EP3135360A1 - Spielbausatz - Google Patents

Spielbausatz Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3135360A1
EP3135360A1 EP15020146.5A EP15020146A EP3135360A1 EP 3135360 A1 EP3135360 A1 EP 3135360A1 EP 15020146 A EP15020146 A EP 15020146A EP 3135360 A1 EP3135360 A1 EP 3135360A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cross
section
bores
toy construction
construction set
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Withdrawn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
EP15020146.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Klaus Heinrich Ehrmann
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP15020146.5A priority Critical patent/EP3135360A1/de
Priority to PCT/IB2016/055060 priority patent/WO2017037582A1/en
Publication of EP3135360A1 publication Critical patent/EP3135360A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • A63H33/102—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements using elastic deformation

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present invention relate to toy construction sets for children and adults.
  • Toy construction sets are very popular, because they foster creativity, three-dimensional thinking, haptic learning, and social skills.
  • connection rods are inserted into the through-bores to assemble the blocks.
  • the connection strength can vary significantly. Assembly and disassembly of the blocks can become very difficult, when the rods enter deep into the bores. This can lead to frustration, particularly when used by children.
  • Another solution proposes blocks with blind bores for insertion of connection rods.
  • the blind bores do not allow inserting shafts that can move along or rotate around their axis.
  • a different block design with through-bores is proposed, reducing the versatility of the individual blocks and the opportunities for play.
  • the user needs a larger number of blocks with different block designs to compensate for the lower versatility of the individual blocks.
  • Another solution proposes blocks with through-bores and cylindrical connector elements.
  • the entry depth of the connector elements into the through-bores is controlled by a flange around the central section of the cylindrical connector elements.
  • These connector elements are difficult to fabricate in non-plastic materials such as wood. Therefore, this solution is commercialized with connector elements made of plastic.
  • the presented toy construction set comprises blocks with at least one through-bore, connector elements, and shaft elements, which are elongated elements.
  • the through-bores have a first cross-section at least at one opening of the through-bores, and a second cross-section as of a distance from this opening along the respective through-bore.
  • the cross-section area of the first cross-section is larger than the cross-section area of the second cross-section.
  • the through-bores are adapted, such that the connector elements can be inserted into the opening of the through-bores with the first cross-section at most by the distance from the opening to the beginning of the second cross-section, creating a frictional connection between the respective connector element and the respective block.
  • the through-bores are also adapted, such that the shaft elements can be inserted into the openings of the through-bores with the first or the second cross-section and can be pushed through the through-bores, being able to rotate around their elongated axis when inside the through-bores.
  • FIG. 1 isometric view of block 10, connector element 12, and shaft element 14
  • Fig. 1A sectional view of block 10, connector element 12, and shaft element 14
  • Figs. 1 and 1A show a suitable block 10 that has a cubic form with a side length 16 of few centimeters.
  • a through-bore 18 In the center of each face of the cubic block 10 is an opening of a through-bore 18.
  • Each of the through-bores 18 has a first circular cross-section 20 close to the opening.
  • the diameter of the first cross-section 20 is around one quarter of the side length of the block 16.
  • Each through-bore 18 maintains this diameter until a certain distance 22 from the opening along the through-bore 18.
  • the distance 22 is one quarter of the side length of the block 16.
  • the through-bore 18 has a second circular cross-section 24 with an area smaller than the area of the first cross-section 20.
  • the diameter of the second cross-section 24 is one fifth of the side length of the block 16.
  • the three through-bores 18 are perpendicular to each other and intersect in the central region of the block 10.
  • the through-bore openings with the first cross-section 20 widen close to the surface of the block forming a recess 26.
  • Figs. 1 and 1A also show a suitable connector element 12, which has a circular cross-section 28.
  • the diameter of the cross-section of the connector element 28 is about the same as the diameter of the first circular cross-section 20.
  • Inserting the connector element 12 into one of the through-bores 18 connects the connector element and the block by means of friction.
  • the strength of the connection can be controlled and adjusted during design and manufacturing by a.) changing the relative diameters of the cross-section 28 and of the first cross-section 20 and by b.) changing the distance 22 that limits the entry depth of the connector element 12 into the block 10.
  • a larger diameter of the cross-section of the connector element 28 compared to the diameter of the first cross-section 20 makes the connection between assembled blocks stronger, but also tougher to assemble and dissemble.
  • a longer distance 22 makes the connection stronger, but also tougher to assemble and dissemble.
  • the distance 22 has geometric constraints, because the through-bores 18 must only intersect at sections with the second cross-section 24.
  • the connector element 12 has a length of two times the distance 22, which is one half of the side length of the blocks 16. This length of the connector element allows connecting two blocks such that their faces touch. Alternative embodiments may comprise longer connector elements, which allow connecting two distant blocks, such that their faces do not touch when assembled.
  • the connector element 12 has a groove 30 along its full length with a depth slightly beyond the center of the cross-section 28 giving some radial elasticity to the connector element. This elasticity facilitates insertion of the connector elements into the through-bores of the blocks. It also offers flexibility offsetting the impact of humidity on the shape of wood and the connection strength. The radial elasticity of the connector element can be increased by deepening the groove 30 further beyond the center of the cross-section 28.
  • Figs. 1 and 1A also show a suitable shaft element 14, which is an elongated element with a circular cross-section 32.
  • the diameter of the cross-section 32 is smaller than the diameter of the second cross-section 24. In this embodiment, the diameter is slightly smaller than one fifth of the side length of the block 16. This diameter allows the shaft element 14 to freely rotate around its elongation axis when inside the through-bore 18.
  • the length of the shaft element is longer than the side length of the block 16, such that further block-like elements serving, for example, as wheels can be connected to each end of the shaft element 14 that is inside a block 10.
  • the shaft element 14 can also move along its elongation axis inside the through-bore 18, which offers further functional features to assembled objects.
  • the above description shows that this embodiment of the toy construction set is highly versatile.
  • the three through-bores in this block are perpendicular to each other, enabling constructing in all three dimensions.
  • the through-bores can serve as a host for connector elements or shaft elements, further enhancing versatility and the possibilities for play.
  • the user inserts, without the use of any tools, both ends of a connector element into the openings of the through-bores of two different blocks, thereby creating a firm connection between the two blocks. More blocks can be added to this first pair of assembled blocks using additional connector elements. Shaft elements can be inserted into the through-bore of one or several aligned blocks - as long as no connector element is already inserted into these through-bores. To dissemble or to alter an assembled object, the user simply pulls two assembled blocks apart. This will leave the connector element in the through-bore of one of the blocks. The connector element can then be pulled out of the block or left there for assembly with another block.
  • Fig. 2 shows how a shaft element 14 can be used to push out the connector element 12 of the through-bore 18 in the case where the connector element 12 is stuck.
  • the user inserts the shaft element 14 into the opening of the through-bore 18 opposite to the opening where the connector element 12 is stuck. Pushing the shaft element 14 against the connector element 12 will push the connector element 12 out of the through-bore 18.
  • Other items that may accidentally clutter the through-bore 18 can also be pushed out using the shaft element 14 in the same way.
  • Fig. 3 shows a block of wrench-like shape 34 that allows using this block not only as a construction element, but also as a tool to pull stuck connector elements 12 from other blocks 10. This tool is helpful in the rare case where two connector elements 12 are stuck in both openings of a through-bore and using a shaft element to push out the stuck connector elements 12 is not possible.
  • Figs. 4 to 14 give some examples of alternative embodiments of a block 10, a connector element 12, and a shaft element 14.
  • Fig. 4 shows a block 10 with a non-cubic, partially rounded shape
  • Fig. 5 shows a block 10 with a rectangular first cross-section 20 at the opening of the through-bores 18 and a quadratic second cross-section 24 at the distance 22 from the opening of the through-bores
  • Fig. 6 shows a block 10 with several through-bores 18 on the same face of the block
  • Fig. 7 shows a block 10 with through-bores 18 only on some of its faces
  • Fig. 8 shows a block 10 with through-bores 18 at a 30 degree angle to the faces of the block with the through-bore openings
  • Fig. 4 shows a block 10 with a non-cubic, partially rounded shape
  • Fig. 5 shows a block 10 with a rectangular first cross-section 20 at the opening of the through-bores 18 and a quadratic second cross-section 24 at the distance 22 from the opening of the through-bores
  • Fig. 6 shows a block 10 with several through-bores
  • FIG. 9 shows a block 10 with through-bores 18, which have a first cross-section 20 with a larger cross-section area only at one opening and a sec-ond cross-section 24 with a smaller cross-section area at the other opening;
  • Fig. 10 shows a block 10 with some through-bores 18, which have a first cross-section 20 at both openings, and some through-bores 18, which have a first cross-section 20 at one opening and a second cross-section 24 at the opposite opening.
  • the user can insert connector elements only into the openings with the first cross-section 20.
  • a recess 26 at the through-bore openings with the first cross-section 20 indicates that a connector element 12 can be introduced - as opposed to the through-bore openings with the second cross-section 24 and no recesses - and facilitates inserting the connector element 12.
  • Fig. 11 shows a connector element 12 with slots across the full diameter at both ends instead of a groove along its full length;
  • Fig. 12 shows a long connector element 12, which allows connecting two distant blocks;
  • Fig. 13 shows a connector element 12 with a rectangular cross-section 28 adapted to be inserted into the through-bores of an embodiment of the block as shown in Fig. 5 ;
  • Fig. 14 shows a shaft element 14 with a quadratic cross-section 32.
  • the blocks, the connector elements, and the shaft elements of these embodiments can be cost-efficiently fabricated from plastic materials, but more importantly from non-plastic materials such as wood. This is made possible by defining the insertion depth of the connector elements via the geometric structure of the through-bore (distance from the opening of the through-bore to the beginning of the second cross-section) and not via the structure of the connector element as proposed in prior art (flanges around the central section of the cylindrical connector elements), which significantly reduces the complexity of fabricating the connector elements in non-plastic materials such as wood.

