JPH08257252A - Block toy - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable the magnetic connection of plural blocks in arbitrary directions and the creation of many and diversified kinds of connected structures by housing permanent magnets into plane parts of one block freely rotatably around the axial line perpendicular to the corresponding plane parts. CONSTITUTION: A block body 1 is one block of a cubic shape constituting the block toy and is formed of the six plane parts 2. Magnet holding parts 3 are disposed in the respective plane parts 2 and the freely rotatable permanent magnets 4 are housed in these magnet holding parts 3. Further, the one end of the permanent magnets 4 is formed as an N pole and the other end as an S pole. Then, the N pole and S pole of the permanent magnets 4, 4' attract each other and rotate within the magnet holding parts 3, 3' if the one plane part 2 of the block 1 brought near to the one plane part 2' of the other block 1' like the showing by arrow (a) and, therefore, both blocks 1, 1' are joined. The blocks are infinitely and easily connectable in any directions and the connectors having many kinds of structures are creatable according to the block toy.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a block toy, and in particular, a plurality of block main bodies are connected to each other in an arbitrary direction without restricting the connecting direction by abutting the respective plane portions constituting the block main body. The present invention relates to a block toy capable of producing a wide variety of connected structures.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a block toy is one in which the concavities and convexities formed on each block body are fitted and connected to each other, or one block body is provided with a magnet and the other block body is provided with a magnetic body, A method of connecting them by magnetic force has been developed.

Among the conventional block toys, in which the concavities and convexities formed on each block body are fitted to each other and connected, the directionality of the connection is restricted, so that the structure formed by the connection is naturally limited. It was something. Further, even in the case where a magnet is provided on one block body and a magnetic body is provided on the other block body, the directivity of the connection is similarly limited, so that the structure formed by the connection is naturally limited. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is a block toy using a magnet, and it is possible to magnetically connect a plurality of blocks in any direction without restricting the connecting direction. Thus, it is to provide a block toy capable of creating a wide variety of connected structures.

[0005]

As a result of earnest studies, the inventor of the present invention has established permanent magnets inside each of a plurality of flat portions of at least one block constituting a block toy at right angles to the corresponding flat portions. It has been found that the above object of the present invention can be achieved by rotatably storing it around an imaginary axis.

That is, the present invention provides a block toy comprising a plurality of blocks which can be magnetically coupled to each other,
At least one block includes a block main body having a plurality of flat portions, magnet holding portions formed inside each of the flat portions, and a flat portion corresponding to the magnet holding portion in the magnet holding portion. A block toy, comprising a permanent magnet rotatably housed around an imaginary axis that is at a right angle, and in the above block toy, at least one block has a block main body having a plurality of flat portions, and A magnet holder that is disposed inside the flat portion and forms a magnet holding portion that is parallel to the corresponding flat portion, and an imaginary axis line that is perpendicular to the corresponding flat portion in the magnet holding portion of the magnet holder. Provided is a block toy comprising a permanent magnet rotatably stored around.

According to the block toy of the present invention, if the respective plane portions of the plurality of block main bodies are brought into contact with each other, the plurality of block main bodies can be arbitrarily connected without any restriction on the connecting direction. Can be connected.
However, depending on the direction of the magnets located inside the plane portions of the two blocks to be connected, respectively, N
The poles-N poles or the S poles-S poles may be located close to each other. Even in that case, when the two flat portions are brought close to each other or brought into contact with each other, the magnets inside the block are rotated by the repulsive force between the same magnetic poles and the attracting force between the different magnetic poles, and the different magnetic poles attract each other. Two blocks can be connected. Needless to say, the magnetic force of each magnet is set to such an extent that an infant of an age who uses the block toy of the present invention can easily separate the blocks connected by the magnetic force.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments of the invention. In the block toy of the present invention, the block body of each block is made of plastic material, preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS.
It is made from a plastic material such as resin by injection molding. The block toy of the present invention is particularly intended for young children, so in order to prevent harmful microorganisms from propagating on the surface of the block body, an antibacterial substance that is harmless to the infant, such as zinc oxide, is used. It is preferable to mold each block body using an antibacterial plastic material containing the antibacterial agent.

