GB2049451A

GB2049451A - Toy construction kits

Info

Publication number: GB2049451A
Application number: GB8014688A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-05-04
Filing date: 1980-05-02
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: GB2049451B; BE883060A; IT1131126B; AT381869B; SE8002511L; IT8021741A0; DK164580A; CH645549A5; ATA213580A; NL8001428A; SE430950B; DE2917968C2; DE2917968A1; FR2455470A1

Abstract

A toy construction kit comprises a plurality of construction elements 1, a plurality of connecting elements 2 and a plurality of locking elements 9, each construction element 1 being of rectangular cross-section and having at least one pair of intersecting bores 4,5 extending through it at right angles to each other, each connecting element 2 being slidably insertable into the bores and having at least one portion of reduced cross-section, and each locking element 9 being slidably insertable into the bores to engage and secure the reduced portion of connecting element 2 which has been inserted into one bore 5. A hook or tenon may form one end of the connecting elements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A toy construction kit This invention relates to a toy construction kit for assembling toy models consisting of rectangular construction elements, preferably made of wood, having bores as junction points and connecting pieces which engage in the bores and connect the construction elements.

In known construction kits of the above type these construction elements are usually connected by means of cylindrical connecting pieces which, when inserted into the bores of the construction elements, do not achieve a connection that is resistant to being pulled. Further, the scope for extending the construction is considerably limited because the junction points of the construction elements are formed by only one bore. In order to obtain stable toy models, it is also known to join the construction elements to one another using screws and nuts. A connecting method of this type is very complicated, however, and furthermore, also requires tools.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide a construction kit which, by using different combinations of building elements makes it possible to build a plurality of stable and easily assembled models with the smallest possible number of different construction elements and connecting pieces.

In accordance with the invention this is achieved in that a junction point is formed at least by two bores of equal diameter, which intersect with their central axes at right angles, that the connecting piece can be inserted into one of the bores, the connecting piece having an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore and having at least one portion of narrow cross-section, over which a wedge element can be pushed, from the direction of the free bore after the portion of narrow cross-section has been moved into the point of intersection of the bores.

To make a connection, the connecting piece is pushed into one of the bores in the construction element forming the junction point until the portion of narrow cross-section is located at the point of intersection of the bores. The connecting piece is then clamped in the bore of the construction element by means of the wedge element. The next construction element is then placed onto the protruding end of the connecting piece, in the desired direction, and likewise clamped by means of a wedge element. Any type of framework can be built in this manner. As a result of, on the one hand, the portion of narrow cross-section and on the other hand, the wedge element, which is placed in the free bore and pushed over the portion of narrow cross-section, a secure connection is formed, allowing stable models to be produced.

Advantageously, each of the two end faces of the construction elements can have an end bore extending beyond the first junction point. This construction enables construction elements to be connected at the end faces to form extensions, such as T and angle shapes.

Advantageously, a connecting piece can be se curely attached to at least one end face of the construction elements. As the connecting piece is securely attached, the first junction point after this end face having the connecting piece remains free after the attachment, and so can be used for connecting a construction element or for other purposes.

Advantageously, the connecting pieces can be of tubular construction. The bores in the connecting pieces can thus be used for the insertion of axles for mounting wheels, gearwheels and the like.

Advantageously, the portion of narrow crosssection of the connecting pieces can be constructed in the form of a circumferential groove. This circumferential groove enables the connecting piece to be clamped in the bore of the construction element by means of the wedge element irrespective of the position of the connecting piece. However, this circumferential groove also allows the construction elements to twist. To avoid this, the portion of narrow cross-section may be constructed in the form of two surfaces lying opposite one another in the circumference.

The wedge element, which can be pushed over the portion of narrow cross-section of the connecting piece, may, with advantage, be constructed in the form of a U-shaped member of which the two free arms, beginning from their end face, become thicker in the direction of the other end face forming a wedge shape.

The U-shape of the wedge element produces a double clamping action which increases with deeper penetration. The frictional forces produced by the clamping action also ensure that the wedge element cannot be released unintentionally.

