AU2008200690A1 - Joining apparatus with rotatable magnet therein having separation preventing means including a sealing lid and built-up type toy with the same - Google Patents

Description

00 AU2004204560 Div B TITLE OF THE INVENTION JOINING APPARATUS WITH ROTATABLE MAGNET THEREIN HAVING SEPARATION PREVENTING MEANS INCLUDING A SEALING LID AND BUILT-UP TYPE TOY WITH THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION 00 The present invention relates to a built-up type toy, and more particularly, to a built-up type toy capable of being assembled and disassembled so as to be used as a toy and an educational tool for infant BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As a built-up type toy, there are a type that can be assembled and disassembled easily without any adhesive such as a piling-up type toy or an assemblage type toy, and a type that cannot be disassembled after being assemble using adhesive such as a plastic model.

Furthermore, among the former type of built-up type toy that does not use the adhesive, there has been developed a toy that a character, a symbol, a diagram or any other kinds of shape is configured by assembling the respective parts so as to be used for the education of the infant.

However, the built-up type toy that does not use the adhesive has the problems that the assembled shape can be easily demolished even by a slight impact to the assembled shape as the joint of the parts is not steadfast, and if the mechanical joining structure is adopted to prevent such a shortcoming, the lifetime of the product becomes short by the repetitive assembling and disassembling.

In particular, in the case of the built-up type toy provided for the purpose of education of the infant as described above, considering the aspect that it is handled by the infant who is not delicate in the hand movement and not careful 1 00 AU2004204560 Div B sufficiently, the fact that it is not easy to assemble and the assembled shape can be demolished easily has been a serious problem to be solved for a long period of time in the infant toy industry.

O Furthermore, in the case of the structure that employs the assembling O 5 fashion to pile up a various shape of parts such as Lego, the assembled structure can be realized under the restriction that the center of weight is kept as there is not 00provided a separate joining structure on the joining surface of the parts, which has Ci been another problem that the toy useful for the education to develop the initiative of the infant cannot be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to overcome or at least ameliorate one of the above-described problems. Advantageously, the present invention provides a built-up type toy having the structure that is easily assembled and disassembled and is not demolished easily from the assembled state thereof, and is capable of being assembled to a variety of shapes to be helpful to the development of the initiative of an infant.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a built-up type toy having a plurality of parts of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces that are joined with other joining surfaces of other parts, the built-up type toy comprising: the parts respectively having magnet portions a on the joining surfaces thereof; wherein the magnet portion a of the part and the magnet portion on the joining surface of the parts are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof, and wherein the magnet portion comprises: a magnet of which both magnetic poles are arranged to face directions 2 00 AU2004204560 Div B different from each other, the magnet being installed on a magnet installation recess formed on the part; and a separation preventing means for preventing a separation of the magnet O from the magnet installation recess while allowing a rotation of the magnet in the NO 5 inner space of the magnet installation recess, Swherein the separation preventing means is a sealing lid for closing the 0opening of the magnet installation recess, wherein the magnet installation recess and the sealing lid are formed integrally on the outer surface of the part the magnet is inserted after cutting the part, and the separation of the magnet is prevented by attaching a plurality of cut pieces on the part, wherein the plurality of cut pieces have shapes identical to each other.

In one form, the part is made of wood. The magnet may be a cylindrical permanent magnet or a spherical permanent magnet.

In one form, the magnet portion may be formed on a central area of the joining surface of the part. A plurality of magnet portions may be formed on each joining surface of the part or formed on all of the joining surfaces of the part.

Advantageously, the parts may form a character, a number, a symbol, a diagram, or a certain shape on a plane thereof as the parts are joined with other parts.

In one form, the parts may be comprised of a plurality of hexahedrons having shapes and sizes identical to each other. In this form, the part may comprise a central part c having a circular transverse section and having a plurality 3 00 AU2004204560 Div B of magnet portions arranged on an outer surface thereof at a predetermined interval; and a plurality of fragmental parts and having a fan-shaped transverse section, O the fragmental parts and respectively having a magnet portion corresponding to the NO 5 magnet portion on the outer surface of the central part, and magnet portions being Sjoined with the magnet portions of other fragmental parts on both side thereof, 0 0wherein a cylindrical shape is formed as the central part is located on a central position and inner surfaces of the plurality of fragmental parts and are joined on the outer surface of the central part.

In one form, the parts may realize a variety of three-dimensional shapes as being joined with other parts. The magnet portion may be formed on an edge area of the joining surfaces of the part. In another form, a plurality of magnet portions may be formed on each of the surface of the part or formed on all of the joining surfaces of the part.

In one form, the parts may comprise: a rotational shaft part having a shape of a bar and formed with the magnet portions on both ends thereof; and a wheel part formed with the magnet portion g joined with the magnet portion fofthe rotational shaft part on a central area thereof.

In another form, the parts may comprise: a fragmental part having a detached shape achieved by detaching a section from an overall shape of joined product; and a body part having a residuary shape achieved by detaching the fragmental parts from the overall shape of the joined product.

00 AU2004204560 Div B BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 through 33 show embodiments of the present invention, in which: o FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the respective parts of the built-up type toy; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view; 0FIGS. 3 through 5 are perspective views of the embodiment where the present invention is employed for the education of characters as a planar structure; FIGS. 6 through 8 are perspective views of the embodiment where the present invention is employed for the education of calculation as a planar structure; FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the embodiment where the magnets are disposed on the edge area of a part; FIGS. 11 through 15 are perspective views of the embodiment where the present invention is realized as a three-dimensional structure; FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional view of the first embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 18 is a transverse sectional view of the second embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 19 is a transverse sectional view of the third embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 21 is a transverse sectional view of the fourth embodiment of 00 AU2004204560 Div B the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; O FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment of O 5 the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the 00 joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; ,IC FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the joining apparatus with rotatable magnets; FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the first modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the second modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 28 is a transverse sectional view of the second modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the third modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 30 is a transverse sectional view of the third modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the fourth modification of the magnet installation member; FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a tool for fixing the magnet installation member; and FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the fifth modification of the magnet installation member.

00 AU2004204560 Div B SPREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinbelow, the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

C As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the built-up type toy according to the present invention is basically the same as the conventional art in the aspect that it is constituted by a plurality of parts 10a having the shape of 00 O ~polyhedron with the joining surfaces I la capable of being joined with other C- joining surfaces 1 lb of other parts 10b, however, it is characterized in that the part 10 is formed with the magnet portions 1 00a on the joining surfaces 11 a thereof, and the magnet portion 1 00a of the part 10 Oa is assembled with the joining surface 1 lb of other part 10 Ob by the magnetic force.

In other words, in the built-up type toy having the construction that the respective parts 10 are joined simply with each other without any adhesive, the respective joining surfaces of respective parts 10 are formed with the magnetic portions 100.

Therefore, there are provided effects that the parts 10 are easily assembled by the magnetic force of the magnet portion 100 in the aspect of the assemblage of the toy, and the disassembly can be easily performed even with a weak power of infant as the intensity of the magnetic force of the magnetic portion 100 is adjusted in the aspect of the disassembly of the toy, and furthermore, the assembled shape is not demolished easily as in the case of the conventional art.

Any position on the joining surface 11 of the part 10 will to as the location of the magnetic portion 100, however, it is preferable that the magnet portion 100 is arranged on the central area of the joining surface 11 for a stabler joint since the magnetic force of the magnet portion 100 cannot restrict the relative rotation of both parts 7 00 AU2004204560 Div B Furthermore, one magnet portion 100 on each of the joining surface 11 of the part 10 will do, however, it is preferable that a plurality of magnetic portions 100 are formed on each of the joining surface 11 in case O the size of the part 10 is relatively great in comparison with the size of the magnet portion 100, in case the relative rotation of both parts 10 has to be 0 restricted, etc.

(N

0 Furthermore, it is sufficient that the magnet portion 100 is formed only on the joining surfaces 11 that are to be used for the joining of the respective parts 10, however, it is preferable that the magnet portion 100 is formed on all of the surfaces 11 of each part 10 which has the shape of the polyhedron, in consideration of the aspect that the user can make an assembled shape that the manufacturer did not expect, or the aspect that parts 10 can be preserved while being piled up at an arbitrary shape.

Such a joining structure can be adopted to any cases of built-up type toys unless they do not use the adhesive, and hereinbelow, the built-up type toy according to the present invention will be described as being classified to the cases that the built-up type toy is realized by a planar construction such as a puzzle toy and the built-up type toy is realized by a three-dimensional construction such as a Lego toy.

In case the built-up type toy of the present invention is realized as a planar construction, in consideration of the above-mentioned effects collectively, it is possible that the parts 10 displays a character, a number, a symbol, a diagram, or any kinds of shape on the plane thereof as they are assembled with each other so as to be used for the education of infant.

FIGS. 3 through 5 show the embodiment where the built-up type toy according to the present invention is employed for the education of character of the infant.

00 AU2004204560 Div B If the respective parts 10 are constituted by a plurality of hexahedron having the shape and size identical to each other, the character, the number, etc. can be expressed by a simple manner as shown in FIG. 3.

0 If the constitution of the character becomes complex as the curves are added besides the straight lines and the angles between the lines in each O character are changed diversely, a variety of characters can be expressed by 0 making the size of the parts 10 small, and furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a variety of characters can be expressed while being maintained to a proper size by making the size of the respective parts 10 different from each other.

The built-up type toy according to the present invention can be used for the education of the character, the number, etc. as described above as well as for the education of calculation as will be described below.

In other words, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, such a constitution is comprised of a central part 10c formed with a plurality of magnet portions 100 on the outer surface thereof at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of fragmental parts 10d and IOe respectively formed with the magnet portions 100d2 on both sides thereof so as to be joined with the magnet portions 1 00e2 of other fragmental parts 10 Oe.

In such a constitution, as the central part 10c is located on a central position and the inner sides of the plurality of fragmental parts 10d and 10 e are joined with the outer surface of the central parts 10c to form a cylindrical shape, a part of the fragmental parts among the overall fragmental parts can be simply assembled or disassembled, which will lead the infant to learn the concept of fractional number easily with interest.

Next, when the built-up type toy according to the present invention is realized as a three-dimensional construction, an arbitrary shape can be 00 AU2004204560 Div B formed free as the demolition that may be caused by the gravitation can be prevented by the function of the magnet portions 100, so the toy can be used for the purpose of development of the initiative of infant.

O In other words, in the case of the built-up type toy such as a Logo O 5 toy that is not equipped with a separate adhesive mechanism such as the 0 adhesive, the assembly may be demolished instantly unless a stable 00 mechanism is not constituted, so there is a restriction in forming a structure c with the built-up type toy parts, however, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as the magnet portions 100 are disposed on the edge area of the joining surfaces 11 of the part 10 and the parts with such a construction are assembled with each other, it is possible to easily construct a structure that is unstable mechanically as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.

For such a purpose, it is required that the magnet portions 100 of the respective parts 10 are arranged not on the central area but on the edge area of the joining surfaces 11 of the part 10, and for the assemblage of freer construction, it is preferable that a plurality of magnet portions 100 are formed on each joining surface 11 or all of the surfaces 11 of the part When the above-described construction is employed, the trapezoidal structure as shown in FIG. 11 that is unstable mechanically can be constructed without any adhesive or any separate adhesive mechanism, the cantilever structure that a stalk is protruding from a wall as shown in FIG. 2 can be constructed, and various shapes of building or other three-dimensional construction can be constructed with various shapes of parts as shown in FIG. 13.

Since the toy provides the convenience that an arbitrary three-dimensional shape can be assembled without any restriction regarding to the mechanical stability, it provides prominent effect in the aspect of 00 AU2004204560 Div B Seducation that the initiative of infant can be developed effectively in comparison with the conventional built-up type toy.

Furthermore, it is free to assemble or disassemble the parts when O the construction of the present invention is employed, so if the present invention is employed in a general conventional assemblage construction, the kind of the shape that can be formed by the simple parts can be much 00 diverse.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, if the construction that is comprised of a rotational shaft part 1 Of having the shape of a bar formed with magnetic portions 100 on both ends thereof, and a wheel part formed with a magnet portion 100g for being joined with the magnetic portion 100f of the rotational shaft part 1 Of on the central area thereof, a wheel assembly can be realized with simple parts of cylindrical shape.

Furthermore, if a product of a certain shape is prepared in advance and the product is divided into a body part and a fragmental part, the infant can enjoy more initiative games.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the product is shaped into a fruit, wherein the product is comprised of a fragmental part 1 Oh having the shape of a piece detached from the overall shape of the product, and the body part 10i having the shape of residuary portion that the fragmental part 1 Oh has been detached from the overall shape of the product, the infant can enjoy the game to cut and eat the fruit.

As the built-up type toy of the present invention has the construction that it is assembled to an arbitrary shape as mentioned above, when an adult such as the parents tell a story to the infant, it is possible to construct a character, an animal, a building, etc., whereby the concentration of infant on the story can be induced and the initiative can be developed 11 00 AU2004204560 Div B more effectively.

Meanwhile, the material of the piling-up type toy for the infant is generally wood or plastic that is not harmful to a human body in order to O make any hazard to the infant even when the infant sucks the parts.

Since the present invention is proposed under the object that an Sunstable arbitrary shape can be assembled free by the magnetic force of the 0 magnet portion 100, it is preferable that the gravitation of the part 10 itself is CI as small as possible in comparison with the magnetic force of the magnet 110.

Accordingly, it is possible that the inside of the part 10 is vacant and the body is made of light plastic.

Meanwhile, as the respective part 10 is formed to have a polyhedron shape, it also has a plurality of joining surfaces, wherein it is preferable that the number of joining surfaces that the magnet portions 100 are prepared is as great as possible in order to provide diverse assembled shapes.

However, in such a construction, there will not be any serious problem if the poles of both joined magnet portions 100 are different from each other, but there will be the problem that they are not joined with each other if the poles thereof are the same with each other since a repulsive force is generated between them.

In other words, there will be no problem if the magnet portions 100 are constructed to induce the attractive force between the joining surfaces when the parts 10 are joined with each other, however, when a certain shape that was not expected by the manufacturer is by be constructed, there may occur a situation that the poles of the magnet portions 100 are not conformed to each other in constructing a different shape of product with 12 00 AU2004204560 Div B the same parts In order to provide against such a situation, it is preferable that the magnet portions 100a of the respective parts 10a are constructed so that the O attractive force is generated with respect to the magnet portions lOOb of other part 10 Ob in any situation.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 33, it is preferable that the 0 magnet portion 100 of the present invention is constructed so that both poles N thereof face the directions different from each other, and it is preferable to include a magnet 110 installed in the magnet installation recess 120 formed on the part 10, and a separation preventing means 200 for preventing the separation of the magnet 110 from the magnet installation recess 120 while allowing the rotation of the magnet 110 in the inner space of the magnet installation recess 120.

In other words, the magnet 110 that is installed in the inner space of the magnet installation recess 120 formed on the part 10 and allowed to rotate therein while the separation thereof is prevented is rotatable free in the inner space, wherein a rotational force is induced by the repulsive force between both of the magnets 100 when the poles of both magnet portions 100 joined with each other become the same, so the construction that generates the attractive force by the different poles of both magnet portions 100 is made automatically.

In such a situation, the separation preventing means 200 for preventing the separation of the magnet 110 while allowing the rotation of the magnet 110 can be realized by a variety of embodiments described below.

According to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the separation preventing means 200 can be realized by a rotational shaft 00 AU2004204560 Div B 211 installed on a central area between both of the magnetic poles of the magnet 110, and a rotational shaft installation recess 212 formed on an inner surface of the magnet installation recess 120 so that the rotational shaft 211 O is parallel with an outer surface of the body part 113.

