Patent Publication Number: US-2015065007-A1

Title: Magnetic building blocks

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of building blocks for education and or amusement, and more specifically to magnetic building blocks, which may be magnetically connected together without requiring the user to be concerned with the orientation of magnetic fields. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Building blocks as toys, entertainment and educational items for people young and old are generally known as they permit a user to build and model different structures. Often it has been desired by the user of building blocks to have some form of connection between the blocks so that the developing structure has at least some degree of temporary cohesion. 
     Permanent magnets are objects made from materials that have been magnetized so as to produce a magnetic field which pulls on other ferromagnetic materials and which attracts or repels other magnets. Moreover, a magnet is generally considered to have two opposite poles, such as North and South. Opposite poles attract while same poles repel. 
     Use of magnets has therefore been adopted for many variations of building blocks. Typically magnetic bars or magnetic discs are embedded in the surfaces of the block. In some instances, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,236 to Therrin, the magnetic orientations have been specifically pre-selected so that the blocks form a puzzle—the magnetic fields of the various blocks opposing one another and acting to keep the blocks apart unless or until the user discovers the proper sequence of orientations. 
     In other configurations, attempts have been made to permit the magnets to re-orient so as to permit a greater degree of possible magnetic coupling between building blocks. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,638 to Shiraishi teaches magnets such as bar magnetic or disc magnets which are disposed in the centers of surfaces of building blocks. The magnets are polarized to provide poles at opposite ends of the bar magnets, or opposite circumferential edges of the discs. As the surface of one block is brought into contact with the surface of another block, the magnets will rotate about an axis perpendicular to each surface so as to align their poles and permit a magnetic attraction. As the magnets are disposed centrally with respect to each surface, the blocks align to one another and cannot be offset. The central alignment with respect to each surface also insures that, as between any two blocks magnetically coupled, only two magnets are in proximate alignment and providing that magnetic coupling. In addition, the blocks must be specifically aligned to each other—a misalignment, such as to have one block overhang another block can not be an arbitrary desire of the user as the center of one surface must be aligned to the center of another surface else the magnets will not couple. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,480 to Hunts teaches a device to align the poles of permanent magnets disposed in the surfaces of building block. Again, each surface has one magnet such that as between any two connected blocks, only two magnets are in proximate alignment and providing the magnetic coupling. And again, there is an implosed one to one alignment restriction such that one magnetic block cannot overlap multiple blocks and still properly couple magnetically. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,626 to Mendelsohn, the magnetic building blocks are cube shaped building blocks. Each cube has four cylindrical bar magnets disposed internally along the four respective edges between an upper and lower face of the cube. As the cylindrical bar magnets are fixed in place, the blocks themselves must be oriented to align the magnetic fields and permit magnetic coupling between blocks. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,475,225 to Kretzchmar teaches fixedly disposing precisely aligned magnets, such as cylindrical permanent magnets in the corners of construction elements. Ferromagnetic spheres may also be used in connection with the fixed embedded magnets between construction elements to produce structures, but again, as the embedded magnets are fixed in their magnetic orientation, the user must orient the construction elements to align the magnetic fields and permit magnetic coupling between construction elements. 
     Moreover, despite the integration of magnets into building blocks, users of such blocks are limited in how they may align the blocks and the resulting structures that they may create. Offsetting rows of blocks and complete freedom for arbitrary orientation of blocks is not presently provided in the prior art. 
     Hence there is a need for a magnetic building block, and more specifically a set thereof, that is capable of overcoming one or more of the above identified challenges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Our invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing novel systems and methods for providing magnetic building blocks. 
     In particular, and by way of example only, according to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a magnetic building block, including: a 3D polygon of non-magnetic material having at least four faces, the faces meeting in sets of at least three to define at least four vertices and a generally enclosed structure, each face having an outer surface; at least one internal holder adjacent to at least one vertex, each holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball, the holder positioning the magnetic ball so as to be generally in about equal distance to the outer surface of at least three faces; and a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder. 
     In yet another embodiment, provided is a magnetic building block, including: a cube shaped block of non-magnetic material having six square faces, the faces meeting in sets of three to define eight vertices and a generally enclosed structure; eight internal holders, each directly adjacent to a vertex, each holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; and a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder. 
     For another embodiment, provided is a magnetic building block, including: a cuboid shaped block of non-magnetic material having two congruent square faces in parallel vertical alignment as a top and a bottom face, each square face having an area provided by four equal sized third squares; four rectangular faces each having an area provided by two of the third squares, the four rectangular faces attached as side faces between the top and bottom faces to provide a generally enclosed structure having eight vertices and four substantially similar internal cube volumes, each volume having an internal holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; and a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder. 
     Further still, in yet another embodiment, provided is a magnetic building block, including: two congruent square faces joined transversely along a common edge, each square face having an area provided by four equal sized third squares; two rectilinear concave polygon sides each having an area provided by three of the third squares, the rectilinear concave polygon sides joined to the square faces to define a stair profile; and four rectangular faces each having an area provided by two of the third squares, the four rectangular faces enclosing the stair profile to provide a generally enclosed structure having twelve vertex and six substantially similar internal cube volumes, each volume having an internal holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; and a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder. 
     Still, in yet another embodiment, provided is a set of magnetic building blocks, including: at least two blocks selected from the group consisting of a cube, a cuboid and a stair block, wherein the cube is provided by: a cube shaped block of non-magnetic material having six square faces, the faces meeting in sets of three to define eight vertices and a generally enclosed structure; eight internal holders, each directly adjacent to a vertex, each holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder; the stair block is provided by: a stair shaped block of non-magnetic material having two congruent square faces joined transversely along a common edge, each square face having an area provided by four equal sized third squares; two rectilinear concave polygon sides each having an area provided by three of the third squares, the rectilinear concave polygon sides joined to the square faces to define a stair profile; and four rectangular faces each having an area provided by two of the third squares, the four rectangular faces enclosing the stair profile to provide a generally enclosed structure having twelve vertices and six substantially similar internal cube volumes, each volume having an internal holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder; and the cuboid is provided by: a cuboid shaped block of non-magnetic material having two congruent square faces in parallel vertical alignment as a top and a bottom face, each square face having an area provided by four equal sized third squares; four rectangular faces each having an area provided by two of the third squares, the four rectangular faces attached as side faces between the top and bottom faces to provide a generally enclosed structure having eight vertices and four substantially similar internal cube volumes, each volume having an internal holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball; and a magnetic ball disposed in each internal holder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view with dotted relief to indicate internal structures of at least one magnetic building block as a cube in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a conceptual perspective view illustrating common elements as between a set of magnetic building blocks in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view with dotted relief to indicate internal structures of magnetic building blocks as a tetrahedron and square-based pyramid in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of components that may be used in varying combinations to provide one or more of the building blocks shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating both an exploded view and assembled view of at least one magnetic building block as a cube assembled with components shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating both an exploded view and assembled view of at least one magnetic building block as a stair block assembled with components shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating both an exploded view and assembled view of at least one magnetic building block as a half cube assembled with components shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with at least one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating multiple magnetic building blocks being used together in the assembly of a structure in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciated that the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with a specific system or method for providing one or more magnetic building blocks. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in other types of systems and methods of providing and using magnetic building blocks. 
     This invention is described with respect to preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Further, with the respect to the numbering of the same or similar elements, it will be appreciated that the leading values identify the Figure in which the element is first identified and described, e.g., magnetic building block  100  appears in  FIG. 1 . 
     Turning now to the drawings, and more specifically  FIG. 1 , there is shown a conceptual illustration of a magnetic building block (hereinafter “MBB”)  100  in accordance with at least one embodiment. As MBB  100  is intended for use with other MBBs in the development of structures in three dimensions, to facilitate the description of MBB  100 , the orientations of MBB  100  as presented in the figures are referenced to the coordinate system with three axes orthogonal to one another as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     The axes intersect mutually at the origin of the coordinate system, which is chosen to locate at the center of MBB  100 . The axes are show in all figures as offset from their actual locations, for clarity and ease of illustration. 
     For at least one embodiment, MBB  100  is a three dimensional (3D) polygon of non-magnetic material having at least four sides or faces  102 , the faces  102  meeting in sets of at least three to define at least four vertices  104 . In varying embodiments, the 3D polygon is generally a polyhedron, however as is further described below, the 3D polygon is not necessarily a solid structure throughout, the 3D polygon of MBB  100  having internal holders which receive magnetic balls. Further, in accordance with at least one embodiment, one or more of the faces  102  may have a central aperture opening to the generally enclosed space within the MBB  100 . 
