Magnetic items comprising multiple strands of universally connected components

Abstract

A magnetic structure comprises a plurality of magnetic components, or a plurality of magnetic and ferromagnetic components, wherein the magnetic components, or the magnetic and ferromagnetic components, can be disposed within multiple strands or layers magnetically connected together. The magnetic structures can be utilized within any one of various different jewelry items, toys, amusement devices, educational implements, instructional aids, or the like.

1 . A multi-strand structure, comprising:
 a plurality of spherically configured components adapted to be magnetically connected in point-to-point contact modes so as to be universally movable with respect to each other around three mutually orthogonal axes;   said plurality of spherically configured components being disposed within a plurality of strands wherein said plurality of spherically configured components disposed within a first one of said plurality of strands will not only be magnetically connected to adjacent ones of said plurality of spherically configured components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands but will also be magnetically connected to adjacent ones of said plurality of spherically configured components disposed within a second adjacent one of said plurality of strands.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 all of said plurality of spherically configured components comprise magnetic components.   
   
   
       3 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein:
 each one of said magnetic components has first and second opposite magnetic poles defined within opposite ends thereof so as to permit any one of said plurality of magnetic components to be magnetically attracted toward and operatively connected to another one of said plurality of magnetic components when a first one of said opposite magnetic poles of any one of said plurality of magnetic components is operatively engaged with a second one of said opposite magnetic poles of another one of said plurality of magnetic components.   
   
   
       4 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands have a first directional orientation, and all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands have a second opposite directional orientation such that when said first and second strands of said plurality of strands are connected together, said magnetic components disposed within said first and second strands of said plurality of strands will be aligned with respect to each other.   
   
   
       5 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 any one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands is disposed in point-to-point contact with adjacent ones of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands and is also disposed in point-to-point contact with an adjacent one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands.   
   
   
       6 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands, and all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands, have the same directional orientation such that when said first and second strands of said plurality of strands are connected together, said magnetic components disposed within said first and second strands of said plurality of strands will be misaligned and offset with respect to each other.   
   
   
       7 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein:
 any one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands is disposed in point-to-point contact with adjacent ones of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands and is also disposed within an interstice defined between adjacent ones of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands so as to be disposed in point-to-point contact with said adjacent ones of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands.   
   
   
       8 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of spherically configured components comprise a plurality of magnetic components and a plurality of ferromagnetic components.   
   
   
       9 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein:
 said plurality of magnetic components and said plurality of ferromagnetic components are disposed within an alternating array.   
   
   
       10 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 each one of said magnetic components has first and second opposite magnetic poles defined within opposite ends thereof so as to permit any one of said plurality of magnetic components to be magnetically attracted toward and operatively connected to one of said plurality of ferromagnetic components when a first one of said opposite magnetic poles of any one of said plurality of magnetic components is operatively engaged with one of said plurality of ferromagnetic components.   
   
   
       11 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein:
 all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands, and all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands, have the same directional orientation such that when said first and second strands are magnetically connected together, said magnetic components, and said ferromagnetic components, disposed within said first and second strands of said plurality of strands will be misaligned and offset with respect to each other.   
   
   
       12 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein:
 any one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands is disposed in point-to-point contact with adjacent ones of said plurality of ferromagnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands and is also disposed in point-to-point contact with an adjacent one of said plurality of ferromagnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands.   
   
   
       13 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein:
 all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands, and all of said first magnetic poles of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands, have an opposite directional orientation such that when said first and second strands are magnetically connected together, said magnetic components, disposed within said first and second strands of said plurality of strands, will be aligned with each other, and said ferromagnetic components, disposed within said first and second strands of said plurality of strands, will be aligned with each other.   
   
   
       14 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein:
 any one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands is disposed in point-to-point contact with adjacent ones of said plurality of ferromagnetic components disposed within said first one of said plurality of strands and is also disposed in point-to-point contact with an adjacent one of said plurality of magnetic components disposed within said second one of said plurality of strands.   
   
   
       15 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said multi-strand structure comprises a continuous, uninterrupted, endless loop.   
   
   
       16 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 15 ,
 said endless loop comprises a jewelry item selected from the group comprising a necklace and a bracelet.   
   
   
       17 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said endless loop is formed from a single linear arrangement of said plurality of spherically configured components coiled upon itself.   
   
   
       18 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein:
 each one of said spherically configured components has a coating disposed upon the respective external surface portion thereof which is selected from the group comprising protective and decorative coatings.   
   
   
       19 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said coating is selected from the group comprising gold, silver, platinum, copper, chromium, rhodium, plastics, nickel, and enamels.   
   
   
       20 . The multi-strand structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said multi-strand structure comprises an article selected from the group comprising a jewelry item, a toy, an amusement device, an educational implement, and an instructional aid.