Magnetic Construction Toy

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic construction toy connection member that has a fist and second end where permanent magnet is disposed within the first end of the connection member and a ferromagnetic body is disposed in the second end. The ferromagnetic body may be a permanent magnet or a magnetizeable body. Both ends of the connector may be spherically shaped and form a closed surface bounding the magnetic bodies disposed therein. The first end may be of a truncated conical shape forming a closed surface boundary of the permanent magnet disposed therein.

1 . A magnetic construction toy for coupling with a magnetic body comprising:
 a) a construction member having a horizontal axis and a first end and a second end;   b) First means carried by said construction member adjacent said first end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship with said first end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling said first end with a magnetic body where said first end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a closed surface at least in part bounding said first means;   c) second means carried by said construction member adjacent said second end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship with said second end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling said second end with said magnetic body where said second end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a closed spherical surface bounding said second means.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 1  where said first means comprises a first permanently magnetized body. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 2  where said second means comprises a magnetizeable body. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 2  where said second means comprises a second permanently magnetized body. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 1  where said first means comprises a magnetizeable body. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 5  where said second means comprises a magnetizeable body. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 4  where said closed surface bounding said first means is spherically shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 7  where said closed surface bounding said second means is dielectric. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 2  where said closed surface bounding said first means at least in part is an axially extending truncated cone having an opening at said first end. 
     
     
         10 . A magnetic construction toy for coupling with like constructed magnetic construction toys comprising a construction member having a horizontal axis and a first end and a second end; a first permanent magnet captively carried by said construction member adjacent said first end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship with said first end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling with one of said like constructed magnetic construction toys where said first end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a closed surface bounding at least in part said first permanent magnet; and a first magnetic body captively carried by said construction member adjacent said second end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship with said second end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling said second end with another of said like constructed magnetic construction toys where said second end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a spherical closed surface bounding said first magnetic body. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 10  where said closed surface bounding said first permanent magnet is at least in part an axially extending truncated cone having an opening at said first end. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 10  where said closed surface bounding said first permanent magnet is a spherical surface. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 10  where said first magnetic body is a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 10  where said first magnetic body is a magnetizeable body. 
     
     
         15 . A magnetic construction toy for coupling with a magnetic body comprising:
 a) a construction member having a horizontal axis, a lateral diameter, and a first end and a second end;   b) a first permanent magnet carried by said construction member adjacent said first end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship within said first end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling said first end with a magnetic body where said first end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a closed spherical surface surrounding and bounding said first permanent magnet;   c) a second permanent magnet carried by said construction member adjacent said second end and disposed therein in fixed immovable relationship within said second end for omni-directionally and magnetically coupling said second end with said magnetic body where said second end is so proportioned and dimensioned to form a closed spherical surface surrounding and bounding said second permanent magnet.   
     
     
         16 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 15  where said closed spherical surface surrounding said first permanent magnet is dielectric and has a diameter at least twice said lateral diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic construction toy recited in  claim 16  where said closed spherical surface surrounding said second permanent magnet is dielectric and has a diameter at least twice said lateral diameter.