Segmented figure with magnetic couplings

Abstract

A novelty figure having external body contour lines that define a body shape. The body shape is divided into a separate anterior section and posterior section. The anterior section of the body shape has a first flat surface of a first cross-sectional shape. The posterior section of the body shape has a second flat surface of a second cross-sectional shape. The second cross-sectional shape of the second flat surface is an exact mirror image of the first cross- sectional shape of the first flat surface. When the first flat surface is placed in abutment with the second flat surface, the cross-sectional shapes exactly align. At least one first magnet is disposed in the anterior section. Similarly, at least one second magnet disposed in the posterior section. Utilizing magnetic attraction, the first flat surface of the anterior section and the second flat surface of the posterior section can join together.

1 . A toy figure having external body contour lines that define a body shape, said figure comprising: 
 an anterior section having a first flat surface of a first cross-sectional shape;    a posterior section having a second flat surface of a second cross-sectional shape that is a mirror image of said first cross-sectional shape;    at least one first magnet disposed in said anterior section;    at least one second magnet disposed in said posterior section;    wherein said at least one first magnet attracts said at least one second magnet aligning said first flat surface with said second flat surface so that said anterior section and said posterior section orient along said common body contour lines to form said body shape.    
   
   
       2 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said anterior section and said posterior section are approximately equal in size.  
   
   
       3 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first flat surface and said second flat surface are parallel and both said first flat surface and said second flat surface have a periphery that align.  
   
   
       4 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said body shape has a longitudinal axis that passes symmetrically through said anterior section and said posterior section.  
   
   
       5 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first flat surface and said second flat surface are both perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       6 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said anterior section contains a first plurality of magnets.  
   
   
       7 . The toy figure according to  claim 6 , wherein said posterior section contains a second plurality of magnets.  
   
   
       8 . The toy figure according to  claim 7 , wherein said first plurality of magnets and said second plurality of magnets magnetically attract and position said anterior section and said posterior section into an aligned orientation.  
   
   
       9 . The toy figure according to  claim 1 , wherein said body shape is that of an animal.  
   
   
       10 . A method of attaching a novelty figure to an object that has a first side and a second side, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a novelty figure of a predetermined body shape, said body shape being segmented into an anterior section having a first flat surface of a first cross-sectional shape, and a posterior section having a second flat surface of a second cross-sectional shape, wherein said second cross-sectional shape that a mirror image of said first cross-sectional shape;    positioning said first flat surface of said anterior section of said novelty figure against the first side of the object;    positioning said second flat surface of said posterior section of said novelty figure against the second side of the object, wherein said anterior section and said posterior section magnetically attract to one another through said object and remain stationary on said object.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including the step of mounting at least one magnet in said first flat surface of said anterior section and said second flat surface of said posterior section.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further including positioning said magnets in said anterior section and said posterior section so that said first flat surface and said second flay surface automatically align when said anterior section and said posterior section magnetically attract.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said novelty figure has a longitudinal axis and both said first flat surface and said second flat surface are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . A segmented novelty figure, comprising: 
 a body divided into a first section and a second section along a line of severance, wherein said first section and said second section have mirrored cross-sectional profiles at said line of severance;    at least one magnet in said first section;    at least one magnet in said second section;    wherein said at least one first magnet and said at least one second magnet bias said first section and said second section together across said line of severance.    
   
   
       15 . The toy figure according to  claim 14 , wherein said first section and said second section are approximately equal in size.  
   
   
       16 . The toy figure according to  claim 14 , wherein said body is formed as an animal.