US20100178839A1

US20100178839A1 - Magic Blocks

Info

Publication number: US20100178839A1
Application number: US12/319,709
Authority: US
Inventors: Usama M. Khattah Omar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

Magic Blocks are a construction blocks game that is both fun and educational. It consists of four distinct individual pieces. The four pieces that make up this game are identified as Rectangle Block (FIG. 1), Square Block, (FIG. 5), Rectangle Connector (FIG. 9), and Square Connector (FIG. 10). The Rectangle Block and the Square Block are made up of panels which contain both male locks, and female locks. The Rectangle Connector and the Square Connector contain only female locks. The game works by folding the Rectangle and the Square Blocks, respectively, along their scored edges then stacking the folded blocks on top of one another with the male locks going into the female locks of the block placed below it. Objects can be built horizontally as well as vertically.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS


Pat. No.	Issue Date	Inventor

3,558,138	Jan. 26, 1971	Lemelson
3,941,038	Mar. 2, 1976	Bishop
3,946,514	Mar. 30, 1976	Joslyn
4,003,144	Jan. 18, 1977	Maddestra
4,035,947	Jul. 19, 1977	Burge
4,055,019	Oct. 25, 1977	Harvey
4,676,762	Jun. 30, 1987	Ballard
5,795,210	Aug. 18, 1998	Kushner
6,231,272	May 15, 2001	Bishop
5,647,185	Jul. 15, 1997	Forlini
5,365,714	Nov. 22, 1994	Potvin
5,987,829	Nov. 23, 1999	Fisher
5,910,086	Jun. 8, 1999	Fisher
5,970,673	Oct. 26, 1999	Fisher
5,928,052	Jul. 27, 1999	Buscher
5,964,635	Oct. 12, 1999	Krog
6,010,279	Jan. 4, 2000	Taylor-Smith
6,645,033	Nov. 11, 2003	Thomsen

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The idea of inventing Magic Blocks came about because of a personal situation I encountered in my life. I have the equipment and the software to create different things out of paper with the CAD system. I was helping a local program in my area called Building Blocks which works with children that need assistants with developing skills such as motor skills. This program helps children improve their motor skills by having the children play with Lego's and other similar educational toys. Using my background with over 21 years of experience in the packaging and development field, I decided one day, to create a construction blocks game in which the pieces were made out of paper, as a way to help kids to improve their motor skills. The idea of creating a construction block system made entirely out of paper made a lot of sense to me as it posed a great deal of advantages. Paper is a great alternative material to use instead of what is available to the public, more environmental friendly, safer, cheaper and more versatile alternative. I presented my invention to the teachers that ran the Building Blocks program to test the invention, and allowed them the opportunity to use it and have their students play with it.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the Rectangle Block which consists of 6 male locks (FIG. 1 a), 7 female locks (FIG. 2), one of which is a female double lock (FIG. 2 b), 5 panels (FIG. 3), and 4 flaps (FIG. 4). Panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 (FIG. 3) can be folded up or down, depending on which side of the block the user wants to be visible. All the panels must be folded in the same direction in order for them to work properly during construction. The male locks located at the very bottom of the folded block are used during assembly to connect it to a block and/or connector pieces female locks. The female locks (FIG. 2) located on the very top of the folded Rectangle Block create a 1/16 opening allowing the male locks of another block piece to be connected to it. The 4 flaps (FIG. 4) are folded inward and create a clearance for the male locks on the adjacent panels.
FIG. 5 shows a top view of the Square block which consists of 4 male locks (FIG. 5 a), 4 female locks (FIG. 6), 5 panels (FIG. 7), and 4 flaps (FIG. 8). Panels 1,2,3 and 4 (FIG. 7) can be folded up or down, depending on which side of the block the user wants to be visible. All the panels must be folded in the same direction in order for them to work properly during construction. The male locks located at the very bottom of the folded block are used during assembly to connect it to a block and/or connector pieces female locks. The female locks (FIG. 6) located on the very top of the folded Square Block create a 1/16 opening allowing the male locks of another block piece to be connected to it. The 4 flaps (FIG. 8) are folded inward and create a clearance for the male locks on the adjacent panels.
FIG. 9 shows a top view of the Rectangle Connector piece. The Rectangle Connector is made up of 7 female locks (FIG. 9 a), one of which is a female double lock (7). The female locks are used to connect two blocks together in any direction, allowing you to build horizontally whether the blocks are lined up in the same direction, or perpendicular to one another. The female double lock has the ability to hold two male connectors from two separate blocks while in the process connecting them together.
FIG. 10 shows a top view of the Square Connector piece. The Square Connector is made up of 4 female locks (FIG. 10 a). The Square Connector is used in conjunction with the small block to close off corners and the end points of an object.
FIG. 11 shows a top view of the four individual pieces which make up the Magic Blocks game. The Rectangle Block and the Square Block start off flat. Before construction of an object can begin, the user must fold these two blocks along their already scored edges as illustrated in FIG. 11 a. Once the blocks are folded properly, they are then ready to be assembled together to build a 3-dimensional object. The first step to building an object is to create a base. FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the blocks being used to create a base. The blocks are placed upside down, either adjacent or perpendicular to one another. Connect the blocks together using the Rectangle Connector piece, and you have successfully created a base from which to begin building upon. FIG. 12 a illustrates how the blocks are added one on top of another to build vertically. There is no limit to how many blocks you can use to build an object.
There is no limit to the size, shape, width, height or type of object that can be created using U.S. Magic Blocks. FIG. 12 b shows a perspective view of two example objects (robot, house) which were built using the blocks. The blocks generally have a texture printed on their top side. Since they are reversible however, they can be folded with the clear white side facing the outside. This creates an entirely new dimension of creativeness by allowing the user to color/paint an object after it has been built. The creating possibilities are endless.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of the Rectangle Block. It is made up of 5 panels, 6 male locks, 6 female locks, and 1 female double lock.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the Rectangle Blocks male locks, labeled 1-6. These locks connect Rectangle Block to other blocks by inserting themselves and locking into the female locks on which they are placed into.

FIG. 1C is a top view of the Rectangle Block's male lock including its measurements and specifications.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the Rectangle Block's Female Locks, labeled 1-6. These female locks act as place holders for the male locks of the blocks being placed on top of them.

FIG. 2B: is a top view of a Rectangle Block's single Female Lock, including its measurements and specifications.

FIG. 2C is a top view of the Rectangle Block's Female Double Lock, including measurements and specifications. The Female Double Block is able to hold two Male Locks simultaneously.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the Rectangle Block's different panels, labeled 1-5. These panels are folded down turning the flat block into a 3-dimensional block.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the Rectangle Block's center panel, labeled 5. Each of the four other panels attach to the sides of this center panel.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the Rectangle Block's panels 2 & 4 specifications.

FIG. 3D is a top view of the Rectangle Block's panels 1 & 3 specifications.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the Rectangle Block's Fold Down Flaps, labeled 1-4.

FIG. 4B is a top view of the Rectangle Block's single Fold Down Flap Specification.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the Rectangle Block folded from a flat piece to a 3-dimensional piece.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the Rectangle Block's folded from a flat piece to a 3-dimensional piece. (with hidden lines visible)

FIG. 5A is a top view of the Square Block. This Block consists of 5 panels, 4 male locks, and 4 female locks.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the Square Block's Male Locks, labeled 1-4. These locks connect the Square Block to other blocks by inserting themselves and locking into the female locks on which they are placed into.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the Square Block's male lock specifications.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the Square Block's female locks, labeled 1-4. These female locks act as place holders for the male locks of the blocks being placed on top of them.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the Square Block's female lock specifications.

FIG. 7A is a top view of the Square Block's panels, labeled 1-5. These panels are folded down turning the flat block into a 3-dimensional block.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the Square Block's center panel, labeled 5. Each of the four other panels attach to the sides of this center panel.

FIG. 7C is a top view of the Square Block's

panels

1,2,3, & 4 specifications.

FIG. 8A is a top view of the Square Block's Fold Down Flaps, labeled 1-4.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the Square Block's Fold Down Flap specifications.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the Square Block folded from a flat piece into a 3-dimensional piece.

FIG. 8D is a perspective view of the Square Block folded from a flat piece into a 3-dimensional piece. (with hidden lines visible)

FIG. 9A is a top view of the Rectangle Connector piece. This piece is made up of 6 female locks, and one female double lock.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the Rectangle Connector's female locks, labeled 1-6, and one female double lock, labeled 7.

FIG. 9C is a top view of the Rectangle Connector's female lock specifications.

FIG. 9D is a top view of the Rectangle Connector's female double lock specifications.

FIG. 10A is a top view of the Square Connector.

FIG. 10B is a top view of the Square Connector's female locks, labeled 1-4.

FIG. 10C is a top view of the Square Connector's female lock specifications.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a Rectangle Block and a Square Block folded and placed upside down. Once they are placed aside one another, they are connected together by a Rectangle Connector piece. The purpose of doing this is to create a base on which to build upon.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the Rectangle Block and the Square Block being connected by a Rectangle connector piece, forming a base on which to build upon.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a Rectangle Block being added to the base that was created in FIG. 11B. When attaching Block Pieces onto the base, they are done so with the male locks facing down, so they insert into the female locks of the base and connector pieces, securing themselves in the process.

FIG. 11D is the same as FIG. 11C, only taken a step further. Additional blocks are assembled on top of one another allowing you to build vertically.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example object, a robot, that was built using Magic Blocks.

ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several advantages of my invention are:

- (a) they are made from 100% biodegradable paper and do not contain plastics or any other chemicals.
- (b) they provide limitless benefits for a child's physical, social, creative and intellectual development.
- (c) extremely safe, lightweight, yet strong and assemble easily.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows a top view of the Rectangle Block which consists of 6 male locks (FIG. 1B), 7 female locks (FIG. 2A), one of which is a female double lock (FIG. 2C), 5 panels (FIG. 3A), and 4 flaps (FIG. 4A). Panels 1,2,3 and 4 (FIG. 3A) can be folded up or down, depending on which side of the block the user wants to be visible. All the panels must be folded in the same direction, up or down, in order for them to work properly during construction. The male locks located at the very bottom of the folded block are used during assembly to connect it to a block and/or connector piece's female locks. The female locks (FIG. 2A) located on the very top of the folded Rectangle Block create a 1/16 opening allowing the male locks of another block piece to be connected to it. The 4 flaps (FIG. 4A) are folded inward and create a clearance for the male locks on the adjacent panels.
FIG. 5 shows a top view of the Square block which consists of 4 male locks (FIG. 5B), 4 female locks (FIG. 6A), 5 panels (FIG. 7A), and 4 flaps (FIG. 8A). Panels 1,2,3 and 4 (FIG. 7A) can be folded up or down, depending on which side of the block the user wants to be visible. All the panels must be folded in the same direction in order for them to work properly during construction. The male locks located at the very bottom of the folded block are used during assembly to connect it to a block and/or connector pieces female locks. The female locks (FIG. 6A) located on the very top of the folded Square Block create a 1/16 opening allowing the male locks of another block piece to be connected to it. The 4 flaps (FIG. 8A) are folded inward and create a clearance for the male locks on the adjacent panels.
FIG. 9A shows a top view of the Rectangle Connector piece. The Rectangle Connector is made up of 7 female locks (FIG. 9B), one of which is a female double lock (7). The female locks are used to connect two blocks together in any direction, allowing you to build horizontally whether the blocks are lined up in the same direction, or perpendicular to one another. The female double lock has the ability to hold two male connectors from two separate blocks while in the process connecting them together.
FIG. 10A shows a top view of the Square Connector piece. The Square Connector is made up of 4 female locks (FIG. 10B) The Square Connector is used in conjunction with the small block to close off corners and the end points of an object.
Once the blocks are folded properly, they are then ready to be assembled together to build a 3-dimensional object. The first step to building an object is to create a base. FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a Rectangle Block and a Square Block folded and placed upside down. This is the first step in the base creation process. The two blocks are then connected together with a large connector (FIG. 11B). This series of steps can then be repeated over and over again until the desired result is achieved. Once the base has been created, you can begin building vertically. Blocks can begin to be connected to the base as shown in FIG. 11C. Additional blocks can be added continuously on top of one another as illustrated in FIG. 11D.
There is no limit to the size, shape, width, height or type of object that can be created using Magic Blocks. FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a robot created by using the blocks. The blocks generally have a texture printed on their top side. Since they are reversible however, they can be folded with the clear white side facing the outside. This creates an entirely new dimension of creativeness by allowing the user to color/paint an object after it has been built. The create possibilities are endless.

Claims

1) A fully functional and unique construction block game consisting of:

a) a Rectangle Block made up of 6 male locks, 7 female locks, one of which is a double lock, 5 panels, and 4 flaps.

b) a Square Block made up of 4 male locks, 7 female locks, 5 panels, and 4 flaps.

c) a Rectangle Connector comprised of 7 female locks, one of which is a double lock.

d) a Square Connector comprised of 4 female locks.

e) a construction block system designed to work with cardboard with a thickness ranging from 0.016-0.030; on plastic sheets with a thickness range of 0.016-0.050; and on corrugated board with a thickness range of 0.125-0.375 (E-flute). That includes Micro Flutes A,B,C, and E.

2) One type of male lock used by the Square Block and the Rectangle Block that is capable of:

a) connecting into any type of female lock and securing itself.

3) Three different types of female locks including:

a) a single female lock able to hold one male lock.

b) a double female lock able to hold two male locks simultaneously.

c) a female lock located on the top side of both the Square and the Rectangle blocks that is score attached.

4) Trapezoidal shaped female locks used to:

a) provide the male locks with an easy way to connect into the female locks using the wider side of the trapezoidal opening.

b) provide a way for the male locks to secure themselves into the female locks they are being connected into by having them shift from the wider side of the trapezoidal female lock opening to the slightly shorter side once they are connected, securing its location in the process.

5) A trapezoidal shaped female double lock that:

a) provides an easy way for the two male locks placed into it to slide in and out, while also enabling them to be secured at the same time by shifting from the wider side, to the slightly shorter side.

6) One type of flap located on the Square Block and the Rectangle Block that:

a) provides stability and strength when building simple objects.

b) provides stability and strength when building complex objects that require a large amount of blocks stacked on top of one another.

c) provides a clearance for the male locks allowing them to connect and secure themselves into the score attached female locks.

7) A construction block system that:

a) uses a Rectangle Block and a Square Block that are foldable along its scored edges.

b) uses 4 symmetrical pieces designed and cut to correspond perfectly with one another in a variety of different ways.

c) uses 4 symmetrical pieces that are 100% reversible, meaning they can be folded and assembled in either direction.

c) are capable of being used to build 3-dimensional objects in which the outside shell can be completely closed in all directions.