US20080254706A1 - Systems for Constructing Sand Structures - Google Patents
Systems for Constructing Sand Structures Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080254706A1 US20080254706A1 US11/734,032 US73403207A US2008254706A1 US 20080254706 A1 US20080254706 A1 US 20080254706A1 US 73403207 A US73403207 A US 73403207A US 2008254706 A1 US2008254706 A1 US 2008254706A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mold blocks
- sand
- mold
- blocks
- package
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/32—Moulds, shapes, spades, or the like, for playing with sand
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/02—Shooting or hurling games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
Definitions
- the present invention relates to systems for constructing structures and, more particularly, to systems utilizing a plurality of mold blocks that are assembled together and retained in the assembled position by an external support and are filled with a material to create a unique structure.
- the present invention relates to systems for producing structures that can be used by one having minimum skill in building structures and yet produce a structure having a good appearance in a relatively short period of time.
- the invention will be described with respect to sand molds and the construction of sand structures, however, it will be seen that the present invention is applicable to other materials, including, but not limited to, edible materials, latex, snow, wax and the like.
- the tools necessary to produce a sand structure can include a plurality of mold blocks that have inner surfaces and outer surfaces and where the configuration or shape of the inner surfaces combines to produce a desired shape of sand structure.
- the mold blocks are individually shaped and, in constructing a sand structure, the mold blocks are assembled or arranged together such that their combined inner surfaces create an internal cavity in the desired shape.
- the mold blocks are then maintained in the arranged position by means of an external support that holds and stabilizes the mold blocks so that sand can be introduced into the internal cavity surrounded by the various inner surfaces of the mold blocks.
- the external support can be removed and thereafter the mold blocks are free to be removed, by a careful outward movement, so as to leave only the sand structure that is then in the shape of the combined inner surfaces of the mold blocks.
- the external support may be a casing that abuts against the outer surfaces of the mold blocks and in another exemplary embodiment, the external support may be a plurality of substantially vertical upstanding rails that contact the outer surface of the mold blocks and hold them in their arranged orientation.
- the mold blocks may be held together by straps or buckles spanning adjacent mold blocks.
- the plurality of vertically spaced apart internal cavities can be filed with sand sequentially up to the uppermost tier where a cap or other covering mold block can be used to create the upper tier of the sand structure.
- the sand blocks are removed by moving each mold block outwardly starting with the upper tier and working downwardly until only the sand structure remains.
- the mold blocks can be interlocked together to assist in the alignment and stability of the individual mold blocks forming the composite mold for creation of the sand structure.
- the mold blocks may also have openings, indentation or other grasping means to facilitate gripping the mold blocks to enable that user to readily pull the mold blocks outwardly in the removal thereof.
- All of the components needed to carry out the construction of a sand structure in the manner heretofore described can be conveniently provided to the user in a package and which may also include one or more weapons such as toy bombs, toy guns and toy cannons that can be used by a child in damaging or destroying the sand structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- weapons such as toy bombs, toy guns and toy cannons that can be used by a child in damaging or destroying the sand structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating mold blocks of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mold blocks of FIG. 1 in an assembled, arranged orientation
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks of FIG. 2 and illustrating an external support usable therewith;
- FIG. 4A is a side view of the external support of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the present invention assembled with the external support;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 14B of the present invention in its assembled form and filled with sand;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5 illustrating the removal of the external support
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention of FIGS. 1-6 illustrating the removal of the mold blocks from a sand structure
- FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary multi-tiered embodiment of present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the assembling of an external support to the mold blocks
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the multi-tiered embodiment with external supports assembled thereto;
- FIGS. 10A-10C are side cross sectional views illustrating various alignment systems that can be used with the multi-tiered embodiment
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the removal of the external supports
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the removal of the mold blocks
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sand structure constructed in accordance with the FIG. 8 embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 14A-C are respectively views of an exemplary embodiment having a top cap including a schematic view of a multi-tiered embodiment for use with a top cap, a top view of the FIG. 14A structure and a side view of a top cap;
- FIGS. 15A , 15 B and 15 C are perspective views, respectively, of exemplary single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a rectangular cross section;
- FIGS. 16A , 16 B and 16 C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a square cross section;
- FIGS. 17A , 17 B and 17 C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a circular cross section;
- FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an assemblage of mold blocks of the present invention and illustrating an interlocking feature and an outer surface configured to facilitate a user gripping a mold block;
- FIG. 19 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an interlocking feature useable with the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating the removal of a mold block using the outer surface configuration of FIG. 18 ;
- FIGS. 21A-21G are various illustrations of sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention.
- FIGS. 22A-22F are various illustrations of further sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention.
- FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an alternative external support that can be used with the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a further alternative external support that can be used with the present invention.
- FIGS. 25A-25C are schematic views of various weapons that can be used in connection with playing with a sand structure of the present invention and which can be included in a package with the components of the invention as supplied to a user;
- FIGS. 26A-26C are schematic views illustrating a child using the weapons of FIG. 25A-25C in damaging or destroying one of such sand structures.
- FIG. 1 there is shown an exploded view of a plurality of mold blocks 10 used in the present invention.
- the mold blocks 10 each have an inner surface 12 , an outer surface 14 , top surface 16 , side surfaces 17 and bottom surface 18 .
- the inner surfaces 12 of each of the mold blocks 10 are specially designed so as to cooperate with other mold blocks 10 such that all of the inner surfaces combine together to form a particular sand structure, while the side surfaces generally abut against an adjacent mold block 10 .
- the mold blocks 10 are placed on a relatively flat surface and are arranged together by moving the mold blocks 10 in the direction of the arrows A to form an arrangement of a mold blocks having a contiguous inner surface.
- There are six (6) mold blocks 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 however, more or less mold blocks can be used in carrying out the purpose of the present invention and depending upon the complexity or lack of complexity of the sand structure being constructed.
- the bottom surfaces 18 are larger in area than the top surfaces 16 , such that the outer surfaces 14 taper inwardly in the upward direction. The purpose of the tapering will later become apparent.
- the mold blocks 10 are adapted to rest on the ground in order to carry out the present invention and the ground will normally be a beach where unlimited sand is available, however, the invention could be employed at other sites, such as a sand box at a playground or yard.
- FIG. 2 there is shown a perspective view of the mold blocks 10 that have been arranged by converging the mold blocks 10 in the direction of the arrows B so as to create an internal cavity 20 that is formed or shaped in the configuration of the particular sand structure to be constructed. As such, all of the inner surfaces 12 form an internal contiguous inner perimeter that is used in forming the eventual sand structure.
- FIG. 3 there is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks 10 as shown in FIG. 2 with the addition of an external support that is used to retain the mold blocks 10 in this arranged orientation.
- the external support is an outer casing 22 that is placed by the user over the mold blocks 10 so as to surround the outer perimeter made up of all of the contiguous outer surfaces 14 of the assembled mold blocks 10 . Due to the aforedescribed taper of the outer casing 22 and the outer surfaces 14 , the outer casing 22 can be readily slid over the mold blocks 10 to hold the mold blocks 10 firmly in their assembled condition.
- the outer casing 22 can completely surround the mold block 10 or at least partially surround the mold blocks and may be made of any material having sufficient strength to retain the mold blocks 10 in their assembled positions including but not limited to metal, ceramic, plastic or any other suitable material.
