Magnetic toy

Abstract

A magnetic toy having two separate parts: a first part comprising a single magnet and a second part comprising a plurality of magnets held in fixed configuration to one another, and the relative strengths of the magnets being such that as the first part is moved towards the second part the magnetic force between the two parts will initially result in attraction of the two parts but at some point as the two parts become closer the direction of the magnetic force between the parts will reverse resulting in the two parts repelling one-another.

1 ) A magnetic toy having two separate parts: a first part comprising a single magnet, and a second part comprising: at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet; said first and second magnets being held in a fixed configuration one to another, such that the one or more first magnets produce a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field of the one or more second magnets; the ratio of the pole strength of the single first magnet or the combined pole strengths of the plurality of first magnet to the pole strength of the single second magnets or the combined pole strengths of the plurality of second magnets being selected such that at some point a distance (X) of between 1 and 80 mm from said second part said opposing magnetic fields strengths are equal, resulting in zero field strength at said point. 
     
     
         2 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  wherein the distance X is in the range 3-50 mm. 
     
     
         3 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of second magnets. 
     
     
         4 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 3  where the plurality of second magnets partially surround a single said first magnet or a group of said first magnets. 
     
     
         5 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 4  comprising at least three second magnets equally spaced around said first magnet or group of said first magnets. 
     
     
         6 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  where the first or the second magnets have a fixed cross section along a first axis and wherein this cross section is polygonal in outline/shape. 
     
     
         7 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  where said first or second magnet is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         8 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 7  where the depth (L 1 ) of said cylinder is between 0.005 and 10 times the diameter (D 1 ) of the cylinder. 
     
     
         9 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 7  where both the first and second magnets are cylindrical and have a depth L 2  and L 3  respectively such that the ratio of L 2  to L 3  is in the range 0.8 to 1.2. 
     
     
         10 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  wherein a single second magnet partially or totally surrounds said first magnet. 
     
     
         11 ) A magnet according to  claim 1  where the first and second magnets are held in said fixed configuration by a mounting frame or cradle. 
     
     
         12 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  wherein the ratio of the combined pole strength of the first magnet or magnets (S 1 ) to combined pole strength of the second magnet or magnets (S 2 ) is in the range 1.0 to 100. 
     
     
         13 ) A magnetic toy having two separate parts: a first part comprising a single magnet and a second part comprising at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet held in fixed configuration to one another, and the relative strengths of the magnets being such that as the first part is moved towards the second part the magnetic force between the two parts will initially result in attraction of the two parts but at some point as the two parts become closer the direction of the magnetic force between the parts will reverse resulting in the two parts repelling one-another. 
     
     
         14 ) A magnetic toy having two separate parts: a first part comprising a single magnet, and a second part comprising: at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet; said first and second magnets being held in a fixed configuration one to another, such that the one or more first magnets produce a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field of the one or more second magnets; the ratio of the pole strength of the single first magnet or the combined pole strengths of the plurality of first magnet to the pole strength of the single second magnets or the combined pole strengths of the plurality of second magnets being selected such that as the first part is moved towards the second part the magnetic force between the two parts will be such that they initially attract one another but at some point between  1  and  80  mm from each other this magnetic force will start to reverse resulting in the two parts repelling one-another. 
     
     
         15 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  where one second magnet or a plurality of second magnets partially or fully surround said first magnet. 
     
     
         16 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 1  where the bases of the first part and second part are substantially flat and the first and second parts are held in said fixed configuration one to another such that said flat bases lie on a substantially single plane. 
     
     
         17 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 13  where one second magnet or a plurality of second magnets partially or fully surround said first magnet. 
     
     
         18 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 14  where one second magnet or a plurality of second magnets partially or fully surround said first magnet. 
     
     
         19 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 13  where the bases of the first part and second part are substantially flat and the first and second parts are held in said fixed configuration one to another such that said flat bases lie on a substantially single plane. 
     
     
         20 ) A magnetic toy according to  claim 14  where the bases of the first part and second part are substantially flat and the first and second parts are held in said fixed configuration one to another such that said flat bases lie on a substantially single plane.