CA1068905A - Slotted blocks having strip connectors - Google Patents
Slotted blocks having strip connectorsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1068905A CA1068905A CA271,867A CA271867A CA1068905A CA 1068905 A CA1068905 A CA 1068905A CA 271867 A CA271867 A CA 271867A CA 1068905 A CA1068905 A CA 1068905A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slots
- blocks
- cross
- piece
- block
- 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
Links
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005669 high impact polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004797 high-impact polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An educational toy comprised of a kit of parts, and including blocks having slots in their faces, and resilient strips to fit into the slots and adapted to be retained in the slots by bending of the strips.
An educational toy comprised of a kit of parts, and including blocks having slots in their faces, and resilient strips to fit into the slots and adapted to be retained in the slots by bending of the strips.
Description
~6~905 This invention rela.tes to an educational toy, and more part.icularly to a toy in the form of a construction kit .
whereby the various eIements co-operate to fit together to form a desired structure.
With educational toys one of the objects is to pro-vide a toy which will stimulate the imagination of the child in playing with the toy and to for example use the i.nitiative and imagination of the child in forming and directing forms and structures from the various components of the toy which 10 could be in kit form. The various portions of the toy in kit .
form should be easily fitted together and yet be such that ~:
they remain in position once fitted together.
Also it is felt that while these toys can comprise in their kit a large number of differing shapes or construc-tional eIements, that further imagination and thought is stimulated if the kit or various features of the toy can com- .
prise a minimum of differing constructional features and it is with this thought in mind that the present invention has .
been devised.
Thus the present invention pro~ides an educational toy, the toy comprising at least a pair of blocks each having at least one slot in a plurality of faces of the block, each ,r said block being formed of four square tubes of equal size connected in parallel laterally aligned relation by a cross-shaped joiner piece, said joiner piece having four legs of equal size and having a respective square tube positioned in each quadrant of the joiner piece and e~tending beyond the free ends of the legs forming said quadrant, said legs thus determining the spacing between the tubes to form the slots and also determining the depth of the slots, and at least one device adapted to enter slots in each of two block, said slots lying in more than one plane, so as to connect the blocks to-gether.
whereby the various eIements co-operate to fit together to form a desired structure.
With educational toys one of the objects is to pro-vide a toy which will stimulate the imagination of the child in playing with the toy and to for example use the i.nitiative and imagination of the child in forming and directing forms and structures from the various components of the toy which 10 could be in kit form. The various portions of the toy in kit .
form should be easily fitted together and yet be such that ~:
they remain in position once fitted together.
Also it is felt that while these toys can comprise in their kit a large number of differing shapes or construc-tional eIements, that further imagination and thought is stimulated if the kit or various features of the toy can com- .
prise a minimum of differing constructional features and it is with this thought in mind that the present invention has .
been devised.
Thus the present invention pro~ides an educational toy, the toy comprising at least a pair of blocks each having at least one slot in a plurality of faces of the block, each ,r said block being formed of four square tubes of equal size connected in parallel laterally aligned relation by a cross-shaped joiner piece, said joiner piece having four legs of equal size and having a respective square tube positioned in each quadrant of the joiner piece and e~tending beyond the free ends of the legs forming said quadrant, said legs thus determining the spacing between the tubes to form the slots and also determining the depth of the slots, and at least one device adapted to enter slots in each of two block, said slots lying in more than one plane, so as to connect the blocks to-gether.
-2- ;
:
.. .
,, ,: : :
- 1~3689C~5 The devices adapted to enter slots in the blocks may comprise flexible strips snugly received in said slots, which may be deflected and stressea to lock in slots in the two blocks which lie in different planes. The devices may also comprise a cross-shaped connector piece fitting into perpendicular end slots in the blocks to be joined.
The blocks may be of cubic form but it is preferred that they have side faces whose length is twice the dimen-sions of the end faces, the arrangement of slots applied being similar.
In order to more fully describe the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in ;~
which, FIG. 1 is an end view of a block, ~
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the block of FIG. 1, ~ ' FIG. 3 is a perspective`view of a block of lesser length than the block of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a side view of a connector, FIG. 5 is an end view of a connector, FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective vie~ of two alternate `
strips, FIG. 8 is a view of a cross-shaped connector, and FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a wheel and stub axle.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the block 1, which for convenience will be called a block even though it may not be ~;
of solid form, comprises four rectangular tubes 2 joined by a solid cross-shaped joiner 3.
The tubes 2 are spaced from each other an equal distance to form slots 5, these being the width so that strips 4 can be snugly received therein. The strips have a cross-sectional shape such that the small dimension is received into the slot 5, while the slot 5 has a depth equal ;~
to half the`larger dimension of the cross-sectionO Thus the
:
.. .
,, ,: : :
- 1~3689C~5 The devices adapted to enter slots in the blocks may comprise flexible strips snugly received in said slots, which may be deflected and stressea to lock in slots in the two blocks which lie in different planes. The devices may also comprise a cross-shaped connector piece fitting into perpendicular end slots in the blocks to be joined.
The blocks may be of cubic form but it is preferred that they have side faces whose length is twice the dimen-sions of the end faces, the arrangement of slots applied being similar.
In order to more fully describe the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in ;~
which, FIG. 1 is an end view of a block, ~
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the block of FIG. 1, ~ ' FIG. 3 is a perspective`view of a block of lesser length than the block of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a side view of a connector, FIG. 5 is an end view of a connector, FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective vie~ of two alternate `
strips, FIG. 8 is a view of a cross-shaped connector, and FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a wheel and stub axle.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the block 1, which for convenience will be called a block even though it may not be ~;
of solid form, comprises four rectangular tubes 2 joined by a solid cross-shaped joiner 3.
The tubes 2 are spaced from each other an equal distance to form slots 5, these being the width so that strips 4 can be snugly received therein. The strips have a cross-sectional shape such that the small dimension is received into the slot 5, while the slot 5 has a depth equal ;~
to half the`larger dimension of the cross-sectionO Thus the
-3-,:': : . ..
68905 ~-~
cross-shaped joiner 3'extends half-way across the tubes 2. ' At the ends the'joiner 3 does not extend to the ~ ' end of the block 1, but is spaced from the ends a similar distance that is half the width of the tubes 2.
The strips 4 are'thus dimensioned to snugly fit into ;
the slots 5, and it will be'seen that, with a plurality of blocks and strips, a variety of shapes and constructions can ' be formed. ' It is important to note'that the strips are also '~ ''~
flexible'so that curved shapes can be'formed by for example, inserting two strips end on into opposite slots on a block, and bending the strips to enter opposite sides in a further ~ '' block so that each strip is bent to a virtually semi-circular '~ ' shape.
Also in this respect it is noted that if the two strips are inserted endwise'into two adjacent slots in a block, and the other ends inserted into adjacent slots in a "
further block so that each'strip is curved, an ellipsoidal shape can be formed.
20` FIGS. 4 and 5 show a connector piece 6, this inclu-ding two plate members 7 joined by a spacer 8, each plate having a central half strip 9. '~;
The plates 7 have a dimension equal to the cross-section of the blocks 1, while the half strips 9 are of a width equal to the strips 4 but are of a depth to be inserted into a slot 5 with plate 7 thus abutting or virtually abut-ting the end faces or sides or the tubes 2.
FIG. 8 shows a cross-shaped connector 10, this being ~-the same size as the joiner 3, but being used for connecting blocks 1 end to end. The'length of the connector 10 is pre-~erably equal to twice the'depth of the slots 5, so that when it is used the blocks 1 can abut each other.
As shown in exploded form, FIG. 9 shbws a stub axle ..
:. .
: "':`; `
613~05 11 and wheel 12, the axle 11 having a flange 13`-to which is ~-joined the bearing portion 14. The'bearing portion 14 termin~
ates in a diametral blade'15 which is dimensioned to fit into a slot 5. ;' The wheel 12 has a central opening 16 which receives the bearing portion 14, and also a recess 17 to receivelthe flange, so that when assembled with'the'axle'll in position the outer edge of the flange'is virtually flush with the wheel 12. The stub axle 11 can be inserted into any slot as desired, ' either along the sides or across the'ends of the block.
PreferabLy the wheel is di~lensioned such that it has a diameter in excess of the width of the block so that the block is supported above the'surface on which the wheel is ~' resting.
The elongated resilient strips can be formed of any ;
suitable material which can be a plastics material such as high impact polystyrene or polypropylene. The blocks can be formed of any suitable material such as a rigid plastics material, or foamed plastics, or even wood.
The blocks and connections and strips can be moulded, or if desired the blocks-can be extruded with the joiner cut away at the ends to form the'end slots.
The side faces of the blocks may have a further slot ~;
intersecting the longitudinal slot so that each of the faces '~
has a pair of intersecting slots. `
As noted above'the slots and strips are so dimen- ;
sioned that the slots will easily receive the end of a strip. ' For example~ to connect a pair of blocks, a pair of strips are used, with the strips being bent so that on bending the ~ ' strips the stresses imposed on the bent strips tend to deform the strip and thus hold the strips in their respective slots.
For example the'ends of the two connecting strips are inserted in a pair of adjacent slots in adjacent sides of one block and .:
1~68905 the other ends are similarly inserted in adjacent slots of the other block, the strips are bent and deformed in the general shape of an arc. If the strips instead of being inserted in adjacent faces are inserted in the opposite faces then the strips would be deformed to be generally semi-circular.
If one block has the strips inserted into adjacent faces and the other block has them inserted into opposite faces then a generally heartshaped structure is formed.
It will be realized that by selection of the slots utilized that the structure can he further expanded into a ;
three dimensional form of whatever shape is desired.
~k .. .... . .. . . .... . . . . ..
68905 ~-~
cross-shaped joiner 3'extends half-way across the tubes 2. ' At the ends the'joiner 3 does not extend to the ~ ' end of the block 1, but is spaced from the ends a similar distance that is half the width of the tubes 2.
The strips 4 are'thus dimensioned to snugly fit into ;
the slots 5, and it will be'seen that, with a plurality of blocks and strips, a variety of shapes and constructions can ' be formed. ' It is important to note'that the strips are also '~ ''~
flexible'so that curved shapes can be'formed by for example, inserting two strips end on into opposite slots on a block, and bending the strips to enter opposite sides in a further ~ '' block so that each strip is bent to a virtually semi-circular '~ ' shape.
Also in this respect it is noted that if the two strips are inserted endwise'into two adjacent slots in a block, and the other ends inserted into adjacent slots in a "
further block so that each'strip is curved, an ellipsoidal shape can be formed.
20` FIGS. 4 and 5 show a connector piece 6, this inclu-ding two plate members 7 joined by a spacer 8, each plate having a central half strip 9. '~;
The plates 7 have a dimension equal to the cross-section of the blocks 1, while the half strips 9 are of a width equal to the strips 4 but are of a depth to be inserted into a slot 5 with plate 7 thus abutting or virtually abut-ting the end faces or sides or the tubes 2.
FIG. 8 shows a cross-shaped connector 10, this being ~-the same size as the joiner 3, but being used for connecting blocks 1 end to end. The'length of the connector 10 is pre-~erably equal to twice the'depth of the slots 5, so that when it is used the blocks 1 can abut each other.
As shown in exploded form, FIG. 9 shbws a stub axle ..
:. .
: "':`; `
613~05 11 and wheel 12, the axle 11 having a flange 13`-to which is ~-joined the bearing portion 14. The'bearing portion 14 termin~
ates in a diametral blade'15 which is dimensioned to fit into a slot 5. ;' The wheel 12 has a central opening 16 which receives the bearing portion 14, and also a recess 17 to receivelthe flange, so that when assembled with'the'axle'll in position the outer edge of the flange'is virtually flush with the wheel 12. The stub axle 11 can be inserted into any slot as desired, ' either along the sides or across the'ends of the block.
PreferabLy the wheel is di~lensioned such that it has a diameter in excess of the width of the block so that the block is supported above the'surface on which the wheel is ~' resting.
The elongated resilient strips can be formed of any ;
suitable material which can be a plastics material such as high impact polystyrene or polypropylene. The blocks can be formed of any suitable material such as a rigid plastics material, or foamed plastics, or even wood.
The blocks and connections and strips can be moulded, or if desired the blocks-can be extruded with the joiner cut away at the ends to form the'end slots.
