sufficient creative abilities; in fact, in the construction of a game with modules of this type, it is necessary to ensure a precise positioning and a correct orientation of the magnetic polarities of the various elements which make up the game, in order to obtain a structurally stable assembly having the desired shape. 
         [0004]    For these and other reasons, the modular magnetic elements of this type prove to be unsuitable for use by children of ages equivalent to or less than three or four years, or slightly older. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,236,234, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,236, EP-A-0,051,576, WO-A-03/063993, WO-A-04/062760 and EP-A-1,559,464 suggest the use of various types of magnetic blocks comprising a hollow body, incorporating one or more magnets capable of allowing an easy anchorage in correspondence with one or more coupling surfaces. 
         [0006]    In general, they suggest the use of magnetically anchorable modular elements substantially consisting of cubes or blocks having three-dimensional shapes delimited exclusively by substantially flat coupling surfaces, which require a precise positioning between modules and a correct orientation of the magnetic polarities, or are provided with fixed or movable magnets shaped and disposed to enable the coupling substantially between identically shaped modular blocks. 
         [0007]    The possibilities of composition and of magnetic coupling between blocks is therefore extremely limited and conditional upon the same geometrical shape of the blocks, as well as upon the characteristics of the coupling surfaces. 
         [0008]    The manual skills and gripping of the blocks are poorly stimulated; moreover, the flat shape of the coupling surfaces and the disposition of the magnets are such as to make it difficult to correctly position and magnetically couple the blocks, in particular by children devoid of experience and specific knowledge. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The main object of the invention is to provide a set of magnetically assemblable block members, having geometrically simple shapes and appropriately conformed coupling surfaces, capable of allowing a facilitated magnetic anchorage, and the utmost freedom and versatility in the construction of simple or complex game assemblies, by assembling modular block members of a same and/or of different types. 
         [0010]    A still further object of the invention is to provide a set of block members that can be magnetically anchored to one another, as mentioned previously, having such geometrical shapes and dimensions as to facilitate and stimulate the clamping with the hands. 
         [0011]    A still further object is to provide a set of block members comprising a system of magnetic elements conformed and disposed to allow a stable anchorage and a different positioning between blocks, without requiring particular expedients and/or skills. 
         [0012]    A still further object is to provide a set of block members for the construction of assemblies for games, whereby it is possible to transmit a plurality of educational information and visual, tactile and/or sound stimuli to children, also enabling them to learn shapes, colours and/or other elementary characteristics of the blocks, during the game. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    These and still further objects can be achieved by means of a set of block members, magnetically anchorable to one another, according to claim  1 . 
         [0014]    In particular, according to the invention, a set of magnetically anchorable blocks for the construction of game assemblies is provided, in which each block comprises a hollow body having peripheral wall surfaces, and magnetic anchoring elements inside a seat of the hollow body, the magnetic elements being arranged close to the wall surfaces to generate magnetic anchoring forces in an assembled condition of the blocks, characterised in that the set of blocks comprises: 
         [0015]    basic block members having a hollow body provided with at least one lateral face conformed with at least one flat coupling surface, and at least one shaped coupling surface; and 
         [0016]    complementary block members having a hollow body provided with coupling surfaces matching with the coupling surfaces of basic block members; 
         [0017]    in that the hollow bodies of the basic and complementary block members, in correspondence with said coupling surfaces, comprise at least one magnetic anchoring element in a respective housing seat. 
         [0018]    According to a further feature of the invention, both the basic block members and the complementary block members may have flat coupling surfaces which entirely extend on corresponding lateral faces. 
         [0019]    The block members of the set, or some of them, may also be provided with a covering of soft elastomeric material, or have faces and/or coupling surfaces of a same and/or different colours. Each of the magnetic elements can be fixedly or freely movable, and/or rotatingly housed in its own seat, thereby providing particularly stable and extremely versatile magnetic coupling conditions, as well as the possibility of generating a pleasant sound or noise by shaking the block members themselves. 
         [0020]    The use of additional block members, variously conformed and shaped to imitate an animal, a living creature and/or an object in general, associable with the complementary block members, increases the possibility of creating different combinations and configurations of assemblies during the game. 
         [0021]    For the purpose of the present invention “magnetic element” indifferently means either a magnetically active element, such as a permanent magnet, or an inductively magnetisable element, such as a ferromagnetic piece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    These and further features of the set of blocks according to the invention, will be more clearly evident from the following description of several preferential embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first cube-shaped basic block member, having flat and concave coupling surfaces; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a second parallelepiped-shaped basic block member; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a third cube-shaped basic block member, having flat, concave and convex coupling surfaces on different lateral faces; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a first disk-shaped complementary block member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a second disk-shaped complementary block member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 , for a first embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 10 , for a second embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a third semi-spherical complementary block member; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a fourth semi-spherical complementary block member; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view along the broken line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a fifth spherical-shaped complementary block member; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  shows a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of the spherical block member of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  shows a cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane of the spherical block member of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a sixth cylindrical-shaped complementary block member; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of a seventh cylindrical-shaped complementary block member; 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  shows a perspective view of a possible combination of basic and of complementary block members of the previous figures, in an assembled condition; 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  shows a perspective view of a fourth basic block member; 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 28  shows a perspective view of a fifth basic block member; 
           [0051]      FIG. 29  shows a perspective view of a sixth basic block member; 
           [0052]      FIG. 30  shows a perspective view of a seventh basic block member; 
           [0053]      FIG. 31  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 32  shows a perspective view of an eighth semi-cylindrical complementary block member; 
           [0055]      FIG. 33  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 34  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  34 - 34  of  FIG. 33 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 35  shows a perspective view of a further combination of basic and of complementary block members of the previous figures; 
           [0058]      FIG. 36  shows a perspective view of an eighth cube-shaped basic block member; 
           [0059]      FIG. 37  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  37 - 37  of  FIG. 36 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 38  shows a perspective view of another semi-spherical complementary block member; 
           [0061]      FIG. 39  shows a cross-sectional view of a tenth cylindrical complementary block member; 
           [0062]      FIG. 40  shows the perspective view of an assembly comprising an additional block member, in combination with several complementary block members; 
           [0063]      FIG. 41  shows an exploded cutaway view of the assembly of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 42  shows an exploded and cross-sectional cutaway view of an assembly comprising a second additional block member; 
           [0065]      FIG. 43  shows an exploded and cross-sectional cutaway view of an assembly comprising a third additional block member; 
           [0066]      FIG. 44  shows a perspective view of an assembly comprising a fourth additional block member; 
           [0067]      FIG. 45  shows an exploded and cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 44 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0068]    As mentioned previously, the invention concerns a set of modular block members magnetically anchorable to one another for constructing game assemblies for children, comprising basic block members  10  and complementary block members  11 , appropriately shaped with suitable wall surfaces comprising flat and/or shaped coupling surfaces, whereby it is possible to create any game assembly, in an extremely easy and creative way. 
         [0069]    The basic block members can have a hollow body of any geometrical shape, for example cubic, prismatic, polyhedral or other types, provided they are delimited by one or more lateral faces having flat and/or shaped wall surfaces for matching with coupling surfaces of block members of a same or different type. 
         [0070]    In turn the complementary block members can have any geometrical shape having flat or shaped coupling surfaces which match with the coupling surfaces of one or more types of basic block members of the set according to the invention. 
         [0071]    The basic block members can have a modular dimension, or be a multiple of a modular dimension, for example ranging from 5 to 10 cm or more to be easily grasped by the hands. 
         [0072]    With reference to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description will be now given of a first preferential embodiment of a basic modular block member  10  according to the invention. 
         [0073]    In the example under consideration, the basic modular block member, indicated as a whole by the reference number  10 . 1 , comprises of a hollow body, of a substantially cubic shape, having lateral faces each of which, or part thereof, have a first flat wall surface  12  and a second shaped wall surface  13  for coupling with the wall surfaces of lateral surfaces of block members forming part of a same set. 
         [0074]    In the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flat coupling surface  12  of each face of the cube completely surrounds a concave shaped coupling surface  13 , in the form of a spherical cap; from  FIGS. 1 and 2  it can also be seen that the shaped surfaces  13 , belonging to two opposite faces of the cube, are axially aligned with one another. 
