US20180250604A1

US20180250604A1 - Toy character figures formed with magnetic balls and methods of making the same

Info

Publication number: US20180250604A1
Application number: US15/911,746
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary Thomas Keesee, JR.; Michael Jonathon MacLean
Original assignee: T&m Toys LLC
Current assignee: T&m Toys LLC
Priority date: 2017-03-03
Filing date: 2018-03-05
Publication date: 2018-09-06

Abstract

A toy character figure includes first, second, and third balls and each of the balls includes a plurality of magnets including a first magnet located at a top of the ball, and a second magnet located at a bottom of the ball. The balls are removably secured together in a vertical stack with each of the balls forming a portion of the character so that the balls collectively form the character. The balls are separable and interchangeable so that different characters can be formed and the balls can be collectively and/or individually played with as bouncable balls. A toy character system can include a plurality of the toy character figures of different characters which are interchangeable to form additional characters.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the provisional benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/466,463 filed on Mar. 3, 2017, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to toy character figures or figurines and, more particularly, to toy character figures or figurines that are assembled and disassembled using magnets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy character figures or figurines are extremely popular. Toy character figures often resemble character-oriented heroes and villains. Common character themes for such character figures include warriors, soldiers and athletes, as well as science-fiction character themes, such as robots, cyborgs, androids and superheroes, and fantasy characters, such as wizards, gnomes and trolls.
Despite substantial success in the market place on the part of toy character figures, there is a continuously ongoing need in the art for more interesting and exciting toy character figures. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved toy character figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are toy character figures, toy character systems, methods of manufacturing toy character figures and toy character figure systems, and methods of using toy character figures and toy character figure systems that overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art described above. For example, disclosed is a toy character figure of a character comprising, in combination, a plurality of balls. Each of the plurality of balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of balls together in a vertical stack. Each of the plurality of balls forms a portion of the character so that the plurality of balls collectively forms the character.
Also disclosed is a toy character figure of a character comprising, in combination, first, second, and third balls. Each of the balls includes a plurality of magnets including a first magnet located at a top of the ball, and a second magnet located at a bottom of the ball. The first, second, and third balls are removably secured together in a vertical stack with the second magnet of the first ball removably secured to the first magnet of the second ball and the second magnet of the second ball removably secured to the first magnet of the third ball. Each of the first, second, and third balls forms a portion of the character so that the first, second, and third balls collectively forms the character.
Also disclosed is a toy character figure system comprising, in combination, a first character figure of a first character and a second toy character figure of a second character. The first toy character figure comprises a plurality of first balls wherein each of the plurality of first balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of first balls together in a vertical stack. Each of the plurality of first balls forms a portion of the first character so that the plurality of first balls collectively forms the first character. The second character figure of a second character comprises a plurality of second balls wherein each of the plurality of second balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of second balls together in a vertical stack. Each of the plurality of second balls forms a portion of the second character so that the plurality of second balls collectively forms the second character. Each of the plurality of first balls and each of the plurality of second balls are interchangeable to form additional characters.
From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of toy character figures. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for toy character figures that can be disassembled and assembled, interchanged to form even more characters, and/or disassembled and the components used in an entirely different way as balls. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of a toy character figure according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an exploded front view of the toy character figure of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ball of the toy character figure of FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the character portion removed for clarity.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the ball of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a front elevational view of the ball of FIGS. 2 and 3A.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing a first step of a first method of manufacturing a ball of the toy character figure of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing a second step of the first method of manufacturing of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a schematic view showing a third step of the first method of manufacturing of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a schematic view showing a fourth step of the first method of manufacturing of FIGS. 4A to 4C.

FIG. 4E is a schematic view showing a fifth step of the first method of manufacturing of FIGS. 4A to 4D.

FIG. 5A is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball before removal from the mold during the first manufacturing method of FIGS. 4A to 4E.

FIG. 5B is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball upon removal from the mold during the first manufacturing method of FIGS. 4A to 4E.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball after installation of a pot magnet during the first manufacturing method of FIG. 4A to 4E.

FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing a first step of a second method of manufacturing a ball of the toy character figure of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 7B is a schematic view showing a second step of the second method of manufacturing of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a schematic view showing a third step of the second method of manufacturing of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 7D is a schematic view showing a fourth step of the second method of manufacturing of FIGS. 7A to 7C.

FIG. 8A is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball before removal from the mold during the second manufacturing method of FIGS. 7A to 7D.

FIG. 8B is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball upon removal from the mold during the second manufacturing method of FIGS. 7A to 7D.

FIG. 9 is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball after installation of a pot magnet during the second manufacturing method of FIGS. 7A to 7D.

FIG. 10A is a schematic view showing a first step of a third method of manufacturing a ball of the toy character figure of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 10B is a schematic view showing a second step of the third method of manufacturing of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a schematic view showing a third step of the third method of manufacturing of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 10D is a schematic view showing a fourth step of the third method of manufacturing of FIGS. 10A to 10C.

FIG. 10E is a schematic view showing a fifth step of the third method of manufacturing of FIGS. 10A to 10D.

FIG. 11A is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball before removal from the mold during the third manufacturing method of FIGS. 10A to 10E.

FIG. 11B is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball upon removal from the mold during the third manufacturing method of FIGS. 10A to 10E.

FIG. 12 is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball after installation of a magnet during the third manufacturing method of FIGS. 10 to 10E.

FIG. 13 is a fragmented and enlarged cross-sectional view showing a magnet location of the ball after application of a transparent protective coating during the third manufacturing method of FIGS. 10A to 10E.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a toy character figure system having a plurality of the toy character figures.

FIG. 14B is a front view of the toy character figures of FIG. 14A with balls interchanged between the two character figures.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the toy character figure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions and shapes of the various components will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the mobile storage systems illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upward refers to an upward direction generally within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1A and down or downward refers to a downward direction generally within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1A. Also in general, forward or front refers to a direction extending out of the plane of the paper in FIG. 1A and back or rear refers to a direction extending into the plane of the paper in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the toy character figures, the toy character figure systems and the methods of manufacturing and use disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to the specific application of toy character figures in the form of a stack of three magnetic rubber balls. Other embodiments suitable for other applications such as, for example, toy character figures having other quantities of balls and/or other materials, and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a toy character figure or figurine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated toy character figure 10 comprises a plurality of balls 12 wherein each of the balls 12 includes a plurality of magnets 14 removably securing the balls 12 together in a vertical stack. That is, the plurality of balls 12 are co-axially stacked one on top of the other so that the vertical axes of the balls 12 form a vertically extending central axis 16 for the toy character figure 10. Each of the plurality of balls 12 forms a portion of the character so that the plurality of balls 12 collectively forms the character.
The illustrated toy character figure 10 includes first or top ball 12 a, a second or middle ball 12 b, and a third or bottom ball 12 c. The illustrated first ball 12 a has a diameter smaller than the diameter of each of the second ball 12 b and the third ball 12 c and forms a head portion of the character. The illustrated second ball 12 b has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first ball 12 a and smaller than the diameter of the third ball 12 c and forms a torso portion and an arm portion of the character. The illustrated third ball 12 c has a diameter larger than the diameter of each of the first ball 12 a and the second ball 12 b and forms a leg portion of the character. It is noted that the balls 12 can alternatively have any other suitable diameters such as, for example, all the same diameter and/or can alternatively form any other suitable portions of the character. Each of the illustrated balls 12 has a portion of the character printed thereon so that the plurality of balls collectively forms the character. It is noted however, that the character portions can alternatively be formed in any other suitable manner. The illustrated character is a robot but it is noted that the character can be any other suitable character such as, for example, warriors, soldiers, athletes, cyborgs, androids, superheroes, wizards, gnomes, trolls, zombies, pirates, knights, professionals (doctors/nurses, firefighters, police officers, construction workers etc.), and the like.
The illustrated toy character figure 10 is formed by vertically stacking the balls 12 so that a bottom of the top ball 12 a is removably secured to the top of the middle ball 12 b by the magnets 14 and the bottom of the middle ball 12 b is removably secured to the top of the bottom ball 12 c by the magnets 14. It is noted that any other suitable quantity of balls 12 could alternatively be utilized. The illustrated balls 12 are interchangeable so that they can be separated and vertically stacked in other orders to form variations of the characters or different characters.
The illustrated toy character figure 10 additionally includes a plurality of accessories 18 removably secured to the magnets 14. The illustrated accessories 18 are three antennas. The first antenna 18 a is removably secured to a top of the top ball 12 a, the second antenna 18 b is removably secured to the right side of the top ball 12 a, and the third antenna 18 c is secured to left side of the top ball 12 a. While each of the illustrated accessories 18 is removably secured to the top ball 12 a, it is noted that the accessories 18 can alternatively be secured to either of the other balls 12 b, 12 c or to any combination of the balls 12. While the illustrated accessories 18 are each removably secured to only one of the magnets 14, it is noted that the accessories 18 can alternatively be secured by more than one of the magnets 14. While the illustrated accessories 18 are each removably secured to only one of the balls 12, it is noted that the accessory 18 can alternatively be secured to more than one of the balls 12. It should also be noted that that accessories 18 can alternatively be any other suitable type of accessory 18 such as, for example, hats, helmets, arms, feet, bases, vehicles, weapons, shields, tools, bats, sticks, balls, gloves clothing, shoes, and the like. The illustrated accessories 18 are at least partially formed of a ferrous metal so that they can be removably secured to any of the ball magnets 14 regardless of the pole orientation of the magnet 14. Alternatively or additionally, each of the accessories 18 can be provided with at least one magnet 14 oriented to be removably secured to any of the ball magnets in a suitable pole orientation.
FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B illustrate the second or middle ball 12 b with the character portion removed for clarity. It is noted that the illustrated first and third balls 12 a, 12 c are each the same as the illustrated second ball 12 b except for the diameter and the printed character portion thereon. The illustrated first or top ball 12 a is solid and substantially spherical and preferably has a diameter in the range of about 0.75 inches to about 1.25 inches and more preferably have a diameter of about 1.0 inch. The illustrated second or middle ball 12 b is solid and substantially spherical and preferably has a diameter of in the range of about 1.0 inch to about 1.5 inches and more preferably has a diameter of about 1.25 inches. The illustrated third or bottom ball 12 c is solid and substantially spherical and preferably has a diameter in the range of about 1.25 inches to about 1.75 inches and more preferably have a diameter of about 1.5 inches. It is noted that any other suitable diameters can alternatively be utilized. The illustrated balls 12 are substantially spherical in that they are spherical except for the “flat” or planar areas of the outer surface areas which are formed by the illustrated magnets 14 as described hereinafter so that the balls can be individually played with and bounced as bouncy-type balls. The illustrated balls 12 each comprise a suitable natural or synthetic rubber such as polybutadiene rubber, any other suitable polymer or plastic, or any other suitable material which permits the ball to bounce. The ball material preferably has a durometer in the range of about 60 to 70, Shore A. The balls 12 preferably behave as a “bouncy ball” wherein they rebound proportionally to the amount of force used when thrown at a hard surface, but any other suitable amount of bounciness can alternatively be utilized.
