WO2007012791A1

WO2007012791A1 - Beads

Info

Publication number: WO2007012791A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/002939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Casey William Norman
Original assignee: Genie Toys Plc
Priority date: 2005-07-26
Filing date: 2005-07-26
Publication date: 2007-02-01

Abstract

A toy comprises a plurality of magnetised beads connectable together in chains in which the beads are attached to each other solely by magnetic force. The beads may form an item of jewellery such as a necklace. One or more beads shaped as geometrical shapes, hearts, flowers, shells, faces, human, animal or fantasy figurines or other representative objects may be included.

Description

BEADS

[0001] This invention relates to a toy comprising a plurality of beads.

[0002] It is known to provide a necklace comprising a plurality of beads threaded on a string, the beads being magnetised.

[0003] It is an aim of the invention to provide a versatile toy having amusing features of novelty.

[0004] The present invention provides a toy comprising a plurality of magnetic beads connectable together in chains in which the beads are attached to each other solely by magnetic force.

[0005] In one embodiment, each bead is of plastics material and contains at least one bar magnet. At least one of the beads may have more than two magnetically attractive points.

[0006] The toy may include one or more beads shaped as geometrical shapes, hearts, flowers, shells, faces, human, animal or fantasy figurines or other objects.

[0007] The toy may include a case for containing the beads. Where the beads include at least one figurine, at least a part of the interior of the case may be configured as a play environment for the figurine. If the case comprises ferromagnetic material, the beads can be attached thereto by magnetic force.

[0008] The invention further provides an item of jewellery formed at least partly from a chain of magnetic beads attached to each other solely by magnetic force. The item may be a necklace, a pendant, a bracelet, a brooch or an earring.

[0009] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0010] Figure 1 shows beads according to the invention;

[0011] Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views of a bead according to the invention;

[0012] Figure 4 shows a necklace according to the invention;

[0013] Figure 5 shows a bracelet according to the invention;

[0014] Figure 6 shows a charm bracelet according to the invention;

[0015] Figure 7 shows an item for use as a brooch or an earring;

[0016] Figure 8 shows an alternative earring;

[0017] Figures 9 to 12 show different beads according to the invention formed as figures; and

[0018] Figure 13 shows a case for use with beads according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 1 shows five examples of beads according to the invention, shaped as a circle, a hexagon, a flower, a heart and a shell respectively.

[0020] Figure 2 is a section through the first bead shown in Figure 1 in a plane parallel to the circular faces. Figure 3 is a transverse section through the same bead. The bead comprises plastics material 1 moulded around a cylindrical bar magnet 2. This gives a bead having two magnetically attractive points adjacent the poles of the magnet 2.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the beads can be formed into items of jewellery, the beads being attached solely by magnetic force. Figure 4 shows a necklace having a pendant part 3 formed from additional beads. The beads 4 are attached together to secure the necklace once it has been placed around a user's neck. Figure 5 shows a bracelet. Figure 6 shows a charm bracelet including specially shaped charm beads 5 having elongate portions 6 which are magnetically attached to certain other beads of the bracelet. [0022] Figure 7 shows an item usable as a brooch or an earring in which an attachment bead 7 has a pin or clasp (not shown) for attachment to a wearer's ear or clothing. Figure 8 shows an alternative earring also having the attachment bead 7.

[0023] Figures 9 to 12 show beads in the form of figurines. By configuring the magnets within the beads in a suitable form, the number and position of magnetically attractive points can be varied from bead to bead. In the examples shown, the arrows indicate the magnetically attractive points. The beads shown in Figures 9 to 12 can be incorporated into items of jewellery. For example, one of the beads of Figures 9 to 12 could replace the lowest bead of the pendant part shown in Figure 4. In a further variation, two or more pendant parts could depend from a single bead of the necklace.

[0024] Figure 13 shows a case for storing beads according to the invention. The case is at least partly of ferromagnetic material so that the beads 8 adhere thereto. For example, the case may be coated with ferromagnetic material. A part 9 of the interior of the case is configured as a play environment for use with a bead formed as a figurine. A mirror 10 is provided on the inside of the lid of the case.

[0025] A locket or brooch comprising ferromagnetic material may be included in the toy for attachment as part of an item of jewellery.

[0026] All forms of the verb "to comprise" used in this specification should be understood as forms of the verbs "to consist of" and/ or "to include".

Claims

1. A toy comprising a plurality of magnetic beads connectable together in chains in which the beads are attached to each other solely by magnetic force.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein each bead is of plastics material and contains at least one bar magnet.

3. A toy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the beads has more than two magnetically attractive points.

4. A toy according to claim 1, 2 or 3, including one or more beads shaped as geometrical shapes, hearts, flowers, shells, faces, human, animal or fantasy figurines or other representative objects.

5. A toy according to any preceding claim, including a case for containing the beads.

6. A toy according to claim 5, wherein the beads include at least one figurine, and at least a part of the interior of the case may be configured as a play environment for the figurine.

7. A toy according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the case comprises ferromagnetic material.

8. An item of jewellery formed at least partly from a chain of magnetic beads attached to each other solely by magnetic force.

9. An item of jewellery according to claim 8, consisting of a necklace, a pendant, a bracelet, a brooch or an earring.

10. An item of jewellery according to claim 8 or 9, including a locket or brooch comprising ferromagnetic material.