US20070298677A1

US20070298677A1 - Disc shaped magnet tossing toys

Info

Publication number: US20070298677A1
Application number: US11/820,656
Authority: US
Inventors: Allan M. Hoffman; Richard A. Scholten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2007-12-27

Abstract

The invention is a magnetic toy amusement device which is a pair of circular disc shaped magnets. Each of the pair of disc shaped magnets has a width that is approximately one half the diameter of the circular side. The diameter of the circular side is one inch±one fourth inch, and width is one half inch±one eight inch. The magnetic toy amusement device may be presented as a single magnet, a pair of magnets, or three or more magnets. These magnets are manufactured of Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, hematite, or equivalent, and may have indices including advertising indices.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is concerned with a pair or more of small easily handled powerful magnets such as Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, or hematite magnets. The invention is further concerned with the manipulation of these magnets as a toy or a therapeutic means for an adult to relieve tension. The invention is further concerned with the placement of advertising or commercial logos on the generally flat cylindrical ends of the magnets.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Pairs of small powerful magnets are readily available in the marketplace. Brand names include Buzz Magnets™, Singing Magnets™, UberOrbs™, ZingZ™, and so forth. While these magnetic toys are usually sold in pairs, sometimes they are sold in multiple packs of magnets. These magnets are sold as simple spheres, elongated cylindrical spheroids, or cylindrical with hemispheric rounded ends.
In operation these commercial magnetic toy parts are held separated between the thumb and fingers. The player “tosses” the pair of magnets into the air. This produces an unusual noise called a singing or buzzing sound. Likewise, brand names for those magnetic toys that produce these unusual sounds are “Rattlesnake Eggs™” or “Singing™” magnets. The magnets are polarized such that the North-South magnetic poles pass through the central or thickest part. These toy magnets are generally produced abroad, and no relevant patent literature could be located.
Versions these types of magnetic toys are commercially available and are popular at the present time. To improve this type invention the present inventor produces various shapes and sizes for the magnets. He discovered an ideal shape for these magnetic toys are magnets that are thick disc shaped with the dimensions such that the thickness is the same as a radius, or the diameter is twice the thickness of the magnet shaped. Likewise, he discovered that the polishing and tumbling of unfinished plugs of Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, or hematite makes a beveled edge.
The present invention has further advantages over the commercially available art. For example, the configuration of the present invention is such that the magnets can be squeezed together rather than tossed when a player is using the magnets for recreation. A second advantage is that these magnets can have an advertising logo or sticker placed on the ends as advertising specialties. Likewise, the width of the magnets of the current invention are such that one magnet can be held between the thumb and forefinger, with the second magnetically attached to the first magnet. By shaking the first magnet in a circular manner the second attached magnet will spin around the first magnet to create a diversion.
The present invention has the further advantage in that it has a less boredom factor compared to the current art. The tossing of the current commercial magnets to create the “buzz” leads to rapid boredom. The present invention is provides a more varied play routine as well as creating a more interesting buzz sound when squeezed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is a magnetic toy amusement device which is a pair of circular disc shaped magnets. Each of the pair of disc shaped magnets has a width that is approximately one half the diameter of the circular side. The diameter of the circular side is one inch±one fourth inch, and width is one half inch±one eight inch. The magnetic toy amusement device may be presented as a single magnet, a pair of magnets, or three or more magnets. These magnets are manufactured of Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, hematite, or equivalent, and may have indices including advertising indices on the ends. These magnets may have one or more irregularities, such as cuts, grooves, chords, or outward knobs

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows views of one of the pair of magnets of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first example use of the novelty toy.

FIG. 3 shows a second example of the use of the novelty toy magnets of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the angle of polarization of the current art magnets and the angle of polarization of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows views of one of the pair of magnets of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a perspective of the thick disc magnet 101. FIG. 1B is a head on view of diameter D in the present invention. The diameter of the present invention is about one inch plus or minus one quarter inch. FIG. 1C shows disc magnet 101 thickness T is about one half the diameter D of the present invention or one half inch plus or minus one eighth inch. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the magnets are made of Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, or hematite. However, other magnetic materials with similar magnetic flux and cohesive forces may be used. It is an advantage of the present invention that the flat diameter of the magnet may receive advertising or other indices. In the case of the present invention, a sticker 111 with “Off Star” is placed on the ends for advertising. It is to be noted, that the present invention consists of a pair of magnets as described. However in commerce, a single, a pair, or three or more magnets may be sold. For example, in the present example, “Off Star” may buy the magnets in lots of 50 or more. As advertising novelties, they would be dispensed in pairs to create the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a first example use of the novelties toy. One of the pair of the magnets of the present invention 101 is held between the thumb 203 and the middle finger 205 of the player. The player imparts a gyrating up-and-down motion to the first magnet as shown by has arrow H. The second of the pair of identical magnet 201 can rotate around the first of the pair of magnets 101 as shown by arrows J.
FIG. 3 shows a second example of the use of the novelty toy magnets of the present invention. In this second example the pair of the magnets 101 and 201 are pressed between the thumb 203 and the index finger 207. By squeezing and imparting a spin to the pair discs 101 and 201 the pair of magnets can leap into the air causing a buzzing as shown by D. To increase and change the sound or noise, one or more irregularities such as outward knobs 215, cuts, grooves, or chords 213 may be on one or more of the magnets.
FIG. 4 shows the polarization of many of the current art magnets and the polarization of the present invention. FIG. 4 A shows the commercially available current art, elongated cylindrical spheroids. B shows the commercially available current art, cylindrical shaped with hemispheric rounded ends. Note these magnets are polarized through the midsection not in the expected long axis's. The present invention in polarized though the flat side to the flat side. Note because of the polarization of A and B of the current art can not be used to play as shown in FIG. 2.
Of course these are not the only games that might be played with the magnets of the present invention. Note the invention requires a discs that are approximately one inch in diameter with a one half inch thickness.

Claims

1) A magnetic toy amusement device comprising:

a pair of circular disc shaped magnets;

each of said pair of disc shaped magnets has a width that is approximately one half the diameter of the circular side;

wherein said diameter of the circular side is one inch±one fourth inch and said width is one half inch±one eight inch.

2) A magnetic toy amusement device as in claim 1) wherein said circular disc shaped magnets are presented as a single magnet, a pair of magnets, or three or more magnets.

3) A magnetic toy amusement device as in claim 1) wherein said magnets are manufactured of Ceramic 5, Ceramic 8, hematite, or equivalent.

4) A magnetic toy amusement device as in claim 1) wherein said magnets have indices including advertising indices.

5) A magnetic toy amusement device as in claim 1) wherein said magnets may have one or more irregularities, such as cuts, grooves, chords or outward knobs.