Magnetic Toy Block

Abstract

A toy block includes a body having external faces. A compartment is located behind each of the external faces and houses a magnet located freely within the compartment and adapted to turn upon magnetic interaction with another magnet external of the body so as to align attractively therewith. Two such toy blocks can be brought together face-to-face in any orientation and the magnet of one block will turn automatically into N-S alignment with a magnet of the other block so that the blocks attract and connect.

1 . A toy block, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of external faces;   a compartment located behind one of the external faces; and   a magnet located freely within the compartment and adapted to turn upon magnetic interaction with another magnet external of the body so as to align attractively therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The toy block of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines an overall internal volume and the compartment is smaller than said overall internal volume. 
     
     
         3 . The toy block of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of said compartments, each located behind a respective one of said external faces, and a plurality of said magnets, each located freely within a respective one of said compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The toy block of  claim 3 , further comprising an internal frame supporting or having integrally formed therewith a plurality of cups, each cup cooperating with the body to define a respective one of said compartments. 
     
     
         5 . The toy block of  claim 4 , wherein said frame is formed separately to the body for insertion therein.