The side faces of the blocks may have a further slot ~;
intersecting the longitudinal slot so that each of the faces '~
has a pair of intersecting slots. `
As noted above'the slots and strips are so dimen- ;
sioned that the slots will easily receive the end of a strip. ' For example~ to connect a pair of blocks, a pair of strips are used, with the strips being bent so that on bending the ~ ' strips the stresses imposed on the bent strips tend to deform the strip and thus hold the strips in their respective slots.
For example the'ends of the two connecting strips are inserted in a pair of adjacent slots in adjacent sides of one block and .:
1~68905 the other ends are similarly inserted in adjacent slots of the other block, the strips are bent and deformed in the general shape of an arc. If the strips instead of being inserted in adjacent faces are inserted in the opposite faces then the strips would be deformed to be generally semi-circular.
If one block has the strips inserted into adjacent faces and the other block has them inserted into opposite faces then a generally heartshaped structure is formed.
It will be realized that by selection of the slots utilized that the structure can he further expanded into a ;
three dimensional form of whatever shape is desired.
~k .. .... . .. . . .... . . . . ..
Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An educational toy, the toy comprising at least a pair of blocks each having at least one slot in a plurality of faces of the block, each said block being formed of four square tubes of equal size connected in parallel laterally aligned relation by a cross-shaped joiner piece, said joiner piece having four legs of equal size and having a respective square tube positioned in each quadrant of the joiner piece and extending beyond the free ends of the legs forming said quadrant, said legs thus determining the spacing between the tubes to form the slots and also determining the depth of the slots, and at least one strip dimensioned such that the strips are snugly received in said slots, each said strip being flexible and such that when said strip interconnects a slot in each of two blocks positioned so that the respective slots are non planar, the strips are deflected and stressed to lock in said slots.
2. An educational toy as defined in claim 1 and including a joining piece formed by a pair of parallel plates joined by a planar spacer parallel to and attached to the faces of said plates, each plate having a half width strip attached thereto to protrude therefrom at right angles, the half strips being in a common plane to be adapted to be inserted in the slots of the blocks.
3. An educational toy as defined in claim 1 and including a cross-shaped connector piece, the cross-shaped connector piece fitting into the cross-shaped end slots of the block to connect a pair of blocks in end to end relation.
4. An educational toy, the toy comprising at least a pair of blocks each having at least one slot in a plurality of faces of the block, each said block being formed of four square tubes of equal size connected in parallel laterally aligned relation by a cross-shaped joiner piece, said joiner piece having four legs of equal size and having a respective square tube positioned in each quadrant of the joiner piece and extending beyond the free ends of the legs forming said quadrant, said legs thus determining the spacing between the tubes to form the slots and also determining the depth of the slots, said cross-shaped joiner piece being shorter than said square tubes all of which are of equal length so as to form end slots in said blocks, and a cross-shaped connector piece, the cross-shaped connector piece fitting into the cross-shaped end slots of the blocks to connect a pair of blocks in end to end relation.
5. An educational toy as defined in claim 4 and including a joining piece formed by a pair of parallel plates joined by a planar spacer parallel to and attached to the faces of said plates, each plate having a half width strip attached thereto to protrude therefrom at right angles, the half strips being in a common plane to be adapted to be inserted in the slots of the blocks.
6. An educational toy, the toy comprising at least a pair of blocks each having at least one slot in a plurality of faces of the block, each said block being formed of four square tubes of equal size connected in parallel laterally aligned relation by a cross-shaped joiner piece, said joiner piece having four legs of equal size and having a respective square tube positioned in each quadrant of the joiner piece and extending beyond the free ends of the legs forming said quadrant, said legs thus determining the spacing between the tubes to form the slots and also determining the depth of the slots, and at least one device adapted to enter slots in each of two blocks, said slots lying in more than one plane, so as to connect the blocks together.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA271,867A CA1068905A (en) | 1977-02-15 | 1977-02-15 | Slotted blocks having strip connectors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA271,867A CA1068905A (en) | 1977-02-15 | 1977-02-15 | Slotted blocks having strip connectors |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1068905A true CA1068905A (en) | 1980-01-01 |
Family
ID=4107944
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA271,867A Expired CA1068905A (en) | 1977-02-15 | 1977-02-15 | Slotted blocks having strip connectors |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1068905A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-02-15 CA CA271,867A patent/CA1068905A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |