EP4005653A1

EP4005653A1 - Assembly system for toys

Info

Publication number: EP4005653A1
Application number: EP20210556.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Bella Martorell
Original assignee: Magic Box Int Toys SL
Current assignee: Magic Box Int Toys SL
Priority date: 2020-11-30
Filing date: 2020-11-30
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-30
Also published as: PL4005653T3; ES2957391T3; EP4005653C0; EP4005653B1

Abstract

Different aspects of the invention refer to an assembly system for toys which facilitates the correct and intuitive assembly and disassembly by children. Additionally, this is achieved whilst maintaining the toy in an assembled state when subjected to accidental impacts. Further advantageous technical effects achieved are that of enabling the visually impaired user to recognize, by listening and/or tactile sensing, when a back part or a front part is being assembled/disassembled.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is placed in the technical field of toys, and in particular, refers to a coupling system for facilitating the assembly and disassembly of toys with multiple parts.

BACKGROUND ART

Toys exist which are made up from multiple, or at least two, parts which can be assembled together, and disassembled from eachother. In some situations, it is interesting to have the same part with different properties and/or configurations, so that its replacement gives the toy a different look or feel or property.
In this context, an assembly system refers to the features which enable the multiple parts to be assembled and disassembled. Existing assembly systems for toys suffer from a number of drawbacks. In a first type, the coupling of the toy parts to eachother is so tight, that it makes it extremely difficult and painful for children to play with. They regularly need the help of adults to disassemble and reassemble the parts, or even hurt themselves attempting it alone.
In a second type of toy, the toys which aim at facilitating this coupling and decoupling action, suffer from the drawback that the fixture is not tight enough, decoupling easily under the influence of small forces. Taking the example of a toy car, which is pushed around and can hit furniture in its trajectory, or be accidentally dropped from the hand of a child from a small height. This kind of impacts are enough to disassemble the toys of the second type, wherein even a small force will separate the parts from eachother.
Therefore, a need exists to effectively solve these described problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide solutions to the mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an assembly system for toys which facilitates the assembly and disassembly by children, however maintaining the toy in an assembled state when subjected to accidental impacts. On one hand, the assembly system must be supple enough to facilitate the assembly/disassembly action and on the other hand rigid enough to prevent unintended disassembling.
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an optimized assembly system for toys.
It is another object of the invention to provide a toy comprising the optimized assembly system.
This objective is achieved by means of the feature combination of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In this manner, some or all of the problems of the afore-described background art are resolved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements in the different drawings. Corresponding elements may also be referenced using different characters.

FIG. 1 shows an example toy car comprising three parts integrating the assembly system of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the example toy car comprising three parts integrating the assembly system of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows three parts of any toy, with a general view of example back and front interfaces of the assembly system of the invention.
FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the three parts of any toy, with a general view of example back and front interfaces of the assembly system of the invention.
FIG. 5 depicts a frontal view of an example interface of the assembly system of the invention.
FIGs. 6 and 7 depict top and front views, respectively, of another example interface of the assembly system of the invention, corresponding, and inverse to, that of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 depicts a frontal view of another example interface of the assembly system of the invention.
FIGs. 9 and 10 depict top and front views, respectively, of another example interface of the assembly system of the invention, corresponding, and inverse to, that of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 depicts in more detail an example lateral internal fissure configured at the side interfaces of the assembly system of the invention of FIGs. 5 or 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an example toy car. The bottom left depiction is a more realistic depiction as a line drawing, whereas the main drawing focusses on the features of the invention. In this example, the toy car 100 comprises three parts, a back part 110, a middle part 130, and a front part 150. Children like to mix different back, middle, and front, parts, in order to see what the final result of the car would look like. One can foresee that the different properties of each part could comprise not only a different color, but also shape, dimension, design and functionality, and the like. It would even be possible to mix with different parts to form a toy with different parts. For example, the back part of a truck could be mixed with the middle part of an airplane and the front part of a bus. Any combination is possible.
It is also possible to construct toys with any number of parts. The example of a three-part car is used to facilitate the comprehension of the invention, however, toys can be constructed from only two parts up to any number of inter-connecting parts, as long as there is an interface configured with the features of the invention. Since the invention is placed at the interface between any two parts, as long as these two parts are configured with the features of the assembly system of the invention, they can be assembled and disassembled as intended. A toy with multiple parts comprises at least two parts. Hence, in the example of FIG. 1, the back and middle parts are configured to fit, or couple to, eachother, by means of a back interface 120, whilst the middle and front parts are configured to fit, or couple to, eachother, by means of a front interface 140. In the figures, the back part and front part have been depicted with a different, and specific, combination of features. However, this is only for illustrative purposes. Any interface of any part can be configured with any single one, or combination of, features of the assembly system of the invention. Due to the complementarity property of the assembly system of the invention, this requires the corresponding part to have complementary, or inverse, features integrated therein for the two parts to assemble and disassemble accordingly, as per a plug-and-socket configuration. The invention applies to the action of assembling and/or disassembling of any two parts, and the resulting assembled toy, or disassembled separate parts.
Only the first two figures actually look like a car. The remaining figures are intended to depict details of the interface, and not the rest of the toy, whether it be a car, or other, or whether it comprises only two parts, three parts, or more. Whereas the different features are referred to by their order of appearance in the description, this order does not reflect their importance, as they are on an equal plane of importance, providing different technical effects and advantages, which when combined, reinforce eachother in an incremental fashion.
As mentioned, it is an objective of the invention to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of toys however maintaining the toy in an assembled state when subjected to accidental impacts. Hence, in principle, and as an example, this allows two back parts, or two front parts, to be assembled together. Such a feature can also be an interesting playful property.
However, the features of the invention also enable another important property, which is facilitating the intuitive assembly of parts in such a manner that certain parts can be assembled and not others. Or in other words, preventing certain parts from interfacing with other parts. Following the example of the three-part toy car, this property would force only a front part 150 to be assembled at the front of the car, and only a back part 110 to be assembled at its back. It would even force the middle part 130 to be directed the way it is, in this example, with the driving wheel and side mirrors towards the right of the drawing (and not towards the left of the drawing). This property is most interesting for the younger users, or children, as they can assemble cars correctly without quite understanding how they achieve it. Hence, the invention, additionally to the other advantages, enables the intuitive assembly of toys as intended by the designer or manufacturer.
The various advantageous features of the invention, explained in the following, each contribute to solving the drawbacks of the prior art and achieving the intended objective. However, in combination, they have a reinforcing effect. Therefore, any combination of two or more features provides an incremental improvement. However, not necessarily, must they be all present to achieve the positive technical effects. Whereas the figures depict a combination of many features, a single one feature is already providing the intended advantage, as will be explained. As long as the assembly system of the toy comprises one of the described advantageous features, the other features remain optional. If further reinforced technical effects are desired, the optional features can be incorporated into the assembly system as required.
FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the example toy of FIG. 1. One element of the assembly system is the degree of curvature of the interface between two parts. Hence, the assembly system comprises an interface with a pre-defined degree of curvature. In other words, it comprises an arrangement wherein both parts to assemble comprise a surface with a pre-defined degree of curvature, wherein the curvature of the surface of one part corresponds, and is inverse, to the curvature of the surface of other part. In one aspect, the interface has very little, or negligible, or no, curvature, being (almost) a straight line (not depicted). The problem with this configuration is that this action normally requires a longitudinal force to separate or join the parts, which is difficult for children to exercise.
Hence, in another aspect, the interface comprises a small degree of curvature (as in the back interface 120). On one hand, this curvature facilitates bringing the different parts together, as it naturally allows the parts to fall into place with eachother. On the other hand, the curvature allows a lever action to be exercised whilst separating the parts, allowing the disassembly requiring less effort from younger users, for example, children, thereby resulting in the technical effect of intuitive assembly of toys as intended by the designer or manufacturer.
Depending on the overall dimensions of the toy, this property however can represent itself a drawback. If the toy is small, the light curvature will most probably not cause the toy to disassemble upon lateral (or otherwise) impact, such as the ones mentioned (impacting furniture, or falling from a height). However, the larger the toy is dimensioned, at a certain point, the same impact will cause it to disassemble, as the parts separate more easily due to larger lever forces.
Hence, in another aspect, it is possible to accentuate this curvature even more. The higher the degree of curvature (as in the front interface 140), the more difficult it becomes for the parts to separate due to a lateral impact, as the sides of the curvature opposite the impact side act as a natural block against separation, exercising a resistance against the separating force of the impact. This feature thereby has the technical effect of enabling the intuitive assembly of toys as intended by the designer or manufacturer, whilst preventing toy disassembly due to accidental impacts.
In yet another aspect, the interface between two parts can comprise any type of curved design, such as a single squiggle, or a series of squiggles, or any section of a sign curve, or a plurality of sign curves.
The various advantageous features of the invention are also explained while making reference to FIGs. 3 to 11. FIG. 3 shows three parts of any example toy. FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the example toy of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 depicts a frontal view of the interface surface 510, or side, of an example back part 110. FIGs. 6 and 7 depict the interface surface 610, or side, of an example middle part 130, which features are corresponding and inverse to those of FIG. 5 (FIG. 6 depicts a top view and FIG. 7 a frontal view). FIG. 8 depicts a frontal view of the interface surface 810, or side, of an example front part 150. FIGs. 9 and 10 depict the interface surface 910, or side, of an example middle part 130, which features are corresponding and inverse to those of FIG. 8 (FIG. 9 depicts a top view and FIG. 10 a frontal view).
As mentioned, the higher the degree of curvature, the higher the resistance against unintended separation. However, in certain cases, due to other properties of the toy design, it is only possible to configure a low curvature interface. If the curvature is too low, the parts can easily separate under the slightest force or impact. Therefore, in yet another aspect, the interface is configured additionally with a side projection/indentation arrangement (FIGs. 3 to 7), in order to compensate for the lack of resistance due to the low curvature.
As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 5, the interface surface 510 of the back part 110 is configured, at its sides, with a projection 570. This projection can have a more or less rectangular configuration. Conversely, as can be seen, for example, from FIGs. 6 or 7, the back interface surface 610 of the middle part 130 is configured, at its corresponding sides, with a corresponding indentation 680. This indentation 680 has the same more or less rectangular configuration as the projection 570, leaving, on the surface 610, a remnant 670. The projections and indentations are configured with corresponding dimensions in such a manner to fit into eachother. Under impact, a force is generated between the internal side wall of the projection 570 and the external side wall of the remnant 670, which force resists the separating force caused by the impact, thereby resulting in a stable and robust impact resistance toy. The low curvature combined with the projection-indentation arrangement feature combination thereby also has the technical effect of enabling the intuitive assembly of toys as intended by the designer or manufacturer, whilst preventing toy disassembly due to accidental impacts.
It is therefore left up to the designer to decide which type and/or degree of curvature to implement. This decision can also depend on other considerations, such as other physical properties/dimensions of the toy, or as mentioned, the desire to have a particular configuration. In the example toy of FIG. 2, the back interface 120 comprises a smaller degree of curvature than the front interface 140. Therefore, children can play trying out different back parts at the back interface 120 and they can play trying out different front parts at the front interface 140. However, in this example, due to the difference in curvature, they will never be able to couple a back part 110 to the front interface 140, or conversely, couple a front part 150 to the back interface 120. Therefore, having different degrees of curvature of different interfaces of toy parts enables the technical effect of facilitating (that is, without difficulty) the correct and intuitive assembly/disassembly of the toy by children, whilst preventing toy disassembly due to accidental impacts.
FIG. 3 shows three parts of an example toy, with a general view of the back and front interfaces of the invention. The back part 110 comprises an interface side 310 which removably fits with an interface side 320 of the middle part 130. Likewise, the front part 150 comprises an interface side 350 which removably fits with an interface side 340 of the middle part 130. In contrast to the back and front parts, which comprise each only a single interface for connecting other parts, in this example, the middle part 130 comprises at least two interfaces for connecting other parts. Whilst, as mentioned, both middle interfaces can be identical, in this example, two different interfaces are depicted to help explain the various advantageous features of the invention.
Another element of the assembly system is a main protrusion and hole arrangement at the interface between two parts. Hence, the assembly system comprises an interface with a pre-defined protrusion and hole arrangement, or in other words, it comprises an arrangement wherein one part comprises a protrusion and the other part comprises a hole, wherein the protrusion configured on the surface of one part corresponds, and is inverse, to the hole configured on the surface of the other part. The protrusion and the hole fit together as in a plug-socket configuration as they comprise complementary features.
In the example of FIG. 4, a back protrusion 420 and a front protrusion, 440 have been configured in the central part 130, whereas the corresponding back hole 410 and front hole 450 have been configured in the back 110 and front 150 parts, respectively. However, any combination of protrusion/hole arrangement is possible. In another aspect, the opposite arrangement is also possible, with the protrusions configured in the back and front parts and the holes in the middle part. In yet another aspect, the middle part can have one side configured with a protrusion and the other side configured with a hole, wherein the back and front part are conversely configured to fit with the corresponding middle part interface.
Another element of the assembly system is that the main protrusion and hole arrangement at the interface of one of two parts has a different configuration from the main protrusion and hole arrangement at the interface of the other one of two parts, in order to achieve the objective of intuitive assembly of toys as intended by the designer or manufacturer by preventing the unintentional coupling of wrong parts.
In one aspect, the main protrusion/hole arrangement is configured with varying dimensions. For example, in FIG. 4, the back protrusion/hole arrangement 420/410 has smaller dimensions than the front protrusion/hole arrangement 440/450.
In another aspect, the main protrusion/hole arrangement is configured with different heights from the bottom plane 1000 of the toy. For example, in FIG. 4, the back protrusion/hole arrangement 420/410 has a longitudinal axis height which is different (in this case lower) than the longitudinal axis height of the front protrusion/hole arrangement 440/450 (which is higher in this case).
Another element of the assembly system is that the main protrusion/hole arrangement is configured with a guide arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hole 410 of the back part 110 comprises at least one longitudinal tooth 550 configured in the top surface of the hole, creating, together with the side walls of the hole, corresponding rail gaps 555. Conversely, as can be seen in FIGs. 6 and 7, the protrusion 420 of the middle part 130 comprises at least one longitudinal gap 650 and two side rails 655 configured on the top surface of the protrusion. The rails 655 are configured to slide into the rail gaps 555 at the same time as the tooth 550 is configured to slide into the protrusion gap 650. This guide arrangement, by itself, ensures that the different parts are mounted the right way up, reenforcing the technical effect of facilitating the correct and intuitive assembly/disassembly of the toy by children. FIG. 11 depicts a close-up view of an example guide arrangement comprising one longitudinal tooth 550 and corresponding rail gaps 555.
The main protrusion/hole arrangement of the front interface is also configured with a guide arrangement, as can be seen from FIGs. 8, 9 and 10, however with a different configuration. In one aspect, the tooth 850 is configured to be thinner, leaving wider rail gaps 855. Conversely, the protrusion gap 950 is thinner. The protrusion rails 955 are not necessarily wider, although they can be. In this example, they are placed towards the interior of the protrusion, or towards the protrusion's centre. In any case, the rails 955 are configured to slide into the rail gaps 855 at the same time as the tooth 850 is configured to slide into the protrusion gap 950. Apart from ensuring that the different parts are mounted the right way up, this guide arrangement also prevents unintended parts from being assembled together, reenforcing further the technical effect of facilitating the correct and intuitive assembly/disassembly of the toy by children.
Another element of the assembly system is that the main protrusion/hole arrangement is configured with a secondary protrusion/hole arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hole 410 of the back part 110 comprises at least one secondary hole 540 configured in its back wall 530. Conversely, as can be seen in FIGs. 6 and 7, the protrusion 420 of the middle part 130 comprises at least secondary protrusion 640 configured outwardly from its front surface 630. The secondary protrusion 640 is configured to fit into the secondary hole 540 as in a plug-socket configuration as they comprise complementary features. This secondary protrusion/hole arrangement adds some friction and creates a resistance against disassembly in case of impacts, reenforcing further the technical effect of preventing toy disassembly due to accidental impacts.
The main protrusion/hole arrangement of the front interface is also configured with a secondary protrusion/hole arrangement, as can be seen from FIGs. 8, 9 and 10, however with a different configuration. In one aspect, the protrusion 940 and corresponding hole 840 are configured with a different, larger or smaller, diameter. In another aspect, the protrusion 940 and corresponding hole 840 are configured with a, longer or shorter, length. As mentioned, in yet another aspect depicted in FIG. 4, the distance of the protrusion 940 and corresponding hole 840 from the toy's lower plane 1000, or base, is configured differently, either lower or higher. For example, in FIG. 4, the back secondary protrusion/hole arrangement 420/410 has a longitudinal axis height 422 which is different (in this case lower) than the longitudinal axis height 442 of the front secondary protrusion/hole arrangement 440/450 (which is higher in this case).
In any case, the secondary protrusion 940 is configured to fit tightly into the secondary hole 840. Apart from creating a resistance against disassembly in case of impacts, these additional differences prevent unintended parts from being assembled together, reenforcing further the technical effect of facilitating (that is, without difficulty) the correct and intuitive assembly/disassembly of the toy by children, whilst preventing toy disassembly due to accidental impacts.
Another element of the assembly system is that the main protrusion/hole arrangement is configured with a lateral protrusion/hole arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hole 410 of the back part 110 comprises at least one lateral fissure 560 configured at its side wall. Conversely, as can be seen in FIGs. 6 and 7, the protrusion 420 of the middle part 130 comprises at least one lateral protrusion 660 configured outwardly from its side surface. The lateral protrusion 660 is configured to loosely fit into the lateral fissure 560. The lateral protrusion is additionally configured as a resilient or flexible member, which sinks inwards under a pushing force, generating a clicking sound whenever a resistance threshold is overcome, when the two parts are separated as well as when the two parts are joined together. In other words, since this lateral protrusion/hole arrangement adds some friction, the moment the threshold is overcome, the parts snap away from eachother, or snap into eachother. The snapping feeling together with the clicking sound, both when joining parts as when separating them, reinforces further the technical effect of correct and intuitive assembly of the toy by children while adding a playful effect. FIG. 11 depicts a close-up view of an example lateral internal fissure 560 configured at the side of a hole 420.
The main protrusion/hole arrangement of the front interface is also configured with a lateral protrusion/hole arrangement, as can be seen from FIGs. 8, 9 and 10, however with a different configuration. In one aspect, the lateral protrusion 960 and corresponding lateral fissure 860 are configured with different dimensions with the objective of generating a different clicking noise (tone and/or intensity). Depending on the length, width, or depth of the lateral protrusion, and corresponding fissure parameters, a sound with a different tone is achievable, as well as snapping or de-snapping intensity. In any case, the lateral protrusion 960 is configured to loosely fit into the lateral fissure 860. These additional differences reenforce even further the technical effect of correct and intuitive assembly of the toy by children, as now they can even recognize by listening and tactile sensing when a back part or a front part is being assembled/disassembled. Additionally, it enables visually impaired users to recognize intuitively whether they are correctly assembling the toy, either by listening, or tactile sensing, or both, since the interfaces of the back parts of a range of toys can all be configured with a particular snapping/unsnapping tone/intensity combination which is different from that of the interfaces of the front parts of the same range of toys.
Therefore, the features of the different embodiments and aspects of the invention provide an assembly system for toys which facilitates the correct and intuitive assembly and disassembly by children. Additionally, this is achieved whilst maintaining the toy in an assembled state when subjected to accidental impacts. Further advantageous technical effects achieved are that enabling the visually impaired user to recognize, by listening and/or tactile sensing, when a back part or a front part is being assembled/disassembled, thereby enabling them also to play with the toys.
What has been described comprises various example embodiments. As it is not possible nor viable to describe all the possible combinations and permutations of the inventive concept which would result in a large number of embodiments, and redundant paragraphs, it is understood that, after a direct and objective reading of this disclosure, the skilled artisan would derive these different possible combinations and permutations from the various described embodiments and aspects. Consequently, the intention is to encompass all of these alterations, modifications, and variations that fall under the scope of the enclosed claims. The skilled artisan understands that the description of the presented embodiments does not limit the invention, nor do the drawings.
In the following, further examples of the invention are provided:
An assembly system for assembling a toy which comprises at least two parts, the assembly system comprising at least one interface between the contact surfaces of two of the at least two parts enabling their removable assembly to eachother such that they fit tightly together once assembled, the at least one interface comprising: a main protrusion-and-hole interface configured from one part comprising a protrusion configured on its contact surface and the other part comprising a hole configured on its corresponding contact surface, wherein the protrusion is configured to fit into the hole; and a curved interface configured by a curvature of the contact surface of one part complementary to the curvature of the contact surface of the other part, the curved interface configured with a pre-defined degree of curvature.
The assembly system, wherein the curved interface comprises any degree of curvature, for example, ranging from almost none to that of a circle. The assembly system, wherein the curved interface comprises any type of curved design, such as a single squiggle, or a series of squiggles, or any section of a sign curve, or a plurality of sign curves. The assembly system, wherein the curved interface is configured additionally with a projection-indentation arrangement, wherein the contact surface of one part is configured, at its sides, with a projection and the contact surface of the other part is configured, at its corresponding sides, with a corresponding indentation, wherein the projections and indentations have a corresponding inverse, or complementary, configuration in such a manner to fit with eachother. The assembly system, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a guide arrangement, the guide arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one longitudinal tooth configured in its top surface, creating, together with the side walls of the hole, corresponding rail gaps, and conversely, the protrusion comprising a corresponding at least one longitudinal gap and two side rails configured in the top surface of the protrusion, wherein the rails are configured to slide into the rail gaps at the same time as the tooth is configured to slide into the protrusion gap. The assembly system, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a secondary protrusion and hole arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one secondary hole configured at its back wall, and, conversely, the protrusion comprising corresponding at least one secondary protrusion configured outwardly from its front surface, the at least one secondary protrusion configured to fit into the corresponding at least one secondary hole. The assembly system, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a lateral protrusion and hole arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one lateral fissure configured in its side wall, and, conversely, the protrusion comprising at least one lateral protrusion configured outwardly from its corresponding side surface, the lateral protrusion configured to loosely fit into the corresponding lateral fissure. The assembly system, wherein the lateral protrusion is configured as a resilient member generating a clicking sound whenever a resistance threshold is overcome as the two parts snap away from eachother, or snap into eachother.
A toy comprising at least two parts, the toy comprising the assembly system according to any of the preceding claims configured into the at least two parts for facilitating the assembly of the toy from the at least two parts and the disassembly of the toy into the at least two parts.
The toy, wherein the toy comprises at least three parts defining an interface between the contact surfaces of any two of the at least three parts. The toy, wherein one of the at least three parts is a middle part configured with at least two contact surfaces for connecting at least two other parts, defining at least two interfaces on the middle part. The toy, wherein any two interfaces comprise the same configuration. The toy, wherein one of the interfaces has a different configuration than another one of the interfaces. The toy, wherein one interface comprises a different degree of curvature than another interface. The toy, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the main protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces. The toy, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement of different interfaces is configured with varying dimensions and/or lengths, or its axis is configured at different heights from the base of the toy. The toy, wherein the guide arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the guide arrangement at another one of the interfaces. The toy, wherein the tooth at one interface is configured to be thinner, and, conversely, the protrusion gap is configured to be wider at one interface when compared to the other interface. The toy, wherein the secondary protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the secondary protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces. The toy, wherein the secondary protrusion, and corresponding secondary hole, are configured with different diameters, and/or lengths. The toy, wherein the secondary protrusion, and corresponding secondary hole, is configured with a different distance from the base of the toy. The toy, wherein the lateral protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the lateral protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces. The toy, wherein the lateral protrusion, and corresponding lateral fissure, are configured with different dimensions to produce different tone-intensity combinations.

Claims

An assembly system for assembling a toy which comprises at least two parts, the assembly system comprising at least one interface between the contact surfaces of two of the at least two parts enabling their removable assembly to eachother such that they fit tightly together once assembled, the at least one interface comprising:
a main protrusion-and-hole interface configured from one part comprising a protrusion configured on its contact surface and the other part comprising a hole configured on its corresponding contact surface, wherein the protrusion is configured to fit into the hole; and

a curved interface configured by a curvature of the contact surface of one part complementary to the curvature of the contact surface of the other part, the curved interface configured with a pre-defined degree of curvature.
The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the curved interface comprises any degree of curvature.
The assembly system according to claim 2, wherein the curved interface comprises any type of curved design, such as a single squiggle, or a series of squiggles, or any section of a sign curve, or a plurality of sign curves.
The assembly system according to claim 2, wherein the curved interface is configured additionally with a projection-indentation arrangement, wherein the contact surface of one part is configured, at its sides, with a projection and the contact surface of the other part is configured, at its corresponding sides, with a corresponding indentation, wherein the projections and indentations have a corresponding inverse, or complementary, configuration in such a manner to fit with eachother.
The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a guide arrangement, the guide arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one longitudinal tooth configured in its top surface, creating, together with the side walls of the hole, corresponding rail gaps, and conversely, the protrusion comprising a corresponding at least one longitudinal gap and two side rails configured in the top surface of the protrusion, wherein the rails are configured to slide into the rail gaps at the same time as the tooth is configured to slide into the protrusion gap.
The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a secondary protrusion and hole arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one secondary hole configured at its back wall, and, conversely, the protrusion comprising corresponding at least one secondary protrusion configured outwardly from its front surface, the at least one secondary protrusion configured to fit into the corresponding at least one secondary hole.
The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement is configured with a lateral protrusion and hole arrangement configured from the hole comprising at least one lateral fissure configured in its side wall, and, conversely, the protrusion comprising at least one lateral protrusion configured outwardly from its corresponding side surface, the lateral protrusion configured to loosely fit into the corresponding lateral fissure.
The assembly system according to claim 7, wherein the lateral protrusion is configured as a resilient member generating a clicking sound whenever a resistance threshold is overcome as the two parts snap away from eachother, or snap into eachother.
A toy comprising at least two parts, the toy comprising the assembly system according to any of the preceding claims configured into the at least two parts for facilitating the assembly of the toy from the at least two parts and the disassembly of the toy into the at least two parts.
The toy according to claim 9, wherein the toy comprises at least three parts defining an interface between the contact surfaces of any two of the at least three parts.
The toy according to claim 10, wherein one of the at least three parts is a middle part configured with at least two contact surfaces for connecting at least two other parts, defining at least two interfaces on the middle part.
The toy according to claim 10, wherein any two interfaces comprise the same configuration.
The toy according to claim 10, wherein one of the interfaces has a different configuration than another one of the interfaces.
The toy according to claim 13,
wherein one interface comprises a different degree of curvature than another interface;
or wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the main protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces, wherein the main protrusion and hole arrangement of different interfaces is configured with varying dimensions and/or lengths, and/or its axis is configured at different heights from the base of the toy;
or wherein the guide arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the guide arrangement at another one of the interfaces, wherein the tooth at one interface is configured to be thinner, and, conversely, the protrusion gap is configured to be wider at one interface when compared to the other interface;
or wherein the secondary protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the secondary protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces, wherein the secondary protrusion, and corresponding secondary hole, are configured with different diameters, and/or lengths, and/or wherein the secondary protrusion, and corresponding secondary hole, is configured with a different distance from the base of the toy;
or wherein the lateral protrusion and hole arrangement at one of the interfaces has a different configuration from the lateral protrusion and hole arrangement at another one of the interfaces.
The toy according to claim 22, wherein the lateral protrusion, and corresponding lateral fissure, are configured with different dimensions to produce different tone-intensity combinations.