Patent Publication Number: US-11020682-B2

Title: System and method for connecting magnetic building tiles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/758,775, filed on Nov. 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of building toys and, more specifically, to a system and method for connecting magnetic building tiles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Magnetic tiles are a popular building toy for children of all ages. As is known, these tiles are available in various shapes and sizes and generally have small magnets positioned around their periphery that allow them to be interconnected with other magnetic tiles. Magnetic tiles are widely used to foster the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in children. For example, they can be used to teach geometry, as well as design and construction techniques. 
     However, there are limitations on the types of structures that can be built using magnetic tiles due, in large part, to their magnetic connection systems. Even high-quality magnetic tiles, which have relatively strong magnets, cannot support significant weight and are easily separated during play. As such, users, particularly younger children, may find building with magnetic tiles frustrating. Moreover, even older children and adults may wish to build structures with magnetic tiles that have increased structural rigidity. 
     As such, there is a need for a new system and method for connecting magnetic building tiles. Such a system and method would be particularly useful if it provided increased structural rigidity to projects constructed using magnetic building tiles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a system and method for connecting magnetic building tiles. The system may include: magnetic building tiles that have open center portions (commonly referred to as window tiles), base members that snap into the window tiles, and a variety of connector elements that connect the tiles to one another. The system may further include bearing and wheels for constructing vehicles and other rotating structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-4  are illustrations of an embodiment of a base member for use with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIGS. 5-8  are illustrations of a second embodiment of a base member for use with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIG. 9A  is a photograph of a prior art magnetic building set; 
         FIG. 9B  is an illustration of a windowed magnetic tile for use with a base member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9C  is a diagram showing a base member incorporated with the windowed magnetic tile of  FIG. 9B  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10-15  are illustrations of various embodiments of the connectors for use with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIGS. 16-17  are illustrations of a bearing for use with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIGS. 18-19  are illustrations of a wheel for use with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIGS. 20-22  are photographs demonstrating how the above base members and connectors can be used in accordance with the disclosed system and method; 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are diagrams illustrating a connector for use with the base members of  FIGS. 1-8  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are diagrams illustrating a gear member for use with the base members of  FIGS. 1-8  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram showing the gear member of  FIGS. 25 and 26  being incorporated with a base member using a bearing of  FIGS. 16 and 17  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 28 and 29  are diagrams illustrating a connector for use with the base members of  FIGS. 1-8  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-identified Drawings. However, the Drawings and the description herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, features described herein may be omitted, additional features may be included, and/or features described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Shown in  FIG. 9A  is a known magnetic tile building set  900  sold under the PLAYMAGS™ brand. As can be seen in  FIG. 9B , each tile in this particular set  900  is a window tile ( 905  and  910 ), i.e., it has a square opening  915  in its center. Letters, numbers, and other mathematic operators (e.g. “D”  920 ) can be snapped into the center portion of the tiles (e.g.  910 ). However, as discussed, such building systems rely solely upon the strength of the small magnets (e.g.,  925 ,  930 ,  935 ,  940 ,  945 ,  950 ,  955 , and  960 ) positioned around the perimeter of the tiles (generally two magnets on each side, e.g.,  925 ,  930 ,  935 ,  940 ,  945 ,  950 ,  955 , and  960 ) to maintain the connection between tiles. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is a base member  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view,  FIG. 2  is a front view,  FIG. 3  is a top view, and  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a base member  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 9C , the base member  100  is configured to snap into a magnetic window tile, such as square opening  915  of tile  905  shown in  FIG. 9B . In this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the base member  100  includes a square tile portion  103  that is dimensioned to fit and that would be held in position in square opening  915  of tile  905  by elongated protrusions  105   a ,  105   b ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  115   a ,  115   b ,  120   a , and  120   b , two (2) of which are located on each of the four edges of the square tile portion  103  of the base member  100 . According to an exemplary embodiment and as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the protrusions  105   a ,  105   b ,  110   a ,  110   b ,  115   a ,  115   b ,  120   a , and  120   b  are positioned at the centers along the respective edges of the square tile portion  103  of base  100  and are dimensioned to fit with corresponding notches (e.g.,  965  and  970  illustrated in  FIG. 9B ) in square opening  915  of tile  905  so that base member  100  is held in place while being removable from tile  905  without requiring excessive force. According to other embodiments, base member  100  may also have a tile portion corresponding to square tile portion  103  with a different shape—such as a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, and the like—for fitting in magnetic tiles having openings with such corresponding shapes. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , base member  100  has a volcano-shaped projection  125  extending from one of its faces that, as discussed further below, is configured—e.g., with a central opening  130 —to accept various connector elements and facilitate interconnection of other tiles. In embodiments, square tile portion  103  may be made from a rigid (e.g., polymeric) material and the volcanic-shaped projection  125  may be made from a semi-resilient or resilient (e.g., polymeric) material for ease of inserting and removing the connector elements, as described in further detail below. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 5-8  is another embodiment of a base member  500  of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view,  FIG. 6  is a front view,  FIG. 7  is a top view, and  FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a base member  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIGS. 5-8 , like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals as those used in  FIGS. 1-4  and detailed descriptions of which will not be repeated. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 and 8 , there are two (2) volcano-shaped projections  125  and  525  extending from both (opposite) faces of the tile portion  103 , with respective central openings  130  and  530  for receiving connector elements that can be used to connect multiple magnetic tiles together. As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , projections  125  and  525  are aligned with each other, and openings  130  and  530  are, likewise, aligned with each other in sharing a common central axis. This particular base member  500  can be used as an intermediary for connecting multiple tiles together. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 10-15  are various embodiments of connectors of the present invention. Such connectors are sized to fit snuggly (e.g., by a friction or interference fit) within the volcano-shaped projections of a base member (e.g., openings  130  and  530  in projections  125  and  525  of base members  100  and  500 , respectively, as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 ). Alternatively, the connectors can be configured to connect with the base members by a snap-fit, taper-fit, screw-fit, or other known mechanical fastening systems and methods. In embodiments, the connectors may be made from a rigid, semi-resilient, or resilient (e.g., polymeric) material. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view and  FIG. 11  is a front view of a cross-shaped connector  1000  having four (4) ends  1005   a ,  1005   b ,  1005   c , and  1005   d  that are dimensioned for insertion (i.e., insertable) into openings  130  and  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , ends  1005   a ,  1005   b ,  1005   c , and  1005   d  have a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . In addition, ends  1005   a ,  1005   b ,  1005   c , and  1005   d  are at approximately right angles from one another on a common plane for connecting four (4) magnetic tiles incorporating base members  100  or  500  to form a cube-shaped enclosure around connector  1000 —see, for example, cube  2010  that forms part of the wheeled chassis of vehicle  2000  shown in  FIG. 20 ; and see, for example, the top of column  2100  shown in  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view and  FIG. 13  is a front view of a bent connector  1200  having two (2) ends  1205   a  and  1205   b  that are dimensioned for insertion into openings  130  and  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , ends  1205   a  and  1205   b  have a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . In addition, ends  1205   a  and  1205   b  are at approximately a right angle from each other on a common plane for connecting two (2) base members  100  or  500  to form walls (embodied by magnetic tiles incorporating base members  100 / 500 ) that are at approximately a right angle from each other. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view and  FIG. 15  is a front view of a Y-shaped connector  1400  having three (3) ends  1405   a ,  1405   b , and  1405   c  that are dimensioned for insertion into openings  130  and  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , ends  1405   a ,  1405   b , and  1405   c  have a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . In addition, ends  1405   a ,  1405   b , and  1405   c  are at approximately one-hundred-and-twenty-degree (120°) angles from one another on a common plane for connecting three (3) magnetic tiles incorporating base members  100  or  500  to form a triangular-prism-shaped enclosure around connector  1400 —see, for example, prism  2014  shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     Shown in  FIGS. 16-17  is one embodiment of a bearing  1600  that can be used with the present invention. Such bearings, for example, can be used to join wheels (shown in  FIGS. 18-19 ) to a base member, or anywhere a rotatable connection is desired.  FIG. 16  is a perspective view and  FIG. 17  is a front view of bearing  1600  having an end  1605  that is dimensioned for insertion into opening  130  or  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , end  1605  has a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . As further shown in  FIG. 16 , bearing  1600  includes a disc-shaped base  1610  that serves as a backstop for fastening a wheel (e.g., wheel  1800  shown in  FIGS. 18-19 ), or the like, in a rotatable fashion to a magnetic tile incorporating a base member  100  or  500 . 
       FIG. 18  is a front view and  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of wheel  1800  having an opening  1805  that is dimensioned for receiving, for example, end  1605  of bearing  1600  that can, in turn, be inserted into opening  130  or  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When fastened to base member  100  or  500 , wheel  1800  may be rotatable at bearing  1600 . As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , opening  1805  is connected to the circumference  1810  of wheel  1800  through the support of three (3) spokes  1815   a ,  1815   b , and  1815   c . In embodiments, wheel  1800  may incorporate a different number of spokes and/or a different circumference. 
       FIGS. 20-22  are photographs of projects constructed using the disclosed building system. For example,  FIG. 20  shows the construction of a wheeled vehicle  2000  constructed using the disclosed building system. As shown, double-sided base members ( 500 ) are inserted into magnetic window tiles and used, in combination with four-way connectors ( 1000 ), to construct the chassis of the vehicle  2000 . Wheels ( 1800 ) are attached to the chassis using bearings ( 1600 ).  FIGS. 21-22  are photographs of a small tower (column  2100 ) constructed using the disclosed building system. 
       FIG. 23  is a front perspective view and  FIG. 24  is a front view of another Y-shaped connector  2300  having three (3) ends  2305   a ,  2305   b , and  2305   c  that are dimensioned for insertion into openings  130  and  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Correspondingly, each of ends  2305   a ,  2305   b , and  2305   c  have a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 23 , connector  2300  includes a circular section  2310  that connects ends  2305   b  and  2305   c  to each other and to a straight stem section  2315  that connects to end  2305   a . Accordingly, ends  2305   a ,  2305   b , and  2305   c  are on a common plane for connecting three (3) magnetic tiles incorporating base members  100  or  500  to form a Y-shaped arrangement around connector  2300 . 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view and  FIG. 26  is a front view of gear  2500  having an opening  2505  that is dimensioned for receiving, for example, end  1605  of bearing  1600  that can, in turn, be inserted into opening  130  of base member  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 27 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When fastened to base member  100 , as shown in  FIG. 27 , or base member  500 , gear  2500  may be rotatable at bearing  1600 . As shown in  FIGS. 25-27 , gear  2500  incorporates gear teeth  2510  around its circumference, which may engage another gear (not shown) mounted on another base member  100 / 500  having the same or different number of gear teeth and/or a same or different circumference. 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view and  FIG. 29  is a front view of a three-dimensional cross-shaped connector  2800  having six (6) ends  2805   a ,  2805   b ,  2805   c ,  2805   d ,  2805   e , and  2805   f  that are dimensioned for insertion (i.e., insertable) into openings  130  and  530  of base members  100  and  500  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 28 , ends  2805   a ,  2805   b ,  2805   c ,  2805   d ,  2805   e , and  2805   f  have a substantially circular cross-section that corresponds with the substantially circular openings  130  and  530 . As further shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , connector  2800  is similar to connector  1000 , with four (4) of its ends  2805   a ,  2805   b ,  2805   c , and  2805   d  that are at approximately right angles from one another on a common plane for connecting four (4) magnetic tiles incorporating base members  100  or  500  to form a cube-shaped enclosure around connector  2800 —see, for example, cube  2010  that forms part of the wheeled chassis of vehicle  2000  shown in  FIG. 20 ; and see, for example, the top of column  2100  shown in  FIG. 21 . In addition, connector  2800  further includes front and back ends  2805   e  and  2805   f  (or top and bottom ends in the views of  FIGS. 20-22 ) that are at approximately right angles from the common plane of the other four (4) ends  2805   a ,  2805   b ,  2805   c , and  2805   d , and that provide for connecting additional front and back (or top and bottom in the views of  FIGS. 20-22 ) magnetic tiles to form a fully enclosed cube. 
     The disclosed system and method provide substantially increased structural rigidity, as compared to magnetic tiles alone. This system and method allows users of magnetic building systems to create durable and unique projects that would otherwise be impossible using magnetic building tiles alone.