US20200171400A1

US20200171400A1 - Building block

Info

Publication number: US20200171400A1
Application number: US16/696,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Paul FELIX
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-30
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2020-06-04

Abstract

A block set for building models. The block set includes a first cuboid block. The first cuboid block includes stacking surfaces including a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface. The first cuboid block includes side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces for interlocking said first cuboid block to other cuboid blocks by sliding said first cuboid block adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface. A first side surface opposes a second side surface. The first side surface includes a dovetail-shaped proturbance for receipt by a second side surface of a second cuboid block. The second side surface of the first cuboid block defines a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of a third cuboid block.

Description

FIELD

The present application generally relates to building blocks and, in particular, interlocking building blocks.

BACKGROUND

Scale models are often used in engineering, architecture, film making, or hobby modeling for providing physical representations of objects. Such models may be constructed using blocks or pieces having varying characteristics. It is desirable to provide building blocks that can be secured in a position with respect to other building blocks to construct a scale model. It is also desirable to be able to disassemble the collection of building blocks when the scale model is no longer required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cuboid block, in accordance with an example of the present application;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the cuboid block of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a front view and a rear view, respectively of the cuboid block of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a left side view and a right side view, respectively, of the cuboid block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first cuboid block and a second cuboid block interlocked to the first cuboid block, in accordance with another example of the present application;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate perspective views of a cuboid block, in accordance with another example of the present application;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a combination of cuboid blocks, in accordance with an example of the present application;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cuboid block coupled to a façade, in accordance with an example of the present application;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a scale model, in accordance with an example of the present application; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate perspective views of a cuboid block, in accordance with another example of the present application.

Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various examples and aspects of the present application will be described with reference to the details discussed herein. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. Numerous details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of the embodiments of the present application.
The present application describes a block set for building models, the block set including a first cuboid block, the first cuboid block including: stacking surfaces including a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface; and side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces for interlocking said first cuboid block to other cuboid blocks by sliding said first cuboid block adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first staking surface to the second stacking surface, the side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface, and wherein the first side surface of the first cuboid block includes a dovetail-shaped proturbance for receipt by a second side surface of a second cuboid block, and wherein the second side surface of the first cuboid block defines a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of a third cuboid block, the formation tapers in a direction from a center of the first cuboid block towards the second side surface.
Other aspects and features of the present application will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following description of examples in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
In the present application, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are intended to be inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps, or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps, or components.
In the present application, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration”, and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations disclosed herein.
In the present application, the terms “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions. In a non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially” may mean plus or minus 10 percent or less.
In the present application, the term “and/or” is intended to cover all possible combinations and sub-combinations of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements alone, any sub-combination, or all of the elements, and without necessarily excluding additional elements.
In the present application, the phrase “at least one of . . . or . . . ” is intended to cover any one or more of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements alone, any sub-combination, or all of the elements, without necessarily excluding any additional elements, and without necessarily requiring all of the elements.
Many examples described herein relate to building blocks. For example, building blocks may be assembled in combination to represent features of an architectural design or to communicate design ideas. Building blocks described herein may be used for scale models; however, it is contemplated that the building blocks described herein may also be used for 1:1 ratio models or structures. When scale models include numerous building block pieces extending both vertically and horizontally, it may be advantageous to interlock building blocks without use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives. Such improved building blocks have now been devised.
Reference is made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of a cuboid block 100, in accordance with an example of the present application. The cuboid block 100 includes a first stacking surface 102 and a second stacking surface 104. The second stacking surface 104 may be substantially parallel to the first stacking surface 102.
The cuboid block 100 includes side surfaces extending between the first stacking surface 102 and the second stacking surface 104. As will be described herein, the side surfaces may be used for interlocking the cuboid block 100 to other cuboid blocks by sliding said cuboid block 100 adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104, or vice versa.
The cuboid block 100 includes a first side surface 106 and a second side surface 108 opposing the first side surface 106. In some examples, the first side surface 106 may be substantially parallel to the second side surface 108.
The first side surface 106 of the cuboid block 100 may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 for receipt by a second side surface of another (e.g., second) cuboid block. In FIG. 1, two dovetail-shaped proturbances are illustrated in the first side surface 106; however, the first side surface 106 may include any number of dovetail-shaped proturbances.
The second side surface 108 of the cuboid block 100 may define a formation 130 for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of another (e.g., third) cuboid block. The formation 130 may taper in a direction from a center 180 of the cuboid block towards the second side surface 108. In some examples, the center 180 may generally include a hollowed cuboid block core. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the formation 130 of the second side surface 108 may include angled sides to mate with a dovetailed-shaped proturbance of another cuboid block for forming a sliding dovetail joint between said cuboid block 100 and other cuboid blocks. In some examples, the formation 130 may be a void or groove having a dovetail shape.
In some examples, the cuboid block 100 may include an added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 on a third side surface 154 and an added formation 160 on a fourth side surface 152. The third side surface 154 may be opposing the fourth side surface 152. In some examples, the third side surface 154 may be substantially parallel to the fourth side surface 152.
To illustrate features of dovetail-shaped proturbances in the first side surface 106 and formations in the second side surface 108, reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illustrate a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1. The formation 130 of the second side surface 108 may include angled sides. The formation 130 may include a first angled side 134 and a second angled side 136 extending from a formation base 132. The formation 130 may be defined by the first angled side 134, the second angled side 136, and the formation base 132 and, collectively, the formation 130 may taper in a direction from the center 180 of the cuboid block 100 towards the second side surface 108.
The dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 of the first side surface 106 may include a third angled side 124 and a fourth angled side 126 extending from a proturbance base 122. That is, the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 may be defined by the third angled side 124, the fourth angled side 126, and the proturbance base 122, and the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 may taper in a direction from the proturbance base 122 towards the center 180 of the cuboid block.
