US3310906A - Toy construction blocks and assembly - Google Patents

Toy construction blocks and assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3310906A
US3310906A US473983A US47398365A US3310906A US 3310906 A US3310906 A US 3310906A US 473983 A US473983 A US 473983A US 47398365 A US47398365 A US 47398365A US 3310906 A US3310906 A US 3310906A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
blocks
block
projections
recess
arms
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US473983A
Inventor
Bernard R Glukes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FOWLER KNOBBE AND GAMBRELL
Original Assignee
FOWLER KNOBBE AND GAMBRELL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FOWLER KNOBBE AND GAMBRELL filed Critical FOWLER KNOBBE AND GAMBRELL
Priority to US473983A priority Critical patent/US3310906A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3310906A publication Critical patent/US3310906A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00Other toys
    • A63H33/04Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/065Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements using elastic deformation

Definitions

  • the older X- shaped blocks are modified to provide a positive lock between cooperating parts of the blocks and to prevent interference betwen adjacent parts of the blocks when they are interconnected in various new and interesting designs and configurations.
  • toy blocks constructed in accordance with this invention in addition to having parallel front and rear faces and a peripherial surface which comprises a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses, include flat end surfaces on the projections and mating flat surfaces in the recesses with which the projections cooperate.
  • the blocks of this invention may be assembled together by inserting a projection of one block into a recess of another block to form a relatively snug fit without rotation therebetween.
  • This invention further includes various links and other accessories adapted to be used with the X-sh-aped blocks to form numerous configurations of two and three dimensions.
  • a significant feature of this invention is the ease with which young children can build the blocks and accessories into an unlimited number of creative shapes and forms without tools.
  • the flattened rectilinear end surfaces of the projections and recesses enable the blocks to be connected together in groups of four, for example, with their centers forming a square but without interference between adjacent arms.
  • a plurality of such groups may be built up to form a large fiat rectangular surface particularly useful in combination with the accessories included in this invention in creating buildings, bridges and toy wheeled vehicles, which will hold firmly together until taken apart for the next project.
  • T 0 further stabilize the X-shaped blocks When they are interconnected, there are provided in one embodiment of this invention a series of bosses on the arcuate sides of the projections. These bosses cooperate with the side surfaces defining the recesses in others of the blocks to hold the projections firmly interior of the recesses.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy construction block designed in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interconnected group of four of the blocks illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing portions of two of the blocks and an angular link connecting them;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view showing portions of two of the blocks and a male link connecting them;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view showing portions of two of the blocks and a female link connecting them;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing portions of two of the blocks connected by an elongated tube
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a toy wheeled vehicle constructed with blocks and links designed in accordance with this invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing portions of two blocks of a second embodiment of this invention in position to be interconnected.
  • FIG. 9 is a section view through the arcuate sides of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • an X-shaped block 5 having the axes 4 of the arms 6 perpendicular is a basic unit of the toy construction device of the present invention.
  • the block has a front face 10, a parallel rear face (not shown) and a peripheral or boundary surface 7.
  • the faces of the block are recessed relative to the edges 8, 9 of the peripheral surface 7.
  • Each of the four arms 6 has a projection 12 at its end.
  • Each projection 12 includes a pair of opposed, arcuate sides 14, 15 forming a circular segment and an outer rectilinear end 16 which forms a chord of the segment substantially perpendicular to the axis 4 of the associated arm 6.
  • a recess 13 is formed in the block midway between each adjacent pair of arms.
  • Each recess 13 is complementary to the projections and includes two opposed, arcuate sides 18, 19 forming a circular segment with an outer opening 20 and an inner rectilinear end 17 which forms a chord of the segment at an angle of about with the axes 4 of the block arms 6.
  • Each projection 12 is joined to the adjacent recesses 13 by webs or shoulders 21.
  • the block 5 is designed to be interconnected with other identical blocks of the series by inserting a projection 12 of one block into a recess 13 of another with their central axes 22, 23 aligned.
  • the rectilinear portion 16 of the projection mates with the rectilinear portion 17 of the recess to provide a snug fit, and to prevent rocking of one block relative to the other.
  • the tips 24 of the shoulders 21 fit tightly around the neck 29 of the projection to prevent rocking or rotary movement about the central axis 22 of the connected projection.
  • the spacing between the tips 24 of the shoulders 21 at the opening 20 of the recess is less than the diameter of the projections 12. Thus, the projection will not pass freely between the shoulder tips 24 and a secure connection is obtained when the projection is engaged in the recess.
  • the projection may be forced into the recess by using the rounded sides 14, 15 of the projection as wedges to spread the shoulder tips 24.
  • the projection may be inserted and removed along the central axis 23 of :the recess.
  • the block further includes a square central bore 26 having sides 27 equal in length to the diameter of the recesses 13.
  • the bore 26 like the recesses, is adapted to receive the projections 12 of other blocks to interconnect them.
  • FIG. 2 four blocks 5a, b, c, d are shown interconnected so that their centers 25 define the four corners of a square 28.
  • two of the blocks 5b, d are rotated at 45 relative to the other two blocks 5a, 0 in order to interconnect the appropriate projections 12 and recesses 13.
  • each block is designed so that the distance between the outer rectilinear end 16 of the projections and the center 25 of the block does not exceed one-half the length of the diagonal of the square 28 defined by the centers 25 of the four blocks Sa-d. If A equals the distance between the center 25 of a block and the inner rectilinear end 17 of any of its recesses 13, and B equals the distance between the center 25 of the block and the outer rectilinear end 16 of any of its projections 12, then each side of the square 28 is approximately equal to A-l-B. From the Pythagoran theorem, the length of the diagonal squared equals twice the length of a side squared, so that:
  • the block grouping shown in FIG. 2 particularly enhances the play value of the blocks of this invention since it provides for the construction of a flat structural member in a rectangular pattern.
  • the grouping may be expanded in area by merely adding additional blocks thereto, :thus forming large flat surfaces which may be used, for example, as the walls, floors and roofs of toy houses and other buildings.
  • Another application of this grouping of special significance is in forming the flat bed of a wagon or other wheeled toy vehicle by employing the elements shown in FIG. 7 and described hereinafter.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a right-angle link 30 used to connect two of the blocks 5.
  • the angle link 30 includes two elongated male portions 31, 32 which are joined to each other in perpendicular relationship by a plate 33.
  • the male port-ions 31, 32 are preferably each X-shaped in section.
  • One arm 34 is shortened to accommodate the fiattened end 17 of the recesses, so that the male portions will fit snugly in the recesses 13.
  • two blocks may be connected at a right angle to form wall corners, column sides, roof peaks and other structures.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a small male connecting link 40 used to connect two of the blocks 5 side-by-side.
  • This link 40 includes two oppositely oriented projections 41, 42 each similar to the projections 12 of the blocks 5.
  • the two projections 41, 42 of the link 40 are joined by a short body 43 of such a length that adjacent projections 12 of two blocks connected by the link fit closely together without overlapping or interfering.
  • the male links may be used to build a long string of side-by-side blocks for fences, sidewalks, truck sideboards, and many other uses.
  • the male connecting link 40 may instead be inserted in the recesses 13 so as to extend perpendicular to the face of the block and connect two blocks in face-to-face relationship, which is useful e.g. in building three dimensional shapes such as animal bodies.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a small female connecting link 50 used to connect two of the blocks 5.
  • This link 50 includes two oppositely oriented, juxtaposed recesses 51, 52, joined together at 53. Each is similar to the recesses 13 of the block 5 and adapted to alternatively engage the male portions 31, 32 of the angle link 30, the projections 41, 42 of the male connecting link 40, or the projections 12 of the block 5 to form open grill-work, fences, abstract designs, and other creative structures.
  • FIG. 6 shows an elongated round tube 60 connecting two of the blocks.
  • the outside diameter of the tube 60 is equal to the outside diameter of the projections 12, so that the tube 60, like the projections 12, may be used to connect two blocks 5 by inserting its ends in the bores 26.
  • the tube is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene so that it may also be inserted into the recesses 13 as shown in FIG. 6 by slightly flexing a portion to form a flattened configuration 61 at its circumference to mate with the flattened end 17 of the recess 13. Further it may be flexed sufficiently to be connected in the recesses 13 with its axis extending parallel to the face 10 of the block and its sides pinched between the shoulder tips 24.
  • the tube is useful in a great many structures including the wheeled vehicle illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the toy vehicle illustrated in FIG. 7 includes at least four of the blocks 5 connected in the rectangular pattern shown in FIG. 2 to form a flat bed 71.
  • One wheel 70 is illustrated as connected to the bed; it being understood that additional wheels may be attached as desired.
  • the wheel 70 is constructed of a block 5 snugly received in a hoop 72 which forms the wheel rim.
  • the wheel 70 is rotatably mounted on an axle 73 which includes a small diameter tube 74 loosely received in the bore 26 of the Wheel block 5.
  • a larger diameter tube 60 of the type shown in FIG. 6 is snugly telescoped on each end of the small tube 74 to retain the wheel on the axle.
  • An end of one of the larger tubes 60 is received in one recess 52 of a female connector member 50, and a projection 42 of a male link 40 is received in the other recess 51 of the female link 50.
  • the other projection 41 of the male link is snugly received in the bore 26 of one block of the bed 71 to connect the wheel 70 and axle 73 to the bed.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified embodiment of the blocks 5, wherein each arcuate side 14, 15 of the projections 12 includes two elongated pairs of bosses 81, 82 each pair extending substantially from edge 8 to edge 9 of the side with a sight gap between the two bosses of each pair.
  • One pair of bosses 81 on each side is near the outer rectilinear end 16 and one pair of bosses 82 is near the shoulder 21.
  • each pair 81, 82 together have a double-tapered or V- shaped longitudinal section with the vertex of the V pointing toward the central axis 23 of the projection.
  • the inner surface of the arcuate sides 18, 19 of the recesses 13 is also V-shaped, i.e. the broad V on the lefthand surface of side 18 in FIG. 9 having its apex opposite face 10 with the vertex pointing toward the central axis 22 of the recess.
  • the V-shape of the pairs of bosses 81, 82 conforms to the broad V of the recess sides and locks the projection against removal in either direction perpendicular to the face 10 of the block.
  • the projections and recesses have cooperating locking portions which are V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the projection and intersecting the looking portion, i.e. the plane in which the section of FIG. 9 is taken.
  • This embodiment of the block is particularly useful when the blocks are made of flexible material so that the projections may be forced into and out of the recesses, but will strongly resist accidental disengagement when connected.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 The block configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 is particularly suited for the construction of large toy structures, since the pairs of bosses 81, 82 provide a lock acting perpendicular to the faces of adjacent ones of the blocks and act in combination with the shoulder tips 24 and the flattened ends 16, 17 to provide a structure which is rigid in all directions.
  • a series of identical toy construction blocks each comprising:
  • each arm comprising a pair of opposed, arcuate sides concentric about a central axis perpendicular to the axis of the arm to form a circular segment
  • each said recess comprising a pair of opposed, arcuate sides concentric about a central axis perpendicular to the axes of the arms to form a circular segment
  • B the distance between the center of the block and the outer rectilinear portion of any projection thereof.
  • each arcuate side of said projections includes a locking portion which is V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the projection and intersecting the locking portion;
  • each arcuate side of said recesses includes a locking portion which is V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the recess and intersecting the locking portion of said recess for cooperating with the locking portion of a projection received in the recess to restrain said projection against dislodgement in the direction of the central axis.
  • projection locking portions comprise two arcuately spaced elongated boss means on each arcuate side of the projections.
  • each of said blocks (b) a bore through the center of each of said blocks with its axis perpendicular to the axes of said arms, each said bore being adapted to snugly receive the projections of the other blocks to interconnect the blocks.
  • a toy wheeled-vehicle having a fiat body surface comprising:
  • each said block comprising (b) parallel front and rear faces, a central bore, and a peripheral surface, said peripheral surface defining (c) four arms of equal length spaced from each other (d) a projection at the end of each arm, each said projection including an outer rectilinear end surface and opposed arcuate side surfaces;
  • each said recess including an inner rectilinear end surface and opposed arcuate side surfaces;
  • said blocks being interconnected by appropriate ones of said projections being snugly received in appropriate ones of said recesses to form a flat surface with the centers of the blocks defining the corners of a square and with two of said arms extending toward the center of said square;
  • a series of identical toy construction blocks each comprising:
  • each arm comprising a pair of opposed sides and an outer rectilinear por tion at the distal end of the projection;
  • each adjacent pair of arms is a recess formed between each adjacent pair of arms, said recess being proportioned to receive the projections of other blocks of said series to interconnect said blocks in a plurality of configurations, each said recess comprising a pair of opposed sides,
  • said projections being dimensioned so that when four of said blocks are interconnected such that their centers define the corners of a square, the projections on the inwardly disposed arms do not overlap or interfere with each other;
  • B the distance between the center of the block and the outer rectilinear portion of any projection thereof.

Description

Mam??? 3%? B. R. GLUKES TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS AND ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1965 5 M 0 W1. 6 mf m N m 5 March 28 196? GLUKEs TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS AND ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1965 INVENTOR. Eff/104 90 6.! U/(ES'.
j M U 5 N MU; gm gr M w March 2, 197 B. R. GLUKES TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS AND ASSEMBLY Filed July 22, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. BEE/V4190 1?. 620K615 BY Fan 4 4, A A/0555 a GAMB/PEAL United States Patent 3,310,906 TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS AND ASSEMBLY Bernard R. Glukes, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Fowlel, Knobhe & Gambrell, a partnership composed of Allan R. Fowler, Louis J. Knobbe, and James B. Gambrell Filed July 22, 1965, Ser. No. 473,983 Claims. (Cl. 46-25) This invention relates to toy construction devices and, more particularly, to toy blocks and links which are designed to be interconnected to create .a multitude of structural shapes.
This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 295,974, filed July 18, 1963, now abandoned, and is an improvement of the construction toy disclosed in my earlier Patent No. 2,406,759 which issued on Sept. 30, 1946.
While the blocks disclosed in my earlier patent have been quite successful, particularly for building structures having circular patterns and rotary joints, they do not provide the versatility of the present devices. Moreover, even Where those prior art blocks have been conventionally connected, insecure connections and interference between adjacent parts have been encountered, particularly in attempting to interconnect the blocks to form a large, flat, rectangular surface.
In accordance with the present invention, the older X- shaped blocks are modified to provide a positive lock between cooperating parts of the blocks and to prevent interference betwen adjacent parts of the blocks when they are interconnected in various new and interesting designs and configurations.
To provide this increased versatility, toy blocks constructed in accordance with this invention, in addition to having parallel front and rear faces and a peripherial surface which comprises a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses, include flat end surfaces on the projections and mating flat surfaces in the recesses with which the projections cooperate. With the improvements herein noted, the blocks of this invention may be assembled together by inserting a projection of one block into a recess of another block to form a relatively snug fit without rotation therebetween.
This invention further includes various links and other accessories adapted to be used with the X-sh-aped blocks to form numerous configurations of two and three dimensions.
A significant feature of this invention is the ease with which young children can build the blocks and accessories into an unlimited number of creative shapes and forms without tools. The flattened rectilinear end surfaces of the projections and recesses enable the blocks to be connected together in groups of four, for example, with their centers forming a square but without interference between adjacent arms. By this means, a plurality of such groups may be built up to form a large fiat rectangular surface particularly useful in combination with the accessories included in this invention in creating buildings, bridges and toy wheeled vehicles, which will hold firmly together until taken apart for the next project.
T 0 further stabilize the X-shaped blocks When they are interconnected, there are provided in one embodiment of this invention a series of bosses on the arcuate sides of the projections. These bosses cooperate with the side surfaces defining the recesses in others of the blocks to hold the projections firmly interior of the recesses.
These and other features of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy construction block designed in accordance with this invention;
3,31,905 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interconnected group of four of the blocks illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing portions of two of the blocks and an angular link connecting them;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing portions of two of the blocks and a male link connecting them;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing portions of two of the blocks and a female link connecting them;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing portions of two of the blocks connected by an elongated tube;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a toy wheeled vehicle constructed with blocks and links designed in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing portions of two blocks of a second embodiment of this invention in position to be interconnected; and
FIG. 9 is a section view through the arcuate sides of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.
Referring to FIG. 1, an X-shaped block 5 having the axes 4 of the arms 6 perpendicular is a basic unit of the toy construction device of the present invention. The block has a front face 10, a parallel rear face (not shown) and a peripheral or boundary surface 7. The faces of the block are recessed relative to the edges 8, 9 of the peripheral surface 7.
Each of the four arms 6 has a projection 12 at its end. Each projection 12 includes a pair of opposed, arcuate sides 14, 15 forming a circular segment and an outer rectilinear end 16 which forms a chord of the segment substantially perpendicular to the axis 4 of the associated arm 6. A recess 13 is formed in the block midway between each adjacent pair of arms. Each recess 13 is complementary to the projections and includes two opposed, arcuate sides 18, 19 forming a circular segment with an outer opening 20 and an inner rectilinear end 17 which forms a chord of the segment at an angle of about with the axes 4 of the block arms 6. Each projection 12 is joined to the adjacent recesses 13 by webs or shoulders 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, the block 5 is designed to be interconnected with other identical blocks of the series by inserting a projection 12 of one block into a recess 13 of another with their central axes 22, 23 aligned. When so connected, the rectilinear portion 16 of the projection mates with the rectilinear portion 17 of the recess to provide a snug fit, and to prevent rocking of one block relative to the other. Further, the tips 24 of the shoulders 21 fit tightly around the neck 29 of the projection to prevent rocking or rotary movement about the central axis 22 of the connected projection.
The spacing between the tips 24 of the shoulders 21 at the opening 20 of the recess is less than the diameter of the projections 12. Thus, the projection will not pass freely between the shoulder tips 24 and a secure connection is obtained when the projection is engaged in the recess. If the block is composed of relatively flexible material, the projection may be forced into the recess by using the rounded sides 14, 15 of the projection as wedges to spread the shoulder tips 24. On the other hand, if the material employed is rigid, the projection may be inserted and removed along the central axis 23 of :the recess.
The block further includes a square central bore 26 having sides 27 equal in length to the diameter of the recesses 13. Thus the bore 26, like the recesses, is adapted to receive the projections 12 of other blocks to interconnect them.
In FIG. 2 four blocks 5a, b, c, d are shown interconnected so that their centers 25 define the four corners of a square 28. In this grouping, two of the blocks 5b, d are rotated at 45 relative to the other two blocks 5a, 0 in order to interconnect the appropriate projections 12 and recesses 13.
