FI83732C - BYGGKLOSS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The building block for toy building elements has the shape of a box-type hollow body, made of plastic, which is open at one side and is fitted with primary and secondary coupling members for the purpose of building. A greater flexibility of building of the building blocks is achieved whilst reducing the material requirement and the costs of technical production. The essence of the invention consists in a novel design and novel orientation of the coupling members, the primary coupling members having a reduction in the wall thicknesses of the hollow body and a diameter which is enlarged in such a way that they can be plugged together in x and y direction with the primary coupling elements of an adjacent building block while longitudinally extending walls are provided in the interior of the hollow body, which walls have recesses in the engagement region of the primary coupling elements. <IMAGE>

Description

1 83732

Building block. - Byggkloss.

The present invention relates to a building block for play building elements, preferably in the form of a box-shaped hollow body open on one side of plastic, the closed top side of which is provided with primary coupling elements formed of mesh pins arranged side by side in the form of a mesh pattern. the primary coupling elements of the second building block to be matched are tangled.

Such building blocks are already known in a wide variety of embodiments, in which case they differ mainly in the shape and arrangement of the secondary coupling elements inside the hollow body.

Thus, for example, there is a known building block (DE-AS 1 076 007, DE-OS 2 242 046), in which said secondary coupling element preferably has the shape of hollow pins.

The secondary coupling elements, which are formed cylindrical, cross-shaped or the like, practically represent a special case of these coupling elements, which consist of wall-to-wall moldings or the like and into which the pins of the primary coupling elements PS-D 106 880, DE-GM 1728 773 and DE-GM 1 857 433).

Said moldings, which are also arranged in a lattice-like manner, require an unusually high fitting accuracy of the pins to be connected due to their connection with the walls of the building block and the consequent dimensional rigidity, since they are not flexible.

2,83732

On the other hand, the advantage of said secondary coupling elements, which are in the form of free, cylindrical pins which are not connected to each other or to the walls of the building block, is that they provide flexible downwardness and thus facilitate repeated connection and detachment of the building block.

However, this elastic effect, which must provide a better clamping effect, taking into account the smallest possible fitting accuracies, is disadvantageously reduced already because there is a second primary clutch element opposite the primary clutch element in each case. Since the latter presses against the secondary coupling element in the opposite direction, the elastic effect is practically canceled or at least reduced. As a result, there is either too little a clamping effect if the required dimension of the coupling elements is exceeded, or otherwise there is too much a clamping effect, which then causes difficulties when removing the building block.

Therefore, the structure of the building block requires a very high fitting accuracy, which, however, cannot be achieved with all plastics.

In addition to this, the known various structures of the building blocks start almost exclusively from the same connection principle, i.e. from the same spacing (mesh pattern) of the primary coupling elements in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the angles of the square always representing the centers of the four pins.

Therefore, the joining of the building blocks can only take place within the division interval on which the building blocks are based (network figure 3 83732) in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The possibility of connecting the sides at spacing only exists in exceptional cases, while the secondary coupling elements arranged inside the hollow body can receive the primary coupling elements themselves in the form of cylindrical hollow pins to a limited extent inside the building blocks. However, this connectivity can never be extended over the building block, because the delimiting walls of the box-like hollow body make it impossible to remove the primary coupling elements.

Another functional drawback of all known building blocks is that the connection between the primary and secondary coupling elements is only possible based on the dimensional accuracy of these coupling elements.

A joint connection between the primary coupling elements (top side / top side of two blocks) is not possible in any of the known building blocks described above, although it would be desirable in different applications.

Further enhancement of the universal connectivity of building blocks and the possibility of variation of the toy, especially in relation to its educational value, have not been presented in the case of building blocks of known quality. It is further known from DE-PS 2 242 046 by placing projections or ribs in the inner walls of the building block, i.e. in the connection area of the primary switch elements, to achieve a good clamping effect together with a simultaneous reduction of the wall thicknesses. In addition to the limited connectivity of these building blocks, this solution also does not eliminate the said disadvantage of the discontinued or reduced elastic effect of the free, cylindrical hollow pins.

The closest prior art is disclosed in DE-U 1 857 433 (corresponding to DE-AS 1 202 694. This known building block 4 83732 consists of four box-shaped hollow bodies with a limited side wall and an open bottom surface, on the closed top surface of which primary coupling elements are arranged. formed in the form of a mesh pattern in pairs side by side, each coupling element being arranged in a square corner.The primary coupling elements may be square, round or oval in shape and have protrusions or recesses along their entire circumference or part of the circumference which adhere to the second block of the second building block to be fitted. provided with two longitudinal walls or steps parallel to each other and parallel to the two side walls (as is also known from DE-U 1 728 773), which allows an adhesive or locking connection with the primary coupling elements of the second building block to be fitted, the primary coupling elements of the second building block engaging between the side wall and the longitudinal wall. This solution is not possible within the framework of the building blocks and the integration half the pitch of either the two building primäärikytkinelementtien (top side / upper side) connecting to each other.

