EP0134781A1 - A construction set, preferably a toy set - Google Patents

A construction set, preferably a toy set

Info

Publication number
EP0134781A1
EP0134781A1 EP83900435A EP83900435A EP0134781A1 EP 0134781 A1 EP0134781 A1 EP 0134781A1 EP 83900435 A EP83900435 A EP 83900435A EP 83900435 A EP83900435 A EP 83900435A EP 0134781 A1 EP0134781 A1 EP 0134781A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
basic
members
diameter
thickness
holes
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83900435A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0134781A4 (en
Inventor
Valéria HIDVEGI
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.)
Kozponti Valto-Es Hitelbank Rt Innovacios Alap
Original Assignee
Kozponti Valto-Es Hitelbank Rt Innovacios Alap
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 Kozponti Valto-Es Hitelbank Rt Innovacios Alap filed Critical Kozponti Valto-Es Hitelbank Rt Innovacios Alap
Publication of EP0134781A1 publication Critical patent/EP0134781A1/en
Publication of EP0134781A4 publication Critical patent/EP0134781A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • A63H33/10Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • A63H33/12Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)

Abstract

Ensemble de construction, de préférence jeu comprenant des éléments de construction et des éléments de couplage, dans lequel la longueur, la largeur et l'épaisseur des éléments de construction possèdent des relations géométriques spécifiques, toutes leurs dimensions étant dépendantes d'une dimension de base (a) définissant la largeur des éléments de base. Ces derniers comprennent des éléments allongés avec des sections d'extrémités arrondies, possédant une longueur qui est un multiple de la dimension de base. L'épaisseur de tous les éléments est égale à une épaisseur de base. Un nombre approprié de trous traversants sont définis dans chaque élément, et la distance entre les trous et les points d'extrémités des éléments allongés est uniformisée et est généralement égale à la moitié de la dimension de base. Les éléments de couplage sont constitués par des boulons et des écrous filetés, le diamètre extérieur des boulons leur permettant de bouger librement dans les trous. De préférence le diamètre de base des trous est égal à l'épaisseur des éléments qui est environ un quart de la dimension de base. Le choix de ces dimensions confère à l'ensemble de construction un aspect esthétique et les différents éléments peuvent être assemblés en un nombre pratiquement illimité de configurations, ce qui permet de stimuler l'imagination et la créativité des enfants.Construction assembly, preferably a set comprising construction elements and coupling elements, in which the length, width and thickness of the construction elements have specific geometric relationships, all their dimensions being dependent on a basic dimension (a) defining the width of the basic elements. The latter include elongated elements with rounded end sections, having a length which is a multiple of the basic dimension. The thickness of all elements is equal to a base thickness. An appropriate number of through holes are defined in each element, and the distance between the holes and the end points of the elongated elements is uniform and is generally equal to half the basic dimension. The coupling elements consist of bolts and threaded nuts, the outside diameter of the bolts allowing them to move freely in the holes. Preferably the base diameter of the holes is equal to the thickness of the elements which is about a quarter of the base dimension. The choice of these dimensions gives the construction set an aesthetic appearance and the various elements can be assembled in a practically unlimited number of configurations, which stimulates children's imagination and creativity.

Description

A CONSTRUCTION SET, PREFERABLY A TOY SET
The invention relates to a construction set, preferably a toy set, which comprises building members and coupling members.
There are a large number of constructional toys known all over the world which are popular and fashionable. These toys help developing children's manipulating ability, provide free scope for imagination, therefore they are toys of fancy, they develop children's creativity and inspire them to realize their ideas.
The constructional toys can be divided in two basic groups, i.e. planar and spatial toys. Planar toys comprise mainly planar elements, while the elements of spatial toys are bodies with three dimensions. One of the most popular planar constructional toys is the so called Marklin-toy, which has perforated metal lamina as building members, metal-screws as coupling members and auxiliary members /e.g. wheels/ made also of metal. The members can be mounted by means of tools only /e.g. pliers, fork wrench, screw driver/. This toy is used mainly for assembling machines /e.g. cars, cranes, etc./. Its main advantage lies in that it helps children learning the use of tools; its disadvantage is on the other hand that it might develop a technocrate attitude and does not increase children's aesthetical sense and artistic instinct. A spatial building toy has been placed on the market with the trade-name Matador. It has a set of membersconsisting of bodies of most common basic geometrical types made of wood /Such types are cubes, prisms, bricks and cylinders/. There are holes provided in the members and the members are interconnected by means of wood pins. The mounting of the members inevitably requires the use of various tools, first of all a hammer and pliers. This toy can be used also mainly for the assembling of machines, vehicles /airplanes, cars, helicopter/. The drawback of this system lies in that it also helps developing a technocratic attitude. There is a spatial building toy known designed for developing manual skill and sense of proportion of children in the age of 1-3 years, which comprises basic geometrical bodies as constructional members, mainly rounded cylinder segments or rectangular prisms, and all of these members comprise a central bore by means of which they can be assembled on a vertical rod. This toy is disadvantageous in the sense that it has only very limited variational possibilities. The object of the invention is to provide a construction set which can be used for assembling spatial bodies e.g. spatial toy figures in which the assembling operation does not require any tools whatso-ever, and which can develop children's manipulating ability, creativity, which can offer free scope to phantasy and has a large variability and can develop artistic instinct, too.
According to the present invention it has been discovered that the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional constructional toys can be eliminated or substantially reduced if the building and coupling members are selected in such a way, that their forms and shapes reflect certain geometrical proportions, by means of which the advantages of the planar and spatial toys will be combined.
According to the invention a construction set has been provided which can be used preferably as a toy set, which comprises building members and coupling members in which according to the present invention the building members comprise: disc members with a diameter forming a basic size, the disc members have a common thickness which form a basic thickness which is at least one sixth and at most one third of the basic size, the disc members have respective central throughgoing holes with a common diameter which forms a basic diameter and it is at least one sixth and at most one third of the basic size; elongated members with shapes symmetrical both to the longitudinal and transversal axes thereof, the elongated members have a common width which is substantially equal to the basic size, and they have a common thickness substantially equal to the basic thickness, and the contour lines of the elongated elements in their end regions approach respective semi-circles which has diameters substantially equal to the basic size, there are respective throughgoing holes in the end regions of the elongated members which have diameters substantially equal to the basic diameter, the centre points of the holes lie in the longitudinal axes in a distance from the respective outermost points of the end regions and this distance is substantially equal to the half of the basic size. The coupling members comprise: threaded bolts with an outer diameter loosely fitting in the holes which have their diameter equal to the basic diameter, and the length of these bolts is at least about three times as long as the basic thickness; and nuts for engagement with the bolts, the outer size of the nuts is smaller than the basic size and greater than the half of the basic size, and the thickness of the nuts is at most as great as the basic thickness.
According to a preferred embodiment the contour line in the end regions of the elongated members are formed by semi-circles.
According to a further embodiment the contour lines in the end regions of the elongated members are formed by linear sections osculating the semi-circles. It is preferable if the nuts are circular and their width is substantially equal to the basic thickness.
The size proportions are optimum if the basic diameter is substantially equal to the basic thickness and to the quarter of the basic size.