         [0075]    In the case of  FIG. 1  a cube-shaped basic block member  10 . 1  is shown; however, as mentioned previously, the basic block member  10  can be of any geometrical shape, having completely flat lateral faces or provided with flat coupling surfaces  12  in combination with concave and/or convex shaped coupling surfaces  13 , which extend from one or from both sides of the flat coupling surfaces of each face of the block member  10 . 1 . 
         [0076]    The basic block member  10 . 1  is also provided with a system of magnetic elements, variously disposed and housed in corresponding seats inside the hollow body  18  of the basic block member, close to the wall surfaces to generate magnetic attraction and/or repulsion forces with respect to magnetic elements inside other basic block members  10  and/or complementary block members  11  in an assembled condition as shown further on. 
         [0077]    In particular, as shown in the example of  FIG. 2 , in correspondence with each concave coupling surface  13 , the hollow body  18  of the block member  10 . 1  comprises internal seats  15  for housing a magnetic or magnetisable element  14  for anchoring to other blocks; the magnetic anchoring element  14  can either be a ferromagnetic material which is magnetisable by induction, or preferably a permanent magnet, for example in the form of a disk or a small cylinder having opposite polarities N and S on two opposite faces according to its longitudinal axis. 
         [0078]    The magnetic element  14  can be fixedly housed in its seat  15  or freely movable, as shown, with the possibility to rotate around itself and in space, to automatically orientate any one of the two N and S polar faces towards the coupling wall surface  13 , depending upon the polarity of the magnet of another block member  10  or  11  brought into contact; in this connection, it is necessary to point out that the space between the seats housing the magnets must be such as to prevent a reciprocal influence between magnets belonging to a same block. 
         [0079]      FIG. 3  shows a second basic block member  10 . 2 , multiple of the basic block member  10 . 1  of  FIG. 1 ; therefore in  FIG. 3  the same reference numbers of  FIG. 1  have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0080]    Also in the case of  FIG. 3 , the basic block member  10 . 2  comprises a hollow body  18  having on each lateral face, or part thereof, at least one flat coupling surface  12 , and one or more shaped coupling surfaces  13 , two in the case shown. 
         [0081]    The hollow body  18  of the block member  10 . 2 , in correspondence with the shaped coupling surfaces  13 , will have internal seats for housing magnetic elements, in a way wholly similar to that shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 2 ; here again, all the magnetic elements of the block member  10 . 2 , or part thereof, may comprises a permanent magnet, or a ferromagnetic element. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the example of a third basic block member  10 . 3 , again comprising a hollow body  18  of a substantially cubic shape, like the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; therefore the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. The example of  FIGS. 4 and 5  differs from the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as far as one of the shaped coupling surfaces is concerned. 
         [0083]    In fact, while in the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2  all the shaped surfaces  13  are of a concave type, since in practice they are in the form of a spherical cap which extend in a direction facing inside the hollow body  18 , with respect to the flat coupling surface  12 , in the case of  FIGS. 4 and 5  the shaped coupling surface, which in the two figures is facing upwards, is now in the form of a convex surface  13 ′, or more in general a surface which extends towards the outside of the block, in an opposite way to that of the remaining concave surfaces  13 . 
         [0084]    The examples taken into consideration up till now substantially concern basic block members  10  of two specific types, one with a hollow body  18  of a substantially cubic shape, and the other one in the form of a square-based parallelepiped block. However, the shape and/or dimensions of the basic block members  10  can vary and be of any type, for example of prismatic or polyhedral type or of any other geometrical shape, provided that part or all of the lateral faces comprises the combination of at least one flat coupling surface, and at least one concave and/or convex or differently shaped coupling surface, according to need. 
         [0085]    The form of the shaped coupling surfaces can also be of any kind, other than the cap of the previous figures. It is also pointed out that one or more basic block members  10  of the set may have shaped coupling surfaces of a same type on all or part of their lateral faces; likewise, the basic block members may have shaped coupling faces of different types, concave and/or convex, in any way disposed and/or combined in a same block. As mentioned previously, this invention also comprises the case in which a basic block member has one or more lateral faces having a flat coupling surface which extends over the entire face. 
         [0086]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a first type of a complementary block member  11  magnetically anchorable to one or two basic block members of a same or different types, or to other complementary block members of different shapes. 
         [0087]    The complementary block member  11 . 1  comprises a disk-shaped hollow body  16  having an annular flat surfaces  17 ′ on peripheral edges; the body  16  on the two lateral faces is provided with a convex shaped coupling surface  17 , for example in the form of a spherical cap coaxially arranged to annular surface  17 ′, which perfectly matches with a concave coupling surface  13  of a basic block member  10 . 
         [0088]    To allow a magnetic anchorage between basic block members  10  and complementary block members  11 , the latter also comprise magnetic elements which can consist either of permanent magnets or of ferromagnetic elements, magnetisable by induction by a magnet of another block member closely brought in contact to the previous one. 
         [0089]    Again, the magnetic elements can be shaped and disposed in any way in the hollow body  16  of the complementary block member  11 , and in any number in relation to the shape and dimensions of the block itself, or for other specific requirements. 
         [0090]    In the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the complementary block member  11 . 1  comprises, for example, a first disk-shaped magnet  14 , or of any other suitable shape, housed in an internal seat  15  close to a wall surface, in a way similar to the magnets  14  of the basic block members  10 . 
         [0091]    Optionally, the complementary block member  11 . 1  can comprise an elongated magnet  20  of another type, for example in the form of a cylinder to allow the magnetic anchorage to other blocks by the same magnet  20  in at least two diametrically opposite points, or in several angularly spaced apart points along the cylindrical wall surface of the hollow body  16 . 
         [0092]    In the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7  the magnet  20  is in the form of a bar or elongated magnetic element, for example of cylindrical shape, which extends diametrically for a length equivalent to or slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the hollow body  16 , so as to enable a simultaneous coupling in two diametrically opposite points, and rotate. 
         [0093]    As an alternative to, or in substitution of the linearly-shaped magnetic element  20 , the latter could be of any geometrical shape, of such kind as to allow a magnetic anchorage in a plurality of points of the cylindrical surface; for example it could be cross-shaped or star-shaped, suitable for allowing the magnetic coupling to other block members in several angularly spaced apart points of the cylindrical wall surface of the body  16 . 
         [0094]    The magnetic element  20  can also consist of a single magnet, or one or more magnets having magnetic poles in contact with a ferromagnetic core element suitable for conducting the flux; for example may comprise an intermediate ferromagnetic core between two magnets, or in the form of a polar extension at one end of a magnet; other possible conformations of the magnetic element  20  cannot be excluded. 
         [0095]    In the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7  the magnet  20  lies in a plane at right angles to the central axis of the block member  11 . 1 ; consequently the magnet  20  can be fixedly housed in the hollow body  16 , without any possibility of moving, or angularly rotatable according to said central axis. The angular rotation of the magnet  20  can take place along a pre-established ach of a circle, providing suitable stop means inside the body, or the magnet  20  can be freely rotatable by 360° in both rotational directions. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a second complementary block member  11 . 2 , also disk-shaped, which differs from the block member  11 . 1  of the previous figures due to a different disposition of the magnetic anchoring elements  14  and  20 . 
         [0097]    Therefore, once again in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and in the cross-sections of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the same reference numbers of  FIGS. 6 and 7  have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0098]    The solution of  FIGS. 8 and 9  differs from the solution of  FIGS. 6 and 7  in that now two or more magnets  14  are disposed in their respective seats  15  peripherally and in angularly spaced apart positions along the cylindrical wall of the hollow body  16 . 
         [0099]    In this second case, as shown, the magnet  20  is disposed in a respective seat  21  which extends, coaxially to the body  16 , between the two convex coupling surfaces  17 . The length of the magnet  20  can be equivalent to that of the seat  21  to enable it to be fixedly housed, without any possibility of movement; al the magnet  20  can be shorter in length than the seat  21 , to allow it to perform a certain axial movement. 
         [0100]    Still in the case of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10 , all the magnets  14 , or part thereof, can be housed in peripheral seats  15 , with the possibility of rotating and freely moving around themselves in pre-established directions, or can be fixedly housed. Conversely, according to the example of  FIG. 11 , the peripheral seats  15  can angularly extend along a certain ach of a circle, for example along an ach of 90°, more or less, in relation to the number of magnets  14  used or other requirements. In any case, adjacent seats  15  must be spaced apart from one another by an angle sufficient to prevent any influence or interference between magnets of the block. 
