Magnetic joints and toy figurines made therefrom

Abstract

Magnetic joints for toy figurines are provided. In one embodiment, the joints include a pair of sockets with magnets formed therein and a ball positioned between the sockets, wherein the sockets are magnetically coupled to the ball and allow for rotation and angulation of coupled components. Friction inlays or O-rings could be provided between the ball and the sockets to retain the coupled components in one or more desired positions. In another embodiment, the joints include complementary, generally planar surfaces having magnets embedded therein for coupling the planar surfaces and allowing rotation and indexing of coupled parts. Conductive regions could be provided in the planar surfaces to allow power transmission through the joints. In another embodiment, the joints include a magnetically-coupled peg and socket for providing rotation and indexing of coupled parts.

1 . A magnetically-coupled joint for a toy figurine, comprising a first socket formed in a first figurine component, said first socket including a first magnet positioned in said first socket; a second socket formed in a second figurine component, said second socket including a second magnet positioned in said second socket; and a ball positioned between said first and second sockets, said first and second magnets being magnetically coupled to said ball to thereby couple said first figurine component to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       2 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 1 , further comprising a first O-ring positioned between said first socket and said ball and a second O-ring positioned between said second socket and said ball.  
   
   
       3 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second O-rings frictionally engage said ball so as to retain said first figurine component in a predetermined position with respect to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       4 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 1 , further comprising a first inlay positioned between said first socket and said ball and a second inlay positioned between said second socket and said ball.  
   
   
       5 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second inlays frictionally engage said ball so as to retain said first figurine component in a predetermined position with respect to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       6 . A magnetically-coupled joint for a toy figurine, comprising a first socket formed in a first figurine component, said first socket including a magnet positioned therein, a first hemispherical portion magnetically coupled to said first socket, a second hemispherical portion interconnected with said first hemispherical portion, and a second socket formed in a second figurine component, said second socket being interconnected with said second hemispherical portion to thereby couple said first figurine component to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       7 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 6 , further comprising an inlay positioned between said first socket and said first hemispherical portion.  
   
   
       8 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 7 , wherein said inlay frictionally engages said first hemispherical portion so as to retain said first figurine component in a predetermined position with respect to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       9 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 6 , wherein said first hemispherical portion further includes a first annular lip and said second hemispherical portion further includes a first annular recess for receiving said first annular lip to thereby interconnect said first and second hemispherical portions.  
   
   
       10 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 9 , wherein said second hemispherical portion further includes a second annular lip and said first hemispherical portion further includes a second annular recess for receiving said second annular lip to thereby interconnect said first and second hemispherical portions.  
   
   
       11 . A magnetically-coupled joint for a toy figurine, comprising a first joint member formed on a first figurine component, said first joint member including a first set of magnets embedded in said first joint member; and a second joint member formed on a second figurine component, said second joint member including a second set of magnets embedded in said second joint member, said first set of magnets cooperating with said second set of magnets to retain said first joint member in position against said second joint member to thereby couple said first figurine component to said second figurine component.  
   
   
       12 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 11 , wherein said first joint member includes a first generally planar surface and said second joint member includes a second generally planar surface.  
   
   
       13 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 12 , wherein said first set of magnets includes a first central magnet and a first plurality of indexing magnets disposed radially about said first central magnet and said second set of magnets includes a second central magnet and a second plurality of indexing magnets disposed radially about said second central magnet, said first plurality of indexing magnets cooperating with said second plurality of indexing magnets to retain said first figurine component in a predetermined position with respect to said second figurine component when said first plurality of indexing magnets and said second plurality of indexing magnets are rotated into alignment.  
   
   
       14 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 12 , wherein said first generally planar surface includes a first pair of conductive regions and said second generally planar surface includes a second pair of conductive regions, said first pair of conductive regions contacting said second pair of conductive regions to conduct electrical power through said joint formed between said first and said second figurine components.  
   
   
       15 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 14 , wherein each of said pairs of conductive regions includes a central conductive region and an annular conductive region disposed about said central conductive region.  
   
   
       16 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 11 , wherein said first joint member includes a peg and said second joint member includes a socket.  
   
   
       17 . The magnetically-coupled joint of  claim 16 , wherein said first set of magnets includes a first end magnet and a first plurality of indexing magnets positioned circumferentially about said peg and said second set of magnets includes a second end magnet and a second plurality of indexing magnets positioned circumferentially about said socket, said first plurality of indexing magnets cooperating with said second plurality of indexing magnets to retain said first figurine component in a predetermined position with respect to said second figurine component when said first plurality of indexing magnets and said second plurality of indexing magnets are rotated into alignment.