O 5 That is the most general structure that can be ordinarily devised, and the rotational shaft 211 can be formed to pass through the central area of the 00 O magnet 110 and can be formed to be attached to both ends of the central C area.

Here, the magnet 110 can have diverse shapes, however, it is preferable to be a permanent magnet I 10a of cylindrical shape in consideration of the fact that it can enlarge the area of the joining surface exposed by the rotation.

According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the separation preventing means 200 can be realized by a pair of recesses 221 formed on the surfaces opposite to each other at a central area of both magnetic poles of the magnet 110, and a pair of rotational shaft protrusions 222 formed on an inner surface of the magnet installation recess 120 so as to be inserted into the pair of recesses 221 while a virtual line connecting central positions of the pair of recesses 221 to each other is in parallel with an outer surface of the body parts 113.

The above is the construction contrary to the first embodiment, which has the advantage in that merely the recesses 221 are formed on the surface of the magnet 110.

In such a situation, the magnet 110 is also constructed by a permanent magnet 1 10 Oa of cylindrical shape, and the reason of which is the same with that in the first embodiment.

00 AU2004204560 Div B According to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and the separation preventing means 200 can be realized by a hooking protrusion 231 for preventing the separation, which is formed on an opening O of the magnet installation recess 120, wherein the inner diameter of the 5 opening formed by the hooking protrusion 231 is narrower than a width and 0 length of the magnet 110.

0 In other words, the separation of the magnet 110 is prevented by forming the hooking protrusion 231 for preventing the separation so as to have the inner diameter d2 narrower than the inner diameter d3 of the opening of the magnet installation recess 120 and narrower than the width and length of the magnet 1 10, and as the space in which the free rotation of the magnet 110 is allowed is formed in the hooking protrusion 231 for preventing the separation, when the poles of both magnet portions 100 joined with each other become the same, the construction that generates the attractive force by the different poles of both magnet portions 100 is made automatically.

Furthermore, since it is preferable that the joining surfaces of both magnets 110 are in contact with each other in order to strengthen the joining force between the magnets 110 of both magnet portions 100, it is effective that joining protrusions 232 having the diameter dl smaller than the inner diameter d2 of the opening are formed on both poles of the magnets 110, and the protrusions 232 are protruded through the opening of the hooking protrusion 231 for preventing the separation when both of the magnets 110 are joined with each other.

In that situation, the structure of the magnet 110 is not restricted to a specific type if both of the poles thereof face directions different from each other so that the direction of the poles can changed by the rotation, however, 00 AU2004204560 Div B it is preferable that the magnet 110 is a cylindrical permanent magnet 11 0a in order to achieve an easier and stabler joining with the magnet of other magnet portion.

O According to fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, the separation preventing means 200 is realized by a sealing lid 241 for closing Sthe opening of the magnet installation recess 120.

00 That has the construction that the magnet 110 is not exposed outside Ci and not contacted directly but joined with other component via the sealing lid 231 by the magnet force, whereby the magnet 110 is not be seen from the outside to induce the mysterious feeling of infant.

Accordingly, it is preferable that the sealing lid 241 is as thin as possible, and the sealing lid 241 can be made of any one of magnetic material and non-magnetic material.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, it is preferable that the construction is employed in which a lid installation recess 242 for installing the sealing lid 241 is formed on the rim area of the opening of the magnet installation recess 120, since the sealing lid 241 is not protruded outside to form an overall planar shape.

Here, the magnet 110 is not restricted to a specific structure such as a cylindrical permanent magnet 110 Oa, spherical permanent magnet 10 Ob, etc.

If the cylindrical permanent magnet 110 Oa is employed, there is an advantage that a strong joining force can be achieved as the contacting area is great when the magnets are joined, whereas there is a disadvantage that a sufficient inner space for rotation has to be secured in the magnet installation recess 120, and there are adverse advantage and disadvantage if the spherical permanent magnet 110b is employed.

