Rotational-magnetic construction set

Abstract

An amusement device concerned generally with a construction type educational toy. The amusement device provides unique functionality via board design and piece structure allowing relative motion between coupled playing pieces. The construction apparatus is of the type having rotary path-forming pieces that can be located in numerous positions on the base board. The pieces are removably interfitting and allow the construction of variable paths and patterns. The amusement device incorporates magnetism to perform relative rotary motion. A circular pattern of permanent magnets are included in construction pieces to allow numerous magnetically coupled rotary pieces to undergo relative rotation analogous to a gear train. In addition to toy or game amusement device, the present invention also embodies an education and demonstration device whereby the assembly of magnetically coupled rotary pieces provides the interactive demonstration of a gear train machine mechanism.

1 . A construction set comprising:
 a plurality of magnetized rotary construction pieces and a journal board adapted for receiving said magnetized rotary construction pieces within a playing area of numerous closely-spaced receptacle pivot locations;   said magnetized rotary construction pieces each comprising a body portion and a centralized axle projection;   said axle projection adapted to removably-fit on said journal board and rotate within said receptacle pivot locations of said journal board;   said body portion further comprising magnetized elements arranged in a circular pattern with numerous locations of outward magnetic polarity around the periphery of said rotary construction pieces; and   said magnetized elements adapted for providing for rotational magnetic coupling when said magnetized rotary construction pieces are placed in proximity to each other on said journal board.   
     
     
         2 . The construction set of  claim 1  wherein said magnetized elements is a circular pattern of permanent magnets configured to create a variable outward magnetic field to cause the rotational magnetic coupling of proximally placed rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         3 . The construction set of  claim 2  wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized rotary construction pieces are NdFeB permanent magnets comprising composed mainly of Neodymium (Nd), Iron (Fe) and Boron (B). 
     
     
         4 . The construction set of  claim 3  wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized rotary construction pieces are block shaped permanent magnets. 
     
     
         5 . The construction set of  claim 2 , in which said bodies of said magnetized rotary pieces contain axial slots within said body portion near the perimeter wherein said magnetized elements are embedded within. 
     
     
         6 . The construction set of  claim 2 , in which said permanent magnets are totally encapsulated within said body of said magnetized rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The construction set of  claim 2 , in which said magnetized elements is a circular array of permanent magnets configured to have alternating outward magnetic polarity whereas magnetic coupling is significantly achieved by both attraction and repulsion between interacting magnets of proximally placed said rotational magnetic construction pieces. 
     
     
         8 . The construction set of  claim 7  wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized rotary construction pieces are an even number of permanent magnets. 
     
     
         9 . The construction set of  claim 2 , in which said magnetized elements is a spaced apart circular array of permanent magnets configured to all have the same outward polarity whereas magnetic coupling is achieved primarily by means of repulsion between interacting magnets of proximally placed rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         10 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said magnetized rotary construction pieces are characterized with a substantially equivalent circular magnetic pitch. 
     
     
         11 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said numerous pivot locations are defined by an array of closely spaced holes. 
     
     
         12 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which distance between closely spaced receptacle pivot locations of said journal hole array are circular holes characterized with a pivot axis and a diameter whereas said pivot locations within said journal hole array are provided at a spacing from pivot axis to pivot axis that is in the range of 1 to 3 times said diameter of said circular holes. 
     
     
         13 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said journal board is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         14 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said journal board is in the shape of a polygon. 
     
     
         15 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said journal board is substantially circular. 
     
     
         16 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said magnetized rotary construction pieces are provided in two or more different sizes. 
     
     
         17 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said rotary construction pieces further comprise pick-and-place means displaced on said body; said pick-and-place means adapted to facilitate lifting up said rotary construction pieces and placing said rotary construction pieces in available receptacle pivot locations on said journal board. 
     
     
         18 . The construction set of  claim 17  wherein said pick-and-place means is a handle extending from said body of said rotary playing piece(s). 
     
     
         19 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said magnetized rotary construction pieces further comprising visual indication means to indicate magnetic rotational coupling between said magnetized rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         20 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which further comprises graphical face plates adapted for removable-attachment to the top of said magnetized rotary construction pieces; said magnetized rotary construction pieces further comprising face plate connection means; said graphical face plates comprising corresponding face plate retention means for maintaining a fixed co-axial and radial relationship of said graphical face plates of corresponding said graphical face plate. 
     
     
         21 . The construction set of  claim 20  wherein said magnetized rotary construction pieces comprise a handle of non-circular cross-section as pick-and-place means. 
     
     
         22 . The construction set of  claim 21 , whereas graphical face plates comprise central non-circular holes of approximately the same shape corresponding to said non-circular cross-section of said handle. 
     
     
         23 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said journal board is made of polymer material suitable for providing low friction journaling of said axle of magnetized rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         24 . The construction set of  claim 1 , in which said construction set further comprises a rotational magnetic disk crank; said disk crank comprising an axle, a disk body and a rotation drive means; the body of said rotational magnetic disk crank comprising a circular pattern of magnetized elements adapted to provide rotational magnetic coupling when said magnetized rotary construction pieces are placed on said journal board in proximity to said magnetized rotational magnetic disk crank. 
     
     
         25 . The construction set of  claim 24  whereas said rotation drive means is a hand crank provided by means of a revolving handle offset form the axis of the central axle. 
     
     
         26 . The construction set of  claim 24 , in which said rotation drive means is a knob extending from said body. 
     
     
         27 . The construction set of  claim 24 , in which said rotation drive means is an electric motor. 
     
     
         28 . The construction set of  claim 24 , in which said rotation drive means is adapted to be located at a central location on said journal board. 
     
     
         29 . The construction set of  claim 24 , in which said rotation drive means is adapted to be located at a peripheral location on said journal board. 
     
     
         30 . A construction set comprising;
 a magnetized drive ring, a plurality of magnetized rotary construction pieces and a journal board comprising a journal array adapted for receiving said magnetized rotary construction pieces within a playing area of numerous receptacle pivot locations; said journal board further comprising a substantially annular ring supporting means adapted for providing the pivoting of said magnetized drive ring around the periphery of said journal hole array;   said magnetized rotary construction pieces each comprising a body portion and a centralized axle;   said axle adapted to removably fit on said journal board and rotate within said receptacle pivot locations of said journal board;   said body portion further comprising a circular pattern of magnetized elements adapted for rotational magnetic coupling when said magnetized rotary construction pieces are closely spaced apart on said journal board;   said magnetized drive ring comprising a ring-shaped body characterized by a major and minor diameter and a rotation drive means;   said magnetized drive ring adapted to be rotationally supported by said annular ring supporting means of said journal board; and   said ring-shaped body comprising a circular pattern of magnetized elements positioned near the minor diameter and adapted to provide rotational magnetic coupling when said magnetized rotary construction pieces are placed on said journal board within said magnetized drive ring in proximity to said minor diameter of said magnetized drive ring.   
     
     
         31 . The construction set of  claim 30  wherein said magnetized elements is a circular pattern of permanent magnets configured to create a variable outward magnetic field to cause the rotational magnetic coupling of proximally placed rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         32 . The construction set of  claim 31  wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized drive ring are NdFeB permanent magnets comprising composed mainly of Neodymium (Nd), Iron (Fe) and Boron (B). 
     
     
         33 . The construction set of  claim 32  wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized drive ring are block shaped permanent magnets. 
     
     
         34 . The construction set of  claim 32 , in which said body portion of said magnetized drive ring contain axial slots within said body portion near the perimeter wherein said magnetized elements are embedded within. 
     
     
         35 . The construction set of  claim 31 , in which said permanent magnets are totally encapsulated within said body of said magnetized drive ring. 
     
     
         36 . The construction set of  claim 31 , in which said magnetized elements is a circular array of permanent magnets configured to have alternating outward magnetic polarity whereas magnetic coupling is significantly achieved by both attraction and repulsion between interacting magnets of proximally placed said rotational magnetic construction pieces. 
     
     
         37 . The construction set of  claim 31 , in which said magnetized drive ring further comprises a revolving handle offset displaced on said ring shaped body to facilitate motion of said magnetized drive ring. 
     
     
         38 . The construction set of  claim 30 , in which said magnetized drive ring is mechanically coupled to an electric motor to cause rotation of said magnetized drive ring. 
     
     
         39 . The construction set of  claim 30 , in which said ring supporting means of said journal board is captive annular slot adapted to receive said magnetized drive ring and support said magnetized drive ring while allowing rotation of said magnetized drive ring around a central rotational axis. 
     
     
         40 . The construction set of  claim 30 , in which said magnetized drive ring further comprising visual indication means to indicate magnetic rotational coupling between said magnetized rotary construction pieces. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The construction set of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized rotary construction pieces are provided by a multi-pole magnetic strip wrapped around the parameter of said disk bodies, said magnetic strip magnetized with an alternating outward magnetic polarity. 
     
     
         43 . The construction set of  claim 30 , wherein said magnetized elements of said magnetized rotary construction pieces are provided by a multi-pole magnetic strip wrapped around the parameter of said disk bodies, said magnetic strip magnetized with an alternating outward magnetic polarity.