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  • Toys (AREA)
EP15020146.5A 2015-08-31 2015-08-31 Spielbausatz Withdrawn EP3135360A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15020146.5A EP3135360A1 (de) 2015-08-31 2015-08-31 Spielbausatz
PCT/IB2016/055060 WO2017037582A1 (en) 2015-08-31 2016-08-25 Toy construction set

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15020146.5A EP3135360A1 (de) 2015-08-31 2015-08-31 Spielbausatz

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3135360A1 true EP3135360A1 (de) 2017-03-01

Family

ID=54035078

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15020146.5A Withdrawn EP3135360A1 (de) 2015-08-31 2015-08-31 Spielbausatz

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3135360A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2017037582A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109876460A (zh) * 2019-03-04 2019-06-14 重庆交通大学 水上拼搭玩具

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1915835A (en) * 1932-01-16 1933-06-27 Toy Tinkers Inc Toy construction block
CA933360A (en) * 1968-09-18 1973-09-11 W. Howe August Construction set having plug-in blocks
DE2823440A1 (de) * 1978-05-29 1979-12-13 Schmidt Troschke Geb Troschke Steckverbindungsvorrichtung fuer eine gestellkonstruktion zu spielzwecken
EP0911070A2 (de) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-28 Happy Clown GmbH Spielbaukasten und Verbindungselement dafür
US20070173095A1 (en) * 2006-01-20 2007-07-26 Rifael Bin-Nun Reusable block and fastener system
KR20110069424A (ko) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-23 주식회사 오르다코리아 자석조립식완구

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1915835A (en) * 1932-01-16 1933-06-27 Toy Tinkers Inc Toy construction block
CA933360A (en) * 1968-09-18 1973-09-11 W. Howe August Construction set having plug-in blocks
DE2823440A1 (de) * 1978-05-29 1979-12-13 Schmidt Troschke Geb Troschke Steckverbindungsvorrichtung fuer eine gestellkonstruktion zu spielzwecken
EP0911070A2 (de) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-28 Happy Clown GmbH Spielbaukasten und Verbindungselement dafür
US20070173095A1 (en) * 2006-01-20 2007-07-26 Rifael Bin-Nun Reusable block and fastener system
KR20110069424A (ko) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-23 주식회사 오르다코리아 자석조립식완구

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109876460A (zh) * 2019-03-04 2019-06-14 重庆交通大学 水上拼搭玩具

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2017037582A1 (en) 2017-03-09

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