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Magnetic joints and toy figurines made therefrom

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-10
MEGA BRANDS INT R L LUXEMBOURG ZUG BRANCH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing magnetic joints for toy figurines having various configurations that allow for the quick and easy assembly and disassembly of figurine components. In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic joint comprises a ball and a pair of sockets magnetically coupled to the ball, wherein the first socket is formed in a first figurine part and the second socket is formed in a second figurine part. Each socket includes a magnet embedde

Problems solved by technology

Existing joint designs suffer from a number of disadvantages.
As such, the user cannot substitute balls of desired colors, patterns, or designs to achieve a desired appearance, nor can the user quickly and conveniently construct figurines using a multitude of interchangeable components.
Moreover

Method used

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  • Magnetic joints and toy figurines made therefrom
  • Magnetic joints and toy figurines made therefrom
  • Magnetic joints and toy figurines made therefrom

Examples

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Example

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a toy figurine 10 which includes a head 12, an upper torso 14, a lower torso 16, arms 18, 20, and legs 22, 24. The arm 18 includes a bicep 26, a forearm 28, and a hand 30. Similarly, the arm 20 includes a bicep 32, a forearm 34, and a hand 36. The leg 22 includes a thigh 38, a shin 40, and a foot 42. Similarly, the leg 24 includes a thigh 44, a shin 46, and a foot 48. All of the foregoing parts are movably coupled to their adjoining parts by magnetic joints 50a-n.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the magnetic joint 50e shown in FIG. 1, it being understood that each of the magnetic joints 50a-d and 50f-n of FIG. 1 has the same construction as the magnetic joint 50e. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a ball 56 is positioned between a pair of magnetic sockets 52a, 52b (see FIG. 3) formed in the upper torso 14 and the bicep 26, respectively. The magnetic joint 50e allows for both angulat...

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Abstract

Magnetic joints for toy figurines are provided. In one embodiment, the joints include a pair of sockets with magnets formed therein and a ball positioned between the sockets, wherein the sockets are magnetically coupled to the ball and allow for rotation and angulation of coupled components. Friction inlays or O-rings could be provided between the ball and the sockets to retain the coupled components in one or more desired positions. In another embodiment, the joints include complementary, generally planar surfaces having magnets embedded therein for coupling the planar surfaces and allowing rotation and indexing of coupled parts. Conductive regions could be provided in the planar surfaces to allow power transmission through the joints. In another embodiment, the joints include a magnetically-coupled peg and socket for providing rotation and indexing of coupled parts.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,384 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,389 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,385 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,387 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,386 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,383 filed Feb. 10, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,392 filed Feb. 11, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,391 filed Feb. 11, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,397 filed Feb. 11, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,388 filed Feb. 11, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,395 filed Feb. 11, 2005; and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 223,393 filed Feb. 11, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are all expressly incorporated...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63H3/16
CPCA63H3/46A63H33/26
Inventor DAFTARI, PARVIZROSEN, LAWRENCE I.
Owner MEGA BRANDS INT R L LUXEMBOURG ZUG BRANCH
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