EP3456396A1

EP3456396A1 - Folding toy

Info

Publication number: EP3456396A1
Application number: EP18194024.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yang Zhang; Chunyan He
Original assignee: Beijing Aiqi Technology Co Ltd; Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Aiqi Technology Co Ltd; Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2018-09-12
Publication date: 2019-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-12
Also published as: JP2019530480A; CN109499074A; EP3456396B1; WO2019052106A1; US20190083894A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a toy. In some embodiments, the toy includes first cubic blocks (10), second cubic blocks (20), connectors (30), and pivoting shafts (40). For example, the first cubic block (10) includes a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the first cubic block (10), and a second recessed space recessed from a second edge to the first center. The second edge is perpendicular to and does not intercept the first edge. The second cubic block includes a third recessed space recessed from a third edge, and a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge. Each of the connectors (30) connects one of the first cubic blocks (10) and one of the second cubic blocks. Each of the pivoting shafts (40) connects a respective connector (30) to one of the first and second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft (40).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure belongs to the field of toy technology.

BACKGROUND

With the development of society, people in cities are working and living at a fast pace. Correspondingly, mental stress of people is increased and it is liable to generating anxiety and other emotions. Therefore, building block toys, such as for decompression, splice and construction, are more and more popular among people. A person may build various kinds of shapes according to his/her imagination and creativity through the combination of building blocks, to release mental stresses caused by living and working.
In related art, toys of building blocks are made of hard materials, such as wood, metal or hard plastic materials. Building blocks are separated from each other, which need to be stacked one by one on a platform by people, in order to build a variety of shapes. However, the built shape is influenced by gravity. Mutual forces among the building blocks and corresponding directions of the forces need to be adjusted, to build a corresponding shape. Besides, the number of the building blocks is relatively large, and the building blocks may occupy a large space.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present disclosure relates to a toy.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the toy comprises:

first cubic blocks, each of the first cubic blocks including:
- a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the respective first cubic block; and
- a second recessed space recessed from a second edge of the respective first cubic block to the first center, the second edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the first edge;
second cubic blocks, each of the second cubic blocks including:
- a third recessed space recessed from a third edge to a second center of the respective second cubic block; and
- a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge of the respective second cubic block to the second center, the fourth edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the third edge;
connectors, each of the connectors connecting one of the first cubic blocks and one of the second cubic blocks; and
pivoting shafts, each of the pivoting shafts connecting one of the connectors to one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft,
wherein a number of the first cubic blocks is four;
a number of the second cubic blocks is four;
the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks are arranged in a staggered manner, the respective first cubic block being connected to two of the second cubic blocks using two of the connectors in the first recessed space and the second recessed space, and the respective second cubic block being connected to two of the first cubic blocks using two of the connectors in the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space; and
two of the pivoting shafts, being perpendicular to each other, are disposed in each of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks, the respective first cubic block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts, and the respective second cubic block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts.

In some embodiments, a structure of the respective first cubic block is symmetric with respect to a structure of the respective second cubic block.
In some embodiments, the first recessed space is a first groove disposed parallel to the first edge and the second recessed space is a second groove disposed parallel to the second edge, the first groove being perpendicular to the second groove, the first pivoting end of the respective connector being connected to the respective first cubic block in the first groove or the second groove.
In some embodiments, a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the respective first cubic block intercept at the first edge; and
the first groove is partially recessed in a direction from the first outer surface toward the first center to form a first slot, the first groove extending to the second outer surface perpendicular to the first outer surface.
In some embodiments, a recessed depth of the first groove from the first outer surface toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of an edge length of the respective first cubic block, and a minimum distance between the second outer surface and an inner wall surface of the first groove is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
In some embodiments, a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface of the respective first cubic block intercept at the second edge; and
the second groove is partially recessed in a direction from the third outer surface toward the first center to form a second slot, the second groove extending to the fourth outer surface perpendicular to the third outer surface.
In some embodiments, the third outer surface is perpendicular to the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is parallel to the first outer surface and perpendicular to the second outer surface.
In some embodiments, a recession depth of the second groove from the third outer surface toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length, and a minimum distance between the fourth outer surface and an inner wall surface of the second groove is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
In some embodiments, each of the connectors includes:

a body portion disposed between a first pivoting end and a second pivoting end;
the first pivoting end, a portion of the first pivoting end being in one of the first recessed space and the second recessed space of the respective first cubic block; and
the second pivoting end, a portion of the second pivoting end being in one of the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space of the respective second cubic block.

In some embodiments, the first pivoting end is disposed in the respective first recessed space, and the second pivoting end is disposed in the third recessed space; and
when the respective connector is rotated to a specific position, an outer surface of the body portion is flush with corresponding outer surfaces of the respective first cubic block and the respective second cubic block.
In some embodiments, the connector comprises the pivoting shaft that protrudes outside of the body portion, the pivoting shaft connecting the respective first cubic block with the connector.
In some embodiments, the pivoting shaft is plugged into the body portion.
In some embodiments, a cross-section of the pivoting shaft is cross-shaped;
the first recessed space is disposed between a pair of cross grooves in the respective first cubic block, a cross-section of the respective cross groove being cross-shaped and matching the cross-section of the pivoting shaft;
the pivoting shaft is assembled through the respective pair of cross grooves to enable rotation of the respective first cubic block around the pivoting shaft.
In some embodiments, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
In some embodiments, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises a frosted outer surface.
The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may have following beneficial effects.
The folding toy (or the toy) is combined by eight small cubes and connecting members to form a whole. The folding toy may be rotated around the pivoting shaft from a plurality of directions and angles. When a player holds the folding toy in his/her hand, he/she may freely turn over the folding toy following his/her feeling without restriction, the rotation is flexible and the operation experience is excellent. The folding toys may be manipulated in the hands of the player, turned and stacked to form a large cube, or unfolded to form two paralleling rows of rectangular solids, which improves attentiveness of the player and relieves anxiety of the player. The folding toy has a small size, which may be moved by the fingertips of the player. The user experience is good.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated in and become parts of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a perspective structural view of a folding toy being unfolded in a rectangular solid shape according to an exemplary embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a perspective structural schematic diagram of a folding toy being folded in a cubic shape according to an exemplary embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a perspective structural view of a first module according to an exemplary embodiment; and
Fig. 4 is a perspective structural view of a connecting member according to an exemplary embodiment.

In the drawings, the components are labeled as follows: first modules 10; first connecting groove 11; second connecting groove 12; cross grooves 13; first surface 14; second surface 15; third surface 16; fourth surface 17; deforming grooves 18; second module 20; connecting member 30; body portion 31; first pivoting portion 32; second pivoting portion 33; pivoting shaft 40.
The specific aspects of the present disclosure, which have been illustrated by the accompanying drawings described above, will be described in detail below. These accompanying drawings and description are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any manner, but to explain the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art via referencing specific aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Descriptions will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with aspects related to the present disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
The terms used herein are merely for describing a particular embodiment, rather than limiting the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, terms in singular forms such as "a", "said" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms, unless explicitly dictated otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" used herein means any one or any possible combination of one or more associated listed items.
It should be understood that, although it may describe information with a term first, second, or third, etc., the information is not limited by these terms. These terms are merely for distinguishing among information of the same kind. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information may also be referred to as second information. Similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, a term "if" as used herein can be interpreted as "when", "while" or "in response to".
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the folding toy 100 (or the toy 100) includes first modules 10 (or first cubic blocks 10) in cubic shapes, second modules 20 (or second cubic blocks 20) in cubic shapes, and connecting members 30 (or connectors 30) each having two ends pivotally connected to the first module 10 and the second module 20 respectively. In various embodiments, the folding toy 100 includes four first modules 10, four second modules 20, and eight connecting members 30 (or connectors 30) each having two ends pivotally connected to the first module 10 and the second module 20 respectively. In some embodiments, the folding toy 100 includes pivoting shafts 40.
Each of the first module 10 and the second module 20 may rotate around a respective pivoting shaft 40. In some embodiments, each of the connecting members 30 includes a respective pivoting shaft 40. In some embodiments, the edge length of the first module 10 is equal to that of the second module 20. The first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are arranged in a staggered manner. The connecting members 30 are configured to connect the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 adjacent to each other to form two parallel rows. The first modules 10 and the second modules 20 form two parallel rows, wherein the first row includes two first modules 10 and two second modules 20, the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are spaced apart from each other, the second row also includes two first modules 10 and two second modules 20, and the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are also spaced apart from each other. The first modules 10 in the first row are adjacent to the second modules 20 in the second row, such that the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 in the folding toy 100 are staggered. In order to improve turning efficiency of the first modules 10 and the second modules 20, reduce interference portions, and improve appearance, in an embodiment, edges and corners of the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are rounded corners. In some examples, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks includes a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
The first modules 10 and the second modules 20 in the folding toy 100 are arranged in a staggered manner. Middle positions of two edges of each of the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are provided with an accommodating space (or a recessed space) which is formed by recessing the corresponding edge in a direction from two surfaces where the edge is located toward the center of the module. The two edges are perpendicular to each other and do not intersect. Two ends of the connecting member 30 are respectively connected to the adjacent first module 10 and second module 20. The two ends of the connecting member 30 are at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space of the first module 10 and the second module 20. The connecting member 30 is located at the middle position of the first module 10 and the second module 20, such that force-bearing performance is good. The connecting member 30 is partially accommodated in the accommodating space of the first module 10 or the second module 20, such that deformation space is large, which is more flexible. Moreover, when two inner side walls of the accommodating space are perpendicular to each other, a rotation range of the connecting member 30 may be determined, and meanwhile the connecting member 30 and the inner side walls may be closely fit, which reduces the gap between the connecting member 30 and the first module 10 or the second module 20 and reduces the space used for rotating the folding toy 100. Besides, the change in the gap between the first module 10 and the second module 20, after the folding toy 100 is deformed, is small.
Each first module 10 is connected to two adjacent second modules 20, and pivoting shafts 40 of the two connecting members 30 pivotally connected to each first module 10 are perpendicular to each other. The second modules 20 and the first modules 10 are spaced apart from each other. Correspondingly, each second module 20 is connected to two adjacent first modules 10, and pivoting shafts 40 of the two connecting members 30 pivotally connected to each second module 20 are perpendicular to each other. The folding toy 100 may be unfolded to form two parallel rows of rectangular solids constituted by the first modules 10 and the second modules 20; or may be folded to form a cube constituted by the first modules 10 and the second modules 20.
The folding toy 100 is comprised of eight small cubes and eight connecting members 30 combined to form a whole. The folding toy 100 may be rotated around the pivoting shafts 40 from a plurality of directions and angles. When a player holds the folding toy 100 in his/her hand, he/she may freely turn over the folding toy 100 following his/her feeling without restriction, the rotation is flexible, and the operation experience is excellent. The folding toy 100 may be manipulated in hands of the player, turned and stacked to form a large cube, or unfolded to form two paralleling rows of rectangular solids, which improves attentiveness of the player and relieves emotion of the player. The folding toy 100 has a small size, which may be moved at fingertips of the player. The user experience is good.
The first module 10 and the second module 20 may be designed according to an appearance and a function. Holes, bumps, patterns and the like may be set and adjusted on the surface thereof to improve appearance. Both the first module 10 and the second module 20 are connected to the connecting member 30. In some embodiments, the first module 10 is configured to rotate around a respective pivoting shaft 40 in the connecting member 30. In some embodiments, the second module 20 is configured to rotate around a respective pivoting shaft 40 in the connecting member 30. In an embodiment, the first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical in structure. The connecting member 30 is configured to be connected to the first module 10 and the second module 20. The first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical in structure, which improves the overall uniformity of the folding toy 100 and the appearance is attractive. In the rotation process of the folding toy 100, the rotation is flexible, and has an excellent consistency.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrically disposed, and the first module 10 is taken as an example for description. In an embodiment, the first module 10 includes a first connecting groove 11 (or a first groove 11) and a second connecting groove 12 (or a second groove 12) recessed from the surface of the first module 10. The first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are perpendicular to each other. The connecting member 30 may be connected to an interior of the corresponding first connecting groove 11 or second connecting groove 12.
Each of the first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 may be respectively connected to one connecting member 30. In an example, each of the first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 is configured to rotate inside the respective connecting member 30. The first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are set by being recessed on the first module 10 to form the accommodating space, for respectively accommodating a part of the connecting member 30, to increase the volume of the connecting member 30 and improve strength and rigidity of the connecting member 30. The connecting member 30 is trapped in the first connecting groove 11 or the second connecting groove 12, so as to adjust the rotation position and the fitting position between the first module 10 and the second module 20 and make the rotation flexible. In an embodiment, the first connecting groove 11 is located at the middle position of an edge (or a first edge) of the first module 10. By providing the first connecting groove 11 at the middle position of the edge, it may guarantee, for example, that the first module 10 is at a symmetrical position, the rotational position is the same and the stability is good, regardless of the direction in which the first module 10 is rotated.
The first connecting groove 11 is formed by a recess downward from the surface of the first module 10. In an embodiment, the first connecting groove 11 is partially recessed in a direction from a first surface 14 (or a first outer surface 14) of the first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 to form a first bayonet (or a first slot), and the first connecting groove 11 extends to a side to a second surface 15 (or a second outer surface 15) perpendicular to the first surface 14. The first connecting groove 11 is a rectangular or trapezoidal notch on the first module 10. The opening of the first connecting groove 11 is located at the first surface 14 and the second surface 15 perpendicular to each other. The connecting member 30 may be connected to the first connecting groove 11 and may be perpendicular to the first surface 14 or the second surface 15 during the rotation. In an example, a pivoting shaft 40 in the first connecting groove 11 is configured to rotate inside the connecting member 30.
The first connecting groove 11 forms two inner wall surfaces on the inner surface of the first module 10. In an embodiment, a recession depth of the first connecting groove 11 from the first surface 14 of the first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10. A minimum distance between the second surface 15 and an inner wall surface of the first connecting groove 11 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10. In an embodiment, the two inner wall surfaces are perpendicular to each other.
The distance between the opening of the first connecting groove 11 and the inner wall surface of the first connecting groove 11 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10, that is, distance between the first surface 14 or the second surface 15 and an inner wall surface of the first connecting groove 11, which is not adjacent to the surface, is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10, and the rotatable range of the connecting member 30 is large, such that the first module 10 and the second module 20 may remain flush with each other after rotation. By adjusting the pivoting position of the connecting member 30 in the first connecting groove 11, it may conveniently control the rotating angle and the rotating position of the first module 10 with respect to the connecting member 30, and the adjustment is convenient.
The first module 10 has a cubic shape and includes six surfaces, wherein the first surface 14 and the second surface 15 are perpendicular to each other, a third surface 16 (or a third outer surface 16) is perpendicular to both the first surface 14 and the second surface 15, and a fourth surface 17 (or a fourth outer surface 17) is parallel to the first surface 14 and perpendicular to the second surface 15. The first connecting groove 11 is disposed on the first surface 14 and the second surface 15. In an embodiment, the second connecting groove 12 is partially recessed in a direction from the third surface 16 of the first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 to form a second bayonet (or a second slot), and the second connecting groove 12 extends to a side to the fourth surface 17 perpendicular to the third surface 16.
The first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are respectively located on two perpendicular edges, and surfaces, at which the openings of the first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are located, are different, such that the first module 10 may rotate around two directions perpendicular to each other. The first module 10 and the second module 20 that are arranged side by side may fit together after being rotated by 90 degrees simultaneously.
Correspondingly, in order to adjust the fitting angle and the position of the first module 10 and the second module 20, a recession depth of the second connecting groove 12 from the third surface 16 of the first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10, and a minimum distance between the fourth surface 17 and an inner wall surface of the second connecting groove 12, which is not adjacent to fourth surface 17, is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10.
The distance between the opening of the second connecting groove 12 and the inner wall surface of the second connecting groove 12 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10, that is, distance between the third surface 16 or the fourth surface 17 and an inner wall surface of the second connecting groove 12, which is not adjacent to the surface, is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10, and the rotatable range of the connecting member 30 is large, such that the first module 10 and the second module 20 may remain flush with each other after rotation. By adjusting the pivoting position of the connecting member 30 in the second connecting groove 12, it may conveniently control the rotating angle and the rotating position of the first module 10 with respect to the connecting member 30, and the adjustment is convenient.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the connecting member 30 is configured to pivotally connect the adjacent first module 10 and second module 20, wherein the connecting member 30 is a rigid structure. In an embodiment, the connecting member 30 includes a body portion 31, a first pivoting portion 32 (or a first pivoting end 32) disposed at one end of the body portion 31 and a second pivoting portion 33 (or a second pivoting end 33) provided at the other end of the body portion 31. The first pivoting portion 32 is pivotally connected to the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion 33 is pivotally connected to the second module 20.
The structures of the first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical to each other. The first pivoting portion 32 is located in the first connecting groove 11 of the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion 33 is located in a corresponding groove position of the second module 20. The distance between the first module 10 and the second module 20 is adjusted through the length of the connecting member 30. By adjusting the length of the connecting member 30, the distance between the first module 10 and the second module 20 is minimized. For example, in an initial state, the fourth surfaces 17 of the first module 10 and second module 20 juxtaposed at the ends are fitted to each other. After the first module 10 and the second module 20 are simultaneously rotated by 90 degrees around the connecting member 30, the third surface 16 of the first module 10 is fitted to the third surface 16 of the second module 20.
The connecting members 30 connect the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 in sequence, to make the folding toy 100 to be formed as a whole. By adjusting the distance between the first module 10 and the second module 20, the folding toy 100 is compact and the appearance after deformation is pleasing. The folding toy 100 may be turned and bent in various angles, to improve its deformation ability. For example, when the folding toy 100 is in a rectangular solid state, after it is turned over from the center of the long side to both flank sides, the two rows of modules, after being rotated, continue to maintain the rectangular solid state, and the fitting surfaces of the two rows of modules are changed.
After the first module 10 and the second module 20 are turned over, the connecting member 30 is changed with respect to the first module 10 and the second module 20. In an embodiment, the first pivoting portion 32 is pivotally connected to interior of the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion 33 is pivotally connected to interior of the second module 20. When the connecting member 30 is rotated to an outer surface of the folding toy 100, an outer surface of the body portion 31 is flush with surfaces of the first module 10 and the second module 20. When the connecting member 30 is perpendicular to the first surface 14, the outwardly-facing surface of the connecting member 30 is flush with the second surface 15. When the connecting member 30 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first module 10 and the connecting member 30 is perpendicular to the second surface 15, the outwardly-facing surface of the connecting member 30 is accordingly flush with the first surface 14. The pivoting shaft 40 of the connecting member 30 is parallel to the edge formed by intersecting the first surface 14 and the second surface 15. The distance from the pivoting shaft 40 to the first surface 14 is equal to the distance from the pivoting shaft 40 to the second surface 15.
The connecting member 30 rotates around the pivoting shaft 40, and the outer surface of the connecting member 30 after rotating is flush with the surfaces of the first module 10 and the second module 20. The overall appearance is attractive. Accordingly, end portions of the first pivoting portion 32 and the second pivoting portion 33 are provided with circular arc surfaces, such that the connecting member 30 may rotate around the first module 10 or the second module 20, without interfering with each other.
The connecting member 30 is pivotally connected to the first module 10 or the second module 20, wherein the connecting member 30 further includes protruding pivoting shafts 40 for pivotally connecting the connecting member 30 with the first module 10 or the second module 20.
The form of providing the pivoting shafts 40 on the connecting member 30 may include an integrated form and a combined form.
The integrated from: the pivoting shaft 40 is a shaft-shaped protrusion protruding from both sides of the body portion 31 of the connecting member 30, which is accordantly connected with the first module 10 or the second module 20, such that the connecting member 30 rotates around the pivoting shaft 40.
The combined form: the pivoting shaft 40 and the body portion 31 are plug-connected. In an embodiment, a cross section of the pivoting shaft 40 is cross-shaped, and both the first module 10 and the second module 20 are provided with cross grooves 13 matched with the pivoting shaft 40, and the pivoting shaft 40 is assembled to the cross grooves 13, such that the connecting member 30 is connected to the first module 10 or the second module 20.
The cross groove 13 is parallel to the edge of the first module 10. The first module 10 is provided with two sets of cross grooves 13 perpendicular to each other. The cross groove 13 penetrates through the first module 10. A set of cross grooves 13 are perpendicular to the first connecting groove 11 and penetrate into the first connecting groove 11. The other set of cross grooves 13 are perpendicular to the second connecting groove 12 and penetrate into the second connecting groove 12. The pivoting shaft 40 passes through the cross groove 13 and penetrates through one end of the connecting member 30, to make the connecting member 30 rotate around the pivoting shaft 40. The pivoting shaft 40 is set in a cross shape, to prevent the pivoting shaft 40 from rotating around itself, so as to ensure the reliability of rotation of the connecting member 30. In an embodiment, an outer surface of the pivoting shaft 40 is located on a circumscribed circle, such that the connecting member 30 may rotate around the pivoting shaft 40 flexibly.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in an embodiment, the first module 10 is further provided with deforming grooves 18. Each of the deforming grooves 18 is parallel to a corresponding cross groove 13, opened and connected to one end of the cross groove 13 to form a structure similar to a Chinese character "
". The deforming groove 18 is provided to absorb the deformation caused by extrusion from the pivoting shaft 40 and the cross groove 13. In this way, the pivoting shaft 40 and the cross groove 13 are interference fit, which makes the installation firm and facilitates the assembling.
The folding toy 100 is a fingertip toy, which may be operated without a platform. Since the folding toy 100 directly contacts with the hand of a user as a fingertip toy, the tactile feel of the folding toy 100 is a significant experience effect of the user. In an embodiment, outer surfaces of both the first module 10 and the second module 20 are frosted surfaces. When the user rotates the folding toy 100, the finger skin of the user is in contact with the frosted surface, the tactile feel is good, the user experience is excellent, and the flexibility of rotation is improved. At the same time, the folding toy 100 is a fingertip toy that relieves the emotions of a user. The size of such a folding toy 100 is relatively small, which is suitable for use in environments such as offices and study rooms. At the same time, different appearance and user experience may be achieved by adjusting material colors of the first module 10, the second module 20, the connecting member 30 and the pivoting shaft 40, such as using metal, plastic, wood and the combination thereof.
For the embodiments regarding apparatuses, since they correspond to the embodiments regarding methods, they can be referred to the description of the method embodiments regarding methods. The embodiments regarding apparatuses described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may be or may not be physically separate, and the components illustrated as units may be or may not be physical units, and may be at the same location, or may be distributed to multiple units over the network. A part of or the whole of the modules can be selected to achieve the objective of the present disclosure as desired. One skilled in the art can understand and practice the embodiments.
The foregoing are only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not intend to limit the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.

Claims

A toy, comprising:
first cubic blocks (10), each of the first cubic blocks (10) including:
a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the respective first cubic block (10); and

a second recessed space recessed from a second edge of the respective first cubic block (10) to the first center, the second edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the first edge;

second cubic blocks (20), each of the second cubic blocks (20) including:
a third recessed space recessed from a third edge to a second center of the respective second cubic block (20); and

a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge of the respective second cubic block (20) to the second center, the fourth edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the third edge;

connectors (30), each of the connectors (30) connecting one of the first cubic blocks (10) and one of the second cubic blocks (20); and

pivoting shafts (40), each of the pivoting shafts (40) connecting one of the connectors (30) to one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft (40),

wherein a number of the first cubic blocks (10) is four;

a number of the second cubic blocks (20) is four;

the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) are arranged in a staggered manner, the respective first cubic block (10) being connected to two of the second cubic blocks (20) using two of the connectors (30) in the first recessed space and the second recessed space, and the respective second cubic block (20) being connected to two of the first cubic blocks (10) using two of the connectors (30) in the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space; and

two of the pivoting shafts (40), being perpendicular to each other, are disposed in each of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20), the respective first cubic block (10) being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts (40), and the respective second cubic block (20) being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts (40).
The toy according to claim 1, wherein a structure of the respective first cubic block (10) is symmetric with respect to a structure of the respective second cubic block (20).
The toy according to claim 2, wherein the first recessed space is a first groove (11) disposed parallel to the first edge and the second recessed space is a second groove (12) disposed parallel to the second edge, the first groove (11) being perpendicular to the second groove (12), a first pivoting end (32) of the respective connector (30) being connected to the respective first cubic block (10) in the first groove (11) or the second groove (12).
The toy according to claim 3, wherein
a first outer surface (14) and a second outer surface (15) of the respective first cubic block (10) intercept at the first edge; and
the first groove (11) is partially recessed in a direction from the first outer surface (14) toward the first center to form a first slot, the first groove (11) extending to the second outer surface (15) perpendicular to the first outer surface (14).
The toy according to claim 4, wherein a recessed depth of the first groove (11) from the first outer surface (14) toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of an edge length of the respective first cubic block (10), and a minimum distance between the second outer surface (15) and an inner wall surface of the first groove (11) is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
The toy according to claim 4, wherein
a third outer surface (16) and a fourth outer surface (17) of the respective first cubic block (10) intercept at the second edge; and
the second groove (12) is partially recessed in a direction from the third outer surface (16) toward the first center to form a second slot, the second groove (12) extending to the fourth outer surface (17) perpendicular to the third outer surface (16).
The toy according to claim 6, wherein the third outer surface (16) is perpendicular to the first outer surface (14) and the second outer surface (15), and the fourth outer surface (17) is parallel to the first outer surface (14) and perpendicular to the second outer surface (15).
The toy according to claim 6, wherein a recession depth of the second groove (12) from the third outer surface (16) toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length, and a minimum distance between the fourth outer surface (17) and an inner wall surface of the second groove (12) is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
The toy according to claim 2, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein
each of the connectors (30) includes:
a body portion (31) disposed between the first pivoting end (32) and a second pivoting end (33);

the first pivoting end (32), a portion of the first pivoting end (32) being in one of the first recessed space and the second recessed space of the respective first cubic block (10); and

the second pivoting end (33), a portion of the second pivoting end (33) being in one of the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space of the respective second cubic block (20).
The toy according to claim 9, wherein
the first pivoting end (32) is disposed in the respective first recessed space, and the second pivoting end (33) is disposed in the third recessed space; and
when the respective connector (30) is rotated to a specific position, an outer surface of the body portion (31) is flush with corresponding outer surfaces of the respective first cubic block (10) and the respective second cubic block (20).
The toy according to claim 9, wherein the connector (30) comprises the pivoting shaft (40) that protrudes outside of the body portion (31), the pivoting shaft (40) connecting the respective first cubic block (10) with the connector (30).
The toy according to claim 11, wherein the pivoting shaft (40) is plugged into the body portion (31).
The toy according to claim 11, wherein
a cross-section of the pivoting shaft (40) is cross-shaped;
the first recessed space is disposed between a pair of cross grooves (13) in the respective first cubic block (10), a cross-section of the respective cross groove (13) being cross-shaped and matching the cross-section of the pivoting shaft (40);
the pivoting shaft (40) is assembled through the respective pair of cross grooves (13) to enable rotation of the respective first cubic block (10) around the pivoting shaft (40).
The toy according to claim 1, wherein one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) comprises a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
The toy according to claim 1, wherein one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) comprises a frosted outer surface.