GB2557059A

GB2557059A - Flexible elongate toy building block base

Info

Publication number: GB2557059A
Application number: GB1800881.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kirsten Anine; Basler Max; Kruger Jaco; Dougal Maclennan Séamus
Original assignee: Chrome Cherry Design Studio Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Chrome Cherry Design Studio Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-24
Filing date: 2016-11-24
Publication date: 2018-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-24
Also published as: GB201800881D0; GB2557059B

Abstract

A base 1 for use with toy building blocks and other co-operant pieces, with each construction block having a flat surface with multiple projections or accommodating recesses so that they can be frictionally engaged or clipped together. On one major surface 2 of the base 1 is an array of squat right cylindrical projections 3, and on the opposite face is an adhesive configured to fix the base 1 to a supporting surface. The base 1 is shaped as a strip at least 500mm long, having a width accommodating exactly one or two widths of a compatible brick. The strip 1 is flexible yet retains the ability to support construction blocks. The base 1 may be provided in a roll, and its thickness may decrease between sets of projections 2 to provide living hinges. Possible materials for the strip include plastics, silicone, rubber, paper pulp and powdered cork products.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

EP 3005894 A1

A63H 33/08 (2006.01)

US 9480931 B1 (62) Divided from Application No

1619927.5 under section 15(9) of the Patents Act 1977 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA63H, E04B Other: EPODOC, WPI (71) Applicant(s):

Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd Milliken Industries, 8 Hydro Street, Stikland, Cape Town 7530, South Africa (72) Inventor(s):

Anine Kirsten Max Basler Jaco Kruger

Seamus Dougal Maclennan (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Marks & Clerk LLP

Long Acre, LONDON, WC2E 9RA, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Flexible elongate toy building block base Abstract Title: Flexible elongate toy building block base (57) A base 1 for use with toy building blocks and other co-operant pieces, with each construction block having a flat surface with multiple projections or accommodating recesses so that they can be frictionally engaged or clipped together. On one major surface 2 of the base 1 is an array of squat right cylindrical projections 3, and on the opposite face is an adhesive configured to fix the base 1 to a supporting surface. The base 1 is shaped as a strip at least 500mm long, having a width accommodating exactly one or two widths of a compatible brick. The strip 1 is flexible yet retains the ability to support construction blocks. The base 1 may be provided in a roll, and its thickness may decrease between sets of projections 2 to provide living hinges. Possible materials for the strip include plastics, silicone, rubber, paper pulp and powdered cork products.

2/2

/

Figure 9

FLEXIBLE ELONGATE TOY BUILDING BLOCK BASE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a toy building block base and, more particularly, one that is compatible with existing toy building blocks of the general nature comprising blocks at least the basic building blocks of which are of rectangular parallelepiped shape with multiple projections extending from one surface that could be regarded as the male mating surface that is typically a top surface, and accommodating recesses in an opposite surface that could be regarded as a female mating surface that is typically a bottom surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size and shape. As a general rule, two rows of squat projections are provided across the width on a surface of a building block.

Numerous special external shapes of building blocks are provided to create replica people, figures, characters and structures but all of them have, as a general rule, cooperating projections and recesses to enable their temporary Interconnection with the basic toy building blocks.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Typically the projections are squat cylindrical projections arranged in aligned rows extending along a length of the building block and the recesses are formed by a space between side and end walls of a hollow block and one or more outer surfaces of cylindrical locking formations extending from an inside of a top wall of the block to a bottom surface plane of the block. The projections are, in an operative condition, engaged by the inner surface of the sidewalls and or end walls and an outer surface of the cylindrical locking formations. The sidewalls and end walls are, other than for specialist building blocks, smooth.

Probably the most common toy building block range of this general nature, as far as applicant is aware, is that sold under the trade name LEGO® which is a registered trademark of LEGO JURIS A/S of Denmark. However, other compatible toy building blocks are available such as MEGA BLOKS® a trade mark of MEGA BLOK INC of Canada (working with MATTEL® and FISHER PRICE®) and KRE-O® construction blocks Marketed by HASBRO of Korea.

It should however be noted that the scope of this invention is not to be interpreted as being limited in any way to use in conjunction with any particular range of toy building blocks and the bases of this invention could be used with any of the above or other types of toy building blocks of the same general nature.

Prior art toy building block sets do have a facility for building replica people, figures, characters and structures in relation to each other in the form of a separate base sheet having formations thereon for receiving building blocks in frictional or clipping relationship relative to the base sheet. These base sheets are of standard sizes and the sizes of base sheet to be used are limited in number and must be selected or acquired according to the purpose.

Also, there are available on the market, square 10 inch (254 mm) by 10 inch (254 mm) adhesive “LEGO® compatible tiles” that carry on their obverse surface an array of formations suitable for receiving toy building blocks of the general type outlined above so that an entire structure can be built on one or a plurality of juxtaposed aligned tiles. The tiles carry multiple projections arranged so that edge to edge location of the tiles results in a continuous series of the formations being created on the surface at the joints between tiles over a surface to which the tiles are adhered by means of the adhesive with the outer edges in alignment. The adhesive is pressure sensitive and selected so that tiles may be releasably adhesively secured to any suitable support surface and can be used for supporting replica people, characters and structures with the tiles being stuck, for example, on a window, wall, article of furniture, appliance surface or a computer surface, simply by way of example.

MEGA BLOK INC also provide a base that consists of a number of coplanar sections that are hingedly attached to each other so that a composite flat base of different peripheral shapes can be created.

The versatility of toy building blocks of the general nature outlined above has proved to be exceptionally successful. However, these prior art types of bases are restrictive on certain types of creations that may be applied thereto in particular circumstances.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a toy building block base for use in association with toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape whereof each building block has at least one flat surface with either multiple projections forming a male mating surface or accommodating recesses forming a female mating surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size and shape and wherein the toy building block base has on one major surface thereof either an array of complementary projections or an array of complementary accommodating recesses and on an opposite major surface an alternative attachment means that are configured to attach the base to a supporting surface, the toy building block base being characterized in that it is shaped as an elongate strip having a width selected to accommodate the width of one, two or three widths of a compatible standard toy building block, and a thickness that is dependent on the material of manufacture and is selected such that the toy building block base is sufficiently flexible so that it can flex to follow a three dimensional contour when attached to a supporting surface or structure having a contour other than a flat supporting surface or structure whilst retaining its ability to support co-operant toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape by way of inter-engaging male and female mating surfaces.

Further features of the invention provide for the alternative attachment means to be selected from adhesive that is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive that may also be releasable in order to allow for repositioning or permanent type covered as may be required by a removable cover strip wherein the adhesive could be applied directly to the toy building block base or as one side of a double sided adhesive tape added onto the toy building block base during or after manufacture; a magnetic backing typically composed of one or more flexible magnetic strips; a series of suction cups that are optionally moulded integral with the toy building block base with flexibility being achieved by varying wall thickness; and one component of a hook and loop releasable fastener system such as that sold under the trade name VELCRO® that can be applied as an adhesive backed tape either during or after manufacture with this expedient allowing for repositioning in the usual way.

Further features of the invention provide for the toy building block base to have a width configured to receive only one standard toy building block width corresponding to two spaced rows of projections or alternatively, double that width; for the toy building block base to be made in discrete lengths ranging from 200 mm to 2000 mm, such as 200 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm,

750 mm, 1000 mm and longer cut lengths; for the toy building block base to be marketed in loose form from bulk packs thereof, individually wrapped form or to be formed into rolls thereof of selected lengths; for the toy building block base to be severable such as by cutting or tearing or, on the other hand, for the toy building block base to be configured so as not to be severable such as by the inclusion of a longitudinally extending wires; for the toy building block base to either have a constant thickness along its length other than through a projection or, alternatively, for the thickness of the material to be decreased between adjacent projections or complimentary recesses and typically between sets of adjacent projections or complimentary recesses that correspond with a full standard length of a toy building block of either three or four projections long to provide living hinges with limited flexibility between those sets of adjacent projections; in the alternative, for the toy building block base to be composed of a multitude of short lengths of building block base carried by a flexible tape rendering the toy building block base sufficiently flexible as defined above; and for the material from which the toy building block base is made to have little or preferably a negligible amount of plastic memory.

Still further features of the invention provide for the toy building block base to be made from a suitable plastics or silicone that is sufficiently deformable to bend but rigid enough to support toy building blocks; a paper pulp product that is in a matrix that exhibits appropriate properties; a pulverized or powdered cork product that is in a suitable matrix and a suitable rubber product; for the toy building block base to be manufactured by roll forming wherein a machine presses the required shape onto a continuous roll wherein multiple lengths can be manufactured using the same inexpensive tool, or, alternatively by press moulding or injection moulding; and for one or more surfaces of the toy building block base to be printed with decorative or instructive indicia.

In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully understood various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a short length of toy building block base according to the invention showing one thickness thereof;

Figure 2	is an isometric view of a similar length of a somewhat thicker toy building block base;
Figure 3	illustrates the rear of the toy building block base that has adhesive for securing its opposite surface to a supporting surface;
Figure 4	is a side view of a roll of toy building block base according to the invention;
Figure 5	is an isometric view similar to Figure 1 and showing a building block base according to the invention having an array of complementary accommodating recesses that serve to define the female mating surface of an attachment arrangement;
Figure 6	is a rear view of a short length toy building block base according to the invention provided with a magnetic strip for attaching it to a metallic surface;
Figure 7	is a rear view of a short length of toy building block base according to the invention provided with an array of suction cups for attaching it to a smooth surface;
Figure 8	is a rear view of a short length of building block base according to the invention provided with the loop part of a hook and loop fastener system; and,
Figure 9	is a side view of a short lengths of building block base according to the invention in which living hinges are formed between sets of projections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

As provided by this invention a toy building block base is provided for use in association with toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape of the type sold under the trade name LEGO® or an equivalent whereof each building block has at least one flat surface with multiple projections forming a male mating surface or accommodating recesses that form a female mating surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size, shape and configuration.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 the toy building block base (1) has on one major surface (2), an array of squat right circular cylindrical projections (3) arranged in adjacent pairs in two parallel rows along the length of a strip having a width corresponding to that of a single standard toy building block with which the toy building block base is to be used. An opposite major surface of the strip has one of a number of different alternative attachment means associated with it and, in the instance illustrated in Figure 3, that expedient is a pressure sensitive adhesive (4) that is able to attach the toy building block base to a plain flat surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive is covered, in the usual way, with a removable cover strip (5). The pressure sensitive adhesive may be of a releasable type in order to allow for repositioning of the toy building block base on a supporting surface therefor, or it could be of a permanent type. The adhesive could be applied directly to the toy building block base or it could be constituted by one side of a double sided adhesive tape applied to the toy building block base during or after manufacture.

The toy building block base is sufficiently flexible so that it can flex to follow a three dimensional contour when attached to a supporting surface or structure having a contour other than flat whilst retaining its ability to support multiple toy building blocks or other compatible blocks of special shape.

Whilst the drawings (other than Figure 4) do only show a short length of strip toy building block base it will be quite apparent that the length may be considerable and will be chosen according to requirements and according to sales and promotional strategy. Typically shorter lengths of say 200 mm to 400 mm may be individually packed in wrappers or blister packs whilst longer lengths may be rolled up and wrapped or packed in blister packs. A roll (6) of strip toy building block base is illustrated in Figure 4 simply by way of example.

The toy building block base may be severable such as by cutting. On the other hand the toy building block base may be configured so as not to be severable and may include one or more longitudinally extending wires, threads or cables.

As regards thickness, it will be quite apparent that the thickness may be determined by the material from which they toy building block base is made and also on the sharpness of bend that is to be applied to the toy building block base whilst not distorting the arrangement of projections excessively. Figure 1 illustrates a toy building block base that is rather thin and has a constant thickness along its length other than through a projection. Figure 2 illustrates the same sort of toy building block base that is somewhat thicker.

As an alternative, and as shown in Figure 9, the thickness of the material may be decreased between selected pairs of adjacent projections, in the instance illustrated in Figure 9, the decreased zones (11) being provided after every four pairs of projections that would correspond to a standard toy building block having four pairs of projections. These are zones of decreased thickness provide what is known as living hinges between the adjacent zones that each have have four pairs of projections so that greater flexibility is provided at the living hinges zone with more limited flexibility between adjacent living hinges.

As mentioned above, the alternative attachment means could be different from the adhesive described above.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which a magnetic backing typically composed of one or more flexible magnetic strips (12) is permanently attached to the rear surface (13) of the toy building block base.

Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the surface of the toy building block base is provided with a multitude of suction cups (15) that may be moulded integral with the toy building block base with flexibility of the suction cups themselves being achieved by varying wall thickness as in the case of living hinges.

Figure 8 illustrates the use of one component of a hook and loop releasable fastener system such as that sold under the trade name VELCRO®, in this instance the loop component (16) can be applied as an adhesive backed tape either during or after manufacture with this expedient allowing for repositioning in the usual way.

Turning now to the material from which the toy building block base is made, it is preferred that it have little or no plastic memory so as to ensure that it does not tend to disengage itself from a non-flat surface to which it becomes attached, in use. The toy building block base may in particular be made from a suitable plastics or silicone that is sufficiently deformable to bend but rigid enough to support toy building blocks.

A paper pulp product that is in a suitable generally plastic matrix that exhibits appropriate properties could be employed or alternatively a pulverized or powdered cork product that is in a suitable plastic matrix could possibly be used. Cork powder (say in an amount of 50 wt.%) may be mixed with polypropylene or polyethylene such as by pultrusion aiming to prepare corkbased composites. Samples have also been produced by compression moulding using compounded composites. Bending strength, impact resistance, hardness and dimensional stability, thermal and acoustic properties of the developed cork-polymer composites may be advantageous.

A suitable rubber product may also be used.

As regards manufacture, the toy building block base may be manufactured by roll forming wherein a machine presses the required shape onto a continuous roll wherein multiple lengths can be manufactured using the same inexpensive tool, or, alternatively by press moulding or injection moulding.

There are numerous uses for the toy building block base according to the invention as will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art. If the alternative attachment means is an adhesive, the toy building block base can be stuck onto any suitable surface such as that of a wall, window, undulating surfaces such as the handlebars of a bicycle or any three-dimensional shaped surface such as the outer surface of a motor vehicle, motorbike, and numerous other different surfaces. In the instance that the alternative attachment means is a magnetic strip, the toy building block base could be adhered temporarily to a refrigerator washing machine and dishwasher and numerous other metal objects that are made of a ferromagnetic material.

In the instance that the alternative attachment means are a multitude of suction cups, the toy building block base could be used anywhere where there are ceramic tiles, any plastic or ceramic washing sinks, tubs or baths especially as forming the basis of bath toys.

In all instances the toy building block base can be used to create a bridge from one surface to another.

There are clearly numerous ways in which toy building block base described above can be varied without departing from the scope hereof. It is within the scope hereof to provide the toy building block base of the invention with accommodating recesses forming a female mating surface (17), as illustrated in Figure 5. Such an arrangement may be used, for example, if it is desired to provide an assembly of toy building blocks that extends downwards from a support surface.

Also, the shape of the projections could be varied widely and they could, for example, be of square shape in cross-section or hexagonal shaped with the accommodating recesses appropriately formed to cooperate with the projections.

Throughout the specification and claims unless the contents requires otherwise the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

FURTHER STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

1. A toy building block base for use in association with toy building blocks and other cooperant blocks of special shape whereof each building block has at least one flat surface with either multiple projections forming a male mating surface or accommodating recesses forming a female mating surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size and shape and wherein the toy building block base has on one major surface thereof either an array of complementary projections or an array of complementary accommodating recesses and on an opposite major surface an alternative attachment means that are configured to attach the base to a supporting surface, the toy building block base being characterized in that it is shaped as an elongate strip having a width selected to accommodate the width of one, two or three widths of a compatible standard toy building block, and a thickness that is dependent on the material of manufacture and is selected such that the toy building block base is sufficiently flexible so that it can flex to follow a three dimensional contour when attached to a supporting surface or structure having a contour other than a flat supporting surface or structure whilst retaining its ability to support cooperant toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape by way of interengaging male and female mating surfaces.

2. A toy building block base in accordance with Clause 1 in which the alternative attachment means is selected from pressure sensitive adhesive covered by a removable cover strip, a magnetic backing of one or more flexible magnetic strips, a series of suction cups and one component of a hook and loop releasable fastener system.

3. A toy building block base in accordance with either one of Clause 1 or Clause 2 in which the toy building block base has a width configured to receive only one or two standard toy building block widths each corresponding to two spaced rows of projections.

4. A toy building block base in accordance with either one of Clause 1 or Clause 2 in which the toy building block base has a width configured to receive only one standard toy building block width with two spaced rows of projections.

5. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base is made in discrete lengths ranging from 200 mm, to 2000 mm in length.

6. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base is formed into a roll thereof of a selected length.

7. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base is severable by cutting or tearing.

8. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of Clauses 1 to 6 in which the toy building block base is configured so as not to be severable.

9. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base has a constant thickness along its length other than through a projection.

10. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of Clauses 1 to 8 in which the thickness of the strip is decreased between sets of adjacent projections or complimentary recesses that correspond with a full standard length of a toy building block of either three or four projections or complementary recesses to provide living hinges with limited flexibility between those sets of adjacent projections or recesses.

11. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the material from which the toy building block base is made has a negligible amount of plastic memory.

12. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base is made from a material selected from a suitable plastics or silicone that is sufficiently deformable to bend but rigid enough to support an assembly of toy building blocks; a paper pulp product that is in a matrix that exhibits appropriate properties; a pulverized or powdered cork product that is in a matrix, and a rubber product.

13. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of the preceding Clauses in which the toy building block base is manufactured by roll forming wherein a machine presses the required shape onto a continuous roll wherein multiple lengths can be manufactured using the same inexpensive tool.

14. A toy building block base in accordance with any one of Clauses 1 to 12 in which the toy building block base is manufactured by press moulding or injection moulding.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A toy building block base for use in association with toy building blocks and other cooperant blocks of special shape whereof each building block has at least one flat surface with either multiple projections forming a male mating surface or accommodating recesses forming a female mating surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size and shape, and a standard toy building block includes two rows of squat projections provided across its width, wherein the toy building block base is shaped as an elongate strip and has on one major surface thereof an array of complementary squat right circular cylindrical projections arranged in adjacent sets in two or four parallel rows along the length of the strip, the strip having a width corresponding to that of one or two standard toy building blocks with which the toy building block base is to be used, and on an opposite major surface an attachment means that is configured to attach the base to a supporting surface, wherein:

the toy building block base is flexible yet retains its ability to support the cooperant toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape by way of interengaging female mating surfaces;

the toy building block base has only the two or four spaced parallel rows of complementary projections;

the length of the toy building block base is at least 500 mm; and the attachment means is an adhesive.
2. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 1 in which the toy building block base is provided in a roll thereof.
3. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of at least 750mm when unrolled.
4. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of 1000mm when unrolled.
5. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of 2000 mm when unrolled.
6. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy building block base is severable by cutting or tearing.
7. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy

5 building block base has a constant thickness along its length other than through a projection.
8. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the thickness of the toy building block base is decreased between sets of adjacent projections that

10 correspond with a full standard length of a toy building block of either three or four projections to provide living hinges between those sets of adjacent projections.
9. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the material from which the toy building block base is made has a negligible amount of

15 plastic memory.
10. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a suitable plastics or silicone that is sufficiently deformable to bend but rigid enough to support an assembly of toy building

20 blocks.
11. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a paper pulp product that is in a matrix.

25
12. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a pulverized or powdered cork product that is in a matrix.
13. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building

30 block base is made from a material that is a rubber product.
14. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the adhesive is applied directly to the material of the toy building block base.

35 15. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the adhesive is constituted by one side of a double sided adhesive tape applied to the toy building block base.

16. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the adhesive is of a pressure sensitive releasable type in order to allow for repositioning of the toy building block base on a supporting surface.

17. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the adhesive is covered by a removable cover strip.

18. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of the

10 preceding claims in which the toy building block base is manufactured by roll forming wherein a machine presses the required shape onto a continuous roll.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein multiple lengths are manufactured using the same tool.
15 20. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 in which the toy building block base is manufactured by press moulding.

21. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 in which the toy building block base is manufactured by injection moulding.

27 04 18

Amendments to claims have been filed as follows

CLAIMS:

1. A toy building block base for use in association with toy building blocks and other cooperant blocks of special shape whereof each building block has at least one flat surface

5 with either multiple projections forming a male mating surface or accommodating recesses forming a female mating surface so that the blocks can be frictionally engaged or clipped together with compatible building blocks to form structures of a chosen size and shape, and a standard toy building block includes two rows of squat projections provided across its width, wherein the toy building block base is shaped as an elongate 10 strip and has on one major surface thereof an array of complementary squat right circular cylindrical projections arranged in adjacent sets in two or four parallel rows along the length of the strip, the strip having a width corresponding to that of one or two standard toy building blocks with which the toy building block base is to be used, and on an opposite major surface an attachment means that is configured to attach the base to 15 a supporting surface, wherein:

the toy building block base is flexible yet retains its ability to support the cooperant toy building blocks and other co-operant blocks of special shape by way of interengaging female mating surfaces;

the toy building block base has only the two or four spaced parallel rows of 20 complementary projections;

the length of the toy building block base is at least 500 mm; and the attachment means is an adhesive.

2. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 1 in which the toy building block base is

25 provided in a roll thereof.

3. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of at least 750mm when unrolled.

30 4. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of 1000mm when unrolled.

5. A toy building block base as claimed in claim 2 in which the toy building block base has a discrete length of 2000 mm when unrolled.

27 04 18

6. A toy building block base as claimeo m any one of the preceding claims in which the toy building block base is severable by cutting or tearing.

7. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy

5 building block base has a constant thickness along its length other than through a projection.

8. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the thickness of the toy building block base is decreased between sets of adjacent projections that

10 correspond with a full standard length of a toy building block of either three or four projections to provide living hinges between those sets of adjacent projections.

9. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the material from which the toy building block base is made has a negligible amount of

15 plastic memory.

10. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a suitable plastics or silicone that is sufficiently deformable to bend but rigid enough to support an assembly of toy building

20 blocks.

11. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a paper pulp product that is in a matrix.

25 12. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building block base is made from a material that is a pulverized or powdered cork product that is in a matrix.

13. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the toy building

30 block base is made from a material that is a rubber product.

14. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the adhesive is applied directly to the material of the toy building block base.

35 15. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the adhesive is constituted by one side of a double sided adhesive tape applied to the toy building block base.
16. A toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the adhesive is covered by a removable cover strip.

5
17. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the toy building block base is manufactured by roll forming wherein a machine presses the required shape onto a continuous roll.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein multiple lengths are manufactured using the same tool.
19. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 in which the toy building block base is manufactured by press moulding.
20. A method of manufacturing a toy building block base as claimed in any one of claims 1

15 to 16 in which the toy building block base is manufactured by injection moulding.

27 04 18

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB 1800881.3 1-21