MAGNETIC JOINTS AND TOY FIGURINES MADE THEREFROM

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of toy figurines, and, more particularly, to toy figurines having magnetic joints.

Background Art

Joints of various designs have, in the past, been developed for toy figurines to permit the selective attachment and removal of component parts, such as appendages and the like. An example of a joint for a toy figurine can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,889 to Ejima, which discloses a toy figurine having magnetically-coupled, ball-and-socket joints that allow appendages to be selectively attached to the figurine as desired. Another example of a joint for a toy figurine can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0077259 to Barri, which discloses a toy figurine having joints in the form of magnetized pegs and corresponding sockets for receiving the pegs. Other examples of joints include U.S. Patent No. 6,203,396 to Asmussen, et al. and U.S. Patent No. 6,705,794 to Varner, et ah, which disclose magnetically-coupled joints for mannequins with generally flat joint surfaces that allow for indexing of parts using protrusions and corresponding recesses (see the Asmussen, et al. Patent) or a pin and corresponding apertures (see the Varner, et al. Patent).

Existing joint designs suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, in the case of the magnetically-coupled, ball-and-socket joints currently available in toy figurines, only a single socket is provided, and the ball is attached to

a component of the figurine (e.g., to an appendage or other part). Thus, the ball is neither removable from the figurine nor interchangeable with another ball. As such, the user cannot substitute balls of desired colors, patterns, or designs to achieve a desired appearance, nor can the user quickly and conveniently construct figurines using a multitude of interchangeable components.

Moreover, while existing joint designs allow for indexing of parts, such designs do not allow for indexing using magnets and completely planar (flat) joint surfaces. Rather, a pin and corresponding apertures or a protrusion and corresponding recesses (or other mechanical arrangement) are required to effectuate indexing. Further, current joint designs for toy figurines do not allow power to be transmitted through a completely planar or flat joint interface. Accordingly, there is a need to provide magnetic joints for toy figurines that address the foregoing limitations.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing magnetic joints for toy figurines having various configurations that allow for the quick and easy assembly and disassembly of figurine components. In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic joint comprises a ball and a pair of sockets magnetically coupled to the ball, wherein the first socket is formed in a first figurine part and the second socket is formed in a second figurine part. Each socket includes a magnet embedded in the socket for magnetically coupling the socket to the ball. The joint allows for angulation and rotation of joined parts, as well as for quick and convenient assembly and

disassembly of figurine components. The ball "floats" between the sockets, and can be removed by the user and substituted with another ball, as desired. A pair of friction inlays or O-rings can be provided between the ball and the sockets to provide sufficient friction when the joint is assembled to allow coupled figurine components to be retained in one or more desired positions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic joint comprises a first socket formed in a first figurine component, a first hemispherical portion magnetically coupled with the first socket, a second hemispherical portion interconnected with the first hemispherical portion, and a second socket formed in a second figurine component and interconnected with the second hemispherical portion. A friction inlay could be provided between the first socket and the first hemispherical portion to provide sufficient friction when the joint is assembled to allow the first figurine component to be retained in one or more desired positions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic joint comprises a pair of complementary, generally planar joint surfaces that are magnetically coupled to each other using complementary magnets embedded in the joint surfaces. Complementary central magnets could be embedded in central regions of the joint surfaces for coupling the joints together, and a plurality of satellite magnets could be disposed radially about each central magnet and embedded in the joint surfaces to allow coupled figurine components to be rotated and held in one or more predetermined positions (indexed). Complementary conductive regions, such as a central conductive region surrounded by an annular conductive region, could be

μroviαeα on each joint surface for allowing electrical power to be transmitted through the joint.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic joint comprises a peg and corresponding socket construction that cooperate to permit rotation of coupled figurine components. The peg and socket each include corresponding end magnets for retaining the peg in the socket. A plurality of corresponding indexing magnets are embedded in the peg and the socket for allowing the joined parts to be retained in one or more predetermined positions (internally indexed) when the indexing magnets are rotated into alignment with each other.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly upon a reading of the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments thereof, which are given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a toy figurine having magnetically- coupled joints according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein each joint includes a ball and a pair of sockets magnetically coupled to the ball;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one of the magnetic joints for the toy figurine shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the magnetic joint shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, wherein friction inlays are provided between the sockets and the ball;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of one of the friction inlays shown in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c is a cross-sectional view showing the components of FIG. 4a assembled;

FIG. 5a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, wherein O-rings are provided between the sockets and the ball;

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing the components of FIG. 5a assembled;

FIG. 6a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, including a two-piece, ferromagnetic ball which is coupled to only one of two socket members;

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view showing the components of FIG. 6a assembled;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toy figurine having magnetic joints according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the joints include generally planar surfaces that allow for indexing;

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of one of the magnetic joints for the toy figurine shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8b is a front elevational view of the magnetic joint shown in FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, wherein each joint includes generally planar surfaces having conductive areas for allowing power transmission through the joint;

FIG. 9b is a front elevational view of the magnetic joint shown in FIG. 9a;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy figurine having magnetic joints according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein each joint comprises an internally-indexed, magnetically-coupled peg and socket;

FIG. 11 a is a perspective view of one of the magnetic joints for the toy figurine shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 11 b is a front elevational view of the magnetic joint shown in FIG. 11a.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown a toy figurine 10 which includes a head 12, an upper torso 14, a lower torso 16, arms 18, 20, and legs 22, 24. The arm 18 includes a bicep 26, a forearm 28, and a hand 30. Similarly, the arm 20 includes a bicep 32, a forearm 34, and a hand 36. The leg 22 includes a thigh 38, a shin 40, and a foot 42. Similarly, the leg 24 includes a thigh 44, a shin 46, and a foot 48. All of the foregoing parts are movably coupled to their adjoining parts by magnetic joints 50a-n.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the magnetic joint 5Oe shown in FIG. 1 , it being understood that each of the magnetic joints 50a-d and 50f-n of FIG. 1 has the same construction as the magnetic joint 5Oe. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a ball 56 is positioned between a pair of magnetic sockets 52a, 52b (see FIG. 3) formed in the upper torso 14 and the bicep 26, respectively. The magnetic joint 5Oe allows for both angulation (indicated generally by arrow A) and

rotation (indicated generally by arrow B) of the bicep 26 relative to the upper torso 14. Each of the magnetic joints 50a-d and 50f-n shown in FIG. 1 is likewise adapted for such angulation and rotation. Importantly, the ball 56 can be completely disengaged from the upper torso 14 and the bicep 26, and substituted with another ball having any desired color, pattern, or appearance, so as to enhance the entertainment value of the figurine. Further, it should be noted that more than two components can be joined to a single ball.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ball 56 is positioned between the sockets 52a, 52b formed in the upper torso 14 and the bicep 26, respectively. The sockets 52a, 52b are generally cup-shaped so as to conform to the shape of the ball 56, and include magnets 54a, 54b embedded in central portions of the sockets 52a, 52b. The magnets 54a, 54b are magnetically attracted to the ball 56, which can be manufactured from any suitable ferromagnetic material. The magnetic attraction of the magnets 54a, 54b to the ball 56 retains the sockets 52a, 52b in position against the ball 56 so as to couple the upper torso 14 to the bicep 26. The sockets 52a, 52b can be disengaged from the ball 56 by pulling the upper torso 14 and the bicep 26 away from the ball 56.

FIG. 4a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, indicated generally at 60, for coupling a first figurine portion 62a to a second figurine portion 62b. The joint 60 includes friction inlays 65a, 65b positioned between sockets 72a, 72b (formed in portions 62a, 62b, respectively) and a ball 66. The friction inlays 65a, 65b include cup-shaped portions 68a, 68b which conform to the shape of the ball 66. Magnets 64a, 64b

extend through apertures 67a, 67b formed in the cup-shaped portions 68a, 68b, and are positionable within recesses 73a, 73b formed in the centers of the sockets 72a, 72b. The magnets 64a, 64b could include rounded faces 69a, 69b, respectively, which conform to the shape of the ball 66. The inlays 65a, 65b could be interconnected with the sockets 72a, 72b in any known manner, such as by gluing or by means of a friction fit. Importantly, the inlays 65a, 65b provide sufficient friction against the ball 66 when the joint 60 is assembled (see FIG. 4c) to retain the figurine portions 62a, 62b in a desired position with respect to each other, while allowing for rotation and angulation. As shown in FIG. 4b, which is a perspective view of one of the friction inlays 65a (the opposite friction inlay 65b being identical thereto), the magnet 64a extends through the aperture 67a formed in the cup-shaped portion 68a of the inlay 65a. The magnet 64a could be permanently attached to the cup-shaped portion 68a (e.g., by gluing), or could be removable therefrom. Further, it should be noted that the inlays 65a, 65b could be manufactured from rubber or other suitable material.

FIG. 5a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, indicated generally at 80, wherein O- rings 88a, 88b are positioned between generally cup-shaped sockets 89a, 89b and a ball 86. The sockets 89a, 89b are formed in figurine components 82a, 82b (which could be any desired components of a figurine), and include magnets 84a, 84b positioned in recesses 83a, 83b formed in the sockets 89a, 89b. When the magnetic joint 80 is assembled (see FIG. 5b), the O-rings 88a, 88b bear against the ball 86 when the sockets 89a, 89b are coupled to the ball 86, so that the figurine components 82a, 82b can be retained in a desired position with respect to each

other after being moved by a user. The O-rings 88a, 88b can be made from any suitable material.

FIG. 6a is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, indicated generally at 90, for joining first and second figurine components 91a, 91 b (which could be any desired components of a figurine). The joint 90 includes a first socket 92a formed in the first figurine component 91 a, a second socket 92b formed in the second figurine component 91 b, a friction inlay 94, a first hemispherical portion 96, and a second hemispherical portion 98. The socket 92a includes a recess 93a for receiving a magnet 95 formed in the friction inlay 94, and the friction inlay 94 could be permanently attached to the socket 92a (such as by gluing) or temporarily by means of a friction fit. The socket 92b includes a recess 93b for receiving a protrusion 99 formed on the second hemispherical portion 98. The second hemispherical portion 98 can be permanently attached to the second socket 92b in any suitable manner, such as by gluing, etc.

The first hemispherical portion 96 includes an annular lip 97a that is configured to be received by an annular external recess 97b formed on an external surface 98a of the second hemispherical portion 98. Similarly, the second hemispherical portion 98 includes an annular lip 97c that is configured to be received by an annular recess 97d formed on an internal surface 96a of the first hemispherical portion 96. The lips 97a, 97c and recesses 97b, 97d cooperate to interconnect the first hemispherical portion 96 to the second hemispherical portion 98. The first hemispherical portion 96 is preferably manufactured from a ferromagnetic material, so as to facilitate magnetic attraction to the magnet 95. When the joint 90 is

assembled (see FIG. 6b), magnetic attraction between the magnet 95 and the first hemispherical portion 96 couples the first figurine component 91a to the first hemispherical portion 96, allowing for rotation and angulation of the first figurine component 91a. The friction inlay 94 provides sufficient friction to retain the first figurine component 91a in a desired position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toy figurine, indicated generally at 100, having a body portion 102, a plurality of appendages 104-118, and a plurality of magnetic joints 120a-h made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of coupling the appendages 104-118 to the body portion 102. The magnetic joints 120a-h include complementary, generally planar (i.e., flat) joint surfaces 122a, 122b (see FIGS. 8a-8b) that allow for rotation and indexing. The magnetic joints 120a-h allow, for example, the plurality of appendages 104-118 to be selectively attached to and removed from the body portion 102, and rotated and indexed when attached to the body portion 102.

FIG. 8a is perspective view of the magnetic joint 120a shown in FIG. 7, each of the magnetic joints 120b-h of FIG. 7 having the same construction as the joint 120a. The complementary, generally planar joint surfaces 122a, 122b include complementary magnets 124a, 124b positioned within central regions of the joint surfaces 122a, 122b, such that attraction between the magnets 124a, 124b retains the joint surfaces 122a, 122b against each other when the joint 120a is assembled. Several indexing magnets 126a, 126b are positioned in a radial array about the magnets 124a, 124b to allow the appendage 104 and the body portion 102 to be indexed by means of magnetic attraction exerted between the magnets 126a, 126b

when the magnets 126a, 126b are rotated into alignment (see arrow C in FIG. 8b). The magnets 124a, 124b and 126a, 126b could be embedded in the joint surfaces 122a, 122b, or otherwise attached thereto. It should be noted that the magnets 126a, 126b could be substituted with protrusions and corresponding recesses to allow for indexing.

FiG. 9a is a perspective view of another embodiment of the magnetic joints of the present invention, indicated generally at 130, for coupling a first figurine component 132 to a second figurine component 134. The joint 130 comprises a pair of complementary, generally planar joint surfaces 136a, 136b having annular conductive regions 138a, 138b surrounding central conductive regions 140a, 140b. The annular conductive regions 138a, 138b or the central conductive regions 140a, 140b, or both, could be magnetic to retain the joint surfaces 136a, 136b in position against each other. An electrical circuit 142 in the first figurine component 132 (e.g., a battery positioned in a torso portion of a figurine) is in electrical communication with the annular conductive region 138a and the central conductive region 140a via leads 144. When the joint surface 136a is coupled with the joint surface 136b, the annular conductive region 138a makes electrical contact with the annular conductive region 138b and the central conductive region 140a makes electrical contact with the central conductive region 140b to allow power to be transmitted from the circuit 142 through the joint 130 and into the second figurine component 134. Leads 146 in the second figurine component 134 are connected to the annular conductive region 138b and the central conductive region 140b to transfer electrical power to a circuit in the second figurine component 146 (e.g., to a light or motor). As shown in FIG. 9b, the joint 130 allows for rotation of the second figurine part 134 with respect to the first

figurine part 132, indicated generally by arrow D. Thus, the joint 130 allows for power transmission therethrough, while simultaneously allowing for rotation of the magnetically coupled parts. It should be noted that the conductive regions 138a, 138b and 140a, 140b could be provided in any desired shapes and at any desired locations of the joint surfaces 136a, 136b without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy figurine, indicated generally at 150, having a head 152, an upper torso 154, arms 156, 158, a lower torso 160, legs 162, 164, magnetic joints 166a, 166b removably coupling the legs 162, 164 to the lower torso 160, and another set of magnetic joints 170a, 170b according to another embodiment of the present invention removably coupling the arms 156, 158 to the upper torso 154. A magnetic joint 168 could be provided for removably coupling the head 152 to the upper torso 154, or the head 152 could be permanently coupled to the upper torso 154. The magnetic joints 170a, 170b are internally indexed and allow for rotation and indexing of the arms 156, 158 with respect to the upper torso 154.

FIGS. 11a-11 b are perspective and front elevational views, respectively, of the magnetic joint 170b shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic joint 170a being identical thereto in construction. The joint 170b comprises a peg 172 formed on the arm 158, which is insertable into a socket 174 formed in the upper torso 154. A shoulder 176 surrounding the socket 174 abuts a shoulder 178 disposed about the peg 172 when the peg 172 is inserted into the socket 174. The socket 174 includes an end magnet 180 and a plurality of indexing magnets 182 disposed along the

longitudinal axis of the socket 174 and about the circumference of the socket 174. The peg 172 includes a corresponding end magnet 184 and a plurality of corresponding indexing magnets 186 disposed along the longitudinal axis of the peg 172 and about the circumference of the peg 172. When the peg 172 is inserted into the socket 174, magnetic attraction between the end magnets 180, 184 retains the peg 172 in the socket 174, so as to couple the arm 158 to the upper torso 154 while allowing for rotation of the arm 158 with respect to the upper torso 154 (as indicated generally by arrow E).

The indexing magnets 182 of the socket 174 are magnetically attracted to the indexing magnets 186 of the peg 172 to allow the arm 158 to be rotated and held in one or more predetermined positions (Ae., indexed). It should be noted that the indexing magnets 182, 186 could be replaced with corresponding protrusions and recesses to allow for indexing. Moreover, either set of the indexing magnets 182, 186 could be replaced with a ferromagnetic material, so that only a single set of magnets is required to provide indexing. Still further, one of the end magnets 180, 184 could likewise be replaced with a ferromagnetic material so that only a single magnet is required to retain the peg 172 in the socket 174. Additionally, in each of the embodiments of the magnetic joints of the present invention, the magnets could be poled (e.g., one set of magnets could correspond to a south magnetic pole, and another set of magnets could correspond to a north magnetic pole), so as to further facilitate indexing of the joined components.

The magnetic joints of the present invention could be used to couple figurine components in any desired configuration. For example, the arm 26 (see

FIG. 1 ) could be formed by coupling the bicep 26 to the forearm 28 using the joint 5Of, and the forearm 28 to the hand 36 using the joint 5Og. The arm 26 could then be coupled to upper torso 14 using the joint 5Oe. Similarly, the arm 20 could be formed by coupling the bicep 32 to the forearm 34 using the joint 50c, and the forearm 34 to the hand 36 using the joint 5Od. The arm 20 could then be coupled to upper torso 14 using the joint 50b. The head 12, upper torso 14, and lower torso 16 could be interconnected using the joints 50a and 50h, respectively. The legs 22 could be formed by coupling the thigh 38 to the shin 40 using the joint 50m, and the shin 40 could be coupled to the feet 42 using the joint 5On. The leg 22 could then be coupled to the lower torso 16 using the joint 50I. Similarly, the legs 24 could be formed by coupling the thigh 44 to the shin 46 using the joint 5Oj, and the shin 46 could be coupled to the feet 48 using the joint 50k. The leg 24 could then be coupled to the lower torso 16 using the joint 5Oi. Thus, as can be readily appreciated, any desired combination of components could be interconnected in any desired fashion using the magnetic joints of the present invention. Further, any desired combination of the various embodiments of the magnetic joints of the present invention could be implemented in a toy figurine.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and/or modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.