CN109414625B

CN109414625B - Building block and building block assembly

Info

Publication number: CN109414625B
Application number: CN201780023323.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈腾; 黄阳
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Guangzhou Geometric Paradise Toy Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2017-07-19
Publication date: 2021-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-19
Also published as: WO2018015902A1; CN109414625A

Abstract

A building block (100) is disclosed, comprising a first coupling surface (120) on a first side of a main body (170), a second coupling surface (140) on a second side of the main body (170), a peripheral wall (160) or walls (160) extending between the first coupling surface (120) and the second coupling surface (140) and defining a transverse boundary of the main body (170), and a partial connection (162) or partial connections (162) being formed on the peripheral wall (160). Partial connectors (162) are used to form assembled inter-block connectors.

Description

Building block and building block assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a building block and block assembly, in particular an interconnectable modular building block for toys, industry and commerce.

Background

Modular building blocks that can be interconnected to form a structural assembly have many practical uses and applications, for example in the toy, commercial field. Modular interconnectable building blocks facilitate cost effective and rapid assembly, promote standardization, and are widely used in the construction industry. Modular interconnectable toy building blocks are widely used in education and leisure as well as in the form of well-designed building blocks can stimulate creativity and can help train motor skills.

Interconnectable modular building blocks typically include a main body and a plurality of inter-block connectors on the main body. It is generally an interblock connector adapted to removably interlock compatible building blocks without the use of hand tools to facilitate quick, efficient and convenient interblock connections.

Disclosure of Invention

A building block includes a first coupling surface on a first side of a body, a second coupling surface on a second side of the body, one or more peripheral walls extending between the first coupling surface and a second coupling and defining a lateral boundary of the body. The building block may be used for toy, industrial or commercial purposes.

The building block includes one or more inter-block connectors defining a first coupling direction and a first coupling surface formed on a first face of the body.

The building block includes one or more inter-block connectors defining a second coupling direction and formed at a second coupling surface of the second face of the body.

The building block includes one or more partial connecting pieces formed on the peripheral wall.

The partial connection is an axially separated portion of the discrete interblock connection and includes an axially extending separation surface.

The discrete inter-block connections have connection axes defining a coupling direction, and the separation surfaces extend along a separation direction parallel to the connection axes of the discrete inter-block connections.

The inter-block connections on the first and second coupling surfaces are compatible inter-block connections having matching features of compatible matching feature sizes.

Generally, the inter-block connection has a connection axis defining a coupling direction. To facilitate the inter-block connection, the building block with the inter-block connection and the corresponding building block with the matching inter-block connection are opposed to each other such that the connector axes and the coupling surfaces of a pair of matching inter-block connections are aligned until the matching pair of inter-block connections or the respective coupling surfaces of the building blocks mate. The building blocks are interconnected when the respective coupling surfaces of the building blocks are in a close-fitting or tight-fitting engagement; or more precisely, a close-fitting or tight-fitting mechanical interconnection.

The inter-block connectors are adapted for releasable or detachable interconnection of the building blocks. To facilitate a tight but detachable interconnection, the inter-block connection is preferably a snap-in connection. To facilitate a flexible inter-block connection, the inter-block connection is preferably an annular snap connection, such as a cylindrical annular snap connection or a spherical annular snap connection. The annular snap connector has a central axis, which is also the connector axis defining its coupling direction, and has circular symmetry about its connector axis.

Discrete inter-block connections are formed when two building blocks of partial connections having the same male and female steps and compatible mating feature sizes are interconnected to form a building block subassembly such that the respective partial connections mate in pairs. When the corresponding partial connectors are mated, adjacent building blocks are brought into coupling engagement with their separation surfaces oppositely facing and abutting or adjacently juxtaposed.

Discrete connectors formed by the interconnection of adjacent building blocks provide more complexity and flexibility to the building blocks and provide the public with a useful choice. For example, a third building block may be attached to the building block assembly with a coupling surface that is not flush with the coupling surface of the building block component of the building block subassembly.

The one or more inter-block connectors defining a first coupling direction and a first coupling face on a first side of the body are or comprise first inter-block connectors having a first connector axis, and the one or more inter-block connectors defining a second coupling direction and a second coupling face on a second side of the body are or comprise second inter-block connectors having a second connector axis, wherein the first connector axis is axially aligned with the second connector axis. The first and second interblock connectors are compatible interblock connectors having compatible mating feature sizes or specifications. The first and second inter-block connectors may have the same or opposite mating characteristics of the cathode and anode. For example, the first inter-block connector may be a male or female inter-block connector, and the second inter-block connector may be a male or female inter-block connector. When the interblock connectors have compatible mating feature sizes or gauges and opposite mating feature cathodes and anodes, the interblock connectors are complementary and mating corresponding interblock connectors.

When two building blocks with complementary and mating counter-connectors are connected to each other, a non-permanent joint is formed that is releasable and detachable and extends between the two building blocks. Since the non-permanent joints need to be releasable and detachable and must be strong enough to maintain the structural integrity of the component assembly formed by the component blocks, the inter-block connections are preferably snap connections, also known as snap-fit connections.

In some embodiments, the inter-block connectors on the first coupling surface are integrally formed male cylindrical annular connectors, the inter-block connectors defining the second coupling surface are integrally formed female cylindrical annular connectors, and the partial connectors are segments of assembled cylindrical annular connectors having a characteristic connection axis defining a characteristic coupling direction; wherein the partial connection has a parting surface extending in the characteristic coupling direction.

In some embodiments, the decoupling surface is flush with or proximate to the first coupling surface or the second coupling surface and has the same orientation as the coupling surface with which the decoupling surface is flush with or proximate.

In some embodiments, the partial connection is an alignment portion comprising a three-dimensional array of inter-block connections on the first coupling surface and/or inter-block connections on the second coupling surface.

In the present invention, coupling engagement means a close-fitting or tight-fitting engagement, including friction fit, press fit, interference fit, and snap fit.

Drawings

The invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary building block according to the present invention,

figure 1A1 is a perspective view of the example building block of figure 1A taken from the opposite side of the view of figure 1,

figure 1A2 is a side elevational view of the example building block of figure 1A,

FIG. 1A3 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block of FIG. 1A taken along line A1-A1',

figure 1A4 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block of figure 1A taken along a line a2-a2 'parallel to and offset from the line a1-a1',

figure 1A5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line a1-a1' of the male connector 122 on the first coupling surface of the example building block of figure 1A,

figure 1A6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line a1-a1' of the female ball annular snap connector 142 of the example building block of figure 1A,

figure 1A 'is a schematic structural view of a building block 100' in an example of the invention,

figure 1A1 'is a schematic view of the structure of figure 1A' in another orientation,

fig. 1B is a side view of a construction block assembly formed by stacking two member blocks of fig. 1A, with edges of a first panel member aligned.

Figure 1B1 is an enlarged view of the ball and ring snap fitting of the component block assembly of figure 1B,

figure 1C is a perspective view of an example building block 100C,

figure 1D is a perspective view of an example building block 100D,

figures 1D1 and 1D2 are perspective views of a building block assembly formed by the side-by-side interconnection of an example building block 100C and an example building block 100D,

FIGS. 1E, 1E1, and 1E2 are perspective and side views of an example building block 100E,

figures 2A and 2A1 are perspective views of an example building block 200A according to the present invention,

figures 2A2 and 2A3 are opposing plan elevation views of the example building block of figure 2A,

figure 2A4 is a side elevational view of the example building block of figure 2A,

FIG. 2A5 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block of FIG. 2A taken along line A3-A3' of FIG. 2A2,

figures 2B and 2B1 are perspective views of an exemplary building block 200B in accordance with the present invention,

figures 2B2 and 2B3 are opposing plan elevation views of the example building block of figure 2B,

figure 2B4 is a side elevational view of the example building block of figure 2B,

FIG. 2B5 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block of FIG. 2B taken along line A3-A3' of FIG. 2A2,

figures 2C and 2C1 are perspective views of an exemplary building block 200C in accordance with the present invention,

FIGS. 2C2 and 2C3 are opposing plan elevation views of the example building block of FIG. 2C,

figures 2C4 and 2C5 are side elevational views of the example building block of figure 2C,

FIG. 2C6 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block of FIG. 2C taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2C2,

figures 2D and 2D1 are perspective views of an exemplary building block 200D in accordance with the present invention,

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are perspective views of various example component block assemblies made up of example component blocks 200C and 200D,

fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an example component block assembly comprised of example building blocks 200C.

Detailed Description

The example building block 100 includes a first coupling surface 120, a plurality of connectors 122 formed on the first coupling surface 120, a second coupling surface 140, a plurality of connectors 142 formed on the second coupling surface 140, a plurality of perimeter walls 160 interconnecting the first coupling surface 120 and the second coupling surface 140, and a plurality of partial connectors 162 formed on the peripheral walls 160, as shown in fig. 1A, 1A1,1A2,1A3, and 1A 4.

The connector 122 on the first coupling surface 120 is integrally formed with the first panel 124, and the first coupling surface 120 is an outwardly facing surface of the first panel 124. The connector 142 on the second coupling surface 140 is integrally formed with the second panel 144, and the second coupling surface 140 is an outward facing surface of the second panel 144. A portion of the connector 162 is integrally formed with the peripheral wall 160.

A plurality of peripheral walls 160 cooperate with the first panel 124 and the second panel 144 to define a body 170 of the building block and a hollow interior compartment 180. Body 170 is formed from a hard and impact resistant thermoplastic material having low resiliency, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS") or metal. The first panel 124, the connector 122 on the first panel 124, the peripheral wall 160 and the partial connector 162 on the peripheral wall 160 are integrally molded as a single piece and as a first sub-assembly, may be injection molded or 3-D printed, for example. The second panel 144 and the connector 142 formed thereon are integrally formed as a single piece and as a second sub-assembly, may be injection molded or 3-D printed, for example. The second subassembly is joined with the first subassembly to form the building block 100, for example, by ultrasonic welding, gluing or other known joining methods. Specifically, the lateral edges of the second panel 144 are connected to the bottom end of the inwardly facing surface of the peripheral wall 160 to form a building block.

The

example link

1221,1222 on the first coupling surface 120 has link axes ZA1-ZA1', ZA2-ZA 2'. The link axes ZA1-ZA1', ZA2-ZA2' define the coupling axis and the coupling direction Z. The coupling axes of the plurality of

example connectors

1221,1222 on the first coupling surface are parallel and offset from each other and the coupling directions of all of the plurality of example connectors 122 are the same. When the plurality of connecting pieces 122 have a common coupling direction, the first coupling surface 120 has a characteristic first coupling direction Z defined by the plurality of connecting pieces 122 on the first coupling surface and parallel to the connecting piece axes ZA1-ZA1', ZA2-ZA 2'.

Each connector 122 is to facilitate a detachable or releasable mechanical interlock of the example building block 100 with a mating building block having complementary mating coupling surfaces. The building block with complementary coupling surfaces has at least one coupling surface on which there is at least one connector compatible and complementary with the connector 122. The counterpart building block with complementary counterpart coupling surfaces is to have at least one counterpart coupling surface on which there is at least one counterpart connector that is complementary and compatible with the connector 122. For ease of reference, the connector 122 may be referred to as a "base connector". For the avoidance of doubt, the corresponding building blocks herein are building blocks that are separate or separable from the example building block 100. For ease of reference, the example building block 100 may be referred to as a "base block" and is removably or releasably connected to the base block by interlocking between mating connectors distributed on respective coupling surfaces of corresponding building blocks forming a building block assembly.

When the base connector 122 and the mating connector are in a detachable or releasable mechanical interlock due to a mechanical interlock between the inter-block connectors on the respective coupling surfaces, the example building block 100 and the mating building block will enter the detachable or releasable mechanical interlock. To facilitate the formation of a detachable or releasable mechanical interlock of the respective coupling surfaces, the base connector and the corresponding counter connector need to have complementary and compatible mechanical mating features. When the mechanical mating features on the base connector and the mating connector match in mating feature size, the base connector and the corresponding mating connector have compatible mechanical mating features. When their feature mating dimensions are the same, equivalent or compatible, the base connector and the mating complementary connector mate in the mating feature dimensions. The base connector and the mating connector have complementary mechanical mating features when the mechanical mating features of the base connector and the mating connector mate at a mating characteristic or mating feature. The base connector and the mating complementary connector have mating characteristics or mating features, e.g., if one connector has a male mating feature, then the other connector has a female mating feature. When interlocked or engaged, the base connector and the mating complementary connector with the mating features will cooperate to form a tight-fitting and removable mechanical interlock. If the mating features on the base connector and the mating complementary connector have the same or compatible effective functional dimensions, then the base connector and the mating complementary connector with the mating features will cooperate to form a tight-fitting and removable mechanical interlock when interlocked or engaged. The base connector and the counter connector having complementary and compatible mechanical mating features are a pair of mating complementary connectors.

Each example connector 122 is an integrally formed inter-block connector shaped and dimensioned such that, under normal use conditions, when the connector 122 and its complementary and compatible counterpart inter-block connector are relatively moved in their respective coupling directions and their respective connectors are aligned, the connector 122 and its complementary and compatible counterpart plus building block 100 and counterpart building block will move into a close-fitting and removable mechanical interlocking or coupling engagement until the connector 122 and its complementary and compatible counterpart are prevented from further mutual movement, for example, when the respective coupling surfaces are in abutting contact. When the connector 122 and its complementary and compatible counterpart are in a close-fitting and removable mechanical interlock, the first coupling surface 120 is in abutting contact with the corresponding building block, or more specifically, with the corresponding coupling surface of the corresponding building block. In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector axes ZA1-ZA1', ZA2-ZA2' and the first coupling direction Z are orthogonal to the first coupling surface 120.

For the sake of brevity, the terms "interlock" and "mechanical interlock," the terms "mating" and "mechanical mating," and the terms "coupling direction" and "inter-block coupling direction" are used interchangeably herein and are to be given the same meaning unless the context requires otherwise.

The example plurality of connectors 122 includes the example plurality of four connectors, and the four connectors are arranged in an array having two rows and two columns, where the columns and rows are orthogonal to each other. The spacing distance between adjacent links 122 in a row is the same as the spacing distance between adjacent links 122 in a column. Typically, the connector axes of a plurality of four connectors in adjacent rows and adjacent columns are at the corners of a square.

The example first panel 124 is a square panel member that defines a square boundary. The example second panel 144 is a square panel member defining a square boundary of the same size as the square boundary of the first panel 124. A peripheral wall 160 extends between the outer boundary of the first panel 124 and the second panel 144 to define the depth or thickness of the body 170 of the building block 100. Since the first panel 124 and the second panel 144 have the same boundary dimensions, each peripheral wall 160 extends along a direction orthogonal to the first coupling surface 120 and/or its direction orthogonal to the second coupling surface 140 to define an interior compartment 180 having a rectangular cuboid shape. In some embodiments as in the present invention, the first coupling surface 120 and the second coupling surface 140 are parallel and the peripheral wall 160 has a uniform depth or thickness. In some embodiments, the first coupling surface 120 and the second coupling surface 140 are not parallel or have different shapes and/or sizes, and the peripheral wall 160 may have a non-uniform depth or thickness.

The example building block 100 includes an example plurality of four perimeter walls 160, as each of the example first panel 124 and the example second panel 144 is a four-sided polygon. The square defined by the four perimeter walls 160 and the square defined by the connector axes of the plurality of four connectors are similar squares with parallel edges.

The example connectors 1421,1422 on the second coupling surface 140 have connector axes ZB1-ZB1', ZB2-ZB2', ZB1-ZB1', ZB2-ZB2' defining a coupling axis and a coupling direction-Z. The coupling axes of the example plurality of connectors 1421,1422 on the second coupling surface are parallel to and offset from each other, and the coupling directions of all of the example plurality of connectors 142 are the same. When the plurality of connections 142 have a common coupling direction, the second coupling surface 140 has a characteristic second coupling direction which is defined by the plurality of connections 142 on the second coupling surface and which is parallel to the connection axes ZB1-ZB1', ZB2-ZB 2'. In this example, the second coupling direction-Z is aligned with but opposite the first coupling direction Z (or + Z).

Each connector 142 is used to facilitate a removable mechanical interlock or interconnection between the example building block 100 and a corresponding building block having a mating connector on a mating coupling surface. More specifically, each connector 142 is used to facilitate detachable mechanical interconnection with a mating and compatible inter-block connector on a mating coupling surface of a corresponding building block. The respective building block is a separate or separable building block from the example building block.

Each connector 142 is an integrally formed inter-block connector shaped and dimensioned such that, under normal use, when connector 142 and its mating counterpart connector are relatively moved in the second coupling direction with their respective connector axes aligned, connector 142 and its mating counterpart connector plus building block 100 and the corresponding building block will move into a close-fitting and detachable mechanical interlocking or coupling engagement until integral connector 142 and its mating counterpart connector are prevented from further movement with respect to each other. When the connector 142 and the connector mated therewith are in a close-fitting and removable mechanical interlock, the second coupling surface 140 is in abutting contact with the corresponding building block, or more specifically, with the corresponding coupling surface of the corresponding building block. In an embodiment of the invention, the joint axis ZB1-ZB1' and the second coupling direction are orthogonal to the second coupling surface 140.

The example plurality of connectors 142 includes the example plurality of four connectors, and the four connectors are arranged in an array having two rows and two columns, where the columns and rows are orthogonal to each other. The spacing distance between adjacent links 142 in a row is the same as the spacing distance between adjacent links 142 in a column. More specifically, the connector axes of a plurality of four connectors are disposed at the corners of a square. Similarly, the connector axes of a plurality of four connectors in adjacent rows and adjacent columns are at the corners of a square.

In some embodiments as in this example, each connector 122,142 includes a rigid hollow shell to define the effective functional shape of the connector. An effective functional shape of a connection means here a shape which gives the connection its properties matching the properties. For a male connection, the effective functional shape of the connection is in the form of a protrusion or bump. For a female connector, the functional shape of the connector is in the form of a recess, cavity or depression defined by the perimeter wall.

In some embodiments as the present invention, the connectors 122 on the first coupling surface 120 have corresponding connectors 142 on the second coupling surface 140, and the connector axes ZA1 and ZB1 of the respective connectors are aligned connector axes. In other words, the

connectors

122 and 142 are coaxially aligned.

An example connector 122 on the first coupling surface 120 is a male connector 122 (or simply "male connector"). Each example male connector 122 includes a hollow and substantially rigid shell-like connector body that protrudes from the first coupling surface 120 and extends perpendicularly away from the first and second coupling surfaces 120, 140. The male connector 122 is a substantially spherical annular male connector having a partially spherical portion protruding from the first coupling surface 120. The spherical annular male connector is circularly symmetric about its connector axis, so that the connector axes ZA1-ZA1', ZA2-ZA2' are likewise circularly symmetric. The male connector 122 has a protruding connector body with a characteristic connector height. The characteristic link height is the distance between the upper free end of the protruding link body and its base surface and the distance in the coupling direction. In this example, the base is the first coupling surface 120.

The example connector 142 on the second coupling surface 140 is a female connector 142 (or simply "female connector"). The female connector 142 of each example includes a hollow and substantially rigid connector body that protrudes from the second coupling surface 140 and extends orthogonally toward the first coupling surface 120. The female connector 142 is a substantially spherical annular female connector having a connector receiving portion that retracts into the hollow compartment 180, as shown in FIG. 1A 3. The connector body includes a receptacle wall defining a partial sphere-receiving chamber 148, the chamber 148 for closely receiving a mating spherical annular male connector, such as connector 122 on the first coupling surface. The receiver body defines an inlet aperture of the receiving chamber 148, and the inlet aperture is proximate to the second coupling surface 140 and faces in the second coupling direction. The receiving chambers and their associated inlet apertures share the joint axes ZB1', ZB2' as a common central axis.

More specifically, referring to fig. 1a5,1a6, and 1B1, the inlet bore defines an inlet gap D1 that is less than the maximum transverse gap D2 of the partial sphere compartment, such that the largest transverse portion of the mating sphere annular male connector, having a mechanical mating feature size compatible with the sphere annular female connector 142 having a maximum transverse dimension D2, must resiliently overcome the restriction of the inlet bore in order to fully enter the partial sphere compartment to form a tight fitting engagement with the sphere annular female connector 142. The spherical female connection is circularly symmetrical around its connection axes ZB1', ZB2' so that the connection axes ZB1-ZB1', ZB2-ZB2' are also circularly symmetrical axes of the connection. In this example, the

components

1222 and 1442 are hemispherical component parts having a height equal to the diameter of the defining sphere of the sphere ring connector, and the components 1221 and 1441 are partial sphere components having an axial depth substantially less than the diameter of the defining sphere. The connector height of the connector is equal to the sum of the

components

1222 and 1442 without loss of generality.

The example ball and ring male connector 122 and the corresponding example ball and ring female connector 142 are a mating pair of ball and ring snap fit connectors having compatible mechanical mating feature sizes and opposite or complementary mechanical mating properties (also referred to as a mechanically mating female and male). When having mutually compatible mechanical mating feature sizes and having mechanical mating properties opposite or complementary to the annular snap-fit connector, but the annular snap-fit connector and the mating annular snap-fit connector, respectively formed on the separate components, are moved relative to each other and their connector axes are aligned, a pair of mating annular snap-fit connectors will enter into a close-fitting detachable mechanical interconnection, also referred to as a snap-fit engagement.

The connectors 122,142 are also referred to as inter-block connectors, as the connectors 122,142 are used to facilitate detachable mechanical interconnection between the building blocks. The distance between adjacent connectors 122 in a row or column may be defined relative to the spacing between the connector axes of adjacent connectors to facilitate measurement.

An example in which a plurality of eight part connecting pieces 162 are formed on the peripheral wall 160. The example plurality of part connectors 162 on the perimeter wall 160 includes an example plurality of four part connectors 162 on a top edge of the perimeter wall 160 and an example plurality of four part connectors 162 on a bottom edge of the perimeter wall 160. Each example partial connector 162 is disposed at an intermediate position between connectors 122,142 on the same connecting

surface

120, 140.

The partial connection is here a division of the connection between blocks, which comprises a characteristic division surface and at least one characteristic connection axis. When the mating segments of the female interblock connector are mechanically joined or brought together and their segmented surfaces are opposed or juxtaposed (e.g., abutting juxtaposition) to each other, an assembled interblock connector is formed. The segments are segments of an inter-block connection, and the characteristic segmented surface is a characteristic segmented surface of a partial connection. The modular interblock connectors herein are mechanical connectors that are used to facilitate removable or releasable mechanical interlocking of complementary and compatible building blocks. The assembled inter-block connections have here the same functional features as the inter-block connections 122,142, except that the assembled inter-block connections are constituted by releasable connection of separable part-connections. The inter-block connectors assembled here may have mutually compatible or incompatible mating feature sizes with the integral inter-block connectors 122,142 without loss of generality. The assembled inter-block connections are also referred to herein as complete inter-block connections, complete inter-block connections or discrete inter-block connections. The assembled inter-block connector has a characteristic connector axis defining a characteristic engagement direction along which the assembled inter-block connector must be moved relative to the counterpart member block in order to be brought into coupling engagement therewith. A partial link may have more than one characteristic link axis or characteristic link direction. For example, the partial sphere ring joint shown in FIGS. 1A and 1A1 has a first feature joint axis Y1-Y1', X1-X1' defining a first feature coupling direction along a first feature joint axis, and a second feature joint axis defining a second feature coupling direction, wherein the second feature joint axis and the second feature coupling direction are orthogonal to first feature joint axis Y1-Y1', X1-X1', and the second feature joint axis intersects the first feature joint axis. The example connectors 142,144 are examples of integral interblock connectors.

In the example of fig. 1A, each example partial connector 162 is a portion of a female ball-and-loop connector. When the complementary portions of the female ball and loop connector are mechanically joined together with the segmented surfaces inverted or juxtaposed to each other, a complete female ball and loop connector is formed.

The example part connecting piece 1621 extends between the peripheral wall 162 and the first panel 124, and is formed as a cutout portion at a corner formed by the peripheral wall 162 and the first panel 124. The example portion connector 1622 extends between the peripheral wall 162 and the second panel 144 and is formed as a cutout portion at the corner formed by the peripheral wall 162 and the second panel 144. In other words, the first panel 124 and the peripheral wall 162 cooperate to define an inner peripheral wall of the connector receiving portion of the female connector 1621, and the second panel 144 and the peripheral wall 162 cooperate to define an inner peripheral wall of the connector receiving portion of the female connector 1622.

Exemplary

partial connector

1621,1622 is a female hemispherical annular connector (or 1/2 spherical annular connector). The female hemispherical annular connector includes a partial connector receptacle that is a segmented portion of a spherical annular connector having a segmented surface extending in a coupling direction and containing a connector axis of the spherical annular connector. The partial connector receptacle is shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of a spherical annular male connector, and the receptacle volume has a size of about one quarter of a sphere. The connector receiving portion of the

partial connector

1621,1622 is adapted to tightly engage an interblock connector when mechanically connected in abutment with another partial connector.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an example building block 100A is stacked on an example building block 100B to form an example building block assembly 10 Each of the

building blocks

100A and 100B are identical to the example building block 100, but are given different numerical designations for ease of reference. The description of example building block 100 is incorporated herein and applies appropriately to

building blocks

100A and 100B, with corresponding numbers appended with the letters "a" and "B," corresponding to

building blocks

100A and 100B, respectively.

When the two mating

partial connections

1621B, 1622A are brought together, the assembled interblock connection 164 is formed such that their segmented surfaces are in opposing and immediately adjacent, preferably abutting contact, after mechanical interconnection of the

assembly building blocks

100A and 100B. When the two mating

partial connections

1621B, 1622A are thus combined together, they are mechanically connected in this manner and the second coupling surface of the first building block 100A and the first coupling surface of the first building block 100B abut.

The assembled inter-block connections formed by the mechanical interconnection of two adjacent

partial connections

1621B, 1622A are discrete inter-block connections having a connection axis defining a third coupling direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the circumferential wall on which the

partial connections

1621B, 1622A are formed. In this example component block assembly, the third coupling direction is orthogonal to the first coupling direction Z.

The dividing surface of the portion of connection 1622A on example building block 100A is on the second coupling surface 140A of example building block 100A and is flush with the second coupling surface 140A. The separated surface of the partial connection 1621B on the example building block 100B is on the first coupling surface 120B of the example building block 100B and is flush with the first coupling surface 120B. The dividing surface of the partial connector 1622A is in abutting contact with the dividing surface of the partial connector 1621B.

In some embodiments, the

building blocks

100A and 100B are mechanically interconnected such that the

building blocks

100A and 100B are placed side by side with adjacent outwardly facing

peripheral walls

160A, 160B facing in opposite directions, in abutting contact and juxtaposed with the parting plane of the partial connectors on the adjacent

peripheral walls

160A, 160B, respectively. When the

building blocks

100A and 100B are mechanically interconnected in a side-by-side manner, the connector axis of the resulting assembled inter-block connector is parallel to the first coupling direction.

Typically, the parting surfaces of the partial connectors extend along the connector axis and the coupling direction. In some embodiments of the invention, the partial connection has a second characteristic connection axis and also extends in a direction orthogonal to the coupling direction.

In general, the splitting surface is parallel to the characteristic connector axis of the assembled inter-block connector and may be considered as a surface formed when the inter-block connector is split by a splitting plane extending parallel to the direction of the connector axis. In some embodiments, the dividing plane contains the connector axis, for example, when the dividing connector is a half or halved interblock connector.

As shown in fig. 1A 'and 1A1', the example building block 100 'includes a first coupling surface 120', a plurality of connectors 122 'formed on the first coupling surface 120', a second coupling surface 140', a plurality of connectors 142' formed on the second coupling surface 140', a plurality of peripheral walls 160' interconnecting the first coupling surface 120 'and the second coupling surface 140', and a plurality of partial connectors 162 'formed on the peripheral walls 160'. The building block 100' has the same features as the building block 100, except that a plurality of male type section connectors 162' are formed on the peripheral wall 160 '. Further, the plurality of male part-connectors 162 'includes at least one part-connector having a division surface flush with the peripheral wall 162', at least one part-connector having a division surface flush with the first coupling surface 120', and at least one part-connector having a division surface flush with the first coupling surface 140'. Since other features of building block 100' have the same description as the corresponding features of building block 100, the specific and general description relating to building block 100 is incorporated herein by reference, with corresponding reference numerals appended thereto with an apostrophe.

As shown in fig. 1C, the exemplary building block 100C includes a first coupling surface 120C, a plurality of integrally formed connectors 122C on the first coupling surface 120C, a second coupling surface 140C, a plurality of integrally formed connectors 142C on the second coupling surface 140C, a plurality of peripheral walls 160C interconnecting the first coupling surface 120C and the second coupling surface 140C, and a plurality of partial connectors 162C formed on the peripheral walls 160C. Building block 100C has the same features as building block 100, and adds a plurality of female inter-block connectors on perimeter wall 160C. Since other features of building block 100C are the same as and have the same description as corresponding features of building block 100, the specific and general description relating to building block 100 is incorporated herein by reference, with corresponding numerals appended with the letter symbol "C".

The example building block 100D includes a first coupling surface 120D, a plurality of integrally formed connectors 122D formed on the first coupling surface 120D, a second coupling surface 140D, a plurality of integrally formed connectors 142D formed on the second coupling surface 140D, a plurality of peripheral walls 160D interconnecting the first coupling surface 120D and the second coupling surface 140D, and a plurality of partial connectors 162D formed on the peripheral walls 160D, as shown in fig. 1D. Building block 100D has the same features as building block 100, and adds a plurality of female inter-block connectors on perimeter wall 160D. Since other features of building block 100D are identical to and have the same description as the corresponding features of building block 100, the specific and general description of building block 100 is incorporated herein by reference, with the number appended with the letter "D".

When building block 100C and building block 100D are interconnected in a side-by-side fashion as shown in fig. 1D1 and 1D2, such that the outer peripheries are oppositely facing and in abutting juxtaposition, the assembled inter-block connector 164CD thus formed has a connector axis that is orthogonal to the first coupling surface or direction.

The inter-block connections formed by the detachable mechanical engagement of the discrete part connections 162,162', 162C, 162D of fig. 1A, 1A', 1C and 1D have effective functional dimensions that are smaller than the effective functional dimensions of the example integral connections 122,142 at the coupling surface, and therefore are dimensionally incompatible.

