AU2012101483A4 - Magnetic plastic spring coil figure - Google Patents

Abstract

A Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure that can stretch in a three dimensional plain from one or more pivotal points by more than twice its flaccid resting position. Metal wire is molded inside the plastic coil to strengthen the spring and magnets are internally sealed at the extremities of the coil using the same plastic material for a strong bond. Figure 3

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT MAGNETIC PLASTIC SPRING COIL FIGURE The following statement is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 MAGNETIC PLASTIC SPRING COIL FIGURE. Magnetic toys figures are common within the industry and this inventor has various designs and patents relating to same. The difficulty with all magnetic toys is how to prevent small magnets from dislodging from the main body. Serious safety concerns exist if magnets can be 5 swallowed by children. The new magnetic plastic spring coil figure that this invention relates to is made substantially from an interesting material called TPU, thermoplastic poly urethane, a material known for its strong elastic qualities and play pattern. When molded into a spring coil it has an even more elastic quality. This plastic spring coil is now used for the body of the toy figure instead of the 10 usual solid plastic or rope material as previously described in other patents. In this way the arms and legs can be stretched to three times their flaccid rest position. The problem however when replacing the body parts with this TPU material is that the normal method of securing the magnets and providing strength to the toy is diminished. 15 It is this problem the inventor of the magnetic plastic spring coil figure has sought to solve. It was found that all prototypes of the Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure were failing the toy safety standard as outlined in the international pull and impact test. The spring coil made from TPU broke under this stress test. It was not an option 20 to thicken the material as it did not look nice, so to ensure strength, metal wire was molded into the coil during manufacture. Magnets were then also molded into 2 the material at the extremities of the figure and bonded with glue that was made from the same material. The new Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure now had the safety features required by the standard but still provided the new novel feature of being an elastic figure 5 instead of a solid. The Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure can be better understood when viewing the following drawings where; FIGURE 1 is a simple Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure FIGURE 2 is a skeleton Magnetic Plastic Figure without the Spring Coil 10 FIGURE 3 is a completed Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure FIGURE 4 is a Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure showing the flaccid and elastic qualities. In FIGURE 1 a magnet 1 is molded into a connector 2 which in turn is molded around a plastic spring coil 3 that has metal wire 4 internally molded. Two magnetic 15 plastic spring coil figures are joined together by glue at a pivotal point 5. In FIGURE 2 a skeleton figure 6 without the spring coil 3 attached to the magnetic connectors 2 and the head 7 and mushroom head connector 8 is illustrated.

3 In FIGURE 3 the completed magnetic I plastic spring coil 3 figure is assembled into the skeleton 6 and pivotal fixed points 5 complete the figure. In FIGURE 4 the magnetic I plastic spring coil 3 illustrates how the figure works. By holding the magnet I and the magnet connector 2 separately from the pivotal 5 point 5 the plastic spring coil 3 with internal metal wire 4, can be stretched in any 360 degree direction away from the pivotal point 5 by more than two times 9 its flaccid resting position 10. Upon release of the magnetic connector 2 the plastic spring coil 3 recoils to its original flaccid resting position 10. All plastic parts are glued using the same glue material for security and strength of bonding.

Claims (3)

1. A Magnetic Plastic Spring Coil Figure that can stretch in a three dimensional plain from one or two pivotal points by more than twice its flaccid resting position.

2. As in claim one where metal wire is molded inside the plastic coil to strengthen the spring.

3. As in claim one and two where the extremities of the coil have magnets sealed internally using the same material for a strong bond. PETER ALAN FISH 17 TH SEPTEMBER 2012