     Moreover, in varying embodiments the 3D polygon is selected from the group consisting of a tetrahedron, a hexahedron, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, an icosahedron, or a rectilinear 3D polygon. With respect to the MBB  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , for at least one embodiment the 3D polygon is a hexahedron. Further, for at least one embodiment, this hexahedron is a cube  106 . For at least one alternative embodiment, this hexahedron is a cuboid, such as a half cube discussed below. 
     As the embodiment of MBB  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is a cube  106 , it is appreciated that there are six faces  102 , of which  102 A is the top face,  102 B is a first side face and  102 C is a second side face. Third side face  102 D is parallel to first side face  102 B and fourth side face  102 E is parallel to second side face  102 C. The bottom face  102 F is parallel to the top face  102 A. These six face  102 A- 102 F meet in sets of three to define eight vertices  104 . 
     As shown, combinations of three sides define vertices in  FIG. 1  as follows:
         sides  102 A,  102 B and  102 C meet to define vertex  104 A;   sides  102 A,  102 B and  102 E meet to define vertex  104 B;   sides  102 A,  102 C and  102 D meet to define vertex  104 C;   sides  102 B,  102 D and  102 E meet to define vertex  104 D,   sides  102 B,  102 E and  102 F meet to define vertex  104 E;   sides  102 B,  102 C and  102 F meet to define vertex  104 F; and   sides  102 C,  102 D and  102 F meet to define vertex  102 G.       

     The perspective of  FIG. 1  is such that the vertex defined by sides  102 D,  102 E and  102 F cannot be seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     MBB  100  has at least one internal holder  108  adjacent to at least one vertex  104 , and each holder  108  is structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball  110  and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball  110 . Moreover, each magnetic ball  110  is presented by its respective holder  108  towards an adjacent vertex  104 , and is generally about equal distance to the outer surface of the at least three faces  102  defining the vertex  104 . In other words, the magnetic ball  100  is not disposed in the center of MBB  100 , such that it is about equal distant to all vertices  104 . 
     As used herein, it is understood and appreciated that the holder  108  is a structure or structures adapted to position each magnetic ball  110  as herein shown and described. In varying embodiments, this holder  108  may be a one or more rods or other internal struts which at least tangentially contact magnetic ball  110 , one or more structures with a depression, protrucions or an aperture to receive at least a portion of the magnetic ball  110 , one or more straight or curved walls, and or other elements which may be understood and appreciated to position the magnetic ball  110  and restrain horizontal and vertical movement while permitting free rotation. Moreover, for at least one embodiment, holders  108  are understood and appreciated to be pockets  108 . 
     With respect to the magnetic balls  110  and their ability to rotate, it is to be understood and appreciated that it is actually the ability to permit the magnetic field to rotate that is of advantageous structure and arrangement for MBB  100 . Moreover, as is further discussed below, as additional MBB  100  units are brought into proximate contact for the development of a structure, the advantageous ability of the magnetic fields to re-orient themselves mutually for magnetic coupling without requiring MBB  100  orientation by the user is highly advantageous of the MBBs  110  as herein described. 
     With respect to MBB  100  as a cube  106 , it is appreciated that there are eight holders  108 : holder  108 A adjacent to vertex  104 A, holder  108 B adjacent to vertex  104 B, holder  108 C adjacent to vertex  104 C, etc. . . . . Magnetic ball  110 A is disposed in and received by holder  108 A, magnetic ball  110 B is disposed in and received by holder  108 B, magnetic ball  110 C is disposed in and received by holder  108 C, etc. . . . . Moreover, MBB  100  is structured and arranged to enclose the magnetic balls  110  and present each proximate to an outer vertex  104 . 
     The incorporation of magnetic balls  110  is highly advantageous over magnetic bars, magnetic cylinders or magnetic discs. Magnetic balls  110  have opposite poles as is expected with all magnets. However, as spherical structures, the magnetic balls  110  have an advantageous property to adjust their mutual alignment so as to permit magnetic coupling in more than simple sets of two. Indeed, the magnetic balls  110  will adjust their mutual orientations so as to cooperatively magnetically bind with from one to eight additional magnetic balls  110  as may be presented by additional cube  106  embodiments of MBB  100 . To achieve such automatic alignment, the user need not specifically orient the additional MBBs  100  as the building project progresses. 
     As such, and as will become further apparent in the description below and the accompanying figures, the MBBs  100  in accordance with the present invention present unique and advantageous building options not previously enjoyed by previous building blocks. 
     With respect to cube  106  it is also understood and appreciated that the magnetic balls  110  are not co-planer. At least a first subset of magnetic balls  110 , such as magnetic balls  110 A,  110 B,  110 E and  110 F are disposed in a first plane  112 . A second subset of balls  110 , such as magnetic balls  110 A,  110 C,  110 F and  110 G, are disposed in a second plane  114 , this second plane  114  intersecting the first plane  112 . For the embodiment of cube  106 , this first plane  112  is normal to the second plane  114 . In other words, the magnetic balls  110  of cube  106  do not co-exist in a single plane. 
       FIG. 2  presents further embodiments for MBB  100 , and demonstrates geometric properties that advantageously permit various embodiments to cooperatively interact as building blocks. Each is a 3D polygon of non-magnetic material having at least four faces  102 , the faces meeting in sets of at least three to define at least four vertices  104  and a generally enclosed structure containing a plurality of magnetic balls  110 , each magnetic ball  110  adjacent to at least one outer vertex  104 . 
     Moreover, in  FIG. 2 , a cube  106  embodiment of MBB  100  is shown. Of the three faces shown, each is understood and appreciated to be a square  200 , having a surface provided by four equal sized third squares  202 . Locations of magnetic balls  110  are shown in dotted relief proximate to each illustrated vertices  104  of cube  106 . 
     In other words, cube  106  may also be described as having eight (8) generally equal quadrants or regions bounded by three axes. More specifically, these eight quadrants correlate to:
         Q1=+Y, +X, +Z;   Q2=+Y, −X, +Z;   Q3=+Y, +X, −Z;   Q4=+Y, −X, −Y;   Q5=−Y, +X, +Z;   Q6=−Y, −X, +Z;   Q7=−Y, +X, −Z; and   Q8=−Y, −X, −Y;       

     Within each quadrant is a magnetic ball  110  contained in such a manner so as to maintain a generally fixed location while permitting free rotation along all axis. This magnetic ball  110  is further oriented towards, and generally proximate to, the distal end of each quadrant, which correlates to the vertices  104 . This distal end is also the point of each quadrant that is most distant from all other quadrants comprising the MBB  100 . 
     A second embodiment of MBB  100  is shown to be a cuboid, and more specifically a half cube  204 . As with cube  106 , for the half cube  204  the top face  206 , and corresponding bottom face (not shown) are understood to be square  200 , each having a surface provided by four equal-sized third squares  202 . The front left face  208  and front right face  210  are each rectangles  212 , each rectangle  212  having an area provided by two of the equal sized third squares  202 . The locations of the magnetic balls  110  within the half cube  204  are conceptually suggested by dotted relief. 
     In other words, the half cube  204  may also be described as having four (4) generally equal quadrants or regions bounded by three half axes, and not including regions defined along the Negative-Y axis. More specifically, these four quadrants correlate to:
         Q1=+Y, +X, +Z;   Q2=+Y, −X, +Z;   Q3=+Y, +X, −Z; and   Q4=+Y, −X, −Z.       

     Moreover, these four quadrants are the top quadrants of what would otherwise be a cube. Within each quadrant is a magnetic ball  110  contained in such a manner so as to maintain a generally fixed location while permitting free rotation along all axis. 
     A third embodiment for MBB  100  is shown to be that of a stair block  214 . More specifically, stair block  214  has two congruent square faces  216 ,  218  joined transversely along a common edge  220 . Each square face  216 ,  218  has an area provided by four equal-sized third squares  202 . 
     Stair block  214  is aptly named due to the two rectilinear concave polygon sides joined to the square faces  216 ,  218  to define a stair profile. Moreover, first rectilinear concave polygon side  222  is shown to have an area provided by three of the third squares  202 . The corresponding second rectilinear concave polygon side parallel to the first rectilinear concave polygon side  222  cannot be viewed in this figure. 
     Four rectangular faces,  224 A- 224 D, each having an area provided by two of the third squares  202  enclose the stair profile to provide a generally enclosed structure having twelve vertices and six substantially similar internal cube volumes. Each internal cube volume has an internal holder structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball  110 . 
     With respect to the stair block  214 , vertex  226 A and  226 B are considered internal vertex in that they are defined by at least two sides (e.g.,  224 B and  224 C) that are converging towards the center of the stair block  214 . Vertices  228 A- 228 F are considered external vertices as they are defined by sides which do not converge towards the center point. More specifically, the external vertices are defined at least in part by one or both of the square faces  216 ,  218 . Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the internal holders  108  are structured and arranged to present the magnetic ball  110  disposed therein towards an external vertex. 
     As with the cube  106 , and with respect to the illustration of stair block  214 , it is to be understood and appreciated that the magnetic balls  110  within stair block  214  are not co-planer. Indeed, four magnetic balls  110  are disposed adjacent to the first square face  216  and four magnetic balls  110  are disposed adjacent to the second square face  218 . As square faces  216  and  218  are transversely joined along common edge  220 , the six magnetic balls  110  within stair block  214  do not co-exist in a single plane. 
     In other words, the half cube  204  may also be described as having four (6) generally equal quadrants or regions bounded by three axes, not including regions defined along the Positive Y AND Positive Z axis. More specifically, these six quadrants correlate to
         Q1=+Y, +X, −Z;   Q2=+Y, −X, −Z;   Q3=−Y, +X, +Z;   Q4=−Y, −X, +Z;   Q5=−Y, −X, +X; and   Q6=−Y, −X, −Z       

     Moreover, these six quadrants are half the top quadrants of a cube disposed on the bottom haft of a cube. Within each quadrant is a magnetic ball  110  contained in such a manner so as to maintain a generally fixed location while permitting free rotation along all axis. 
     As the cube  106 , half cube  204  and stair block  214  are all generally developed from surfaces having areas defined by third squares  202 , they are functionally and structurally related in size. As such, the freely rotating magnetic balls  110  within the cube  106 , half cube  204  and stair block  214  are generally predisposed to align with magnetic balls  110  within another cube  106 , half cube  204  and or stair block  214 . 
     With respect to the cube  106 , half cube  204  and stair block  214 , it is understood and appreciated that for at least one embodiment as shown, these are each rectilinear structures—polygons where all edges meet at right angles. For at least one alternative embodiment, the MBBs  100  may include parallelepiped, rhombohedron, and or other non-rectilinear structures. 
       FIG. 3  presents yet further embodiments for MBB  100 . Each is a 3D polygon of non-magnetic material having at least four faces  102 , the faces meeting in sets of at least three to define at least four vertices  104 , and a generally enclosed structure containing a plurality of magnetic balls  110 , each magnetic ball  110  adjacent to at least one outer vertex  104 . 
     Moreover, a tetrahedron  300  embodiment is shown having four sides  302 A- 302 D. As shown, combinations of three sides define vertices as follows:
         sides  302 A,  302 B and  302 C meet to define vertex  304 A;   sides  302 B,  302 C and  302 D meet to define vertex  304 B;   sides  302 A,  302 B and  302 D meet to define vertex  304 C; and   sides  302 A,  302 C and  302 D meet to define vertex  304 D.       

     MBB  100  as tetrahedron  300  has four internal holders  306 : holder  306 A adjacent to vertex  304 A, holder  306 B adjacent to vertex  304 B, holder  306 C adjacent to vertex  304 C, and holder  306 D adjacent to vertex  304 D. Four magnetic balls  110  are disposed within tetrahedron  300 , i.e., magnetic ball  308 A is disposed in and received by holder  306 A, magnetic ball  306 B is disposed in and received by holder  308 B, magnetic ball  308 C is disposed in and received by holder  306 C, and magnetic ball  308 D is disposed in and received by holder  306 D. Moreover, MBB  100  as a tetrahedron  300  is structured and arranged to enclose the magnetic balls  110  and present each proximate to an outer vertex  304 . 
     MBB  100  as a square based pyramid  350  is shown having four triangular sides  352 A- 352 D, and a square bottom side  354 . As shown, combinations of three sides define vertices as follows:
         sides  352 A-D meet to define vertex  356 A   sides  352 A,  352 B and  354  meet to define vertex  356 B; and   sides  352 A,  352 C and  354  meet to define vertex  356 C.       

     The perspective in  FIG. 3  is such that the vertex defined by sides  352 C,  352 D and  354  for square based pyramid  350  cannot be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     MBB  100  as square based pyramid  350  has at least one internal holder  108  adjacent to at least one vertex  104 , and each holder  108  is structured and arranged to receive a magnetic ball  110  and permit free rotation of the magnetic ball  110 . Moreover, each magnetic ball  110  is presented by its respective holder  108  towards a vertex  104 , and is generally in about equal distance to the outer surface of the at least three faces  102  defining the vertex  104 . 
     With respect to MBB  100  configured as a square based pyramid  350 , it is appreciated that there are five holders  358 : holder  358 A adjacent to vertex  356 A, holder  358 B adjacent to vertex  356 B, holder  358 C adjacent to vertex  104 D, etc. . . . . Five magnetic balls  110 , i.e. magnetic ball  360 A is disposed in and received by holder  358 A, magnetic ball  360 B is disposed in and received by holder  358 B, magnetic ball  360 C is disposed in and received by holder  358 C, etc. . . . . Moreover, MBB  100  as a square based pyramid  350  is structured and arranged to enclose the magnetic balls  110  and present each proximate to an outer vertex  104 . 
       FIG. 4  in connection with  FIGS. 5-7  further illustrate the basic components for the fabrication of the 3D polygons in accordance with the rectilinear 3D polygon structures of the cube  106 , the half cube  204  and the stair block  214  as first introduced above. As shown, for at least one embodiment, the three different rectilinear 3D polygon structures of the cube  106 , the half cube  204  and the stair block  214  are provided by various combinations of five basic non-magnetic components  400 , i.e., a square base  402  having four internal holders  404  defined by four holder walls  406 , a flat top  408 , an inner square spacer  410 , an inner rectangular spacer  412 , and a stair top  414  having two internal holders  416 , defined by two holder walls  418 . 
     For at least one embodiment these MBB  100  components are fabricated from one or more non-magnetic materials providing an outer structure and an inner matrix structure providing at least one holder for each magnetic ball. In varying embodiments, the non-magnetic materials are selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, resin, ceramic, aluminum, copper, glass and or wood. For at least one embodiment, the MBB  100  components are injection molded polycarbonate. 
     In addition, for at least one embodiment, each of the components  400  has at least one side dimension of about 1.905 centimeters, each magnetic ball having a diameter of about 5 millimeters. Further still, in at least one embodiment the magnetic balls  110  are nickel plated to provide a smooth bearing surface. 
     As noted, for MBB  100  such as may be provided by components  400 , each magnetic ball  110  is permitted to rotate; however, the holder space is structured and arranged such that each magnetic ball  110  does not move significantly horizontally or vertically within an assembled MBB  100 . As used herein, significant horizontal or vertical movement is understood and appreciated to be ¼ the diameter of the magnetic ball  110 . 
     To substantially reduce undesired horizontal and vertical movement, flat top  408  has four caps  420  that are structured and arranged to fit snugly upon the tops of the holder walls  406 . Likewise, stair top  414  has two caps  422  that are structured and arranged to fit snugly upon the tops of two holder walls  406 . Similarly, inner square spacer  410  has two offsets  424  rising generally normally from one side of the inner square spacer  410 . These features as well as the use and placement of the inner square spacer  410  and inner rectangular spacer  412  may be more fully appreciate with respect to  FIGS. 5-7 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of cube  106  with a comparison view of assembled cube  106 , in accordance with at least one embodiment. Moreover, cube  106  is provided by two square base elements  402 A and  402 B, each receiving four magnetic balls  110  into their respective four internal holders  404 , equivalent to holders  108  shown in  FIG. 1 . Two internal square spacers  410 A,  410 B are aligned to one another with offsets  424 A and  414 B arranged to hold the two internal square spacers  410 A,  410 B apart and ensure they fit snugly upon the tops of holder walls  406  in each base element  402 A,  402 B. The assembled cube  106  is bonded together as is appropriate for the non-magnetic material selected for construction, such as, for example, but not limited to, glue or sonic welding. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the magnetic balls  110  are advantageously confined to each of their respective holders  404 , and each is directly adjacent to a corresponding vertices  104 . In addition, in accordance with at least one embodiment, as shown the sides of cube  106  each have a central aperture opening  500  to the generally enclosed space within the cube. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the stair block  214  with a comparison view of assembled stair block  214 . Moreover, stair block is provided by one square base element  402  receiving four magnetic balls  110  into their respective four internal holders  404 . An inner rectangular spacer  412  is disposed over and snugly upon the tops of two holder walls  406 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , inner rectangular spacer  412  for at least one embodiment has a plurality of tabs  600  which are spaced vertically apart in two parallel rows. Rectangular Spacer  412  has been structured and arranged so that the one set of tabs  600  caps two holders  404  in the square base  402 A, and the remaining set of tabs will then extend above the top of square base  402 A so as to extend into the stair top  414  and cap the two holders  416  therein. Of course, in varying embodiments, inner rectangular spacer  412  could also be a solid rectangle or pair of solid cubes appropriately sized and shaped for the same function. 
     Two additional magnetic balls  110  are disposed into the two internal holders of a stair top  414  which in turn is snugly fit over the inner rectangular spacer  412  with two caps  420 A and  420 B snugly fitting upon the two remaining holder walls  406  in the square base element. The assembled stair block  214  is bonded together as is appropriate for the non-magnetic material selected for construction, such as, for example, but not limited to, glue or sonic welding. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the half cube  204  with a comparison view of assembled half cube  204 . Moreover, half cube  204  is provided by one square base element  402  receiving four magnetic balls  110  into their respective four internal holders  404 . A flat top  408  is positioned over the half cube  204  with the four caps  418 A- 418 D aligned to fit snugly down upon the tops of the holder walls  406  so as to retain and confine the respective magnetic balls nested therein. The assembled half cube  204  is bonded together as is appropriate for the non-magnetic material selected for construction, such as, for example, but not limited to, glue or sonic welding. 
     The tetrahedron  300  and square based pyramid  350  are similarly assembled from non-magnetic materials retaining and confining their respective magnetic balls  110  as shown and described above. 
     With respect to the above descriptions for various MBB  100  embodiments, i.e. the cube  106 , the half cube  204 , the stair block  214 , the tetrahedron  300  and the square based pyramid  350 ,  FIG. 8  conceptually illustrates a building  800  established by a plurality of MBBs  100  of these various forms, i.e., a set  802  of MBBs  100 . As the dotted relief of the magnetic balls  110  demonstrates along the exposed surfaces, the magnetic balls  110  are coupling in groups of two, four or six—and within the structure, in groups of eight. 
     As a portion of the third level  804  illustrates, the MBBs  100  may be offset, and still the contained magnetic balls  110  will pair and magnetically couple with the magnetic balls of other MBBs  100 . More specifically, exemplary MBB  806  is not seated directly atop exemplary MBB  808 , but is rather offset such that half of MBB  808  is exposed. Indeed, one MBB  100  having a square base profile could even be positioned to overlap four (4) coupled MBBs each having a square top profile. In  FIG. 8  this is suggested by MBB  810  which as the arrow indicates is to be place generally in accordance with the dotted outpine  812  upon building  800 . Moreover, it is to be understood and appreciated that MBBs  100  in accordance with the present invention present unique and advantageous building options not previously enjoyed by previous building blocks. 
     The magnetic couplings between various MBBs  100  is achieved without requiring specific orientation by the user. Indeed, as the magnetic balls  110  within each MBB  100  self orient, the MBBs  100  advantageously permit the user to assemble them together in whatever order and for whatever design the user can imagine. Even with respect to the tetrahedron  300 , the three magnets within any oriented side will align and magnetically couple to the magnetic balls  110  of other MBBs  100 . 
     Changes may be made in the above methods, systems and structures without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Indeed, many other embodiments are feasible and possible, as will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The claims that follow are not limited by or to the embodiments discussed herein, but are limited solely by their terms and the Doctrine of Equivalents.