- the outer casing 22 can be seen to have tapering inwardly tapering sides 24 defining an opening 26 .
- the outer casing 22 is designed to fit snugly over the assembled mold blocks 10 by being moved in the direction of the arrows C.
- FIG. 4A there is shown a side view illustrating the inwardly tapering sides 24 of the outer casing 22 and, in FIG. 4B , the outer casing 22 has been positioned surrounding the mold blocks 10 to retain the mold blocks 10 in their assembled positions.
- FIG. 5 the assembled mold blocks of FIG. 4 can be seen and wherein the internal cavity 20 has been filled with sand that is packed for forming the sand structure 28 .
- FIG. 6 there is shown a perspective view of the present invention where the outer casing 22 has been removed by raising it upwardly and away from its position surrounding the mold blocks 10 generally in the direction of the arrows D.
- the mold blocks 10 are capable of being removed by sliding them directly outwardly and away from the sand structure 28 contained within the internal cavity 20 such as in the direction of the arrows E.
- FIG. 7 there is a perspective view of a sand structure 28 that remains after the removal of the mold blocks 10 and, as can be seen, the overall configuration of the sand structure 28 is determined by the combined inner surfaces 12 of the mold blocks 10 .
- FIG. 8 there is shown a perspective view of a exemplary embodiment having multiple tiers of mold blocks.
- the lower tier of mold blocks 10 using the same designation numbers as with FIGS. 1-7 and an upper tier comprising upper tier mold blocks 30 , each having an inner surface 32 , an outer surface 34 , a top surface 36 and a bottom surface 38 .
- the upper tier mold blocks 30 are placed atop of the mold blocks 10 by movement generally in the direction of the arrows F to create a mold for a second tier for a sand structure to be formed.
- the outer casing 22 of the lower tier remains in place surrounding the mold blocks 10 .
- the upper tier mold blocks 30 are positioned in place creating an upper internal cavity 40 which is also to be packed with sand for forming the sand structure 28 atop of the lower tier 44 of the sand structure 28 and, as with the prior embodiment, the shape of the cavity 40 , and, of course, also the sand structure, is determined by the collective and contiguous inner surfaces 32 of the upper tier mold blocks 30 .
- An external support is also provided for the upper tier mold blocks 30 in the form of an upper outer casing 40 that is positioned over the upper tier mold blocks 30 by movement in the direction of the arrows G in the same manner as described with respect to the assembling of the lower tier.
- the outer surfaces 34 of the upper tier mold blocks 30 and the sides 42 of the upper outer casing 40 can be tapered inwardly in the upper direction.
- FIG. 10 there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention wherein the upper outer casing 40 has been affixed to the upper tier by surrounding the upper tier mold blocks 30 and the upper tier 46 of the sand structure 28 has been packed with sand.
- FIGS. 10A , 10 B and 10 C there is shown an exploded view of exemplary systems that can be used to align together any two vertically adjoining mold blocks by securing the outer casings together, using the outer casing 22 and the upper outer casing 40 of FIG. 10 as examples.
- FIG. 10A shows a cutaway segment of the upper outer casing 40 and a lower, outer casing 22 , each having an inside surface 65 and an outside surface 67 .
- the upper outer casing 40 has a recess 69 with an elongated protrusion 71 that extends along, or at least partially along, the lower edge 73 of the upper outer casing 40 .
- FIG. 10B there is an exploded view of an alternative alignment system to that of FIG. 10A .
- a cutaway segment of the upper outer casing 40 and lower, outer casing 22 each having an inside surface 81 and an outside surface 83 .
- the upper outer casing 40 has a recess 85 forming a downwardly directed flange 87 that extends along, or at least partially along, the lower edge 89 of the upper outer casing 40 .
- the respective edges flanges 87 , 95 are brought in contact with each other, in the direction of the arrows S, to frictionally engage the upper outer casing 40 to the outer casing 22 .
- FIG. 10C there is a still further alignment system for the upper outer casing 40 and the sand casing 22 having inside surfaces 95 and outside surfaces 97 and wherein the upper outer casing 40 extends downwardly with an offset forming a downwardly directed flange 99 that extends over the outside surface 97 of the sand casing 22 .
- FIG. 11 there is a perspective view of the multi-tier embodiment of the invention and wherein the outer casing 22 and the upper outer casing 40 have been removed generally in the direction of the arrows H, thereby leaving only the mold blocks 10 and the upper tier mold blocks 30 surrounding the sand structure 28 .
- the outer casing 22 and upper outer casing 40 can be removed one at a time or removed together.
- FIG. 12 there is shown a perspective view illustrating the removal of the mold blocks 10 and the upper tier mold blocks 30 to reveal the two tiered sand structure 28 i.e. the lower tier 44 and the upper tier 46 .
- the mold blocks 10 are pulled away along the path of the arrows J and the upper tier mold blocks 30 along the path of the arrows K.
- the lower tier 44 of the sand structure 28 has the shape of the contiguous inner surfaces 12 of the mold blocks 10 while the upper tier 46 has the shape of the contiguous inner surfaces 32 of the upper tier mold blocks 30 and that the two tiers have different shapes.
- FIG. 13 as to the multi-tier embodiment, there can be seen a sand structure 28 having different shapes for the lower tier 44 and the upper tier 46 .
- the multi-tier embodiment there may be two or more tiers used in constructing the sand structure and each may or may not have different inner surface configurations lending considerable versatility in the use of the present invention for constructing desired shapes of sand structures.
- FIGS. 14A , 14 B and 14 C there can be seen, respectively, a cross sectional view of a multi-tier embodiment, a top view of the FIG. 14A embodiment and a perspective view of a covering for use with the FIG. 14A embodiment.
- the top has a rounded top or “skull cap” instead of the flat top surface as shown in the prior embodiments.
- FIG. 14A there are three tiers; a lower tier 48 , intermediate tier 50 and an upper tier 52 .
- That inwardly tapered opening 54 is also seen in FIG. 14B .
- a cap 60 that is adapted to be filled with sand and then inverted and placed into the inwardly tapered opening 54 in order to create a curved top to the sand structure and any excess sand runs down into the recessed annulus 58 .
- FIGS. 15A-C , 16 A-C and 17 A-C there are illustrated, various examples of some arrangements or assemblies of mold blocks sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention.
- FIGS. 15A , 15 B and 15 C there is shown, respectively, a single tier 60 , two tier 62 and a three tier 64 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 66 , 68 and 70 , respectively, formed in the shape of rectangles; in FIGS.
- FIGS. 17A , 17 B and 17 C there is shown, respectively, a single tier 72 , two tier 74 and a three tier 76 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 78 , 80 , 82 , respectively, formed in the shape of squares and in FIGS. 17A , 17 B and 17 C, there is shown, respectively, a single tier 84 two tier 86 and a three tier 88 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 90 , 92 and 94 , respectively, formed in a circular shape. While FIGS. 15A-C , 16 A-C and 17 A-C illustrate up to three tiers, it can be seen that there may be more than three tiers used in the construction of a sand structure.
- FIG. 18 there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention and wherein there are interlocking devices that provide an interlock of respective tiers of the arranged mold blocks 96 of adjacent tiers.
- the interlocking devices are comprised of guide pegs 98 that extend downwardly so as to interfit within guide notches 100 formed on the next lower tier.
- the interlocking feature may be in some or all of the mold blocks 96 .
- FIG. 18 there is also a surface configuration formed in one or more of the mold blocks 96 to facilitate a user getting a good grip on the particular mold block 96 to pull it out from the assembly of mold blocks 96 in freeing up the eventual sand structure as previously explained.
- the surface configuration can be, for example, an opening 102 in a mold block 96 and which can be grasped by the user in removing a mold block 96 .
- FIG. 19 there is an enlarged view of one interlocking mechanism that can be used with the present invention as described with respect to FIG. 18 .
- an upper mold block 104 and a lower mold block 106 there can be seen an upper mold block 104 and a lower mold block 106 .
- a guide peg 108 extends downwardly from the upper mold block 104 and interfits into the guide notch 109 formed in the lower mold block 106 , thereby interlocking the upper mold block 104 with the lower mold block 106 .
- FIG. 20 there is an example of the use of a surface configuration, such as opening 110 , to remove a mold block 112 from a plurality of mold blocks 114 in the direction of the arrows M to reveal the sand structure 116 .
- a surface configuration such as opening 110
- the upper tier of mold blocks are initially removed and thereafter the user continues downwardly in removing the further mold blocks until all of the mold blocks are removed, leaving the sand structure.
- FIG. 21A-21G there are a number of various sand structures that can be formed using the single or multiple-tiered embodiments of the present invention and includes heads/faces 118 of FIG. 21A ; torsos/bodies 120 of FIG. 21B ; animal shapes 122 of FIG. 21C ; art scenes and murals 124 of FIG. 21D ; cars, trucks and other vehicles 126 of FIG. 21E ; boats, ships and submarines 128 of FIG. 21F and buildings/castles and forts 130 of FIG. 21G .
- FIGS. 22A-22F there are shown further typical shapes of sand structures that can be constructed by the use of the present invention including freeform shapes 132 of FIG. 22A ; globes/planets 134 of FIG. 22B ; trophies 136 of FIG. 22C ; geometric shapes 138 of FIG. 22D ; spaceships/rockets 140 of FIG. 22E and sports related shapes 142 of FIG. 22F .
- FIG. 23 there is shown a multi-tiered embodiment having mold blocks 144 arranged together.
- the straps 146 may include buckles or other devices that connect the straps together and the straps 146 may be located between any two or more mold blocks 144 .
- the external supports for the mold blocks 148 comprise a plurality of rails 150 that are generally vertically oriented and which bear against the surfaces 152 of the mold blocks 148 to retain those mold blocks 148 in the assembled orientation.
- a plurality of mold blocks can be provided to a purchaser in a single package such that the package of the sand structure constructing components would include a plurality of the mold blocks along with an external support with the inner surfaces of the mold blocks forming a particular desired shape to create a particular shape of sand structure.
- the user can purchase a particular package containing the necessary mold blocks and external supports that the user can employ in accordance with the method of the present invention to construct a sand structure, along with a weapon or weapons that can be used by a user or other child to destroy the structure constructed by the use of the mold blocks and external supports.
- the package also contains instructions to the purchaser as to how to use the mold blocks contained within the package to construct the particular sand structure illustrated on the package as well as any other components necessary to carry out that construction.
- a weapon As a part of a game that can be played with the sand structures constructed with the use of the present invention, there can be provided to the user a weapon and that weapon can include those illustrated in FIGS. 25A-C , that is, toy simulated bombs 154 , a toy gun 156 or a toy cannon 158 and one or all of those weapons can be supplied to the user to carry out the game along with any number of other weapons that would be enjoyable for use by a child in destroying a sand structure.
- FIGS. 26A-26C schematic views of a user 160 using each of the weapons illustrated in FIGS. 25A-25C , to destroy a submarine 162 , a ship 164 and a castle 166 .
- the particular package can be sold to the user containing all of the necessary tools and components to carry out the game in constructing a sand structure as well as the weapons that can cause the destruction of that sand structure.
- the package can contain discovery objects that can be packed into and thus concealed in the sand as it is packed into an internal cavity formed by the internal surfaces of an assemble of mold blocks so that the objects can be discovered by a child within the sand structure thereby formed.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Revetment (AREA)
Abstract
Systems for constructing sand structures. The system comprises a plurality of mold blocks that can be assembled together such that their inner surfaces combine to form a internal cavity in the shape of a desired sand structure. There is also an external support used to retain the mold blocks in their assembled position. Sand is packed into the internal cavity formed by the collective internal surfaces of the mold blocks to form the sand structure. There may be a plurality of tiers of assembled mold blocks for constructing complex sand structures and there may be a mechanism to aid the user in grasping a mold block to facilitate the removal of the mold block to uncover the completed sand structure and there may also be some interlocking of adjacent mold blocks together. Once filled, the mold blocks are removed, thus creating the sand structure. A package contains all of the mold block and external supports necessary to construct various sand structures and may include weapons used to destroy a completed sand structure in playing a game.
Description
- The present invention relates to systems for constructing structures and, more particularly, to systems utilizing a plurality of mold blocks that are assembled together and retained in the assembled position by an external support and are filled with a material to create a unique structure.
- One of the common and entertaining activities carried out at a beach is the construction of structures made up of compacted sand. Obviously, the structures run from the construction of rudimentary structures by children using only a shovel or simple tools to extremely difficult structures that are complex and produced by highly skilled persons.
- There is also a time constraint on the construction of sand structures since most of the structures are produced on the beach by persons there for the day and therefore the structure must be finished within a relatively short period of time within daylight hours and prior to the onslaught of the tide that will eventually wash the structure away. As such, it is difficult for one having normal skill level to construct a solid, good appearing structure fairly quickly and with good results.
- It would therefore be advantageous to have better tools to enable a person at the beach to construct good structures fairly rapidly and with good appearance of the structure. It would be further advantageous to be able to use such tool to enable a child to make a game out of constructing the sand structure with enthusiasm and make the day pleasant for the child.
- Accordingly, the present invention relates to systems for producing structures that can be used by one having minimum skill in building structures and yet produce a structure having a good appearance in a relatively short period of time. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention will be described with respect to sand molds and the construction of sand structures, however, it will be seen that the present invention is applicable to other materials, including, but not limited to, edible materials, latex, snow, wax and the like.
- In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided the tools necessary to produce a sand structure and which can include a plurality of mold blocks that have inner surfaces and outer surfaces and where the configuration or shape of the inner surfaces combines to produce a desired shape of sand structure. Accordingly, the mold blocks are individually shaped and, in constructing a sand structure, the mold blocks are assembled or arranged together such that their combined inner surfaces create an internal cavity in the desired shape. The mold blocks are then maintained in the arranged position by means of an external support that holds and stabilizes the mold blocks so that sand can be introduced into the internal cavity surrounded by the various inner surfaces of the mold blocks.
- After the sand has been introduced into that internal cavity, the external support can be removed and thereafter the mold blocks are free to be removed, by a careful outward movement, so as to leave only the sand structure that is then in the shape of the combined inner surfaces of the mold blocks. In an exemplary embodiment, the external support may be a casing that abuts against the outer surfaces of the mold blocks and in another exemplary embodiment, the external support may be a plurality of substantially vertical upstanding rails that contact the outer surface of the mold blocks and hold them in their arranged orientation. As a still further exemplary embodiment, the mold blocks may be held together by straps or buckles spanning adjacent mold blocks.
- In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there may be multiple tiers of mold blocks placed atop each other to form a sand structure having additional height and possible increased complexity. In such embodiment, the plurality of vertically spaced apart internal cavities can be filed with sand sequentially up to the uppermost tier where a cap or other covering mold block can be used to create the upper tier of the sand structure. In the embodiment featuring multiple tiers, the sand blocks are removed by moving each mold block outwardly starting with the upper tier and working downwardly until only the sand structure remains.
- As a further feature of the present invention, the mold blocks can be interlocked together to assist in the alignment and stability of the individual mold blocks forming the composite mold for creation of the sand structure. The mold blocks may also have openings, indentation or other grasping means to facilitate gripping the mold blocks to enable that user to readily pull the mold blocks outwardly in the removal thereof.
- All of the components needed to carry out the construction of a sand structure in the manner heretofore described can be conveniently provided to the user in a package and which may also include one or more weapons such as toy bombs, toy guns and toy cannons that can be used by a child in damaging or destroying the sand structure constructed in accordance with the present invention. There may also be one or more objects that are placed within or at least partially within a sand structure that is constructed with the use of mold blocks as the sand is being packed into an internal cavity formed by the inner surfaces of the mold blocks in accordance with the present invention
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating mold blocks of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mold blocks ofFIG. 1 in an assembled, arranged orientation; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks ofFIG. 2 and illustrating an external support usable therewith; -
FIG. 4A is a side view of the external support ofFIG. 3 andFIG. 4B is a perspective view of the present invention assembled with the external support; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system ofFIG. 14B of the present invention in its assembled form and filled with sand; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention ofFIGS. 1-5 illustrating the removal of the external support; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention ofFIGS. 1-6 illustrating the removal of the mold blocks from a sand structure; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary multi-tiered embodiment of present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of theFIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the assembling of an external support to the mold blocks; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of theFIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the multi-tiered embodiment with external supports assembled thereto; -
FIGS. 10A-10C are side cross sectional views illustrating various alignment systems that can be used with the multi-tiered embodiment; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of theFIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the removal of the external supports; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of theFIG. 8 embodiment illustrating the removal of the mold blocks; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sand structure constructed in accordance with theFIG. 8 embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 14A-C are respectively views of an exemplary embodiment having a top cap including a schematic view of a multi-tiered embodiment for use with a top cap, a top view of theFIG. 14A structure and a side view of a top cap; -
FIGS. 15A , 15B and 15C are perspective views, respectively, of exemplary single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a rectangular cross section; -
FIGS. 16A , 16B and 16C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a square cross section; -
FIGS. 17A , 17B and 17C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a circular cross section; -
FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an assemblage of mold blocks of the present invention and illustrating an interlocking feature and an outer surface configured to facilitate a user gripping a mold block; -
FIG. 19 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an interlocking feature useable with the present invention; -
FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating the removal of a mold block using the outer surface configuration ofFIG. 18 ; -
FIGS. 21A-21G are various illustrations of sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention; -
FIGS. 22A-22F are various illustrations of further sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention; -
FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an alternative external support that can be used with the present invention; -
FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a further alternative external support that can be used with the present invention; -
FIGS. 25A-25C are schematic views of various weapons that can be used in connection with playing with a sand structure of the present invention and which can be included in a package with the components of the invention as supplied to a user; and -
FIGS. 26A-26C are schematic views illustrating a child using the weapons ofFIG. 25A-25C in damaging or destroying one of such sand structures. - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of a plurality of mold blocks 10 used in the present invention. As can be seen the mold blocks 10 each have aninner surface 12, anouter surface 14,top surface 16, side surfaces 17 andbottom surface 18. Theinner surfaces 12 of each of the mold blocks 10 are specially designed so as to cooperate with other mold blocks 10 such that all of the inner surfaces combine together to form a particular sand structure, while the side surfaces generally abut against anadjacent mold block 10. - As will later be seen, therefore, the mold blocks 10 are placed on a relatively flat surface and are arranged together by moving the mold blocks 10 in the direction of the arrows A to form an arrangement of a mold blocks having a contiguous inner surface. There are six (6) mold blocks 10 illustrated in
FIG. 1 , however, more or less mold blocks can be used in carrying out the purpose of the present invention and depending upon the complexity or lack of complexity of the sand structure being constructed. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , the bottom surfaces 18 are larger in area than thetop surfaces 16, such that theouter surfaces 14 taper inwardly in the upward direction. The purpose of the tapering will later become apparent. As can be seen, the mold blocks 10 are adapted to rest on the ground in order to carry out the present invention and the ground will normally be a beach where unlimited sand is available, however, the invention could be employed at other sites, such as a sand box at a playground or yard. - Turning to
FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the mold blocks 10 that have been arranged by converging the mold blocks 10 in the direction of the arrows B so as to create aninternal cavity 20 that is formed or shaped in the configuration of the particular sand structure to be constructed. As such, all of theinner surfaces 12 form an internal contiguous inner perimeter that is used in forming the eventual sand structure. - Next, in
FIG. 3 , there is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks 10 as shown inFIG. 2 with the addition of an external support that is used to retain the mold blocks 10 in this arranged orientation. InFIG. 3 , the external support is anouter casing 22 that is placed by the user over the mold blocks 10 so as to surround the outer perimeter made up of all of the contiguousouter surfaces 14 of the assembled mold blocks 10. Due to the aforedescribed taper of theouter casing 22 and theouter surfaces 14, theouter casing 22 can be readily slid over the mold blocks 10 to hold the mold blocks 10 firmly in their assembled condition. - The
outer casing 22 can completely surround themold block 10 or at least partially surround the mold blocks and may be made of any material having sufficient strength to retain the mold blocks 10 in their assembled positions including but not limited to metal, ceramic, plastic or any other suitable material. InFIG. 3 , theouter casing 22 can be seen to have tapering inwardly taperingsides 24 defining anopening 26. Theouter casing 22 is designed to fit snugly over the assembled mold blocks 10 by being moved in the direction of the arrows C. - Turning next to
FIG. 4A , there is shown a side view illustrating the inwardly taperingsides 24 of theouter casing 22 and, inFIG. 4B , theouter casing 22 has been positioned surrounding the mold blocks 10 to retain the mold blocks 10 in their assembled positions. - In
FIG. 5 , the assembled mold blocks ofFIG. 4 can be seen and wherein theinternal cavity 20 has been filled with sand that is packed for forming thesand structure 28. - Turning now to
FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention where theouter casing 22 has been removed by raising it upwardly and away from its position surrounding the mold blocks 10 generally in the direction of the arrows D. At this point, the mold blocks 10 are capable of being removed by sliding them directly outwardly and away from thesand structure 28 contained within theinternal cavity 20 such as in the direction of the arrows E. - In
FIG. 7 , therefore, there is a perspective view of asand structure 28 that remains after the removal of the mold blocks 10 and, as can be seen, the overall configuration of thesand structure 28 is determined by the combinedinner surfaces 12 of the mold blocks 10. - Turning next to
FIG. 8 , there is shown a perspective view of a exemplary embodiment having multiple tiers of mold blocks. As such, there can be seen the lower tier of mold blocks 10, using the same designation numbers as withFIGS. 1-7 and an upper tier comprising upper tier mold blocks 30, each having aninner surface 32, anouter surface 34, atop surface 36 and abottom surface 38. As can be seen inFIG. 8 , the upper tier mold blocks 30 are placed atop of the mold blocks 10 by movement generally in the direction of the arrows F to create a mold for a second tier for a sand structure to be formed. Theouter casing 22 of the lower tier remains in place surrounding the mold blocks 10. - In
FIG. 9 , it can be seen that the upper tier mold blocks 30 are positioned in place creating an upperinternal cavity 40 which is also to be packed with sand for forming thesand structure 28 atop of thelower tier 44 of thesand structure 28 and, as with the prior embodiment, the shape of thecavity 40, and, of course, also the sand structure, is determined by the collective and contiguousinner surfaces 32 of the upper tier mold blocks 30. An external support is also provided for the upper tier mold blocks 30 in the form of an upperouter casing 40 that is positioned over the upper tier mold blocks 30 by movement in the direction of the arrows G in the same manner as described with respect to the assembling of the lower tier. Again, theouter surfaces 34 of the upper tier mold blocks 30 and the sides 42 of the upperouter casing 40 can be tapered inwardly in the upper direction. - Turning next to
FIG. 10 , there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention wherein the upperouter casing 40 has been affixed to the upper tier by surrounding the upper tier mold blocks 30 and theupper tier 46 of thesand structure 28 has been packed with sand. - Turning now to
FIGS. 10A , 10B and 10C, there is shown an exploded view of exemplary systems that can be used to align together any two vertically adjoining mold blocks by securing the outer casings together, using theouter casing 22 and the upperouter casing 40 ofFIG. 10 as examples. ThusFIG. 10A shows a cutaway segment of the upperouter casing 40 and a lower,outer casing 22, each having aninside surface 65 and anoutside surface 67. The upperouter casing 40 has arecess 69 with an elongated protrusion 71 that extends along, or at least partially along, thelower edge 73 of the upperouter casing 40. There is asimilar recess 75 along theupper edge 77 of theouter casing 22 and having aelongated groove 79 disposed at least partially therealong. As such, to affix the upperouter casing 40 to theouter casing 22, therespective edges elongated groove 79 to affix those components together. - In
FIG. 10B , there is an exploded view of an alternative alignment system to that ofFIG. 10A . In the exemplary alignment system ofFIG. 10B , again there is shown a cutaway segment of the upperouter casing 40 and lower,outer casing 22, each having aninside surface 81 and anoutside surface 83. The upperouter casing 40 has arecess 85 forming a downwardly directedflange 87 that extends along, or at least partially along, the lower edge 89 of the upperouter casing 40. There is a similar recess 91 along theupper edge 93 of theouter casing 22 forming an upwardly directedflange 95 disposed at least partially therealong. As such to align the upperouter casing 40 to theouter casing 22, therespective edges flanges outer casing 40 to theouter casing 22. - In
FIG. 10C there is a still further alignment system for the upperouter casing 40 and thesand casing 22 having inside surfaces 95 and outside surfaces 97 and wherein the upperouter casing 40 extends downwardly with an offset forming a downwardly directed flange 99 that extends over theoutside surface 97 of thesand casing 22. - While the aforedescribed methods and devices for aligning two adjacent sand molds together are exemplary embodiments, there are certainly other ways of aligning one sand mold with another sand mold consistent with the intent and purpose of the present invention.
- In
FIG. 11 , there is a perspective view of the multi-tier embodiment of the invention and wherein theouter casing 22 and the upperouter casing 40 have been removed generally in the direction of the arrows H, thereby leaving only the mold blocks 10 and the upper tier mold blocks 30 surrounding thesand structure 28. Theouter casing 22 and upperouter casing 40 can be removed one at a time or removed together. - Turning now to
FIG. 12 , there is shown a perspective view illustrating the removal of the mold blocks 10 and the upper tier mold blocks 30 to reveal the twotiered sand structure 28 i.e. thelower tier 44 and theupper tier 46. The mold blocks 10 are pulled away along the path of the arrows J and the upper tier mold blocks 30 along the path of the arrows K. As can be seen thelower tier 44 of thesand structure 28 has the shape of the contiguousinner surfaces 12 of the mold blocks 10 while theupper tier 46 has the shape of the contiguousinner surfaces 32 of the upper tier mold blocks 30 and that the two tiers have different shapes. - Finally, in
FIG. 13 , as to the multi-tier embodiment, there can be seen asand structure 28 having different shapes for thelower tier 44 and theupper tier 46. Thus, with the multi-tier embodiment there may be two or more tiers used in constructing the sand structure and each may or may not have different inner surface configurations lending considerable versatility in the use of the present invention for constructing desired shapes of sand structures. - Turning now to
FIGS. 14A , 14B and 14C, there can be seen, respectively, a cross sectional view of a multi-tier embodiment, a top view of theFIG. 14A embodiment and a perspective view of a covering for use with theFIG. 14A embodiment. In this embodiment, the top has a rounded top or “skull cap” instead of the flat top surface as shown in the prior embodiments. Thus, inFIG. 14A , there are three tiers; alower tier 48,intermediate tier 50 and anupper tier 52. There is an inwardly taperedopening 54 formed in theupper surface 56 of theupper tier 52 and a recessedannulus 58 forming a seat at theupper surface 56 of theupper tier 52. That inwardly taperedopening 54 is also seen inFIG. 14B . As such, inFIG. 14C there is acap 60 that is adapted to be filled with sand and then inverted and placed into the inwardly taperedopening 54 in order to create a curved top to the sand structure and any excess sand runs down into the recessedannulus 58. - Turning next to
FIGS. 15A-C , 16A-C and 17A-C, there are illustrated, various examples of some arrangements or assemblies of mold blocks sand structures that can be constructed using the present invention. For example, inFIGS. 15A , 15B and 15C, there is shown, respectively, asingle tier 60, two tier 62 and a three tier 64 sets of mold blocks having theirouter surfaces FIGS. 16A , 16B and 16C there is shown, respectively, asingle tier 72, two tier 74 and a three tier 76 sets of mold blocks having theirouter surfaces FIGS. 17A , 17B and 17C, there is shown, respectively, a single tier 84 twotier 86 and a threetier 88 sets of mold blocks having theirouter surfaces FIGS. 15A-C , 16A-C and 17A-C illustrate up to three tiers, it can be seen that there may be more than three tiers used in the construction of a sand structure. - Turning now to
FIG. 18 , there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention and wherein there are interlocking devices that provide an interlock of respective tiers of the arranged mold blocks 96 of adjacent tiers. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 18 , the interlocking devices are comprised of guide pegs 98 that extend downwardly so as to interfit withinguide notches 100 formed on the next lower tier. As such there is an interlocking mechanism that holds the mold blocks 96 of the vertically disposed tiers together. The interlocking feature may be in some or all of the mold blocks 96. - As also can be seen in
FIG. 18 , there is also a surface configuration formed in one or more of the mold blocks 96 to facilitate a user getting a good grip on theparticular mold block 96 to pull it out from the assembly of mold blocks 96 in freeing up the eventual sand structure as previously explained. The surface configuration can be, for example, anopening 102 in amold block 96 and which can be grasped by the user in removing amold block 96. - Turning to
FIG. 19 , there is an enlarged view of one interlocking mechanism that can be used with the present invention as described with respect toFIG. 18 . As such, there can be seen anupper mold block 104 and alower mold block 106. Aguide peg 108 extends downwardly from theupper mold block 104 and interfits into theguide notch 109 formed in thelower mold block 106, thereby interlocking theupper mold block 104 with thelower mold block 106. - In
FIG. 20 , there is an example of the use of a surface configuration, such asopening 110, to remove amold block 112 from a plurality of mold blocks 114 in the direction of the arrows M to reveal thesand structure 116. As can be seen, with a multiple tiered sand structure, the upper tier of mold blocks are initially removed and thereafter the user continues downwardly in removing the further mold blocks until all of the mold blocks are removed, leaving the sand structure. - Turning to
FIG. 21A-21G , there are a number of various sand structures that can be formed using the single or multiple-tiered embodiments of the present invention and includes heads/faces 118 ofFIG. 21A ; torsos/bodies 120 ofFIG. 21B ; animal shapes 122 ofFIG. 21C ; art scenes andmurals 124 ofFIG. 21D ; cars, trucks andother vehicles 126 ofFIG. 21E ; boats, ships andsubmarines 128 ofFIG. 21F and buildings/castles and forts 130 ofFIG. 21G . - In
FIGS. 22A-22F , there are shown further typical shapes of sand structures that can be constructed by the use of the present invention includingfreeform shapes 132 ofFIG. 22A ; globes/planets 134 ofFIG. 22B ;trophies 136 ofFIG. 22C ;geometric shapes 138 ofFIG. 22D ; spaceships/rockets 140 ofFIG. 22E and sports relatedshapes 142 ofFIG. 22F . - Turning now to
FIG. 23 , there is shown a multi-tiered embodiment havingmold blocks 144 arranged together. In this embodiment, there is an alternative form of external support and is shown asstraps 146 that span and attach together abutting adjacent mold blocks 144. With theFIG. 23 embodiment, thestraps 146 may include buckles or other devices that connect the straps together and thestraps 146 may be located between any two or more mold blocks 144. - Next, in
FIG. 24 , there is a further alternative form of external support and in this embodiment, the external supports for the mold blocks 148 comprise a plurality ofrails 150 that are generally vertically oriented and which bear against the surfaces 152 of the mold blocks 148 to retain those mold blocks 148 in the assembled orientation. - In the use of the present invention, a plurality of mold blocks can be provided to a purchaser in a single package such that the package of the sand structure constructing components would include a plurality of the mold blocks along with an external support with the inner surfaces of the mold blocks forming a particular desired shape to create a particular shape of sand structure.
- Therefore, the user can purchase a particular package containing the necessary mold blocks and external supports that the user can employ in accordance with the method of the present invention to construct a sand structure, along with a weapon or weapons that can be used by a user or other child to destroy the structure constructed by the use of the mold blocks and external supports. Preferably, the package also contains instructions to the purchaser as to how to use the mold blocks contained within the package to construct the particular sand structure illustrated on the package as well as any other components necessary to carry out that construction.
- As a part of a game that can be played with the sand structures constructed with the use of the present invention, there can be provided to the user a weapon and that weapon can include those illustrated in
FIGS. 25A-C , that is, toy simulatedbombs 154, atoy gun 156 or atoy cannon 158 and one or all of those weapons can be supplied to the user to carry out the game along with any number of other weapons that would be enjoyable for use by a child in destroying a sand structure. - Finally, in accordance with the game, there is shown in
FIGS. 26A-26C , schematic views of auser 160 using each of the weapons illustrated inFIGS. 25A-25C , to destroy asubmarine 162, aship 164 and acastle 166. - Accordingly, the particular package can be sold to the user containing all of the necessary tools and components to carry out the game in constructing a sand structure as well as the weapons that can cause the destruction of that sand structure. In addition, the package can contain discovery objects that can be packed into and thus concealed in the sand as it is packed into an internal cavity formed by the internal surfaces of an assemble of mold blocks so that the objects can be discovered by a child within the sand structure thereby formed.
- Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the system of constructing sand structures and packages of tools to construct sand structures of the present invention which will result in an improved system and package, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (21)
1. A system for producing a structure, said system comprising a plurality of mold blocks having inner surfaces shaped in a desired configuration and outer surfaces, the mold blocks adapted to be arranged generally contiguously together to create an internal cavity having a desired shape by the collective inner surfaces of the mold blocks and at least one external support adapted to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the mold blocks are sand mold blocks and the structure is a sand structure.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the external support comprises a plurality of upstanding rails contacting the external surfaces of a least some of the mold blocks.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the external support comprises a plurality of straps that span and are affixed to adjacent mold blocks.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the arranged mold blocks form an outer perimeter and the external support comprises an outer casing that at least partially surrounds the outer perimeter thereby formed.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the outer casing fully surrounds the outer perimeter of the mold blocks.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the outer perimeter of the mold blocks and the outer casing both taper inwardly in the upward direction.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold blocks has an interlocking device to interlock adjacent mold blocks together.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the interlocking device comprises a guide peg provided on a mold block that interfits into a guide notch formed on an adjacent mold block.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the guide peg of one mold block extends downwardly to interfit into a guide notch formed in a mold block directly below the one mold block.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein a least one of the mold blocks has a surface configuration to facilitate a user gripping the mold block.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the surface configuration comprises an opening or indentation in the outer surface of the mold block.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the mold blocks are adapted to be arranged in a plurality of vertical tiers.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein an uppermost tier has a curved surface and a lower perimeter adapted to fit into an inwardly tapered opening in the next lower tier.
15. The system of claim 13 further including a plurality of outer casings, each of the outer casings at least partially surrounding a tier of the plurality of vertical tiers.
16. A package of sand molding tools for constructing a sand structure, the package comprising:
a plurality of sand blocks having inner surfaces shaped in a desired configuration and having outer surfaces, the mold blocks adapted to be arranged generally contiguously together to create an internal cavity having a desired shape by the collective inner surfaces of the mold blocks and further including at least one external support adapted to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position.
17. The package of sand molding tools as defined in claim 16 wherein the package contains a plurality of sand molds wherein at least one of the mold blocks molds is adapted to interlock with another mold block to become affixed together.
18. The package of sand molding tools as defined in claim 16 wherein the at least one external support comprises a plurality of rails contacting the outer surface of at least some mold blocks to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position.
19. The package of sand molding tools as defined in claim 16 wherein the at least one external support comprises an outer casing adapted to at least partially surround the collective outer surfaces of mold blocks when arranged together.
20. The package of sand molding tools as defined in claim 16 wherein the package includes at least one weapon that is adapted to be used to destroy a sand structure constructed by the use of mold blocks.
21. The package of sand molding tools as defined in claim 16 wherein the package includes at least one object adapted to be located within or at least partially within a sand structure constructed by the use of mold blocks.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/734,032 US20080254706A1 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-04-11 | Systems for Constructing Sand Structures |
US11/967,522 US20080251687A1 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-12-31 | Systems for constructing sand structures |
PCT/US2008/002109 WO2008100619A1 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2008-02-16 | Systems for constructing sand structures |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/734,032 US20080254706A1 (en) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-04-11 | Systems for Constructing Sand Structures |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/967,522 Continuation-In-Part US20080251687A1 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2007-12-31 | Systems for constructing sand structures |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080254706A1 true US20080254706A1 (en) | 2008-10-16 |
Family
ID=39854139
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/734,032 Abandoned US20080254706A1 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2007-04-11 | Systems for Constructing Sand Structures |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080254706A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9526962B2 (en) * | 2015-04-02 | 2016-12-27 | William Ryan Kegel | Ball tossing game formation kit |
US20170050118A1 (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2017-02-23 | Snow Creations, Llc | Molds and mold section apparatuses and methods of making a sculpture with natural materials |
Citations (47)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1595773A (en) * | 1926-05-01 | 1926-08-10 | Gillinder & Sons Inc | Glass mold |
US1610121A (en) * | 1925-04-21 | 1926-12-07 | Frank T Dickinson | Toy sand mold |
US1639934A (en) * | 1925-12-31 | 1927-08-23 | Anton W Ferring | Sand mold |
US1947413A (en) * | 1933-08-14 | 1934-02-13 | Coastal Contracting Co Inc | Apparatus for forming a covering or sleeve of plastic material upon a wooden pile |
US2395589A (en) * | 1945-04-30 | 1946-02-26 | Eli E Silverman | Molding outfit for children |
US2819510A (en) * | 1955-02-10 | 1958-01-14 | Norden Willy Vom | Toy building construction and forms |
US2991533A (en) * | 1958-04-21 | 1961-07-11 | Sonoco Products Co | Form for concrete columns |
US3021586A (en) * | 1959-02-03 | 1962-02-20 | Fernando J Uruburu | Concrete mold forms |
US3061880A (en) * | 1959-12-07 | 1962-11-06 | Weisbach Lawrence | Molding toy |
US3200454A (en) * | 1963-02-07 | 1965-08-17 | Frank V Gramenzi | Hinge mechanism for flask for use in metal molding |
US3350049A (en) * | 1964-04-08 | 1967-10-31 | Gateway Erectors Inc | Concrete forms |
US3741706A (en) * | 1972-01-26 | 1973-06-26 | Gen Mills Fun Group Inc | Toy molding device |
US3756553A (en) * | 1971-07-09 | 1973-09-04 | Lau Inc | Segmented mold for blower wheels |
US3861640A (en) * | 1973-05-21 | 1975-01-21 | Ideal Toy Corp | Interchangeable mold assembly |
US3921801A (en) * | 1975-01-30 | 1975-11-25 | Boris Sway | Self-contained molding kit for heat-liquifiable molding material |
US3989220A (en) * | 1971-07-21 | 1976-11-02 | Greenberg Allen A | Shaker molding assembly |
US4003423A (en) * | 1975-06-09 | 1977-01-18 | Precision Metalsmiths, Inc. | Methods and means for making dental castings and the like |
US4040460A (en) * | 1975-12-23 | 1977-08-09 | Sidney Thornton | Collapsible bucket |
US4041670A (en) * | 1974-04-17 | 1977-08-16 | Kaplan Richard D | Building blocks |
US4171791A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1979-10-23 | Duncan Electric Company | Releasable mold for forming a ribbed transformer casing |
US4246953A (en) * | 1979-08-03 | 1981-01-27 | Johnson Lloyd M | Adjustable filler means for molds and method thereof |
US4262442A (en) * | 1978-03-02 | 1981-04-21 | Robert Mansfield | Castle and village making toy |
US4295628A (en) * | 1979-11-09 | 1981-10-20 | Statni Vyzkumny Ustav Materialu | Mold for the injection molding of objects of large dimension and complicated surfaces from plastic material |
US4508309A (en) * | 1982-06-14 | 1985-04-02 | Acushnet Company | Fast thermal response mold |
US4644858A (en) * | 1986-06-19 | 1987-02-24 | Donna Liotto | Baking pan assembly |
US4817911A (en) * | 1985-11-18 | 1989-04-04 | Infanti Chair Manufacturing, Corp. | Apparatus for forming ice sculptures |
US4887789A (en) * | 1988-04-26 | 1989-12-19 | Harris Frank R | Form for molding columns |
US4889480A (en) * | 1988-11-22 | 1989-12-26 | Sankyo Engineering Co., Ltd. | Slide core mold and injection molding |
US4905957A (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 1990-03-06 | Stockwell Aubrey E | Ice mold apparatus |
US5255888A (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1993-10-26 | Deslauriers, Inc. | Concrete column form |
US5370353A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1994-12-06 | Aristo-Mould Limited | Moulds for plaster pieces |
US5460561A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1995-10-24 | Lennart Dahlgren | Toy kit of stackable geometric shape pieces to form a structure |
US5597593A (en) * | 1995-02-10 | 1997-01-28 | Lebensfeld; Steven | Toy mold system with undercuts |
US5632926A (en) * | 1995-05-10 | 1997-05-27 | Dyer, Jr.; Artega C. | Snowman mold |
US5720614A (en) * | 1996-03-18 | 1998-02-24 | Pestano; Domingo | Structure modeling members for sand figures |
US5858262A (en) * | 1994-08-15 | 1999-01-12 | Toymax Inc. | Mold for forming multi-sided, fully contoured, three-dimensional toy figures |
US5895304A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1999-04-20 | Dixon; Marc | Toy constructor kit for sand structures |
US6126876A (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-10-03 | Demarzo; Anne T. | System for conditioning sand for sculpting purposes |
US6149485A (en) * | 1999-12-28 | 2000-11-21 | Christiansen; Lyle J. | Collapsible building block for erecting toy buildings that fall down flat |
US6171093B1 (en) * | 1998-12-16 | 2001-01-09 | T. R. Hawkinson Ltd. | Process and apparatus for molding jewelry |
US6176464B1 (en) * | 1998-12-29 | 2001-01-23 | Martha A. Harvey | Snowman mold |
US6413074B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2002-07-02 | Composix Corporation | Assembly for molding plastic material |
US6607418B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2003-08-19 | Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. | Discovery toy and method of use |
US6685578B2 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2004-02-03 | Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. | Golf ball mold and golf ball |
US20050249835A1 (en) * | 2004-05-10 | 2005-11-10 | Racunas Robert V Jr | Sand sculpture mold |
US20050277357A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Karen Fitzgerald Buckley | Sand castle building aid |
US7192000B2 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2007-03-20 | Dragon Models Limited | Plastics moulding |
-
2007
- 2007-04-11 US US11/734,032 patent/US20080254706A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (48)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1610121A (en) * | 1925-04-21 | 1926-12-07 | Frank T Dickinson | Toy sand mold |
US1639934A (en) * | 1925-12-31 | 1927-08-23 | Anton W Ferring | Sand mold |
US1595773A (en) * | 1926-05-01 | 1926-08-10 | Gillinder & Sons Inc | Glass mold |
US1947413A (en) * | 1933-08-14 | 1934-02-13 | Coastal Contracting Co Inc | Apparatus for forming a covering or sleeve of plastic material upon a wooden pile |
US2395589A (en) * | 1945-04-30 | 1946-02-26 | Eli E Silverman | Molding outfit for children |
US2819510A (en) * | 1955-02-10 | 1958-01-14 | Norden Willy Vom | Toy building construction and forms |
US2991533A (en) * | 1958-04-21 | 1961-07-11 | Sonoco Products Co | Form for concrete columns |
US3021586A (en) * | 1959-02-03 | 1962-02-20 | Fernando J Uruburu | Concrete mold forms |
US3061880A (en) * | 1959-12-07 | 1962-11-06 | Weisbach Lawrence | Molding toy |
US3200454A (en) * | 1963-02-07 | 1965-08-17 | Frank V Gramenzi | Hinge mechanism for flask for use in metal molding |
US3350049A (en) * | 1964-04-08 | 1967-10-31 | Gateway Erectors Inc | Concrete forms |
US3756553A (en) * | 1971-07-09 | 1973-09-04 | Lau Inc | Segmented mold for blower wheels |
US3989220A (en) * | 1971-07-21 | 1976-11-02 | Greenberg Allen A | Shaker molding assembly |
US3741706A (en) * | 1972-01-26 | 1973-06-26 | Gen Mills Fun Group Inc | Toy molding device |
US3861640A (en) * | 1973-05-21 | 1975-01-21 | Ideal Toy Corp | Interchangeable mold assembly |
US4041670A (en) * | 1974-04-17 | 1977-08-16 | Kaplan Richard D | Building blocks |
US3921801A (en) * | 1975-01-30 | 1975-11-25 | Boris Sway | Self-contained molding kit for heat-liquifiable molding material |
US4003423A (en) * | 1975-06-09 | 1977-01-18 | Precision Metalsmiths, Inc. | Methods and means for making dental castings and the like |
US4040460A (en) * | 1975-12-23 | 1977-08-09 | Sidney Thornton | Collapsible bucket |
US4171791A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1979-10-23 | Duncan Electric Company | Releasable mold for forming a ribbed transformer casing |
US4262442A (en) * | 1978-03-02 | 1981-04-21 | Robert Mansfield | Castle and village making toy |
US4246953A (en) * | 1979-08-03 | 1981-01-27 | Johnson Lloyd M | Adjustable filler means for molds and method thereof |
US4295628A (en) * | 1979-11-09 | 1981-10-20 | Statni Vyzkumny Ustav Materialu | Mold for the injection molding of objects of large dimension and complicated surfaces from plastic material |
US4508309A (en) * | 1982-06-14 | 1985-04-02 | Acushnet Company | Fast thermal response mold |
US4817911A (en) * | 1985-11-18 | 1989-04-04 | Infanti Chair Manufacturing, Corp. | Apparatus for forming ice sculptures |
US4644858A (en) * | 1986-06-19 | 1987-02-24 | Donna Liotto | Baking pan assembly |
US4887789A (en) * | 1988-04-26 | 1989-12-19 | Harris Frank R | Form for molding columns |
US4889480A (en) * | 1988-11-22 | 1989-12-26 | Sankyo Engineering Co., Ltd. | Slide core mold and injection molding |
US4905957A (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 1990-03-06 | Stockwell Aubrey E | Ice mold apparatus |
US5255888A (en) * | 1991-06-07 | 1993-10-26 | Deslauriers, Inc. | Concrete column form |
US5370353A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1994-12-06 | Aristo-Mould Limited | Moulds for plaster pieces |
US5460561A (en) * | 1993-12-16 | 1995-10-24 | Lennart Dahlgren | Toy kit of stackable geometric shape pieces to form a structure |
US5858262A (en) * | 1994-08-15 | 1999-01-12 | Toymax Inc. | Mold for forming multi-sided, fully contoured, three-dimensional toy figures |
US5597593A (en) * | 1995-02-10 | 1997-01-28 | Lebensfeld; Steven | Toy mold system with undercuts |
US5632926A (en) * | 1995-05-10 | 1997-05-27 | Dyer, Jr.; Artega C. | Snowman mold |
US5720614A (en) * | 1996-03-18 | 1998-02-24 | Pestano; Domingo | Structure modeling members for sand figures |
US5895304A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1999-04-20 | Dixon; Marc | Toy constructor kit for sand structures |
US6126876A (en) * | 1998-11-17 | 2000-10-03 | Demarzo; Anne T. | System for conditioning sand for sculpting purposes |
US6171093B1 (en) * | 1998-12-16 | 2001-01-09 | T. R. Hawkinson Ltd. | Process and apparatus for molding jewelry |
US6176464B1 (en) * | 1998-12-29 | 2001-01-23 | Martha A. Harvey | Snowman mold |
US6685578B2 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2004-02-03 | Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. | Golf ball mold and golf ball |
US6413074B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2002-07-02 | Composix Corporation | Assembly for molding plastic material |
US6149485A (en) * | 1999-12-28 | 2000-11-21 | Christiansen; Lyle J. | Collapsible building block for erecting toy buildings that fall down flat |
US6607418B2 (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2003-08-19 | Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. | Discovery toy and method of use |
US7192000B2 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2007-03-20 | Dragon Models Limited | Plastics moulding |
US20050249835A1 (en) * | 2004-05-10 | 2005-11-10 | Racunas Robert V Jr | Sand sculpture mold |
US7273573B2 (en) * | 2004-05-10 | 2007-09-25 | Racunas Jr Robert Vincent | Sand sculpture mold |
US20050277357A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Karen Fitzgerald Buckley | Sand castle building aid |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9526962B2 (en) * | 2015-04-02 | 2016-12-27 | William Ryan Kegel | Ball tossing game formation kit |
US20170050118A1 (en) * | 2015-08-03 | 2017-02-23 | Snow Creations, Llc | Molds and mold section apparatuses and methods of making a sculpture with natural materials |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20080251687A1 (en) | Systems for constructing sand structures | |
US4133538A (en) | Pyramid building game | |
US20100285718A1 (en) | Construction toy | |
US20060172653A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for facilitating the construction of a snow man/woman | |
US6302813B1 (en) | Noise making novelty baseball bat | |
KR101308201B1 (en) | Brick block | |
US9556605B2 (en) | Universal method of structural design and assembly | |
US20080160875A1 (en) | Interconnectible Building Elements For Intellectual Challenge Games | |
US6340323B1 (en) | Waterslide toy block construction system | |
US20130072086A1 (en) | Panel for constructing a child's playhouse and a child's playhouse incorporating the same | |
JPH0439349B2 (en) | ||
Pursell | From playgrounds to PlayStation: The interaction of technology and play | |
US3410021A (en) | Educational building block toy | |
US20080254706A1 (en) | Systems for Constructing Sand Structures | |
WO2008100619A1 (en) | Systems for constructing sand structures | |
US4510632A (en) | Children's game pool | |
US20160318675A1 (en) | Contoured lid for a toy bucket and a toy bucket incorporating the same | |
CN206587407U (en) | For toy car gameboard and can assembled gameboard | |
US20060220314A1 (en) | Board game apparatus and method of play | |
JP3181308U (en) | Building blocks | |
CN211676262U (en) | Children climbing amusement facility | |
CN202105437U (en) | Splicing toy base block | |
US20080197265A1 (en) | Systems for Constructing Sand Structures | |
US5810357A (en) | Stackable three-dimension toy assembly | |
JP3206848U (en) | Wooden playground equipment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |