Magnetic toy construction modules with corner-adjacent magnets

Abstract

Three-dimensional assemblies include substantially planar structural components having various two-dimensional generally polygonal shapes. Each such structural component includes a plurality of magnets positioned immediately adjacent the polygonal corners of the structural component and in other locations for use in connecting multiple instances of such structural components together, e.g., via the use of interconnecting ferromagnetic balls. Such structural components can also include one or more slots extending peripherally inward from the component edge for use in assembling corresponding structural components together in an interlocking fashion.

1 . A planar body having a generally polygonal shape, comprising: 
 a first major surface;    a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface;    a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, the peripheral edge surface including a first side edge and a second side edge;    a slot formed in the first side edge; and    a first pocket formed adjacent the slot, the first pocket having a first magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface.    
     
     
         2 . The planar body of  claim 1 , wherein the outward-facing magnetic surface is recessed within the first pocket.  
     
     
         3 . The planar body of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a recess formed in the second side edge, the recess including a substantially cylindrical side wall which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces; and    a second magnet formed adjacent the recess.    
     
     
         4 . The planar body of  claim 1 , further comprising a corner pocket disposed adjacent each corner of the generally polygonal shape, each corner pocket having a magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface disposed therein, the outward-facing magnetic surface being recessed from an outer surface of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         5 . The planar body of  claim 1 , wherein the planar body is substantially rectangular in shape and wherein a pocket having a magnet fitted therein is disposed at each corner of the planar body.  
     
     
         6 . The planar body of  claim 1 , wherein the planar body is in the general shape of at least one of a trapezoid and a triangle.  
     
     
         7 . The planar body of  claim 1 , wherein the planar body is in the general shape of a rectangle.  
     
     
         8 . A planar body having a generally polygonal shape, comprising: 
 a first major surface;    a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface; and    a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces,    the peripheral edge defining a recess, the recess including a substantially cylindrical side wall which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces, and    the peripheral edge defining a pocket disposed adjacent the recess, the pocket having a magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface.    
     
     
         9 . The planar body of  claim 8 , wherein the planar body is substantially rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         10 . The planar body of  claim 8 , wherein the planar body is in at least one of the general shape of a trapezoid and a triangle.  
     
     
         11 . The planar body of  claim 8 , further comprising a corner pocket disposed adjacent each corner of the generally polygonal shape, each corner pocket having a magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface disposed therein.  
     
     
         12 . The planar body of  claim 11 , wherein the outward-facing magnetic surface of each corner pocket magnet is recessed from an outer surface of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         13 . The planar body of  claim 8 , wherein the magnet is recessed the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         14 . A three-dimensional assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially planar bodies, each substantially planar body having a generally polygonal shape including 
 a first major surface,  
 a second major surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first major surface,  
 a peripheral edge surface disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the first and second major surfaces,  
 the peripheral edge defining a slot, and  
 the peripheral edge defining a first pocket formed adjacent the slot, the first pocket having a first magnet with an outward-facing magnetic surface; and  
   a first planar body and a second planar body of the plurality of substantially planar bodies interlocked such that the slot of first planar body engages the slot of the second planar body and the first magnet of the first planar body magnetically bonds to the first magnet of the second planar body.    
     
     
         15 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a third planar body and a fourth planar body of the plurality of substantially planar bodies interlocked such that the slot of the third planar body engages the slot of the fourth planar body and the magnet of the third planar body magnetically bonds to the magnet of the fourth planar body; and    a ferromagnetic ball,    wherein a second magnet formed in a second pocket within the peripheral edge of the second planar body magnetically bonds to the ferromagnetic ball and a second magnet formed in a second pocket within the peripheral edge of the third planar body magnetically bonds to the ferromagnetic ball.    
     
     
         16 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second magnet of the second and third planar bodies is recessed from an outer surface of the peripheral edge to form a seat for the ferromagnetic ball.  
     
     
         17 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of planar bodies further comprise: 
 a recess formed in the peripheral edge including a substantially cylindrical side wall; and    a third magnet formed in a third pocket adjacent the recess.    
     
     
         18 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a third planar body and a fourth planar body of the plurality of substantially planar bodies interlocked such that the slot of the third planar body engages the slot of the fourth planar body and the magnet of the third planar body magnetically bonds to the magnet of the fourth planar body; and    a ferromagnetic ball,    wherein the third planar body and the second planar body are coupled such that the recess of the third planar body and the recess of the second planar body align to form a seat for the ferromagnetic ball, and the ferromagnetic ball magnetically bonds to the third magnet of the third planar body and to the third magnet of the second planar body.    
     
     
         19 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 18 , wherein an outward-facing magnetic surface of the third magnet is recessed from an outer surface of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         20 . The three-dimensional assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of substantially planar bodies includes at least one planar body having a substantially rectangular shape.