In order that the projections 12b, d of the two arms 6b, d which extend toward the center of the square 28 do not overlap or interfere with each other in arranging the blocks in this rectangular grouping, each block is designed so that the distance between the outer rectilinear end 16 of the projections and the center 25 of the block does not exceed one-half the length of the diagonal of the square 28 defined by the centers 25 of the four blocks Sa-d. If A equals the distance between the center 25 of a block and the inner rectilinear end 17 of any of its recesses 13, and B equals the distance between the center 25 of the block and the outer rectilinear end 16 of any of its projections 12, then each side of the square 28 is approximately equal to A-l-B. From the Pythagoran theorem, the length of the diagonal squared equals twice the length of a side squared, so that:
diagonal -2(A +B) Since it is desired that 213 be no greater than the length of the diagonal, then:
( 2(A l-B) wherei denotes less than or approximately equal to In the preferred embodiment shown, (23) is slightly less than 2(A +B) so that a very slight gap 30 exists between the two end surfaces 161;, d and there is no possibility of interference.
The block grouping shown in FIG. 2 particularly enhances the play value of the blocks of this invention since it provides for the construction of a flat structural member in a rectangular pattern. The grouping may be expanded in area by merely adding additional blocks thereto, :thus forming large flat surfaces which may be used, for example, as the walls, floors and roofs of toy houses and other buildings. Another application of this grouping of special significance is in forming the flat bed of a wagon or other wheeled toy vehicle by employing the elements shown in FIG. 7 and described hereinafter.
FIG. 3 illustrates a right-angle link 30 used to connect two of the blocks 5. The angle link 30 includes two elongated male portions 31, 32 which are joined to each other in perpendicular relationship by a plate 33. The male port-ions 31, 32 are preferably each X-shaped in section. One arm 34 is shortened to accommodate the fiattened end 17 of the recesses, so that the male portions will fit snugly in the recesses 13. Thus, two blocks may be connected at a right angle to form wall corners, column sides, roof peaks and other structures.
FIG. 4 illustrates a small male connecting link 40 used to connect two of the blocks 5 side-by-side. This link 40 includes two oppositely oriented projections 41, 42 each similar to the projections 12 of the blocks 5. The two projections 41, 42 of the link 40 are joined by a short body 43 of such a length that adjacent projections 12 of two blocks connected by the link fit closely together without overlapping or interfering. Thus, the male links may be used to build a long string of side-by-side blocks for fences, sidewalks, truck sideboards, and many other uses. The male connecting link 40 may instead be inserted in the recesses 13 so as to extend perpendicular to the face of the block and connect two blocks in face-to-face relationship, which is useful e.g. in building three dimensional shapes such as animal bodies.
FIG. 5 illustrates a small female connecting link 50 used to connect two of the blocks 5. This link 50 includes two oppositely oriented, juxtaposed recesses 51, 52, joined together at 53. Each is similar to the recesses 13 of the block 5 and adapted to alternatively engage the male portions 31, 32 of the angle link 30, the projections 41, 42 of the male connecting link 40, or the projections 12 of the block 5 to form open grill-work, fences, abstract designs, and other creative structures.
FIG. 6 shows an elongated round tube 60 connecting two of the blocks. The outside diameter of the tube 60 is equal to the outside diameter of the projections 12, so that the tube 60, like the projections 12, may be used to connect two blocks 5 by inserting its ends in the bores 26. The tube is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene so that it may also be inserted into the recesses 13 as shown in FIG. 6 by slightly flexing a portion to form a flattened configuration 61 at its circumference to mate with the flattened end 17 of the recess 13. Further it may be flexed sufficiently to be connected in the recesses 13 with its axis extending parallel to the face 10 of the block and its sides pinched between the shoulder tips 24. The tube is useful in a great many structures including the wheeled vehicle illustrated in FIG. 7.
The toy vehicle illustrated in FIG. 7 includes at least four of the blocks 5 connected in the rectangular pattern shown in FIG. 2 to form a flat bed 71. One wheel 70 is illustrated as connected to the bed; it being understood that additional wheels may be attached as desired. The wheel 70 is constructed of a block 5 snugly received in a hoop 72 which forms the wheel rim.
The wheel 70 is rotatably mounted on an axle 73 which includes a small diameter tube 74 loosely received in the bore 26 of the Wheel block 5. A larger diameter tube 60 of the type shown in FIG. 6 is snugly telescoped on each end of the small tube 74 to retain the wheel on the axle. An end of one of the larger tubes 60 is received in one recess 52 of a female connector member 50, and a projection 42 of a male link 40 is received in the other recess 51 of the female link 50. The other projection 41 of the male link is snugly received in the bore 26 of one block of the bed 71 to connect the wheel 70 and axle 73 to the bed.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified embodiment of the blocks 5, wherein each arcuate side 14, 15 of the projections 12 includes two elongated pairs of bosses 81, 82 each pair extending substantially from edge 8 to edge 9 of the side with a sight gap between the two bosses of each pair. One pair of bosses 81 on each side is near the outer rectilinear end 16 and one pair of bosses 82 is near the shoulder 21.
As is most clearly shown in FIG. 9, the .two bosses of each pair 81, 82 together have a double-tapered or V- shaped longitudinal section with the vertex of the V pointing toward the central axis 23 of the projection. The inner surface of the arcuate sides 18, 19 of the recesses 13 is also V-shaped, i.e. the broad V on the lefthand surface of side 18 in FIG. 9 having its apex opposite face 10 with the vertex pointing toward the central axis 22 of the recess.
When the projection 12 is engaged in the recess 13, the V-shape of the pairs of bosses 81, 82 conforms to the broad V of the recess sides and locks the projection against removal in either direction perpendicular to the face 10 of the block. Thus, the projections and recesses have cooperating locking portions which are V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the projection and intersecting the looking portion, i.e. the plane in which the section of FIG. 9 is taken. This embodiment of the block is particularly useful when the blocks are made of flexible material so that the projections may be forced into and out of the recesses, but will strongly resist accidental disengagement when connected.
The block configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 is particularly suited for the construction of large toy structures, since the pairs of bosses 81, 82 provide a lock acting perpendicular to the faces of adjacent ones of the blocks and act in combination with the shoulder tips 24 and the flattened ends 16, 17 to provide a structure which is rigid in all directions.
As a consequence of the improved design of the blocks embodying this invention, a child is able to build the construction units quite precisely into a relatively solid structure without the blocks tending to flex with respect to each other and distort the structure or prevent the building of a structure which is squared up in accordance with conventional practice. The repetitive shapes and dimensions used in the design of the blocks and connectors permit construction of a multitude of structures, including those utilizing large, flat, rectangular surfaces.
Further, it will be noted that the appearance of the block is not changed by rotating it 90", 180, 270 or 360 about its center. This symmetry adds flexibility to the use of the blocks by permitting connection at various rotated positions.
The above described embodiments of this invention are intended to be exemplary and the invention should be limited only in accordance with the following claims:
I claim: I
1. A series of identical toy construction blocks, each comprising:
(a) a first pair of opposite arms lying along a first axis;
(b) a second pair of opposite arms lying along a second axis which intersects said first axis perpendicularly at the center of said block;
(c) a projection at the end of each arm comprising a pair of opposed, arcuate sides concentric about a central axis perpendicular to the axis of the arm to form a circular segment,
and an outer rectilinear portion at the distal end of the projection forming a chord of said circular segment perpendicular to the axis of the arm;
(d) a recess formed between each adjacent pair of arms, said recess being proportioned to receive the projections of other blocks of said series to interconnect said blocks in a plurality of configurations,
each said recess comprising a pair of opposed, arcuate sides concentric about a central axis perpendicular to the axes of the arms to form a circular segment,
an opening through the outer portion of said segment,
and a rectilinear inner portion nearest the center of the block forming a chord of said circular segment;
(c) said projections being dimensioned so that when four of said blocks are interconnected such that their centers define the corners of a square, the projections on the inwardly disposed arms do not overlap or interfere with each other; and,
(f) each said block being proportioned so that (2B)' ,2(A+B) wherein A=the distance between the center of the block and the inner rectilinear portion of any recess thereof, and
B=the distance between the center of the block and the outer rectilinear portion of any projection thereof.
2. A series of identical toy construction bloc-ks as defined above in claim 1 wherein:
(a) each arcuate side of said projections includes a locking portion which is V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the projection and intersecting the locking portion; and,
(b) each arcuate side of said recesses includes a locking portion which is V-shaped in a plane including the central axis of the recess and intersecting the locking portion of said recess for cooperating with the locking portion of a projection received in the recess to restrain said projection against dislodgement in the direction of the central axis.
3. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 2 wherein the projection locking portions comprise two arcuately spaced elongated boss means on each arcuate side of the projections.
4. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 1 and further comprising:
(a) a web joining the base of each projection to the adjacent recess; and,
(b) a bore through the center of each of said blocks with its axis perpendicular to the axes of said arms, each said bore being adapted to snugly receive the projections of the other blocks to interconnect the blocks.
5. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 4 in combination with a link for connecting said blocks together, said link comprising:
(a) an elongated body; and,
(b) a projection substantially identical to said block projections at each end of said body, said body being dimensioned so that adjacent projections of two blocks connected by said link are juxtaposed but do not interferingly contact each other.
6. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 4 in combination with a link for connecting said blocks together, said link comprising:
(a) a body; and,
(b) a recess substantially identical to said block recesses at each end of said body, said two recesses being juxtaposed and oppositely oriented.
7. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 4 in combination with a link for connecting said blocks together, said link having two elongate male members with their longitudinal axes at a right angle relative to each other, each of said male members including four arms defining an X-shaped cross-sectional con figuration with one arm shorter than the other three, said male member being adapted to be received in the recesses of the blocks to interconnect two blocks at right angles to each other.
8. A series of identical toy construction blocks as defined above in claim 4 in combination with:
(a) an elongated tube adapted to interconnect said blocks, each end of said tube being adapted to fit snugly interior of said bore and said recesses; and
(b) a cylindrical hoop circumscribing the projections of one of said blocks to form a wheel.
9. A toy wheeled-vehicle having a fiat body surface comprising:
(a) four identical blocks interconnected to form a substantially flat surface, each said block comprising (b) parallel front and rear faces, a central bore, and a peripheral surface, said peripheral surface defining (c) four arms of equal length spaced from each other (d) a projection at the end of each arm, each said projection including an outer rectilinear end surface and opposed arcuate side surfaces;
(e) a recess midway between each adjacent pair of arms, each said recess including an inner rectilinear end surface and opposed arcuate side surfaces;
(f) said blocks being interconnected by appropriate ones of said projections being snugly received in appropriate ones of said recesses to form a flat surface with the centers of the blocks defining the corners of a square and with two of said arms extending toward the center of said square;
(g) the distance from the center of each block to the outer rectilinear end surface of its projections being such that the pair of end surfaces near the center of said square are slightly spaced one from the other;
(h) at least one connecting member extending downward from said blocks;
(i) an axle attached to said connecting member below said blocks; and,
(j) a wheel mounted on said axle for rotation relative to said blocks.
10. A series of identical toy construction blocks, each comprising:
(a) a first pair of opposite arms lying along a first axis;
(b) a second pair of opposite arms lying along a second axis which intersects said first axis perpendic ularly at the center of said block;
(c) a projection at the end of each arm comprising a pair of opposed sides and an outer rectilinear por tion at the distal end of the projection;
(d) a recess formed between each adjacent pair of arms, said recess being proportioned to receive the projections of other blocks of said series to interconnect said blocks in a plurality of configurations, each said recess comprising a pair of opposed sides,
an opening through the outer portion of said segment,
and a rectilinear inner portion nearest the center of the block;
(e) said projections being dimensioned so that when four of said blocks are interconnected such that their centers define the corners of a square, the projections on the inwardly disposed arms do not overlap or interfere with each other; and,
(f) each said block being proportioned so that (2B) ,2,(A+B) wherein A=the distance between the center of the block and the inner rectilinear portion of any recess thereof, and
B=the distance between the center of the block and the outer rectilinear portion of any projection thereof.
References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 174,950 6/ 1955 Frishberg 4623 817,174 4/1906 Jones 28756 X 2,218,175 10/1940 Mack 4629 2,388,297 11/ 1945 Slaughter. 2,406,759 9/ 1946 Glukes 4625 2,625,769 1/1953 Hubbard 46-17 2,756,325 7/ 1956 Zwick 4625 X 2,786,301 3/ 1957 Torricelli 46--25 2,940,211 6/1960 Kelley 4617 3,032,919 5/1962 Arnsler 4617 X FOREIGN PATENTS 553,254 6/ 1932 Germany.
RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.
F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

Claims (2)

1. A SERIES OF IDENTICAL TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS, EACH COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST PAIR OF OPPOSITE ARMS LYING ALONG A FIRST AXIS; (B) A SECOND PAIR OF OPPOSITE ARMS LYING ALONG A SECOND AXIS WHICH INTERSECTS SAID FIRST PERPENDICULARLY AT THE CENTER OF SAID BLOCKS; (C) A PROJECTION AT THE END OF EACH ARM COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSED, ARCUATE SIDES CONCENTRIC ABOUT A CENTRAL AXIS PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF THE ARM TO FORM A CIRCULAR SEGMENT, AND AN OUTER RECTILINEAR PORTION AT THE DISTAL END OF THE PROJECTION FORMING A CHORD OF SAID CIRCULAR SEGMENT PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF THE ARM; (D) A RECESS FORMED BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF ARMS, SAID RECESS BEING PROPORTIONED TO RECEIVE THE PROJECTIONS OF OTHER BLOCKS OF SAID SERIES TO INTERCONNECT SAID BLOCKS IN A PLURALITY OF CONFIGURATIONS, EACH SAID RECESS COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSED, ARCUATE SIDES CONCENTRIC ABOUT A CENTRAL AXIS PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXES OF THE ARMS TO FORM A CIRCULAR SEGMENT, AN OPENING THROUGH THE OUTER PORTION OF SAID SEGMENT, AND A RECTILINEAR INNER PORTION NEAREST THE CENTER OF THE BLOCK FORMING A CHORD OF SAID CIRCULAR SEGMENT; (E) SAID PROJECTIONS BEING DIMENSIONED SO THAT WHEN FOUR OF SAID BLOCKS ARE INTERCONNECTED SUCH THAT THEIR CENTERS DEFINE THE CORNERS OF A SQUARE, THE PROJECTIONS ON THE INWARDLY DISPOSED ARMS DO NOT OVERLAP OR INTERFERE WITH EACH OTHER; AND, (F) EACH SAID BLOCK BEING PROPORTIONED SO THAT (2B)2$2(A+B)2 WHEREIN A=THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTER OF THE BLOCK AND THE INNER RECTILINEAR PORTION OF ANY RECESS THEREOF, AND B=THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTER OF THE BLOCK AND THE OTHER RECTILINEAR PORTION OF ANY PROJECTION THEREOF.
9. A TOY WHEELED-VEHICLE HAVING A FLAT BODY SURFACE COMPRISING: (A) FOUR IDENTICAL BLOCKS INTERCONNECTED TO FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SURFACE, EACH SAID BLOCK COMPRISING (B) PARALLEL FRONT AND REAR FACES, A CENTRAL BORE, AND A PERIPHERAL SURFACE, SAID PERIPHERAL SURFACE DEFINING (C) FOUR ARMS OF EQUAL LENGTH SPACED FROM EACH OTHER BY 90*; (D) A PROJECTION AT THE END OF EACH ARM, EACH SAID PROJECTION INCLUDING AN OUTER RECTILINEAR END SURFACE AND OPPOSED ARCUATE SIDE SURFACES; (E) A RECESS MIDWAY BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF ARMS, EACH SAID RECESS INCLUDING AN INNER RECTILINEAR END SURFACE AND OPPOSED ARCUATE SIDE SURFACES; (F) SAID BLOCKS BEING INTERCONNECTED BY APPROPRIATE ONES OF SAID PROJECTIONS BEING SNUGLY RECEIVED IN APROPRIATE ONES OF SAID RECESSES TO FORM A FLAT SURFACE WITH THE CENTERS OF THE BLOCKS DEFINING THE CORNERS OF A SQUARE AND WITH TWO OF SAID ARMS EXTENDING TOWARD THE CENTER OF SAID SQUARE; (G) THE DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER OF EACH BLOCK TO THE OUTER RECTILINEAR END SURFACE OF ITS PROJECTIONS BEING SUCH THAT THE PAIR OF END SURFACES NEAR THE CENTER OF SAID SQUARE ARE SLIGHTLY SPACED ONE FROM THE OTHER; (H) AT LEAST ONE CONNECTING MEMBER EXTENDING DOWNWARD FROM SAID BLOCKS; (I) AN AXLE ATTACHED TO SAID CONNECTING MEMBER BELOW SAID BLOCKS; AND, (J) A WHEEL MOUNTED ON SAID AXLE FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID BLOCKS.
US473983A 1965-07-22 1965-07-22 Toy construction blocks and assembly Expired - Lifetime US3310906A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US473983A US3310906A (en) 1965-07-22 1965-07-22 Toy construction blocks and assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US473983A US3310906A (en) 1965-07-22 1965-07-22 Toy construction blocks and assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3310906A true US3310906A (en) 1967-03-28

Family

ID=23881765

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US473983A Expired - Lifetime US3310906A (en) 1965-07-22 1965-07-22 Toy construction blocks and assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3310906A (en)

Cited By (63)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3422564A (en) * 1964-05-26 1969-01-21 John Y Izumi Interconnectable modular connectors for tubular elements
US3465673A (en) * 1966-06-08 1969-09-09 Kenner Products Co Hand painting toy with snap-in print wheel
US3496669A (en) * 1966-02-01 1970-02-24 Horst Siggelkow Kit for constructing adjustable toy ball races
US3554236A (en) * 1968-11-26 1971-01-12 Clifford A Rhodes Stackable wiring duct
US3686817A (en) * 1969-12-15 1972-08-29 Richard W Adams Precast wall construction
US3852909A (en) * 1969-12-27 1974-12-10 H Viebcke Blocks with detachable cap plates having additional mating connecting means
US3898761A (en) * 1973-11-15 1975-08-12 Rami Art Corp Interlocking construction elements
US3940100A (en) * 1974-10-29 1976-02-24 Haug Merrill W Modular construction element
US3996692A (en) * 1975-11-06 1976-12-14 Dart Industries Inc. Car and boat toy with removable parts
JPS521296U (en) * 1975-06-23 1977-01-07
US4035947A (en) * 1975-08-21 1977-07-19 Burge David A Toy construction set having interconnectible components with interfitting formations
US4055912A (en) * 1970-03-07 1977-11-01 Anschutz Handels-Und Verwaltungs- Gmbh Toy construction members
US4077153A (en) * 1973-07-19 1978-03-07 Klisan, Inc. Child's play block with card-retaining tangs
US4170082A (en) * 1977-02-28 1979-10-09 Calvin Freedman Modular connectors for cylindrical elements
US4171591A (en) * 1976-08-14 1979-10-23 Artur Fischer Assembly kit and a connecting element for connecting structural elements thereof
WO1982001731A1 (en) * 1980-11-18 1982-05-27 Francis S Atkinson Articulated erosion control system
US4484778A (en) * 1981-03-31 1984-11-27 University College London Shapeable matrix, and a chair using a matrix
US4688853A (en) * 1983-07-11 1987-08-25 Watts Robert J Shape-defining articulated structures
US4708684A (en) * 1986-08-12 1987-11-24 Chen Chen Tsung Toy building block set
USRE32663E (en) * 1980-11-18 1988-05-03 Articulated erosion control system
US4802876A (en) * 1987-09-23 1989-02-07 The Ritvik Group Inc. Axle structure and axle joint for construction toy assembly
US4804350A (en) * 1987-08-20 1989-02-14 Chen Chen Tsung Polygonal ring-like toy building block having means for interconnecting plural blocks together in differing orientations, and elongate stacking members for stacking plural blocks for storage
US5429451A (en) * 1993-04-30 1995-07-04 Pettee, Jr.; Gary K. Grid matrix system including interconnected revetment blocks
US5556228A (en) * 1995-02-06 1996-09-17 Smith; Lee A. Block for controlling soil erosion
DE19617653A1 (en) * 1996-05-03 1998-01-15 Friatec Keramik Kunststoff Connection arrangement with a profile
US5988942A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-11-23 Stewart Trustees Limited Erosion control system
US6811352B1 (en) * 1996-05-15 2004-11-02 Den Boer Beton Groot Ammers B.V. Revetment for a bank
US20060070314A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2006-04-06 Connor Sport Court Int'l., Inc. Tile with multiple-level surface
US20060193694A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2006-08-31 Kang-San Lee Block for embankment
US20070289244A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2007-12-20 Thayne Haney Modular synthetic floor tile configured for enhanced performance
US20090004946A1 (en) * 2007-06-11 2009-01-01 Zinkotek Interlocking toy
US20100109189A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2010-05-06 Conwed Plastics Llc Continuous flexible support structure assembly
US20100236176A1 (en) * 2004-02-25 2010-09-23 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular Tile With Controlled Deflection
US20100313509A1 (en) * 2009-06-10 2010-12-16 Mcintosh Jonathan Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US20110059674A1 (en) * 2004-05-13 2011-03-10 Nathalie Barcelo Toy construction system
US20110179728A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular sub-flooring system
US20110185658A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Cerny Ronald N Synthetic floor tile having partially-compliant support structure
US20130115848A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2013-05-09 Kids Ii, Inc. Activity toy
US8734049B1 (en) * 2013-11-22 2014-05-27 Barry J. Stiles One piece water permeable paver
US9155976B1 (en) * 2013-09-16 2015-10-13 Gustavo Mosquera Building system toy
US20160101371A1 (en) * 2013-04-24 2016-04-14 Magic Production Group S.A. Element for amusement articles, corresponding system and method
USD771478S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772047S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772048S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772044S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772045S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772049S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772046S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772050S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
US9617698B1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-04-11 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Permeable paver and modular light system
US9670624B1 (en) 2015-12-29 2017-06-06 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Double walled earth grabbing water permeable modular paver
USD790638S1 (en) * 2015-11-27 2017-06-27 Mei-Tsu Lin Toy brick
USD794434S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD794433S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795048S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795046S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795047S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD807962S1 (en) 2012-08-31 2018-01-16 Kids Ii, Inc. Activity toy
USD822122S1 (en) * 2017-03-14 2018-07-03 Guidecraft, Inc. Set of building blocks
US10072383B1 (en) 2015-12-29 2018-09-11 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Interlocking traffic tile for one piece water permeable paver
RU189527U1 (en) * 2019-02-20 2019-05-24 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "МЭС" UNIVERSAL FASTENING
USD972175S1 (en) 2015-12-29 2022-12-06 Airlite Plastics Co. Permeable paver
US11826668B2 (en) * 2017-09-07 2023-11-28 3Duxdesign Llc Modeling kit including connectors and geometric shapes, and methods of making and using same

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US817174A (en) * 1903-11-21 1906-04-10 John M Jones Ladder and bracket construction.
DE553254C (en) * 1932-06-23 Johann Korbuly Wooden construction kit in which rods with a constant cross-section are inserted into cylindrical holes in other components
US2218175A (en) * 1939-08-15 1940-10-15 Henry R Mack Structural toy
US2388297A (en) * 1941-07-10 1945-11-06 Extruded Plastics Inc Composite article, including extruded sections
US2406759A (en) * 1945-07-31 1946-09-03 Kinney Company Construction toy
US2625769A (en) * 1949-07-29 1953-01-20 Harold P Hubbard Tubular construction toy
US2756325A (en) * 1949-12-05 1956-07-24 Zwick Franz Mask for light sources
US2786301A (en) * 1954-06-11 1957-03-26 Torricelli Creations Inc Educational interlocking building blocks
US2940211A (en) * 1957-04-30 1960-06-14 Kelley Lionel George Toy block set
US3032919A (en) * 1960-02-22 1962-05-08 Amsler Max Building elements for toys, replicas and like articles

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE553254C (en) * 1932-06-23 Johann Korbuly Wooden construction kit in which rods with a constant cross-section are inserted into cylindrical holes in other components
US817174A (en) * 1903-11-21 1906-04-10 John M Jones Ladder and bracket construction.
US2218175A (en) * 1939-08-15 1940-10-15 Henry R Mack Structural toy
US2388297A (en) * 1941-07-10 1945-11-06 Extruded Plastics Inc Composite article, including extruded sections
US2406759A (en) * 1945-07-31 1946-09-03 Kinney Company Construction toy
US2625769A (en) * 1949-07-29 1953-01-20 Harold P Hubbard Tubular construction toy
US2756325A (en) * 1949-12-05 1956-07-24 Zwick Franz Mask for light sources
US2786301A (en) * 1954-06-11 1957-03-26 Torricelli Creations Inc Educational interlocking building blocks
US2940211A (en) * 1957-04-30 1960-06-14 Kelley Lionel George Toy block set
US3032919A (en) * 1960-02-22 1962-05-08 Amsler Max Building elements for toys, replicas and like articles