         [0101]    As a further development of the various examples of the figures from  8  to  11 , it is possible to eliminate the central magnet  20 , providing in its place the two central magnets  14  of the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0102]    The examples of figures from  6  to  11  have always shown disk-like complementary block members  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  having a circular shape; however, other possible disk-shapes for the complementary block member  11  cannot be excluded; for example, the body  16  could have the shape of a polygonal disk. Consequently, for the purposes of this description, the term “disk-shaped” is understood to mean a substantially flat body having circular or polygonal peripheral walls tangent to a reference circle. 
         [0103]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show the solution of a third complementary block member  11 . 3 ; also in the case of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the same reference numbers of the previous figures have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0104]    In this case the block member  11 . 3  comprises a semi-spherical hollow body  16 , having a first flat coupling surface  22 , forming the base of the semi-sphere, and a second semi-spherical coupling surface  23 . 
         [0105]    More precisely, in correspondence with pre-established angular positions of the semi-spherical coupling surface  23 , the body  16  of the block comprises seats  15  for housing fixed or freely movable magnets  14 , in the way previously mentioned. 
         [0106]    The block member  11 . 3  also comprises a central magnet  20  of elongated shape, housed in a seat  21  which axially extends between the two coupling surfaces  22  and  23 . 
         [0107]      FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  show the solution of a fourth complementary block member again of a semi-spherical shape; consequently, also in this case the same reference numbers of  FIGS. 12 and 13  have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. The semi-spherical block member  11 . 4  of  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  differs from the semi-spherical block  11 . 3  of  FIGS. 12 and 13  exclusively due to the fact of comprising a magnet  14  housed in its respective seat  15 , centrally arranged to the flat coupling surface  22  and to the spherical coupling surface  23 , in place of the single elongated magnet  20  of the previous example. Also in this case the magnets  14  can be fixed or freely movable and/or may rotate in their housing seat under the effect of external magnetic fields. 
         [0108]      FIGS. 17 ,  18  and  19  show the solution of a fifth complementary block member  11 . 5  in the shape of a sphere; here too, the same reference number of the previous figures have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0109]    Once again, the complementary block member  11 . 5  comprises a hollow body  16  having a plurality of seats  15  for housing an equivalent number of magnets  14 . 
         [0110]    In the case shown, the spherical block member  11 . 5  comprises eight seats  15  for a corresponding number of magnets  14 , disposed in angularly spaced apart positions along two different meridian lines; however, the number of magnets  14  and/or their disposition could be any, always maintaining an angular space between seats  15  of such length as to prevent any interference between adjacent magnets. 
         [0111]      FIGS. 20 ,  21  and  22  show the solution of a sixth complementary block member  11 . 6  of cylindrical shape, in some ways similar to the disk-shape of the complementary block member  11 . 1  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; consequently, also in this case the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0112]    The block member  11 . 6  also comprises a hollow body  16  delimited by a cylindrical peripheral surface, which axially extends between two flat wall surfaces  25  and  26  on the lateral faces of the cylinder. Magnets  14  are housed fixedly or freely movable in respective seats  15  inside the hollow body  16 , in central positions axially aligned with the body  16 . 
         [0113]    Similarly to the case of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an elongated magnet, for example in the form of a bar  20  is disposed to diametrically extend to the peripheral wall of the body  16 ; once again, the magnet  20  can freely rotate by an angle ranging from 0° to 360°, or fixedly housed. 
         [0114]      FIGS. 23 and 24  show the solution of a seventh complementary block member  11 . 7 , also of cylindrical shape; consequently, the same reference numbers have been used again to indicate similar or equivalent parts for the hollow body  16 , the magnets  14  with their respective seats  15 ; in that case the magnet  20  is axially directed in the respective seat  21 . 
         [0115]    The basic block members  10  and the complementary block members  11 , taken into consideration up till now, have been described purely by way of example and do not exhaust all the numerous possible forms, for the purposes of this invention. 
         [0116]    It was pointed out that the geometrical shapes of the basic block members  10  can be any, as long as they are provided with one or more lateral faces having flat coupling surfaces and concave and/or convex shaped coupling surfaces, which conform to similarly shaped coupling surfaces of basic block members  10  of the same or of different types, and/or of complementary block members  11  as previously defined. 
         [0117]    In the same way, the complementary block members  11  can be of any shape, different from that of the examples shown, as long as they are provided with one or more coupling surfaces, which conform to similarly shaped coupling surfaces of complementary block members  11  of a same or other type, and/or of basic block members  10 . 
         [0118]    It is also pointed out that the disk, cylindrical, semi-spherical and spherical shapes of the complementary block members  11  of the previous examples can have polyhedral peripheral surfaces having faces tangent to a reference circle and/or to a hypothetical reference sphere, for the same purposes previously mentioned. 
         [0119]      FIG. 25  shows an example of one of the numerous possible constructions of a game assembly obtainable by the combination of basic block members  10  and complementary block members  11  of the previous figures forming part of a set of block members according to the invention. 
         [0120]    In particular, the assembly of  FIG. 25  comprises two basic cube-shaped block members  10 . 1 , disposed one on top of the other, with the interposition of a spherical block member  11 . 5  magnetically anchored to the basic block members  10 . 1 . 
         [0121]    Magnetically anchored above the upper cubic block member  10 . 1  is a disk-shaped block member  11 . 1 . Conversely, magnetically anchored on one side of the lower cubic block member  10 . 1  is a composition comprising two semi-spherical block members  11 . 3  and an intermediate cylindrical block member  11 . 7 . 
         [0122]    The assembly could be implemented by adding other basic and/or complementary block members of a same or of different types, variously positioned in relation to one another; a characteristic common to all the possible assemblies, deriving from the features of each individual block member, or from the presence of several coupling surfaces and of several magnetic anchoring elements, consists in the possibility of moving and/or differently orienting the block members of the assembly in relation to one another, in order to change the shape and characteristics of the construction. This stimulates creativity and promotes useful learning of different geometrical shapes and of certain basic principles of magnetism. In fact, in the event of block members comprising fixedly housed magnets, with one of the two N and S polarities orientated towards a coupling surface, whenever another block member with fixed magnets is brought close to them, the latter could be subject to attraction or repulsion forces, depending on whether different or identical facing polarities are opposed to one another. 
         [0123]    With reference to the remaining figures from  26  to  34 , a description will now be given of other possible forms of basic block members  10  and of complementary block members  11 . 
         [0124]      FIGS. 26 and 27  show the embodiment of a fourth basic block member  10 . 4  of a substantially cubic shape, having differently shaped coupling surfaces with respect to the previous examples. 
         [0125]    The basic block member  10 . 4  also comprises a hollow body having lateral coupling faces, and a plurality of magnets  14  housed in respective seats  15  in correspondence with and close to the various coupling surfaces. 
         [0126]    In particular, as shown in  FIG. 26 , the block member  10 . 4  comprises a flat coupling surface  27 , on two opposite sides of the body, while on each of the remaining four sides the block member  10 . 4  is provided with two elongated flat surfaces  28  on the longitudinal sides, which parallely extend to the side edges of a corresponding face; between the flat surfaces  28  a concave coupling surface  29  extends, said surface  29  having an arch shaped cross outline for matching, for example, with a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical coupling surface of a complementary block member as explained further on, or for coupling with a spherical or semi-spherical complementary block, in that the concave and/or convex surfaces of the various block members have the same radius of curvature. 
         [0127]      FIG. 28  shows a fifth solution of a basic block member  10 . 5 , partly comparable to the basic block member  10 . 4  of the previous figures; consequently also in  FIG. 29  the same reference numbers of  FIG. 27  have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0128]    The basic block member  10 . 5  differs from the basic block member  10 . 4  in that the previous flat surfaces  27  on the two opposite faces orthogonally arranged to the longitudinal axis of the body have now been replaced by two flat surfaces  28  and by a concave surface  29  which extend parallel to a cross axis in a direction at right angle to the longitudinal axis or direction of the concave surfaces  29  of the remaining four faces of the block. 
