US20150024654A1

US20150024654A1 - Assembly and toy to be assembled using same

Info

Publication number: US20150024654A1
Application number: US14/367,941
Authority: US
Inventors: Yong-Hwan Kim
Original assignee: Arthouse Co Ltd
Current assignee: Arthouse Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-07
Publication date: 2015-01-22
Also published as: KR101140326B1; DE112013000883T5; CN103998106A; WO2013119055A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly (100) for selectively coupling the portions between the parts of a toy configured of a plurality of parts which are coupled to one another. The present invention comprises: a housing (110) defining an installation space (S) therein; and a coupling block (130) rotatably inserted in the installation space (S), and having a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces (140), at least a portion of which project outward from the installation space (S), wherein a coupling head (145) is disposed to project at one end of each of the coupling pieces (140) to thereby reduce the space between two adjacent coupling pieces (140). Thus, according to the present invention, through resilient deformation of the coupling pieces (140) of the assembly (100), parts are assembled together without the use of magnets in order to provide a relatively safe toy for infants. Also, due to the omission of magnetic parts, the manufacturing cost of the assembly (100) can be reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an assembly unit, and more particularly, to an assembly unit which allows two components to be easily attached to and detached from each other through fitting and an assembly toy using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, assembly units which are used for coupling a plurality of components together have a variety of assembly structures. Such assembly units are used in a variety of fields, including assembly toys which are required to be easy to assemble and disassemble.
Assembly toys refer to toys each consisting of several shapes of components such that children can play with while fitting together or disassembling them. Assembly toys are made of a variety of materials, such as paper, wood, metal and plastic. Some assembly toys are assembled using an adhesive or the like such that components are not separated from each other. Some assembly toys are assembled via fitting or magnets without using an adhesive (Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2001-0033782).
Recently, toys in which components can firmly maintain the coupled state using separate magnets together with or apart from fitting are being developed.
However, the above-mentioned related art has the following problems.
Since components are coupled together using magnets in the related art, they are not assembled when the poles of magnets are not properly abutted to each other, which is problematic. In order to overcome this problem, one component includes a magnet, whereas another component includes a metal piece. In this case, however, there is a problem in that the degree of freedom of assembly is low since a component including a metal piece must be coupled with a component including a magnet.
Although axial coupling force between magnets or between a magnet and a metal piece may be strong, coupling force in the perpendicular direction is relatively weak. Thus, the components may easily slip in the perpendicular direction. This consequently makes it difficult to maintain a preset angle between the components or to alter the assembled shape into a variety of other forms, which are problematic.
In some cases, two components must be assembled at a variety of angles as required by children users. Once the components are fitted together at an angle, the coupled components are required to stay at that angle. It is difficult, however, to concurrently satisfy these requirements.
Since the magnets or metal pieces as described above may be harmful to the human body, the magnets or metal pieces must not be separated from corresponding components of an assembly toy. In general, the magnets or metal pieces are fixed to the components using an adhesive or insert injection is carried out in order to prevent the magnets or metal pieces from being separated from the components.
However, if the adhesive leaks, it may be harmful to children users. The insert injection requires a separate injection mold, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of assembly toys, which is problematic. The magnet components also increase the manufacturing costs, which is also problematic.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the related art, and therefore an aspect of the present invention is to allow components to be coupled together through fitting without magnets and be deformed at a variety of angles in the coupled state.
Another aspect of the present invention is to allow two components to be easily attached to and detached from each other and to be in close contact with each other without gaps in the coupled state.

Technical Solution

According to a feature of the present invention, provided is an assembly unit which may include a housing having defined therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces. At least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protrudes from the installation space. Coupling heads are provided on preset ends of the coupling pieces so as to protrude in the direction of an imaginary centerline. The imaginary centerline passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
A gear section may be provided on the edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a preset angle. The gear section may be formed around the edge of an exit of the installation space, the width of the gear section decreasing in the direction toward one end that protrudes most.
In addition, the coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the protruding ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
Furthermore, each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the direction from the outermost upper end of the housing which protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces. The bottom surface of each of the coupling heads which faces an inner circumference of the installation space may have a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumference of the installation space.
In addition, the cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have the shape of an arc, the width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the imaginary centerline. The housing may be cylindrically shaped. The disk-like shape of block body of the coupling block corresponds to that of the installation space.
Furthermore, the block body of the coupling block may have a connecting rib which connects fixed ends of the plurality of coupling pieces. A shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the housing. The shield plate may be inserted and coupled through a coupling slit which is formed in the housing.
In addition, the coupling slit of the housing may be implemented as a pair of coupling slits. The shield plate is inserted through one of the coupling slits. One end of the inserted shield plate is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits.
Furthermore, the shield plate may have coupling protrusions on the outer circumference thereof. The housing may have a press-fit rib on an outer surface thereof.
According to another feature of the present invention, provided is an assembly toy that may include a plurality of components which form parts of a human, an animal or an object. The components are to be selectively coupled with each other such that a variety of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the components or changing a coupling structure of the components. The components include assembly units having an equal configuration and are coupled with each other by fitting. The components include body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal, whereby a posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type of the animal is varied through replacement of the individual components. Each of the assembly units includes a housing having defined therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.
Coupling heads may protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction toward an imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to each other so as to reduce a space between the two coupling pieces. The pair of assembly units are coupled with each other as the coupling pieces of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit while the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit are being inserted between the coupling heads.
In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend. The gear section is configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle. The coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the exposed predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
Furthermore, each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has the shape of an arc, the width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.
In addition, a shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the housing.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, a plurality of components are selectively coupled or decoupled using assembly units, thereby forming a variety of shapes, such as a human, an animal or an object. Advantageously, the creativity of children can be enhanced by the diversity of shapes that are realized through assembly of the components, and children can more easily assemble the components since there are no press-fitting structures.
In addition, according to the present invention, the components are assembled together through elastic deformation of the coupling pieces of the assembly units without magnets.
It is therefore possible to provide toys that are safer and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the assembly units since magnet components are precluded.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the coupling pieces are freely rotated and assembled together free from the direction of the assembly units while the assembly units are being coupled. This consequently facilitates the assembly process. Due to this characteristic, the assembly units which are fitted into individual components can have the same structure. It is therefore possible to reduce the overall manufacturing cost of a toy compared to that of a toy in which assembly units have different shapes.
In addition, according to the present invention, the gear section provided on the housing of the assembly unit engages with the gear section of the counterpart component. The assembled components can stay at a preset angle without freely rotating with respect to each other, thereby increasing the coupling force between the components. It is also possible to maintain the assembled state as required by an assembler.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the assembly units are coupled with each other through elastic deformation of elastic pieces of the assembly units, and a plurality of elastic pieces are firmly engaged with each other. It is therefore possible to more firmly maintain the coupling between the components.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an assembly unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the assembly unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (b) are a side elevation view and a top plan view respectively showing the configuration according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a pair of assembly units according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the pair of assembly units according to an embodiment of the present invention which are coupled with each other;

FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b) are perspective views respectively showing the shapes of a toy at different angles, the toy being assembled using assembly units according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) are perspective views respective showing shapes in which different leg components and head components are assembled to body components using assembly units according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b) are operational state views showing shapes in which the angle of a leg component is changed, the leg component being coupled to a body component using an assembly unit according to the present invention.

BEST MODE

According to the present invention, provided is an assembly unit which may include a housing having defined therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces. At least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protrudes from the installation space. Coupling heads are provided on preset ends of the coupling pieces so as to protrude in the direction of an imaginary centerline. The imaginary centerline passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a preset angle. The gear section may be formed around the edge of an exit of the installation space, the width of the gear section decreasing in the direction toward one end that protrudes most.
The coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the protruding ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
In addition, each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the direction from the outermost upper end of the housing which protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces.
Furthermore, the bottom surface of each of the coupling heads which faces an inner circumference of the installation space may have a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumference of the installation space. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have the shape of an arc, the width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the imaginary centerline.
In addition, the housing may be cylindrically shaped. The disk-like shape of block body of the coupling block corresponds to that of the installation space. The block body of the coupling block may have a connecting rib which connects fixed ends of the plurality of coupling pieces.
Furthermore, a shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the housing. The shield plate may be inserted and coupled through a coupling slit which is formed in the housing.
In addition, the coupling slit of the housing may be implemented as a pair of coupling slits. The shield plate is inserted through one of the coupling slits. One end of the inserted shield plate is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits. The shield plate may have coupling protrusions on the outer circumference thereof.
Furthermore, the housing may have a press-fit rib on an outer surface thereof.
According to another feature of the present invention, provided is an assembly toy that may include a plurality of components which form parts of a human, an animal or an object. The components are to be selectively coupled with each other such that a variety of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the components or changing a coupling structure of the components. The components include assembly units having an equal configuration and are coupled with each other by fitting. The components include body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal, whereby a posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type of the animal is varied through replacement of the individual components. Each of the assembly units includes a housing having defined therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.
Coupling heads may protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction toward an imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to each other so as to reduce a space between the two coupling pieces. The pair of assembly units are coupled with each other as the coupling pieces of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit while the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit are being inserted between the coupling heads.
In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend. The gear section is configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle.
Furthermore, the coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the exposed predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly units are assembled to each other.
In addition, each of the coupling heads of the coupling block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces. The cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has the shape of an arc, the width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.
Furthermore, a shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the housing.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a specific embodiment of an assembly unit and an assembly toy using the same according to the present invention in conjunction of the accompanying drawings. In the following, individual assembly components of an animal-shaped toy having leg components or wheel components will be described by way of example.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an assembly unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the assembly unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side elevation view and a top plan view respectively showing the configuration according to the present invention.
As shown in the figures, an assembly unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as the “assembly unit”) is fixed to each of components of an assembly toy, such as a body component 210, a leg component and a head component 250, such that individual components can be coupled with each other.
The outer shape and frame of the assembly unit 100 are defined by a housing 110. The housing 110 has an installation space S therein, and is fixedly fitted into an installation recess (not shown) which is formed in each of components of the toy.
As shown in the figure, the housing 110 has substantially the shape of a cylinder. The installation space S has the shape of a cylinder corresponding to that of the housing 110, and both ends of the installation space S are opened. A coupling block 130 which will be described later is accommodated in the installation space S. An open portion that is at a lower side in FIG. 2 is referred to as an entrance, an open portion that is at an upper side in FIG. 2 is referred to as an exit.
Coupling slits 112 are formed on in outer surface 111 of the housing 110. The coupling slits 112 are portions through which a shield plate 150 which will be described later is to be inserted. According to this embodiment, as shown in the figures, the lower portion of the housing 110 is opened so as to communicate with the installation space S.
The housing 110 may have a pair of coupling slits 112. In this case, the shield plate 150 is inserted through one of the coupling slits 112, and the leading end of the inserted shield plate 150 is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits 112.
A press-fit rib 113 is formed on the outer surface 111 of the housing 110. The press-fit rib 113 can be press-fitted while the housing 110 is being inserted into the installation recess of a toy component. A plurality of press-fit ribs may be formed around the outer surface 111 of the housing 110. When the housing 110 is coupled with an insert recess via an adhesive, the press-fit rib 113 may serve to provide a space where the adhesive can stay without flowing from the insert recess.
A gear section 120 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 110. The gear section 120 is exposed to the outside when the assembly unit 100 is inserted into the insert recess of the toy component. As shown in the figure, the gear section 120 has substantially the shape of a gear.
The gear section 120 engages with a gear section 120 of a counterpart assembly unit 100 such that an angle at which the two sections engage with each other can be maintained. That is, the gear section 120 prevents a pair of assembly units 100 from freely rotating in the state in which the assembly units are coupled using the elastic force of the coupling blocks 130.
Of course, the gear sections 120 also act to increase coupling force since the area where the pair of assembly units 100 engage with each other is also increased by the gear sections 120.
The gear section 120 is configured such that the width thereof is decreased in the direction toward the upper end, thereby facilitating engagement with the gear section 120 of the counterpart assembly unit 100.
Reference will now be made to the coupling block 130. The coupling block 130 is a section that enables coupling between the assembly units 100. The coupling block 130 is accommodated in the installation space S of the housing 110 and is maintained in a rotatable state. With this, the coupling block 130 can freely rotate in the direction in which the coupling block 130 can engage with a corresponding coupling block while the pair of assembly units 100 are being coupled with each other.
The coupling block 130 includes a block body 131, coupling pieces 140 and coupling heads 145. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the block body 131 has the shape of a disk corresponding to the installation space S. The coupling pieces 140 are provided on the upper surface of the block body 131. Since the block body 131 is fastened to the edge of the exit of the installation space S, the coupling block 130 can be prevented from being separated out of the exit.
A plurality of the coupling pieces 140 is provided. Each of the coupling pieces 140 has the shape of a cantilever which protrudes from one surface of the block body 131 and is elastically deformable. Specifically, each of the coupling pieces 140 includes a fixed end which is fixed to the block body 131 and a free end which extends from the fixed end such that each of the coupling pieces 140 is elastically deformable. Although two coupling pieces 140 are provided according to this embodiment, three or four coupling pieces can be provided.
The coupling heads 145 are respectively provided on the free ends of the coupling pieces 140. Each of the coupling heads 145 has a curved outer surface 147. The coupling heads 145 are greater than the coupling pieces 140, and serve to reduce the space between the two adjacent coupling pieces 140.
More specifically, the coupling heads 145 protrude in the central direction of the installation space S (the direction of an imaginary centerline A that passes through the center of the coupling block 130 and extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units 100 are assembled together) and opposite directions perpendicular to the central direction (directions facing toward the adjacent other coupling heads 145).
In other words, the coupling heads 145 protrude toward the center of the installation space S while protruding in opposite directions away from the inner circumference of the installation space S, thereby reducing the space between the adjacent two coupling pieces 140.
Accordingly, the coupling heads 145 interfere with each other in the process of being assembled with a counterpart assembly unit 100 so that the coupling pieces 140 can be elastically deformed. When the coupling pieces 140 which have been elastically deformed are restored to the original shape, the coupling heads 145 which are provided on a pair of different assembly units 100 are fastened to each other, thereby preventing the pair of assembly units 100 from being separated from each other.
Accordingly, in the process in which the pair of assembly units 100 are coupled with each other, the coupling heads 145 are inserted into the space between the two coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100. In this process, the coupling pieces 140 are elastically deformed. The coupling pieces 140 are elastically deformed since the space between the pair of adjacent coupling heads 145 is smaller than the greatest cross-sectional area of each of the coupling heads 145.
Referring to the shape of each of the coupling heads 145 in more detail, each of the coupling heads 145 has a curved outer surface. Here, the cross-section of each of the coupling heads increases and the degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increases in the direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to the lower end that faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece 140 of the coupling pieces 140.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the cross-section of each of the coupling heads 145 has the shape of an arc, the width of which decreases in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the imaginary centerline.
This is intended to allow the coupling heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 to smoothly slide in contact with the coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 so that the coupling heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 can be introduced between the coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 in the process in which the pair of different assembly units 100 are being coupled with each other. Of course, this operation is possible since the coupling blocks 130 are provided so as to be rotatable inside the installation space S.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the coupling head 145 that faces the block body 131 of the coupling block 130 is formed as an inclined surface or a curved surface. Due to the inclined surface or the curved surface, the coupling heads 145 which are fastened to each other can be easily separated from each other in the process in which the pair of assembly units 100 are separated from each other.
In addition, a connecting rib 135 is provided on the upper surface of the block body 131. The connecting rib 135 connects the fixed ends of the coupling pieces 140 with each other, and is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the block body 131. The connecting rib 135 serves to prevent the coupling pieces 140 which are repeatedly subjected to elastic deformation from being plastically deformed while reinforcing strength.
The housing 110 is provided with the shield plate 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the shield plate 150 is substantially plate-shaped, and is inserted through one of the coupling slits 112 of the housing 110 to support the coupling block 130 from below, thereby preventing the coupling block 130 from being separated from the installation space S of the housing 110.
More specifically, the shield plate 150 is inserted through one coupling slit 112 of the pair of coupling slits 112, and one end of the shield plate 150 is fastened to the other coupling slit 112 of the pair of coupling slits 112.
Coupling protrusions 155 are provided on the outer surface of the shield plate 150. The coupling protrusions 155 are provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of the shield plate 150 such that the coupling protrusions 155 can be pressed inward during the process in which the assembly unit 100 is inserted into the insert recess of a toy component.
Although not shown, the shield plate 150 may be omitted. More specifically, the assembly unit can be manufactured through double injection molding or insert injection so as to be the assembly unit can be manufactured in the state in which the coupling block 130 is accommodated in the housing 110. In this case, no shield plate 150 is required since the housing 110 can be formed such that the bottom portion thereof is narrow.
With reference to the figures, the process in which two assembly units are coupled with each other will now be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a pair of assembly units according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the pair of assembly units according to an embodiment of the present invention which are coupled with each other.
Substantially, the pair of assembly units 100 are respectively fixed to separate toy components which form one toy, for example, a body component 310 (see FIG. 7) and a leg component 320 (see FIG. 7) such that the toy components can be coupled with each other. However, descriptions of the toy components will be omitted, and for the sake of convenience, an example in which the assembly units 100 are directly coupled with each other will be described.
As shown in the figures, when a user moves the pair of assembly units 100 in the direction toward each other, the coupling heads 145 which are provided in the coupling blocks 130 of the pair of assembly units 100 are brought into contact with each other.
The coupling heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 are required to cross the coupling heads 145 of the other assembly unit 100 at right angles. Specifically, the coupling heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 are required to be inserted into the space between the coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100. FIG. 4 shows this state of crossing at right angles.
However, although the pairs of coupling heads 145 are not set in the direction of crossing at right angles, the two pairs of coupling heads 145 can rotate in suitable directions with respect to each other without being set by the user in the assembly process.
This is because the two pairs of coupling heads 145 slide on each other while interfering with each other, thereby rotating the coupling blocks 130 with respect to each other, since the outer surfaces of the coupling heads 145 are curved.
In particular, since the cross-section of each of the coupling heads 145 increases and the degree by which each of the coupling heads 145 protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increases in the direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of the corresponding coupling piece 140, and the cross-section of each of the coupling heads 145 has the shape of an arc, the width thereof decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the imaginary centerline, the cross-section is curved at any angles. Accordingly, the above-mentioned sliding can be naturally carried out.
In the state in which the coupling blocks 130 are suitably positioned through rotation, when the user pushes the two assembly units 100 in the direction toward each other, the coupling heads 145 of one of the assembly units 100 are put into the space between the two coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100.
Since the space between the two adjacent coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly 100 is smaller than the size of the coupling heads 145, the coupling piece 140 are elastically deformed in the direction of increasing the space between the two coupling heads 145 in this process. After the coupling heads 145 are put into the space between the two coupling heads 140 of the counterpart assembly unit 100, the coupling heads 140 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 are restored to the original shape, thereby completing coupling.
Concurrently, the gear section 120 of the housing 110 engages with the gear section 120 of the housing of the counterpart assembly 100.
Consequently, the coupling heads 145 are put under the two coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 and then are fastened to the coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100, thereby completing the coupling between the two assembly units 100.
Next, the processes of assembling and deforming an assembly toy which includes assembly units will be described in detail with reference to the figures.
FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b) are perspective views respectively showing the shapes of a toy at different angles, the toy being assembled using assembly units according to the present invention.
As shown in these figures, an assembly toy 200 includes a body component 210 and a head component 250. The body component 210 forms an animal-shaped body, and the head component 250 forms the shape of the head of an animal.
The head component 250 can be coupled to the body component 210 at a variety of angles. The coupling of the head component 250 and the body component 210 can be carried out through the above-described assembly units 100. More specifically, a plurality of assembly units 100 a to 100 d are fixed to the body component 210, and corresponding assembly units (not shown) are fixed to the head component 250. The head component 250 and the body component 210 can be coupled with each other through engagement between these assembly units.
Since the body component 210 includes the plurality of assembly units 100 a to 100 d, the head component 250 can be coupled with the body component 210 at a position corresponding to one of the assembly units 100 a to 100 d. Accordingly, the head component 250 can be coupled with the body component 210 at a variety of coupling angles.
FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) are perspective views respective showing shapes in which different leg components and head components are assembled to body components using assembly units according to the present invention.
As shown in these figures, an assembly toy 300 includes a body component 310, leg components 320, a tail component 330 and a head component 350. Assembly units 100 are fixed to these components.
For reference, the body component 310 includes a total of nine assembly units 100. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), among the nine assembly units 100, four leg components 320 and one tail component 330 are assembled to five assembly units 100, and the remaining four assembly units 100 a to 100 d are exposed.
In this case, the user can be couple other components to the body component 310. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the user can couple leg components 320′ and a tail component 330′, which are different from those shown in FIG. 7 (a), to the body component 310, and add a head component 250 to the body component.
FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b) are operational state views showing shapes in which the angle of a leg component is changed, the leg component being coupled to a body component using an assembly unit according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b), leg components 420 are coupled to a body component 410 of an animal-shaped assembly toy 400. The body component 410 includes a plurality of assembly units 100, in which assembly units (not shown) of different leg components 420 are coupled to these four assembly units 100. For reference, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), two assembly units 100 a and 100 b of the assembly units 100 of the body component 410 are exposed without being coupled.
The user can rotate the leg components 420 with respect to the body component 210. The assembly components 100 of the leg components 420 and the assembly components 100 of the body component 410, which are coupled with each other, can be rotated with respect to each other without being separated from each other. This is because the coupling block 130 of the assembly unit 100 is rotatably coupled to the housing 110.
In addition, since the gear sections 120 provided in the housings 110 of the two assembly units 100 are engaged with each other, the user is required to rotate the two components 410 and 420 with respect to each other with a force that can disengage the engaged gear sections 120.
Then, the two gear sections 120 are fixedly engaged with each other at a new angle in the state in which the two assembly units 100 are rotated with respect to each other, and thus the new coupling angle between the two components 410 and 420 can be maintained. In FIG. 7 (b), the angle of the leg component 420 is shown as being rotated counterclockwise.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to the certain embodiments that have been described above but shall be defined by the appended Claims. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that a variety of alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope defined by the Claims.
Although the component assembly units have been described as being applied to a toy by way of example in the foregoing embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The assembly units can be applied to a variety of fields, such as furniture components or machine components, in which two or more components are selectively coupled together.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to an assembly unit which allows two components to be easily attached to and detached from each other through fitting and an assembly toy using the same. According to the present invention, the components are assembled together through elastic deformation of the coupling pieces of the assembly units without magnets. It is therefore possible to provide safer toys to children. Since magnet components are precluded, the manufacturing cost of the assembly units is advantageously reduced.

Claims

1. An assembly unit used for coupling components together, comprising:

a housing having defined therein an installation space; and

a coupling block rotatably accommodated in the installation space, wherein the coupling block comprises a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space, wherein

coupling heads protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling pieces that face an outside of the installation space such that a space between the coupling pieces is reduced.

2. The assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling heads on the coupling pieces protrude in a direction toward a center of the installation space and concurrently protrude in opposite directions so as to face each other, whereby a space between a pair of adjacent coupling heads of the coupling heads is smaller than a greatest cross-section of the coupling heads.

3. The assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein a gear section is provided on an edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle.

4. The assembly unit according to claim 3, wherein the gear section is formed around an edge of an exit of the installation space, a width of the gear section decreasing in a direction toward one end that protrudes most.

5. The assembly unit according to claim 4, wherein the coupling block comprises:

a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space;

the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body; and

the coupling heads protruding from the exposed predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction toward the center of the installation space.

6. The assembly unit according to claim 5, wherein each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has a curved outer surface, a cross-section of each of the coupling heads and a degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the center of the installation space increasing in a direction from an outermost upper end of the housing which protrudes outward to a lower end which faces a fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces.

7. The assembly unit according to claim 6, wherein the cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has a shape of an arc, a width of the arc decreasing in a direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.

8. The assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein a bottom surface of each of the coupling heads which faces the block body of the coupling block comprises an inclined surface or a curved surface.

9. The assembly unit according to claim 8, wherein the bottom surface of each of the coupling heads which faces an inner circumference of the installation space comprises a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumference of the installation space.

10. The assembly unit according to claim 9, wherein the housing is cylindrically shaped, and wherein the disk-like shape of block body of the coupling block corresponds to that of the installation space.

11. The assembly unit according to claim 10, wherein the block body of the coupling block has a connecting rib which connects fixed ends of the plurality of coupling pieces.

12. The assembly unit according to claim 11, wherein a shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated is coupled with a portion of the housing.

13. The assembly unit according to claim 12, wherein the shield plate is inserted and coupled through a coupling slit which is formed in the housing.

14. The assembly unit according to claim 13, wherein the coupling slit of the housing comprises a pair of coupling slits, wherein the shield plate is inserted through one of the coupling slits, and one end of the inserted shield plate is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits.

15. The assembly unit according to claim 14, wherein the shield plate comprises coupling protrusions on an outer circumference thereof.

16. The assembly unit according to claim 15, wherein the housing has a press-fit rib on an outer surface thereof.

17. An assembly toy comprising a plurality of components which form parts of a human, an animal or an object,

wherein the components are to be selectively coupled with each other such that a variety of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the components or changing a coupling structure of the components,

wherein the components comprise assembly units having an equal configuration and are coupled with each other by fitting,

wherein the components comprise body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal, whereby a posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type of the animal is varied through replacement of the individual components, and

wherein each of the assembly units comprises:

a housing having defined therein an installation space; and

a coupling block rotatably accommodated in the installation space, wherein the coupling block comprises a plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.

18. The assembly toy according to claim 17, wherein coupling heads protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling pieces so as to reduce a space between the two coupling pieces, whereby a pair of assembly units are coupled with each other as the coupling pieces of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit while the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit are being inserted between the coupling heads.

19. The assembly toy according to claim 17, wherein a gear section is provided on an edge of an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle.

20. The assembly toy according to claim 19, wherein the coupling block comprises:

a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the installation space;

the coupling heads protruding from the exposed predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in a direction toward a center of the installation space, thereby reducing a space between the two coupling pieces.

21. The assembly toy according to claim 20, wherein each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has a curved outer surface, wherein a cross-section of each of the coupling heads and a degree by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the center of the installation space increasing in a direction from an outermost upper end which protrudes outward to a lower end which faces a fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces, and wherein the cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block has a shape of an arc, a width of the arc decreasing in a direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.

22. The assembly toy according to claim 21, wherein a shield plate which prevents the coupling block from being separated is coupled with a portion of the housing.