Cited By (80)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3422564A (en) * 1964-05-26 1969-01-21 John Y Izumi Interconnectable modular connectors for tubular elements
US3496669A (en) * 1966-02-01 1970-02-24 Horst Siggelkow Kit for constructing adjustable toy ball races
US3465673A (en) * 1966-06-08 1969-09-09 Kenner Products Co Hand painting toy with snap-in print wheel
US3554236A (en) * 1968-11-26 1971-01-12 Clifford A Rhodes Stackable wiring duct
US3686817A (en) * 1969-12-15 1972-08-29 Richard W Adams Precast wall construction
US3852909A (en) * 1969-12-27 1974-12-10 H Viebcke Blocks with detachable cap plates having additional mating connecting means
US4055912A (en) * 1970-03-07 1977-11-01 Anschutz Handels-Und Verwaltungs- Gmbh Toy construction members
US4077153A (en) * 1973-07-19 1978-03-07 Klisan, Inc. Child's play block with card-retaining tangs
US3898761A (en) * 1973-11-15 1975-08-12 Rami Art Corp Interlocking construction elements
US3940100A (en) * 1974-10-29 1976-02-24 Haug Merrill W Modular construction element
JPS521296U (en) * 1975-06-23 1977-01-07
JPS5528319Y2 (en) * 1975-06-23 1980-07-05
US4035947A (en) * 1975-08-21 1977-07-19 Burge David A Toy construction set having interconnectible components with interfitting formations
US3996692A (en) * 1975-11-06 1976-12-14 Dart Industries Inc. Car and boat toy with removable parts
US4171591A (en) * 1976-08-14 1979-10-23 Artur Fischer Assembly kit and a connecting element for connecting structural elements thereof
US4170082A (en) * 1977-02-28 1979-10-09 Calvin Freedman Modular connectors for cylindrical elements
USRE32663E (en) * 1980-11-18 1988-05-03 Articulated erosion control system
WO1982001731A1 (en) * 1980-11-18 1982-05-27 Francis S Atkinson Articulated erosion control system
US4372705A (en) * 1980-11-18 1983-02-08 Atkinson Francis S Articulated erosion control system
US4484778A (en) * 1981-03-31 1984-11-27 University College London Shapeable matrix, and a chair using a matrix
US4592587A (en) * 1981-03-31 1986-06-03 University College London Shapeable matrix, and a chair using a matrix
US4688853A (en) * 1983-07-11 1987-08-25 Watts Robert J Shape-defining articulated structures
US4708684A (en) * 1986-08-12 1987-11-24 Chen Chen Tsung Toy building block set
US4804350A (en) * 1987-08-20 1989-02-14 Chen Chen Tsung Polygonal ring-like toy building block having means for interconnecting plural blocks together in differing orientations, and elongate stacking members for stacking plural blocks for storage
US4802876A (en) * 1987-09-23 1989-02-07 The Ritvik Group Inc. Axle structure and axle joint for construction toy assembly
US5429451A (en) * 1993-04-30 1995-07-04 Pettee, Jr.; Gary K. Grid matrix system including interconnected revetment blocks
US5556228A (en) * 1995-02-06 1996-09-17 Smith; Lee A. Block for controlling soil erosion
DE19617653A1 (en) * 1996-05-03 1998-01-15 Friatec Keramik Kunststoff Connection arrangement with a profile
DE19617653C2 (en) * 1996-05-03 1998-11-05 Friatec Keramik Kunststoff Connection arrangement with a profile
US6811352B1 (en) * 1996-05-15 2004-11-02 Den Boer Beton Groot Ammers B.V. Revetment for a bank
US5988942A (en) * 1996-11-12 1999-11-23 Stewart Trustees Limited Erosion control system
US7326000B2 (en) * 2003-04-01 2008-02-05 Kang-San Lee Block for embankment
US20060193694A1 (en) * 2003-04-01 2006-08-31 Kang-San Lee Block for embankment
US20100236176A1 (en) * 2004-02-25 2010-09-23 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular Tile With Controlled Deflection
US8955268B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2015-02-17 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8596023B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-12-03 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular tile with controlled deflection
US8424257B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2013-04-23 Mark L. Jenkins Modular tile with controlled deflection
US9056260B2 (en) * 2004-05-13 2015-06-16 Nathalie Barcelo Toy construction system
US20110059674A1 (en) * 2004-05-13 2011-03-10 Nathalie Barcelo Toy construction system
US20070289244A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2007-12-20 Thayne Haney Modular synthetic floor tile configured for enhanced performance
US20060070314A1 (en) * 2004-10-06 2006-04-06 Connor Sport Court Int'l., Inc. Tile with multiple-level surface
US8397466B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-03-19 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Tile with multiple-level surface
US8407951B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-04-02 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular synthetic floor tile configured for enhanced performance
US20090004946A1 (en) * 2007-06-11 2009-01-01 Zinkotek Interlocking toy
US7950191B2 (en) * 2008-11-04 2011-05-31 Conwed Plastics Llc Continuous flexible support structure assembly
US20100109189A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2010-05-06 Conwed Plastics Llc Continuous flexible support structure assembly
US20100313509A1 (en) * 2009-06-10 2010-12-16 Mcintosh Jonathan Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US8230654B2 (en) * 2009-06-10 2012-07-31 Comc, Llc Medallion insert for modular flooring assemblies
US20110179728A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 Connor Sport Court International, Inc. Modular sub-flooring system
US8683769B2 (en) * 2010-01-22 2014-04-01 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Modular sub-flooring system
US20110185658A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Cerny Ronald N Synthetic floor tile having partially-compliant support structure
US8505256B2 (en) 2010-01-29 2013-08-13 Connor Sport Court International, Llc Synthetic floor tile having partially-compliant support structure
US20130115848A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2013-05-09 Kids Ii, Inc. Activity toy
USD807962S1 (en) 2012-08-31 2018-01-16 Kids Ii, Inc. Activity toy
US20160101371A1 (en) * 2013-04-24 2016-04-14 Magic Production Group S.A. Element for amusement articles, corresponding system and method
US9242184B1 (en) * 2013-09-16 2016-01-26 Gustavo Mosquera Building system toy
US9155976B1 (en) * 2013-09-16 2015-10-13 Gustavo Mosquera Building system toy
US8734049B1 (en) * 2013-11-22 2014-05-27 Barry J. Stiles One piece water permeable paver
USD790638S1 (en) * 2015-11-27 2017-06-27 Mei-Tsu Lin Toy brick
US9617698B1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-04-11 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Permeable paver and modular light system
USD972175S1 (en) 2015-12-29 2022-12-06 Airlite Plastics Co. Permeable paver
US10954639B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2021-03-23 Airlite Plastics Co. One piece water permeable paver
US10072383B1 (en) 2015-12-29 2018-09-11 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Interlocking traffic tile for one piece water permeable paver
US9670624B1 (en) 2015-12-29 2017-06-06 Stiles Manufacturing, LLC Double walled earth grabbing water permeable modular paver
USD794433S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795046S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795047S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD795048S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD794434S1 (en) 2016-02-20 2017-08-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Duct spacer
USD772045S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772049S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772050S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772046S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772044S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772048S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD772047S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-22 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD771478S1 (en) * 2016-06-18 2016-11-15 Underground Devices, Inc. Spacer
USD822122S1 (en) * 2017-03-14 2018-07-03 Guidecraft, Inc. Set of building blocks
US11826668B2 (en) * 2017-09-07 2023-11-28 3Duxdesign Llc Modeling kit including connectors and geometric shapes, and methods of making and using same
RU189527U1 (en) * 2019-02-20 2019-05-24 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "МЭС" UNIVERSAL FASTENING

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3310906A (en) Toy construction blocks and assembly
US5957744A (en) Construction toys comprising building blocks and single and composite elongated star connectors
US3597874A (en) Releasably interlocking units having a snap connection
US6641453B1 (en) Construction set for building structures
US5183430A (en) Geometric toy construction system
EP2254675B1 (en) Toy construction system
US7980912B2 (en) Toy construction system with jaw components
US4055019A (en) Constructional toy and element therefor
US5209693A (en) Toy block set with diverse flexible connectors on opposing ends
US4874341A (en) Folding polygonal toy construction element
US3224137A (en) Toy construction block set
US3545123A (en) Cruciform male and female connectors
US4964834A (en) Triangle based interconnecting block set
US6565406B2 (en) Geometric construction system
US5518434A (en) Snap fit and twistable toy construction modules
US6554676B1 (en) Toy building set
US5725411A (en) Construction beam block toy with selective angular interlock
US5322467A (en) Plastic link toy
US3405479A (en) Toy building block
US3604146A (en) Rectangular and triangular blocks with means enabling one pin to connect three blocks
US6948998B2 (en) Interconnectable model construction elements
US10286332B2 (en) Toy construction set with articulating linkable elements
US5908342A (en) Three dimensional connector
JPH0282995A (en) Assembled toy
US5104345A (en) Toy construction set formed from plural building blocks