In some examples, the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 on the first side surface 106 may align with an opposing formation 130 on the second side surface 108 along a longitudinal axis 290. In FIG. 2A, the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 on a left side of the first side surface 106 may align with an opposing formation 130 on a left side of the second side surface 108. That is, the dovetail-shaped proturbance may align with the formation on an opposing side of the illustrated longitudinal axis 290. Similarly, the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 on a right side of the first side surface 106 may align with an opposing formation 130 on a right side of the second side surface 108. That is, the dovetail-shaped proturbance may align with the formation on an opposing side of the illustrated longitudinal axis 290.
Similarly, the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 formed in the third side surface 154 may align with the added formation 160 on the fourth side surface 152. The added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 may align with the added formation 160 on opposing sides of the illustrated lateral axis 292.
The formation base 132, the first angled side 134, and the second angled side 136 may be configured to generally define an acute trapezoid-shaped groove. The acute trapezoid-shaped formation may, for example, have two adjacent acute angles along the formation base 132. Further, the third angled side 124 and the fourth angled side 126 of the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 may be configured such that the proturbance is acute trapezoid-shaped for receipt in the formation 130. Because the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 and the formation 130 are generally acute trapezoid-shaped, it may be challenging to pull interlocked cuboid blocks apart using force having force components at least in the longitudinal axis 290 direction or the lateral axis 292 direction.
The cuboid block 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B includes two dovetail-shaped proturbances along the first side surface 106 and two formations 130 along the second side surface 108. The cuboid block sides having a longer length may include two attachment features An attachment feature may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance or a formation. Further, the cuboid block 100 may include one dovetail-shaped proturbance along the third side surface 154 and one formation along the fourth side surface 152. That is, the cuboid block sides having a shorter length may include one attachment feature. Thus, the cuboid block 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be configured to include two attachment features along a cuboid block side having a longer length and one attachment feature along a cuboid block side having a shorter length.
In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the center 180 may be positioned at a location that is the intersection of (1) a midpoint between the third side surface 154 and the fourth side surface 152; and (2) a midpoint between the first side surface 106 and the second side surface 108. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the dovetail-shaped proturbances along the first side surface 106 may be equidistant from the center 180. Similarly, the formations along the second side surface 108 may be equidistant from the center 180. Further, the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 along the third side surface 154 may be positioned at a location that is a midpoint between the first side surface 106 and the second side surface 108. Similarly, the added formation 160 along the fourth side surface 154 may be positioned at a location that is a midpoint between the first side surface 106 and the second side surface 108.
Accordingly, the positioning of the formations and proturbances can allow the second side surface 108 to be configured to receive (1) an added dovetail-shaped proturbance (along a third side surface) of a second cuboid block in a first formation 130 (e.g., formation on left side of illustrated lateral axis 192) of the cuboid block 100; and (2) an added dovetail-shaped proturbance (along a third side surface) of a third cuboid block in a second formation 130 (e.g., formation on right side of illustrated lateral axis 192). When the proturbances/added proturbances and the formations/added formations are positioned as described above and when a cuboid block is interlocked adjacent another cuboid block, a side surface of one cuboid block will align with a side surface of an adjacent cuboid block, such that side surfaces will not overhang or extend beyond a side surface of an adjacent cuboid block. That is, when cuboid blocks are interlocked adjacent other cuboid blocks, side surfaces can continue from one cuboid block to the next adjacent cuboid block.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which illustrate a front view and a rear view, respectively, of the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates the fourth side surface 152 (FIG. 1), where the fourth side surface 152 includes the added formation 160. In some examples, the added formation 160 may extend from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104 for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance from another cuboid block.
FIG. 3B illustrates the third side surface 154 (FIG. 1), where the third side surface 154 includes the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170. In some examples, the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 may extend from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104. The added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 may be received in a formation of another cuboid block.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which illustrate a left side view and a right side view, respectively, of the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4A illustrates the second side surface 108 which includes the formation 130 extending from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104. In some examples, the formation 130 may be a void or a groove extending from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104, where the void or the groove can have a dovetail shape when viewed looking from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104.
FIG. 4B illustrates the first side surface 106 which includes the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 extending from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104. FIG. 4B also illustrates the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 in the third side surface 154. The added dovetail-shaped proturbance 170 may also extend from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104.
Because the formations and the dovetail-shaped proturbances may extend from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104, each formation 130 in the second side surface 108 of the cuboid block 100 may receive a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of an adjacent cuboid block when: (a) the dovetail-shaped proturbance 120 of the adjacent cuboid block is lined up with the formation 130 of the cuboid block 100; and (b) the adjacent cuboid block slides adjacent the cuboid block 100 in a direction from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104. Accordingly, in the examples illustrated in FIG. 1, 2A to 2B, 3A to 3B, or 4A to 4B, a dovetail joint may be formed when a cuboid block is slid adjacent another cuboid block in a direction from the second stacking surface 104 to the first stacking surface 102 or vice versa. The formed dovetail joints may be desirable for interlocking or joining adjacent building blocks without use of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or other fastening parts.
To illustrate interlocking building blocks of example cuboid blocks described herein, reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates a perspective view of a first cuboid block 100 and a second cuboid block 500 interlocked to the first cuboid block 100. The first cuboid block 100 may be similar to the cuboid block illustrated in FIG. 1.
To interlock the cuboid block 100 with the second cuboid block 500, the first cuboid block 100 may be slid adjacent another cuboid block in a direction from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104, or vice versa, such that one or more dovetail-shaped proturbances on a first side of the second cuboid block 500 are received within the one or more formations 130 of the second side surface 108 in the cuboid block 100. Once the cuboid blocks are interlocked, it may be difficult to pull the cuboid blocks apart using force along the longitudinal axis 290 (FIG. 2A), using force along the lateral axis 292 (FIG. 2A), or using force having a combination of components along both the longitudinal axis 290 and the lateral axis 292. To undo the interlocking joint between the cuboid block 100 and the second cuboid block 500, the cuboid block 100 may slide relative to the second cuboid block 500 in a direction from the first stacking surface 102 to the second stacking surface 104.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which illustrate perspective views of a cuboid block 600, in accordance with another example of the present application. In particular, FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of the variant cuboid block 600. FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the variant cuboid block 600. Various features of the cuboid block 600 may be similar to various features of the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the cuboid block 600 may include a first stacking surface 602 and a second stacking surface 604. The second stacking surface 604 may be substantially parallel to the first stacking surface 602.
The cuboid block 600 may include side surfaces extending between the first stacking surface 602 and the second stacking surface 604. The side surfaces may be used for interlocking the cuboid block 600 to other cuboid blocks by sliding said cuboid block 600 adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface 602 to the second stacking surface 604, or vice versa.
The cuboid block 600 may include a first side surface 606 and a second side surface 608 opposing the first side surface 606. In some examples, the first side surface 606 may be substantially parallel to the second side surface 608. Similar to the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1, the first side surface 606 may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance 620 for receipt by a second side surface of another (e.g., second) cuboid block. The second side surface 608 of the cuboid block 600 may define a formation 630 for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of another (e.g., third) cuboid block. The formation 630 may taper in a direction from a center 680 of the cuboid block towards the second side surface 608.
As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the cuboid block 600 may include one or more stacking projections 682. The one or more stacking projections 682 may protrude from the first stacking surface 602 in a direction perpendicular to the first stacking surface 602. As will be described, when other cuboid block(s) may be stacked on the first stacking surface 602, the one or more stacking projections 682 may be received by a second stacking surface defining recesses in the other cuboid block.
As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the second stacking surface 604 of the cuboid block 600 may define recesses 684 opposing the one or more stacking projections 682 to receive one or more stacking projections from another cuboid block. For example, the recesses 684 may be positioned on the second stacking surface 604 such that each respective recess (on the second stacking surface 604) may align with a respective stacking projection (on the first stacking surface 602). Thus, when stacking surfaces of cuboid blocks are aligned, a respective stacking projection from one cuboid block may be received within a respective recess in another adjacent cuboid block. In some examples, the second stacking surface 604 may define cylindrical recesses having a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of the stacking projections.
When another cuboid block is aligned in substantially similar orientation and is placed atop the cuboid block 600, the one or more stacking projections 682 of the cuboid block 600 may be received within recesses of the another cuboid block (e.g., “top” cuboid block). In this example configuration, the stacked cuboid blocks are secured in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis 690 and a lateral axis 692. That is, when stacking projections are received by corresponding aligned recesses, the “top” cuboid block may not slide relative to the “bottom” cuboid block in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 690 and the lateral axis 692.
In some examples, the one or more stacking projections 682 of the cuboid block 600 may be positioned relative to the opposing one or more recesses 684 such that when a cuboid block is placed atop another cuboid block: (1) the first side surface of the “top” cuboid block aligns with the first side surface of the “bottom” cuboid block; (2) the second side surface of the “top” cuboid block aligns with the second side surface of the “bottom” cuboid block; (3) the third side surface of the “top” cuboid block aligns with the third side surface of the “bottom” cuboid block; and (4) the fourth side surface of the “top” cuboid block aligns with the fourth side surface of the “bottom” cuboid block. That is, the stacking projections 682 relative to the opposing recesses 684 may be positioned to define an alignment position between adjacent and stacked cuboid blocks.
In FIG. 6B, the recesses 684 are cylindrical recesses; however, recesses having other shapes or sizes may be contemplated. For example, the recesses 684 may be rectangular-shaped, triangular-shaped, or any other shape.
In some examples, the stacking projections 682 may be arranged in groups of four stacking projections to form a substantially square shape when seen from a top view. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, four stacking projections 682 being arranged in the substantially square shape may be centered: (1) between the dovetail-shaped proturbance 620 in the first side surface 606 and the formation 630 in the second side surface 608; and (2) between the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 670 in the third side surface 654 and the added formation 660 in the fourth side surface 652.
Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a group of four recesses 684 may be arranged to form a substantially square shape when seen from a bottom view. Further, the group of four recesses 684 may be arranged in the substantially square shape and may be centered: (1) between the dovetail-shaped proturbance 620 in the first side surface 606 and the formation 630 in the second side surface 608; and (2) between the added dovetail-shaped proturbance 670 in the third side surface 654 and the formation 660 in the fourth side surface 652.
Based on the above description of groups of stacking projections and recesses, cuboid blocks may be stacked atop other cuboid blocks in aligned configurations. In one example, a cuboid block may be stacked atop another cuboid block such that respective side surfaces of one cuboid block aligns with a respective side surface of another cuboid block.
In another example, if a cuboid block is stacked atop another cuboid block such that the “top” cuboid block overhangs another cuboid block, the positioning of the stacked cuboid blocks may be constrained by the possible mating of a group of four recesses on one cuboid block with a group of four stacking projections on another cuboid block. That is, in some scenarios, when a “top” cuboid block is placed atop a “bottom” cuboid block at the center 680, a subset of stacking projections of the “bottom” cuboid block may not be received within recesses of the “top” cuboid block.
In some examples, a cuboid block may be stacked atop another cuboid block such that the “top” cuboid block overhangs or is offset from the “bottom” cuboid block by approximately 50% of the length of the first side surface 606/the second side surface 608. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, 50% of the length of the first side surface 606/second side surface 608 may be substantially equal to the length of the third side surface 654/fourth side surface 652.
In other examples, a cuboid block may be stacked atop another cuboid block such that the “top” cuboid block overhangs the “bottom” cuboid block to form a substantially L-shape when viewed from a top view. That is, the “top” cuboid block may be rotated 90 degrees about the center 680 and may be placed atop the “bottom” cuboid block such that stacking projections (of the “bottom” cuboid block) are received within recesses (of the “top” cuboid block).
Based on the above examples, the stacking projections and recesses can be configured such that when a cuboid block is stacked, via a stacking surface, atop another cuboid block, stacking projections from one cuboid block may be received by recesses from another cuboid block. Receipt of stacking projections in respective recesses may decrease the likelihood that stacked cuboid blocks slide relative to each other in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis 690 or the lateral axis 692.
In some examples, such as the cuboid block illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second stacking surface 604 may include two groupings of four recesses 684. Similarly, the first stacking surface 602 may include two groupings of four stacking projections 682. The two groupings of four recesses 684 or the two groups of four stacking projections 682 may exhibit rotational symmetry of order two about the center 680. That is, when the cuboid block 600 may be rotated about the center 680, there can be two positions where the positioning of the grouped stacking projections 682 or the recesses 684 may look the same.
Further, based on the above examples, the combination of grouped stacking projections and grouped recesses can provide for particular cuboid block stacking configurations, such that when grouped stacking projections are received within a corresponding grouped recesses, outer side surfaces of the stacked cuboid blocks may be aligned.
In some examples, the first side surface of a cuboid block may include more than one dovetail-shaped proturbance and the second side surface of the cuboid block may include a corresponding number of formations for receiving dovetail-shaped proturbances from another cuboid block. Further, the third side surface of the cuboid block may include more than one added dovetail-shaped proturbance (not illustrated) and the fourth side surface of the cuboid block may include a corresponding number of formations for receiving dovetail-shaped proturbances from either a third side surface or a first side surface of another cuboid block.
Referring still to FIGS. 6A and 6B, dovetail-shaped proturbances 620 may be spaced apart substantially evenly across the first side surface 606. Similarly, formations 630 defined by the opposing second side surface 608 may be spaced apart substantially evenly across the second side surface 608. That is, the dovetail-shaped proturbances 620 along the first side surface 606 may be equidistant from the center 680, and the formations 630 along the second side surface 606 may be equidistant from the center 680.
When two or more cuboid blocks may be interlocked (e.g., when a dovetail-shaped proturbance is slid into a formation for forming a dovetail joint) or when two or more cuboid blocks may be stacked atop another, the combination of cuboid blocks may form scale models or other structures. In some examples, cuboid blocks may form stepped formations, where a portion of one cuboid block may overhang another cuboid block. Combinations of cuboid blocks described herein may be arranged to interlock for forming dovetail joints and may be stacked to form stacked formations without added adhesives or fasteners.
In some example combinations of cuboid blocks, cuboid blocks may be alternatively stacked where a “top” cuboid block may be stacked atop a “bottom” cuboid block such that the “top” cuboid block may be rotated 180 degrees about the center 680 prior to being stacked atop the “bottom” cuboid block. In this configuration, a second side surface (containing formations 630) of the “top” cuboid block may align with a first side surface (containing dovetail-shaped protrusions) of the “bottom” cuboid block. Accordingly, the dovetail-shaped protrusions of the “bottom” cuboid block may be configured to function as a cantilever arm to the “top” cuboid block. That is, the cantilever arm may appear to extend from the second stacking surface 604 of the “top” cuboid block. When a dovetail-shaped protrusion from a “third” cuboid block is slid adjacent the second side surface of the “top” cuboid block, the “third” cuboid block can be positioned beside the “top” cuboid block without sliding through the formation of the “top” cuboid block. Thus, when stacked cuboid blocks are alternatively rotated 180 degrees about the center 680, the dovetail-shaped proturbances of a “bottom” cuboid block can operate as a stopgap or floor for formations of a “top” cuboid block.
In some examples, stacked cuboid blocks may be stacked in a staggered or stepped formation. To illustrate features of the cuboid blocks, reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates a side view of a combination of cuboid blocks, in accordance with an example of the present application. Although three cuboid blocks are illustrated in FIG. 7, any number of cuboid blocks may be combined in accordance with the features described herein. The combined cuboid blocks may include a first cuboid 794, a second cuboid block 796, and a third cuboid block 798. The first cuboid block 794, the second cuboid block 796, and the third cuboid block 798 may be similar to cuboid blocks described with reference to FIG. 6A or 6B. Dovetail-shaped proturbances 720 in a first side surface of the respective cuboid blocks can be seen in the side view of the combination of cuboid blocks.
The second cuboid block 796 and the third cuboid block 798 may be stacked atop the first cuboid block 794. The second cuboid block 796 may be stacked atop the first cuboid block 794 such that a portion of the second cuboid block 796 (or the second stacking surface 704 a of the second cuboid block 796) overhangs or does not contact the first cuboid block 794 (or the first stacking surface of the first cuboid block 794). Accordingly, a first subset of stacking projections (not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 7) of the first cuboid block 794 may be received in a first subset of recesses (not explicitly received in FIG. 7) defined by a second stacking surface of the second cuboid block 796.
Similarly, the third cuboid block 798 may be stacked atop the first cuboid block 794 such that a portion of the third cuboid block 798 (or the second stacking surface 704 b of the third cuboid block 798) overhangs or does not contact the first cuboid block 794 (or the first stacking surface of the first cuboid block 794). Accordingly, a second subset of stacking projections (not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 7) of the first cuboid block 794 may be received in a second subset of recesses (not explicitly received in FIG. 7) defined by a second stacking surface of the third cuboid block 798. Because subsets of stacking projections from the first cuboid block 794 are received: (1) in a subset of recesses defined by a second stacking surface of the second cuboid block 796 and; (2) in a subset of recesses defined by a second stacking surface of the third cuboid block 798, respectively, the combination of stacked cuboid blocks are held in position by stacking projections received in recesses defined by stacking surfaces. The combination of stacked cuboid blocks illustrated in FIG. 7 may not slide in a longitudinal direction 790, a lateral direction 792, or a direction having components of the longitudinal direction 790 and the lateral direction 792.
Further, the second cuboid block 796 may be interlocked with the third cuboid block 798 via a formed dovetail joint 786, shown generally with broken lines. When assembling the combination of cuboid blocks illustrated in FIG. 7, the added dovetail-shaped proturbance in a third side surface of the second cuboid block 796 may be aligned with the added formation defined by the fourth side surface of the third cuboid block 798. The second cuboid block 796 may be slid adjacent the third cuboid block 798 in a direction from the first stacking surface 702 a (of third cuboid block 798) to the second stacking surface 704 b, such that a dovetail joint forms between the second cuboid block 796 and the third cuboid block 798. For ease of exposition, the direction from the first stacking surface 702 a to the second stacking surface 704 b may be known as the geometric normal direction 788. The resulting dovetail joint may provide a substantially immovable joint that may be resilient from separating forces in the longitudinal direction 790, the lateral direction 792, or a combination of the longitudinal and lateral directions.
The dovetail joint between the second cuboid block 796 and the third cuboid block 798 may be separated when one of the cuboid blocks is slid adjacent the other of the cuboid blocks in the geometric normal direction 788. There may be resistance to separating the second cuboid block 796 from the third cuboid block 798 if the force for sliding one of the cuboid blocks adjacent the other of the cuboid blocks is not solely in the geometric normal direction 788.
The assembled combination of cuboid blocks illustrated in FIG. 7 may be resistant to forces for separating the cuboid blocks based, in part, on: (1) one or more dovetail joints formed between one or more side surfaces of adjacent cuboid blocks; or (2) receipt of stacking projections within recesses defined by adjacent stacking surfaces of adjacent cuboid blocks.
Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates a perspective view of a cuboid block 800 coupled to a façade 878, in accordance with an example of the present application. The cuboid block 800 may be similar to the cuboid block of FIG. 1, 2A to 2B, 3A to 3B, or 4A to 4B.
For example the cuboid block 800 may include a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface. The cuboid block 800 may include side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces. A first side surface may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance, similar to those of cuboid blocks described herein. A second side surface 808 may be substantially parallel to the first side surface and may define a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of another block. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the formation may taper in a direction from a center portion of the cuboid block 800 towards the second side surface.
The façade 878 may be coupled to the cuboid block 800. The façade 878 may be an additional structure or component for coupling to the cuboid block 800 for illustrating aesthetic or ornamental features of a scale model. For example, the façade 878 illustrated in FIG. 8 may represent one or more balconies for an architectural scale model of a condominium building.
The façade 878 may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance portion configured to slide into the formation defined by the second side surface 808. That is, the dovetail-shaped proturbance portion of the façade 878 is configured to couple the façade 878 to the cuboid block 800.
In some examples, the façade 878 may be configured to represent other supplemental structures that may be coupled to the cuboid block 800. For example, the façade 878 may be configured to illustrate other structures that may be coupled to cuboid blocks for a scale model. It some examples, the façade 878 may be produced using three dimensional printing technology and constructed of polylactic acid (PLA) material. It is contemplated that the façade 878 may be moulded or cast and constructed of any other materials, such as plastics or metals. One or more façade 878 may be coupled to the cuboid block 800 and that each façade 878 may include a proturbance portion having a suitable structure for coupling the façade 878 to a cuboid block side surface having a formation defined by that cuboid block side surface.
Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which illustrates a perspective view of a scale model 900, in accordance with an example of the present application. The scale model 900 may include a combination of cuboid blocks interlocked by dovetail-shaped proturbances received within formations defined by cuboid block side surfaces. In some examples, each cuboid block in the combination of cuboid blocks may include stacking projections on a first stacking surface and recesses defined by a second stacking surface, such that stacking of projections in a first row of cuboid blocks may be received in adjacent recesses defined by second stacking surfaces in an adjacent stack of cuboid blocks sitting atop the first row of cuboid blocks. Accordingly, the combination of stacking projections received within adjacent recesses may limit sliding of cuboid blocks in a longitudinal or lateral direction, as described in examples illustrated herein.
Further, the scale model 900 may include one or more façade pieces for illustrating particular aesthetic features or for demonstrating utility features of the scale model 900. For example, similar to the example façades described herein, the one or more façade pieces may include a proturbance portion for receipt in a formation defined by side surfaces of cuboid blocks.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A and 10B, which illustrate a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of a cuboid block 1000, respectively, in accordance with another example of the present application. Various features of the cuboid block 1000 are similar to features of the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the cuboid block 1000 may include a first stacking surface 1002 and a second stacking surface 1004. The second stacking surface 1004 may be substantially parallel to the first stacking surface 1002.
The cuboid block 1000 may include side surfaces extending between the first stacking surface 1002 and the second stacking surface 1004. The side surfaces may be used for interlocking the cuboid block 1000 to other cuboid blocks by sliding said cuboid block 1000 adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface 1002 to the second stacking surface 1004, or vice versa. Similar to the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1, a first side surface 1006 may include a dovetail-shaped proturbance 1020 for receipt by a second side surface of another (e.g., second) cuboid block. The second side surface 1008 of the cuboid block 1000 may define a formation 1030 for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of another (e.g., third) cuboid block. The formation 1030 may taper in a direction from a center 1080 of the cuboid block towards the second side surface 1008. Further, the cuboid block 1000 may also include a third side surface 1054 and a fourth side surface 1052 having features similar to the cuboid block 100 of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 10A, the first stacking surface 1002 includes a pair of stepped surfaces 1080. Each of the pair of stepped surfaces 1080 includes a recessed surface portion 1082 and an adjacent elevated surface portion 1084. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the elevated surface portion 1084 is elevated above the recessed surface portion 1082. Further, the step 1070 (illustrated as a line with reference numeral 1070) is between the recessed surface portion 1082 and the adjacent elevated surface portion 1084. The step 1070 is substantially centered about a dovetail-shaped proturbance 1020 on the first side surface 1006 and an opposing formation 1030 on the second side surface 1008. In FIG. 10A, the cuboid block 1000 includes two dovetail-shaped proturbances 1020 and respectively opposing formations 1030. Thus, a first of the pair of stepped surfaces 1080 is associated a first dovetail-shaped proturbance and opposed formation. A second of the pair of stepped surfaces 1080 is associated with a second dovetail-shaped proturbance and opposed formation.
Referring to FIG. 10B, which illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cuboid block 1000 of FIG. 10A, the second stacking surface 1004 includes another pair of stepped surfaces 1086 that is complementary to the pair of first stepped surfaces and that is offset from the pair of first stepped surfaces 1080. The pair of stepped surfaces 1086 that are offset from the pair of first stepped surfaces 1080 may interlock with stepped surfaces of another cuboid block.
The stepped surfaces of the cuboid block 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B are configured such that cuboid blocks can be stacked vertically and such that the respective side surfaces of each stacked cuboid block may be aligned. In another scenario, a cuboid block may be stacked atop another cuboid block such that the “top” cuboid block overhangs or is offset from the “bottom” cuboid block by approximately 50% of the length of the first side surface 1006/the second side surface 1008. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, 50% of the length of the first side surface 1006/second side surface 1008 may be substantially equal to the length of the third side surface 1054/fourth side surface 1052. Receipt or interlocking of the stepped surfaces 1086 in second stacking surface 1004 with the stepped surfaces 1084 in the first stacking surfaces 1002) may decrease the likelihood that stacked cuboid blocks slide relative to each other in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis 1090 or the lateral axis 1092.
In some examples, a combination of interlocked or stacked cuboid blocks may include several cuboid blocks, each cuboid block including substantially similar stacking surface and side surface features as described herein. That is, scale models or the like may be created by combining a plurality of similarly featured cuboid blocks.
In some examples, the cuboid blocks described herein may be substantially hollow. In some examples, the cuboid block may include a hollowed out core (see e.g., center 180 of the cuboid block 100, FIG. 1), such that the amount of manufacturing material may be reduced. Further, the cuboid blocks described herein may include a hollowed out core such that an assembled combination of cuboid blocks for a scale model may be substantially lighter in weight when compared to a combination of cuboid blocks that may not include a hollowed out core.
Cuboid blocks or facades described herein may be constructed using various types of materials. For example, cuboid blocks or facades may be made from PLA, polyvinyl choloride (PVC), fiber glass, or other similar materials that may be molded or cast and that may maintain its shape.
Examples described or illustrated herein include cuboid blocks that may be rectangular cuboid blocks. It may be contemplated that in other examples, the cuboid blocks may be parallelepiped blocks. Parallelepiped blocks may be a three-dimensional figured formed by six parallelograms.
Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A block set for building models, the block set comprising:

a first cuboid block including:

stacking surfaces including a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface; and

side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces for interlocking said first cuboid block to other cuboid blocks by sliding said first cuboid block adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface, the side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface,

and wherein the first side surface of the first cuboid block includes a dovetail-shaped proturbance for receipt by a second side surface of a second cuboid block,

and wherein the second side surface of the first cuboid block defines a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of a third cuboid block, the formation tapers in a direction from a center of the first cuboid block towards the second side surface.

2. The block set of claim 1, wherein the formation of the second side surface includes angled sides to mate with a dovetail-shaped proturbance of another cuboid block for forming a sliding dovetail joint between said first cuboid block and other cuboid blocks.

3. The block set of claim 1, wherein the dovetail-shaped proturbance on the first side surface aligns with an opposing formation on the second side surface on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis.

4. The block set of claim 1, wherein the first side surface is substantially parallel to the second side surface.

5. The block set of claim 1, wherein the first stacking surface includes one or more stacking projections, and wherein the second stacking surface defines recesses opposing the one or more stacking projections to receive stacking projections from another cuboid block.

6. The block set of claim 5, wherein the first stacking surface includes four stacking projections arranged in a substantially square shape, and wherein the square shape is substantially centered between the dovetail-shaped proturbance on the first side surface and the formation on the second side surface.

7. The block set of claim 1, wherein the first stacking surface includes a pair of first stepped surfaces, and wherein the second stacking surface includes another pair of stepped surfaces complementary to the pair of first stepped surfaces and offset from the pair of first stepped surfaces to interlock with stepped surfaces of another cuboid block.

8. The block set of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of first stepped surfaces includes a recessed surface portion and an adjacent elevated surface portion that is elevated above the recessed surface portion, and wherein a step between the recessed surface portion and the adjacent elevated surface portion is substantially centered about the dovetail-shaped proturbance on the first side surface and the formation on the second side surface.

9. The block set of claim 1, wherein the formation defined by the second side surface of said first cuboid block extends from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface.

10. The block set of claim 1, wherein the dovetail-shaped proturbance of said first cuboid block extends from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface.

11. The block set of claim 1, wherein said first cuboid block is a hollow core block.

12. The block set of claim 1, wherein the first side surface of said first cuboid block includes more than one dovetail-shaped proturbances and the second side surface of said first cuboid includes a corresponding number of formations for receiving dovetail-shaped proturbances.

13. The block set of claim 12, wherein the dovetail-shaped proturbances of said first cuboid block are spaced apart substantially evenly across the first side surface, and wherein the corresponding number of formations of said first cuboid block are spaced apart substantially evenly across the second side surface.

14. The block set of claim 1, further comprising a façade block including a façade proturbance for receipt by the formation in the second side surface of said first cuboid block, the façade block including ornamental features for building models.

15. The block set of claim 1, wherein the first cuboid block is a rectangular cuboid.

16. The block set of claim 1, further comprising one or more further cuboid blocks, each of the one or more further cuboid blocks including stacking surfaces and sides surfaces of said first cuboid block of claim 1.