         [0129]      FIG. 29  shows a sixth solution of a basic block member  10 . 6 , also of a substantially cubic shape, in certain ways again comparable to the basic blocks of  FIGS. 26 and 28 ; therefore also in  FIG. 29  the same reference numbers of the previous figures have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0130]    The basic block member  10 . 6  of  FIG. 29  differs from the basic block member  10 . 4  of  FIG. 26 , in that it comprises a flat coupling surface  30  which totally extends on one side face parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block  10 . 6 , along which the concave surfaces  29  extend. 
         [0131]    It is also pointed out that in all these examples, one or more concave surfaces  29  can be replaced by flat or convex surfaces; lastly, the length of the basic block members  10 . 4 ,  10 . 5  and  10 . 6  in the direction of the longitudinal axis parallel to the concave coupling surfaces  29  of the lateral faces, could be shorter or longer than that of the other two axes. 
         [0132]      FIGS. 30 and 31  show a seventh solution of a basic block member  10 . 7 , again comprising a hollow body having magnetic anchoring elements in correspondence with the flat peripheral faces  30 ; therefore also in  FIGS. 30 and 31  the same reference numbers of the previous examples have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0133]    According to the example under consideration, the hollow body of the block member  10 . 7  is provided exclusively with flat coupling surfaces  30  on all the faces, except one; the latter in turn comprises four flat coupling surfaces  31  at the corners, coplanar with one another, and shaped coupling surfaces  32 , for example concave shaped surfaces, crossing one another according to two orthogonal directions. 
         [0134]    An elongated magnetic element  20  extends centrally between the shaped coupling surface  32  on one face of the block, and a flat coupling surface  30  on the opposite face. 
         [0135]    Optionally, in addition to the magnetic element  20 , the block member  10 . 7  can comprise one or more magnetic elements  14 , in respective seats  15 , on the remaining lateral faces  30 , or part thereof, as shown. 
         [0136]      FIGS. 32 ,  33  and  34  show an eighth solution of a complementary block member  11 . 8 ; also in this case the same reference numbers of the previous examples have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts. 
         [0137]    The complementary block member  11 . 8  comprises a semi-cylindrical hollow body  16 , delimited by a flat coupling surface  33  on one side, by flat coupling surfaces  34  at both ends, and by a semi-cylindrical coupling surface  35  on the other side, having for example the same radius of curvature as the concave surface  32  of the basic block member  10 . 7  of  FIGS. 30 and 31 . 
         [0138]    Again in the example under consideration, the block member  11 . 8  comprises a plurality of magnets  14 , movably or fixedly housed in respective seats  15  disposed in one or more positions of its coupling surfaces  33 ,  34  and  35 , or part thereof, as shown. 
         [0139]      FIG. 35  shows, by way of example, one of the several possible constructions or assemblies obtainable with the basic block members and complementary block members previously described; therefore, also in  FIG. 35  the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent blocks. 
         [0140]    The subsequent figures from  36  to  39  show other examples of basic block members  10  and complementary block members  11 , comprising further characteristics according to the invention. 
         [0141]    In particular,  FIGS. 36 and 37  show a cube-shaped basic block member  10 . 1 , having a modified structure compared to the basic block member  10 . 1  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in that the hollow body comprises two parts  16 ′ and  16 ″ defining, on each of or some lateral faces, a respective flat coupling surface  12  and concave surface  13 . The example of  FIGS. 36 and 37  differs from the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in that each of the shaped coupling surfaces  13  is now provided by separate cup-shaped elements, having a seat  15  for a respective magnetic element  14 . 
         [0142]    The cup-shaped elements defining the shaped coupling surfaces  13 , according to a complementary characteristic of the invention, can all be of the same colour and/or of different colours, as indicated by numerical references  13 ′ and  13 ″ in  FIG. 36 . 
         [0143]    Lastly, figures from  36  to  39  show a further characteristic, consisting in providing both the basic block elements  10  and the complementary block elements  11 , or part thereof, with a covering  36  of soft material, for example rubber or elastomeric material over moulded to the rigid plastic material of the hollow body of each block; in this case too, the covering  36  can be of the same colour for all the blocks of the set or of different colours. 
         [0144]    In particular, in the case of the cubic block member  10 . 1  of  FIGS. 36 and 37 , a covering  36  has been moulded on the flat surfaces of all the lateral faces; conversely, in the case of the semi-spherical block member  11 . 3  of  FIG. 38 , the covering  36  is in the form of an annular element along the peripheral edge, that separates the flat coupling surface  22  on a face from the shaped or semi-spherical coupling surface  23  on the other face. 
         [0145]    Lastly, in the case of the example of the cylindrical complementary block member  11 . 6  of  FIG. 39 , the covering  36  has been formed on the lateral surface. 
         [0146]    What has been described for the examples of  FIGS. 36-39  obviously applies for any basic and/or complementary block member, regardless of its shape and of the other characteristics of the blocks. 
         [0147]    The figures from  40  to  45  show some possible examples of auxiliary block members, that can be used as decorative elements for the basic and complementary block members previously described, to construct the shape for example of an animal, a doll, a living creature or in general a generic object. 
         [0148]    In particular, the  FIGS. 40 and 41  show the use of an auxiliary block member  40 . 1  shaped to imitate a “puffer fish”, magnetically anchorable to a semi-spherical complementary block member  11 . 3 . 
         [0149]    In the case of  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the auxiliary block member  40 . 1  again comprises a hollow body  41  shaped in the form of the upper part of puffer fish, closed from below by a flat surface  42  for coupling with the flat surface  22  of a semi-spherical complementary block member  11 . 3 . 
         [0150]    The auxiliary block member  40 . 1  also comprises a magnet  20 , or as an alternative a magnet  14  (not shown) for anchoring to the magnet  20  or  14  (not shown) of the complementary block member  11 . 3 . 
         [0151]    As shown in  FIG. 40 , the semi-spherical block member  11 . 3 , in turn can be placed on top of a second semi-spherical block member  11 . 3  identical to the first, with the semi-spherical opposite surfaces in contact with each other, thereby enabling a certain rocking movement of the puffer fish. 
         [0152]      FIG. 42  shows the example of a second auxiliary block member  40 . 2 , again tending to imitate the puffer fish of the previous figures. 
         [0153]    In this case, the auxiliary block member  40 . 2  has a hollow semi-spherical body  41 , open towards the bottom, having a semi-spherical body coupling surface  43 , provided with a magnetic anchoring element, for example a magnet  14  or of magnetisable material, capable of magnetically anchoring with a magnet  20  or  14  of a complementary block member, which in the example of  FIG. 42  is in the form of a spherical block, obtained by the combination of two semi-spherical block members  11 . 3 . 
         [0154]      FIG. 43  shows a solution in certain ways similar to that of  FIG. 42 , with the difference that the auxiliary block member  40 . 3  now comprises mechanical anchoring means, for example in the form of an annular rib  44  which snaps and engages into a circular groove  45  of a complementary spherical block member  11 . 5 . 
         [0155]      FIGS. 44 and 45 , also by way of example, show a fourth solution of an auxiliary block member  40 . 4  again tending to imitate an animal, for example a small crab. 
         [0156]    Also in the case of  FIGS. 44 and 45 , the auxiliary block comprises a hollow body  41 , having a seat  46  for a semi-spherical complementary block member  11 . 3 , to complete the crab. The auxiliary block member  40 . 4  also comprises a magnetic element  14  for anchoring with a magnet  20 , or  14  (not shown), of the complementary block member  11 . 3 . 
         [0157]    From what has been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be clear that the invention is primarily addressed to a set of block members, comprising basic block members  10  and complementary block members  11 , magnetically anchorable and combinable with one another, in the construction of game assemblies for children. 
         [0158]    The basic block members  10  and the complementary block members  11  can be of any desired shape, provided it is suitable for allowing the reciprocal magnetic anchorage between corresponding flat and/or shaped coupling surfaces. 
         [0159]    The invention also comprises auxiliary block members  40  for decorative purposes, appropriately shaped to imitate animals, dolls, living creatures or objects and/or imaginary creatures, provided with suitable magnetic and/or mechanical anchoring means for anchoring to basic and/or complementary block members. 
         [0160]    Consequently, other modifications or changes may be made to the shape and/or structure of the various blocks, and to the shape, disposition and/or characteristics of the magnetic and/or mechanical anchoring means, and to other characteristics of the blocks themselves, without thereby departing from the claims.