Magnetic Action Figures with Interchangeable Parts
By Randi Dembski
Based on the principle of magnetism, these toys offer fun and excitement for children over the age of three. The main body of the toy contains magnets with the north pole oriented upward. The head, arms, and other accessories will contain magnets, oriented with the south pole at the base of the appendage. The magnetic attraction due to the opposite poles of the main body and appendages, would connect these peices together. The bottom portion of the toy is similar, except the polarity is reversed. The basic design of the toy is shown below.
Ideally, the owner of this toy will have several other models of the toy. Using appendages from one toy and attaching them to another, the child uses creativity to make interesting combinations of action figures. An example is shown below. Here, a scuba diver is combined with a dinosaur to yield and interesting action figure.
Here is a scuba-diver and a dinosaur:
When the child removes parts from both figures and attaches certain dinosaur parts to the scuba diver's body, the child will have the toy shown below. (To view the toy, place your mouse on the question mark.)
The toy will be produced by molding plastic around magnets. The expected cost for producing this toy would be approximately equal to the average cost of producing a regular action figure, however the magnets needed for the interior of the parts may increase the cost. The plastics will be durable enough to withstand average use, contact with water, and extreme temperatures. The magnets are completely contained inside the plastic structure, so there is no risk of the magnets falling out and becoming separate choking hazards. These action figures are not recommended for children under three because the small parts may be a choking hazard.