The well-known building block, not shown in writing, which has a box-like hollow body with an upper surface and four side walls: a limited and open-bottomed surface, has primary coupling elements arranged on its closed upper side, which are formed in a row of cylindrical urns arranged side by side. The thickness of the side walls then corresponds to half the distance between two adjacent pins. Inside the hollow body, free-standing, cylindrical blind pins are arranged in a row, which engage between the two pins of the second building block to be fitted. This known building block also does not allow the connection of the primary switching elements (top side / top side) of the two building blocks.

5,83732

In addition, as mentioned at the beginning, these building blocks require high fitting accuracy due to their high dimensional rigidity and thus incur additional manufacturing costs.

U.S. Patent No. 3,867,784, corresponding to CH Patent No. 558,194, also proposes an open-sided, box-like building block having primary coupling elements comprised of a plurality of narrow, transversely arranged, stepped fasteners securing both a force-locking structural block and a force-closure connection. that also secondary to the housing walls of this building block. Although this building block already offers better connectivity, tooling and manufacturing costs are substantially higher compared to building blocks with cylindrical coupling elements. Narrow, stepped fastening elements still have the disadvantage that they easily deform or break, thus losing better connectivity. SE Patent Publication No. 302096 discloses a mosaic or construction game by means of which three-dimensional images and / or shapes can be formed by compressing the base blocks together or by fitting the base blocks to a special base plate. This can be compared primarily to known layout games, in which smaller building elements with a head and a pin part are pushed onto a fixed, drilled base plate.

The basic building block according to SE patent publication 302096 has a bore in the middle on its upper side (primary side) and four pins on the lower side (secondary side) which form the corners of the square and which can be adapted to connect the building block to the central bore of the upper side (Figure 4). By analogy with our application, the pins are arranged and formed in such a way - page 5 of the SE publication - that these basic building blocks can also be matched to their primate sides (Fig. 5). However, unlike our application, the SE patent publication does not provide 6 83732 any technical lessons on how, by maintaining the existing pin diameter-side wall ratio, it is possible to achieve seamless building block connectivity - top to top or top to bottom, as required by our flexible, universal building system.

It is clear from Figures 4 and 5 of the SE patent that, due to the selected pin arrangement and the dimensioning of the pins, seamless connectability of the building blocks is only possible in a vertical plane. Seamless opening of the building blocks in a horizontal plane, whereby the superimposed building blocks, analogously to the wall joint, are tightly adjacent, is not possible due to the existing pin diameter-side wall ratio and the spacing based on it.

The present invention eliminates said drawbacks and, by reducing the use of the material and with economically advantageous manufacturing properties, provides an improved building block which, in view of its high connectivity, has good in-use properties.

The object of the invention is to develop a building block of the type described at the beginning so that it has reshaped the primary and secondary switch elements. This object is solved by the features set out in claims 1-4.

The cylindrical primary coupling elements of the invention have the wall thickness of the hollow body while reducing the increased diameter so that they can be clamped in the longitudinal and transverse directions with the primary coupling elements of the second building block to be superimposed.

7 83732

The walls inside the building block are spaced apart from each other and from the walls of the building block so that they can receive the interleaved primary coupling elements of the building block to be mounted on the clamp and fitting location, at the underlying spacing and at half spacing.

It is a feature of the invention that the walls only below the recesses which act to receive the arcuate portions (segments) of the circle of primary coupling elements are made straight, while they may have a wavy shape between the recesses. In addition, in order to provide connectivity at half spacing in at least one direction with respect to the underlying building block, the primary coupling elements are arranged in a central row on the upper side of the building block so that the primary coupling elements interlock with the secondary coupling elements of the second building block according to the invention.

Compared to the previously known solutions, the building block according to the invention has the following advantages: - Optimum coupling force due to the reduction of the wall thickness of the box-like hollow body together with the increase in the diameter of the primary coupling elements.

- Increased manufacturing tolerances due to redesigned and secondary coupling elements inside the box-like hollow body.

- Reduction of the amount of material and manufacturing costs of each building block, which has a very advantageous effect on mass production.

8 83732 - Lower tolerance limits, compared to known building blocks, allow simpler manufacturing and the use of cheaper plastic materials (regenerates and substitutes).

- Reduction of manufacturing times (injection molding cycle times), in particular due to the possibility of thin-walled walls in the form of a box-shaped hollow body.

- Universal and flexible connectivity of building blocks due to the redesign of the primary and secondary structure, in particular the elastic and flexible effect of the outer wall and secondary coupling elements and their placement in the cavity, and greater connectivity due to full utilization .

The invention will be explained in more detail below as an application example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of two interconnected. building blocks (bottom / top).

Figure 2 shows a top view of a building block with enlarged primary coupling members according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 3a show two building blocks (top side / top side) connected at right angles to each other by primary coupling elements.

Figure 4 shows the secondary connection blocks of a building block according to the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 4.

9 83732

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of secondary switch elements according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a building block with primary coupling elements arranged in the middle in the middle.

Figures 8, 8a-8c show two offset connected (bottom / top) building blocks according to Figure 7.

Figures 9, 9a and 9b show two displaceably connected (bottom / top) building blocks connected at half spacing in one direction over the building block.

The building block shown in Figures 1-3 is preferably a box-like hollow body 1 made of plastic. This hollow body 1 is open on the underside, while primary coupling elements in the form of cylindrical hollow pins 2 are arranged on the closed upper side.

The outer diameters D of the primary coupling elements are increased and at the same time the wall thickness t of the box-shaped hollow body is reduced so that the primary coupling elements on the upper side moved and also firmly engaged with the second building block to be fitted. Inside the hollow body 1, two thin-walled straight longitudinal walls 3 are arranged, which act as secondary coupling elements (Figures 4 and 5). The longitudinal walls 3 are parallel to the side walls of the building block and are provided with recesses 4 for receiving primary coupling elements (segments) formed in the shape of hollow cylinders.

In Fig. 6, according to a second embodiment, the walls 3 below the recesses 4 are formed as straight lines, while the remaining strips between the recesses 4 have a wavy shape 5.

Due to the longitudinal walls 3 provided with concave recesses 4 arranged inside the box-like hollow body 1, as shown in Figures 7-9, it is possible to arrange the primary coupling elements 2 in succession centrally on the split side. This arrangement allows connectivity between the longitudinal walls 3 arranged in the box-like hollow body 1 and halfway between the outer wall of the box-like hollow body 1 and the longitudinal wall 3 provided with recesses 4 (Figures 8a-9b).

Claims (4)

A building block for play building elements in the form of a charge-like hollow piece (1) bounded by a top surface and four side walls and an open lower surface, on which the closed top surface of each piece is arranged primary coupling element to form a mesh figure of each other cylindrical hollow pins (2), wherein, respectively, four hollow pins (2) in the grid figure form the corner points in a square and at least two longitudinal nodes, arranged between each other and with two side walls parallel walls, are arranged in the square. , which are capable of interfering with the hollow pins (2) of a fitable second building block, characterized in that the hollow pins have an outer diameter D which is equal to the inner distance D between two in the square between diagonally opposed hollow pins ( 2), the thickness t of the side walls is half the distance between two in the square in the longitudinal and transverse direction adjacent hollow pins (2) and the long walls (3) lie on a distance from each other and from the side walls, that the hollow pins (2) of the attachable second building block can be fixed between them by engagement in hollows, the long walls (3) i. the contact point of the adjustable pins (2) of the adjustable second building block is provided with hollows (4) to receive the circular portions (segments) of the pins (2) formed as a hollow cylinder. 2. Building block for play building elements in the form of a charge-like hollow piece (1) bounded by a top surface and four side walls and an open lower surface, on which the closed top surface of each piece is arranged primary coupling element to form a mesh figure of adjacent cylindrical hollow baffle ( 2), and which building block has two inside the hollow piece (1) longitudinally extending and with two side walls parallel walls (3) which are capable of engaging the hollow pins (2) of an adjustable second building block, characterized by it; that the hollow pins (2) are arranged in only one row on the longitudinal axis of the building block and have an outer diameter, D = R_x_1f2, whereby R is the distance between the centers of the hollow pins (2), and that the thickness of the side walls t is half the distance between two adjacent hollow pins (2) and the long walls (3) are at such a distance from each other and from the side walls that the hollow pins (2) of the attachable the second building block can be read between them by engagement in hollows, the long walls (3) of the contact point of the attachable pins of the second building block (2) being provided with hollows (4) to receive the circular portions (segments) of the pins (2) formed as a hollow cylinder. ). Building block according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the long walls (3) are made straight only at the cavities (4), while their shape (5) is road-like to the lower edge of the hollow piece (1). top surface. 4. Building block for play building elements in the form of a leather-like hollow piece (1) bounded by a top surface and four side walls and an open lower surface, on which the closed top surface of each piece is arranged primary coupling element to form a net figure of a row located adjacent to each other hollow pins (2), and the thickness t of the side walls is half the distance between two adjacent hollow pins (2), characterized in that the hollow pins have an outer diameter D which is equal to the inner distance D between two in the square. -gonally resistant hollow pins (2), the square being formed by two parallel identical four blocks of identical building blocks (2).