US-20260124524-A1 - Magnetic Puzzle Sorting Toy for Color and Number Recognition

US20260124524A1US 20260124524 A1US20260124524 A1US 20260124524A1US-20260124524-A1

Abstract

The invention pertains to a magnetic sorting toy designed for children's color and number recognition, as well as therapeutic applications. The toy comprises a transparent top plate, a middle labyrinth layer, and a bottom MDF plate, combined with an attached magnetic pen or plastic finger mold to assist children or individuals with limited fine motor skills. Magnetic balls of different colors are moved through the labyrinth's channels into corresponding storage grooves, reinforcing color sorting, counting, and number recognition. This toy is also suitable for therapeutic use in stroke recovery, occupational therapy, and fine motor rehabilitation, offering tactile and kinesthetic learning benefits. The various textures, colors, and customizable designs make it versatile for educational and therapeutic purposes.

Inventors

Adam Crowe

Assignees

Adam Crowe

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (10)

1 . A magnetic sorting toy designed for color and number recognition, comprising: a. A transparent plastic plate on the top layer; b. A middle-layer labyrinth plate; c. A bottom MDF plate; d. A set of 10 magnetic balls of varying colors, distributed in different quantities; e. A magnetic pen or a plastic finger mold with a magnetic tip attached to the board, wherein it is removable and interchangeable, enabling movement of the magnetic balls through the labyrinth channels and into the corresponding storage grooves; f. Wherein the labyrinth comprises five storage grooves of varying shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) on the top layer, five storage grooves in the middle layer in the corresponding shapes, and a bottom storage groove connected through channels.
2 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic pen or the finger mold allows the user to guide magnetic balls to their respective storage grooves based on their color, facilitating the development of fine motor skills and enhancing color and number recognition in children.
3 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the plastic finger mold with a magnet in the tip is designed to accommodate children who may not have the fine motor skills to grip or use a pen, providing a transition method for such individuals toward more advanced motor skill development.
4 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the toy can be adapted for use in educational or therapeutic settings, specifically targeting auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles, enhancing its utility in children with special needs, such as those with autism or learning disabilities.
5 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the toy is suitable for use in various therapeutic settings, including stroke recovery, occupational therapy, amputee rehabilitation, and other therapies aimed at improving fine motor skills.
6 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the labyrinth channels are sized to prevent the magnetic balls from becoming stuck, ensuring smooth movement of the balls from one storage groove to another.
7 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the toy is customizable in terms of design and image displayed on the board, allowing for different versions to be created to meet specific educational or therapeutic needs.
8 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the toy supports the development of fine motor skills, color and number recognition, counting, and sorting abilities, making it particularly beneficial for children in early learning and development stages.
9 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the different colored magnetic balls are used to introduce the concepts of quantity and classification, promoting early mathematical thinking in children.
10 . The magnetic sorting toy of claim 1 , wherein the design of the toy allows it to be used by individuals of various ages and abilities, from toddlers learning to sort by color and number to adults undergoing fine motor skill rehabilitation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The present invention pertains to the field of educational toys and learning aids, specifically toys designed for the development of cognitive and motor skills in young children. More particularly, it focuses on toys that facilitate the recognition of colors, numbers, and counting through tactile and kinesthetic engagement. The invention also addresses tools that support multi-sensory learning, aiding in the development of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles, especially for children with special needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental delays. This invention integrates magnetism, sorting activities, and problem-solving skills within an interactive and engaging format for early childhood education. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The Magnetic Puzzle Board Toy is an educational toy designed to help children develop color and number recognition, as well as improve counting skills. The toy consists of three main layers: a transparent plastic top plate, a middle labyrinth plate, and a bottom MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) plate. The toy includes a specific number of magnetic balls (based on each individual iteration of this product ranging from 1 to 55 balla), in various colors, stored in grooves of various shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.), and an attached with a detachable and interchangeable magnetic pen or plastic finger mold to help children guide the balls through connecting channels. This encourages interactive learning by engaging auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles, making it especially useful for children with special needs or those with developing fine motor skills. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1: Depicts the primary design of the magnetic sorting toy, showcasing the magnetic pen, the transparent plastic plate, ball collection area, and the ten individual sorting areas for the magnetic balls. FIG. 2: Presents a flow chart illustrating the operational process of the magnetic sorting toy, including pen or finger mold selection, ball movement, and the reinforcement of color and number learning. FIG. 3: A child is shown using the magnetic sorting toy to develop fine motor skills. FIG. 4: The dimensions of the toy are displayed, showing its portability with measurements of 9.5″ by 11.5″. FIG. 5: The colored magnetic balls are organized by color, emphasizing the sorting function of the toy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The Magnetic Sorting Toy is designed to encourage early learning in children, with an emphasis on color and number recognition, counting, and fine motor skill development. The toy consists of three primary layers: a transparent plastic top plate, a middle labyrinth layer, and a bottom MDF (medium-density fiberboard) layer. The middle labyrinth plate houses channels that guide colored magnetic balls. These channels connect to multiple circular storage grooves, which serve as target areas for color sorting and counting exercises. Structure of the Toy The toy has five storage grooves of varying shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) at the top and five in the middle of the labyrinth, along with a larger storage groove at the bottom. Each storage groove is designed to hold magnetic balls of different colors. The magnetic balls are housed within the channels of the labyrinth, and children use the attached magnetic pen (or finger mold with a magnet) to move the balls through the channels to their corresponding storage groove based on color. In addition to sorting by color, children are encouraged to count the number of balls in each groove, enhancing their number recognition and counting skills. This is made possible by the varied quantities of magnetic balls for each color, allowing for practical counting exercises. Features of the Toy Magnetic Pen and Finger Mold Option: The toy includes a magnetic pen attached to the board, which children use to move the magnetic balls. For children with special needs or those who have not yet developed the fine motor skills to grip a pen, a plastic finger mold with a magnetic tip can be provided as an alternative. This finger mold enables children to engage in the same learning activities, helping them develop motor skills in a gradual and accommodating manner. Ergonomically Designed Channels: The channels in the labyrinth are carefully designed to prevent the magnetic balls from becoming stuck, ensuring a smooth and frustration-free experience for young children. Customization: The image or design on the board can vary, adding flexibility to the toy's educational potential. Different themes can be used to target various learning goals, such as shapes, animals, or even more advanced number combinations. Learning Benefits Kinesthetic Learning: The toy primarily targets kinesthetic learners by providing a hands-on activity. Children physically manipulate the