US20140274492A1

US20140274492A1 - Magnetic juggling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20140274492A1
Application number: US13/839,449
Authority: US
Inventors: Greg Kennedy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-03-15
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the invention describes a magnetic juggling apparatus that includes at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure, wherein each juggling structure has a front face, a back face, four or more non-magnetic sides, four or more rounded corners between each of the four or more non-magnetic sides respectively, a hollow opening and four or more magnetic sources of an even number. The magnetic juggling apparatus allows a user to manipulate the first juggling structure or the second juggling structure, or the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure simultaneously to re-arrange a first magnetic pattern or a second magnetic pattern through acceptance of at least one action from the group consisting of a rotational action, a pushing action, a pulling action and a sliding action.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
One or more embodiments of the invention are related to the field of juggling, specifically magnetic juggling structures. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable a user to simultaneously manipulate two or more magnetic juggling structures to form one or more magnetic patterns, shapes and orientations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, juggling involves the use of an array of different objects and manipulation techniques and is performed in sports, recreational use, and/or various forms of entertainment. Manipulation techniques allow a user to manipulate one object or several objects simultaneously. The most common objects currently used for juggling include balls, rings, clubs, devil sticks, cigar boxes, diabolos and many others.
Many different juggling objects have been used in combination with a user's manipulation skills to display different patterns, configurations and tricks. Most of the currently used juggling objects, for example, vary based on shape, size, color, material, structure, assembly and disassembly. Often used juggling objects, however, are not generally differentiated or used based on the inner structure and inner assembly of the object. In addition, it is generally known that manipulation techniques of the various juggling objects to obtain various patterns, shapes and configurations are based on a user's skills and dexterity in combination with gravitational force.
Most often, the juggling objects are tossed in the air and caught, in order to form various patterns and configurations.
There are no known juggling objects that utilize magnetic sources embedded within the juggling objects, such that a user is able to manipulate two magnetic objects and display different patterns, shapes, configurations and orientations based on magnetic force. In addition, there are no known magnetic juggling objects that are used to form various patterns, shapes, configurations and orientations using at least two magnetic juggling objects that remain connected and coupled throughout the entire manipulation process.
For at least the limitations described above there are no known magnetic juggling apparatus configured to enable a user to manipulate at least two juggling objects or structures using magnetic sources and magnetic coupling forces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments described in the specification are related to magnetic juggling apparatuses that include at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure, each containing a front face, a back face, four or more non-magnetic sides and four or more rounded corners between each of the four or more non-magnetic sides respectively. In one or more embodiments, each juggling apparatus contains four or more magnetic sources embedded within a respective one of the four or more non-magnetic sides, for example near the corners and on or near the front face and the back face. In each juggling apparatus, the four or more magnetic sources are of an even number, each located proximal to each of the four or more rounded corners respectively. The four or more magnetic sources on each juggling apparatus may comprise ferromagnetic sources.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented with each of the four or more magnetic sources having a north pole and a south pole of opposite polarity pointed in a direction orthogonal to a length of each of the four or more non-magnetic sides respectively. This enables each of the front face and the back face of each juggling structure to contain two north poles and two south poles. In one or more embodiments, the north poles or south poles point in an outward direction towards the front face or the back face, and the other of the north poles or south poles point in an outward direction towards the other of the front face or back face on each juggling structure.
According to at lest one embodiment of the invention, the four or more magnetic sources comprise a first magnet and a second magnet, with a north pole and a south pole, placed in parallel, such that the first magnet is placed on the front face, and the second magnet is placed on the back face, for example aligned north to south and north to south in series.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention, each of the four or more magnetic sources contain one magnetic bar with a first end and a second end, containing the north pole and the south pole, such that the first end comprises the north pole placed on the front face or the back face, and the second end comprises the other of the north pole or the south pole placed on the other of the front face or the back face.
Furthermore, in at least one embodiment of the invention, each rounded corner of the four or more rounded corners on each juggling structure constitute an opposite polarity with respect to an adjacent rounded corner. According to one or more embodiments, the north and south poles of opposite polarity pointing in outward directions allow the user to rotate the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure 180 degrees (or any multiple thereof) with respect to one another around at least one rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners, wherein said at least one rounded corner maintains a coupling magnetic force between the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure throughout the rotation.
One or more embodiments described herein allow at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources within a first juggling structure to couple to at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on a second juggling structure in order to form a single unit with a first magnetic pattern, a first shape and a first orientation. In one example in at least one embodiment, at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on the first juggling structure couples to at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on the second juggling structure in a stacked configuration.
By way of one or more embodiments of the invention, a user is able to manipulate a first juggling structure or a second juggling structure to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation, or wherein the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure are simultaneously manipulated to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation. With such user manipulations, the at least one second shape or the at least one second orientation is different than the first shape or the first orientation, and the at least one second shape and the at least one second orientation are formed without decoupling the first juggling structure from the second juggling structure. Users may for example manipulate the structures to form a pattern, and grab the structures for example at a different location and manipulate the structures into a different pattern, albeit in a different pattern.
According to one or more embodiments, each of the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure have a hollow opening inside of the same shape, and of the same shape as the first and second juggling structures. This enables the user to hold the first juggling structure with one hand placed inside the hollow opening of the first juggling structure, and hold the second juggling structure with a second hand placed inside the hollow opening of the second juggling structure, simultaneously. With such placements, the user is able to manipulate the first and second juggling structures in various configurations, patterns and shapes using the magnetic sources embedded within the non-magnetic sides. Manipulation of the first and second juggling structures, as disclosed in embodiments of the invention, allows the user to re-arrange a first magnetic pattern of the first juggling structure or a second magnetic pattern of the second juggling structure through acceptance of at least one action from the group consisting of, but not limited to, a rotational action, a pushing action, a pulling action and a sliding action.
In at least one or more embodiments, the sliding action is an action performed such that any of the four or more non-magnetic sides on the first juggling structure are configured to slide on any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure.
In one or more embodiments, the pushing action is an action performed such that the user is able to push any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure towards any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure.
In one or more embodiments, the pulling action is an action performed such that the user is able to pull any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure away from any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure.
In one or more embodiments, the rotational action is an action performed such that the user is able to at least one of rotate any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure 180 degrees or any multiple thereof towards any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure and rotate any of the four or more magnetic sources of the first juggling structure away from any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulations, the north pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention, each of the four or more magnetic sources are offset from the front face and the back face by a predetermined distance, and are respectively offset from each of the four or more rounded corners by a second predetermined distance. This enables the user to control a magnetic force between each of the four of more magnetic sources. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention disclose wherein each of the four or more magnetic sources are offset from each of the four or more rounded corners by a predetermined distance, and each of the four or more magnetic sources are also offset from two of the four or more non-magnetic sides by a minimal distance of said predetermined distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall diagram of the magnetic juggling apparatus and inventive system according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a structural diagram of the magnetic juggling apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3A shows a side-view of the magnetic juggling apparatus with magnetic sources according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3B shows a side-view of the magnetic juggling apparatus with magnetic sources according to another one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a close-up of one of the magnetic sources embedded in one rounded corner of the four or more rounded corners in a concentric manner according to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a close-up of one of the magnetic sources embedded in a rounded corner in a non-concentric manner.

FIG. 4C shows a close-up of one of the concentric magnetic sources embedded in a rounded corner according to at least one embodiment of the invention with a non-circular shape.

FIG. 5 shown a close-up of one of the magnetic sources in a rounded corner with two unit pieces of the magnetic juggling structure according to at least one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A magnetic juggling apparatus with at least two or more juggling structures for manipulation by a user will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic overall diagram of the magnetic juggling apparatus and inventive system thereof. Specifically, FIG. 1 depicts a first magnetic juggling structure 100, a first magnetic pattern, shape and orientation of at least two magnetic juggling structures 100 a, a second magnetic pattern, shape and orientation of at least two magnetic juggling structures 100 b, and a third magnetic pattern, shape and orientation of at least two magnetic juggling structures 100 c. Even though only three different patterns, shapes, and orientations are illustrated with four magnetic juggling structures, it is noted that the magnetic juggling structure may comprise any number of magnetic juggling structures used to form a variety of different magnetic patterns, shapes, and orientations. FIG. 1 also illustrates a user 101 manipulating the magnetic juggling apparatus.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the magnetic juggling apparatus includes at least a first magnetic juggling structure and a second magnetic juggling structure. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of one magnetic juggling structure 100 of the at least a first and second magnetic juggling structures, that contains a front face, a back face, a top surface, a bottom surface, four or more side surfaces, four or more non-magnetic sides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, four or more rounded corners 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, 103 d between each of the four or more non-magnetic sides respectively, and a hollow opening 105. In or more embodiments, each magnetic juggling structure, of at least a first and second magnetic juggling structures, contains four or more magnetic sources 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d, embedded within a respective one of the four or more non-magnetic sides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, on the front face and the back face. In one or more embodiments, in each juggling apparatus, the four or more magnetic sources are of an even number, each located proximal to each of the four or more rounded corners 103 a, 103 b, 103 c, 103 d, respectively. The four or more magnetic sources on each magnetic juggling structure comprise ferromagnetic sources such as iron, cobalt, nickel, neodymium or any alloy therefrom or any combination thereof or any other magnetic source, for example electromagnets, for example conductive coils that are battery operated, and which may be turned on or off in any known manner. In addition, the four or more non-magnetic sides on each magnetic juggling structure comprise any non-magnetic material, such as material selected from but not limited to plastic, wood, glass, silicon, rubber, leather, non-magnetic metals, any non-magnetic alloys therefrom or any non-magnetic combination thereof.
According to one or more embodiments, hollow opening 105 inside in each of the first magnetic juggling structure and the second magnetic juggling structure is of the same shape, and of the same shape as the first and second magnetic juggling structures. For example, this enables the user to hold the first magnetic juggling structure with one hand placed inside the hollow opening of the first magnetic juggling structure, and holds the second magnetic juggling structure with a second hand placed inside the hollow opening of the second magnetic juggling structure, simultaneously. With such placements, the user is able to manipulate the first and second magnetic juggling structures in various configurations, patterns and shapes using the magnetic sources embedded within the non-magnetic sides.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side views of one of the non-magnetic sides, in this case 102 d with magnetic sources 104 a and 104 d, however the same structure applies to the rest of the non-magnetic sides and magnetic sources of each magnetic juggling structure. Each of the four or more magnetic sources 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d contain a north pole and a south pole of opposite polarity pointed in a direction orthogonal to a length of each of the four or more non-magnetic sides respectively.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3A, each of the four or more magnetic sources, depicted using magnetic sources 104 a and 104 d, contain one magnetic bar with a first end and a second end (both depicted as dashed horizontal cylinders 104 a), containing the north pole and the south pole. As such, the first end comprises the north pole placed on the front face or the back face, and the second end comprises the other of the north pole or the south pole placed on the other of the front face or the back face.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 3B, each magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources, depicted using magnetic sources 104 a and 104 d, contain a first magnet 104 a-1 and 104 d-1 respectively, and a second magnet 104 a-2 and 104 d-2 respectively, with a north pole and a south pole, placed in parallel, such that the first magnet is placed on the front face, and the second magnet is placed on the back face.
The structures shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B enable each of the front face and the back face of each magnetic juggling structure to contain two or more north poles and two or more south poles. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in one or more embodiments, the north poles or south poles point in an outward direction towards the front face or the back face, and the other of the north poles or south poles point in an outward direction towards the other of the front face or back face on each magnetic juggling structure. The configurations shown in the figures allow a user to easily manipulate two or more magnetic juggling structures towards one another, and away from one another, using magnetic coupling forces between each of the four or more magnetic sources embedded within a respective one of the four or more non-magnetic sides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, on the front faces and the back faces.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, each rounded corner of the four or more rounded corners 103 a, 103 b, 103 c and 103 d, on each juggling structure constitute an opposite polarity with respect to an adjacent rounded corner. According to one or more embodiments, the north and south poles of opposite polarity pointing in outward directions allow the user to rotate the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure 180 degrees with respect to one another around at least one rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners. With such user manipulation, at least one rounded corner maintains a coupling magnetic force between the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure throughout the rotation. This is shown as configuration 100 b in FIG. 1 for example.
One or more embodiments described herein allow at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources within a first juggling structure to couple to at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on a second juggling structure in order to form a single unit with a first magnetic pattern, a first shape and a first orientation. In one example in at least one embodiment, at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on the first juggling structure couples to at least one magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources on the second juggling structure in a stacked configuration. Although an array of configurations is possible through user manipulation, examples of different configurations are illustrated in FIG. 1 at 100 a, 100 b and 100 c.
By way of one or more embodiments of the invention, a user is able to manipulate a first juggling structure or a second juggling structure to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation, or wherein the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure are simultaneously manipulated to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation. With such user manipulations, the at least one second shape or the at least one second orientation (100 a, 100 b, or 100 c for example) is different than the first shape or the first orientation (the other of 100 a, 100 b or 100 c for example), and the at least one second shape and the at least one second orientation are formed without decoupling the first juggling structure from the second juggling structure. This allows the user to manipulate each of the at least one juggling structure, coupled to a second juggling structure, alone or simultaneously with the second juggling structure, to move from one juggling action and shape, to a second juggling action and shape while maintaining a magnetic coupling force between the juggling structures between at least one or more magnetic sources on a first juggling structure and at least one or more magnetic sources on a second juggling structure.
As briefly discussed above, according to one or more embodiments, each of the first juggling structure and the second juggling structure have a hollow opening inside 105 of the same shape, and of the same shape as the first and second juggling structures. This enables the user to hold the first juggling structure with one hand placed inside the hollow opening of the first juggling structure, and hold the second juggling structure with a second hand placed inside the hollow opening of the second juggling structure, simultaneously. With such placements, the user is able to manipulate the first and second juggling structures in various configurations, patterns and shapes using the magnetic sources embedded within the non-magnetic sides. Manipulation of the first and second juggling structures, as disclosed in embodiments of the invention, allows the user to re-arrange a first magnetic pattern of the first juggling structure or a second magnetic pattern of the second juggling structure through acceptance of at least one action from the group consisting of, but not limited to, a rotational action, a pushing action, a pulling action and a sliding action.
In at least one or more embodiments, the sliding action is an action performed such that any of the four or more non-magnetic sides on the first juggling structure are configured to slide on any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure, and vice versa.
In one or more embodiments, the pushing action is an action performed such that the user is able to push any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure towards any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure, and vice versa.
In one or more embodiments, the pulling action is an action performed such that the user is able to pull any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure away from any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulation, the north pole on one of the four or four magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the second juggling structure, and vice versa.
In one or more embodiments, the rotational action is an action performed such that the user is able to at least one of rotate any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the first juggling structure towards any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure and rotate any of the four or more magnetic sources of the first juggling structure away from any of the four or more non-magnetic sides of the second juggling structure. With such manipulations, the north pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of the first juggling structure couples with the south pole on one of the four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure, and vice versa.
According to at least one embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4C, each of the four or more magnetic sources are offset from the front face and the back face by a predetermined distance, which for example may be equal to or greater than zero, and are respectively offset from each of the four or more rounded corners by a second predetermined distance which may also be equal to or greater than zero. This enables the user to control a magnetic force between each of the four of more magnetic sources. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention disclose wherein each of the four or more magnetic sources are offset from each of the four or more rounded corners by a predetermined distance, and each of the four or more magnetic sources are also offset from two of the four or more non-magnetic sides by a minimal distance of said predetermined distance.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate a close-up view of one of the four or more rounded corners with one of the four or more magnetic sources, of each juggling structure. As shown, magnetic source 104 a will be discussed, as both a magnetic bar or as two magnets placed in parallel. It is noted however, that the discussed structure applies to any of the juggling structures, any of the four or more rounded corners and any of the four or more magnetic sources.
FIG. 4A illustrates a close-up on of the magnetic sources embedded in one rounded corner of the four or more rounded corners in a concentric manner according to at least one embodiment of the invention. For example, magnetic source 104 a has a center point that is concentric with the rounded edge of the rounded corner, wherein the radius of the corner forms a portion or arc along an imaginary circle shown as element 401. Such a concentric configuration enables the user to easily manipulate, roll, and rotate each of the at least a first and a second magnetic juggling structures towards and away from one another. This allows the user to maintain a substantially constant coupling magnetic force between the coupled magnetic sources of each juggling structure throughout the rotation (or roll), when rotated (or rolled) at 180 degrees around at least one rounded corner of the second juggling structure, for example. In a non-concentric magnetic source configuration, as shown in FIG. 4B, such user manipulations and specifically ease of manipulation is different in that the coupling for changes through the rotation since the distance from the magnetic source to the edges and the corner is different.
As shown in FIG. 4B, if the magnetic source is located in a non-concentric manner in relation of the rounded corners and non-magnetic sides, decoupling the juggling structures from one another in order to alternate between different magnetic patterns, shapes, and orientations using at least the first and second juggling structures differs from the forces required with respect to the configuration shown in FIG. 4A. According to FIG. 4B, rotating and rolling the rounded corners with the embedded magnetic sources around one another at 180 degrees may require more or less force based on the radius of the magnet and radius of the corner and the location of the magnet with respect to the corner, as the magnetic force between the coupled rounded corners is not dispersed equally from one magnetic source to the other as the structures are rotated.
With a concentric configuration, and a concentric radius of the magnetic source as shown in FIG. 4A and to some extent as is shown in FIG. 4C, the non-magnetic sides between each magnetic source of the four or more magnetic sources follow a concentric path with the magnetic source during manipulation. This enables the user to more easily manipulate the at least first and second juggling apparatuses simultaneously. In addition, with a concentric configuration, a minimal predetermined distance from the magnetic source (104 a in FIG. 4 a) vertically towards an edge of the first adjacent non-magnetic side (102 a in FIG. 4 a for example) is equal to a minimal predetermined distance from the magnetic source (104 a) horizontally towards and edge of the second adjacent non-magnetic side (102 d), and is equal to a minimal distance from the magnetic source radially towards an edge of said rounded corner and the edges of the non-magnetic sides. As such, the rounded corner consists of an area of non-magnetic material from the adjacent non-magnetic sides to be of an equal amount around said magnetic source. As such, distances from a nearest point orthogonal to the non-magnetic sides, to the magnetic source, and to the rounded corner are equal. This enables the user to manipulate the magnetic juggling structure with no extra force or in FIG. 4C, with substantially minimal extra force.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, a first magnetic coupling force between first adjacent magnetic sources is different than a second magnetic coupling force between second adjacent magnetic sources. As such, as the user is manipulating the magnetic juggling structures, the magnetic force is changing.
FIG. 4C shows a close-up of one of the concentric magnetic sources embedded in a rounded corner according to at least one embodiment of the invention with a non-circular shape. It is noted however that any shape may be used for the four or more magnetic sources for ease of rotation as long as the magnetic sources are embedded in a concentric manner in relation to each of the four or more rounded corners and four or more non-magnetic sides of each of the at least a first and second juggling apparatus.
In one or more embodiments of the invention as discussed above, each magnetic juggling structure, or the at least a first and second magnetic juggling structures, is a single unit piece of material with the front face and face, or contains two separate unit pieces of material each containing a front face and a back face as shown in FIG. 5. According to FIG. 5, each unit piece of material of the two separate unit pieces of material is of basically the same structural dimensions (rounded corners, non-magnetic sides, and hollow opening), shape, material and orientation, bonded to one another to form a single unit piece of material with a single front face and a single back face. In other embodiments, any number of components may be formed into the desired structure as one skilled in the art will appreciate.
FIG. 5 illustrates a zoomed in view of one of the four rounded corners 103 a with magnetic source 104 a between non-magnetic sides 102 a and 102 d. Embodiments of the invention disclosing two separate unit pieces of material bonded to one another using four pieces of plastic of a same distinct shape and eight cylindrical connector pins. As shown in FIG. 5, each piece of bracing material 106, e.g., wood, plastic, etc., is placed between the two separate unit pieces, bottom unit piece and top unit piece, on each rounded corner between each non-magnetic side of each magnetic juggling structure. In addition, two cylindrical connector pins 107 a and 107 b are each placed on each non-magnetic side adjacent to the magnetic source respectively. The top unit piece contains two hollow apertures 108 a and 108 b corresponding to the same shape and size as the connector pins 107 a and 107 b of the bottom unit piece respectively. Although the inner portion underlying the bracing material 106, i.e., that underlies the connected 45 degree portion between sides 102 a and 102 d, is shown as rounded, this portion may also be formed in any shape such as a 90 degree joint between sides 102 a and 102 d. As the top unit piece is placed over the bottom unit piece, the two connector pins 107 a and 107 b respectively connect and are placed into hollow apertures 108 a and 108 b of the top unit piece, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the bracing material 106 extends beyond the inner perimeter of the magnetic juggling structure and into hollowing opening 105 by a predetermined distance.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, in order to protect the magnetic sources embedded between the front faces, back faces, and non-magnetic sides, and in some embodiments completely protect and entirely cover the plastic pieces and connector pins, at least eight or more separate protective cover elements (not shown) are externally placed respectively on each of the four or more rounded corners on each of the front faces and back faces of each juggling structure. The protective cover elements are each exposed and protrude from the front face and back face at each of the four or more rounded corners by a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is the same distance for all eight or more protective cover elements. In one or more embodiments, the at least eight protective cover elements are not directly connected to one another, such that the protective cover elements are only placed on the front faces and back faces of the juggling structures and are not placed on the top surface, bottom surface, and side surfaces of each of the juggling structures.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic juggling apparatus comprising:

at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure;

wherein each of said at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure comprise

a front face and a back face;

four or more non-magnetic sides and four or more rounded corners between each of said four or more non-magnetic sides respectively; and

four or more magnetic sources each of which is embedded within a respective one of said four or more non-magnetic sides on said front face and said back face, and proximal to each of said four or more rounded corners on each of said at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure; wherein

each of said four of more non-magnetic sides, said four or more rounded corners, and said four or more magnetic sources comprise an even number;

each of said four or more magnetic sources comprises a north pole and a south pole of opposite polarity pointed in a direction orthogonal to a length of each of said four or more non-magnetic sides respectively, such that each of said front face and said back face comprises two or more north poles and two or more south poles;

each of said north poles or said south poles point in an outward direction towards said front face or said back face, and the other of said north poles or said south poles point in an outward direction towards the other of said front face or said back face;

each rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners on each of said first structure and said second juggling structure comprises an opposite polarity with respect to an adjacent rounded corner;

at least one magnetic source of said four or more magnetic sources within said first juggling structure is configured to couple to at least one magnetic source of said four or more magnetic sources on said second juggling structure to form a single unit with a first magnetic pattern, a first shape and a first orientation; and

said first juggling structure or said second juggling structure is configured to be manipulated by a user to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation, or wherein said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure are simultaneously manipulated to form at least one second magnetic pattern, at least one second shape and at least one second orientation;

wherein said at least one second shape or said at least one second orientation is different than said first shape or said first orientation; and,

wherein said at least one second shape and said at least one second orientation are formed without decoupling said first juggling structure from said second juggling structure.

2. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said at least a first juggling structure and second juggling structures further comprise:

a first hollow opening inside said first juggling structure; and

a second hollow opening in said second juggling structure.

3. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first hollow opening inside said first juggling structure comprises a hollow opening of a same shape as said first juggling structure.

4. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second hollow opening inside said second juggling structure comprises a hollow opening of a same shape as said second juggling structure.

5. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 2, wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to hold said first juggling structure with one hand placed inside said first hollow opening, and hold said second juggling structure with a second hand placed inside said second hollow opening, simultaneously.

6. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to manipulate said first juggling structure or said second juggling structure, or said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure simultaneously and is further configured to enable said user to

re-arrange said first magnetic pattern or said second magnetic pattern through acceptance of at least one action from the group consisting of a rotational action, a pushing action, a pulling action and a sliding action.

7. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one action comprises a sliding action such that any of said four or more non-magnetic sides on said first juggling structure are configured to slide on any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said second juggling structure, wherein said north pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said first juggling structure couples with said south pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.

8. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one action comprises a pushing action such that said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to push any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said first juggling structure towards any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said second juggling structure, wherein said north pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said first juggling structure couples with said south pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.

9. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one action comprises a pulling action such that said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to pull any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said first juggling structure away from any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said second juggling structure, wherein said north pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said first juggling structure couples with said south pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.

10. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one action comprises a rotational action such that said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to rotate any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said first juggling structure towards any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said second juggling structure, wherein said north pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said first juggling structure couples with said south pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.

11. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one action comprises a rotational action such that said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to rotate any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said first juggling structure away from any of said four or more non-magnetic sides of said second juggling structure, wherein said north pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said first juggling structure couples with said south pole on one of said four or more magnetic sources of said second juggling structure.

12. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus comprising said four or more rounded corners and said north and south poles of opposite polarity pointing in outward directions, are configured to allow said user to rotate said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure 180 degrees around at least one rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners, wherein said at least one rounded corner maintains a coupling magnetic force between said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure throughout the rotation.

13. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said four or more magnetic sources on each of said at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure comprise ferromagnetic sources.

14. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one magnetic source of said four or more magnetic sources on said first juggling structure is configured to couple to said at least one magnetic source of said four or more magnetic sources on said second juggling structure in a stacked configuration.

15. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources comprises a first magnet and a second magnet placed in parallel comprising said north pole and said south pole, wherein said first magnet is placed on said front face, and said second magnet is placed on said back face.

16. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources comprises one magnetic bar with a first end and a second end comprising said north pole and said south pole, wherein said first end comprises said north pole placed on said front face or said back face, and said second end comprises the other of said north pole or said south pole placed on the other of said front face or said back face.

17. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are offset from said front face and said back face by a first predetermined distance, and are respectively offset from each of said four or more rounded corners by a second predetermined distance, configured to enable said user to control a magnetic force between each of said four of more magnetic sources.

18. The magnetic juggling apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are offset from each of said four or more rounded corners by a predetermined distance and wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are also offset from two of said four or more non-magnetic sides by a minimal distance of said predetermined distance.

19. A magnetic juggling apparatus comprising:

at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure;

a front face and a back face;

wherein said at least one second shape or said at least one second orientation is different than said first shape or said first orientation;

wherein said at least one second shape and said at least one second orientation are formed without decoupling said first juggling structure from said second juggling structure,

wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus is configured to allow said user to manipulate said first juggling structure or said second juggling structure, or said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure simultaneously and is further configured to enable said user to

re-arrange said first magnetic pattern or said second magnetic pattern through acceptance of at least one action from the group consisting of a rotational action, a pushing action, a pulling action and a sliding action,

wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus comprising said four or more rounded corners and said north and south poles of opposite polarity pointing in outward directions, are configured to allow said user to rotate said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure 180 degrees around at least one rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners, wherein said at least one rounded corner maintains a coupling magnetic force between said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure throughout the rotation.

20. A magnetic juggling apparatus comprising:

at least a first juggling structure and a second juggling structure;

a front face and a back face;

wherein said magnetic juggling apparatus comprising said four or more rounded corners and said north and south poles of opposite polarity pointing in outward directions, are configured to allow said user to rotate said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure 180 degrees around at least one rounded corner of said four or more rounded corners, wherein said at least one rounded corner maintains a coupling magnetic force between said first juggling structure and said second juggling structure throughout the rotation,

wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are offset from said front face and said back face by a first predetermined distance, and are respectively offset from each of said four or more rounded corners by a second predetermined distance, configured to enable said user to control a magnetic force between each of said four of more magnetic sources, and

wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are offset from each of said four or more rounded corners by a third predetermined distance and wherein each of said four or more magnetic sources are also offset from two of said four or more non-magnetic sides by a minimal distance of said third predetermined distance.