00 AU2004204560 Div B Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, it is possible that the Smagnet installation recess 120 and the sealing lid 241 are formed integrally with each other near the outer surface of the part 10, and the magnet 1 0 is 0 inserted after cutting the part 10, and then the separation of the magnet 110 O 5 is prevented by attaching a cut piece on the part 0As shown in FIG. 23, such a construction can be easily realized by 00cutting the part 10 made of a material such as wood along a predetermined C line to form the magnet installation recess 120 on a certain area thereof, inserting the spherical magnet 110 into the magnet installation recess 120, and attaching the cut piece with adhesive or the like.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the toy for the infant is required not to be harmful even when the infant sucks with its mouth, and wood is the fittest material that meets such a requisition, however, wood has the drawback that it is hard to get a desired shape by injection molding as in the case of plastic.

In the present embodiment, the magnet 110 can be easily inserted into the inside of the body by the cutting and the adhesion, which realizes the magnet portion 100 that does not have such a drawback of wood.

FIGS. 22 to 24 is the embodiment of the part 10 having the magnet portion 100 realized by the above-described construction, in which FIG. 22 is a perspective view where the magnet portion 100 is formed near the central area of the outer surface of the part 10, and FIG. 24 is a perspective view where the magnet portion 100 is formed near the edge area of the part Here, the magnet 110 installed in the inside of the magnet installation recess 120 is not restricted to a specific structure such as a cylindrical permanent magnet 110 Oa, spherical permanent magnet 110 Ob or the 17 00 AU2004204560 Div B like, and there are also advantage and disadvantage in respective cases as described above.

According to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 33, the O separation preventing means 200 can be realized by a magnet installation O 5 member 200a inserted into the magnet installation recess 120, and the magnet installation member 200a is comprised of a circumferential portion 00 201 of which surface is in contact with the magnet installation recess 120, ,I and a lid portion 202 that closes the upper opening of the circumferential portion 201.

In other words, in the above four embodiments, the magnet 100 is directly installed in the magnet installation recess 120 of the part 10 while the rotation of the magnet 110 is allowed, and the means for preventing the separation of the magnet 110 is added to the part 10 itself, however, in the present embodiment, the magnet 110 is installed in the magnet installation recess 120 with a magnet installation member 200a that is manufactured separately.

Wood has the advantage that it can be used as the material of the toy for the infant and also has the disadvantage that it is hard to cut into a delicate shape, and the present embodiment provides a structure that is fit for the case of realizing the built-up type toy with wood like the fourth embodiment, in which a predetermined shape of magnet installation recess 120 is formed on wood and a separate magnet installation member 200a having the shape of wedge is inserted and fixed into the magnet installation recess 120.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 25, while the magnet 110 is inserted into the inner space of the magnet installation member 200a, the magnet installation member 200a is inserted and fixed by hammering into 00 AU2004204560 Div B the magnet installation recess 120 of the body made of wood, whereby the burden of cutting can be relieved even when the body is made of wood.

Here, the magnet 110 installed in the magnet installation member O 200a is not restricted to a specific structure such as a cylindrical permanent O 5 magnet 110 Oa, a spherical permanent magnet 110 Ob or the like, and there are Salso advantage and disadvantage in respective cases as described above.

0 Meanwhile, the magnet installation member 200a itself may be separated from the magnet installation recess 120 of the part 10 since the magnet installation member 200a receives the force outward continuously as the built-up type toy according to the present invention is used repeatedly, and therefore, it is preferable that a separate magnet installation member fixing means 250 for fixing the magnet installation member 200a into the magnet installation recess 120 is further equipped in order to prevent such a phenomenon.

Hereinbelow, in the fifth embodiment that the magnet installation member 200a is employed as the separation preventing means 200, various modifications of the magnet installation member fixing means 250 for fixing the magnet installation member 200a will be described.

According to the first modification, as shown in FIG. 26, the magnet installation member fixing means 250 can be realized by a fixing wedge portion 251 extended downward of the circumferential portion 201 so as to be inserted and fixed onto the bottom surface of the magnet installation recess 120.

Such a construction is to fix the magnet installation member 200a into the magnet installation recess 120 by striking with a hammer or the like when the part 10 is made of wood or the like.

According to the second modification, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 19 00 AU2004204560 Div B the magnet installation member fixing means 250 can be realized by Shooking protrusions 252 formed outward on the outer surface of the circumferential portion 201 toward the lid portion 202.

O The hooking protrusions 252 do not have influence on the insertion 1 5 of the magnet installation member 200a into the magnet installation recess S120 as they are formed toward the lid portion 202, however, since the 00 protrusions 252 cause a frictional resistance with respect to the inner surface C of the magnet installation recess 120 while the inserted/fixed magnet installation member 200a is moving toward the lid portion 202, toward the upward direction, there can be achieved the effect that the magnet installation member 200a is fixed stably in the magnet installation recess 120.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the hooking protrusions 252 can be formed as overall hooking protrusions 252a formed over all area of the outer surface of the circumferential portion 201 at a shape of a wedge.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the hooking protrusions 252 can be formed as partial hooking protrusions 252b formed on a partial area of the outer surface of the circumferential portion 201.

Such partial hooking protrusions 252b can be formed by installing a separate member on the outer circumference of the circumferential portion 201, however, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that the partial hooking protrusions 252b are formed by cutting and bending a part of the circumferential portion 201 in consideration of the stability of the structure.

Furthermore, the hooking protrusion 252 can be formed as a lower hooking protrusion 252c formed on a lower end area of the outer surface of the circumferential portion 201, and in such a situation, it is preferable that the hooking protrusion 252 further has a tilted portion 253 that is tilted 00 AU2004204560 Div B downward and inward from the lower hooking protrusion 252c at a certain degree.

When such a tilted portion 253 is employed, as the area of the 0 transverse section of the lower end part of the magnet installation member 200a is smaller than the area of the transverse section of the upper opening of the magnet installation recess 120, it is easier to insert and fix the magnet 00 installation member 200a into the magnet installation recess 120.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 30, the lower hooking protrusion 252c and the tilted portion 253 can be formed integrally with each other by bending a lower portion of the circumferential portion 201 in consideration of the stability of the structure or the workability.

According to the third modification, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, the magnet installation member fixing means 250 can include a screw thread 254 formed on the outer surface of the circumferential portion 201.

That is the example that the magnet installation member 200a is inserted and fixed into the magnet installation recess 120 by the screwed assemblage, which provides the advantage that a stabler structure can be achieved in comparison with the above modifications.

In case the structure according to the above example is employed, it is preferable to add a structure that makes it easier to insert the magnet installation member 200a by rotation.

In other words, it is preferable that the magnet installation member fixing means 250 has a fixing tool insertion recess 255 so formed on an upper surface of the lid portion 202 as to insert the magnet installation member 200a into the magnet installation recess 120 by rotating the magnet installation member 200a with a magnet installation member fixing tool 260.

00 AU2004204560 Div B The fixing tool insertion recess 255 can be modified to a variety of shapes according to the structure of the fixing tool.

For example, when a cross type driver is used as the fixing tool, the O insertion recess 255b of cross-shaped transverse section will be employed as 5 shown in FIG. 33.

0 Meanwhile, the fixing tool insertion recess 255 is formed to a 0structure considering the appearance according to the usage of the toy since C it is exposed outside the toy, and the magnet installation member fixing tool 260 is selected properly in consideration of the shape of the fixing tool insertion recess 255.

For example, if a plurality of insertion recess 255a having the circular cross section are formed in a radial fashion as shown in FIG. 31, the insertion by rotation of the magnet installation member 200a can be easily performed with the magnet installation member fixing tool 260 having the construction as shown in FIG. 32.

That is, the fixing tool insertion recess 255 can be formed on the magnet installation member 200a in consideration of the appearance of the toy, while achieving the object to make it easy to insert the magnet installation member 200a.

Furthermore, the examples that the joining apparatus with the rotatable magnet according to the present invention is adopted to the built-up type toy that have been illustrated so far, however, the technical concept of the present invention that the attractive force can be generated irrespective of the poles by a simple structural variation that makes the magnet rotatable can be employed to any cases requiring a simple assembly and disassembly without any adhesive.

00 AU2004204560 Div B Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described so far. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiment, but O various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and the 5 scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments 0should be considered not in the restrictive point of view but in the 00illustrative point of view. The scope of the present invention is not limited within the range described in the above description but the following claims, and all of the differences in the range substantially the same with that should be considered to be included in the present invention.

The present invention provides a built-up type toy having the construction that the assembled shape is not demolished easily as well as the initiative of infant can be developed by the diverse assembled shape.

In the summary of the invention, the description and claims which follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It will be clearly understood that a reference to prior art publications or use herein does not constitute an admission that such material forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Claims (14)

1. A built-up type toy having a plurality of parts of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces that are joined with other joining surfaces of other 0 parts, the built-up type toy comprising: the parts respectively having magnet portions a on the joining surfaces thereof; 0 wherein the magnet portion a of the part and the magnet portion on the joining surface of the parts are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof, and wherein the magnet portion comprises: a magnet of which both magnetic poles are arranged to face directions different from each other, the magnet being installed on a magnet installation recess formed on the part; and a separation preventing means for preventing a separation of the magnet from the magnet installation recess while allowing a rotation of the magnet in the inner space of the magnet installation recess, wherein the separation preventing means is a sealing lid for closing the opening of the magnet installation recess, wherein the magnet installation recess and the sealing lid are formed integrally on the outer surface of the part, the magnet is inserted after cutting the part, and the separation of the magnet is prevented by attaching a plurality of cut pieces on the part, wherein the plurality of cut pieces have shapes identical to each other.

2. The built-up type toy of claim 1, wherein the part is made of wood.

3. The built-up type toy of claim 2, wherein the magnet is a cylindrical permanent magnet or a spherical permanent magnet. 24 00 AU2004204560 Div B

4. The built-up type toy of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the magnet portion is formed on a central area of the joining surface of the part. o

5. The built-up type toy of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of magnet portions are formed on each joining surface of the part. 0

6. The built-up type toy of claim 5, wherein the magnet portions are formed on all of the joining surfaces of the part.

7. The built-up type toy of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parts form a character, a number, a symbol, a diagram, or a certain shape on a plane thereof as the parts are joined with other parts.

8. The built-up type toy of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the parts are comprised of a plurality of hexahedrons having shapes and sizes identical to each other.

9. The built-up type toy of claim 8, wherein the part comprises: a central part c having a circular transverse section and having a plurality of magnet portions arranged on an outer surface thereof at a predetermined interval; and a plurality of fragmental parts and having a fan-shaped transverse section, the fragmental parts and respectively having a magnet portion corresponding to the magnet portion on the outer surface of the central part, and magnet portions being joined with the magnet portions of other fragmental parts on both side thereof, wherein a cylindrical shape is formed as the central part is located on a central position and inner surfaces of the plurality of fragmental parts and are 00 AU2004204560 Div B joined on the outer surface of the central part. The built-up type toy of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parts o realize a variety of three-dimensional shapes as beingjoined with other parts.

NO

11. The built-up type toy of claim 10, wherein the magnet portion is 00formed on an edge area of the joining surfaces of the part.

12. The built-up type toy of claim 10, wherein a plurality of magnet portions are formed on each of the surface of the part.

13. The built-up type toy of claim 12, wherein the magnet portions are formed on all of the joining surfaces of the part.

14. The built-up type toy of claim 10, wherein the parts comprise: a rotational shaft part having a shape of a bar and formed with the magnet portions on both ends thereof; and a wheel part formed with the magnet portion g joined with the magnet portion fofthe rotational shaft part on a central area thereof. The built-up type toy of claim 10, wherein the parts comprise: a fragmental part having a detached shape achieved by detaching a section from an overall shape of joined product; and a body part having a residuary shape achieved by detaching the fragmental parts from the overall shape of the joined product.