U.S. patent application number 12/517582 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for magnet and pin for block toy.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dong Wan Kim. Invention is credited to Young Pil Kim.
Application Number | 20100022158 12/517582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39492361 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100022158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Young Pil |
January 28, 2010 |
Magnet And Pin for Block Toy
Abstract
A rotary magnet and a fastening pin for block toys are
disclosed. The object of the present invention is to provide a
structure such that the production cost can be reduced, the magnet
and the pin can be easily installed in a block, and appropriate
attractive force can be easily generated between blocks. The
fastening pin (11) include a fastening plate part (12), which has a
diameter suitable for fitting the fastening plate part into a
seating depression (2) of the block (1), and a pin part (13), which
has a height greater than that of the rotary magnet (14). The
rotary magnet (14) has an N pole and an S pole on the left and
right parts thereof. A through hole (15) is formed through the
center of the rotary magnet (14), so that the pin part (13) can be
inserted into the through hole (15).
Inventors: |
Kim; Young Pil; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEXYOUME IP GROUP, LLC
5180 PARKSTONE DRIVE, SUITE 175
CHANTILLY
VA
20151
US
|
Assignee: |
Kim; Dong Wan
Hwaseong-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39492361 |
Appl. No.: |
12/517582 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
December 4, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR07/06252 |
371 Date: |
June 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/92 ;
446/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/046 20130101;
A63H 33/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/92 ;
446/129 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/26 20060101
A63H033/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2006 |
KR |
20-2006-0030932 |
Claims
1. A rotary magnet and a fastening pin for block toys, in which
blocks are connected to each other using permanent magnets, wherein
the fastening pin (11) comprises: a fastening plate part (12)
having a diameter suitable to fit the fastening plate part into a
seating depression (2) of a block (1); and a pin part (13), having
a height greater than a height of the rotary magnet (14), and the
rotary magnet (14) has an N pole and an S pole on left and right
parts thereof, with a through hole (15) formed through a central
portion of the rotary magnet (14), so that the pin part (13) is
inserted into the through hole (15).
2. The rotary magnet and the fastening pin for block toys according
to claim 1, wherein a tool insert groove (18) for insertion of a
tool is formed in the fastening plate part (12) of the fastening
pin (11), and an external thread (16) is formed on the pin part
(13).
3. The rotary magnet and the fastening pin for block toys according
to claim 1, wherein a hook (17) is provided on an end of the pin
part (13).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to rotary magnets
and fastening pins for block toys, in which blocks are connected to
each other using magnetic force to form structures having various
shapes, and, more particularly, to a rotary magnet and a fastening
pin for block toys for which the production cost is reduced, which
can be easily installed in a block, and which can easily generate
the correct attractive force between blocks, compared to
conventional block toys using permanent magnets and holders.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, magnets generate magnetic force. When two magnets
are close to each other, the magnetic force acts as an attractive
force between unlike poles (between an N pole and an S pole), thus
pulling the magnets towards each other, and the magnetic force acts
as a repulsive force between like poles (between N poles or between
S poles), thus pushing the magnets away from each other.
[0003] In block toys using the principle of the magnetic force, as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, permanent magnets 20 are installed in
respective metal holders 21, and the holders 21 are inserted into
insert holes 2, which are formed in a block 1 made of wood or
synthetic resin, at positions spaced apart from each other at
regular intervals. Thus, the blocks 1 can be united to each other
using the attractive force between the permanent magnets.
[0004] In such a block toy, the blocks 1 can be connected to each
other or stacked on top of one another by uniting them using the
attractive force between the permanent magnets, thereby forming
various structures. Therefore, the block toy can be used as toys
that enhance the creativity of children and promote the children's
education.
[0005] As such, the conventional permanent magnets 20 and the
holders 21, which are used in the blocks 1, are constructed such
that the permanent magnets 20 are installed in the respective
holders 21, as shown in FIG. 6, and the holders 21 are force-fitted
into the insert hole 2 of the blocks.
[0006] However, the conventional art is problematic in that the
holders 21, which have been force-fitted into the block 1, may be
undesirably removed from the block 1 after repeated use for a long
period of time. When the blocks 1 are connected to each other, the
permanent magnets 20 may be oriented such that repulsive force
therebetween is generated. In this case, to connect the blocks 1 to
each other without moving the blocks, one permanent magnet 20 must
be turned upside down or rotated with respect to the other magnet
to generate attractive force.
[0007] However, in the case where the permanent magnets 20 are
attached to the sidewalls of the respective holders 21, even in the
case where repulsive force is generated between the permanent
magnets, because the permanent magnets cannot change their
orientation and thus do not generate attractive force therebetween,
the blocks 1 are not connected to each other.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in
mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object
of the present invention is to provide a fastening pin (11) and a
rotary magnet (12) for block toys, the fastening pin (11) taking
the place of the holder (21) of the prior art, being prevented from
being undesirably removed from a block (1), and being easily
assembled with the block, and the rotary magnet (14) being
rotatably fitted over the fastening pin (11), wherein, after the
rotary magnet (14) is fitted over the fastening pin (11), the
fastening pin (11) is inserted into a seating depression (2) formed
in the block.
Technical Solution
[0009] In order to accomplish the above object, the present
invention provides a rotary magnet and a fastening pin for block
toys, in which blocks are connected to each other using permanent
magnets, wherein the fastening pin (11) includes: a fastening plate
part (12) having a diameter suitable to fit the fastening plate
part into a seating depression (2) of a block (1); and a pin part
(13), having a height greater than a height of the rotary magnet
(14), and the rotary magnet (14) has an N pole and an S pole on
left and right parts thereof, with a through hole (15) formed
through a central portion of the rotary magnet (14), so that the
pin part (13) is inserted into the through hole (15).
[0010] Preferably, a tool insert groove (18) for insertion of a
tool may be formed in the fastening plate part (12) of the
fastening pin (11), and an external thread (16) may be formed on
the pin part (13).
[0011] Furthermore, a hook (17) may be provided on an end of the
pin part (13).
Advantageous Effects
[0012] A fastening pin (11) and a rotary magnet (14) for block toys
according to the present invention can be firmly coupled to and
easily removed from the block, unlike the conventional block toy,
which uses a permanent magnet 20 and a holder 21. Therefore, there
are advantages in that productivity is enhanced and the rotary
magnet (14) can be easily replaced with a new one.
[0013] Furthermore, because the rotary magnet (14), which is fitted
over the fastening pin (11), is rotated in a clockwise or
counterclockwise direction in place, attractive force can be
reliably generated between blocks (1). Thus, the blocks (1) can be
easily connected to each other. Therefore, the present invention is
advantageous in that the competitiveness of products can be
increased compared to conventional block toys using permanent
magnets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the
installation of the present invention to a block;
[0017] FIG. 4 is sectional views illustrating the rotation of a
rotary magnet of the present invention, which is installed in the
block;
[0018] FIG. 5 is sectional views showing various shapes of pins
according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a permanent magnet and
a holder of a conventional block toy; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the
conventional block toy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0021] 1: block [0022] 11: fastening pin [0023] 13: pin part [0024]
15: through hole [0025] 17: hook [0026] 20: permanent magnet [0027]
2: seating depression [0028] 12: fastening plate part [0029] 14:
rotary magnet [0030] 16: external thread [0031] 18: tool insert
groove [0032] 21: holder
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of a rotary magnet and a fastening
pin for block toys according to the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.
[0034] The fastening pin 11 includes a fastening plate part 12,
which has a diameter suitable to firmly fit it into a corresponding
seating depression 2 of a block 1, and a pin part 13, which has a
height greater than that of the rotary magnet 14.
[0035] The rotary magnet 14 has an N pole and an S pole on the left
and right parts thereof. A through hole 15, into which the pin part
13 is inserted, is formed through the center of the rotary magnet
14.
[0036] The fastening pin 11 has a shape similar to a thumbtack.
Preferably, the diameter and thickness of the fastening plate part
12 are, respectively, approximately 6 mm and 0.3 mm, and the height
of the pin part 13 is approximately 4 mm. Furthermore, the
fastening pin 11 is preferably made of stainless steel (SUS304) or
SECC steel, which is plated with innoxious material.
[0037] Preferably, the diameter and height of the rotary magnet 14,
respectively, are about 5.5 mm and 2 mm, and the magnetic force
thereof ranges from 3000 to 4000 gauss. However, the
above-mentioned numerical (or intensity) values may be variously
changed, rather than being immutable.
[0038] In the present invention, the coupling force between the
present invention and the block 1 can be increased through the
following additional construction.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, a tool insert groove 18 is formed in the
fastening plate part 12 of the fastening pin 11, so that a tool
such as a screwdriver can be inserted into the tool insert groove
18. An external thread 16 or a hook 17 is provided on the pin part
13.
[0040] In the present invention having the above construction, as
shown in FIG. 3, the pin part 13 of the fastening pin 11 is
inserted into the through hole 15 such that the rotary magnet 14 is
fitted over the pin part 13. Thereafter, the fastening pin 11 is
force-fitted into the seating depression 2 of the block 1. At this
time, the end of the pin part 13 is driven into the block 1, which
is made of wood or synthetic resin, in order to firmly fasten the
fastening pin 11 to the block 1.
[0041] In the case where the tool insert groove 18 and the external
thread 16 are formed in the fastening pin, when a tool such as a
screwdriver is inserted into the tool insert groove 18 and is
rotated, the external thread 16 of the fastening pin 11 is threaded
into the bottom of the seating depression 2 of the block 1, thus
firmly fastening the fastening pin 11 to the block l, in which case
the fastening pin 1 can be reliably prevented from being
undesirably removed from the block 1.
[0042] According to the present invention, when two blocks 1 are
brought into contact with each other, if the rotary magnets 14,
which are provided in the fastening pins 11, which face each other,
are oriented such that unlike poles thereof face each other, the
blocks 1 are attached to each other by the attractive force between
the rotary magnets 14. However, as shown in FIG. 4, if like poles
of the rotary magnets face each other, repulsive force therebetween
is generated.
[0043] At this time, one of the rotary magnets 14, which are
rotatably fitted over the respective pin parts 13, is rotated in a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction by the repulsive force, so
that the rotary magnet 14 is oriented such that the poles thereof
face the unlike poles of the other rotary magnet 14. Then,
attractive force between the rotary magnets is generated. Thereby,
the two blocks 1 are attached to each other.
[0044] As such, unlike the conventional art of FIG. 6, in which the
permanent magnet 20 is fitted into the holder 21, in the present
invention, the rotary magnet 14 is fitted over the pin part 13 so
as to be rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction,
without adhering to the inner surface of the seating depression,
and the rotary magnet 14 is thus prevented from being turned upside
down. Therefore, there is an advantage in that attractive force can
always be reliably generated between corresponding rotary magnets
of two blocks.
[0045] According to the present invention, several blocks 1 can be
attached to each other using the attractive force generated between
the rotary magnets 14, and various structures can be made using the
coupling between the blocks 1.
[0046] Furthermore, in the present invention, even if it is desired
to replace the rotary magnet 14 with a new one in the case where
the rotary magnet 14 is defective or the lifetime thereof expires,
because the fastening pin 11 can be easily removed from the block 1
by inserting a tool such as a screwdriver into the tool insert
groove 18 and rotating it in reverse, there is an advantage in that
work of replacing the rotary magnet 14 with a new one is very
easy.
[0047] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, to firmly fasten to the
fastening pin 11 to the block 1, the end of the pin part 13 of the
fastening pin 11 may have a pointed shape or a structure provided
with the external thread 16. Alternatively, the end of the pin part
13 may have the shape of the hook 17. As a further alternative, the
pin part 13 may be modified to have various shapes, as well as a
hook shape. Such modification must be regarded as falling within
the scope and spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *