TWI645888B - Connecting parts set for building blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

The connecting component set (5, 14; 56, 65) includes a joint (14; 56) for connecting one size of the stud (3; 54) to another corresponding recess, except for the pluggable connection (3, In addition to 54), the set of pluggable blocks with significant dimensional differences includes a screw connection (2; 52) integrated in the pluggable connection. In order to cooperate with the two-size screw connection, the connecting part set additionally comprises a screw joint (5; 65). Another type of connector (80) can be used with different sizes of bricks (1; 50) due to the arrangement of the sockets for the studs, where the first, larger jacks (90) are used for smaller studs Jack (92). A brick having a smaller stud (54) can be introduced into the socket (92) with its body housed inside the socket (90) for the larger stud.

Description

Block connecting parts

The present invention relates to a set of connecting members for building blocks, according to the preambles of items 1 to 9 of the patent application, respectively. The invention further relates to a building block comprising such a set of connecting parts and a stud joint for such a set of connecting parts.

The toy building block system of the European Patent Application EP-A-1610876 is known to the Applicant of the present invention. Toy blocks are distinguished by a series of circular protrusions and studs arranged circumferentially. Due to the shape and sufficient height of the studs relative to the overall height of the blocks, the latter provide the advantage of being able to slide easily into each other and can be disassembled without the need for a specific force. This simple, almost force-free connection technique exhibits significant advantages over toy blocks in which the interconnection requires a clamping effect between the stud and the corresponding recess, especially for smaller children. When playing. The studs have a height corresponding to the height of the body (the height of the building block, without studs) of at least one fifth and preferably at least one third. In this way, sufficient guidance can be obtained so that even if the protruding blocks are not dumped.

A supplement to this system is introduced in accordance with European Patent Application EP-A-1813332.

This application discloses a connecting member that can be introduced into a groove of a side wall of a building block. Further building blocks can then be coupled to the connecting elements perpendicular to the initial building direction. If multiple connecting elements are used, it may even be possible to continue in the extreme case of a downward building direction or a tortuous way. In the construction of the above kind, the advantage of the screw connection being integrated into the pluggable connection between the stud and the recess becomes more apparent, which thereby safely avoids falling apart.

As children age, their ability to build more complex structures increases and their motor skills increase. Therefore, it would be desirable to use smaller bricks that allow for a finer construction.

However, the disadvantage is that existing blocks of larger size cannot be reused in these configurations. Not only does this mean financial disadvantage, but it also eliminates the possibility of assembling larger, simpler components from several larger blocks in more complex constructions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to allow the connection of larger bricks of the aforementioned building block system to smaller bricks.

The set of connecting parts that can achieve this purpose is defined in items 1 and 9 of the scope of the patent application. Further patent applications refer to preferred embodiments and building blocks including such sets of connecting components.

One aspect of the present invention provides a set of connecting members for connecting toy blocks of different standard sizes, wherein: the studs and recesses of a standard size building block are of a specific size and complementary to each other; the same standard The stud of the size is mutually attachable by the stud and the recess; the stud is circumferentially provided with a series of corrugated protrusions; the stud has a hole, the hole allows a screw-like connecting element; the connection The top of the component is set with a threaded complementary internal thread at the bottom end to allow the connecting element to be screwed into the top end; the first building block has a first standard size and the second building block has a second standard size; and a second standard size stud according to a dimension (54) The size of 24) does not exceed 70% of the size of the first standard size studs (3, 61). In addition, the connecting component sets respectively comprise a stud joint LS or SL and a screw joint LS or SL, wherein LS specifies the engagement between the first standard size stud and the second standard sized recess, and the SL specifies the second standard Engagement between a sized stud and a first standard sized recess; the stud joint LS or the stud joint SL respectively have at least one recess (14) or at least one stud of a respective first standard size ( 61), and at least one stud (18) or at least one recess (57) of the second standard size; the screw joint LS or the screw joint SL respectively have external threads of respective first standard sizes (8 Or an internal thread (78), and a respective second standard size internal thread (9) or external thread (69); by means of a connecting member set for the first standard size or the second standard size, respectively The blocks of the second standard size or the first standard size are made connectable.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a stud joint (14; 56) for a set of connecting components as described.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a composite building block (80) for toy building blocks (1; 22, 50) of different standard sizes, wherein: studs (3; 54) of standard size building blocks and recesses (29) ) are of a specific size and complementary to each other; the same standard size of the building blocks are mutually attachable by the elements of the studs (3; 54) and the recesses (29); the studs and the recesses are complementary to each other. a stud; a stud is circumferentially provided with a series of undulating protrusions; the stud has a hole that allows passage of a screw-like connecting member; the top end of the connecting member is provided with an internal thread complementary to the thread at the bottom end to allow the connecting member Screwed into the top; the first brick has a first standard size and The second block has a second standard size; and the size of the studs (54, 24) according to the second standard size of one dimension does not exceed 70% of the size of the studs (3, 61) of the first standard size. The modular building block (80) has at least one arrangement for the socket of the stud, a socket L (90) for the first standard size stud, and a socket S for the second standard size stud (92), the jack S is rearwardly displaced with respect to the direction in which the jack L is inserted into the jack L, so that both the building block S and the building block L are connected to the combined building block.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a building block kit comprising a connecting component kit as described and at least one toy building block (1) of a larger standard size and at least one toy building block of a smaller standard size (50) .

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a building block set comprising the combined building block (80) as described and at least one toy building block (1) of a first standard size and at least one toy building block of a second standard size (50) .

1, 80‧‧‧Building L

2‧‧‧ Screw L

3‧‧‧ Stud L

5‧‧‧screw joint LS

6‧‧‧ head

8, 78‧‧ ‧ thread L

9, 69‧‧ ‧ thread S

11‧‧‧ collar

12.20‧‧‧Depression

14‧‧‧ Stud joint LS

17‧‧‧Upper side

18, 24, 54‧‧‧ Studs S

22, 50‧‧‧Building S

26, 52‧‧‧ Screw S

16, 29‧‧‧Depression L

31, 82‧‧‧ trench

56‧‧‧ Stud joint SL

57‧‧‧Section S

58‧‧‧ jack

59‧‧‧Slot S

61‧‧‧ Stud joint section L

63‧‧‧Center depression

65‧‧‧screw joint SL

67‧‧‧Lower section S

68‧‧‧Upper parts

70‧‧‧ Section L

71‧‧‧Depression

72‧‧ ‧ ribs

74, 76‧‧‧ flanking

84‧‧‧Connector S

86‧‧‧ Stud section

90‧‧‧ jack L

92‧‧‧ jack S

The invention will be explained below by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The figure shows: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a set of connecting parts for attaching smaller bricks to larger bricks; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the assembly of the assembly of Figure 1 from above; 3 is a cross-sectional view according to FIG. 2, III-III; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the stud joint LS of FIGS. 1 to 3; and FIG. 5 is a stud joint LS according to FIG. Bottom view Fig. 6 is a plan view of the screw joint LS in the assembly of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 7 is a sectional view according to VII-VII of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is included for attaching a larger An exploded view of the connecting member set SL of the building block to the smaller building block; Figure 9 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 8 in the case of assembly, with a larger side block attached to the smaller building block; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view according to XX of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view according to XI-XI of Figure 9; and Figure 12 is a stud joint SL of Figures 8 to 11. a perspective view of the space of the stud joint according to Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a plan view of the screw joint SL of Fig. 8 to Fig. 11; Fig. 15 is based on A cross-sectional view of the XV-XV of Fig. 14.

In the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiments, the applicant of the present application refers to the building blocks and connectors according to the above mentioned European patent application. All variations and combinations mentioned in those specifications can be used. Regarding the type or standard size of larger and smaller bricks, a difference of 0.7 factor or less than 0.7 times may be assumed. A preferred ratio is 1:2 (one-half), wherein the distance between two adjacent studs of a larger type of building block is the same as the arrangement of at least three linearly aligned studs of a smaller type of building block. The state of the distance between the first and third studs. Other possible division ratios are generally small integers (preferably not More than 6) ratio, like one-third, three-quarters, and so on. It is also possible to consider such a combination of ratios, in particular skip an order of magnitude. An example of this would be a ratio of 1:4, ie two consecutive 1:2.

The type or standard size of the building block can be determined, for example, by the diameter of the stud.

For the sake of simplicity, the larger types of bricks and building blocks are marked with "L" according to the English large and small, and the smaller types of bricks and parts or components are marked with "S". . "LS" refers to a component for attachment of the component S to the component L, and "SL" corresponds to a component for attaching the component L to the component S.

Figure 1 shows the block L 1 inserted into the stud L (large) 3 and the corresponding screw L 2 during assembly. The screw joint LS 5 is screwed into the head 6 of the screw L 2 . For this purpose, the screw joint LS 5 is arranged to have a thread L 8 at the bottom and a thread S 9 which can be connected in series from above in the thread L 8 . At the upper end of the thread L 8 there is a collar 11 which acts as a stop when the screw joint LS 5 is screwed into the head 6 of the screw L 2 . The collar 11 is dimensioned such that it not only covers the head 6 of the screw L 2 but also the stud 3 of the opposing block L 1 (see Figure 3). However, its radius is almost equivalent to the distance from the apex of the recess 12 in the stud L 3 from the center of the stud L 3 . In this way, the function of the stud L 3 is prevented from being impaired.

The stud joint LS 14 has a recess L 16 (see Fig. 5) in its body, which is suitable for those studs that house the stud L3 and substantially correspond to the block L1. A stud S 18 is formed on the upper side 17 of the stud joint LS 14 . Around the stud S 18, the upper side 17 is provided with a recessed portion 20. The recess 20 is preferably rounded and acts to be withdrawn from the stud joint 14 by means of a lead-in element or fingertip auxiliary block S22. The building block S 22 described herein is a building block having a single stud and representatively representing a building block S having at least one insertion hole for the stud S 18 , the studs S 18 being preferably identical On the stud S 24 of the conventional building block S 22 . In the same manner as the blocks S 22 are interconnected, the screw S 26 can pass through the block S 22 and the stud joint LS 14, and screw into the thread S 9 of the corresponding screw joint LS 5 . Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the component shown in Figure 1 after its assembly. For a stable connection, it is assumed here that the building block L 1 is next to another building block, and the corresponding screw is screwed into the screw L 2 , or the nut L (not shown) into which the screw L 2 is screwed can be inserted into the recess L of the building block 1 29.

4 to 7 show the features of the screw joint LS 5 and the stud joint LS 14 described above in more detail.

It should be mentioned that the system of stud joints LS 14 is generally designed to be similar to the building block L 1, and in particular to the side guiding grooves 31. The groove 31 acts on the accommodating decorative element like a cover plate and a connecting member for side connection.

Figures 8 to 15 show the connecting members that allow the connection of the building block L 1 to the building block S 50 . The exemplary building block S 50 herein is a triple building block, but the application of the described connecting members is not limited to such a three-unit building block. At the same time, by way of example, it is assumed that the size ratio of the building block S to the building block L in one dimension is 1:2.

As shown in Fig. 8, the screw S 52 can be introduced into the stud S of the building block S 50 as is known in the earlier patent application for the present application. The stud joint SL 56 has a lower section S 57 whose outer size corresponds to the block S. In particular, this joint section S 57 has a receptacle 58 for the stud S 54 . Preferably, as illustrated, a slot 59 or a side connection joint corresponding to the building block S for inserting the panel is also provided. The upper portion of the stud joint SL 56 generally forms a stud joint section L 61 wherein the outer shape corresponds to the stud L 3 of the block L 1 . The stud joint section L 61 of the stud joint SL 56 is thus insertable into the underside of the block L 1 like the stud L3.

The stud joint section L 61 has a central recess 63 in which the screw joint SL 65 can be inserted. The screw joint SL 65 has a lower section S 67 which in turn has an upper part 68, wherein the outer dimension of the upper part 68 corresponds approximately to the head of the screw S 52 . At the bottom, component S 68 continues as thread S 69. When the stud joint SL 56 is attached to the block S 50, the stud joint SL 56 can be fastened to the screw S 52 and thus connected to the underlying building block S by the element of the screw joint 65 screwed into the screw S 52 50.

The upper section L 70 of the screw joint L 65 is shaped to be approximately similar to the head of the screw L 2 . The section L 70 is provided with a recess 71 for the device. Shown is the latest version in which a smaller number of ribs 72, here four ribs 72, project inwardly and axially. The cross-section of the rib 72 corresponds approximately to a triangle, with the crest being oriented inward. In addition, the flank 74 subjected to the force when the screw joint SL 65 is tightened in a manner is tapered with respect to the longitudinal direction in such a manner that the force tending to discharge the appliance discharge section L 70 is applied during the tightening. Connected to the appliance. This effect can be supported under the provision of depressions and projections on the front end of the respective implement, the flank of which is complementarily tapered to be designed to fit the ridge 72 as much as possible. Therefore, the device slides out of the section L 70 once the excessive force application is applied to tighten the screw joint SL 65, and the cutting of the thread S 69 is prevented. In the direction for unscrewing the threads S 69, it is apparent that such an arrangement is not required such that the side wings 76 can be oriented directly in the axial direction, as illustrated.

Such a screw head, as explained herein in the example of the screw joint SL 65, for the section L70, can generally be used for screws of the building block system, such as the screws S 52 and L 2 . This measurement is advantageous in particular for the screw joint SL 65, since there is a force that the appliance L (not shown) can be applied to the smaller thread S 69 which may thus be easily overloaded and damaged.

Furthermore, the recess 71 has a thread L 78 formed therein which allows for screwing in the screw L 2 .

In addition to the components mentioned, Figures 9 and 11 show how the building block L 80 can be connected laterally to the building block S 50 . To this end, the connector S 84 is inserted into the side groove 82 of the block S 50 which is connected to the groove S 59 of the stud joint SL 56. Such a connector part is known from EP-A-1813332. The stud joint SL 56 is attached to the stud portion 86 of the connector S 84 and the screw joint SL 65 is screwed in. As illustrated, the height of the section S 68 of the stud joint SL 56 is selected to be at least large enough to allow the building block L 80 to be attached to the joint members SL 56, 65 without colliding with the originally existing building block L 1 .

The building block L 80 can be any size L building block. However, a special combination of blocks having another socket S 92 underneath the receptacle L 90 is shown. In this manner, in the case where the stud in which the stud of the building block S is inserted into the jack S 92 is substantially received by the jack L 90, the building block L 80 can also be used directly with the size S building block. The bottom of the building block S is thus flush with the bottom of the building block L80 so that the assembly can be attached to other size S blocks by means of a socket in the bottom of the inserted building block S.

Alternatively, the building block L 80 may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as, for example, a trapezoidal shape, as long as the insertion holes S 92 are arranged to follow the insertion holes L 90 for the correspondingly sized studs in the insertion direction. In this way, if it is rod-shaped, that is, if there is another arrangement which is linear or may be respectively the socket S or L 90, 92, the building block L 80 can also be used as the building block in the size S and the size L. The inter-joining, that is, generally between two different building sizes of the building block. In this case, instead of following one another in the attachment direction or laterally aligned with each other by means of the connector 84, the blocks are placed in a plane. In this way, it is possible, for example, by the size L Or the first structure is constructed in the manner of a generally larger size building block, and the other horizontally juxtaposed smaller size building block structure is as high as the height of the upper side and the first mentioned structure, and the rod by the building block L 80 The way the types of bricks are combined to join the two structures.

From the above description of the preferred exemplary embodiments, many modifications and further developments are readily available to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, for example, in particular the stud joint can be designed as a multi-element, i.e. having more than one recess and/or more than one stud.

Claims (14)

A connecting component set for connecting toy building blocks (1; 22, 50) of different standard sizes, wherein: a stud (3; 54) and a recess (29) of a standard size building block are one Specific dimensions and complementary shapes to each other; the same standard size of the building block is mutually attachable by the stud and the recessed portion; the stud is circumferentially provided with a series of undulating protrusions; the snail The post has a hole that allows passage of a screw-like connecting member; a top end of the connecting member is provided with an internal thread complementary to one of the bottom ends to allow the connecting member to be screwed into the top end; The first block has a first standard size and a second block has a second standard size; and the size of the stud (54, 24) according to the second standard size of one dimension does not exceed the first standard size 70% of the size of the studs (3, 61); wherein the connecting member sets respectively comprise a stud joint LS (14) or a stud joint SL (56) and a screw joint LS (5) or a screw joint SL (65), wherein the LS designates the first standard size of the stud and Engagement between the recesses of the second standard size, and SL designating an engagement between the stud of the second standard dimension and the recess of the first standard size, the stud joint LS or the stud The joints SL respectively have at least one of the recesses (16) or at least one of the studs (61) of the first standard size, respectively And at least one of the studs (18) or at least one of the recesses (57) of the second standard size; the screw joint LS or the screw joint SL has a respective one of the first standard sizes An external thread (8) or an internal thread (78), and an internal thread (9) or an external thread (69) of the second standard size; respectively, by the first standard size or the second The connecting member set of the standard size of the building block is such that the second standard size or the first standard size of the building block is connectable. The connecting member set according to claim 1, wherein the stud joint LS (14) has at least one recess (20) radially following the stud (18), thereby allowing construction by The second standard sized building block (22) is taken out from the edge. The connecting member set according to claim 1, wherein the screw joint LS (5) has a collar (11) adjacent to the external thread (8) of the first standard size, thereby limiting the rotation thereof The depth of the connecting element of the first standard size. The connecting member set according to claim 3, wherein the collar (11) has the first standard size of the stud (3) for accommodating the screw-like connecting element (2) A diameter larger than the diameter of the recess (12) causes the screw joint to be inserted only into the recess (12) until the collar abuts against the stud (3). The connecting member set according to claim 1, wherein the screw joint SL (65) has a head having a recessed portion (71), and the recessed portion is disposed at a circumference for having a rotating device The operation is adapted to engage at least one protrusion (72) that is inclined on one side (74), wherein in one way is applied in a direction toward an opening of the recess (71) for screwing the external thread (69) force, when the external thread (69) is blocked, the effective force is derived from the rotational force The appliance is withdrawn from the recess to prevent overloading of the external thread. The connecting member set according to claim 1, wherein the stud (18, 24; 3, 61) of the second standard size and the first standard size of the building block (1; 22, 50) The size ratio between the two is expressed as a fraction e/z, where e and z are integers, e is less than z, e is greater than or equal to 1, z is greater than or equal to 2, and e and z are less than or equal to 6. The connecting member kit of claim 6, wherein e is equal to 1 and z is equal to 2 or 4. A stud joint (14; 56) for a joint member set as described in claim 1 of the patent application. A composite building block (80) for toy building blocks (1; 22, 50) of different standard sizes, wherein a stud (3; 54) and a recessed portion (29) of a standard size building block are of a specific size And mutually complementary shapes; the same standard size of the building block is mutually attachable by the elements of the stud (3; 54) and the recessed portion (29); the stud and the recessed portion are mutually a complementary shape; the stud is circumferentially provided with a series of undulating protrusions; the stud has a hole that allows passage of a screw-like connecting member; a top end of the connecting member is disposed at a bottom end Complementing an internal thread of a thread to allow the connecting element to be screwed into the top end; a first building block having a first standard size and a second building block having a second standard size; The size of the stud (54, 24) of the second standard size according to one dimension does not exceed 70% of the size of the stud (3, 61) of the first standard size; wherein the combined building block (80) Having at least one arrangement for one of the sockets of the stud, including one of the studs L (90) for the first standard size, and one of the studs for the second standard size The jack S (92) is offset rearward relative to the jack L in a direction in which the stud is inserted into the jack L, such that both a block S and a block L are connected to the combined block. The composite building block (80) of claim 9, wherein the standard size ratio between the second standard size of the building block (1; 22, 50) and the first standard size is a fraction e/ z represents where e and z are integers, e is less than z, e is greater than or equal to 1, z is greater than or equal to 2, and e and z are less than or equal to 6. The composite building block (80) of claim 10, wherein e is equal to 1 and z is equal to 2 or 4. The combination building block (80) of claim 9, wherein at least two arrangements of the insertion holes are arranged such that the first standard size of the building block (1) and the second standard size of the building block ( 22, 50) are simultaneously attachable to the composite block. A kit of parts comprising a joint component set as described in claim 1 and at least one toy block (1) of a larger standard size and at least one toy block (50) of a smaller standard size. A building block comprising the combined building block (80) of claim 9 and at least one toy building block (1) of a first standard size and at least one toy building block of a second standard size (50) .