EP0728507A2 - Building blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly unit has plastics structural members which are detachably joined by clip fastened connectors (1). One side of first, split tenon-shaped connectors (3) is easily joined to matching first holes (15) on the structural members (13). Second connectors (10) are tightly joined to matching second holes (20) in the structural members, on the other side. The first connectors are formed on a rectangular base body 92). The other ends of the tenons have protuberances (5).

Description

The invention is directed to a modular game system for creating buildings, vehicle bodies, landscape parts, etc. comprising plastic components that can be detachably connected to one another by means of snap-in connecting elements.

Such modular game systems are known for example from DE 21 11 971 C3, DE 22 08 882 C3 and DE 72 40 172 U1. The connecting elements of the known game systems are designed so that they are each constructed symmetrically, i.e. have correspondingly designed latching elements on their two coupling sides, the corresponding play components also having latching recesses, which are each uniformly designed to correspond to the latching projections of the coupling elements.

Game systems are also known which work without separate coupling elements, with locking projections being arranged on one side of the components and corresponding locking recesses being arranged on the other side, the locking projections and locking recesses generally being distributed in the manner of a grid.

From European patent 0 379 033, latching connections for toy components are also known, with grid-like parts on plate-shaped parts Grooves are formed so that corresponding recesses of components to be fastened to the plates can be snapped onto them.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to create a modular game system which also enables the implementation of large-area components with smooth, uninterrupted surfaces in order to achieve an appearance that is true to the prototype, these components on the one hand being able to be produced at a reasonable cost and on the other hand having such a firm locking connection Permanently constant locking and holding properties are to be created so that the construction of larger structures is possible and these are so durable that the child can play with figures using these structures, for example.

This object is achieved in that connecting elements are provided which have first latching elements on one side for easily detachable connection with corresponding first latching recesses on the components and second latching devices on their other side for difficult to detachable connection with corresponding second latching recesses of the components.

The design according to the invention separates the production of the actual components from the production of the connecting elements. Only when the child uses such a game system does he attach connecting elements to the components via a difficult-to-detachable snap connection wherever such connecting elements are required for the respective game purpose, ie the child remains free, for example certain sides or surfaces of components not to be equipped with connecting elements and, accordingly, to leave them with a smooth surface. The production of the difficult-to-release latching connection creates a certain stimulus to play, since the child must first activate his play system and make it ready for use. If you then play with such prepared components and a building or the like. Should be redesigned again, this is easily possible due to the second, easily detachable locking connections, whereby it is ensured that only the easily detachable Locking connections are interrupted and, in contrast, the connecting elements used in the components remain in place.

Accordingly, it is possible to use this construction technique to build relatively large components, e.g. in the form of wall or floor slabs, with a smooth surface and still durable to connect.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the connecting elements with their second latching devices can be inserted into the second latching recesses of the components such that only the first latching elements protrude outward from the respective surface of the component receiving the second latching recess. This means that the connecting elements are positively received in the respective component and only the first latching elements protrude outwards.

These first latching elements are expediently cone-shaped, in particular in the form of a cross-slotted pin.

It is also advantageously provided that the first latching elements are formed on a rectangular base body and the slots extend in the direction of the diagonals of the rectangular base body.

In the region of the outer ends of the peg-shaped latching elements, latching projections are advantageously formed, which extend approximately in the direction perpendicular to the paint direction of the peg-shaped latching elements.

These locking projections can only extend over a part of each sector of the cross-shaped slotted pin-shaped locking elements, in particular in such a way that each of four locking projections extends on both sides of the center of a rectangular side.

The second latching devices are advantageously formed by latching projections on the base body of the connecting elements. It can be convenient each basic body has a rectangular, non-square basic shape and the locking projections can each be arranged on the long sides of the basic body.

This configuration ensures that the latching connection is not released by rotary movements, and is accordingly difficult to release. this locking connection can only be released by pulling in the direction perpendicular to the base body of the connecting element. In contrast, the easily releasable locking connection described above enables the slotted pin to twist two components connected in this way so that, without the easily releasable locking connection having to be released, components can be positioned relative to one another or repositioning is possible.

In addition to the configuration of the first latching elements as pins, this pivotability is also made possible in that the first latching recesses are square and are preferably only open to the outside of the respective component outer wall. In this case, at least two opposite side walls of the locking recess can have undercuts corresponding to the locking projections of the peg-like first locking lugs.