The illustrated second or middle ball 12 b is provided with six of the magnets 14 including a first or top magnet 14 a located at a top side of the ball 12, a second or bottom magnet 14 b located at a bottom side of the ball 12, a third or right magnet 14 c located at a right side of the ball 12, a fourth or left magnet 14 d located at a left side of the ball 12, a fifth or front magnet 14 e located at a front side of the ball 12, and a sixth or back magnet 14 f located at a back side of the ball 12. It is noted that any other suitable quantity of the magnets 14 and/or any other suitable location of the magnets 14 can alternatively be utilized. Thus, the illustrated magnets 14 each face in a separate orthogonal direction and enable the balls 12 to be vertically stacked with the optional attachment of accessories 18 and also permit the balls 12 to be horizontally stacked in the lateral left/right direction and in the forward/rearward direction. The illustrated top and bottom magnets 14 a, 14 b each have opposite outwardly facing poles (N/S or S/N) so that the balls 12 can be vertically stacked and the positions of the balls 12 in the vertical stack are interchangeable. The illustrated right and left magnets 14 c, 14 d each have opposite outwardly facing poles (N/S or S/N) so that the balls 12 can alternatively be laterally connected in the right/left direction or the balls 12 can be connected in the lateral right/left direction with balls 12 of another toy character figure 10. The illustrated front and back magnets 14 e, 14 f each have opposite outwardly facing poles (N/S or S/N) so that the balls 12 can alternatively be connected in the forward/rearward direction or the balls 12 can be connected in the forward/rearward direction with balls 12 of another toy character figure 10.
The illustrated magnets 14 are neodymium magnets but any other suitable type can be utilized. The illustrated magnets 14 have a suitable magnetic strength to removably connect the balls 12 together as described herein. The illustrated magnets 14 are disc shaped having planar inner and outer surfaces or faces and an outer surface connecting the inner and outer surfaces are recessed within recesses or bores 20 in the outer surface of the ball 12 so that the outer edge of the outer face of the magnet 14 is substantially flush with the outer spherical surface of the ball 12. It is noted that the magnets 14 can alternatively have any other suitable shape. The illustrated disc-shaped magnets 14 preferably have an outer diameter in the range of about ⅛ inches to about ⅜ inches and more preferably a diameter of about ¼ inches, and a thickness preferably in the range of about 1/32 inches to ¼ inches and more preferably a thickness of about ⅛ inches. The magnets 14 can be secured within the recesses or bores 20 in the outer surface of the ball 12 in any suitable manner such as, for example, adhesive mechanical fasteners, and the like as described in more detail hereinafter. The magnets 14 can also be pot or cup type magnets where the magnet 14 is secured within an open-top steel pot or cup 22 configured to increase the magnetic attraction/repulsion forces of the magnet 14 in the outer direction (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9). The illustrated pot or cup 22 has a disc-shaped recess open only at its upper end and sized and shaped to closely receive the disc-shaped magnet 14 therein. The pot or cup 22 can have a threaded or unthreaded stem 24 downwardly extending from the bottom or closed side of the pot or cup 22 for secure attachment of the pot or cup 22 to the ball 12 as discussed in more detail hereinbelow. It is noted that the pot or cup 22 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.
FIGS. 4A to 4E, 5A, 5B, and 6 illustrate a first manufacturing method for the balls 12 in which the balls 12 are molded. First, loop inserts 26 are threaded onto externally-threaded studs 28 located at an interior mold face 30 of a mold 32 configured for molding the ball 12. The illustrated loop inserts 26 each have a cylindrically-shaped attachment portion 34 with an internally-threaded interior passage configured for cooperation with the externally-threaded sterns 24 of the pots or cups 22 and an anchor or loop portion 36 at a lower or interior end of the attachment portion 34 to be embedded within the ball material to form an interlock that increases the withdrawal force required to pull the loop insert 26 from the ball 12 once secured therein. It is noted that the inserts 26 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration. The externally-threaded studs 28 are located at raised portions 38 on the interior mold face 30 which are configured to form the recesses or bores 20 in the outer surface of the ball 12 for the magnets 14 outward of the loop inserts 26. The externally-threaded studs 28 are configured to prevent mold material from entering the internally-threaded passages of the loop inserts 26 during the molding process. The illustrated raised portions 38 are configured so that the recesses or bores 20 can closely receive the pots or cups 22 therein. The ball 12 is then molded within the mold 32 so that the attachment or loop portions 34 of the loop inserts 26 are fully embedded within the molded material of the ball 12 to increase the pull-out strength of the inserts 26 but the molded material does not fill the internally-threaded passage (best shown in FIG. 5A). The mold process can be of any suitable type such as, for example, injection molding, compression molding, and the like. In the second step, the molded ball 12 is removed from the mold 32 and the externally-threaded studs 28 are removed from the inserts 26. In the third step, the externally-threaded stems 24 of the pots or cups 22 are threaded into the internally-threaded passages of the inserts 26 (with the magnets 14 previously secured within the pots or cups 22) so that the pots or cups 22 are within the recesses or bores 20 and the magnets 14 are secured to the ball 12 (best shown in FIG. 6). In the fourth step, the graphic portion of the character is printed onto the outer surface of the ball 12. The graphic portion can be printed on to the outer surface of the ball 12 with any suitable printing process such as, for example, pad printing or the like. The graphic portion can include any suitable printed indicia 40 to create the character. In the fifth step, the ball 12 is removably secured with the other cooperating balls 12 by the magnets 14 to form the toy character FIG. 10. It is noted that any other suitable manufacturing method can alternatively be utilized.
FIGS. 7A to D, 8A, 8B, and 9 illustrate a second manufacturing method for the balls 12 in which the balls 12 are molded. The mold 32 has stepped raised portions 42 on the interior mold face 30 which are configured to provide additional blind bores 44 within the cooperating recesses or bores in the outer surface of the balls 12 (best shown in FIG. 8A). The illustrated additional blind bores 44 are configured to closely receive unthreaded studs 28 of the pots or cups 22 therein and the recesses or bores 20 are configured to closely receive the pots or cups 22 with the magnets 14 therein. In the first step, the ball 12 is molded and then then removed from the mold 32. The mold process can be of any suitable type such as, for example, injection molding, compression molding, and the like. In the second step, the magnets 14 are secured into the pots or cups 22 to form of the pot magnets with adhesive or the like, or in any other suitable manner. The illustrated unthreaded stems 24 are secured into the additional blind bores 44 with adhesive or the like with the pots or cups 22 located within the recesses or bores 20 to secure the magnets 14 to the ball 12 (best shown in FIG. 9). It is noted that the pot magnets can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, threaded stems. In the third step, the graphic portion of the character is then printed onto the outer surface of the ball. The graphic portion is printed on to the ball surface with any suitable printing process such as, for example, pad printing or the like. The graphic portion can include any suitable printed indicia 40 to create the character. In the fourth step, the ball 12 is removably secured with the other cooperating balls 12 by the magnets 14 to form the toy character figure 10. It is noted that any other suitable manufacturing method can alternatively be utilized.
FIGS. 10A to 10E, 11A to 13 illustrate a third manufacturing method for the balls 12 in which the balls are molded. The mold 32 has raised portions 46 on the interior mold face 30 which are configured to form the blind recesses or bores 20 in the outer surface of the balls 12 for the magnets 14 (best shown in FIG. 11A). The illustrated recesses or bores 20 are configured to closely receive the disc-shaped magnets 14 therein without the pots or cups 22. It is noted that the magnets 14 can alternatively be in any other suitable form such as, for example, the magnets 14 could be pot magnets without stems 24 with the recesses or bores 20 are configured to closely receive the pots or cups 22. In the first step, the ball 12 is molded and then then removed from the mold 32. The mold process can be of any suitable type such as, for example, injection molding, compression molding, and the like. In the second step, the magnets 14 are secured into the recesses or bores 20 of the ball 12 with friction and/or adhesive to secure the magnets 14 to the ball 12 (best shown in FIG. 12). In the third step, the ball 12 with the magnets 14 therein is dipped into a bath of rubberized solution, removed from the bath, and allowed to air dry to form a thin transparent coating of rubber 48 (best shown in FIG. 13) on the outer surface and over the magnets 14. The primary purpose of the rubber coating is to fully secure the magnets 14 to the ball 12 within the recesses or bores 20. The rubber coating 48 can be of any suitable type such as, for example Plasti Dip, available from Plasti Dip International of Blaine Minnesota. It is noted that the coating 48 can alternatively be any other suitable type of coating. In the fourth step, the graphic portion of the character is printed onto the outer surface of the ball. The graphic portion can be printed on to the ball surface with any suitable printing process such as, for example, pad printing or the like. The graphic portion can include any suitable printed indicia 40 to create the character. In the fifth step, the ball is removably secured with the other cooperating balls 12 to form the toy character figure 10. It is noted that any other suitable manufacturing method can alternatively be utilized.
FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrates a toy character figure system 50 according to the present invention wherein a plurality of the toy character figures 10 is provided. The illustrated system includes three toy character figures 10 but it is noted that any other suitable quantity of toy character figures can alternatively be utilized. The balls 12 of the toy character figures 10 can be reconfigured to form different characters. FIG. 14B illustrates exchanging the balls of the three toy character figures 10 but it is noted that any other of the balls and any other quantity of the balls can be interchanged within the one or more toy character figures 10. It is also noted that any accessories can be interchangeably used amongst the toy character figures 10. It is also noted that the plurality of toy character figures 10 can be connected together laterally, connected together front to back, and/or connected together one on top of the other in the vertical direction.
Any of the features or attributes of the above-described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above-described embodiments and variations as desired.
From the foregoing disclosure it will be apparent that the illustrated toy character figures provide a greatly improved interesting and exciting design. The disclosed embodiments enable the balls of the toy character figures to be bounced, to be reconfigured to form different characters, and enable the balls to be separated and separately played with as bouncy balls. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments can form a system of toy character figures wherein multiple toy character figures can be provided as sets of separate toy character figures and/or the user can collect multiple separate toy character figures and the balls of the separate toy character figures are interchangeable to further form additional character figures. Furthermore, the separate toy character figures can be removably stacked together both horizontally and vertically.
From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toy character figure of a character comprising, in combination:

a plurality of balls;

wherein each of the plurality of balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of balls together in a vertical stack; and

wherein each of the plurality of balls forms a portion of the character so that the plurality of balls collectively forms the character.

2. The toy character figure according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of balls comprises at least one of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

3. The toy character figure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of balls is at least three of the balls.

4. The toy character figure according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a first magnet located at a top of the ball and a second magnet located at a bottom of the ball.

5. The toy character figure according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a third magnet located at a right side of the ball, a fourth magnet located at a left side of the ball, a fifth magnet located at a front of the ball, and a sixth magnet located at a back of the ball.

6. The toy character figure according to claim I, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a first magnet located at a top of the ball and a second magnet at a bottom of the ball.

7. The toy character figure according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of magnets includes a third magnet located at a right side of the ball, a fourth magnet located at a left side of the ball, a fifth magnet located at a front of the ball, and a sixth magnet located at a back of the ball.

8. The toy character figure according to claim 1, further comprising an accessory at least partially formed of ferrous metal and secured to at least one of the plurality of magnets of at least one of the plurality of balls.

9. The toy character figure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of balls are interchangeable to form a different character.

10. The toy character figure according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of balls have a portion of the character printed thereon so that the plurality of balls collectively forms the character.

11. A toy character figure of a character comprising, in combination:

first, second, and third balls;

wherein each of the balls includes a plurality of magnets including a first magnet located at a top of the ball, and a second magnet located at a bottom of the ball;

wherein the first, second, and third balls are removably secured together in a vertical stack with the second magnet of the first ball removably secured to the first magnet of the second ball and the second magnet of the second ball removably secured to the first magnet of the third ball; and

wherein each of the first, second, and third balls forms a portion of the character so that the first, second, and third balls collectively forms the character.

12. The toy character figure according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of balls comprises at least one of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

13. The toy character figure according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of magnets further includes a third magnet located at a right side of the ball, a fourth magnet located at a left side of the ball, a fifth magnet located at a front of the ball, and a sixth magnet located at a back of the ball.

14. The toy character figure according to claim 13, further comprising at least one accessory at least partially formed of ferrous metal and is secured to at least one of the plurality of magnets of at least one of the first, second, and third balls.

15. The toy character figure according to claim 11, further comprising at least one accessory at least partially formed of ferrous metal and is secured to at least one of the plurality of magnets of at least one of the first, second, and third balls.

16. The toy character figure according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of balls are interchangeable to form a different character.

17. The toy character figure according to claim 11, wherein each of the first, second, and third balls have a portion of the character printed thereon so that the first, second, and third balls collectively forms the character.

18. A toy character figure system comprising, in combination:

a first character figure of a first character comprising:

a plurality of first balls;

wherein each of the plurality of first balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of first balls together in a vertical stack; and

wherein each of the plurality of first balls forms a portion of the first character so that the plurality of first balls collectively forms the first character;

a second character figure of a second character comprising:

a plurality of second balls;

wherein each of the plurality of second balls includes a plurality of magnets removably securing the plurality of second balls together in a vertical stack; and

wherein each of the plurality of second balls forms a portion of the second character so that the plurality of second balls collectively forms the second character; and

wherein each of the plurality of first balls and each of the plurality of second balls are interchangeable to form additional characters.

19. The toy character figure system according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of first balls and each of the plurality of second balls comprises at least one of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

20. The toy character figure system according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of first balls have a portion of the first character printed thereon so that the plurality of first balls collectively forms the first character, and wherein each of the plurality of second balls have a portion of the second character printed thereon so that the plurality of second balls collectively forms the second character