As shown in fig. 1E, in some embodiments, the partial connectors formed on the peripheral wall have effective functional dimensions that are compatible with the effective functional dimensions of the integral connectors on the coupling surface.

The example building block 100E shown in fig. 1E, 1E1, and 1E2 includes a first coupling surface 120E, a plurality of connectors 122E formed on the first coupling surface 120E, a second coupling surface 140E, a plurality of connectors 142E formed on the second coupling surface 140E, a plurality of peripheral walls 160E interconnecting the first coupling surface 120E and the second coupling surface 140E, and a plurality of partial connectors 162E formed on the peripheral walls 160E.

Building block 100E has the same features as building block 100, except that each partial connector 160E is sized to be compatible with the integrally formed connectors 122E, 142E on the coupling surface, and the integral connectors 142E, 144E are distributed at the corners of the rectangle. Since building block 100E is identical to the corresponding features of building block 100 and has the same description, the specific and general description relating to building block 100 is incorporated herein by reference, with the letter symbol "E" appended to the corresponding number. In some variations, integral connectors 142E, 144E are distributed over the corners of a square without loss of generality.

In some embodiments, the building block includes one or more rows of connectors on the coupling surface and one or more columns of connectors on the coupling surface. For most toy applications, a building block may have as many as 20 rows and 20 columns of connectors on the joining surface, although more basic building blocks typically have 1 to 10 rows and 1 to 10 columns of connectors on the joining surface. The outermost rows and outermost columns on the articulating surface may cooperate to define triangular boundaries, square boundaries, rectangular boundaries or other polygonal boundaries, which may be regular or irregular, or circular boundaries, such as elliptical boundaries or circular boundaries, without loss of generality.

In some embodiments, the first panel may have a triangular boundary, a square boundary, a rectangular boundary, or other polygonal boundary, whether regular or irregular; or a circular boundary, such as an elliptical boundary or a circular boundary, without loss of generality. The peripheral wall will follow the shape of the first panel when the peripheral wall follows the outer boundary of the first panel. When the panel has an oval or circular shape, the member may have a single perimeter wall without loss of generality.

In some embodiments, the connectors are arranged such that adjacent connectors in a column and adjacent connectors in a row on the same coupling surface are on corners of a rectangle.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2A 1-2A 5, the example building block 200 includes a first coupling surface 220, a plurality of connectors 222 formed on the first coupling surface 220, a plurality of connectors 242 defining a second coupling surface 240, a plurality of peripheral walls 260 extending between the first coupling surface 220 and the second coupling surface 240, and a plurality of partial connectors 262 formed on the peripheral walls 260.

The connector 222 on the first coupling surface 220 is integrally formed on the first panel 224, and the connector 242 is also integrally formed on the first panel 224.

The plurality of perimeter walls 260 cooperate with the first panel 224 to define a body 270 and a hollow interior compartment 280 of the building block. Similar to the building block 100, the body 270 is formed of a hard and impact resistant thermoplastic material having low resiliency, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS") or metal. The first panel 224, the connector 222, the connector 242, the peripheral wall 260 and the portion of the connector 262 on the peripheral wall 260 are integrally formed as a single piece, such as by injection molding or 3-D printing.

The

example connection

2221,2222,2223,2224 on the first coupling surface 220 is a male interblock connection. The

example link

2221,2222 has link axes WA1-WA1', WA2-WA 2'. The link axes WA1-WA1', WA2-WA2' define the coupling axis and coupling direction W. The coupling axes of the example plurality of

connectors

2221,2222 on the first coupling surface are parallel to and offset from each other and the coupling directions of all the example plurality of

connectors

2221,2222,2223,2224 on the first coupling surface are the same. When the plurality of

links

2221,2222,2223,2224 have a common coupling direction, the first coupling surface 220 has a characteristic first coupling direction W that is defined by the plurality of links 222 on the first coupling surface and that is parallel to the link axes WA1-WA1', WA2-WA 2'.

Each of the example connectors 2421,2422,2423,2424 on the first coupling surface 240 is a female interblock connector. The example connector 2421,2422 has connector axes WB1-WB1', WB2-WB 2'. The connector axes WB1-WB1', WB2-WBA2' define the coupling axes and the coupling direction. The coupling axes of the example plurality of connectors 2421,2422,2423,2424 on the second coupling surface are parallel to and offset from each other, and the coupling directions of all the example plurality of connectors 2421,2422,2423,2424 are the same. When the plurality of connectors 242 have a common coupling direction, the second coupling surface 240 has a characteristic second coupling direction defined by the plurality of connectors 242 on the second coupling surface and parallel to the connector axes WB1-WB1', WB2-WB 2'. In this example, the second coupling direction is parallel and opposite to the first coupling direction W.

Each connector 222,242 is an annular snap connector. The connector 222 on the first coupling surface is a male annular snap connector and the connector 242 on the second coupling surface is a female annular snap connector complementary and compatible with the male annular snap connector 222. More specifically, each of the connectors 222,242 is a cylindrical annular snap connector. The connection 222 on the first coupling surface is a male cylindrical ring snap connection in the shape of a cylindrical block or a circular coin and has a corrugated edge to facilitate the snap fit. The connector 242 on the second coupling surface is a female cylindrical annular snap connector having a receiver body defining a connector receiving compartment for facilitating snap-fit engagement with a complementary and compatible connector, such as an interblock connector having size-fitting features of the connector 222 on the first coupling surface. To facilitate the snap-fit coupling, the connector insert receiving compartment has a substantially cylindrical connector receiving portion with an inner contour of the circular coin following the contour of the cylindrical block or the corrugated rim.

Each connector 222 is an integral inter-block connector adapted to facilitate a detachable or releasable mechanical interlock of the example building block 200 with a mating member block having a complementary mating coupling surface.

Each connector 242 is an integral inter-block connector adapted to facilitate a detachable or releasable mechanical interlock of the example building block 200 with a mating building block having complementary mating coupling surfaces.

Except for the difference that the integral interblock connectors 222,224 are cylindrical annular snap connectors, the connectors 122,124 are spherical annular snap connectors, and the connector 124 is integrally formed on the first panel member, the body and integral connectors being otherwise substantially identical, and the description relating thereto is incorporated herein by reference for the sake of brevity, and corresponding reference numerals increased by 100 where possible and appropriate or where the context permits, with appropriate adaptation.

In this example, each example connection 222 on the first coupling surface is a male inter-block connection that projects orthogonally away from the first and second coupling surfaces 220, 240. More specifically, each example connector 222 includes a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes from the first coupling surface 220 to form a male inter-block connector, and more specifically, a male cylindrical ring snap connector.

In this example, each example connector 242 is a female interblock connector that projects orthogonally from the first coupling surface 220 and extends toward the second coupling surface 240. More specifically, each example connector 242 includes a hollow protrusion that protrudes from the first coupling surface 220 and extends toward the second coupling to form a female interblock connector. The hollow protrusion defines a connector receptacle for closely receiving a complementary and compatible male interblock connector.

The example plurality of connectors 222 includes the example plurality of four connectors, and the four connectors are arranged in an array having two rows and two columns, wherein the columns and rows are orthogonal to one another. The spacing distance between adjacent connectors 222 in a row and a column is the same. More specifically, the connector axes of a plurality of four connectors are disposed at the corners of a square.

The example first panel 224 has a square shape defining a square boundary. The perimeter wall 260 extends along an outer boundary of the first panel 224 and projects orthogonally toward the second coupling surface 240 to define a depth or thickness of the body 270 of the building block 200. The peripheral wall 260 extends in a direction orthogonal to the first coupling surface 220 to define an interior compartment 280 having a rectangular cuboid shape. In some embodiments as the present invention, the perimeter wall 260 has a uniform depth or thickness. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 160 may have a non-uniform depth or thickness. The example building block 200 includes a plurality of four perimeter walls 260 as illustrated because the example first panel 224 is a four-sided polygon.

An exemplary plurality of eight partial connectors 262 are formed on the peripheral wall 260. The example plurality of partial connectors 262 on the perimeter wall 260 includes four male partial connectors 262a and an example plurality of four female partial connectors 162 b. Each partial connection 262 is an axially split cylindrical annular snap connection having a split surface extending along the cylindrical axis of the cylinder defining the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical annular snap connection.

Each exemplary

partial connection

262a, 262b is a partial cylindrical annular snap connection with the split surface of the coupling lying on or containing the cylindrical central axis and the split surface being flush with, opposite and/or immediately adjacent to the second coupling surface 240.

The assembled inter-block connection formed by the mechanical engagement of a pair of mating counterpart connections has a connection axis which is also the cylindrical axis of the assembled cylindrical annular snap connection.

In this example, the connector axes of the

partial connectors

262a, 262b or the connector axes of the assembled cylindrical ring snap connectors are formed by partial connectors defining the coupling direction of the inter-block connectors of the set, and the lines Y1, Y2 of the connecting central axes on a plurality of integral connectors on the first and/or second coupling surfaces intersecting the connector axes on the

partial connectors

262a, 262b cooperate to define orthogonal planes orthogonal to the first connecting surfaces, as shown in fig. 2a2,2A3 and 2a 4. The orthogonal planes are bisecting planes of the partial connectors, the assembled connectors, and the integral connectors along the line. With this arrangement, the partial connectors are part of a three-dimensional array comprising integral connectors. That is, the partial connectors are aligned with the array formed by the integral connectors.

In addition to the differences described above, the partial connector 262 is a partial cylindrical annular snap connector and the partial connector 162 is a partial spherical annular snap connector, the particular array relationship, and the segmented surfaces of the partial connectors are flush with or adjacent to the second coupling surface, the other aspects of the partial connectors are substantially the same, and for the sake of brevity the relevant description is incorporated herein by reference, and where possible and appropriate, or where the context permits, the corresponding numbers are incremented by 100.

As shown in fig. 2B and 2B 1-2B 5, the example building block 200B includes a first coupling surface 220B, a plurality of connectors 222B formed on the first coupling surface 220B, a plurality of connectors 242B defining a second coupling surface 240B, a plurality of peripheral walls 260B extending between the first coupling surface 220B and the second coupling surface 240B, and a plurality of partial connectors 262B formed on the peripheral walls 260B.

Each example partial connector 262aB, 262bB is a partial cylindrical ring snap connector having a split surface located at or including the cylindrical center axis and flush, oppositely facing, and/or immediately adjacent to the first coupling surface 220B.

Apart from the above-mentioned differences, the division surface is flush, oppositely facing and/or immediately adjacent to the first coupling surface 220B, the other aspects of the partial connection being substantially identical to the building block 200, which is incorporated herein by reference for the sake of brevity and where possible and appropriate or where the context allows, and the corresponding number, where appropriate or necessary with the addition of the symbol B.

As shown in fig. 2C and 2C 1-2C 6, the example building block 200C includes a first coupling surface 220C, a plurality of connectors 222C formed on the first coupling surface 220C, a plurality of connectors 242C defining a second coupling surface 240C, a plurality of perimeter walls 260C and second coupling surfaces 240C extending between the first coupling surfaces 220C, and a plurality of partial connectors 262C formed on the perimeter walls 260C.

In the example building block 200C, the example plurality of two integral connectors is formed on each of the first and second coupling surfaces, and the panel has a rectangular shape.

In addition to the differences described above, other aspects of the partial connection are substantially the same as the building block 200, and are incorporated herein by reference as described herein, where possible and appropriate or the context permits, for the sake of brevity, and for the sake of brevity.

As shown in fig. 2D1 and 2Ds, the example building block 200D includes a first coupling surface 220D, a plurality of connectors 222D formed on the first coupling surface 220D, a plurality of connectors 242D defining a second coupling surface 240D, a plurality of peripheral walls 260D extending between the first coupling surface 220D and the second coupling surface 240D, and a plurality of partial connectors 262D formed on the peripheral walls 260D.

In the example building block 200D, the example plurality of two integral connectors are formed on each of the first and second coupling surfaces, and the panel has a rectangular shape.

Other aspects of the partial connection are substantially the same as those of the building block 200B, except for the differences described above, and are incorporated by reference herein as described herein, where possible and appropriate or the context permits.

An example of a component block assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is depicted in fig. 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B.