In contrast, in order to provide an anti-rotation device corresponding to the rectangular base body of the connecting element in the second locking recesses, it can be provided that the second locking recesses also have a rectangular basic shape and have undercuts corresponding to the locking projections of the second locking device on the two opposite longitudinal sides.

The elasticity and durability properties of the connecting elements on the one hand and the components on the other are usually different, so that this can be taken into account by using different plastics, for example ABS and POM on the one hand. This is another important advantage of the separate production of the connecting elements and the components.

The components can be cuboid in shape and have side surfaces without locking recesses and side surfaces with locking recesses, with locking recesses of either the first or the second type being formed on different side surfaces. It is in particular also possible to create surfaces that have no locking elements.

A preferred embodiment provides that a component is designed like a plate with an edge extending downward from the plane of the plate, approaches being provided on the underside of the component within the edge, which are aligned with the lower edge of the edge, and in which first latching recesses are provided are. Accordingly, such plates do not have to be solid, but a certain "optical thickness" can be achieved while saving material and weight.

Conveniently, the recesses are formed parallel to the outer edges parallel to the lines of the components, the spacing of the locking recesses in each case corresponding to a multiple of a grid dimension. Two grid dimensions can also be provided, a first grid dimension being realized within one component and a second grid dimension when two adjacent components are adjacent to one another and the adjacent recesses have a second grid spacing.

In the context of the invention, it is also conceivable that the latching recesses are slot-like, oblong, rectangular, so that a component with a connecting element can be locked in the longitudinal direction of the slot.

Furthermore, connecting elements with two easily detachable first locking elements can be provided, which serve to establish a connection between components with two corresponding locking recesses in order to absorb torque or tilting moments in this way.

Finally, it is still possible to form locking recesses round so that the parts connected in this way are free when a locking connection is made can be pivoted against each other. This configuration can always be provided if either the relative angular orientation of two components to be connected is not important or if the pivotability is specifically desired.

The invention also relates to a tool for mounting the connecting elements on the components, which is rod-shaped and has a first latching recess at least at one end to form an easily releasable latching connection. Accordingly, it is possible to take up a connecting element with such a tool and to insert it into a second latching recess with its second latching devices and thus to produce a connection which is difficult to detach. Accordingly, after the connection element has been positioned, the easily releasable latching connection between the tool and the connection element can be easily separated.

Likewise, a special tool can also be provided within the scope of the invention in order to detach the connecting elements from the latch connections, which are difficult to detach.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungselements,

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungselement,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt längs der Linie A-A in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt längs der Linie B-B in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt längs der Linie C-C in Fig. 2,

Fig. 6

eine Aufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Bauelement,

Fig. 7

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Einzelheit V in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht von einer ersten Seite des Bauelements nach Fig. 6,

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht von einer um 90° gegenüber Fig. 8 gedrehten zweiten Seite des Bauelements,

Fig. 10

einen Schnitt längs der Linie B-B in Fig. 11,

Fig. 11

eine Ansicht des Bauelements nach Fig. 6 von unten,

Fig. 12

einen Schnitt längs der Linie A-A in Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

die Einzelheit X in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14

die Einzelheit Y in Fig. 12,

Fig. 15

einen Schnitt längs der Linie C-C in Fig. 14, d.h. einen gegenüber der Darstellung in Fig. 14 um 90° versetzten Schnitt und

Fig. 16

die Einzelheit Z in Fig. 10.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. Show

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective view of a connecting element according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a top view of a connecting element according to the invention,

Fig. 3

3 shows a section along the line AA in FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

3 shows a section along the line BB in FIG. 2,

Fig. 5

3 shows a section along the line CC in FIG. 2,

Fig. 6

a supervision of a component according to the invention,

Fig. 7

6 shows an enlarged illustration of the detail V in FIG. 6,

Fig. 8

6 shows a side view from a first side of the component according to FIG. 6,

Fig. 9

8 shows a side view of a second side of the component rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. 8,

Fig. 10

11 shows a section along the line BB in FIG. 11,

Fig. 11

6 shows a view of the component according to FIG. 6 from below,

Fig. 12

11 shows a section along the line AA in FIG. 11,

Fig. 13

the detail X in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14

the detail Y in Fig. 12,

Fig. 15

a section along the line CC in Fig. 14, ie a section offset by 90 ° compared to the illustration in Fig. 14 and

Fig. 16

the detail Z in FIG. 10.

1 shows a connecting element 1 according to the invention, which has a rectangular base body 2 which can be seen in FIG. 2.

First locking elements 3 in the form of a pin extend away from one side of this base body 2 (upwards in FIG. 1). The pin forming the locking elements 3 is provided with crosswise slots 4 which run in the direction of the diagonals of the base body 2 (cf. FIG. 2).