According to a preferable embodiment of the invention the elongated members have lengthswhich are multiples of the basic size.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the building members comprise connecting members which have a width and height substantially equal to the basic size and the length thereof is at least equal to the basic size, and the connecting members are symmetrical relative to at least one symmetryc plane and comprise pairs of end planes normal to the symmetryc plane and a planar face normal to the end planes, and a connecting member each comprises at least two threaded bores with diverging axes for receiving and engaging said bolts. In a further preferable embodiment each of the connecting members are formed by a semi-cylinder with a diameter equal to the basic size and by a rectangular prism attached integrally to the semi-cylinder.
It is preferable for the assembling operations if the connecting members define three threaded bores which have axes mutually normal to each other and which intersect each other in the middle of the connecting member.
For increasing the variability in a preferable embodiment the building members comprise additional e longated members which have a common thickness which is substantially equal to the basic thickness, the shape of the additional elongated members is similar to that of the elongated members mentioned hereinabove but they have a common width which is substantially twice as great as the basic size, and the additional elongated members also define in their end regions respective throughgoing holes which are substantially as large as the holes of the normal elongated members and their centre points lie in the longitudinal axes of the members in a distance from the outermost points which is substantially equal to the half of the basic size.
In a further embodiment the difference compared to this latter embodiment lies in, that the throughgoing holes are twice as far from the outermost points of the members, that is, their distance is equal to the basic size.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the building members comprise additional disc members which have a diameter twice as large as the basic size and they have central holes with diameters substantially as large as the basic diameter, and the thickness of these disc members is substantially equal to the basic thickness. The variability of the construction set will be increased if according to a further embodiment of the invention the building members comprise semi-circular members with a diameter which is about twice as large as the basic size and which has a thickness which is substantially equal to the basic thickness, and each of the semi-circular members comprises at least one bore with a diameter equal to the basic diameter.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the building elements mainly the elongated mem bers comprise further throughgoing holes with diameters substantially equal to the basic diameter and which are arranged in the central axes or symmetrically relative to the axes. According to a further embodiment of the invention the coupling members comprise a cylinder with a diameter equal to the basic size or equal to the double of the basic size, and this cylinder is at least as long as the basic size and has a central bore with a size substantially as large as the basic diameter.
This bore can be a throughgoing bore or a threaded bore. This cylindrical member can be used as a distance keeper or as a coupling element or as a building element. According to a further embodiment of the invention the basic size referred to hereinabove is at least 25 mm but it is most preferable if the basic size is in the region of 50 mm.
When the construction set according to the invention is used it can be easily understood, that the child will have much more combinational and variational possibilities than with conventional sets and owing to the spatial size-selection the appearance of the assembled constructions will be more figurative and beyond a technocratic outlook the artistic instinct is also developed and figures can be constructed which imitate living creatures like cats, dogs, etc.
The invention will not be described in connection with some preferable embodiments thereof in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a disc member; Figs. 2-7 show a set of elongated members; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a connecting member comprising a semi-cylinder and a rectangular prism; Fig. 10 shows a coupling member made of a cylinder; Figs. 11 and 12 show additional building members made of half discs; Figs. 13 and 14 show two embodiments of further disc members; Figs. 15 and 16 show further elongated members with different hole arrangement; Fig. 17 shows a further disc member with a double diameter compared to that shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 18-20 show additional elongated members having double size compared to those shown in Figs. 2-4;
Figs. 21-27 show various embodiments of threaded bores used as coupling members; Fig. 23 shows a circular nut used for engagement with the threaded bolts; Fig. 29 is a sectional view taken along lines B-B of Fig. 28; Fig. 30 shows a distance keeping member; Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 30; Figs. 32-35 show a set of elongated members comprising different kinds of holes along their longitudinal axes; Fig. 36 shows a further disc member;
Figs. 37-40 show further embodiments of elongated members with double size; and
Figs. 41-46 show various configurations which can be assembled by means of the members shown in Figs. 1-40. Reference is made now to Figs. 1 and 8 in which member 1 is shown which has a diameter a which forms a basic size for the construction set. The radius r of the disc is equal to a/2. A throughgoing central circular hole 8a is made in the disc 1 which has a diameter D and a thickness v. The diameter D forms a basic diameter for thewhole set and a thickness v forms a basic thickness. It is preferable if the basic diameter D is equal or substantially equal to the basic thickness v. It is also preferable if the thickness v is about a quarter of the basic size a.
Figs. 2-7 show elongated members 2-7 which have a width equal to the basic size a. The thickness of the elongated members 2-7 is equal to the basic thickness v. It is preferable if the length of the elongated members 2-7 is a multiple of the basic sizea, i.e. it can be expressed as n x a, in which n is an integer. The elongated members 2-7 are rounded at their end regions with respective semi-circles which have a diameter equal to the basic size a. It should be noted that the elongated members are symmetrical to their longitudinal and to their transversal axes. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-7 the elongated members have linear sides parallel to the longitudinal axis. It can be seen in the ashed line of Fig. 4 that the sides of the elongated member can be made of appropriate arc sections. The end regions of the elongated members can be formed by linear sections which extend tangentially to the semi-circles. This embodiment is shown in Fig. 3 with the ashed lines. The elongated members have respective pairs of throughgoing holes 8a at their end regions, and the distance between the outermost points of the members and the central points O of the throughgoing holes 8a is equal to the half of the basic size a i.e. a/2. The diameter of the throughgoing holes 8a is equal to the basic diameter D. For the sake of simplicity the geometrical relationships relating to the elongated members are shown in Fig. 2 only. Figs. 3-7 show the various possible sizes of the elongated members. Fig. 9 shows a connecting member 9 which can be used as an intermediate coupling member between the individual elements in the set, and by means of the application of the connecting member 9 the number of configurations which can be made by the construction set can be increased significantly. When the connecting member 9 is used, the assembled figures will have a different character of appearance. The connecting member 9 comprises a rectangular prism I and a half cylinder II which parts are united to form a single integrated body. It can be seen in Fig. 9 that the width and the height of the connecting member 9 are both equal to the basic size a as well as its length which also conforms to this size. With these dimensions the connecting member 9 fits harmonically in the other members of the set, shown in Figs. 1-8. The connecting member 9 comprises three threaded holes 8b, which have mutually perpendicular axes which cross each other in the centre of the connecting member 9. These axes can be considered as a spatial coordinate-system. The mouthes of the holes 8b lie in three different surfaces of the connecting member 9. With the geometrical relationships shown in Fig. 9 it can be seen that the distance between the centre points O of the holes 8b and the nearest planar surface of the member is equal to the half of the basic size a. The threaded holes 8b have a diameter d which conforms to the diameter of threaded bolts shown in Figs. 21-27, whereby these bolts can be screwed in the holes 8b.
Fig. 10 shows a cylinder 10 which can be used either as a coupling member or as a distance keeper. The diameter of the cylinder 10 is equal to the basic size a and its length is also just as large. There is provided a central bore or two central bores in the cylinder 10 which can be threaded bores 8b with a diameter d or throughgoing holes with a diameter D. When threaded bores are made in the cylinder 10, the threaded bores can be screwed therein.
Figs. 11 and 12 show two semi-circular members 11 and 12 which have a thickness equal to the basic thickness v. The diameter of the semi-circular members 11 and 12 is twice as great as the basic size a, that is, their radius is just equal to the basic size. Near to a corner of the member 11 there is provided a throughgoing hole 8a which has a centre point O which lies in both directions in a distance of a/4 from the corner point S. In the semi-circular member 12 shown in Fig. 12 the difference lies in, that the centre point of the throughgoing hole lies in the symmetry-axis of the member and the distance between the centre point and the linear section of the member 12 is equal to a/2. The diameter of these holes is equal to the basic diameter D.
Figs. 13 and 14 show disc members 13 and 14 with a thickness equal to the basic thickness. The diameter of the discs is twice as great as the basic size a. The disc member 13 comprises four throughgoing holes 8a with a diameter D, one of them is arranged centrally while the remaining three holes are arranged in the apex points of a regular triangle. The radial distance between these apex points and the centre of the disc is equal to the half of the basic size a.The disc member 14 shown in Fig. 14 comprises three throughgoing holes 8a arranged in the apex points of a isosceles triangle show that two of these points are in a distance of 3/4a from the centre point O of the disc 14, while the distance between the remaining hole and the centre point is a/2. Figs. 15 and 16 show elongated members 15 and 16 which have a length of 3a and width 2a, and the radius of their end circles is equal to a. In the longitudinal axis x of the member 15 there is provided a hole 8a with a centre lying in a distance of a/2 from the end point of the member. In the elongated member 15 there are provided further two throughgoing holes with diameter D arranged symmetrically relativ to the axis x in a distance of a/2. The longitudinal distance between these holes and the corresponding end point of the member 15 is also a/2. The elongated member 16 comprises also three throughgoing holes with a diameter of D, two of them are arranged in the longitudinal axis x symmetrically to the transversal axis y and the third hole is arranged in the axis y. The distance between the axis y and the first two holes is equal to the basic size a, while the distance between the axis x and the third hole is equal to 3/4a. It can be observed that the three centre points of the holes in the members 15 and 16 fall in the apex points of respective isosceles triangles. The thickness of the members 15 and 16 is equal to the basic thickness v. Figs. 17-20 show further members 17-20 which can complement the members shown in Figs. 1-16 to make the construction set more versatile. The disc 17 has a diameter twice of the basic size a and this double size is equal to the width of the elongated element 18-19 and 20, however, the length of the elongated elements remains an integer multiple of the basic size a. The disc 17 comprises a central hole with a diameter D, and the diameter of the semi-circles at the end regions of members 18-20 is the double of the basic size. The elongated members 18-20 comprise respective pairs of throughgoing holes arranged in their longitudinal axis x and the central point of these holes are in a distance of a from the nearest end points of the member. It can be seen that for the elongated members 18-20 the previously described rules are valid according to which the distance between the end points and the centres of the throughgoing holes is the half of the width of the members. Of the members 18-20 the basic geometrical relationships have been illustrated only in connection with member 18. The thickness of these members is equal to the basic thickness.
Figs. 21-29 show the embodiment of the coupling members used in the construction set. There are threaded bolts 21-27 shown in Figs. 21-27 which have an outer diameter d and length 11... 1n which are an integer multiple of the basic width d. The diameter d is selected so that it should be loosely fitted in the basic diameter D of the throughgoing holes 8a. The length of the shortest threaded bolt 21 designated by 11 is four times as long as the basic thickness v. Figs. 28 and 29 show disc-shaped nuts 28 which can be the thickness of the nut 28 is equal to the basic thickness v, while the outer diameter E is smaller than the basic size a. In a prefereble embodiment the basic size can be a = 50 mm, the basic diameter D = 12 mm, the diameter of the threaded bolts d can be some what smaller as 12 mm, while the outer diameter of the nuts 28 can be about 30 mm. The shortest size of the threaded bolts should be at least 11 = 4v, because the bolt should be used for coupling at least two members with a combined width of 2v, and the respective width of the two nuts at the two ends of the coupling require also a length of 2v. The threaded bolts shown in Figs. 21-27 have a spindle-like form. Instead of this form bolts with heads e.g. with a size of the nuts can be used, and in that case it is sufficient if the minimum length of the bolts is equal to 1 = 3v. Figs. 30 and 31 show distance rings 29 made preferably of a resilient plastic material with a length substantially equal to the basic thickness v and an outer diameter F somewhat greater than the basic diameter. In an alternative embodiment instead of the rings short threaded cylinders can be used as distance keeping members.
Figs. 32-35 show elongated members 40, 50, 60 and 70 which are similar to the members 4-7 shown in Figs. 4-7, the only difference lies in that in addition to the holes 8a at the two end regions they are provided with additional holes with diameters D, which additional holes are arranged in the longitudinal axis x of the members. The elongated member 40 which has a length 4a and a width a comprises a third hole in the middle of its body i.e. where the transversal axis y crosses the longitudinal axis. The distance between the medium hole and the two holes at the end regions is designated by e in which a < e < 2a. In Figs. 33-35 only the full length of the members and the geometrical sizes defining the positions of the respective holes have been illustrated. The elongated member 50 with a length 5a also comprises three holes, two at the end regions and one in the middle. The distance between the middle hole and the other holes is equal to 2a. The elongated member 60 shown in Fig. 34 comprises five holes arranged in such a way that the two outermost holes are in a distance of a/2 from the two end points of the member, the two next holes are arranged with a distance a inner relativ to the outermost holes, and the fifth hole in the middle is from a distance e from its neighbouring holes, in which 2a > e > a. The elongated member 70 shown in Fig. 35 comprises two pairs of holes, the inner pair of holes are arranged with a distance a from the outer pair. As it can be seen in the drawings the position of each hole is defined with the position of its centre point O as illustrated in Fig. 32.
Fig. 36 shows a disc member 30 which is similar to the disc 1 shown in Fig. 1, the difference lies in that the disc member 30 has a diameter a' greater than the basic size a, but it is smaller than the double of the basic size 2a, i.e. 2a > a' > a.
Figs. 37-40 show elongated members 180, 190, 200, 210, respectively which are similar to the members shown in Figs. 18-20, and their width is the double of the basic size a, their length is an integer multiple of the basic size. These elongated member also comprise respective holes at their end regions with a diameter equal to the basic diameter D, these holes have centre points falling on the longitudinal axis. The distance between the centre points of these holes and the nearest end points of the members is equal to the half of the basic distance a. The thickness of these members is equal to the basic thickness v. It should be noted, that the length of the elongated elements is not limited to the numerical examples illustrated in the drawings and the elongated elements can be made as long as it is contempleted to be sufficient for a given set. Figs. 41-46 show a number of exemplary toy constructions which can be assembled by using the members shown in Figs. 1-40. Fig. 41 shows a crocodile-like model made of elongated members 2-5 and of coupling members. For the sake of simplicity the coupling members have not been designated by reference numbers. It can well be understood that by loosing the coupling members and by turning or rotating the elongated members followed by the fastening of the coupling members the configuration of Fig. 41 can be converted into a practically unlimited number of shapes, vary ing between a linear line section and a wheel-like completely bended form.
Fig. 42 shows a cat-figure which is sitting in the position shown by the full line, and if three of its component members are turned in the position shown by the dash line the cat will be standing. In this embodiment in addition to the coupling members the members 2, 3, 4; 11 and 16 have been used to make the desired shape. Figs. 43-45 show a cow-figure in three different positions, whereby it will be clear how many positions can be realized by the construction set according to the invention even within the same general configuration. The cow-figure has been made by the members 1, 2, 3, 5; 11, 15, 16, 17 and 19 and by the appropriate number of coupling members.
Fig. 46 shows a dog-like body in which connecting members 13 have also been used, and one of the connecting members 13 can be seen in the drawing. In addition to the coupling members the members 1, 4, 6, 17 have been used for this configuration and in addition to these elements a member 20' has also been used which is similar to the elongated member shown in Fig. 20, but it has now a length of 6a. The figure shown in Fig. 46 can be considered by a child not only as a dog, but as a small couch or a box-like figure and it can also be considered as a bird shiluette. The large number of possible explanations makes it clear that the construction set according to the invention offers a wide field for the phantasy of the child whereby his or her creational ability will be developed.
The advantages offered by the present invention can be summarized as follows:
The construction set combines the advantages of planar and spatial building sets without their drawbacks. It motivates children for creating always newer and newer forms, whereby their creativity is increased, it develops childrens' aesthetical sense, and offers a wide scope for the improvement of their phantasy, Although the reliable joins are made by threaded bolts and nuts made preferably of wood, the automatic development of childrens' manipulating and assembling ability is assured by the present invention. Even with a comparatively few number of building members the construction set according to the present invention offers a wide scope for combinational possibilities, since a large number of models such as machines including cranes, cars, helicopters, airplanes as well as several kinds of animal models such as cows, horses, dogs, snakes, etc. can be assembled there width. The elements of the set are easy to manufacture and the set itself can be packed and circulated in appropriate compact units. The invention can not be limited to the preferable embodiments explained and illustrated hereinabove and it can be modified and changed without departing from the essence and spirit thereof. It should be emphasized that wood is considered to be the most appropriate material for the various elements of the construction set, however, the application of other materials such as appropriate plastic materials can also be useful.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. A construction set, preferably a toy set, comprising building members and coupling members, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise: disc members with a diameter forming a basic size /a/, said disc members have a common thickness forming a basic thickness /v/ being at lest one sixth and at most one third of said basic size /a/, said disc members define respective central throughgoing holes with a common diameter forming a basic diameter /D/ being at least one sixth and at most one third of said basic size /a/; elongated members with shapes symmetrical both to the longitudinal and transversal axes thereof, said elongated members have a common width substantially equal to said basic size /a/ and a common thickness substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/, and have respective end regions with contour lines approaching respective semi-circles with diameters substantially equal to said basic size /a/, said elongated members define in said end regions respective throughgoing holes with diameters substantially equal to said basic diameter /D/, said holes have their centre points lying in said longitudinal axis in a distance from the respective outermost points of said regions which is substantially equal to the half of said basic size /a/; said coupling members comprise: threaded bolts with an outer diameter /d/ loosely fitting in said holes with said basic diameter /D/, said bolts having lengths at least about three times as long as said basic thickness /v/; and nuts for engagement with said bolts, said nuts having their outer size smaller than said basic size /a/ and greater than the half of said basic size /a/, said nuts having thicknesses being about at most equal to said basic thickness /v/.
2. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said contour lines in the end regions of said elongated members being formed by said semi-circles.
3. The construction set as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that contour lines in the end regions of said elongated members being formed by linear sections osculating said semi-circles.
4. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said nuts being circular and having a width being substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/.
5. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said basic diameter /D/ being substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/ and being substantially equal to the quarter of said basic size /a/.
6. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said elongated members have lengths being multiples of said basic size /a/.
7. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise connecting members having width and height substantially equal to said basic size /a/, and length at least equal to said basic size /a/, said connecting members being symmetrical relative to at least one symmetry plane and comprise pairs of end planes normal to said symmetry plane and a planar face normal to said end planes, and said connecting members each comprise at least two threaded bores with diverging axes for receiving and engaging said bolts.
8. The construction set as claimed in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each of said connecting members being formed by a semi-cylinder with a diameter equal to said basic size /a/ and by a rectangular prism attached integrally to said semi-cylinder.
9. The construction set as claimed in claims 7 and 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said connecting members define three of said threaded bores having axes mutually normal to each other and intersecting each other in the middle of said connecting member.
10. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise additional elongated members having a common thickness substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/, the additional elongated members have shapes similar to that of said elongated members but having a common width being substantially twice of said basic size /a/, the additional elongated members define in their end regions respective throughgoing holes being substantially as large as said holes and having centre points lying in the longitudinal axes of said members in a distance from the outermost points of said regions which is substantially equal to the half of said basic size /a/.
11. The construction set as claimed in claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise additional disc members having diameters twice as large as said basic size /a/ and central holes with diameters substantially as large as said basic diameter /D/, said additional disc members have a thickness substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/.
12. The construction set as claimed in claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise semi-circular members with a diameter being about twice as large as said basic size /a/ and with a thickness being substantially equal to said basic thick ness /v/, each of said semi-circular members comprises at least one hole with a diameter equal to said basic diameter /D/.
13. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c ha r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise further elongated members having a common thickness substantially equal to said basic thickness /v/, said further elongated members have shapes similar to that of said elongated members but having a common width being substantially twice of said basic size /a/, the further elongated members define in their end regions respective throughgoing holes with diameters substantially equal to said basic diameter /D/, said holes having their centre points in the longitudinal axes of said members in a distance from the outermost points of said region which is substantially equal to said basic size /a/.
14. The construction set as claimed in any of claims 1, 10 and 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said building members comprise further throughgoing holes with diameters substantially equal to said basic diameter /D/ and arranged in a central axis or symmetrically relative to said axis.
15. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t er i z e d i n that said coupling members comprise a cylinder with a diameter equal to said basic size /a/ or to a double thereof, said cylinder is at least as long as said basic size and has a central bore with a size substantially as large as said basic diameter /D/.
16. The construction set as claimed in claim 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said central bore being a threaded bore for engagement with said bolts.
17. The construction set as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said basic size /a/ being at least 25 mm.
EP19830900435 1983-01-28 1983-01-28 A construction set, preferably a toy set. Withdrawn EP0134781A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/HU1983/000004 WO1984002853A1 (en) 1983-01-28 1983-01-28 A construction set, preferably a toy set

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0134781A1 true EP0134781A1 (en) 1985-03-27
EP0134781A4 EP0134781A4 (en) 1987-02-03

Family

ID=10980524

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19830900435 Withdrawn EP0134781A4 (en) 1983-01-28 1983-01-28 A construction set, preferably a toy set.

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4589853A (en)
EP (1) EP0134781A4 (en)
JP (1) JPS60500481A (en)
BR (1) BR8307686A (en)
CA (1) CA1197100A (en)
FI (1) FI843693L (en)
NO (1) NO843875L (en)
WO (1) WO1984002853A1 (en)

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US7517270B2 (en) * 2006-05-30 2009-04-14 Minds-I, Inc. Construction system
US20080075528A1 (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-03-27 Michael Marzetta Construction system
TWM339349U (en) * 2008-03-21 2008-09-01 Deng-Fu Hu Multi-functional assembling unit
US20140010915A1 (en) * 2012-07-09 2014-01-09 Echo Bravo Llc Wine Fermentation and Oak Extraction Method and Apparatus
US20150104994A1 (en) 2013-10-11 2015-04-16 Eric J. Rotbard Construction toy set for toddlers and young children
USD743492S1 (en) * 2014-06-25 2015-11-17 Chien-Ming Chen Intelligence enhancing toy
FR3040310B1 (en) * 2015-09-02 2019-08-16 Arnaud Guy Plouchart BUILDING ELEMENTS ASSEMBLED BETWEEN THEM.
USD830474S1 (en) * 2017-06-06 2018-10-09 Heroes Will Rise, Inc. Mechanical connection play system
USD830473S1 (en) * 2017-06-13 2018-10-09 Heroes Will Rise, Inc. Play construction kit
USD865074S1 (en) * 2018-09-11 2019-10-29 Heroes Will Rise, Inc. Simple machines play construction kit
USD863456S1 (en) * 2018-09-18 2019-10-15 Heroes Will Rise, Inc. Connectors play construction kit
USD869567S1 (en) * 2018-09-18 2019-12-10 Heroes Will Rise, Inc. Locomotion play construction kit
USD885496S1 (en) * 2018-12-27 2020-05-26 Wuhan Allkids Culture And Education Co., Ltd. Construction toy

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GB564631A (en) * 1944-05-11 1944-10-05 Thomas Harold Robins Improvements in constructional toy elements
DE2353249A1 (en) * 1973-10-24 1975-04-30 Harry Horst Dipl Phys Binder Toy building blocks - have plug connections with rods and bolts, to form letters and numerals and variety of mechanical toys

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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See also references of WO8402853A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR8307686A (en) 1984-12-11
FI843693A0 (en) 1984-09-20
WO1984002853A1 (en) 1984-08-02
FI843693L (en) 1984-09-20
CA1197100A (en) 1985-11-26
JPS60500481A (en) 1985-04-11
US4589853A (en) 1986-05-20
NO843875L (en) 1984-09-27
EP0134781A4 (en) 1987-02-03

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