GB2054391A

GB2054391A - Jig-saw-type building blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2054391A
Application number: GB7943708A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LANGERMEIER G
Current assignee: LANGERMEIER G
Priority date: 1979-08-01
Filing date: 1979-12-19
Publication date: 1981-02-18
Also published as: DE7922284U1

Abstract

A set of toy building blocks (1 to 6) can be assembled to form a predetermined shape, each block having a pair of opposed plane faces (1', 1'') and at least one coupling face (7 to 12). An identification mark 49 is burnt in. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape This invention relates to a set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape.

It is already known that building blocks can be fitted into one another in order to join them together.

To a certain extent in such cases a plurality of the same pieces are used which, since they are identical, can be arranged interchangeably. However, this method allows only crude, stylised outlines of subjects to be represented.

The present invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, with a view to avoid the disadvantage of the known building blocks, while providing a style and convenience which makes it suitable for children as well. In addition the sense of form and the faculty of spatial representation are promoted, and cultural, historical or otherwise significant facts may be passed on thereby.

According to the invention there is provided a set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape, each block having a pair of opposed faces and at least one coupling face by means of which the block can be coupled with the coupling face of an adjacent block in the predetermined shape, in which the coupling face of one block has a releasable connection with the coupling face of an adjacent block by means of a tongue and groove type connection.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa schematic illustration of the mode of assembly of a set of toy building blocks according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a bear; Figure 3 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a fish; and Figure 4 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a building.

Six toy building blocks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 are represented in Figure 1, of which five, (1, 3, 4, 5, 6) are already assembled, while part 2 is only partly connected to the blocks 1 and 4. The blocks each have a pair of opposed plane faces, in that they are smooth on the front side 1' and rear side 1", and have no convexities or indentations on either of these sides.

The blocks also have coupling faces by means of which adjacent blocks can be coupled releasably together. Thus, on the opposite contact surfaces 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, the blocks are provided with means of connection, which are in the form of an undulatory groove 16 and tongue 17, whereby corresponding blocks 1,2 and 2,4 have identical undulatory lines, 18 and 19 respectively. In this way it becomes possible to slide the blocks together at right angles to their front 1 ' and rear 1 " sides. As a result of the undulatory structure of groove 16 and tongue 17, the blocks so connected are held irreversibly at right angles to their undulated side surfaces.Depending upon whether one or several sides of the blocks are in contact, one or several sides are in undulatory form A set of individual blocks can be assembled to make any predetermined shape, including figures of organisms such as animals, people and plants, or of buildings or other objects. Their height varies bet ween 10 cm and 20 cm, and their corresponding thickness between 1 cm and 5 cm.

In Figure 2 the blocks 20 to 25 form the side view of the figure of a bear, and in Figure 3 the blocks 26 to 32 form the figure of a fish. In Figure 4 the figure of the front of a building, the "Brandenburg Gate", is represented with the blocks 33 to 48.

As a rule the individual blocks are not interchangeable. In order to enable one to assign individual building blocks to different building sets or when several building sets are present, each block has a mark which characterises the fact that it belongs to a particular building set. Thus part 1 in Figure 1, which is made, for example, of wood, is provided with the burnt-in mark 49 which is characteristic of the set. In order that, after the assembly of the blocks as a building set, this mark should not be visible, it is situated in the undulatory side surface 7. The mark can also be punched in or produced as an integral part of the corresponding block.

The blocks may be made of wood, metal, plastics or any other suitable material.

1. A set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape, each block having a pair of opposed plane faces and at least one coupling face by means of which the block can be coupled with the coupling face of an adjacent block in the predetermined shape, in which the coupling face of one block has a releasable connection with the coupling face of an adjacent block by means of a tongue and groove type connection.

2. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 1, in which each block has a mark which is characteristic of the set.

3. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 2, in which each characterising mark is plasticallyformed.

4. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 2 or 3, in which each mark is formed by being burntin the surface of the corresponding block.

5. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 2 or 3, in which each mark is formed by being punched-in the surface of the corresponding block.

6. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 2 or 2, in which each mark is formed as an integral part of the corresponding block.

7. Aset of toy building blocks according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in which each mark is provided on the coupling face of the corresponding block so as to be hidden when the block is coupled with an adjacent block.

8. A set of toy building blocks according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocks are

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape This invention relates to a set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape. It is already known that building blocks can be fitted into one another in order to join them together. To a certain extent in such cases a plurality of the same pieces are used which, since they are identical, can be arranged interchangeably. However, this method allows only crude, stylised outlines of subjects to be represented. The present invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, with a view to avoid the disadvantage of the known building blocks, while providing a style and convenience which makes it suitable for children as well. In addition the sense of form and the faculty of spatial representation are promoted, and cultural, historical or otherwise significant facts may be passed on thereby. According to the invention there is provided a set of toy building blocks for assembly to form a predetermined shape, each block having a pair of opposed faces and at least one coupling face by means of which the block can be coupled with the coupling face of an adjacent block in the predetermined shape, in which the coupling face of one block has a releasable connection with the coupling face of an adjacent block by means of a tongue and groove type connection. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa schematic illustration of the mode of assembly of a set of toy building blocks according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a bear; Figure 3 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a fish; and Figure 4 illustrates a set of toy building blocks assembled to make the figure of a building. Six toy building blocks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 are represented in Figure 1, of which five, (1, 3, 4, 5, 6) are already assembled, while part 2 is only partly connected to the blocks 1 and 4. The blocks each have a pair of opposed plane faces, in that they are smooth on the front side 1' and rear side 1", and have no convexities or indentations on either of these sides. The blocks also have coupling faces by means of which adjacent blocks can be coupled releasably together. Thus, on the opposite contact surfaces 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, the blocks are provided with means of connection, which are in the form of an undulatory groove 16 and tongue 17, whereby corresponding blocks 1,2 and 2,4 have identical undulatory lines, 18 and 19 respectively. In this way it becomes possible to slide the blocks together at right angles to their front 1 ' and rear 1 " sides. As a result of the undulatory structure of groove 16 and tongue 17, the blocks so connected are held irreversibly at right angles to their undulated side surfaces.Depending upon whether one or several sides of the blocks are in contact, one or several sides are in undulatory form A set of individual blocks can be assembled to make any predetermined shape, including figures of organisms such as animals, people and plants, or of buildings or other objects. Their height varies bet ween 10 cm and 20 cm, and their corresponding thickness between 1 cm and 5 cm. In Figure 2 the blocks 20 to 25 form the side view of the figure of a bear, and in Figure 3 the blocks 26 to 32 form the figure of a fish. In Figure 4 the figure of the front of a building, the "Brandenburg Gate", is represented with the blocks 33 to 48. As a rule the individual blocks are not interchangeable. In order to enable one to assign individual building blocks to different building sets or when several building sets are present, each block has a mark which characterises the fact that it belongs to a particular building set. Thus part 1 in Figure 1, which is made, for example, of wood, is provided with the burnt-in mark 49 which is characteristic of the set. In order that, after the assembly of the blocks as a building set, this mark should not be visible, it is situated in the undulatory side surface 7. The mark can also be punched in or produced as an integral part of the corresponding block. The blocks may be made of wood, metal, plastics or any other suitable material. CLAIMS

8. A set of toy building blocks according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocks are made of wood, metal, or plastics material.

9. A set of toy building blocks according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing.