Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention provides a toy construction kit comprising a light element and a construction element. The light element comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a compartment, a magnet disposed in the compartment at the first end, and a printed circuit board disposed at the second end of the housing, the printed circuit board having an illumination device mounted on its side opposite to the compartment. The construction element is held to the light element by a magnetic attractive force between the magnet at the first end of the light element and the construction element.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/696,839, filed Jul. 6, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention is directed generally to puzzles and toys. More particularly, the present invention is directed to three-dimensional toy construction assemblies made from magnetic structural components and/or magnetic illumination components that are magnetically and/or mechanically coupled together.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     Individuals often find enjoyment in the challenge of building aesthetic structural designs and/or functional structural models. Frequently, the utility associated with constructing such structures is found in the creative and/or problem solving process required to achieve a desired structural objective. Currently, construction assemblies that exploit magnetic properties to interlink various structural components and thereby form different two and/or three dimensional structures are known and can provide an added dimension of sophistication to the construction process. For example, flat shapes such as triangular, square, or rectangular plates in which magnets are inserted can be attached to steel balls to create a number of three-dimensional shapes.  
         [0006]     Some magnetic construction assemblies can only be assembled in certain configurations. Thus, there remains a constant need for magnetic construction assemblies that provide construction flexibility and increased visual interest.  
         [0007]     This and other needs are addressed by the present invention. Additional advantageous features and functionalities of the present invention will be apparent from the disclosure which follows, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic light assembly configurable in a wide variety of structural profiles, thereby increasing construction flexibility and the visual interest of the constructions. The magnetic light assembly of this embodiment of the present invention advantageously interacts with at least one complementary ferromagnetic or magnetic structural component via magnetic and/or mechanical connection to form a variety of different structural profiles having enhanced visual interest. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a side elevation view of an inventive toy construction formed in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a top plan view of the toy construction of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view, taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the toy construction of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a side elevation view of a spherical toy construction formed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a top plan view of the spherical toy construction of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view, taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the spherical toy construction of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a partially cross sectioned, side elevation view showing the spherical toy construction of  FIGS. 4-6  in combination with a bar-shaped magnetic element; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a partially cross sectioned, side elevation view showing the spherical toy construction shown in  FIGS. 4-6  in combination with a panel-shaped magnetic element. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a toy construction  10  includes a magnetic light assembly  12  and a ferromagnetic sphere  14 , which has a spherical outer surface  16 . The ferromagnetic sphere  14  is made of ferromagnetic material, such as steel, so that it can be magnetically coupled to and uncoupled from the magnetic light assembly  12 , which includes an internally mounted magnet  18  (see  FIG. 3 ), such as a rare earth type magnet that would allow the magnet  18  to have a small size and yet still generate a significant magnetic field.  
         [0019]     Referring still to  FIGS. 1-3 , but with particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the magnetic light assembly  12  includes a housing  20  formed by upper and lower housing portions  22 ,  24 , respectively, joined together at a joint  26  defined by a threaded connection, or alternatively by a friction fit or by adhesive. A concave surface  28  of the lower housing portion  24  has a curvature that conforms to the curvature of the spherical outer surface  16  of the ferromagnetic sphere  14 . Alternatively, the concave surface  28  can be configured as a planar surface. A transparent lens  30 , preferably made from a plastic resin or glass, is affixed to the top of the upper housing portion  24 . The upper and lower housing portions  22 ,  24  are made of steel, and are thus electrically conductive.  
         [0020]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a printed circuit assembly  32  is mounted within the upper housing portion  22  of the magnetic light assembly  12 , immediately beneath the transparent lens  30 . Illumination devices, which in this example are light emitting diodes (LEDs)  34 , are mounted on the printed circuit assembly  32 , along with associated circuitry for illuminating the LEDs  34 . An electrical source is disposed in a compartment defined by housing portions  22 ,  24 . In this example, the electrical source is batteries  36  arranged in series between a conductive surface  38  of the printed circuit assembly  32  and a conductive surface  40  associated with the lower housing portion  24 . An electrically insulating sleeve  42  is interposed between the batteries  36  and respective side walls  44 ,  46  of the upper and lower housing portions  22 ,  24  in order to prevent electrical contact therebetween.  
         [0021]     In addition to being physically mounted within the upper housing portion  22 , the printed circuit assembly  32  is electrically coupled thereto to provide a return path for a power circuit described more fully below. Such a power circuit (i.e., a power circuit for illuminating the LEDs  34 ) is formed when the upper housing portion  22  is threaded onto the lower housing portion  24  so as to cause the respective side walls  44 ,  46  to become electrically mated (e.g., when the portions  22 ,  24  are fully threaded together), whereby electrical continuity is established between the conductive surface  38  of the printed circuit assembly  32  and the conductive surface  40  of the lower housing portion  24  through the batteries  36 . The placement of the magnet  18 , being electrically conductive, within the housing  20  maintains the necessary electrical continuity between the lower-most battery  36  and the upward-facing conductive surface  40  of the lower housing  24 .  
         [0022]     In operation, a strong attractive force is provided by the internally-mounted magnet  18 , enabling the magnetic light assembly  12  to be securely magnetically coupled to and uncoupled from the ferromagnetic sphere  14  via contact between the concave surface  28  of the lower housing portion  24  and the spherical outer surface  16  of the ferromagnetic sphere  14 . The power circuit, described above, is activated by threading the upper housing  22  onto the lower housing  24 , resulting in the LEDs  34  being illuminated. In this regard, it should be understood that the LEDs  34  could be operated in a continuous mode or in a blinking mode. In addition to or alternatively, other means for activating the power circuit can be provided, e.g., a switch.  
         [0023]     Numerous modifications and variations to the toy construction  10  can be employed. For example, the magnetic light assembly  12  can have a non-magnetic material for the upper and lower housing portions  22 ,  24 , since a sufficiently strong magnetic connection to the ferromagnetic sphere  14  can be maintained solely via the field generated by the internally mounted magnet  18 . As a further example, the ferromagnetic sphere  14  can be made of a plastic core with a coating of magnetic nickel material, such materials being more fully described below.  
         [0024]     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . Elements illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  that correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3  have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred, while new elements are designated by odd numbered reference numerals in the hundreds. The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 4-6  operates and is constructed in a manner consistent with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , unless stated otherwise.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a spherical toy construction  110  includes a magnetic light assembly  112  embedded in a partially spherical receptacle  113 . The magnetic light assembly  112  is identical to the magnetic light assembly  12  of  FIGS. 1-3 , except that a downward facing surface  128  of the lower housing  124  is planar, rather than concaved. The receptacle  113  is in the form of a truncated sphere formed from a plastic core  115  and a magnetic nickel coating  117  deposited thereon so as to be coextensive with a spherical outer surface  119  of the receptacle  113 . The core  115  includes a cavity  121 , which is sized and shaped so as to receive the magnetic light assembly  112  for insertion within the core  115 . The cavity  121  includes a bottom surface  123 . An access hole  125  extends through the plastic core  115  from the bottom surface  123  of the cavity  121 . A transparent lens  130  of the magnetic light assembly  112  includes an outer surface  116  in the form of a spherical sector having a curvature that matches the curvature of the spherical outer surface  119  of the receptacle  113 , thereby affording a generally spherical shape to the toy construction  110 .  
         [0026]     The magnetic light assembly  112  includes a substantially cylindrical outer surface  127 , and the cavity  121  includes a substantially cylindrical inner surface  131 . The two cylindrical surfaces  127 ,  131  are dimensioned so as to produce a friction fit between the magnetic light assembly  112  and the receptacle  113  upon insertion of the former into the latter. When the downward facing surface  128  of the magnetic light assembly  112  is brought into contact with the bottom surface  123  of the cavity.  121 , the magnetic light assembly  112  will tend to remain lodged in the receptacle  113  unless and/or until it is intentionally dislodged therefrom.  
         [0027]     In operation, the magnetic light assembly  112  illuminates the spherical toy construction  110  from within, producing intriguing visual effects. The nickel coating  117  has a silvery reflective appearance that also enhances the attractiveness of the spherical toy construction  110 , and increases the potential interest of the user.  
         [0028]     The access hole  125  enables the user to dislodge the magnetic light assembly  112  from the cavity  121  for any purpose. For example, the user can change the batteries  136 , switch to another magnetic light assembly  112  having LEDs  134  with different colors and/or a different pattern of illumination, and/or store the magnetic light assembly  112  between uses to preserve the energy of the batteries  136  (it being understood that in the assembled state of the spherical toy construction  110 , the LEDs  134  of the magnetic light assembly  112  will be in a perpetually energized state until the batteries  136  become exhausted).  
         [0029]     Numerous modifications and variations to this construction can be employed. For example, the overall shape of the transparent lens  130  need not be spherical. The transparent lens  130  may include one or more edges or may be cylindrical or conical in shape, at least in part. The receptacle  113  can be a multi-part assembly rather than a one-piece element, and may be made of steel throughout, or of another magnetic material. Alternatively, the receptacle  113  can be made of non-magnetic material since the internal magnet  118  can exert sufficient magnetic attraction, for the purpose of interconnection, in the context of larger assemblies. The magnetic light assembly  112  can be configured so as to fit into the receptacle  113  with, for example, a snap-type fit, a threaded fit, a frictional fit, or adhesive.  
         [0030]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 7 , the spherical toy construction  110  is shown in combination with a bar-shaped magnetic element  210 . To facilitate consideration and discussion, elements illustrated in  FIG. 7  that correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 4-6  have been designated by corresponding reference numerals, while elements of the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  are designated by reference numerals in the two hundreds. The combination of  FIG. 7  operates and is constructed in manners consistent with the foregoing description of the above-described embodiments of the invention, unless stated otherwise.  
         [0031]     The bar-shaped magnetic element  210  includes an elongated rod  254  having pockets  256 ,  258  at each end. Magnets  260 ,  262  are embedded in the respective pockets  256 ,  258 . Beveled edges  264 ,  266  are associated with the pockets  256 ,  258 , respectively. The exposed magnetic surfaces  268 ,  270  of the magnets  260 ,  262  may have any desired polarity provided the polarity is opposite to that of the magnet  118  contained in the spherical toy construction  110 . If the polarity of the magnet  118  needs to be changed, this can be accomplished by disassembling the spherical toy construction  110  and rotating the magnet  118  one hundred and eighty degrees to establish the desired north or south polarity.  
         [0032]     In operation, the spherical toy construction  110  and the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  are magnetically coupled such that the magnet  260  of the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  and the magnet  118  of the magnetic light assembly  112  are brought into close proximity. Such an arrangement provides a detachable, but strong, connection between the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  and the spherical toy construction  110 . The magnetic nickel coating  117  on the core  115  enhances the magnetic coupling, but is not strictly necessary for same. Being arranged so as to face each other, and so as to be in close proximity to each other, the magnets  118 ,  260  tend to assume a substantially axially aligned orientation with respect to each other, resulting in the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  and the spherical toy construction  110  being substantially axially aligned at the access hole  125  of the spherical toy construction  110 . The beveled edge  264  provides a good seat for the spherical toy construction  110  in the pocket  256 , and contributes to a stable frictional connection between the spherical outer surface  119  and the beveled edge  264 , such that relative movement therebetween is resisted and axial alignment between the spherical toy construction  110  and the bar-shaped magnetic element  210  is maintained. This permits the user to observe the light that emanates from the spherical toy construction  110  and that projects in a generally longitudinal direction without any obstruction from the bar-shaped magnetic element  210 .  
         [0033]     Numerous modifications and variations to this construction can be employed. For example, a spherical toy construction  110  may be placed on both ends of the bar-shaped magnetic element  210 . If lateral projection of the light emanating from the toy construction  110  is desired, the axis of the access hole  125  of the spherical toy construction  110  may be oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bar-shaped magnetic element  210 , in which case the nickel coating  117  would be important since the internal magnetic  118  would be misaligned with the magnet  260 .  
         [0034]     An additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the spherical toy construction  110  is shown in combination with a panel-shaped magnetic element  310 , an example of which is fully described in provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/635,150, filed Dec. 10, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/297,445, filed Dec. 9, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. To facilitate consideration and discussion, elements illustrated in  FIG. 8  that correspond to the elements described above with reference to  FIGS. 4-6  have been designated by corresponding reference numerals, while elements of the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  are designated by reference numerals in the three hundreds. The combination of  FIG. 8  operates and is constructed in manners consistent with the foregoing description of the above-described embodiments of the invention, unless stated otherwise.  
         [0035]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  includes a substantially planar body  353  having recesses  355 ,  357  at opposing ends thereof. The recesses are in the form of outward-facing surfaces  359 ,  361  that are spherically concave. Magnets  363 ( a )- 363 ( g ) are inserted in corresponding pockets  365 ( a )- 365 ( g ) of the panel-shaped magnetic element  310 . The magnets  363 ( a ),  363 ( f ) may have any desired polarity provided the polarity is opposite to that of the magnet  118 , contained in the spherical toy construction  110 . If the polarity of the magnet  118  needs to be changed, this can be accomplished by disassembling the spherical toy construction  110  and rotating the magnet  118  one hundred and eighty degrees to establish the desired north or south polarity.  
         [0036]     In operation, the spherical toy construction  110  and the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  are magnetically coupled such that the magnet  363 ( a ) of the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  and the magnet  118  of the magnetic light assembly  112  are brought into close proximity, providing a detachable, but strong connection between the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  and the spherical toy construction  110 . The magnetic nickel coating  117  on the plastic core  115  enhances magnetic coupling, but is not strictly necessary for same. Being arranged so as to face each other, and so as to be in close proximity to each other, the magnets  118 ,  363 ( a ) tend to assume a substantially axially aligned orientation with respect to each other, resulting in the panel-shaped magnetic element  310  and the spherical toy construction  110  being substantially axially aligned at the access hole  125  of the spherical toy construction  110 . The outward-facing surface  359  of the recess  355  provides a good seat for the spherical toy construction  10  and contributes to a stable connection and frictional contact between the spherical surface  119  and the outward facing surface  359 , thereby resisting movement. This permits the user to observe the light which emanates from the spherical toy construction  110 , without any obstructions from the panel-shaped magnetic element  310 .  
         [0037]     Referring still to  FIG. 8 , additional toy constructions, either similar to or dissimilar from, the spherical toy construction  110  can be provided and attached directly to one or more of the magnets  363 ( a )- 363 ( g ). The panel-shaped magnetic element  310  may alternatively be provided without a magnet  363 ( a ). In accordance with such an embodiment, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic nickel coating  117  of the spherical toy construction  110  and the magnets  363 ( b ) and  363 ( c ) can be sufficient to suspend the spherical toy construction  110  in the recess  355  such that the spherical toy construction  110  spins relatively freely about an axis drawn through the opposing magnets  363 ( b ) and  363 ( c ), such as through the axes of the opposing magnets.  
         [0038]     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are therefore intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0039]     The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.  
         [0040]     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.