Adjustable length connection arm for a magnetic construction toy

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable length connection arm for use in building toy geometrical structures. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustable length connection arm consists of a first member slidably and telescopically mounted to a second member and selectively positionable with respect to the second member. The ends of the connection arm each contain a captively carried magnet for magnetically coupling with a magnetizable body and the axial distance between the connection arm ends is selectively adjustable by selectively positioning a latch carried by the first member into captive engagement with any one of a multiplicity of axially spaced openings in the second member. Each of the multiplicity of openings is so dimensioned and proportioned to permit the latch to be releaseably and captively held in the opening. In another embodiment, the first member has external threads that engage the internal threads of the second member to permit the axial distance between the ends of the connection arm to be selectively determined by relative axial translation of the first member with respect to the second member.

1 . An adjustable length connecting member for magnetically coupling with a magnetizable body in a magnetic construction toy comprising: 
 (a) a first member having a distal end, a proximate end, and a longitudinal axis;    (b) a first magnet captively carried by said first member adjacent said distal end;    (c) a second member having a first end, a second end, and an axis of elongation co-linear with said horizontal axis where said first member is so mounted in telescopic relationship with said second member to permit relative bi-axial displacement of said first member with respect to said second member;    (d) a second magnet captively carried by said second member adjacent said second end; and    (e) adjustment means associated with said first member and said second member responsive to external force for selectively adjusting the axial distance between said distal end and said second end to a pre-determined axial length.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 1  where said adjustment means comprises a latch carried by said first member intermediate said distal and proximate ends, where said latch is radially displaceable with respect to said first member and where said second member has an axially extending void therein for telescopically receiving said first member and an axially extending passage communicating with said void for receiving said latch; said second member having a multiplicity of axially spaced and laterally extending openings communicating with said void and said passage, and where each said opening is so dimensioned and proportioned to captively hold said latch in fixed relationship with said second member thereby precluding axial displacement of said latch, where said latch upon sufficient radial displacement is releasable from captive engagement with said opening thereby permitting said latch to be displaced bi-axially such that the axial length between said distal end and said second end may be selectively adjustable.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 2  where at least one of said multiplicity of axially spaced and laterally extending openings is a serration.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 3  where said first member is cylindrically shaped and conically tapered adjacent said distal end and said second member is cylindrically shaped and conically tapered adjacent said second end.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 1  where said adjustment means comprises: 
 (a) external threads extending at least in part axially between said distal and proximate ends of said first member.    (b) internal threads extending at least in part axially between said first and second ends of said second member for engagement with said external threads to permit axial translation of said first member with respect to said member.    
   
   
       6 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 5  where said first member is cylindrically shaped.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 5  where said first member is conically tapered adjacent said distal end.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 5  where said second member is cylindrically shaped.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable length connection member recited in  claim 5  where said second member is conically tapered adjacent said second end.  
   
   
       10 . A magnetic construction toy comprising in combination: 
 (a) a magnetizable body; and    (b) an adjustable length connection member for magnetically coupling with said magnetizable body, said adjustable length connection member comprising a first member having a distal end, a proximate end, and a longitudinal axis; a first magnet captively carried by said first member adjacent said distal end; a second member having a first end, a second end, and an axis of elongation; a second magnet captively carried by said second member adjacent said second end, where said first member is so mounted in telescopic relationship with said second member such that said axis of elongation is co-linear with said horizontal axis, and adjustment means associated with said first member and said second member responsive to external force for selectively adjusting the axial distance between said distal end and said second end to a pre-determined axial length.    
   
   
       11 . The combination recited in  claim 10  where said adjustment means comprises a latch carried by said first member intermediate said distal and proximate ends, where said latch is radially displacable with respect to said first member and where said second member has an axially extending void therein for telescopically receiving said first member and an axially extending passage communicating with said void for receiving said latch; said second member having a multiplicity of axially spaced and laterally extending openings communicating with said void and said passage, and where each said opening is so dimensioned and proportioned to captively hold said latch in fixed relationship with said second member to preclude axial displacement of said latch where said latch upon sufficient radial displacement is releasable from captive engagement with said opening thereby permitting the axial length between said distal end and said second end to be selectively adjustable.  
   
   
       12 . The combination recited in  claim 10  where at least one of said multiplicity of axially spaced and laterally extending openings is a serration.  
   
   
       13 . The combination recited in  claim 10  where said first member is cylindrically shaped and conically tapered adjacent said distal end.  
   
   
       14 . The combination recited in  claim 10  where said second member is cylindrically shaped and conically tapered adjacent said second end.  
   
   
       15 . The combination recited in  claim 10  wherein said adjustment means comprises: 
 (a) external threads extending at least in part axially between said distal and proximate ends of said first member.    (b) internal threads extending at least in part axially between said first and second ends of said second member for engagement with said external threads to permit axial translation of said first member with respect to said member.    
   
   
       16 . The combination recited in  claim 15  wherein said first member is cylindrically shaped.  
   
   
       17 . The combination recited in  claim 15  wherein said first member is conically tapered adjacent said distal end.  
   
   
       18 . The combination recited in  claim 15  wherein said second member is cylindrically shaped.  
   
   
       19 . The combination recited in  claim 15  wherein said second member is conically tapered adjacent said second end.