JP2011516125A - Toy blocks, toy block connecting elements, and toy block elements for manufacturing toy blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

  The toy block (1) has a side wall (2) having an inner surface and an outer surface (3). The outer surface (3) is directed so as to be in close proximity to the surface of a similar toy block. The side wall (2) is provided in the outer surface (3) adjacent to the through hole (4) for receiving the catch portion (7) of the connecting element (6) and adjacent to the through hole (4). It has a recess (5). The toy block (1) has a catch for engaging and holding the catch portion (7) of the connecting element (6). The catch is located inside the toy block (1) away from the inner surface. At least one of the recesses (5) and the penetrating holes (4) are not circular. There is a toy block connecting element (6) for such a toy block (1) and a toy block element (11) for producing such a toy block (1).

Description

  The present invention has a side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being directed opposite and adjacent to a surface of a similar toy block, the side wall for receiving a catch portion of a connecting element Toy block having a through hole and a recess provided in the outer surface proximate to the through hole, the toy block having a catch for engaging and holding the catch portion of the connecting element About. The invention further relates to a toy block connecting element for connecting such toy blocks to each other. The invention further relates to a toy block element for producing such a toy block.

  A toy block of the type described above is known from US Pat. No. 5,645,464. The known toy block is hollow and has a wall with a circular opening, a flange recessed in the opening, a central opening, and at least two holes connected adjacent to the opening. Each of these at least two holes further comprises a semi-cylindrical elastic support that supports two semi-circular knobs integrally connected to the flange for the purpose of interconnecting the two toy blocks. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,464 discloses a switch lock for connecting the toy blocks together by engagement of the holding knob means. The switch lock has a fixed disk and two shafts attached to the opposite side of the disk. Each shaft has a head portion that is mounted to fit into the opening or hole in the opening of the toy block wall and is held by the knob. Due to the engagement of the knob holding means, the head portion of the switch lock both serves to hold the connected block and to prevent mutual rotation of the block and the connecting element.

  Conventionally known toy blocks mainly have the disadvantage that the switch lock and knob holding means provide insufficient prevention of mutual rotation between the block and the connecting element during the engaging operation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to sufficiently prevent mutual rotation between the toy block and the connecting element for the toy block when the connecting element is inserted into the toy block.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy block element for producing an improved toy block which is integrally molded in a single molding and thereby can be manufactured in a simple and inexpensive process. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved by a toy block of the type described above, i.e. the catch is arranged inside the toy block at a certain distance from the inner surface and at least one of the recesses. And the through hole is achieved by a toy block that is not circular. In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the inner surface to the catch is at least 1 mm.

  Thereby, non-circular recesses and / or holes provide prevention of mutual rotation between the block and the connecting element, and the catch part provides retention of the connected block and is spatially separated in two motions. Toy blocks are provided. Such a structure provides a significant improvement in preventing mutual rotation between the block and the connecting element.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, the above object of the present invention is a toy block connecting element for connecting a plurality of toy blocks to each other, a central flat portion having two opposite surfaces and a periphery, And a catch portion that rises from at least one of the surfaces and engages the catch of the toy block, wherein at least one cross section of the catch portion and the peripheral portion of the flat portion are not circular, the catch portion is This is achieved by a toy block connecting element having at least one receiving leg, the receiving leg having at least one engaging means on the outer part of the receiving leg opposite the central flat part.

  Accordingly, the at least one flat portion and the catch portion which are not circular are fitted into a similarly non-circular recess or through hole of the toy block based on insertion into the toy block, thereby preventing mutual rotation. The toy block connecting element is provided that secures the toy block connecting element to the toy block.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the object of the invention is achieved by a toy block element for producing a toy block according to the invention. That is, the toy block element has a peripheral wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open edge provided to be combined with an open edge of a similar toy block element, the peripheral wall having a generator direction It is cylindrically shaped close to the opening edge and has at least one recess on its outer surface adjacent to the opening edge, the recess having a bottom and a hole penetrating the bottom, the hole being Open at the opening edge, the at least one recess and the through hole are not semi-circular, and the toy block element is close to the level of the opening edge so as to provide at least part of the toy block catch And at least one first leg portion extending parallel to the generator direction to a level of.

  This provides a toy block element for manufacturing a toy block according to the first aspect of the invention. Then, as described above, by combining the opening edge of the toy block element with a similar toy block element in a particularly simple and effective manner, the recesses of the toy block elements are combined and assembled. A recess is formed, while each first leg portion forms a toy block catch, providing the effects described above.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first leg portion is elastic and flexible in a direction orthogonal to the generator method, thereby providing a coupling between the catch and the catch portion, And thereby, especially for children, the block and the connecting element facilitate the insertion and removal of the connecting element into the toy block.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the toy block element according to the invention is such that the generator is at a level near the peripheral point of the through-hole facing the opening edge so as to provide a part of the catch of the toy block. It further has at least one second leg portion extending parallel to the direction. Thereby, an improved and more stable holding of the connecting element according to the invention is possible in inserting such a connecting element into a through-hole of a toy block manufactured with such a toy block element. ,Given.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one of the first leg portion and the second leg portion extends beyond at least part of the distance between the inner surface of the peripheral wall and each leg portion. With a cross section. Thereby, a further improved holding of the connecting element according to the invention, in particular a lateral holding of the connecting element, is provided in the through hole of the toy block manufactured with such a toy block element. Given the insertion of such connecting elements.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one recess that is not semicircular and the through-hole are formed as a substantially bisected cross. Thereby, a non-circular recess or a through-hole configured symmetrically about the central axis is provided, and all toy block elements having the same shape of the peripheral wall are molded using one and the same mold, in particular Provide cost-effective toy block elements.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one recess that is not semicircular and the through hole extend substantially parallel to the opening edge and extend substantially perpendicular to the opening edge. First and second recessed legs divided by the recessed legs. Thereby, a particularly simple embodiment of the bisected cross described above is given.

  According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the toy block element according to the invention, the toy block element has a bottom joined via the peripheral wall and at least one of the curved part and the corner part on the side opposite to the opening edge. Having a wall, the bottom wall having at least one non-circular recess, the recess having a bottom and a hole penetrating the bottom, the at least one recess and the penetrating hole being non-circular, At least one third leg portion rises from the bottom wall to the interior of the toy block near the penetrating hole and provides at least a portion of the toy block catch. Thereby, a toy block element is provided by which a plurality of toy blocks are manufactured, and by using such an element, a wide range of geometric shapes is assumed and does not have such a bottom wall As described above with respect to holding and rotating the toy block connecting element as a result of providing an additional wall combined with a wide range of possibilities by using the toy block connecting element compared to the toy block manufactured by using the toy block element The effect is also maintained as a catch on the bottom wall.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the third leg portion is elastic and flexible in a direction perpendicular to the generator direction. Thereby, the coupling between the catch and the catch part and the coupling between the block and the connecting element is provided, and in particular for the child, the connection element is easily inserted into and removed from the toy block.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall further comprises at least one fourth leg portion rising from the bottom wall in the vicinity of the through-hole so as to provide a part of the catch of the toy block. Thereby, the improved holding of the connecting element according to the invention is to insert such a connecting element into a through-hole in the bottom wall of the toy block produced by the use of such a toy block element. Based on, given.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the fourth leg part further comprises a transverse part. Thereby, a further improved holding of the connecting element according to the invention, in particular a lateral holding of the connecting element, is a through hole in the bottom wall of the toy block produced by the use of such a toy block element. Is given on the basis of the insertion of such a connecting element.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the toy block element according to the invention, said first, second, third and / or fourth leg portions are said first, second, third and / or first. And at least one adjacent member provided to support the four leg portions. Thereby, a toy block with a further improved catch with respect to stability and durability is provided with such a toy block element.

  According to a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the peripheral wall and / or the bottom wall is curved, which greatly increases the possible range of the shape of the blocking element.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the toy block element is integrally formed. Thereby, the toy block is manufactured using a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a toy block having two toy block elements according to the present invention is provided, which are connected to each other by respective opening edges. The joining of the toy block elements to each other is preferably accomplished by welding, preferably ultrasonic sealing. As a result, a toy block with a particularly simple and effective seal with the desired effect is achieved by the use of a particularly simple sealing process.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are a plurality of toy blocks according to the present invention, and a plurality of toy block connecting elements according to the present invention, wherein the plurality of toy blocks have one or more different external shapes. A toy structure set is provided.

  The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of non-limiting exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a toy block according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a side view of an embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 2B is a top view of an embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side view of a second embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 3B is a top view of a second embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is a side view of a third embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 4B is a top view of a third embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 5A is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 5B is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toy block element according to the present invention. 7 is a perspective view of the toy block element of FIG. 6 combining the two connecting elements of FIG. 2A. FIG. 8 is a top view of the toy block element of FIG. FIG. 9 is a view of the outside of the toy block element of FIG. 6 as viewed from one side. FIG. 10 is a view of the outside of the toy block element of FIG. 6 as viewed from below. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the D-shape of the toy block element according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view showing another embodiment of the sector of the toy block element according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a view showing another embodiment of the triangle of the toy block element according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a U-shaped toy block element according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a toy block 1 according to the present invention has a side wall 2 whose inner surface (not visible) faces the interior of the toy block 1 and whose outer surface 3 is adjacent to another toy block. This side wall 2 has one or more through holes 4 (three are shown in total) and a recess 5 provided on the surface 3 adjacent to each hole 4. At least one recess 5 and hole 4 are not circular. In the illustrated embodiment, both the recess 5 and the hole 4 are substantially cruciform, but any non-circular shape, such as a rectangle or a triangle, is used in principle, and one recess 5 and hole 4 need not be circular. The through-hole 4 is directed to receive a toy block connecting element, and a preferred embodiment of such a toy block connecting element is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In the embodiment of the toy block 1 shown in FIG. 1, the toy block consists of two toy block elements according to the invention that are combined along a joint 24. The toy block element and the combination of such toy block elements according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the preferred embodiment of the toy block connecting element 6 according to the present invention has a central flat portion 9 having two opposite surfaces 10a, 10b, It has a peripheral portion 8. The shape of the peripheral portion 8 is a shape that fits the concave portion of the toy block. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral portion 8 is substantially cruciform so as to fit the cruciform recess 5 of the toy block 1 of FIG. However, any shape of the perimeter that fits at least part of the perimeter of the recess of the toy block is used in principle. Catch portions 7 rise from the respective surfaces 10a and 10b. In the illustrated embodiment, each of these catch portions 7 has four separate receiving legs 30. Each receiving leg 30 is preferably elastic and has an inner receiving leg portion 30a and an outer receiving leg portion 30b. The inner receiving leg portion 30a has a surface 33 facing outward. The outer receiving leg portion 30 b has an outwardly facing surface having two surface portions 31 and 32. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the surface portion 31 is the highest point located between the level of the outer facing surface 33 of the inner receiving leg portion 30a and the end of the outer receiving leg portion 30b. Gradually rise to 36. These surface portions 31 and 32 are adjacent at the highest point 36 and from this highest point the surface portion 32 is gradually lowered at the opposite end to the surface portion 31 to reach the lowest level. Thus, the surface portions 31, 32 combine to provide engagement means in the form of protrusions on the outer receiving leg portion 30b. In principle, this engagement means can also be a recess in the outer receiving leg portion 30b. The length of the inner receiving leg 30a is substantially equal to the distance between the inner surface and the matching leg portion of the toy block 1 catch, and the outer receiving leg portion 30b with protrusions Engage in a snap-fixed manner and provide an engagement based on insertion of the toy block 1 catch into the toy block 1. Such a catch of the toy block 1 is described in detail below.

  3A and 3B show an alternative embodiment of a toy block connecting element according to the present invention. The toy block connection element 6 of FIGS. 3A and 3B is the same as the toy block connection element of FIGS. 2A and 2B except for the embodiment of the outer receiving leg portion 30b. In this particular embodiment, the surface portion 31 of the outer receiving leg portion 30b rises to the highest point 36 substantially perpendicular to the outer facing surface 33 of the inner receiving leg portion 30a. The surface portion 32 gradually falls from the highest point and reaches the lowest level at the end opposite the surface portion 31. This embodiment provides a firm connection to the toy block catch compared to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B. The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B separates the toy block from the connecting element, so it is somewhat easier to remove. Thus, the stepped elevation angle of the surface portion 31 provides a tight connection with the toy block catch. A gentle rise of the surface portion 32 is provided to provide easy insertion of the catch portion 7 into the through hole 4 of the toy block.

  In a further embodiment of the toy block connecting element according to the invention, the receiving leg 30 is elastic or rigid, and a few, three or more receiving legs 30 are in the form of the central part 9 and / or the toy block. It is provided depending on the shape of the catch. For example, a central intermediate portion that rises from the central flat portion 9 and extends between at least two receiving legs 30 is provided to connect two or more receiving legs 30. In an embodiment not shown, the presence of such a central intermediate portion results in a positive or circular cross-section in the catch portion, for example. Further, as shown, the tip 34 of each outer receiving leg portion 30b of each receiving leg 30 avoids a pointed tip that damages each block and / or user when connecting a plurality of toy blocks 1. Preferably, it is rounded. The importance of the cross shape is simply the shape of the outwardly facing surface portion coinciding with 31 and 32 in FIG. 2A, the flat central portion 9 and the recess 5 fit together, and the cross-sectional shape of the catch portion 7 is It is inserted into at least the hole 4 and preferably matches the shape of the hole 4.

  4A and 4B show another embodiment of the connecting element 6 according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B in two respects. First, the peripheral portion 8 of the flat portion 9 includes a plurality of notches 37. The plurality of notches are located in a part of the peripheral portion 8 in the middle between the catch legs 30 of each catch portion 7. This embodiment is provided to provide elasticity of the receiving leg 30 compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Secondly, as described further below, a portion of the peripheral portion 8 that is directed to be adjacent to the recess 5 of the toy block 1 is limited to constitute a portion between each of the two receiving legs 30. Is done.

  When such a toy block connecting element according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is inserted into a toy block according to the invention, the catch portion 7 is received by the catch of the toy block 1. , Pushed through the through-hole 4. This catch is not visible in FIG. 1, but is located inside the toy block. The catch portion 7 is pushed into the toy block 1 until the peripheral portion 8 of the flat portion 9 contacts the recess 5 of the toy block 1. In this way, the engagement between the catch of the toy block and the catch portion 7 of the connecting element prevents the movement of the connecting element 6 in the longitudinal direction, while at least partially matching a non-circular periphery. The engagement between the flat part 9 and the recess 5 having it or between the bore 4 and the catch part 7 prevents the connecting element 6 from moving in the radial direction. Then, the other catch portion 7 of the connecting element 6 is inserted into the through hole 4 and the catch of the other toy block 1 to connect the two toy blocks. In this way, the coupling that holds the toy blocks together and the coupling that prevents the blocks from rotating relative to each other and from rotating relative to the connecting element are separated. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the outer surfaces 3 of the two toy blocks 1 come into contact with each other when connected by the connecting element 6, the thickness of the central flat portion 9 of the connecting element 6 is preferably a recess in each surface 3. Substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the combined depth of 5.

  However, despite the above, when assembling the structure by connecting the toy blocks according to the invention, the two toys held together by the connecting element 6 without compromising the engagement holding the blocks together. It is desirable that one of the blocks 1 be rotatable with respect to the other block. In order to achieve this, the central flat part 9 of the connecting element according to the invention is made into two parts which are joined together using a frictional coupling in the other embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. . Such frictional coupling provides continuous or gradual rotation. In this way, the two catch portions 7 are rotated with respect to each other about their longitudinal axis.

  Referring to FIG. 6 which shows a perspective view of a toy block element 11 according to the present invention and FIG. 8 which shows the top surface of this toy block element 11, such a toy block element 11 is It has a wall 12 and a bottom wall 21. This peripheral wall 12 has an outer surface 13, an inner surface 14 and an open edge 15. In the vicinity of the open edge 15, the peripheral wall 12 is cylindrical along an axial direction parallel to the generator direction defined by the arrow 16 shown in FIG. The peripheral wall 12 further has a recess 5 a in the vicinity of the opening edge 15. As clearly shown in FIG. 9, the recess 5 a has a bottom portion 18 and a hole 4 a penetrating through the bottom portion 18. The through hole 4a opens into the opening edge 15 so as to form a transition portion 15a at the opening edge 15 on both sides of the hole 4a through which the adjacent recess 5a passes. When the opening edge 15 is aligned with the opening edge of a similar toy block element, the transitions 15a of the toy block element 11 coincide with the similar transitions between the opening edge of the similar toy block element and the recess. Be directed to do. According to the present invention, at least one recess 5a and the through hole 4 are not circular.

  In the illustrated embodiment, both the penetrating hole 4a and the recess 5a are formed in a substantially bisected cross. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the crucifixed cross in this way, the details are shown in the side view of FIG. 9, where the recess 5a and the hole 4a extend substantially parallel to the opening edge 15 and substantially Have two recessed legs 17a and 17b separated by a recessed leg 17c extending perpendicular to the opening edge 15. However, any shape that is not circular is used in principle, and only one recess 5a and the through-hole 4a need not be circular.

  Referring again to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 12 has four equally sized sides, forming a block element 11 having a square-like shape. However, the peripheral wall of the toy block element according to the invention need only have at least one side and, in principle, is equal or larger than the other, or each side is straight and partially It has a number of sides that are curved or curved as desired and provides many forms of toy block elements.

  The toy block element further has at least one first leg portion 19. This first leg portion 19 extends to a level near the level of the opening edge 15 in a direction parallel to the generator direction indicated by the arrow 16 in FIG. 6 and is preferably inward at a distance of at least 1 mm in all cases. It is arranged inside the peripheral wall 12 at a position away from the surface 14. In the preferred embodiment of the toy block according to the invention, this distance is preferably about 4 mm. This distance, however, clearly depends on the overall size of the toy block, as is a large suitable distance for a large toy block, and the above 4 mm is the size of 3 × 3 × 3 cm in the cube shown in FIG. Directed to be used in toy blocks having. The first leg portion 19 thus provides at least part of the catch of the toy block 1 according to the invention. The first leg portion 19 has elasticity in a direction orthogonal to the generator direction 16. The first leg portion 19 further has a transverse portion 19 a that extends beyond at least a portion of the distance between the inner surface 14 and the first leg portion 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse portion 19a covers the entire distance and thus connects the first leg portion 19 and the inner surface 14. The transverse portion 19a on the inner surface 14 is preferably formed so as to be substantially aligned with the adjacent portion of the periphery of the through-hole 4a without covering any part of the open area of the through-hole 4a. Has been.

  The toy block element 11 further has at least one second leg portion 20. The second leg portion 20 extends in a direction parallel to the generator direction 16 to a level near the peripheral point of the through-hole 4 a opposite the opening edge 15, and is spaced from the inner surface 14 to the inside of the peripheral wall 12. Is arranged. This spaced distance is preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The second leg portion 20 thus provides a part of the catch of the toy block 1 according to the invention. The second leg portion 20 further includes a transverse portion 20 a that extends beyond at least a portion of the distance between the inner surface 14 and the second leg portion 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse portion 20a covers all of the distance and thus connects the second leg portion 20 and the inner surface 14. The transverse portion 20a at the inner surface 14 is preferably formed so as to be substantially aligned with the adjacent portion of the perimeter of the through-hole 4a without covering any part of the open area of the through-hole 4a. Has been.

  The transverse parts 19a, 20a extend in the generator direction 16 and the outer facing surface 33 and the surface parts 31, 32 of the receiving leg 30 slide along the surface of the transverse parts 19a, 20a so that the toy block of the connecting element 6 In order to facilitate insertion into 1 (and subsequent removal), it also provides support for the catch portion 7 of the connection portion 6 during insertion. In this embodiment, the transverse portions 19a, 20a extend to a level that corresponds to the level at which the corresponding leg portions 19, 20 extend, respectively. The thickness of the transverse portion 19a and in particular 20a should preferably be sufficient to provide its support purpose, but is not critical.

  In the illustrated embodiment, both the first leg portion 19 and the second leg portion 20 further extend in a plane parallel to the peripheral wall 12 to fit each other. This provides a simple and particularly durable structure for the catch. The presence of the transverse portions 19a and 20a further improves the durability of the toy block catch.

  In other embodiments, the first leg portion 19 and / or the second leg portion 20 further includes one or more additional adjacent members (not shown) that support and stabilize the leg portions 19, 20. You may do it.

  In the embodiment shown, the complete catch of a toy block assembled with two toy block elements 11 thus has two first leg portions 19 and two second leg portions 20. However, in the simplest form it is possible in principle to omit the second leg portions 20 (or instead replace them with a further first leg portion 19), in which case 2 Only one leg portion 19 is held in the catch.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the toy block element 11 further has a bottom wall 21. This bottom wall 21 is shown to meet at a right angle with the peripheral wall 12, but in other embodiments it is merged at other angles or curved from the peripheral wall 12, according to the present invention. Further increase the number of possible shapes of toy block elements. In a further embodiment, the bottom wall 12 can even be omitted, thus providing a toy block element formed, for example, as a bisected circular or oval sphere.

  In the illustrated embodiment, and as further shown in FIG. 10, the bottom wall 21 further comprises a recess 5 having a bottom 18 and a hole 4 extending through the bottom 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the third leg portion 22 extends from the bottom wall 21 to the inside of the toy block element and is disposed adjacent to the through hole 4. This third leg portion 22 provides at least a portion of the toy block catch according to the invention. The third leg portion 22 may be elastic and flexible in a direction perpendicular to the generator direction 16.

  In addition, two fourth leg portions 23 are shown and extend from the bottom wall 21 into the interior of the toy block element, these fourth leg portions 23 also being arranged adjacent to the penetrating holes 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth leg portion 23 and the third leg portion 22 are similarly formed. These fourth leg portions 23 are preferably hardened in construction and provide part of the toy block catch according to the invention.

  In the drawing, one concave portion 5 of the bottom wall 21 is shown in a central position on the bottom wall 21. However, in principle, any position may be used, and one or more recesses 5 with associated holes 4 and catches may be further provided in the bottom wall 21.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the complete catch of the bottom wall 21 of the toy block element 11 thus has two third leg portions 22 and two fourth leg portions 23. However, in the simplest form it is possible in principle to omit the fourth leg part 23 (or instead replace them with a further third leg part 22), in which case 2 Only one leg portion 22 is held in the catch.

  FIG. 7 shows the same toy block element 11 as the toy block element of FIG. 7, the toy block catch, ie the first and second leg portions 19, 20 of the peripheral wall 12, or the third and fourth leg portions 22, 23 of the bottom wall 21, and the connecting element 6 (FIG. 7). FIG. 3A and 3B show the coupling between a catch element 7 of a connecting element 6) of the type shown in FIGS. The protrusions provided by the outer facing surface portions 31, 32 of the outer receiving leg portion 30b are adjacent to the surface 25 of each foot portion where the surface portion 31 of the outer receiving leg portion 30b faces the inside of the toy block element. As such, it can be seen engaging behind each leg portion 19, 20, 22, or 23, providing longitudinal retention of the connecting element 6.

  Considering the embodiment of the connecting element 6 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the surface portion of the outer receiving leg portion 30b in which the surface portion 31 rises gradually as described above and is proximate to the inner receiving leg portion 30a surface portion 33. Only a portion of 31 faces the surface 25 and thus provides a low force longitudinal retention, and the connecting element consequently facilitates removal, especially for children.

  The toy block element according to the invention may be manufactured entirely by injection molding of the same relatively hard and durable plastic material. A suitable such material is ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). In order to produce a toy block element constructed according to the invention, in principle only one molding is required for each shape of the toy block element, and only one molding step is required for the formation of each element. It is said.

  The toy block connecting element according to the invention may be made of the same plastic material as the toy block element and likewise by injection molding. Preferably, however, the toy block connecting element is formed of polycarbonate.

  As described above, one or more catch portions of the connecting element and the first and third leg portions of the toy block catch (and, in principle, but not preferred, the second and fourth catch portions) The leg portion) may also be formed with elasticity and flexibility. Such flexibility and resiliency is achieved by configuring the molding used to provide a member with suitable structural dimensions, for example by making the member sufficiently thin to be elastic. Is done. However, although less preferred, another possibility is to use a more resilient plastic material to mold the member with a resilient and flexible material. In order to produce a toy block according to the invention, two toy block elements according to the invention have their open edges 15 connected to each other, for example by welding, preferably ultrasonic sealing, with their open edges adjacent to each other. Combined by sealing. Instead, this combination is achieved by the use of an adhesive, by friction bonding, or by providing a fixing member corresponding to the open edge 15 of each of the two toy block elements.

  If the two toy block elements are provided with corresponding fixing members, an alternative way of coupling the connecting elements and the toy blocks together is that the toy block connecting element 6 is in the toy block element 11 of FIG. By placing a plurality of connecting elements within one of the toy block elements as placed, the toy block elements are joined together around one or more toy block connecting elements.

  In this process, a plurality of plate-like protrusions 35 are further provided along the opening edge 15 of the toy block element 11 to help precisely adjoin each opening edge along the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 12. An example of such a protrusion 35 is shown in FIG.

  Depending on the shape of the multiple toy block elements, a wide range of differently shaped multiple toy blocks according to the invention may be achieved. Examples of different shapes of multiple toy blocks are shown in FIGS. 11-14. FIG. 11 shows a toy block with D-shaped side walls, FIG. 12 shows a toy block with fan-shaped side walls, FIG. 13 shows a toy block with triangular side walls, and FIG. , Shows a toy block with U-shaped side walls;

  It should be noted that the above description of the preferred embodiment is merely an example, and that those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

A side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being directed opposite and adjacent to a surface of a similar toy block, wherein the side wall is a through-hole for receiving a catch portion of a connecting element; And a toy block having a recess provided in the outer surface proximate to the penetrating hole and having a catch for engaging and holding the catch portion of the connecting element,
The toy block is characterized in that the catch is disposed inside the toy block at a certain distance from the inner surface, and the at least one recess and the through hole are not circular.   The toy block according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the inner surface to the catch is at least 1 mm. A toy block connecting element for connecting a plurality of toy blocks to each other,
In a toy block connecting element having a central flat portion having two opposite surfaces and a periphery, and a catch portion that rises from at least one of the surfaces and engages the catch of the toy block;
At least one cross-section of the catch portion and the periphery of the flat portion are not circular, the catch portion has at least one catch leg, and the catch leg is opposite the center flat portion of the catch leg. A toy block connecting element characterized in that it has at least one engaging means on the outer part.   The catch portion has at least two catch legs, and the at least one catch leg has at least one protrusion on an outer portion of the catch leg opposite the central flat portion. Toy block connecting element according to 3. A toy block element for producing a toy block according to claim 1 or claim 2,
An outer surface, an inner surface, and a peripheral wall having an opening edge provided to be combined with an opening edge of a similar toy block element, the peripheral wall being in the form of a cylinder close to the opening edge having a generator direction And having at least one recess on its outer surface proximate to the opening edge, the recess having a bottom and a hole therethrough, the hole opening at the opening edge, and at least The one recess and the through hole are not semi-circular and the toy block element is parallel to the generator direction to a level near the level of the opening edge so as to provide at least a part of the catch of the toy block A toy block element further comprising at least one first leg portion extending into the body.   6. A toy block element according to claim 5, wherein the first leg portion is resilient and flexible in a direction orthogonal to the generator method.   And further comprising at least one second leg portion extending parallel to the generator direction to a level near the peripheral point of the through-hole facing the open edge to provide a portion of the toy block catch. Toy block element according to claim 5 or claim 6.   6. At least one of the first leg portion and the second leg portion has a transverse portion that extends beyond at least a portion of the distance between the inner surface of the peripheral wall and each leg portion. A toy block element according to any one of -7.   A toy block element according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the at least one recess and the through hole which are not semicircular are formed as a substantially bisected cross.   The at least one recess that is not semicircular and the through-hole extend substantially parallel to the opening edge and are divided by a third recess leg that extends substantially perpendicular to the opening edge. A toy block element according to any one of claims 5-9 having first and second recessed legs.   A bottom wall, the bottom wall being joined via the peripheral wall and at least one of a curved portion and a corner on the side opposite to the opening edge, the bottom wall having at least one recess, The recess has a bottom and a hole penetrating through the bottom, and the at least one recess and the through hole are not circular, and at least one third leg portion is located near the through hole in the bottom wall. A toy block element according to any one of claims 5-10, wherein the toy block rises from the inside to the inside of the toy block and provides at least part of the toy block catch.   12. A toy block element according to claim 11, wherein the third leg portion is resilient and flexible in a direction orthogonal to the generator direction.   13. According to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the bottom wall further comprises at least one fourth leg portion rising from the bottom wall near the penetrating hole so as to provide a part of the catch of the toy block. The toy block element.   The toy block element according to claim 13, wherein the fourth leg portion further comprises a transverse portion.   15. A toy block element according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the at least one non-circular recess and the through hole in the bottom wall are substantially formed as a cross.   The first, second, third, and / or fourth leg portions are at least one adjacent provided to support the first, second, third, and / or fourth leg portions. 16. A toy block element according to any one of claims 5-15, further comprising a shaped member.   17. A toy block element according to any one of claims 5-16, wherein at least a part of the peripheral wall and / or the bottom wall is curved.   A toy block element according to any one of claims 5 to 17, wherein said toy block element is integrally formed.   A toy block comprising two toy block elements according to any one of claims 5-18, wherein the toy block elements are joined together by their open edges.   20. Toy block according to claim 19, wherein the joining of the toy block elements to each other is achieved by welding, preferably ultrasonic sealing.   A plurality of toy blocks according to any one of claims 1, 2, 19 or 20, and a plurality of toy block connecting elements according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the plurality of toy blocks are A toy structure set having one or more different outlines.

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