US1308254A - Toy building blocks - Google Patents

Description

v A. 0. OTTO.

TOY BUILDING BLOCKS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6,

Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. 0. OTTO.

TOY BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATXON FILED MAR. a, 1912.

Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 WWI W- .Yffig.

A @M MW WM 1, v w

I NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

. o ADOLPH OSCAROTTO. 01 OAK PARK. ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN TOY SHOP, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TOY BUILDINGFBLOCKS.

l,2tt)8.254.

Specification of Letters Patent Patent-ed July 1 iota.

' h a whom it mu 1 concern llle it known that l. .-\nol.ru (lsmu (lane, a citizen of the United States of America. and resident of Oak Park. Cook county. llllinois. have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Toy Buildingllilocks. of which the following is a specification.

Mv invention relates to to -'-hu'ildingbloclts of that kind which are suitable for building toy-structures, such as houses,

bridges, vehicles and other structures.

Generally stated. the object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved form of toy-building-blocks ot' the t'oregoing general character.

A special object is to'provide blocks which are made of wood and which can be rigidly secured together to form various kinds of structures, and which can be taken apart afterward, whereby the blocks and retaining devices therefor can be used over again in diflerent ways.

It is also an object to provide certain detailsand features of construction and combinations tending to increase the desirability and attractiveness of toy-building-blocks of this particular character.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, my invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective of a toy-house constructed from toy-b11ilding-blocks embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a portion of said building-blocks, illustrating the manner in which said blocks are held together by wires or rods.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of one of said blocks.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the block shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 1s a perspective of a toy arch-like structure constructed from said blocks.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the blocks.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the blocks. Fig. 8 is a perspective of a wheel or round object constructed from some of said blocks.

As thus illustrated, my invention comprises (see Figs. 1 and 2,) a number of rectangular blocks A, made of wood or other suitable material. and provided with transverse openings (1 to receive the vertical rods or wires l3. which latter lit snugly in said openings. The. house shown in Fig. 1 is constrlu-ted by placing these blocks one on top of the other, by sliding them downward upon the rods or wires. and it will be readily understood how the blocks are arranged to form the four ,walls of the house, leaving openings for the windows C and D and the doorway E. each opening having a longer block 0 or (Z or a. as the case. may be, stretching across the top thereof to form a support for the blocks or other structure above. The wires B can show at the windows (as in the window C) or they can be shortened to leave the window clear (see window D), as may be desired, and the rods or wires can be omitted from the doorway in the same manner. The blocks forming the steps F are similar to those previously described, except that some of them are much longer to form the treads of the steps, and others are shorter, such as the blocks f, to form the posts at each side of the steps. It will be understood, of course, that some of the upper blocks, such as those at G, which form the gables of the house, must be beveled at their ends to form straight or continuous inclines to receive the roofmember's H, the latter consisting, for example, of strips of ordinary roofing, or of metal, as may be desired. The blocks G, for example are bored obliquely to the bevel. If necessary or desirable, the ends of the rods or wires can be filed-off smooth, wherever they project from the finished structure, or during the operation of constructing the house, as, for example, along the upper edges of the four walls, whereby the roof will properly engage and rest upon these walls. As the blocks slide snugly or tightly upon the rods or wires, it follows that the resulting structure will be of comparatively rigid and solid character, but not to the extent to prevent the taking apart of the structure afterward, by sliding the blocks upward and off from the tops of the rods or Wires, in a manner that will be readily understood. As the blocks are rectangular in form and brought snugly and tightly together, the rigidity v and strength of the structure will be such -ends for these same rods.

that the effect is practicall the same as would result from the use 0 solid. walls.

In .Fig. 5, the structure is arch-like 1n character and illustrates the way in which 'the blocks and wires or rods can be used in building various structures. In this case, in addition to the standard length rectangular blocks A, previously described, long blocks I are employed, as well as similar long blocks J, to form the top of the structure, but the principle is substantially the same. The blocks I are beveled at their inner ends to rest upon the inclined blocks'J, and the latter are beveled at both ends so that they may engage at an angle to each other and rest at their lower ends upon horizontal surfaces provided by some of the blocks A, in a manner thatwill be readily understood. The blocks I are horizontal, their beveled inner ends resting upon the blocks J, and'the outer ends of these blocks I rest upon the small or square blocks 2', which latter are similar to the small or square blocks 7 previously described. Blocks I are bored vertically at 1 obliquely to their bevels to receive the rods, and the blocks J are bored at 2 parallel with the adjacent bevels, but at right angles to the bevels at the other The blocks J are bored horizontally at 3 for a connecting rod.

In Fig. 8, the wheel or disk K is composed of some of the blocks shown and described,

such as the rectangular blocks A and the s uare blocks 2', which form the central area 0% the structure, but the blocks which form the periphery or edge of; the structure must be curved or rounded, it will be understood, so that when the blocks are all secured together these curved or rounded edges will combine to form the circular rim or tread of the wheel. The wires B extend through the 'blocks, in the manner previously described, and tightly hold the blocks together,

and theends of these wires or rods can be filed off smooth on the periphery of the wheel or disk-like structure thus provided. It is contemplated that the building blocks shown and described will be of such sizes and shapes that, in addition to the house I and the bridge-like structure shown, the user of the blocks can build a structurehaving the general shape of an automobile or other vehicle, and insuch case the wheels will be formed in the manner shown in Fig. 8, each wheel having its center block provided with a horizontal opening is to receive the horizontal wires or rods which will form the xles of the vehicle.

It is also contemplated that certain structures will be built or formed from the blocks which will require not only parallel vertical openings in the blocks, such as those shown in Fig. 1, but which will also require horizontal openings in some of the blocks, such extend there-through at right angles to each other. Blocks of this kind will be found useful in various ways.

The structures shown, it will be understood, are merelyillustrative of some of the things contemplated by myinvention, and I do not limit myself to blocks and wires or rods of a size and shape for any particular structure, as-it is obvious that the blocks actually shown and described can be used in the construction of various things, and that with the addition of other blocks of the same kind, or of different shapes and sizes, but all made to receive the wires or rods in the manner shown and described, and adapted to be laid in horizontal courses like bricks, various structures can,be built embodying the principles of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks having holes therein, adapted to be laid in courses like bricks, and tight fitting rods to extend through said holes from one block to another and through successive courses. from the bottom to the to thereof to hold the blocks rigidly and rmly together, havin pIrovisions whereby on or more ofthe' Ioc s will provide an inclined or an oblique support when necessary, to form the desired structure, said rods having their ends flush with the structure, some of said blocks being rectangular in form, and other blocks being each curved at one side thereof.

2. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in building the wall of ahouse or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm, and whereby some of the blocks may be used to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, havin provislons whereby one or more of the bloc s will provide'an inclined or an oblique support when necessary, the rods extending vertically through the successive courses of blocks in said wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes, to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocks being beveled at their ends and bored at right angles to the bevel to form the holes.

' 3. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in building the wall of a house or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses lllll so that in buildin till escape;

to make the structure rigid and firm, and

or an oblique support when necessary, the 1 rods extending vertically through the successive courses of. blocks in said wall orstructure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the docks, some of said blocks being bored longitudinally to form the holes. I 4. ln toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, the wall of a house or other structure, t 10 blocks are laid like bricksand will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm, and whereby some of the blocks ma be used to turn a corner in making the ouse or other structure, having provisions whereby one or more of the blocks will provide an inclined or an oblique support when necessary, the rods extendin vertically thr'ough the successive courses 0 blocks in said wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocks being beveled and bored obliquely to the bevel to form the holes.

5. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in buildin the wall of a house or other structure t e blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the .horizontal' courses to make the structure rigid and firm, and whereby some of the blocks may be used to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, having provisions whereby one or more of the blocks will provide an inclined or an oblique support when necessary, the rods extending vertically through the successive courses of blocks in said wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocks being rounded to form the periphery of a wheel, and other blocks being rectangular and adaptedfor use in either the wheel or the house.

6. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in building the wall of a house or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm and whereby some of the blocks may be used i i v to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, having n'ovisions whereby one or more of the bloc s will provide an inclined or an oblique support when necessary, the rods extendin r vertically through the successive courses oi blocks in'said' wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocks being beveled at their ends and bored parallel with the bevel to form the holes.

71' In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks having holes therein, adapted to be laid in courses like bricks, and tight fitting rods to extend through said holes from one block to another and through successive courses from the bottom to the to thereof to hold the blocks rigidly and rmly together to form the desired structure, said rods having their ends flush with the structure, some of said blocks being rectangular in form, and other blocks being each curved at one side thereof.

8. In toy building blocks, 'a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in building the wall of a house or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm and whereby some of the blocks may be use to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, the rods extending vertically through the successive courses of blocks in said. wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocksbeing beveled at their ends and bored at right angles to the bevel to form the holes.

9. In toy building blocks, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly together, so that in building the wall of a house or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm, and whereby some of the blocks may be used to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, the rods extending vertically through the successive courses of blocks in said wall or structure and tightly fitting said holes to prevent relative movement between the blocks, some of said blocks being beveled and bored obliquely to the bevel to form the holes.

10. In toy building blocks for forming a house or a wheel or other structure, a plurality of blocks of uniform thickness but of different lengths, having holes of uniform size and distance apart, and rods to extend through said holes to bind the blocks solidly ios together, so that in building the wall of a house or other structure the blocks are laid like bricks and will break joint in the horizontal courses to make the structure rigid and firm, and whereby some of the blocks may be used to turn a corner in making the house or other structure, the rods extending vertically through the successive courses of blocks in said wall or structure and "tightly fitting said holes to brevent relative move- 10 Signed by me at Oak'Park, Illinois, this 15 14th day of February, 1917.

ADOLPH OSCAR OTTO.

Images