Patent Publication Number: US-10328355-B2

Title: Connector for magnetic modules and toy construction kits employing same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/442,828, filed on Jan. 5, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The present application is also a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/427,972, filed on Feb. 8, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,080,977, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety along with related U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0232357A1, dated Aug. 17, 2017, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/293,938, filed on Feb. 11, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The following disclosure relates to toy construction modules and connectors for connecting magnetic and/or non-magnetic modules to each other, and, more particularly, to magnetic modules and connectors that may be used with other similar and/or dissimilar modules and connectors in a toy construction kit for building structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Magnetic construction kits have become a popular category for children&#39;s toys. These kits ordinarily include construction modules having magnets embedded therein that enable the modules to be connected together via magnetism. Using these modules, children are able to assemble many imaginative two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and structures, thereby imparting great enjoyment and entertainment to the children using them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, the present invention can be summarized as a mechanism for interconnecting magnetic and/or non-magnetic modules of a toy construction set or kit, which may include a plurality of geometric frames and a plurality of connectors adapted so as to be fixedly, but removably, received in the corners of the geometric frames. The connectors are also adapted to interface with linear magnetic modules, thereby allowing a user to create multiple construction platforms upon which a number of diverse and interesting structures can be built. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete 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: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, one for use with triangular frame-like modules; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1A , a portion of the connector being represented by a broken-out section to facilitate consideration and discussion of an internal element of the illustrated connector; 
         FIG. 1D  is a side elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a triangular frame-like toy construction module equipped with three of the connectors shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , one in each corner of the module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a front elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a rear elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a side elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of the module/connector assembly of  FIGS. 2A-2E  shown in combination with three linear magnetic modules; 
         FIG. 3B  is a rear perspective view of the combination shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a rear elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3E  is a side elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 3A  with optional building components being illustrated schematically and in phantom; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, one for use with square frame-like modules; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a rear elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 4A , a portion of the connector being represented by a broken-out section to facilitate consideration and discussion of an internal element of the illustrated connector; 
         FIG. 4D  is a side elevational view of the connector shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a square frame-like toy construction module equipped with four of the connectors shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , one in each corner of the module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a front elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5D  is a rear elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5E  is a side elevational view of the module/connector assembly shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of the module/connector assembly of  FIGS. 5A-5E  shown in combination with four linear magnetic modules; 
         FIG. 6B  is a rear perspective view of the combination shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a front elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6D  is a rear elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 6A ; and 
         FIG. 6E  is a side elevational view of the combination shown in  FIG. 6A  with optional building components being illustrated schematically and in phantom. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The following disclosure is presented to provide an illustration of the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit, in any way, the inventive concepts contained herein. Moreover, the particular features described in this section can be used in combination with the other described features in each of the multitude of possible permutations and combinations contained herein. 
     All terms defined herein should be afforded their broadest possible interpretation, including any implied meanings as dictated by a reading of the specification as well as any words that a person having skill in the art and/or a dictionary, treatise, or similar authority would assign thereto. Further, it should be noted that, as recited herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless otherwise stated. Additionally, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” when used herein specify that certain features are present in that embodiment. However, this phrase should not be interpreted to preclude the presence of additional steps, operations, features, components, and/or groups thereof. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  are illustrations of a connector  10  for triangular frames, such as the frame  112   a  disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1 (see, for example, FIG. 6), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In an embodiment, the connector  10  includes a ball  11  (see  FIG. 1C ) that is attracted by magnets. In an embodiment, the ball  11  is made of steel. In an embodiment, the ball  11  is spherical. In an embodiment, the ball  11  has a shape other than a sphere. In an embodiment, the ball  11  is housed in an enclosure  12 , which may have a first enclosure part  14  and a second enclosure part  16  that are joined together so as to enclose the ball  11 . In an embodiment, the first enclosure part  14  and the second enclosure part  16  are made from non-magnetic plastic material joined together by, for instance, ultrasonic welding. 
     In an embodiment, the connector  10  has an arm  18  which is joined to or continuous with the enclosure  12 . In an embodiment, the arm  18  is a single piece. In an embodiment, the arm  18  has a first arm piece  20  joined to the first enclosure part  14  and a second arm piece  22  joined to the second enclosure part  16 . In an embodiment, the first arm piece  20  and the second arm piece  22  are joined together. In an embodiment, the first arm piece  20  and the second arm piece  22  are made from a non-magnetic plastic material joined together by, for instance, ultrasonic welding. 
     In an embodiment, the arm  18  has an inner post  24 , which has a rectangular cross-sectional shape as well as a function and purpose to be described hereinafter. In an embodiment, the arm  18  has an outer post  26 , which has a circular or round cross-sectional shape as well as a function and purpose to be described hereinafter. In an embodiment, the inner post  24  and the outer post  26  project in the same direction (i.e., generally laterally relative to the arm  18 , while the ball  11  and its enclosure  12  extend in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the arm  18 ). In an embodiment, the inner post  24  and the outer post  26  project from the second arm piece  22 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  are illustrations of an assembly  30  which includes a triangular frame  32  having the connector  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1D  installed at each of its three corners  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c , each of which includes a circular aperture  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c , respectively, and a rectangular notch  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c , respectively, positioned between the outer and inner peripheral edges of the corners  34   a ,  34   b ,  34   c , respectively. In an embodiment, the triangular frame  32  may be of a type similar to triangular frame  112   a  disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1 (see FIG. 6). It may be noted that the triangular frame  112   a  disclosed in the aforesaid patent application publication includes magnets, cavities for the magnets, and enclosures for the magnets. 
     The triangular frame(s)  32  for use with the connector  10  of the present invention may be provided with such magnets, cavities, and enclosures, or they may be provided without such magnets, cavities, and enclosures. The triangular frame(s)  32  for use with the connector  10  of the present invention may include other features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1. For example, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2C  of the present application, the corners  34   a - 34   c  of the triangular frame  32  can be rendered frangible, or more frangible, by, for instance, providing the corners  34   a - 34   c  with the aperture and notch combinations disclosed in the aforesaid patent application publication. In the assembly  30 , the inner post  24  and outer post  26  of the connector  10  (see especially  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D ; but also  FIG. 2C ) are adapted (i.e., sized and shaped) to be fixedly, but releasably, received in the apertures  36   a - 36   c  and the notches  38   a - 38   c , respectively, of the triangular frame  32 , whereby each of its corners  34   a - 34   c  can be removably equipped with a corresponding one of the connectors  10  via a mechanical connection. 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  are illustrations of an assembly  40  which includes the triangular frame  32  and connectors  10  of  FIGS. 2A-2E  in combination with three linear magnetic modules  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c . Each of the linear magnetic modules  42   a - 42   c  includes an electrically non-conductive body  44  with a first end  46  and a second end  48  opposite the first end  46 . A first magnet (not shown) is fixedly positioned at or within the first end  46  and a second magnet (not shown) is fixedly positioned at or within the second end  48 . The linear magnetic modules  42   a - 42   c  are held in position by magnetic attraction between the magnets in the linear magnetic modules  42   a - 42   c  and the balls  11  (see  FIG. 1C ) of the abutting connectors  10 . 
     With reference to the assembly  40  illustrated in  FIG. 3E , the triangular frame  32  constitutes a first construction platform, which lies in a plane P 1  defined by the triangular frame  32 . Conversely, the connectors  10  cooperate with each other and with the magnetic modules  42   a - 42   c  to define a plane P 2  and to form a second construction platform. Referring still to  FIG. 3E , the plane P 2  is substantially parallel to, but offset from, the plane P 1 . By providing two construction platforms, the assembly  40  permits a user to build a first subassembly S 1  (shown in phantom) off of the first construction platform (i.e., the triangular frame  32 ) and a second subassembly S 2  (shown in phantom) off of the second construction platform (i.e., the connectors  10  and the magnetic modules  42   a - 42   c ). 
     By way of example only, and with continued reference to  FIG. 3E , other similar or different types of frame-like building elements can be removably connected or attached to the triangular frame  32  (see, for instance, the square frame-like magnetic module shown in phantom in  FIG. 3E  as subassembly S 1 ), while other similar or different types of magnetic modules can be removably connected or attached to the connectors  10  (see, for instance, the linear magnetic modules and steel ball shown in phantom in  FIG. 3E  as subassembly S 2 ). In general, but especially when the balls  11  and enclosures  12  have the spherical, or similar, shape illustrated in, for instance,  FIG. 3E , the linear magnetic modules shown in phantom in  FIG. 3E  can be arranged, or rearranged, at various different angles and orientations relative to the connector  10  that they are magnetically attached to. The assembly  40  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E  therefore provides multiple platforms upon which a number of diverse and interesting structures can be built. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  are illustrations of a connector  110  for square frames, such as the frame  12   a  disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1 (see, for example, FIG. 3). In an embodiment, the connector  110  includes a ball  111  (see  FIG. 4C ) that is attracted by magnets. In an embodiment, the ball  111  is made of steel. In an embodiment, the ball  111  is spherical. In an embodiment, the ball  111  has a shape other than a sphere. In an embodiment, the ball  111  is housed in an enclosure  112 , which may have a first enclosure part  114  and a second enclosure part  116  that are joined together so as to enclose the ball  111 . In an embodiment, the first enclosure part  114  and the second enclosure part  116  are joined together by ultrasonic welding. 
     In an embodiment, the connector  110  has an arm  118  which is joined to or continuous with the enclosure  112 . In an embodiment, the arm  118  is a single piece. In an embodiment, the arm  118  has a first arm piece  120  joined to the first enclosure part  114  and a second arm piece  122  joined to the second enclosure part  116 . In an embodiment, the first arm piece  120  and the second arm piece  122  are joined together. In an embodiment, the first arm piece  120  and the second arm piece  122  are joined together by ultrasonic welding. In an embodiment, the arm  118  of the connector  110  has a different shape, texture, or markings than the arm  18  of the connector  10  so that the connector  110  and the connector  10  can be readily distinguished from each other. 
     In an embodiment, the arm  118  has an inner post  124 , which has a rectangular cross-sectional shape as well as a function and purpose to be described hereinafter. In an embodiment, the arm  118  has an outer post  126 , which has a circular or round cross-sectional shape as well as a function and purpose to be described hereinafter. In an embodiment, the inner post  124  and the outer post  126  project in the same direction (i.e., generally laterally relative to the arm  118 , while the ball  111  and its enclosure  112  extend in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the arm  118 ). In an embodiment, the inner post  124  and the outer post  126  project from the second arm piece  122 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5E  are illustrations of an assembly  130  which includes a square frame  132  having the connector  110  of  FIGS. 4A-4D  installed at each of its four corners  134   a ,  134   b ,  134   c ,  134   d , each of which includes a circular aperture  136   a ,  136   b ,  136   c ,  136   d , respectively, and a rectangular notch  138   a ,  138   b ,  138   c ,  138   d , respectively, positioned between the outer and inner peripheral edges of the corners  134   a ,  134   b ,  134   c ,  134   d , respectively. In an embodiment, the square frame  132  may be of a type similar to square frame  12   a  disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1 (see FIG. 3). It may be noted that the square frame  12   a  disclosed in the aforesaid patent application publication includes magnets, cavities for the magnets, and enclosures for the magnets. The square frame(s)  132  for use with the connector  110  of the present invention may be provided with such magnets, cavities, and enclosures, or they may be provided without such magnets, cavities, and enclosures. 
     The square frame(s)  132  for use with the connector  110  of the present invention may include other features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0232357A1. For example, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5C  of the present application, the corners  134   a - 134   d  of the square frame  132  can be rendered frangible, or more frangible, by, for instance, providing the corners  134   a - 134   d  with the aperture and notch combinations disclosed in the aforesaid patent application publication. In the assembly  130 , the inner post  124  and outer post  126  of the connector  110  (see especially  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4D ; but also  FIG. 5C ) are adapted (i.e., sized and shaped) to be fixedly, but releasably, received in the apertures  136   a - 136   d  and the notches  138   a - 138   d , respectively, of the square frame  132 , whereby each of its corners  134   a - 134   d  can be removably equipped with a corresponding one of the connectors  110  via a mechanical connection. 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  are illustrations of an assembly  140  which includes the square frame  132  and connectors  110  of  FIGS. 5A-5E  in combination with four linear magnetic modules  142   a ,  142   b ,  142   c ,  142   d . Each of the linear magnetic modules  142   a - 142   d  includes an electrically non-conductive body  144  with a first end  146  and a second end  148  opposite the first end  146 . A first magnet (not shown) is fixedly positioned at or within the first end  146  and a second magnet (not shown) is fixedly positioned at or within the second end  148 . The linear magnetic modules  142   a - 142   d  are held in position by magnetic attraction between the magnets in the linear magnetic modules  142   a - 142   d  and the balls  111  (see  FIG. 4C ) of the abutting connectors  110 . 
     With reference to the assembly  140  illustrated in  FIG. 6E , the square frame  132  constitutes a first construction platform, which lies in a plane P 3  defined by the square frame  132 . Conversely, the connectors  110  cooperate with each other and with the magnetic modules  142   a - 142   d  to define a plane P 4  and to form a second construction platform. Referring still to  FIG. 6E , the plane P 4  is substantially parallel to, but offset from, the plane P 3 . By providing two construction platforms, the assembly  140  permits a user to build a first subassembly S 3  (shown in phantom) off of the first construction platform (i.e., the square frame  132 ) and a second subassembly S 4  (shown in phantom) off of the second construction platform (i.e., the connectors  110  and the magnetic modules  142   a - 142   d ). 
     By way of example only, and with continued reference to  FIG. 6E , other similar or different types of frame-like building elements can be removably connected or attached to the square frame  132  (see, for instance, the triangular frame-like magnetic module shown in phantom in  FIG. 6E  as subassembly S 3 ), while other similar or different types of magnetic modules can be removably connected or attached to the connectors  110  (see, for instance, the linear magnetic modules and steel balls shown in phantom in  FIG. 6E  as subassembly S 4 ). In general, but especially when the balls  111  and their enclosures  112  have the spherical, or similar, shape illustrated in, for instance,  FIG. 6E , the linear magnetic modules shown in phantom in  FIG. 6E  can be arranged, or rearranged, at various different angles and orientations relative to the connector  110  that they are magnetically attached to. The assembly  140  illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6E  therefore provides multiple platforms upon which a number of diverse and interesting structures can be built. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments 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 are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.