Magnetic item and toy comprising the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a magnetic item comprising a container having an end; a base portion having a cavity and a first end connected with the end of the container; a first magnetic means movably received in the container; a second magnetic means arranged at the end of the container or the first end of the base portion and disposed in a manner that the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means attract each other; and a third magnetic means received and disposed within a second end of the base portion in a manner that the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means repulse each other; wherein the repulsion force generated between the second and third magnetic means overweighs the attraction force generated between the first and second magnetic means, when the second and third magnetic means are made to come near to each other.

1 . A magnetic item comprising:
 a container having an end;   a base portion having a cavity defined by its enclosed sidewall and a first end engaged with the end of the container;   a first magnetic means movably received in the container;   a second magnetic means arranged at the end of the container or the first end of the base portion and disposed in a manner that the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means attract each other;   a third magnetic means received and disposed within a second end of the base portion in a manner that the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means repulse each other; and   wherein the repulsion force generated between the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means overweighs the attraction force generated between the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means, when the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means are made to come near to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end of the container is connected with the first end of the base portion, the second magnetic means is immovably secured within the end of the container or the first end of the base portion after the connection of the container and the base portion, while the third magnetic means is slidably received and disposed within the second end of the base portion so that the third magnetic means is capable of coming near to the second magnetic means. 
   
   
       3 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container is engaged with the base portion in a manner that the container is slidably received within the cavity of the base portion, the second magnetic means is secured to the end of the container so as to slidably move along with the container, while the third magnetic means is immovably secured and disposed within the second end of the base portion so that the second magnetic means is capable of coming near to the third magnetic means. 
   
   
       4 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container is a cylinder formed with a transparent or semitransparent material. 
   
   
       5 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the container has male screw threads and the base portion has female screw threads, or vice versa, so that they are connected in a threading manner. 
   
   
       6 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein two or more upstanding ribs are provided on the inner surface of the sidewall of the base portion for guiding the third magnetic means in up and down slidable movements within the cavity of the base portion. 
   
   
       7 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the rib has a thick portion and a thin portion connected by a step on which the third magnetic means rests, when pushed to come near to the second magnetic means, to maintain the first magnetic means in a magnetic levitation state. 
   
   
       8 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a first holding member on which the second magnetic means is mounted is attached in a fixed manner to the sidewall of the base portion, a second holding member on which the third magnetic means is mounted is slidably attached to the sidewall of the base portion. 
   
   
       9 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second and third magnetic means are mounted respectively on the first and second holding members in an adhering or a welding manner. 
   
   
       10 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein first and second protrusions extend inwardly respectively from the inner surface of the sidewall of the base portion for supporting the first and second holding members. 
   
   
       11 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a non-magnetic plate is arranged between the first and second magnetic means for stabilizing and adjusting motion of the first magnetic means. 
   
   
       12 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the plate is formed with a plastic material. 
   
   
       13 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 11 , the plate is detachably arranged between the first and second magnets. 
   
   
       14 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 11 , the plate is fixedly secured to the end of the container. 
   
   
       15 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third magnetic means are in the form of a magnet or a magnetically attracting member. 
   
   
       16 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first, second and third magnetic means are rare earth permanent magnets, or ferrite magnets or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an appealing object is attached onto the first magnetic means for increased enjoyment of the magnetic item. 
   
   
       18 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container, the base portion, the first, second and third magnetic means are all of substantially cylindrical configuration. 
   
   
       19 . A toy comprising a toy body and a magnetic item, the magnetic item comprising:
 a container having an end;   a base portion having a cavity defined by its enclosed sidewall and a first end connected with the end of the container;   a first magnetic means movably received in the container;   a second magnetic means arranged at the end of the container or the first end of the base portion and disposed in a manner that the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means attract each other;   a third magnetic means received and disposed within a second end of the base portion in a manner that the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means repulse each other; and   wherein the repulsion force generated between the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means overweighs the attraction force generated between the second magnetic means and the first magnetic means, when the third magnetic means and the second magnetic means are pushed to come near to each other.   
   
   
       20 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the end of the container is connected with the first end of the base portion, the second magnetic means is immovably secured within the end of the container or the first end of the base portion after the connection of the container and the base portion, while the third magnetic means is slidably received and disposed within the second end of the base portion so that the third magnetic means is pushed to come near to the second magnetic means. 
   
   
       21 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the container is engaged with the base portion in a manner that the container is slidably received within the cavity of the base portion, the second magnetic means is secured to the end of the container so as to slidably move along with the container, while the third magnetic means is immovably secured and disposed within the second end of the base portion so that the second magnetic means is pushed to come near to the third magnetic means. 
   
   
       22 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the container is a cylinder formed with a transparent or semitransparent material. 
   
   
       23 . The toy as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the container has male screw threads and the base portion has female screw threads, or vice versa, so that they are connected in a threading manner. 
   
   
       24 . The toy as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein two or more upstanding ribs are provided on the inner surface of the sidewall of the base portion for guiding the third magnetic means in up and down slidable movements within the cavity of the base portion. 
   
   
       25 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the rib has a thick portion and a thin portion connected by a step on which the third magnetic means rests, when pushed to come near to the second magnetic means, to maintain the first magnetic means in a magnetic levitation state. 
   
   
       26 . The toy as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a first holding member on which the second magnetic means is mounted is attached in a fixed manner to the sidewall of the base portion, a second holding member on which the third magnetic means is mounted is slidably attached to the sidewall of the base portion. 
   
   
       27 . The toy as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the second and third magnetic means are mounted respectively on the first and second holding members in an adhering or a welding manner. 
   
   
       28 . The toy as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein first and second protrusions extend inwardly respectively from the inner surface of the sidewall of the base portion for supporting the first and second holding members. 
   
   
       29 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein a non-magnetic plate is arranged between the first and second magnetic means for stabilizing and adjusting motion of the first magnetic means. 
   
   
       30 . The toy as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the plate is formed with a plastic material. 
   
   
       31 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 29  the plate is detachably arranged between the first and second magnets. 
   
   
       32 . The magnetic item as claimed in  claim 29 , the plate is fixedly secured to the end of the container. 
   
   
       33 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the first, second and third magnetic means are in the form of a magnet or a magnetically attracting member. 
   
   
       34 . The toy as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the first, second and third magnetic means are rare earth permanent magnets, or ferrite magnets or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       35 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein an appealing object is attached onto the first magnetic means for increased enjoyment of the toy. 
   
   
       36 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the container, the base portion, the first, second and third magnetic means are all of substantially cylindrical configuration.