Magnetic assembly toy

Abstract

Magnetic assembly toys including magnetically assembled vehicles to which accessories may be attached. The magnetically assembled toy includes a plurality of components that are adapted to magnetically couple with one another. The toy includes at least one magnetic portion that is affixed to one of the plurality of components. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of components may be adapted to rotate.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A toy comprising: 
 a first component in the form of a first portion of a vehicle;    a second component; and    a magnetic portion affixed to one of the first component and the second component, wherein the magnetic portion is adapted to magnetically couple to the other of the first component and the second component.    
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first component includes a ferrous material.  
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the toy further includes at least a third component adapted to represent a second portion of a vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion of the vehicle is one of a spoiler, a sideguard, a grill, a muffler, and a light.  
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment assembly adapted to align the first and second components to a predetermined position relative to one another.  
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5 , wherein the alignment assembly includes a post that protrudes from one of the first and second components and an aperture in the other of the first and second components.  
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the toy further includes a rotatable element.  
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the toy includes at least two components adapted to selectively couple with one another such that the rotatable element is confined therebetween.  
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one support configured to restrict translation of the rotatable element.  
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable element is the second component.  
     
     
         11 . A toy comprising: 
 a plurality of components including: 
 a first component adapted to rotate; and  
 a second component and a third component adapted to magnetically couple with one another and operatively retain the first component between the second and third components.  
   
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein the first component is magnetically coupled to at least one of the second and third components.  
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the second and third components has at least one support configured to restrict translation of the first component.  
     
     
         14 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of components is adapted to represent a portion of a vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The toy of  claim 11 , further comprising an alignment assembly adapted to align at least two of the plurality of components relative to one another.  
     
     
         16 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein the first component is an axle adapted to support at least one wheel.  
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of components includes a ferrous material.  
     
     
         18 . A toy vehicle comprising: 
 a first component in the form of a first portion of a vehicle;    a second component in the form of a second component of a vehicle;    a third rotatable component, wherein the first component may be selectively magnetically attached to the second component, securing the third component in a rotatable configuration, and the third rotatable component represents a wheel and axle assembly; and    at least one support mounted to one of the first and second components and adapted to restrict translation of the third rotatable component.    
     
     
         19 . The toy vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one support is a plate adapted to support the third rotatable component a distance away from the first and second components.  
     
     
         20 . The toy vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the plate has at least one groove adapted to receive the third rotatable component.