At the outer ends of each sector 6 of the locking elements 3, locking projections 5 are formed. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the latching projections 5 extend only over part of each sector 6 of the pin-like latching elements 3, the outer edges 7 of the latching projections 5 run parallel to the longitudinal edges 8 and transverse edges 9 of the base body 2.

Second locking devices 10 are formed on the other, in FIG. 1, the lower side of the base body 2 and comprise two locking projections 11, which extend outward from the longitudinal sides 8 of the base body, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 of the pin-like locking elements 3.

6 shows a component 13 in the form of a base plate which has a flat base body 14 and a circumferential, downwardly drawn side wall 17, 18.

Each component 13 is provided with first locking recesses 15, which have a square basic shape with rounded corners 16 and are arranged parallel to the side walls 17, 18 at a first grid spacing R1 or a second grid spacing R2.

First snap-in recesses 15 of this type are also formed on the side walls 18 on two opposite side walls.

Each locking recess 15 has undercuts or clearances 19, 19 'on opposite sides, which are designed to correspond to the locking projections 5, i.e. enable a detachable engagement of the locking projections 5. Due to the peg-like configuration of the locking elements 3 and the rounded-square configuration of the locking recesses 15, it is possible to rotate the components 13 and connecting parts 1 relative to one another in the engaged state.

The design of the undercuts 19, 19 'of the first locking recesses 15 results in particular from the comparison of FIGS. 14 and 15. From this it is clear that the undercuts 19, which are formed on two opposite sides of each locking recess 15, are in the axial direction extend only over a certain section, whereas the undercuts 19 ', which on the other pair of mutually opposite walls of the locking recesses 15 are provided, extend to the upper edge of the recess 15.

In the side walls 17, which are perpendicular to the side walls 18, second locking recesses 20 are formed with a rectangular basic shape. The configuration of these latching recesses 20 can be seen in particular from the overview of FIGS. 9, 10 and 16. The latching recesses 20 have undercuts 21 on two opposite sides, which correspond to the latching projections 11 on the base body 2 of the connecting elements 1. The basic shape of the locking recesses 20 and their depth corresponds to the basic shape and the height of the base body 2, so that when the base body 2 is inserted into the locking recesses 20, the upper side 21 'of the base body 2 is flush with the respective outer surface, for example the outer surface 22, of the component. Due to the rectangular configuration of the locking recess 20 and the base body 2, a locking connection produced in this way cannot be loosened or loosened by turning, i.e. the latching connection is firm and can only be released by applying a relatively high amount of force in the exact axial direction (arrow 23 in FIG. 16).

Although the plate 14 of the component 13 is only relatively thin, first latching recesses 15 can also be realized on the underside of the flat base body 14 by extensions 24 extending away from the underside of the plate 14, which practically form a square wall and so on enable the design of locking recesses 15.

Claims (10)

Modular game system for creating buildings, vehicle bodies, landscape parts, etc., comprising plastic components that can be detachably connected to one another by means of snap-in connecting elements, characterized in that connecting elements (1) are provided,
which first latching elements (3) on one side for easily detachable connection to corresponding first latching recesses (15) on the components (13) and
Second locking devices (10) for difficult to detachable connection with corresponding second locking recesses (20) of the components on their other side
exhibit. Game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements (1) with their second latching devices (10) can be inserted into the leading latching recesses (20) of the components (13) in such a way that from the respective surface receiving the second latching recess (20) of the component (13) only the first latching elements (3) protrude outwards. Game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking elements (3) are cone-shaped. Game system according to claim 3, characterized in that the first latching elements (3) are designed in the form of a slotted pin. Game system according to claim 4, characterized in that the first locking devices (3) are designed in the form of a cross-slotted pin. Game system according to claim 5, characterized in that the first locking elements (3) are formed on a rectangular base body (2) and the slots extend in the direction of the diagonals of the rectangular base body (2). Game system according to claim 6, characterized in that latching projections (5) are formed in the region of the outer ends of the peg-shaped latching elements (3) which extend approximately in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the peg-shaped latching elements (3). Game system according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking projections (5) extend only over part of each sector (6) of the cross-shaped, slotted pin-shaped locking elements (3). Game system according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking projections (5) extend along the outline of a rectangle such that each of four locking projections (5) extends on either side of the center of a side of the rectangle. Game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second locking devices (10) are formed by locking projections (11) on the base body (2) of the connecting elements (1).

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