EP2528673B1

EP2528673B1 - Magnetic joint device for a modular toy assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2528673B1
Application number: EP11701391.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Vicentelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-25
Filing date: 2011-01-21
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-21
Also published as: EP2528673A1; ITMI20100085A1; IT1397748B1; WO2011089228A1; CN102725041A

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of magnetic toys of the type comprising a plurality of constructional modular elements, for example of the type disclosed in EP-A-1.742.715 , and more properly is directed to a set of constructional elements having a magnetic joint device, hereinafter referred to as "magnetic joint" for toys comprising modular constructional elements, said magnetic joint being suitable for enabling a greater assembling and anchoring freedom and capability between two or more constructional elements of a toy.
By a magnetic joint according to the invention, toy assemblies can be achieved in a very flexible manner, having two/three-dimensional geometric shapes, for example for reproducing monuments, castles, general buildings, static and/or dynamic toys and structurally simple or complex toy assemblies imitating real environments or environments of mere fantasy.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Since long time, in the field of constructional toys, different toy systems provided with modular elements are present on the market, said toy systems being commercially known for example with the trademarks of "Meccano", "Lego", "K'nex", "Geomag", and other again, and are particularly suitable for developing creativity. Besides the shape of the different components, these toys differ from each other mainly for the connecting system.
In particular "Meccano" is characterised by a connecting system of point type, wherein planar metal bars are provided with a plurality of holes, spaced apart by a constant step, and wherein the connection between the bars is obtained by nut and bolt means in which the balls must be inserted into aligned holes of two or more partially overlapped bars. Besides requiring a certain manual skill, this connecting system enables a relative rotation between the bars only, when bolts and nuts are not strongly tightened; in addition, the position, the orientation and the connection between the bars of a toy can be only adjusted in a plane, at the single holes.
"Lego" consists in turn of a plurality of small bricks of plastic material, suitable for being fixedly engaged with each other; each brick exhibits, on opposite sides, protrusions and/or cavities wherein the protrusions of a brick engage the cavities of one or more bricks; protrusions and cavities are allowed to fixedly engage each other only at two opposite sides preventing any relative movement. As an alternative to said connecting system between bricks of the type referred to, US-A-3.196.579 , US-A-4.026.086 and EP-A-1.093.834 disclose magnetically connecting systems between modular bricks or blocks; however, the magnets are embedded or fixed in permanent manner, that once again makes impossible any movement between the constructional elements of the toy, unless by use of special components; furthermore, since the magnets are fixedly arranged, that makes impossible to change the connecting points.
The "K'nex" is characterised in turn by a mechanical system of connecting points, wherein use is made of snap coupling means that once again allows a limited movement between constructional elements of the toy only by means of properly dedicated components.
"Geomag" is disclosed, in some possible embodiments and applications, in EP-A-1.080.476 and EP-A-1.742.715 . In particular EP-A-1.080.476 concerns a magnetic toy assembly comprising metal spheres and magnetic bars, that are suitable for enabling the construction of two- and three-dimensional structures, characterised by closed magnetic circuits, i.e. circuits such to remarkably increase the magnetic anchoring force. Furthermore, in the Geomag system, although the spheres allow the magnetic bars of the toy assembly to be rotated and oriented, such rotation and orientation are only enabled around the spheres themselves.
If, on the one hand, the use of only spheres and magnetic bars enables simple and complex reticular structures of different shapes and dimensions to be constructed however, from an aesthetical point of view and the point of view of the modularity and the creativity of the play, in a certain sense said use results restrictive.
EP-A-1.742.715 , that constitutes the State of the Art closer to the present invention, suggests in turn a different implementation and use of the spheres and the magnetic bars of EP-A-1.080.476 .
In particular, EP-A-1.742.715 discloses a toy assembly comprising a plurality of constructional and modular elements of non-magnetic material, suitable for being composed, having both structural and aesthetical functions, in which the modular elements are conformed and suitable for being combined in order to obtain any type of structure, in the construction of a toy assembly, in relation to the aesthetical features and the geometrical shape of said elements, depending on the combination and the arrangement of said modular elements during the construction of a toy. The constructional elements of the toy are held in an assembled condition by magnetically connected elements defining a support skeleton consisting of magnetic bars, removably inserted into through holes of the constructional elements of the toy, and metal spheres and/or ferromagnetic block elements, disposed between adjacent constructional elements of the toy. The magnetic connecting system provided by the bar sphere elements, although on one hand enables the construction of different types of toy assemblies, provided with a suitable support magnetic skeleton for connection between the constructional elements, on the other hand restricts once again the modularity and the capability of freely varying the relative disposition and orientation of said constructional elements.