Advantageously, the lengths of the construction elements, the lengths of the connecting pieces, the distance between the junction points of the construction elements and the distance between the portions of narrow cross-section of the connecting pieces can be graduated according to the same modular dimensions. By adhering to these modular dimensions the scope of use of the construction elements is increased, as it is possible to achieve equal lengths of rod with different additions of construction elements.

At least one end face of the connecting piece may, with advantage, be provided with a coupling element such as a peg, groove, hook or the like. This construction renders it possible to combine the construction set according to the invention with other construction sets having a different type of connecting system. As a result of its simple method of connection, it is thus possible, for example, to adapt the construction set according to the invention to the needs of children of pre-school age, and as they grow older, to provide scope for developing the construction set into a construction kit system having a higher degree of difficulty.

The present invention also provides a toy construction kit comprising a plurality of construction elements, a plurality of connecting elements and a plurality of locking elements, each construction element being of rectangular cross-section and having at least one pair of bores extending through it between respective parallel faces, the bores of the or each pair lying at right angles to, and intersecting each other, each connecting element being slidably insertable into any one of the said bores and having at least one portion of reduced cross-section, and each locking element being slidably insertable into any one of the said bores, wherein, when a connecting element has been inserted into one bore of a pair of intersecting bores with its, or one of its reduced portions lying at the intersection of the pair of bores, a locking element can be inserted into the other bore of the pair to engage with that portion and to lock the connecting element in position.

A toy construction kit constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows building elements of the kit connected to form part of a model, Figure 2 shows a building element of the kit, partly in section with a connecting element inserted, Figure 3 shows three different forms of connecting elements of the kit, and Figure 4 shows a locking element of the kit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and first of all to Figure 1 the toy construction kit comprises a number of prismatic building elements which may be in the form of blocks, beams or rods (hereinafter referred to generally as blocks) which are of rectangular cross-section.

The blocks 1 are of different lengths and each has at least two pairs of identical bores 4 extending through the block between respective parallel faces, the bores of each pair lying at right angles to, and interesecting each other. Each pair of bores 4 lies in a respective one of two planes, the planes being parallel to the end faces of the block.

Each block 1 is also provided with two co-axial bores 5 each of which extends from a respective one of the two end faces of the block at right angles to the planes of the pairs of bores 4 and to a point on that side of the intersection of that pair of interesecting bores closest to that end face remote from that face.

Another block of the kit which is not illustrated - is in the form of a cube having faces equal in area to the end faces of the blocks 1. That block is provided with a single pair of intersecting bores 4 which extend through the block between respective parallel faces the bores lying at right angles to, and intersecting each other.

The various blocks can be joined together by connecting elements 2, three examples of which are shown in Figure 3. Each connecting element 2 can be slidably inserted into any of the bores 4 of the blocks and as shown in Figure 3 can have one or more portions 8 or 11 or reduced cross-section. The reduced portion 8 is formed by a circumferential groove in the connecting element while the portions 11 are formed by diametrically opposite pairs of lands.

Each connecting element 2 is of tubular construction having a central bore 10. As shown in Figure 3 it is also possible to provide at least one end of the connecting element 2 with a coupling element such as a tenon 12, a hook 13 or the like enabling other components of the kit or components of another toy construction kit to be attached to it.

A locking element 9 shown in Figure 4 is used to lock a connecting element into position when it has been inserted into a bore 4 of one of the blocks. The locking element 9 is generally cylindrical and of U-shape form each limb 14 of the element tapering towards its free end.

When a connecting element 2 has been inserted into a bore 4 of one of a pair of intersecting bores with its reduced portion 8 or 11 lying at the intersection of that bore with the other bore of the pair the locking element 9 can be inserted into the said other bore to engage with that portion and to lock the connecting element in position. In this way the blocks can be joined together end to end or with any of their side faces in contact.

When the connecting element 9 is inserted into the said other bore of the pair of bores it engages over the reduced portion 8 or 11 of the connecting element to lock that element into position. The tapering limbs 14 of the locking element 9 provide a wedging action as the element 9 is inserted.

For example as shown in Figure 2 a connecting element 2 having two reduced portions 8 has been inserted into a bore 5 of one of the blocks 1 and a locking element 9 has been inserted through one of the bores 4 to lock that element into position. As can be seen from Figure 2 half of the connecting element 2 projects from the end face of the block 1 and by inserting that half into a bore 5 or a bore 4 of another block 1 and using another locking element 9 the two blocks can be joined together.

Although not illustrated, each of the blocks in the form of a cube is provided with an integral connecting element 2 formed on one or both of its parallel faces not provided with bores 4. In this way each of those blocks can be joined to other blocks of the kit by inserting the integral connecting element into a bore 4 or 5 of another block and locking it in position with an element 9. Providing each cubic block with an integral connecting element 2, therefore, allows its pair of intersecting bores 4 to be used to connect it to other components of the kit - not necessarily another block. Thus the pairs of bores 4 of a cubic block can be used to mount an axle 6 which can receive wheels 7 (only one of which is shown), the axle 6 being inserted through the bore 10 of a connecting element 2 which has been inserted in one of the bores 4 of the block.

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 an axle 6 can be inserted into the bore of a connecting element 2 which has one or two reduced portions 8 respectively and which has been inserted into a bore 4 or 5 of a block 1.

As will be evident from the drawing the distance betwen parallel faces of each block, the lengths of each connecting element, the distance between the intersection of pairs of bores in a block having two or more pairs of intersecting bores and the distance between the reduced portions of each connecting element having two or more such portions are equal or multiples of each other.

Claims

1. A toy construction kit comprising a plurality of construction elements a plurality of connecting elements and a plurality of locking elements, each construction element being of rectangular crosssection and having at least one pair of bores extending through it between respective parallel faces, the bores of the or each pair lying at right angles to, and intersecting each other, each connecting element being slidably insertable into any one of the said bores and having at least one portion of reduced cross-section, and each locking element being slidably insertable into any of the said bores, wherein, when a connecting element has been inserted into one bore of a pair of intersecting bores with its, or one of its reduced portions lying at the intersection of the pair of bores, a locking element can be inserted into the other bore of the pair to engage with that portion and to lock the connecting element in position.

2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the construction elements is prismatic in form and one or two co-axial bores are provided in that construction element the or each of which extends at right angles to a plane or planes containing the pair or pair of intersecting bores of the construction element and from a respective one of the other two parallel faces of the construction element and to a point on that side of the intersection of the or the closest pair of intersecting bores remote from that face.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in wich at least one of the construction elements is prismatic in form and has a connecting element extending from, and secured to at least one of the other two parallel faces of the block not provided with a bore.

4. A kit as claimed in claim 1 to 3, in which each connecting element is of tubular construction.

5. A kit as claimed in claims 1 to 4, in which the or each of the portions of reduced cross-section is formed by a circumferential groove in the connecting element.

6. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the or each reduced portion is formed by two parallel lands provided in the circumference of the connecting element.

7. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which each locking element is generally U-shaped, each limb of the U-tapering towards its end.

8. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the distance between parallel faces of the construction elements, the length of each connecting element, the distance between the intersections of pairs of bores in a construction element having two or more pairs of intersecting bores and the distance between the reduced portions of a connecting element having two or more such portions are equal or multiples of each other.

9. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least one end of at least one of the connecting elements is provided with a coupling element such as a tenon, groove, slot, hook or the like.

10. A toy construction kit for assembling toy models consisting of rectangular construction elements having bores as junction points and connection pieces which engage in the bores and connect the construction elements, wherein a junction point is formed at least by two bores of equal diameter, which intersect with their central axis at right angles, the connecting piece having an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore and having at least one portion of narrow cross-section over which a wedge element can be pushed, from the direction of the free bore of the junction point, after the portion of narrow cross-section has been moved into the point of intersection of the bores.

11. A kit as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10, in which at least the construction elements of the kit are made of wood.

12. A toy construction kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.