Also, in order to raise the interest of infants in block toys and to develop their imagination, the respective block bodies are made of plastic materials of different colors and have various shapes, such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, and a cylinder. It is preferable to make a triangular prism, or a combination of these shapes and a curved surface.

The shape of the permanent magnet usable in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be rotatably housed in the magnet holding portion inside the flat portion of the block main body, such as a rod shape, a flat plate shape, and a disk shape. Absent. However, in order to facilitate the rotation of the permanent magnet inside the block main body, it is preferable to use a disk-shaped permanent magnet in which the N pole and the S pole are located on the opposite sides in the diameter direction. From the viewpoint of magnetic force and formability, it is preferable to use anisotropic ferrite to form the disk-shaped permanent magnet.

It is also known that the magnetic force of the permanent magnet can be remarkably increased by disposing a magnetic member, for example, a thin iron plate inside each permanent magnet. The manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced by using such a magnetic body in combination, rather than by using a permanent magnet alone to obtain a predetermined magnetic force. When the disc-shaped permanent magnet as described above is used, it is preferable to use a disc made of a magnetic material having a diameter substantially the same as that of the disc-shaped permanent magnet in a form magnetically attracted to the inside of the disc-shaped permanent magnet. preferable.

Various methods are conceivable for forming the magnet holding portion inside the plurality of flat portions of at least one block. For example, to facilitate the assembly work,
A magnet holder is used, and a magnet holding portion capable of rotatably accommodating a magnet is formed in the magnet holder. Further, the magnet holder is molded from a flexible plastic material, that is, a bendable plastic material, by injection molding or the like, so that the magnet holder has a shape in which a plurality of magnet holders corresponding to a plurality of flat portions are connected to each other. In that case, in the bent state, it is preferable that the magnet holder has a similar shape that is slightly smaller than the shape of the block main body including a plurality of corresponding flat portions.

By doing so, the permanent magnets are inserted into the respective magnet holding portions of the magnet holder, and then the magnet holder insertion opening of the block main body (usually, the block main body is formed so that one flat surface portion of the block main body is cut off). When the magnet holder is inserted into the block main body, the magnet holder is held in the block main body while being in contact with the inner surface of the block main body. Then, the block is completed by closing the magnet holder insertion port.
Since the magnet is used, it is necessary to keep the block toy of the present invention away from magnetic or magnetic products such as video tapes, cash cards, and floppy disks.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cubic block of one of the block toys according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of two blocks of the block toy according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It shows that the magnets are rotatably housed inside and the flat parts are brought close to each other. 3 to 4 are perspective views showing respective blocks of the block toys according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a triangular prism block of the block toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a magnet holder used in the triangular prism block in an expanded manner. Yes, Figure 7
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

The block body 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one cubic block that constitutes a block toy. The block body 1 is formed by six flat portions 2,
A magnet holding portion 3 is formed inside the six flat portions 2. A short plate-shaped permanent magnet 4 rotatable in the magnet holding portion 3 is housed in the magnet holding portion 3.

One end of the permanent magnet 4 has an N pole and the other end has an S pole.
It is a pole. Therefore, as shown by the arrow a in FIG.
When one flat surface portion 2 of the block 1 is brought close to one flat surface portion 2'of the other block 1'to be adjacent to each other, the permanent magnets 4 and 4 rotatably housed in the magnet holding portions 3 and 3 '. The north and south poles of'are attracted to each other and rotate in the magnet holders 3 and 3 ', so that both blocks 1 and 1'are in contact with each other at the plane portions 2 and 2'and connected to each other. .

However, depending on the orientations of the permanent magnets 4 and 4 ', the N-N's and the S-S's may be located close to each other. Even in that case, by bringing the two flat parts close to each other or by bringing them into contact with each other,
The permanent magnets 4 and 4'rotate in the magnet holding portions 3 and 3 ', respectively, due to the repulsive force between the same magnetic poles and the attraction force between the different magnetic poles, and the different magnetic poles attract each other as shown in FIG. 1 and 1 ′ are in contact with each other at the flat portions 2 and 2 ′ and are connected to each other.

With the blocks having the above-mentioned basic structure, the blocks can be easily connected infinitely in any direction through their plane portions, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4. , The block main bodies 11 and 21 are formed in an arbitrary shape, and the magnet holding portions 13 and 23 are similarly formed inside the respective flat surface portions 12 and 22. Although not disclosed, the magnet holding portions 13 and 23 are not disclosed. If the permanent magnets are housed therein as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to create a connected body having various structures depending on the connected state of each block.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the structure of the block having a triangular prism shape in the block toy according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, a triangular prism block will be described as a typical example, but the principle is also applicable to other shapes, such as a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, and a block in which those shapes are combined with a curved surface. Exactly the same.

The block main body 31 has three flat surface portions 32 on opposite sides of which disk-shaped permanent magnets 34, which will be described later, face each other, and a triangular plate 3 forming one side wall.
6 is removed to form an insertion opening 36A for a magnet holder 37 described later. The insertion port is not limited to the surface 36A shown in the figure, but instead of this, the triangular column block body 3 is used.
Of course, it may be one of the other flat portions 32.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the magnet holder 37 is initially formed in a flat plate shape by injection molding or the like using the same thermoplastic resin as the block body 31. That is, the substrate 38 has three parts 38-1 and 38-2 corresponding to the three flat parts 32 through the bent parts 39.
And 38-3. A circular opening 40 is formed substantially in the center of each of the portions 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3, and the diameter thereof is slightly smaller than that of the disc-shaped permanent magnet 34.

A circular flange 41 is formed surrounding the circular opening 40, and the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34 is supported on the flange 41. A low cylindrical portion 42 is erected from the outer peripheral edge of the circular flange 41. This cylindrical part 4
The diameter of 2 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 acts as a guide portion for the rotation of the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34.

A tab 43 projects from the free edge of the base plate portion 38-3, and a projection 44 is formed on the tab 43. On the other hand, a small hole 45 is formed between the free end edge of the substrate portion 38-1 and the cylindrical portion 42.

When assembling the block, first, the substrate portions 38-1 and 38-3 of the magnet holder 37 are bent at the bent portion 39.
6, the tab 43 is inserted into the narrow hole 45 as shown in FIG. 6 and the tab 44 acts as a stopper to keep the magnet holder in the triangular prism shape. The magnet holder 37 assembled in this manner has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the block body 31,
The magnet holder 37 is slightly smaller than the block main body 31 so that the magnet holder 37 can be inserted into the block main body 31 from the above, and the magnet holder 37 does not move by contacting the inner surface of the block main body 31 after the insertion. Have.

A disk-shaped permanent magnet 34 is provided in each cylindrical portion 42,
A thin disk-shaped magnetic plate 35 having substantially the same diameter as this is placed on the flange 41. Disk-shaped plate 35
Is made of a magnetic material, it is attracted to the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34, becomes integral with the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34, and is rotatable around an imaginary axis perpendicular to the corresponding flat surface section 32. (Holding part) 42. Since the diameter of the inner circumference of the circular flange 41 is smaller than the diameter of the disc-shaped plate 35, the disc-shaped plate 35 and the disc-shaped permanent magnet 34 do not fall out of the cylindrical portion 42 through the opening 40. The opening 40 is not essential in the present invention, and the bottom of the magnet holding portion may be dish-shaped. However, the cost of the material is better when the opening 40 is provided,
And it is preferable in terms of rotatability of the permanent magnet.

The magnet holder 37, in which the disk-shaped plate 35 and the disk-shaped permanent magnet 34 are housed in the respective cylindrical portions 42, is inserted into the block body 31 through the magnet holder insertion port 36A. At this time, in order to prevent the disc-shaped plate 35 and the disc-shaped permanent magnet 34 from dropping from the cylindrical portion 42 of the substrate portion 38-2 located on the lower side, these are supported from the lower side, or It is preferable to pull it from the upper side with a jig using a magnet.

After the magnet sert 37 is inserted into the block body 31, the triangular plate 36 is attached with an adhesive to the holder insertion port 3
By fixing to the edge of 6A, that is, the edges of the three flat portions 32, the holder insertion opening 36A is closed, and the triangular block is completed. In the above description, the case where the block main body has a triangular prism shape has been described as a representative, but a magnet holder used when the block main body is, for example, a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped has, for example, two substrates shown in FIG. Using these, fold them into a U-shape and combine them together.
It can be used as a flat magnet holder. or,
In the case where the block body has a cylindrical shape or another shape, the principle of the magnet holder shown in FIG.
It suffices to match the shape of each block body.

The basic structure of the block toy of the present invention can be applied to, for example, assembling a simulated building, assembling a robot or a doll, or assembling a vehicle toy such as a ship or an automobile, and the principle of the present invention. It can be said that all block toys that are useful for assembling such a structure belong to the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[0029]

Since the block toy of the present invention has the structure as described above, it is possible to connect a plurality of blocks without being restricted in any direction, and to create an assembled structure having various structures. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect as an educational toy that enhances the creativity of the infant.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is one of the block toys according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Perspective view of two blocks.

FIG. 2 is one of the block toys according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Sectional drawing of one block.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one block of a block toy according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one block of a block toy according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a triangular prism block of a block toy according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a magnet holder used in a block having a triangular prism shape in a block toy according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state.

7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1 ': Block body 2, 2': Flat part 3, 3 ': Magnet holding part 4, 4': Permanent magnet 11: Block 12: Flat part 13: Magnet holding part 21: Block 22: Flat part 23: Magnet holder

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A block toy comprising a plurality of blocks magnetically connectable to each other, wherein at least one block has a block main body having a plurality of flat portions, and a magnet formed inside each of the flat portions. A block toy comprising a holding part and a permanent magnet housed in the magnet holding part so as to be freely rotatable around an imaginary axis line that is perpendicular to a plane part corresponding to the magnet holding part. 2. The block toy according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is a flat magnet or a disk-shaped permanent magnet. 3. The block toy according to claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet has a magnetic body magnetically attached to its inner side surface and has substantially the same diameter. 4. The block toy according to claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet is made of anisotropic ferrite. 5. The block toy according to claim 1, wherein the block body is made of antibacterial plastic. 6. A block toy comprising a plurality of blocks which can be magnetically coupled to each other, wherein at least one block is provided with a block main body having a plurality of flat portions, and is disposed inside the flat portions to correspond to each other. The same plurality of magnet holders forming a magnet holding portion parallel to the flat surface portion, and housed in the magnet holding portion of the magnet holder rotatably around an imaginary axis perpendicular to the corresponding flat surface portion. A block toy that consists of a permanent magnet. 7. The cross-sectional shape according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of magnet holders are connected to each other, and the connected magnet holders have a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the shape of the block body formed by the corresponding plurality of flat portions. Block toy. 8. The block toy according to claim 6, wherein the permanent magnet is a flat magnet or a disk-shaped permanent magnet. 9. The block toy according to claim 8, wherein the permanent magnet is magnetically attached to the inner surface thereof and has a magnetic body having substantially the same diameter. 10. The block toy according to claim 8, wherein the permanent magnet is made of anisotropic ferrite. 11. The block toy according to claim 6, wherein the block body is made of antibacterial plastic.