Other modular magnetic toys are disclosed for example in US-A-1.236.234 , US-A-3.998.004 , US-A-6.626.727 and US-A-6.969.294 .
From an exhaustive analysis carried out both on the different modular toys present on the market, and the toys disclosed in the previously indicated patents, the result arose that part of said toys exhibits a limited playability, the same toys are not very flexible and are not suitable for reproducing playing structures or toy assemblies of various type, or said toys are constructively complex and expensive.
Besides the drawbacks previously referred to, a limit of the mechanical and magnetic connecting systems previously known consists in the incapablity, both during and after the construction of a toy assembly, of effectively changhg the anchoring points and the orientation between elements of the toy, unless in an extremely limited manner or in a manner pre-established at the designing stage.
In order to partially solve said problem, WO2008/043535 discloses the use of constructional elements for toys of different shape and type, comprising magnets movable in appropriate cavities, arranged at specified contact regions. However, also in this case the points or the regions for mutually contacting and magnetically anchoring the elements of the toy must always be pre-established at the designing stage, without any capability of successively changing or modifying said anchoring points or regions in order to adapt said points or regions to the different assembling requirements during the construction of a toy.
Lastly DE-102005058992 relates to a magnetic toy comprising a plurality of polyhedral blocks and grooves partitioned in small moving spaces for magnets, to allow coupling positions to be changed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a set of constructional elements having a magnetic joint device for connecting modular constructional elements of a toy assembly, by means of which it is made possible to freely select and/or modify the contacting and anchoring regions and/or points between constructional elements of the toy, directly by the user at the beginning and during the construction of the toy, and to modify successively; thus, the possibility is remarkably implemented of defining and/or modifying the choice of the contact and anchorage points between constructional elements of the toy, their position and orientation in relation to the shape and type of the same constructional blocks, and also in relation to the structural and aesthetical features or other requirements of the toy.
A further object of the invention is to provide a set of constructional elements having a magnetic joint device suitable for connecting constructional elements of a toy, as previously defined, by means of which the various elements of the toy can be differently positioned and/or oriented in an assembled condition, according to one or more directions and/or planes, as well as two or more elements of the toy can be anchored with each other, at one or more contact regions or points, by enabling at the same time a possible relative rotation of each constructional element of the toy, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the same constructional element.
A further object of the invention is to provide a constructional assembly for a composable toy comprising a plurality of modular constructional elements and a plurality of magnetic connecting elements, wherein the constructional elements of the toy are similarly and/or variously conformed or shaped, and suitable for being selectively combined with each other, so as to be securely held in an assembled condition by magnetic joint devices according to the invention. Consequently, the creativity and the playing versatility of the toy are remarkably enhanced, and also the possibility of easily modifying the arrangement and disposition of the various constructional elements during the construction of said toy, without any restraint or limitation in choosing the type, the disposition and the number of the constructional elements to be assembled, as well as in choosing the anchoring points and/or the regions, all that as a function of the shape and aesthetic features of the toy to be constructed.
The technical problem, lying at the base of the present invention, consists consequently in providing a magnetic joint device for connecting different constructional elements of a modular toy, which joint device fully releases the user from any restraint, both in positioning the connection points and in the shape and/or in the aesthetical features of any assembly of constructional elements of the toy to be assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are achievable by a set of constructional elements having a magnetic joint device according to claim 1, as well as by a toy assembly comprising constructional elements and magnetic joint devices according to claim 10.
According to a first aspect of the invention a set of constructional elements has been provided comprising two or more constructional elements having magnetic joints for forming a toy assembly each constructional element comprises:

a body of magnetically non-conductive material provided with at least one open-end longitudinal through hole, and with an external surface having at least one longitudinal groove, extending between and opening at the end surfaces; and
wherein the magnetic joint comprises a first magnetic bar slidably and removably inserted and positioned into the longitudinal through hole of a constructional element of the toy assembly, characterised by comprising:
- a main metal pin of ferromagnetic material, slidably and removably insertable and positionable into the longitudinal groove of a first constructional element, the longitudinal groove being provided with side abutting surfaces for retaining the metal pin;
- one end of a second magnetic bar inserted into a through hole of a second constructional element is magnetically anchored to the metal pin inserted into the longitudinal groove of the first constructional element; and
- the other end of the second magnetic bar is magnetically anchored to a retaining ferromagnetic blocking element, or to a metal pin positioned in the longitudinal groove of a third constructional element of the toy assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a constructional assembly for composable toys has been provided comprising a plurality of modular constructional toy elements, and a plurality of magnetic anchoring elements, wherein the constructional elements of the toy are retained in an assembled condition by magnetic joint devices as previously defined.
The constructional elements of the toy can exhibit any shape, for example prismatic, cylindrical, or any other shape, according to the type of the toy assembly to be constructed; furthermore, said constructional elements of the toy can be manufactured with any type or combination of magnetically non-conductive materials such as plastics, woods, cardboard or their combination. The constructional elements of the toy can also have any dimension: for example, the toy constructional elements can comprise modular elements having a base length, and modular elements having submultiple lengths of said base length. The toy constructional elements can have longitudinal and/or transversal open-end grooves for the insertion of different types of metal anchoring pins, at one or more side faces of the external surface, and/or at the ends, as well as into possible crossthrough holes.
The groove is open on a side and at both ends, for enabling the introduction, the sliding and the removal of at least one metal pin of a magnetic joint. In particular, the groove exhibits a slot provided or conformed with side abutting surfaces for retaining a metal pin in a direction orthogonal to same groove. The magnetic bar can be, in turn, anyway conformed, as long as suitable for providing a magnetic pole at each end. Furthermore, metal pins having different thicknesses, cross sections and/or lengths may be provided, for example having thicknesses and/or dimensions of the cross sections smaller than the housing grooves, said metal pins being suitable to freely slide and be anyway positioned along a groove.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal and/or transversal grooves for housing the metal pins can be advantageously used for inserting panels or other additional components of a toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of a set of constructional elements having the magnetic joint device and a toy assembly comprising constructional elements and magnetic joint devices according to the present invention will better result from the following description and the examples of the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of two constructional elements of a toy, in assembled condition by means of a magnetic joint device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view according to the line 2-2 of figure 1;
Figure 3 is a further enlarged detail, according to line 3-3 of figure 2;
Figure 4 is a first side view of a toy constructional element;
Figure 5 is a second side view of a toy constructional element, similar to the constructional element of figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view according to the line 6-6 of figure 4;
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view according to the line 7-7 of figure 4;
Figures 8 to 18 show some views of different constructional elements and magnetic anchoring elements for a joint device according to the present invention;
Figure 19 shows, partially in view and partially in cross section, two coupled toy constructional elements in which the metal pin prevents a lateral displacement of said constructional elements;
Figure 20 shows a cross sectional view according to the line 20-20 of figure 19, wherein the metal pin enables the two toy constructional elements to mutually slide along a longitudinal axis of the pin;
Figure 21 shows a connection between three constructional elements, by the pin of a magnetic joint device according to the invention;
Figure 22 shows an angled disposition of two toy constructional elements, connected by an auxiliary connecting element, and respective magnetic joint devices according to the invention;
Figure 23 shows a front view of an assembly of toy constructional elements, comprising an auxiliary panel;
Figure 24 shows a cross sectional view according to the line 24-24 of figure 23;
Figure 25 shows, by way of example, a perspective view of a chair obtained by toy constructional elements and magnetic joint devices according to the invention;
Figure 26 is an enlarged cross sectional view, according to the line 26-26 of figure 25;
Figure 27 shows a perspective view of an aircraft obtained by different toy constructional elements in an assembled condition by magnetic joint devices according to the invention;
Figure 28 is an exploded view of the aircraft of figure 27;
Figures 29 to 33 show other examples of assembled constructional elements, connected by magnetic joint devices according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The innovative features of a magnetic joint device and an assembly of modular elements suitable for the construction of toy assemblies according to the invention, and some preferred embodiments will be now disclosed with reference to the example of figures 1 to 3.
Figures 1 to 3 show, by way of example, two main constructional elements 10, suitable for being combined for the construction of a toy assembly, hereinafter more simply said "constructional elements", in assembled condition by means of a magnetic joint device according to the invention; it is also specified that, in contrast with the magnetic anchoring elements of the joint device, as "constructional elements" of the toy it is to be understood any element having exclusively aesthetical and structural functions in the construction of a toy.
In particular, a first, vertically arranged, main constructional element, having a base modular length, is indicated by reference number 10.1, whereas a second main constructional element, having a length submultiple of the modular length of the preceding constructional element 10.1, is indicated by 10.2.
Both the constructional elements 10.1 and 10.2 comprise an elongated body, of prismatic shape, in magnetically non-conductive material, for example plastic material, wood, other suitable material, or any combination thereof, having an external surface delimited by planar lateral faces 11, that extend along a longitudinal axis between end surfaces 12; the lateral faces 11 and the end surfaces 12 of each constructional element 10 define mutual contact surfaces with other constructional elements of a toy.
Both the constructional element 10.1 and the constructional element 10.2 exhibit, in the shown case, at least one through hole 15 that extends over the whole length of the body along a longitudinal axis; the constructional elements 10.1 and 10.2 exhibit, in addition, on one or more lateral faces 11 of the external surface, at least one longitudinal open-end groove 16, that, together with the through hole 15, parallel extends to the longitudinal axis of the body, between the end surfaces 12 of the constructional element 10 of the toy.
In the case that the constructional elements of the toy 10 have transversal through holes 17 extending between two lateral faces 11, the longitudinal grooves 16 are intersected by said transversal holes 17.
Figures 2 and 3 show in greater detail the features of the magnetic joint and an assembly of constructional elements of a toy according to the invention.
As shown by the figures, the magnetic joint device comprises a main metal pin 18, of ferromagnetic material or other magnetically conductive material, inserted and suitable for being removably positioned into a groove 16 of a first constructional element 10, for example the constructional element 10.1 of figure 1. The magnetic joint device further comprises an elongated magnetic bar 19, suitable for being removably inserted into the through hole 15 of the second constructional element 10.2 so that a pole end of the magnetic bar 19, consisting for example of a pole of a first permanent magnet 20A, rests against a lateral face 11 of the constructional element 10.1, magnetically anchoring said pole end of the magnetic bar 19 to the metal pin 18. Thus, the metal pin 18 is attracted against abutting surfaces 21, on the two side edges of the longitudinal slot of the groove 16; the space between the two abutting surfaces 21, and consequently the slot width, must therefore be smaller than the dimension of the cross section of the pin 18, in order to constrain said pin 18 preventing the removal in a direction orthogonal to the groove 16.
From figure 2 it is further shown that the other pole end of the magnetic bar 19, provided by a second permanent magnet 20B, is magnetically anchored to a block element of ferromagnetic material, for example a metal sphere 22 within a concave seat of an additional constructional element 23 of magnetically non-conductive material, said additional element being urged against the end of the main constructional element 10.2 opposite the contact end with the constructional element 10.1, by said sphere 22 attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet 20B. In figure 2, the lines of the magnetic flow generated by the magnets 20A and 20B, which are linked with the metal pin 18 and the metal sphere 22, respectively, are schematically indicated by FA and FB. Thus, owing to the opposite, magnetically attracting forces generated by the magnets of the bar 19 on the metal pin 18, and the metal sphere 22, respectively, the two constructional elements 10.1 and 10.2 of the toy are firmly blocked and held in their assembled condition by the magnetic joint device.
As already discussed, the main metal pin 18 and the magnetic bar 19 must exhibit cross dimensions smaller than the cross dimensions of the groove 16 and the through hole 15, respectively, in order to enable said main metal pin 18 and said magnetic bar 19 to be slidably inserted, positioned and freely removed by hand.
It is also specified that, alternatively, the metal sphere 22 and the additional constructional element 23 can be substituted by any other block element of magnetically conductive material, as discussed in the following with reference to the example of figure 23.
Furthermore, the main metal pin, constituting part of the magnetic joint device according to the invention, can have any length, or a toy assembly can comprise metal pins of different lengths.
Again with reference to figures 1-3, since in this case the pin 18 exhibits a length remarkably smaller than the groove 16; it results clear that said pin 18 can freely slid and positioned along the groove 16, both at time the pin 18 is inserted, and successively, in order to change the region or anchoring point between the two constructional toy elements 10.1 and 10.2 in their assembled condition; eventually, from the same figures it can be deduced that one or both constructional elements 10.1 and 10.2 can be angularly rotated around an axis, orthogonal to the pin 18, which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the magnetic bar 19.
Figures 4 to 7 show in greater detail some features of a toy constructional element, in the different views and cross sections; consequently, in the figures, the same reference numbers are used of the preceding figures, in order to indicate similar or equivalent parts. In the case of figure 4, the constructional element 10 is provided with three cross through holes 17 that extend between opposite lateral faces 11, whereas, in the case of figure 5, the constructional element 10 is provided with a longitudinal groove 16 that extends over the whole length of a lateral face 11.
In the construction of toys of different type and/or design, in some cases it can result necessary to have the disposal of constructional elements 10 of different length, or different shape and/or dimension, as well as to have the disposal of variously conformed or shaped constructional elements, or constructional elements of different type.
In the figures 1 to 7, some constructional elements 10 of parallelepiped shape are shown; however, the constructional elements 10 can be of any other geometric shape, for example of prismatic, cylindrical, conical, or other shape, according to the type of toy to be obtained. Also the length and the transversal dimensions of the constructional elements 10 can be any; however, it is possible that, in an assembly of constructional elements and magnetic anchoring devices, the need exists of having the disposal of a plurality of constructional elements of a same length and/or shape, and/or the disposal of constructional elements of different lengths and/or shapes. For example, the assembly of constructional elements can comprise a first set of main constructional elements, having a prefixed base length, similar for example to the constructional element 10.1 of figure 1, and a second set of secondary constructional elements, of length smaller than the preceding main constructional elements, similar to the constructional element 10.2, for example having lengths equal to 2/3 of the length of the main constructional element; and also a possible third set of modular constructional elements 10.3 of length smaller than the preceding ones, for example equal to 1/3 of the length of the main constructional elements. In general, all or part of the constructional elements of the different sets will have a longitudinal through hole 15, and/or at least one longitudinal groove 16 on at least one face or lateral contact surface with other constructional elements of an assembly, in which longitudinal groove 16 a metal pin 18, for a magnetic joint device according to the invention, may be removably inserted.
It is also advisable that, the constructional elements 10, or certain constructional elements exhibit one or more transversal grooves on one or more faces, in the shape of an open or closed ring, as schematically indicated with 16' in figures 4 and 5.
According to another aspect of the invention, in a toy assembly of modular constructional elements and magnetic anchoring elements of magnetic joint devices according to the invention, besides modular constructional elements of equal and/or different shape and/or dimension, it may result useful to have the disposal of other constructional elements and/or magnetically connecting elements for a joint device.
As disclosed in the following, figures 8 to 18 show, by way of example, a number of constructional elements and magnetically and/or mechanically connecting elements; in the different figures, the same reference numbers of the preceding figures were used again, in order to indicate similar or equivalent parts.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show three modular constructional elements 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 of the same type, but of different length, wherein the constructional elements of figures 9 and 10 are submultiple of the main constructional element 10.1 of figure 8; in particular, the constructional element 10.1 of figure 8 is provided with longitudinal grooves 16 and three cross through holes 17; the constructional element 10.2 of figure 9 is provided with two cross through holes 17. While, the constructional element 10.3 of figure 10 exhibits a single cross hole 17, a central through hole 15 and grooves 16 on the various lateral faces, oriented along three orthogonal directions.
Figure 11 shows in turn an additional retaining element similar to the element 23 of figure 2; in the case of figure 11, the retaining element 23 comprises, besides the seat 23' for housing a metal sphere 22, an axial through hole 15 and longitudinal grooves 16, suitable for being aligned with the through hole 15, respectively grooves 16 of any toy constructional element 10 of figures 8, 9 and 10.
Figure 12 shows a preferred, non-limitative embodiment of the magnetic bar 19, that can be anyway conformed provided that it is suitable for magnetically connecting the constructional elements 10 of a toy assembly, according to the preceding figures. Consequently, the magnetic bar 19 can be anyway conformed and shaped and have any length, provided that said magnetic bar 19 exhibits a magnetic pole at each end thereof, as indicated by 20A and 20B in figure 12. For example, the magnetic bar 19 can comprise a permanent magnet 20A, 20B at each end thereof, magnetically connected by an intermediate core 24 of ferromagnetic material, that extends between opposite poles of the two magnets 20A and 20B; the magnets 20A, 20B and the metal core 24 are protected by a coating 24' of synthetic resin. As previously discussed, in the field of the present invention, other types or differently conformed magnetic bars 19 are similarly suitable for being used.
Figure 13 shows a main metal pin 18 of reduced length, similar to the main metal pin 18 of figure 2. In general, the metal pin 18 exhibits a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the grooves 16, that, as previously discussed, exhibit a longitudinal slot, conformed to provide two side abutting surfaces 21, preventing the pin 18 from exiting in a direction orthogonal to the groove 16.
Figure 14 shows in turn a main metal pin 18' of greater length than the previous pin 18, for example equal to or greater than the length of the grooves 16 of the constructional elements 10. Figure 15 shows a metal sphere 22 for blocking a magnetic bar 19 at the opposite end of the magnetic joint device according to the invention, whereas figures 16, 17 and 18 show three different additional pins of magnetically conductive material, adapted for being removably inserted into a longitudinal through hole 15 of a corresponding constructional element 10.
In particular, figures 16, 17 and 18 show three different types of auxiliary metal pins that can be of cylindrical or polygonal shape, and of any length in order to conform with the length of a through hole 15 of the constructional elements 10, or, alternatively, with the length of corresponding longitudinal slot 16 of the external surface of the single toy elements, and/or with the length of cross holes 17.
In particular, figure 16 shows a metal pin 25.1 of a first type, provided, on one or more sides, with planar surfaces 26, at prefixed space, corresponding to the space between the cross holes 17 of constructional elements 10; in this way, during the construction of a toy assembly, the planar surfaces 26 of the pin 25.1 are aligned with the holes 17 of the constructional elements 10, enabling a magnetic connection with one or more magnetic bars 19, inserted, from one side or from opposite sides, into the holes 17.
Figure 17 shows an auxiliary metal pin 25.2 of a second type; the pin 25.2 comprises three cross through holes 27 of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the main metal pins 18 and 18', shown in figures 13 and 14.
Figure 18 shows a third type of metal pin 25.3, having three cross through holes 27, and a planar surface 28 on one or more sides, that extends over the whole length of the pin; thus, metal pins 18, 18' and 25 of different type can be separately or jointly used for magnetically and/or mechanically connecting the constructional elements of a toy.
Again by way of example, figures 19 to 22 show further features of the magnetic joint device according to the present invention; also in these figures, in order to indicate similar or equivalent parts, the same reference numbers of the preceding figures are used.
In particular, from figure 19 it is shown that the metal pin 18, engaged by the magnetic bar 19, connects two constructional elements 10.2 and 10.3, preventing said two constructional elements 10.2 and 10.3 from laterally displacing by magnetic anchoring force; conversely, figure 20 shows the capability of the two constructional elements 10.2 and 10.3 to relatively slide with respect to each other, in the longitudinal direction of the metal pin 18.
Figure 21 shows the possibility of magnetically and mechanically connecting three constructional elements 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, mutually arranged at 90°, by a magnetic bar 19 and a single metal pin 18, that partially extends within the grooves 16 of the two adjacent constructional elements 10.1 and 10.3, whereas is magnetically anchored to the magnetic bar 19 of the constructional element 10.2.
Figure 22 shows the use of an auxiliary connecting element 29, having a wedge shape, or a triangular cross section, said auxiliary connecting element 29 having mutual contact surfaces with the constructional elements 10.1, 10.2, provided with a groove for inserting a respective metal pin 18; so, two constructional elements 10 can be magnetically anchored by an intermediate connecting element 29, by means of magnetic joint devices according to the present invention; obviously, the angle between the contact surfaces of the connecting element 29 can be different, for example greater or smaller than the shown one.
The remaining figures 23 to 33 show some applications of the constructional elements and magnetically connecting elements for a joint device according to the invention, in the construction of toys. Once again, in figures 23 to 33 the same reference numbers of the preceding figures are used, in order to indicate similar or equivalent parts.
Figures 23 and 24 show two, vertically arranged, constructional elements 10B, connected with the two horizontal constructional elements 10A by magnetic bars 19 and metal pins 18 defining respective magnetic joint devices according to the invention; the same figures show in addition a central panel 30, inserted into the grooves 16 of the two vertical constructional elements 10B. The same figures show also the possibility of moving and positioning the two vertical constructional elements 10B in the direction of the double arrow W, in order to use panels 30 of different dimensions. From figure 23 it is further shown that the two horizontal constructional elements 10A are magnetically anchored with each other by respective magnetic bars 19 and two lateral ferromagnetic panels 31.
Figure 25 shows a chair constructed by means of modular constructional elements 10 and magnetic joint devices according to the invention, whereas the detail of figure 26 shows the magnetic joint device between an arm-rest and a front leg.
The chair is obtained by assembling a plurality of modular constructional elements 10 anchored by magnetic bars 19 and metal pins 18 as shown in the detail of figure 26; from the same figure 26 it is further shown that the same magnetic joint devices, a panel 32 of any material, defining the seat of the chair, can be anchored by blocking the panel 32 between the magnetic bars 19 of the legs and the metal pins 18 of the arm-rests.
All said above for the chair of figure 25, is also true for assembling any set of elements for constructing any type of toy, as shown for example in the following figures 28 to 33.
Figures 28 and 29 show, by way of example, the construction of an aircraft, as well as a further feature of the constructional assembly and joint device according to the invention, on the basis of which the grooves 16 for housing the metal pin 18 are used for magnetically and/or mechanically connecting, other components of the toy.
As better shown in the exploded view of figure 28, the aircraft consists of a plurality of elements suitable for being mutually assembled, using a magnetic joint devices according to the invention and a mechanical joint for different component parts; in particular the figure shows a modular constructional element 10 constituting the central body of the aircraft, a front element 33 constituting the cockpit, two lateral elements 34 constituting the wings, a rear element 35 constituting the tail, and an auxiliary element 36 representing a reaction engine in the rear part. The different parts constituting the aircraft are held in assembled condition both by magnetic joint devices according to the invention and by mechanical connecting elements of groove and tongue type.
In particular the cockpit 33 is connected to the central constructional element 10 of the aircraft by a magnetic bar 19 inserted into the through hole 15 of the element 10, and a metal pin 18 inserted into a groove 16 of the cockpit 33, whereas the engine block 36 is connected to the constructional element 10 by means of the sphere 22 magnetically engaged with the rear magnetic pole of the bar 19.
Conversely, the two wings 34 and the tail element 35 exhibit longitudinal ribs 37 suitable for being inserted into longitudinal grooves 16 of the constructional element 10, said wings 34 and said tail element 35 being constrained on the two sides by the cockpit 33 and the engine 36.
The following figures 29 to 33 show, again by way of non-limitative example, further possibilities of magnetically connecting different constructional elements of a toy assembly, by magnetically and/or mechanically connecting elements according to the invention; once again, in all the figures the same reference numbers are used of the preceding figures, in order to indicate similar or equivalent parts.
Figure 29 shows three, axially aligned, constructional elements 10, wherein the magnetic bars 19 of the two lateral elements are magnetically anchored to a metal pin 25 inserted into the longitudinal through hole of the central constructional element, whereas two metal panels, magnetically connected to the constructional elements 10 at the two ends, are once again indicated by 31.
Figure 30 shows, an aligned arrangement of the three constructional elements 10 of figure 29, wherein the metal pin 25 partially protrudes into the longitudinal through hole of the central element 10, and partially protrudes into the longitudinal through hole of the left hand element 10; similarly, the magnetic bar 19 of the right hand element 10 partially protrudes into the longitudinal through hole of the central element. Thus, both a magnetic connection in axial direction and a mechanical connection are obtained, said mechanical connection preventing any movement in direction transversal to the longitudinal aligning axis between the constructional elements 10.
Figure 31 shows an arrangement of three constructional elements 10, wherein the magnetic bar 19 of the central element 10 is magnetically anchored to a metal pin 18 inserted into the groove 16 of the left hand constructional element 10, as well as said magnetic bar 19 is magnetically anchored to the metal pin 25 in the through hole of the right hand constructional element 10, through a cross hole 17.
Figure 32 shows a "T-like" arrangement of two constructional elements 10, wherein the magnetic bar 19 inserted into the through hole 15 of the vertical element 10, is magnetically anchored, through a hole 17, with a metal pin 25.1 inserted into a through hole 17 of the horizontal element 10; furthermore, the magnetic bar 19 is magnetically anchored to a metal pin 25.2 inserted into a cross hole 17 at the lower end of the vertical constructional element 10; in the same figure a main metal pin 18 is further indicated, inserted into a groove 16 of the vertical constructional element 10, and simultaneously into a cross through hole 27 of the auxiliary pin 25.2.
Lastly, figure 33 shows in turn the possibility to construct a toy assemblies that comprise rotating elements, for example in the form of a drum 39, rotationally supported by a magnetic bar 19, that extends between two lateral constructional elements 10, and magnetically anchored to metal pins 25.
In the previously described examples, the modular constructional elements 10, the magnetic bars 19 and the main metal pins 18 and 18' were all depicted in the form of rectilinear elements; however, arc-shaped constructional elements 10, magnetic bars 19 and metal pins 18 and 18' can also be provided, that extend for example over an arc of circle equal to, greater or smaller than 90°, implementing so the versatility of the toy assembly and the magnetic connecting system between different constructional elements 10.
From all said and shown in the examples of the enclosed drawings, it will be then understood that the invention is directed both to a set of constructional elements having a particular magnetic joint device between modular constructional elements for the construction of a toy and to a toy assembly comprising modular constructional elements 10, wherein the use is made of magnetic joint device according to the invention. In any case, it will be understood that all was said and shown with reference to the enclosed drawings, was given by mere explanatory way of the features of the magnetic joint device according to the invention and some possible applications; consequently, other modifications or variations can be provided in the shape and the dimensions of the different parts composing a toy assembly and a magnetic joint device according to the invention, without thereby departing from the enclosed claims.

Claims

A set of constructional elements (10) comprising, two or more constructional elements (10) having magnetic joints for forming a toy assembly, each constructional element (10) comprises:
a body of magnetically non-conductive material provided with at least one open-end longitudinal through hole (15), and with an external surface (11) having at least one longitudinal groove (16), extending between and opening at the end surfaces (12); and

wherein the magnetic joint comprises a first magnetic bar (19) slidably and removably inserted and positioned into the longitudinal through hole (15) of a constructional element (10) of the toy assembly, characterised by comprising:
a main metal pin (18; 18') of ferromagnetic material, slidably and removably insertable and positionable into the longitudinal groove (16) of a first constructional element (10.1), the longitudinal groove (16) being provided with side abutting surfaces (21) for retaining the metal pin (18; 18');

one end of a second magnetic bar (19), inserted into the through hole (15) of a second constructional element (10.2), is magnetically anchored to the metal pin (18; 18') inserted into the longitudinal groove (16) of the first constructional element (10.1); and

the other end of the second magnetic bar (19) is magnetically anchored to a retaining ferromagnetic blocking element (22; 25; 31) or to a metal pin (18; 18') positioned in the longitudinal groove (16) of a third constructional element (10) of the toy assembly.
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, the metal pin (18; 18'; 25) has a length equal to or different from the length of the groove (16), or the through hole (15) of the constructional elements (10) of the toy assembly.
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, the constructional element (10) comprises at least one cross through hole (17), that intersects the longitudinal through hole (15).
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, the constructional element (10) comprises at least one groove (16') transversally extending to the longitudinal hole (15), on at least one lateral surface (11).
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1, characterised by comprising an additional metal pin (25) conforming to the longitudinal through hole (15), or the cross through hole (17) of the constructional element (10) of the toy assembly.
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that, the constructional elements (10), the magnetic bars (19), and the metal pins (18; 18'; 25) are of linear or arcuated shape.
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that, the longitudinal through hole (15) and the grooves (16) of the constructional elements (10), as well as the magnetic bars (19) and the metal pins (18; 18'; 25), exhibit a cylindrical and/or polygonal shape.
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that, the additional metal pin (25) exhibits at least one cross through hole (27).
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that, the additional metal pin (25) comprises at least one lateral planar surface (28).
The set of constructional elements (10) according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first set of magnetically anchorable bar-shaped elongated frame elements (19) having a magnetic pole at each end;

a second set of shaped frame elements (18, 22) in ferromagnetic material; and

a third set of modular constructional elements (10), in non magnetic material, each constructional element (10) having mutual side and end mating shoulder surfaces (11, 12).
The set of constructional elements according to claim 10, characterised in that the constructional elements (10) are selectable from a first group of constructional elements (10.1) having a base modular length; and
at least a second group of constructional elements (10.2, 10.3, 23), having a modular length smaller than the length of the constructional elements (10.1) of the first group.