While the invention has been described with reference to examples and embodiments, the examples and embodiments are not intended to limit and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

For example, while annular snap connectors and ball and ring snap connectors have been used in the example building blocks, the inter-block connectors may be snap-fit or non-snap fasteners, or without loss of generality.

List of reference numerals

100	Component block	170	Main body	180	Inner compartment
						120	First coupling surface	140	Second coupling surface	160	Peripheral wall
122	Male connector	142	Female coupling	162	Partial connecting piece
						124	First panel	144	Second panel
		146	Wall of the container
								148	Container compartment

Claims

1. A building block, characterized in that the building block comprises a first coupling surface on a first side of a body, a second coupling surface on a second side of the body, one or more peripheral walls extending between the first and second coupling surfaces, the peripheral walls defining a transverse boundary of the body; wherein one or more inter-block connections defining a first coupling direction of the characteristic coupling direction and a first coupling surface are formed at a first side of the body, one or more inter-block connections defining a second coupling direction of the characteristic coupling direction and a second coupling surface are formed at a second side of the body, and one or more partial connections are formed on the circumferential wall, wherein the partial connections are axial divisions of discrete inter-block connections and comprise axially extending division surfaces, the discrete inter-block connections have connection axes defining the coupling direction, and the division surfaces extend in a division direction parallel to the connection axes of the discrete inter-block connections; and wherein the inter-block connections on the first and second coupling surfaces are compatible inter-block connections having compatible mating feature sizes.

2. A building block according to claim 1, characterised in that the partial and/or discrete inter-block connections thus formed have mating features compatible with the dimensions of the inter-block connections on the first and/or second coupling surfaces.

3. A building block according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the partial and/or discrete inter-block connections thus formed are adapted to enter the inter-block connection along a splitting direction, which defines a third coupling direction parallel or orthogonal to the first coupling direction.

4. A building block according to claim 1, wherein the dividing surface of the partial connection is flush with or adjacent to the first or second coupling surface.

5. A building block according to claim 1, wherein the partial connection is one of the axial halves of the discrete inter-block connection, and the connection axis of the discrete inter-block connection is located at or adjacent the first or second coupling surface.

6. A building block according to claim 1, wherein the partial connection is a split part of a male inter-block connection and projects away from a peripheral wall formed by the partial connection; and wherein the dividing surface projects tangentially away from the first coupling surface or the second coupling surface.

7. A building block according to claim 1, wherein the discrete inter-block connections are snap connections of annular cross-section adapted to snap-fit with mating snap connections of complementary mating feature female/male type and compatible mating feature dimensions.

8. A building block according to claim 7, characterised in that the partial connection is a snap connection of semi-annular cross-section and the dividing surface passes through the centre of the snap connection of annular cross-section.

9. The building block of claim 1, wherein the inter-block connections on the first coupling surface have a first connection axis extending along the first coupling direction and the inter-block connections on the second coupling surface have a second connection axis extending along the second coupling direction; wherein an inter-block connection on the first coupling surface has a corresponding inter-block connection on the second coupling surface; and wherein the first and second connector axes are aligned, or the inter block connectors on the first and second coupling surfaces are coaxial or connector axes are aligned.

10. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the inter-block connectors on the first coupling surface are integrally formed male connectors having a connector height, and wherein the partial connectors on the peripheral wall are female partial connectors having a connector receptacle defining a receptacle depth equal to or slightly greater than the connector height of the male connectors on the first coupling surface; and/or wherein the inter-block connections on the first coupling surface are integrally formed male type connections having a connection height, and wherein the partial connections on the peripheral wall are male type partial connections having a connection height substantially equal to the male type connections on the first coupling surface.

11. A building block according to claim 9, characterised in that the connector axes of the partial connectors formed by the partial connectors and/or the connector axes of the discrete inter-block connectors intersect the first connector axis or the second connector axis.

12. The building block of claim 1, wherein the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface are oppositely facing and parallel.

13. The building block of claim 1, wherein the first coupling surface is an outwardly facing surface of a first panel component, and the first panel component and the peripheral wall cooperate to define a hollow interior compartment.

14. The building block of claim 13, wherein the inter-block connectors defining the second coupling surface are female connectors integrally formed on the first panel component and extending away perpendicular to the first panel component to define the second coupling surface.

15. The building block of claim 1, wherein the partial connector is a female partial connector comprising a partial receiver body defining a partial connector receiver, and wherein the partial connector receiver passes through and spans the first or second coupling surface and perimeter wall.

16. The building block of claim 1, wherein the connector axes of the partial connectors comprise a first characteristic connector axis having a first characteristic coupling direction and a second characteristic connector axis orthogonal to the first characteristic connector axis and having a second characteristic coupling direction.

17. A building block according to claim 16, wherein the partial connections of the building block form assembled inter-block connections with matching compatible partial connections on a counterpart building block when the building block and a peripheral wall of the counterpart building block juxtaposed opposite or abutting thereto are interconnected.

18. A building block according to claim 16, wherein the partial connectors form an assembled inter-block connector with partial connectors provided on the first counterpart building block with a first mating and compatible, when the peripheral wall of the building block and the opposing and/or adjoining juxtaposed peripheral wall of the first counterpart building block are interconnected and the first characteristic connector axes of the partial connectors are aligned with the connector axes of the first mating and compatible partial connectors, or when the first and/or second coupling surfaces of the building blocks and the first and/or second coupling surfaces of the first counterpart building block are facing each other in an opposing manner and/or interconnected in a juxtaposed manner and interconnected by the second characteristic connector axes,

there is a second mating and compatible partial connector on the second mating building block, the connector axis of the first mating and compatible partial connector being aligned with the connector axis of the second mating and compatible partial connector.

19. The building block of claim 1, wherein the inter-block connection on the first coupling surface is an integrally formed male arc snap connection, the inter-block connection defining the second coupling surface is an integrally formed female arc snap connection, and the partial connection is a split portion of an assembled arc snap connection having a feature connection axis defining a feature coupling direction, wherein the partial connection has a split surface, wherein the split surface is flush with or adjacent to the first or second coupling surface, and the coupling surfaces that are flush with or adjacent to the split surface have the same orientation.

20. A building block according to claim 19, wherein the partial connector is part of a three-dimensional array comprising integral connectors on the first and/or second coupling surfaces, the partial connector being aligned with the array formed by the integral connectors.