Transformable toys

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transformable toy. [Solution] A transformable toy (1) includes at least six polyhedral bodies (2), at least one connecting strip (3), and at least one magnet (4), the at least one connecting strip (3) connecting the polyhedral bodies (2) to a chain, the connecting strip (3) providing a hinge (30) between each pair of adjacent polyhedral bodies (20, 22) of the chain, the hinge (30) facilitating movement of the polyhedral bodies (2) between at least two different geometric deformations (G, G') of an assembly of all the polyhedral bodies (2), at least one magnet (4) being disposed within each polyhedral body (2) to hold the assembly in each of the at least two different deformations (G, G'), and the at least one connecting strip (3) being connected to at least three adjacent polyhedral bodies (2) to form a hinge (30) between each pair of adjacent polyhedral bodies (20, 22).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transformable toy, which comprises at least six polyhedral bodies, allowing different geometric transformations to be formed. [Background technology]

[0002] Geometry toys are also known as geometric puzzles, such as the famous Rubrik's cube. The goal of such toys is to bring order to a set of specific geometric objects, and the possible order operations are limited by a set of degrees of freedom. For example, the Rubrik's cube allows for the order operation to be the rotation of a layer of cubic cells around a specific axis of rotation.

[0003] There are also geometric toys, as shown for example in US 10,569,185 B2. In this particular geometric toy, the tetrahedral bodies can rotate around an axis, which is realized by hinges between adjacent tetrahedral bodies. Each tetrahedral body is connected to at least two other tetrahedral bodies, so that a simple deformation of a single tetrahedral body around a particular axis will result in deformation of multiple connected tetrahedral bodies. The objective of such geometric toys is to deform the initial shape of the toy into different possible shapes.

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the tetrahedrons are connected to each other by flexible adhesive film, so that the manufacturing of the geometric toy is difficult. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transformable toy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by a transformable toy with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further embodiments are indicated with reference to the dependent claims, the drawings and the description.

[0007] Thus, a transformable toy is provided, comprising at least six polyhedral bodies, at least one connecting strip for connecting the polyhedral bodies to a chain, and at least one magnet arranged inside each polyhedral body, the connecting strips providing a hinge between adjacent polyhedral bodies of each pair of the chain, the hinge facilitating movement of the polyhedral bodies between at least two different geometrical deformations of the combination of all the polyhedral bodies, the at least one magnet being used to hold the combination bodies in each of the at least two different deformations, and the at least one connecting strip connecting at least three adjacent polyhedral bodies to form a hinge between each pair of adjacent polyhedral bodies.

[0008] A transformable toy is understood to present a number of geometrically defined units connected in a certain manner, which can be geometrically transformed with respect to one another to form different overall geometric shapes. For example, a first overall geometric shape of the transformable toy can be a pyramid, a second overall geometric shape a cube, and a third overall geometric shape a star. All the above shapes can be generated by moving in a defined manner from the same set of geometrically defined units. In the following, the different overall geometric shapes are also referred to as different variations of the toy. In other words, a pyramid can be transformed into a cube or a star, both of which are variations of the pyramid, and the pyramid itself is a variation.

[0009] Each geometrically defined unit is a polyhedral body. A polyhedral body is a three-dimensional shape with flat polyhedral faces and straight edges. A polygonal face includes n corners, and adjacent corners are connected by lines, which are also used for edges of the polygonal faces. A polygonal face is connected to adjacent polygonal faces through the edges of the polygonal faces. A polyhedral body can be further closed to enclose a three-dimensional volume with any number of polygonal faces.

[0010] For example, a cube is a polyhedral body. A cube is a six-sided polyhedral body, and each polygonal face is a tetrahedral. For example, a pyramid is a polyhedral body. A pyramid has a polygonal base, e.g. a triangular base or a quadratic base, and a so-called vertex, which is the point to which all corner points of the polygonal base are connected. Thus, two adjacent corners of the base and the vertex form a triangle. For example, a tetrahedron is a polyhedral body. A normal tetrahedron is a tetrahedron with six straight edges, and each edge has the same length.

[0011] The polyhedral bodies are connected by connecting strips, which hold the polyhedral bodies in a preferred geometric arrangement. Another role of the connecting strips is to provide hinges between the polyhedral bodies, which allow the polyhedral bodies to move along the degrees of freedom provided by the hinges.

[0012] For example, a point hinge can provide rotational degrees of freedom in all three spatial dimensions to a polyhedral body, allowing the polyhedral body to rotate around each angle of the hinge. During such deformation, the distance between the corner point of the polyhedral body and the hinge remains constant. Specifically, the hinge can also provide a rotational degree of freedom about an axis of rotation, and the movement of the polyhedral body is limited to a single rotation angle.

[0013] When the second polyhedral body moves about the degree of freedom of the first hinge between the first and second polyhedral bodies, and at the same time the second polyhedral body is also connected to a third polyhedral body via a second hinge, the orientations of the connected polyhedral bodies cannot be adjusted independently of each other. Thus, a geometric transformation (particularly a rotation about an edge of a polyhedral face of the polyhedral body) results in a geometric transformation of the connected polyhedral bodies, resulting in the transformation of the transforming toy from a first geometric transformation to a second geometric transformation.

[0014] The connecting strips further connect the polyhedral bodies in the form of a chain, i.e. a polyhedral body is linked to at most two adjacent polyhedral bodies.

[0015] Due to the connecting strips connecting at least three polyhedral bodies, the number of parts can be reduced, thus improving the production of the transforming toy.

[0016] By using a magnetic field, the geometric transformation can be stabilized, ie, each polyhedral body maintains its current position relative to its neighboring polyhedral bodies.

[0017] The static magnetic field can be generated by a magnet, and the magnetic field passes through at least one polygonal face of each polyhedral body and couples to a magnetic field from a second magnet in a second polyhedral body. If the polarization of the magnets creates an attractive magnetic force, the polyhedral bodies are fixed to each other and stabilize the geometric deformation. However, if the magnetic force is repulsive, the geometric deformation is not stabilized.

[0018] The magnets can be fixed to the polyhedral body, so that the static magnetic field through the polygonal faces of the polyhedral body remains fixed even in the geometric deformation. However, the magnets can be movably connected to the polyhedral body. In particular, the movable connection allows the magnets to move and / or slide and / or rotate and / or similarly move. In this way, each moving magnet exhibits a predefined polarity in two or more directions through two or more polygonal faces of the polyhedral body. For example, the moving magnet of the first polyhedral body is arranged to move in response to the presence of a magnetic field near the magnet of the second polyhedral body. The moving magnet then automatically aligns in an energetically favorable direction with respect to the magnetic field of the second polyhedral body, resulting in an attractive force between the magnets, stabilizing the geometric deformation. However, in another geometric deformation, the magnetic field through the polygonal faces of the polyhedral body can be different, allowing the magnetic field to be aligned in more than one direction.

[0019] Thus, each moving magnet can advantageously simulate multiple fixed magnets (non-moving magnets). For example, in a transformable toy having only 12 polyhedron bodies, each polyhedron body includes only a single moving magnet, i.e., a total of 12 moving magnets in the transformable toy. Due to the movement of each moving magnet, such an embodiment advantageously simulates the function of a geometric art toy having 24, 36 or other number of fixed magnets. This reduces production costs and simplifies manufacturing procedures.

[0020] All the polyhedral bodies of the transforming toy can be connected in a closed loop arrangement by connecting strips to form a kaleidocycle of tetrahedrons.

[0021] Here, closed loop arrangement means that such a transformable toy can be constructed from a pair of polyhedral bodies that are initially oriented along the direction of a connecting strip, and when both ends of the connecting strip are connected together, the connecting strip constructs a loop-like structure with the connected polyhedral bodies.

[0022] The tetrahedral rotating loop is a flexible polyhedron that can rotate around its loop axis, which is given by the loop that is placed. Every polyhedral body can rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise around the loop axis that is placed. In this way, after a limited number of deformation steps, the successive deformation of the tetrahedral rotating loop leads to the initial geometric configuration.

[0023] A single connecting strip can connect all the polyhedral bodies.

[0024] The use of a single connecting strip is advantageous for reducing shear forces, especially compared to the prior art embodiments, according to which the polyhedrons are connected by a seal or film applied to the exterior of the polyhedrons, by using an internal connecting strip the resulting hinge is less susceptible to shear forces and is more suitable to withstand the torques applied during deformation.

[0025] This has the advantage that the connecting strip can be produced in one production step, and the connecting strip can then be the bottom surface and all the polyhedron bodies can be attached to the bottom surface, simplifying the production of the transformable toy.

[0026] Preferably, the single connecting strip has a start portion and an end portion that are connected to each other to form a continuous loop. In this way, it is relatively easy to manufacture the connecting strip, which can be made of flat material. Nevertheless, the single connecting strip can be used to form the closed loop arrangement of all the polyhedral bodies of the transformable toy.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the start and end portions are molded to overlap each other to form a continuous loop of connecting strip, which leads to a very efficient manufacturing of the transforming toy while maintaining stability of all hinges.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the start and end portions are molded to be placed adjacent to one another to form a continuous loop of connecting strip, which avoids doubling the material when connecting both ends of the connecting strip so that all hinges have the same feel.

[0029] Instead of a single strip, at least two generally parallel running strips can be used to connect at least three polyhedral bodies. Using multiple parallel running strips can reduce the amount of material provided between the polyhedrons, allowing the polyhedrons to transition more smoothly between deformations. Similarly, the robustness of the connection between every two polyhedrons can be improved, especially if the size of the two strips is designed to be redundant.

[0030] Each polyhedron body is made up of two connectable members and a connecting strip may be arranged between them, in other words inside the polyhedrons, passing through them, so that the hinge is geometrically located in the intended position and is very stable since the shear forces on the hinge are reduced as much as possible.

[0031] The connectable members may be inner and outer members, or upper and lower members, where inner and outer, or upper and lower, refer to the positions of the connectable members when the transformable toy is in a closed or initial state.

[0032] By disposing a connecting strip between the connectable members, the connectable members can be fixed to the connecting strip and the connectable members can also be connected to each other. By being fixed, the polyhedral bodies cannot translate along the connecting strip. The only movement allowed is given by the degree of freedom provided by the hinges formed between the connecting edges of adjacent polyhedral bodies.

[0033] By connecting the connectable members to the connecting strips, very accurate positioning can be achieved and maintained for all polyhedral bodies, allowing for very accurate production of the transformable toy.

[0034] Because the connection strips can be located within the volume of the polyhedral body, they are largely hidden and invisible to the user.

[0035] By inserting a first half of a first portion of the connecting strip between two connectable members of the first polyhedral body and inserting a second half of the first portion of the connecting strip between two connectable members of the second polyhedral body to form a hinge between the first and second polyhedral bodies, the connecting edges of the first and second polyhedral bodies are adjacent to each other and pivotally connected by the first portion of the connecting strip.

[0036] Here, the connecting strip comprises different parts and at least two polyhedral bodies can be attached to each part. Each part can be divided into a first half part and a second half part and the first polyhedral body can be attached to the first half part of this part and the second polyhedral body can be attached to the second half part. In this way, the connecting strip makes it possible to connect the polyhedral bodies in a chain-like structure and provides a pivotable connection of the polyhedral bodies, i.e. the polyhedral bodies can rotate around the edges of the polygonal faces of the polyhedral bodies and can fall together with the connecting strip.

[0037] The two connectable members of the polyhedral body may present a cavity for positioning at least one magnet.

[0038] A magnet can be provided that generates a magnetic field to stabilize the geometric transformation of the transformable toy, i.e. the polyhedron maintains its position. In this way, the realized geometric transformation of the toy can be represented to other people, since the transformable toy can be passed from one user to another without destroying the realized order.

[0039] Preferably, the position of the cavity is selected such that the central direction of the magnetic field is located at the center of the polyhedral body, which makes it possible to avoid additional torques on the polyhedral body and therefore stabilize the geometric deformation.

[0040] The two connectable members of the polyhedral body exhibit pins and holes for securing the two connectable members to each other.

[0041] To connect the connectable members, the pins are inserted into holes in the respective connectable members. The connectable members may include pins and holes, and corresponding connectable members include holes and pins in corresponding positions.

[0042] By means of the pins it is possible to achieve precise positioning of all connectable members on the connecting strips.

[0043] The members can be glued together or the pins and holes can hold the connectable members by friction. The pins can also be secured using hooks or barb and hole projections, and the hooks and projections form a snap-in connection.

[0044] In this way the transformable toy is mechanically stable and unintentional destruction of the toy during use can be prevented.

[0045] The polyhedral body can be formed by 3D printing, printing out the pins and cavities of the polyhedral body in a single step. The polyhedral body can be made of plastic or a hard card box, or a composite material or an engineered metal.

[0046] Different surface properties of different materials, such as reflectivity and color, can be exploited to achieve a particular optical appearance of the toy, which helps to memorize certain geometric variations, but also introduces optical symmetry, making certain geometric variations of the toy appear very aesthetic to the user's eye.

[0047] The polyhedral body may be a tetrahedron.

[0048] A tetrahedron contains four triangular faces, six edges and four corners. The edges have different sizes. The special case where all edges have the same length is the so-called regular tetrahedron.

[0049] A number of tetrahedra can fill the volume of a given polyhedral body, and the volume itself has polygonal faces.

[0050] As a polyhedral body, 12 tetrahedrons may be provided and 12 hinges may be provided to connect the tetrahedrons.

[0051] For example, if a set of cuts is performed along the diagonal planes of a cube, as will be shown later, twelve tetrahedrons can easily be obtained from the cube.

[0052] The polyhedral body may be convex.

[0053] A polyhedral body is convex if any two points in the volume of the body can be connected by a line, and all the points of the line are also contained in the polyhedral body.

[0054] For example, a cube, a tetrahedron, and all regular polyhedrons are all convex polyhedral bodies. For example, a U-shaped tube is not convex because a point on the first part of the "U" and a point on the second part of the "U" cannot connect to each other without leaving the U-shape.

[0055] All of the polyhedral bodies can have the same shape and size.

[0056] This has the advantage that the production of the transformable toy is also simplified since the number of different parts is reduced.

[0057] For example, all polyhedral bodies are tetrahedrons and the side lengths of the base triangle are √2, 1, 1, and the lengths of all other three sides of the tetrahedron are √3 / 2. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0058] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are shown as follows: [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment in a first geometric arrangement and a second geometric arrangement. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment in a first geometric arrangement and a second geometric arrangement. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment in a first geometric arrangement and a second geometric arrangement. [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment in a first geometric arrangement and a second geometric arrangement. [Figure 2A] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2B] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2C] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2D] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2E] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2F] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2G] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2F] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2G]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2H] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 2I] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment in a different geometric arrangement. [Figure 3A] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different polyhedral bodies. [Figure 3B] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different polyhedral bodies. [Figure 3C] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different polyhedral bodies. [Figure 3D] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different polyhedral bodies. [Figure 3E] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different polyhedral bodies. [Figure 4A] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different connection strips. [Figure 4B] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different connection strips. [Figure 4C] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different connection strips. [Figure 4D] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different connection strips. [Figure 4E] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of different connection strips. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 5C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 5D] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 5E] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 5F] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a polyhedral body attached to a connecting strip. [Figure 6] 13 is a schematic diagram of the connection where the polyhedral body is attached to the connecting strips to form a transforming toy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements that are identical, similar or have similar functions in different drawings will be identified by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements will be partially omitted to avoid duplication.

[0060] In FIG. 1A the transformable toy 1 is shown in a first geometrical arrangement.

[0061] The transformable toy 1 of this embodiment includes six polyhedral bodies 2. In this embodiment, all faces of the polyhedral body 2 are provided as flat isosceles triangles. When each face of the polyhedral body 2 is formed in the shape of an equilateral triangle, such a polyhedral body 2 is also called a regular tetrahedron.

[0062] Each polyhedral body 2 is connected to at least one other polyhedral body 2', and the connection between adjacent polyhedral bodies 20, 22 is provided by a connecting strip 3 (as described below), to which the polyhedral bodies 2 are fixed. In such an arrangement, an edge of the first polyhedral body 20 and an edge of the adjacent polyhedral body 22 are adjacent to each other, and the connecting strip 3 serves as a hinge 30 between the two polyhedral bodies 20, 22. The presence of the hinge 30 therefore allows the first polyhedral body 20 to rotate about the edge of the adjacent polyhedral body 22 and vice versa. The hinge 30 facilitates the rotation, resulting in rotation about a rotation axis R, which is usually located parallel to the adjacent edges of the adjacent polyhedral bodies 20, 22.

[0063] This requires that at least part of the connecting strip 3 is flexible, which favours the rotation of the polyhedral bodies 20, 22 relative to one another.

[0064] The connecting strip 3 may connect at least three polyhedral bodies 2 in a chain-like configuration as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1A, and preferably connects all polyhedral bodies 2. In the embodiment of Fig. 1A, the chain of polyhedral bodies 2 is not closed, such that the polyhedral bodies 2 form a linearly continuous geometric body. The polyhedral bodies 2 can rotate relative to each other around their respective rotation axes R, which are located between two adjacent polyhedral bodies 2.

[0065] In Fig. 1B another geometric arrangement of the transformable toy 1 of Fig. 1A is shown diagrammatically. This second geometric arrangement is a closed loop arrangement and is obtained by connecting the upper polyhedral body 2' and the lower polyhedral body 2'' of Fig. 1A. The black arrows in Fig. 1A diagrammatically indicate options for providing a closed arrangement.

[0066] Such a geometric arrangement forms a rotated loop of a tetrahedron that can be twisted around the loop axis R* (see FIG. 1C). By twisting the rotated loop of the tetrahedron around the loop axis R*, all four sides of the polyhedral body 2 can be moved to the top surface. The different arrangements of the loops on each side of the polyhedral body 2 are called different deformations.

[0067] In Fig. 1C the twisting motion is shown diagrammatically. The polyhedral bodies 2 rotate about the loop axis R* such that each polyhedral body 2 locally rotates clockwise (or counterclockwise) about the loop axis R*. By twisting the polyhedral bodies 2 about the loop axis R*, different deformations of the geometric arrangement can be obtained.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1D, the transformable toy 1 can be stable in its different geometric transformations.

[0069] Each polyhedral body 2 may include at least one magnet (located inside the polyhedral body 2 and shown for example with reference number 4 in the cross section of FIG. 5A ) which generates a magnetic field 40. By correspondingly arranging the magnets, the magnetic field 40 is oriented such that adjacent polyhedral bodies 20, 22 are attracted to each other if the magnets 4 of the adjacent polyhedral bodies 20, 22 have an attractive polarity. If the magnets have a repulsive polarity, the polyhedral body 2 cannot be stable in a certain deformation.

[0070] 2A shows another transformable toy 1. The transformable toy 1 comprises 12 identical polyhedral bodies 2 and 12 hinges 30, forming a cube in a first geometric transformation.

[0071] Each polyhedral body 2 can be obtained from the polygonal mesh shape shown in Figure 2B. The shape consists of an upper isosceles right triangle, where two sides have similar lengths, e.g., unit length 1. The base of the isosceles triangle thus has a length of √2 unit lengths. This base is the base of another isosceles triangle, but the two sides are similar in length, e.g., √3 / 2 unit lengths. However, each side of the lower base triangle is the side of two isosceles triangles, and has a base length of one unit length.

[0072] When the outsides of this shape are folded together, one can obtain the polyhedral body 2 shown in FIG. 2C.

[0073] The polyhedral body 2 can also be obtained by cutting a cube at an angle, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0074] In FIG. 2D an initial geometric transformation G of the transformable toy 1 having the shape of a cube is shown. In FIG. 2E a second geometric transformation G' of the transformable toy 1 is shown. This second geometric transformation G' can be obtained from the initial cube when a corner of the cube is moved towards the opposite corner of the cube. The different polyhedral bodies are pivotally connected by hinges 30 by connecting strips 3, so that the polyhedral bodies cannot move independently of each other. When one polyhedral body 2 is moved, the other polyhedral bodies are also moved. This makes it possible to perform all geometric transformations of the transformable toy 1 from G to G' by moving a limited number of polyhedral bodies 2.

[0075] 2E-2K show various other possible configurations of the transformable toy 1. Through specific positioning and orientation of the magnets 4 and connecting strips 3, which will be described in detail below, the transformable toy 1 can be held in any of the other possible configurations disclosed and / or illustrated.

[0076] More specifically, Figure 2F is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in a third position, Figure 2G is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in a fourth position, Figure 2H is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in a fifth position, Figure 2I is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in a sixth position, Figure 2J is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in a seventh position, and Figure 2K is a perspective view of the transformable toy 1 shown in Figure 2A, where the transformable toy 1 is in an eighth position.

[0077] In the process of using the transformable toy 1, each of the polyhedral bodies 2 can be quickly and easily moved and manipulated relative to one another to allow the user to place the transformable toy 1 into any of the configurations disclosed. Note that, as described above, the positioning, orientation and polarity of the magnets 4 within each of the polyhedral bodies 2 allows the transformable toy 1 to be stably held in any such configuration. As such, the transformable toy 1 and the polyhedral bodies 2 can be viewed as educational devices for the study of polygonal solids, as puzzles or toys used for entertainment or relaxation, and / or as works of art to show to others.

[0078] In figure 3 different possible geometric shapes of the polyhedral body 2 are shown. In figure 3A the polyhedral body 2 obtained as shown in figure 2B is shown. This polyhedral body 2 can be considered as the outer limit or outer boundary of all other polyhedral bodies that can be used to produce the cubic transformation toy 1.

[0079] In Fig. 3B another possible polyhedral body 2 is shown, which can be obtained by truncating the tip of the polyhedral body 2 in Fig. 3A. The cutting plane may be parallel to the outer face of the cube, but it may also be inclined, as shown in Fig. 3C.

[0080] 3D, 3E show a representative embodiment of a polyhedral body 2 with a single bidirectionally magnetized moving magnet 4. The polyhedral body 2 has four polygonal faces 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D, with face 200B being hidden. In some embodiments, faces 200A and D (i.e., face 1 and face 4) form a right angle with respect to each other, one of faces 200A or 200D is relatively larger than the other face, and faces 200B and 200C are substantially equal in size to each other. In the embodiment shown, the magnet 4 is positioned inside the polyhedral body 2 so that it can rotate around its longitudinal axis 400.

[0081] Generally, the magnet 4 is not allowed to move uncontrolled within the polyhedral body 2. Rather, the polyhedral body 2 includes one or more internal structures, such as, for example, cradles, cords, suspensions, gimbals, etc., that hold the moving magnet 4 close to two or three faces and allow the moving magnet 4 to move within a controlled area. For example, in some embodiments, the polyhedral body 2 includes internal cradles, tracks, grooves, compartments, cavities, supports, and / or the like. Exemplary structures that allow the magnet 4 to move within a controlled area are described below.

[0082] As shown in Figures 3D and 3E, the moving magnet 4 is positioned adjacent to the faces 200A and 200D so that it can move relative to the outer shell of the polyhedral body. In Figure 3D, the north part of the magnet 4 is adjacent to the face 200A. In contrast, in Figure 3E, the magnet 4 has been rotated around the axis 400 so that the north part is adjacent to the face 200D. Such movement of the magnet allows both the north and south faces of the magnet 4 to be positioned adjacent to the 200A or 200D faces. Thus, the magnet 4 can alternately exhibit a first polarity (e.g., positive or negative polarity) through the 200A or 200D faces. "Alternately" in this disclosure means that the magnet 4 exhibits a first polarity through one face at a time. Advantageously, this allows a single moving magnet 4 to simulate multiple fixed magnets 4 as shown in Figure 5A.

[0083] The examples of 3D and 3E are representative and not limiting. In some embodiments, the magnet 4 is a cylindrical magnet, a disk magnet, a spherical magnet, or other magnet type. In some embodiments, the magnet 4 translates, displaces, slides, or tumbles with respect to the polygonal faces 200A-D to alternately exhibit a first polarity through face 200A or face 200B. In some embodiments, the magnet 4 rotates in one or more directions, for example, rotates about a center in the case of a spherical magnet 4. This is advantageous to allow the magnet to alternately exhibit a polarity through two or more faces (for example, three faces). In some embodiments, the magnet 4 is positioned adjacent to different faces, for example adjacent to faces 200A and 200C, 200A and 200D, 200B and 200C, 200B and 200D, or 200D and 200C. In some embodiments, the magnet 4 is positioned adjacent to two or more faces, for example adjacent to faces 200A, 200B, and 200C. In some embodiments, magnet 4 is positioned adjacent to a vertex where three faces meet (eg, where faces 200A, 200B, and 200C meet).

[0084] In some embodiments, the transformable toy 1 of the present disclosure includes one or more moving magnets 4, as shown in Figures 3D and 3E, to provide enhanced entertainment, reduce manufacturing costs, and / or other benefits. In some embodiments, the transformable toy 1 includes two or more different types (e.g., a first type and a second type) of moving magnets, each type having a different arrangement of moving magnets arranged to exhibit alternating polarities of the magnets through different faces. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the moving magnets are arranged to allow the polyhedral body to be magnetically coupled in one or more configurations, such as any one or more of the configurations shown in Figures 2D-2K.

[0085] In Fig. 4A a connecting strip 3 is shown, and in Fig. 4B a detailed view of a portion 32 of the connecting strip 3 is shown. The connecting strip 3 is capable of connecting to all 12 polyhedral bodies 2 and is shaped to provide hinges 30 at all edges of the cube. Thus, such a particular connecting strip 3 can be used to connect all polyhedral bodies 2 of the cube transforming toy 1.

[0086] Each part 32 of the connecting strip comprises an opening 37 for positioning a fixing pin 26 of the polyhedral body 2, as described below. Furthermore, each part 32 may comprise an opening 37' for a magnet 4 for stabilizing the current geometric deformation G of the transformable toy 1. The openings 37, 37' in the parts 32 of the connecting strip 3 are symmetrically located on the axis of symmetry that is used as the axis of rotation of the hinge 30.

[0087] 4B includes a highly schematic representation of the footprint of a polyhedral body 2, which is flat and isosceles triangular in shape, for the purpose of showing its position relative to the connecting strips 3. Naturally, the shape of the polyhedral body 2 may vary and should be understood as merely an example.

[0088] To close the loop and connect all the polyhedral bodies in a closed loop configuration, in one embodiment the starting portion 302 and the ending portion 304 of the connecting strip 3 are placed one on top of the other and connected by the polyhedral bodies 2 connected to the connecting strip 3 in the manner described below with reference to Fig. 5A. In other words, a closed loop does not require the connecting strip 3 to be in the shape of a loop, it is sufficient for the connecting strip 3 to be a linear connecting strip 3, which is connected at both ends to form a looped arrangement of polyhedral bodies 2 and further to form a rotating loop of tetrahedrons.

[0089] The connecting strip 3 can be made of leather or flexible plastic, which allows the portion 32 of the connecting strip 3 to bend around an axis of symmetry, this material being able to withstand such mechanical pressures without breaking, cracking or becoming brittle during use of the transformable toy 1.

[0090] To further prevent any damage due to mechanical stress, anti-wear holes 38 are inserted in the highly stressed areas of the connecting strip, thus preventing cracks or tears from propagating along the direction of the hinge 30.

[0091] In Fig. 4C another embodiment of the connection strip 3 is shown. The connection strip 3 provides for example a similar arrangement to the openings 37, 37' in Fig. 4A. However, the connection strip 3 includes a larger surface area, which allows a more secure connection of the polyhedral body 2.

[0092] In Figures 4D and 4E further embodiment of the connecting strip 3 is shown, which is similar to the connecting strip shown in Figure 4A, but the starting portion 302 and the end portion 304 are shaped in such a way that they can be closed in a loop so that they can be arranged with less overlap. The connection between the starting portion 302 and the end portion 304 is realized by two polyhedral bodies, which connect the two parts to each other like a chain joint. It should be noted that only the opening 37' is shown as a guide for the eye. The connecting strip 3 can also include an opening 37.

[0093] 5A, 5B show how the polyhedral bodies 2, 2' are fixed to the connecting strip 3. Each polyhedral body 2, 2' comprises two connectable members 24, 26. The connection is realised by pins 27 and holes 29, and a pin of one connectable member 24, 26 can be inserted into a corresponding hole 29 of a corresponding connectable member 26, 24. The pin 27 can be interlocked in the hole 29, glued in the hole 29 or locked in the hole 29 by friction between the outer surface of the pin 27 and the inner surface of the hole 29. It should be noted that the connectable members can comprise cavities 25 into which magnets 4 can be inserted to stabilise the geometrical transformation of the transformable toy 1.

[0094] The pins 27 and the holes 29 and the cavities 25 of the connectable members 24, 26 are arranged in such a way that the pins 27 can be positioned by connecting the openings 37, 37' in the connecting strip 3. Furthermore, the openings 37' in the connecting strip 3 allow the magnets 4 to be positioned in the centre of the polyhedral body. This is advantageous due to the stabilisation mechanism of the geometric deformations, since the magnets can be positioned in the centre of mass of the polyhedral body 2.

[0095] The connectable members 24, 26 of the first polyhedral body 2 are connected to each other by means of the above-mentioned pins 27 and holes 29 surrounding the first half 320 of the first part 32 of the connecting strip 3. The second half 322 of the first part 32 of the connecting strip 3 is surrounded by the connectable members 24', 26' of the second polyhedral body 2'. The first polyhedral body 2 and the second polyhedral body 2' are adjacent to each other and the connecting edge 28 of the first polyhedral body 2 is parallel to the connecting edge 28' of the second connecting body 2'. The connecting edges 28, 28' may be in contact with each other but may also be positioned at a small distance, for example less than 5 mm. In this way, the connecting strip 3 is barely visible but the length scale is small enough to allow the polyhedral bodies 2, 2' to rotate stably around the rotation axis of the hinge 30, which is provided by the connecting strip 3.

[0096] In other words, each polyhedral body 2 is composed of at least two connectable members 24,26 and the connecting strip 3 is arranged between the connectable members 24,26.

[0097] The hinge 30 between the first polyhedral body 2 and the second polyhedral body 2' is formed by inserting a first half of the first part of the connecting strip 320 between the two connectable members 24, 26 of the first polyhedral body 2 and a second half of the first part of the connecting strip 322 between the two connectable members 24', 26' of the second polyhedral body 2'. Thus, the connecting edge 28 of the first polyhedral body 2' and the connecting edge 28' of the second polyhedral body 2' are adjacent to each other and are pivotally connected by the first part 32 of the connecting strip 322.

[0098] 5C a geometrical deformation is shown, in which the polyhedral bodies 2, 2′ rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation by a hinge 30. In other words, the connecting strip 3 provides a hinge 30 around which the polyhedral bodies 2, 2′ can rotate.

[0099] The magnets 4 in the polyhedral body 2, 2' provide a magnetic field 40 which can stabilize the geometric deformation G if the magnetic force between the magnets 4 is an attractive force. If the magnetic force is a repulsive force, the geometric deformation is not stabilized and the polyhedral body 2, 2' will try to rotate in order to increase the distance between the magnets 4.

[0100] 5D shows another possible fastening mechanism between the connectable members 24, 26. A snap-in connection can be used and the pin 27 includes a hook-like structure 270 that can lock with a protrusion 290 in a hole.

[0101] 5E, 5F are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the magnet 4 can move in a cavity 25, which is formed by the connectable members 24, 26. The cavity 25 has, for example, a tubular shape, and the length of the cavity 25 perpendicular to the plane of the connecting strip 32 is much larger than the size of the magnet 4, thereby allowing the magnet 4 to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the connecting strip 32. For example, the magnet 4 can have a spherical shape so that it can rotate towards both ends of the cavity 25, and the magnet 4 can align its magnetic field 40 according to the surrounding magnetic field from the transformable toy 1.

[0102] However, the magnet 4 can also have a cylindrical form so that it can move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the connecting strip 32. The cylindrical magnet 4 can also be polarized along the length of the cavity. Furthermore, the movement of the magnet adjusts the strength of the magnetic field only through at least one polygonal face 200 of the polyhedral body. Alternatively, the cylindrical magnet 4 can be polarized perpendicular to the length of the cavity 25. In this way, the magnet 4 also has a rotational degree of freedom, which allows the magnet 4 to align its magnetic field 40 according to the ambient magnetic field of the transformable toy 1.

[0103] In Fig. 6 it is shown that all connectable members 24, 26 of the polyhedral bodies 2 are connected together to a single connecting strip 3. In this way, the connecting strip provides a base onto which all polyhedral bodies 2 can be attached together. Only in the last production step are the first and last polyhedral bodies 2 in the chain of polyhedral bodies 2 shown connected to each other. This makes it possible to speed up the production process of the transformable toy 1. By connecting the first and last polyhedral bodies 2 in the chain of polyhedral bodies, the transformable toy 1 is formed.

[0104] Wherever applicable, all individual features shown in the examples can be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the field of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. Transformable toys 2 Polyhedral bodies 20,22 Adjacent polyhedral bodies 200 Polyhedral Faces 24 First connectable member 25 Magnet Cavity 26 Second connectable member 27 pin 270 Hook 28 Connecting Edges 29 holes 290 Protruding part 3 Connection Strips 30 Hinge 32 Part of the connection strip 320 1st half part 322 Second half part 37 Aperture 38 Anti-wear holes 4. Magnets 40 Magnetic field G,G´ Geometric transformation R rotation axis R* Loop axis

Claims

1. A transforming toy, at least six polyhedral bodies, a single connecting strip, and a plurality of magnets; the single connecting strip connects the at least six polyhedral bodies to a chain, the single connecting strip forming a plurality of hinges including a hinge between each pair of adjacent polyhedral bodies of the chain, the plurality of hinges facilitating movement of the at least six polyhedral bodies between at least two different geometric transformations; 13. A transformable toy, comprising: a plurality of magnets configured to stabilize the at least six polyhedral bodies in at least two different geometric transformations.

2. The transformable toy described in Claim 1, characterized in that the at least six polyhedral bodies are connected in a closed loop by the single connecting strip.

3. The transformable toy described in Claim 1, characterized in that the at least six polyhedral bodies include twelve polyhedral bodies.

4. 2. The transformable toy of claim 1, wherein the single connecting strip has a beginning portion and an end portion that are connected to each other via one of the at least six polyhedral bodies.

5. The transformable toy described in Claim 1, characterized in that two connectable members of at least one of the at least six polyhedral bodies surround the single connecting strip.

6. A transformable toy, at least six polyhedral bodies and at least one connecting strip; the at least one connecting strip connects the at least six polyhedral bodies to the loops, the at least one connecting strip forming a hinge between adjacent polyhedral bodies of each pair of the loops; each of the at least six polyhedral bodies includes two connectable members, the at least one connection strip being located between the two connectable members of each of the at least six polyhedral bodies; A transformable toy, characterized in that a starting portion of the at least one connecting strip and an ending portion of the at least one connecting strip are positioned between the two connectable members of one of the at least six polyhedral bodies.

7. Of the at least six polyhedral bodies, a hinge between a first polyhedral body and a second polyhedral body is formed by a first portion of the at least one connecting strip, the first portion being arranged between the two connectable members of the first polyhedral body, and a second portion of the at least one connecting strip, the second portion being arranged between the two connectable members of the second polyhedral body; 7. The transformable toy according to claim 6, wherein a connecting edge of the first polyhedron body and a connecting edge of the second polyhedron are adjacent to each other and pivotally connected by the at least one connecting strip.

8. 7. The transformable toy of claim 6, wherein the two connectable members include a connecting strip fixing member.

9. 9. The transformable toy of claim 8, wherein the connecting strip fixing members include pins and holes.

10. The transformable toy described in Claim 6, characterized in that the at least one connecting strip includes a single connecting strip.

11. 2. The transformable toy of claim 1, wherein the at least six polyhedral bodies include twelve tetrahedrons.

12. 2. The transformable toy according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least six polyhedral bodies includes at least one of the plurality of magnets.

13. The transformable toy described in Claim 6, further comprising a plurality of magnets configured to stabilize the at least six polyhedral bodies.

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