Toy with releasably engageable conical modules

Abstract

A toy designed to stimulate multi-dimensional spatial awareness includes a set of individual modules that can be magnetically joined together to form a variety of complex structures. Each module includes a cone and a plurality of magnets coupled to the cone in an equidistantly spaced apart arrangement. The cone is preferably a right angle cone that includes a circular base and a inwardly tapering sidewall that together define an interior cavity that is externally accessible through the circular base. Six modules can magnetically joined together in a cube-like structure with the base circle for each module lying in the plane defined by a corresponding face of the structure. By providing each module with unique indicia, such a particular color, pattern, symbol or alphanumeric marking, the resulting structure can serve as the foundation for numerous varieties of game-like puzzles.

1 . A toy comprising a plurality of releasably engageable modules, each module comprising:
 (a) a cone, the cone having a circular base and a sidewall that extends out from the circular base, and   (b) at least one magnet coupled to the cone.   
     
     
         2 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of modules is adapted to be magnetically joined together in different configurations to form a variety of distinct structures. 
     
     
         3 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sidewall for the cone extends out from the circular base and tapers uniformly inward. 
     
     
         4 . The toy as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the sidewall uniformly tapers inward from the circular base and extends at least partially towards a common point. 
     
     
         5 . The toy as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the cone is truncated so as to form an apex-free conical ring. 
     
     
         6 . The toy as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the sidewall tapers uniformly inward from the circular base so as to form an apex. 
     
     
         7 . The toy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the aperture of the apex is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The toy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the aperture of the apex is approximately 60 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The toy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the aperture of the apex is approximately 36 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The toy as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the cone is at least partially hollowed, the sidewall being shaped to define an interior cavity that is externally accessible through the circular base. 
     
     
         11 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each module comprises a plurality of magnets coupled to the sidewall of the cone. 
     
     
         12 . The toy as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the plurality of magnets is mounted on the sidewall of the cone. 
     
     
         13 . The toy as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the plurality of magnets is embedded within the sidewall of the cone. 
     
     
         14 . The toy as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the plurality of magnets is equidistantly arranged on the sidewall of the cone. 
     
     
         15 . The toy as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the plurality of magnets is arranged on the sidewall of the cone in alternating polarity. 
     
     
         16 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein designated pairs of the releasably engageable modules are provided with a unique marking. 
     
     
         17 . The toy as claimed in  claim 16  wherein designated pairs of the releasably engageable modules are similarly uniquely marked at least partially by color. 
     
     
         18 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the sidewall for each module is provided with multiple unique markings. 
     
     
         19 . The toy as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the multiple unique markings are equidistantly arranged on the inner surface of the sidewall in four separate regions. 
     
     
         20 . The toy as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the unique markings are from the group consisting of colors, numbers, letters, patterns, symbols and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein six of the modules are magnetically joined together in a cube-like structure with the base circle for each module lying in the plane defined by a corresponding face of the structure. 
     
     
         22 . The toy as claimed in  claim 20  wherein each module within the structure is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.