Magnetic toy

Abstract

A magnetic toy is provided. The magnetic toy may include a housing comprising a game board coupled thereto, a magnet disposed within the housing below the game board and moveable about an area within the game board, and a figurine magnetically coupled to the magnet. The magnetic toy may also include a motor assembly and control circuitry electrically coupled to the motor assembly and configured to controllably operate the motor assembly in response to receiving an input signal. The magnetic toy may further include an input device capable of generating the input signal and configured to controllably move the figurine over the game board.

1 . A magnetic toy, comprising:
 a housing comprising a game board coupled thereto;   a magnet disposed within the housing below the game board and moveable about an area defined by the game board;   a figurine magnetically coupled to the magnet; wherein the figurine comprises magnetic material;   a motor assembly;   control circuitry electrically coupled to the motor assembly and configured to controllably operate the motor assembly in response to receiving an input signal; and   an input device capable of generating the input signal and configured to controllably move the figurine over the game board.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , wherein the motor assembly comprises a first linear rail assembly and a second linear rail assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic toy of  claim 2 , wherein the first linear rail assembly comprises a first rail, a first pair of pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the first linear rail assembly, a first belt wrapped around the first pair of pulleys, a first platform slidable on the first rail, and a first stepper motor connected to one of the first pair of pulleys and configured to drive or turn the first belt via one of the first pair of pulleys. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic toy of  claim 3 , wherein the second linear rail assembly comprises a second rail, a second pair of pulleys positioned at opposite ends of the second linear rail assembly, a second belt wrapped around the second pair of pulleys, a second platform slidable on the second rail, and a second stepper motor connected to one of the second pair of pulleys and configured to drive or turn the second belt via one of the second pair of pulleys. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic toy of  claim 4 , wherein a first end of the second linear rail assembly is coupled to the first platform of the first linear rail assembly and a second end of the second linear rail assembly is coupled to a third rail, wherein the first platform moves along a first axis and wherein the second linear rail assembly moves along the first axis in unison with the first platform. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic toy of  claim 5 , wherein the second platform of the second linear rail assembly moves along a second axis independent of movement of the second linear rail assembly and wherein the second platform moves along the first axis and the second axis. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic toy of  claim 6 , wherein the magnet is coupled to the second platform and wherein the motor assembly is configured to move the magnet along the first axis and the second axis. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic toy of  claim 4 , wherein the control circuitry is electrically coupled to the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor via a first motor driver circuit and a second motor driver circuit, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic toy of  claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry provides a plurality of control signals to the first and second motor driver circuits. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic toy of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of control signals comprises enable signals and/or disable signals. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball launching device extending through an aperture of the game board and is configured to dispense a game ball onto the game board. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure positioned over the game board and coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic scoop provided on the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one speaker provided in the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetic toy of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one touch sensor provided on a lower portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , wherein the game board comprises a recycling area having a storage container with an opening therein providing a repository for the magnetic material. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , wherein the game board comprises a depressed area for receiving the magnetic material from the figurine. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic toy of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material comprises metal filings. 
     
     
         19 . The magnetic toy of  claim 18 , wherein the metal filings comprise iron filings. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a magnetic toy, comprising:
 providing a housing comprising a game board coupled thereto;   providing a magnet disposed within the housing below the game board and moveable about an area defined by the game board;   providing a figurine magnetically coupled to the magnet, wherein the figurine comprises magnetic material;   providing a motor assembly;   providing control circuitry electrically coupled to the motor assembly and configured to controllably operate the motor assembly in response to receiving an input signal;   providing an input device capable of generating the input signal; and   controllably moving the figurine over the game board.