GB2265839A - Magnetic toy - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic toy capable of exhibiting comical motion and concurrently producing sound to permit a viewer to take interest comprises a first magnet 4 rotatably arranged in an upper portion of a hollow container and associated with a driving section 3 connected to a vibration sensor 6. An article 17 is movably arranged on a recessed stage 9 on the container and provided on a bottom thereof with a second magnet 16, which is arranged so as to magnetically interact with the first magnet. The vibration sensor is connected to a sound generating unit 5. <IMAGE>

Description

MAGNETIC TOY This invention relates to a magnetic toy, and more particularly to a magnetic toy adapted to exhibit unique or fanciful motion sufficient to permit a viewer to take interest and - surprise) while producing sound.

A toy which utilizes magnetism has been proposed and put into practice. However, the conventional magnetic toy is substantially stationary, resulting in failure to exhibit unique motion sufficient to permit a viewer to take interest and surprise. Thus, the conventional magnetic toy soon loses its popularity. Also, the conventional magnetic toy is not constructed so as to produce sound.

In accordance with the present invention, a magnetic toy is provided. The magnetic toy includes a hollow container made of non-magnetic material, a first magnet rotatably arranged in an upper portion of the container, a sensor switch actuated by a predetermined external stimulus and a driving section connected to the sensor switch. The first magnet is operatively connected to the driving section. The magnetic toy also includes an article formed in imitation of any desired real thing and movably arranged on the container. The article is provided with a second magnet, which is arranged so as to magnetically interact with the first magnet. The magnetic toy further includes a sound generating unit arranged in association with the sensor switch.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor switch comprises a vibration sensor.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article is put on a recessed stage provided on the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transparent envelope is arranged for housing the container and article therein. The envelope may be formed in imitation of a casing for housing said real thing of which said article is an imitation.

In the magnetic toy of the present invention constructed as described above, actuation of the driving section leads to rotation of the first magnet, which act on the second magnet provided on the article arranged on the hollow container, so that the article may exhibit comical motion full of variety while producing sound from the sound generating unit.

The driving section and sound generating unit are connected to the sensor switch. Thus, when the sensor switch comprises a vibration sensor, the magnetic toy carries out both movement and sound generation due to vibration of a predetermined level or more. Alternatively, when a sound sensor or a CdS sensor is substituted for the vibration sensor, the magnetic toy may be operated by sound or light, resulting in highly varied in operation.

The present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following exemplary detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout and wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view generally showing an embodiment of a magnetic toy according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an internal structure of the magnetic toy shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing operation of the magnetic toy shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of a magnetic toy according to the present invention.

A magnetic toy of the illustrated embodiment is generally indicated at reference numeral 1 and generally includes a hollow container 2 and a movable article 17.

The hollow container 2 is formed of a synthetic resin material into a flat barrel-like shape, in which a driving section 3, a first magnet 4, a sound generating unit 5, a vibration sensor or sensor switch 6, a battery 7 for a power supply and a main switch 8 are arranged. The container 1 is formed on an upper portion thereof with a recessed stage 9 on which the article 17 is movably supported or placed The driving section 3 includes a motor '10 acting as a driving source and a reduction gear mechanism 11 which is driven by the motor 10. The driving section 3 also includes a belt 13 through which the motor 10 and a gear 12 constituting a part of the reduction gear mechanism 11 are operatively connected to each other.The reduction gear mechanism 11 also includes another gear 14 which is arranged in an upper central portion of the container 2 and supported on a shaft 15. The above-described first magnet 4 is mounted on the shaft 15 so as to be rotated together with the gear 14. The motor 10 is adapted to repeat normal rotation and reverse rotation at predetermined time intervals.

The movable article 17 which is placed on the recessed stage 9 o the hollow container 2, in the illustrated embodiment is formed into a shape like shelled peanuts. The article 17 is mounted on a bottom thereof with a second magnet 16, which is so arranged that an N pole thereof is upward located and an S pole thereof is downward located. The article 17 may be formed into any other suitable shape like an animal, an insect or the like.

The sound generating unit 5 may comprise a sound synthesizing IC and adapted to produce synthesized sound.

However, the sound generating unit 5 is not limited to such a sound synthesizing IC and sound produced by the unit 5 may be vocal.

The power supply battery 7 is arranged so as to be replaceable through the bottom of the hollow container 2 and the main switch 8 is arranged so as to be operable from outside the hollow container. 2.

The sound generating unit 5, vibration sensor 6, power supply battery 7, main switch 8 and motor 10 are electricaliy connected to each other. More perticularly, as shown in-Fig. 3, a drive control circuit 15 is electrically connected through the main switch 8 to the power supply battery 7. The drive control circuit 18 includes a sensor signal processing circuit 20 and 2 rotation control circuit 19 for controlling switching between normal rotation of the motor 10 and its reverse rotation and functions to feed the sound generating unit 5 and motor 10 with a control signal depending on an actuation signal produced by the vibration sensor 6.

The sound generating unit 5 includes a sound synthesizing unit 51 and a speaker 52 and is adapted to produce sound for z predetermined period of time in synchronism with actuation of the motor 10. The vibration sensor 6 is constructed so as to detect vibration generated due to movement of the article 17 as well as external vibration applied to the magnetic toy 1, to thereby generate an actuation signal full of variety. This causes the drive control circuit 18 to output a varied signal, resulting in movement of the article 17 being rendered highly comical. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration sensor is used as a sensor for detecting an external stimulus.Alternatively, a pyroelectric sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a human body, a sound sensor, a photosensor or the like may be substituted for the vibration sensor.

The operation of the magnetic toy of the illustrated embodiment constructed as described above will now be described. When the vibration sensor 6 detects vibration-of a predetermined level or more while keeping the main switch 8 turned on, the motor 10 is controlled to permit the first magnet 4 to be rotated through the reduction gear mechanism 11.

Rotation of the first magnet 4 causes the first magnet 4 and the second magnet 16 mounted on the bottom of the article 17 formed in imitation of shelled peanuts to magnetically interact with each other, so that both magnets repeat magnetic repulsion and attraction. This permits the article 17 to comically get about on the recessed stage 9 of the hollow container 2. Concurrently, the sound generating unit produces synthesized souna.

Referring now to Fig. 4, another embodiment of a magnetic toy according to the present invention is illustrated.

A magnetic toy of the illustrated embodiment is so constructed that a hollow container 2 and an article 17 mounted on a recessed stage 9 of the container 2 are housed in a transparent envelope 55 which is arranged so as to be detachable with respect to container 2. The envelope 55 may be formed in imitation of a casing for housing a real thing of which the article 17 is an imitation. The envelope 55 is removably mounted on an upper portion thereof with a lid 56. The remaining pert of the embodiment may be constructed in substantially the same manner as the embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Thus, it will be noted. that the magnetic toy of Fig. 4 carries out the same operation as that shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the envelope 55 as well as the article 17 is formed in imitation of a real thing, so that a viewer may be impressed as if a real thing jumped about for joy.

Also, housing of the article 17 in the envelope 55 effectively prevents the article from being lost during transportation or the like.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to the drawings, modifications and variations are possible in light of the above-teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (7)

1. A magnetic toy comprising: a hollow container made of non-magnetic material; a first magnet rotatably arranged in an upper portion of said container; a sensor switch actuated by a predetermined external stimulus; a driving section connected to said sensor switch; said first magnet being operatively connected to said driving section; an article formed in imitation of any desired real thing and movably arranged on said container; said article being provided with a second magnet; said second magnet being arranged so as to magnetically interact with said first magnet; and a sound generating unit arranged in association with said sensor switch.

2. A magnetic toy according to Claim 1, wherein said sensor switch comprises a vibration sensor.

3. A magnetic toy according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said article is put on a recessed stage provided on said container.

4. A magnetic toy according to any preceding claim, further having a transparent envelope for housing said container and article therein.

5. A magnetic toy according to Claim 4, wherein said envelope is formed in imitation of a casing for housing said real thing of which said article is an imitation.

6. A magnetic toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A magnetic toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.