US3645036A - U-shaped platelike components and connecting elements therefor - Google Patents

U-shaped platelike components and connecting elements therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3645036A
US3645036A US79571A US3645036DA US3645036A US 3645036 A US3645036 A US 3645036A US 79571 A US79571 A US 79571A US 3645036D A US3645036D A US 3645036DA US 3645036 A US3645036 A US 3645036A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
accordance
centerplate
holes
limb
axle
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Expired - Lifetime
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US79571A
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English (en)
Inventor
Horst Biesterfeld
Manfred Brennecke
Sampo Widmann
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Individual
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Individual
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B12/00—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior
    • F16B12/10—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like
    • F16B12/12—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics
    • F16B12/14—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior using pegs, bolts, tenons, clamps, clips, or the like for non-metal furniture parts, e.g. made of wood, of plastics using threaded bolts or screws
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • A63H33/12—Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
    • B60B33/0002—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors assembling to the object, e.g. furniture

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to toys, and more particularly. to toy and furniture constructional sets for children, comprising several U-shaped platelike toy elements which can be connected by means of connecting elements.
  • One object of the invention is to provide such a constructional set in which the number of basic elements for a structure is reduced while nevertheless making possible a systematic construction of all articles coming into question and only using similar basic elements and suitable connecting means.
  • the present invention provides that all components are made with an identical shape and size, the rectangular centerplate and also the side limbs, whose height is less than half the smallest rectangular side, being pro vided with a-regular hole arrangement, the hole spacing fulfilling the following conditions:
  • the holes are arranged on the points of intersection of a square line network and the smallest hole spacing is.
  • the spacing between the limb holes and the start of the transitional curvature leading to the centerplate is at least as great as the edge hole spacing of the limbs.
  • this basic construction of the toyelement makes possible the construction of chairs, tables, cupboards and other toy furniture by using connecting elements, which are passed through holes after the holes have been aligned.
  • the toy elements constructed in accordance with the invention which all have the same basic shape, also have a great value for the younger child, who is not yet in a position to do up screw connections or the like, because simply by placing these components on top of one another and beside one another the younger child has his imagination awakened.
  • the toy elements constructed in accordance with the invention which all have the same basic shape, also have a great value for the younger child, who is not yet in a position to do up screw connections or the like, because simply by placing these components on top of one another and beside one another the younger child has his imagination awakened.
  • each bolt .or screw is provided with a screw sleeve with an internal thread and a head, whose extemal diameter corresponds to the hole diameter and whose length corresponds approximately totwice the thickness of the centerplate and of the limbs respectively.
  • This threaded sleeve construction when used instead of nuts 'as otherwise conventional, facilitates the fixing together of the parts, more particularly for very young children, and furthermore the opportunity is provided of using a long load supporting screw thread, something which is particularly convenient when the screw connecting parts are made of plastics material, in accordance with a preferred feature of the invention.
  • the length of the shank of the bolt and the lengthof the threaded sleeve is selected in this case preferably so thatthe components can be tightened up in relation to each other. If necessary it would however also be possible to make the length somewhat greater so that in the screwed'together condition of the connecting parts a certain play is left between the individual elements.
  • the screw or bolt heads of the connecting elements which are preferably made of plastics material, can have flats for 75 enabling a spanner to obtain purchase on them or can be provided with a slot for a screwdriver.
  • the screws or bolts and the cooperating screw sleeves are provided with large heads adapted to be gripped externally, so that without the use of a spanner a comparatively high torque can be applied.
  • wheels and rollers are provided in accordancewith the invention as further components and can be fixed using the holes by means of an axle.
  • the heads of the screws or bolts or of the threaded sleeves are provided with an axially extending receiving hole, in which a plug-in axle can be fixed and held byfriction. lnsteadof this it would however also be.
  • axle carrying the wheel or roller can also be made integrally with the screwhead or sleeve head.
  • FIG. 1 shows in plan, elevation, and side view a square toy element in accordance with the invention with three holes.
  • FIG. 2 is aside view of two toy elements in accordance with FIG. I on a larger scale connected together by connecting elements.
  • FIG. 3' is a side view of a guide or steering roller or wheel arranged on a toy element.
  • FIG. 4. is a side view of a wheel fixed to the limb of a toy element.
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows some possibilities of joining the toy elements together.
  • FIG. 6 shows some constructions with wheels.
  • the toy element comprises a square center or middle plate 10 and two lateral limbs 12, which are connected with the centerplate 10 via a curved portion l4.
  • the middle plate 10 has three holes 16 arranged respectively in a regular arrangement along each edge and the lateral limbs 12 are provided with holes 18.
  • the holes 16 and 18 are aligned with each other and their axes lie in common planes 20 which run perpendicularly in relation to the centerplate 10 and the lateral limbs 12.
  • the connecting lines between the center points form a square line network.
  • the hole spacing a between the holes 16 and the surface of the side limbs 12 is equal to the hole spacing b between the holes 18 and the surface of the middle plate.
  • the spacing c between the centers of the holes 18 in the limbs and the start of the curved portion-l4 leading to the middle plate is greater or equal to the edge hole spacing d.
  • the shortest hole spacing e between the holes 16 and the holes 18 is twice as large, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, as the edge hole spacing a. Instead of this it could also be equal to the product of. the integer one and the edge hole spacing, or it could besome other integral multiple of the edge hole spacing.
  • edge holes 16 are provided, though I it could also be possible to provide additionally a center hole in the network formed by the hole axes.
  • the absolute size of a square side of the toy element in accordance with FIG. 1 amounts, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, to 40 cm. It has been found that toy elements of this size are particularly suitable for all age classes'of children.
  • FIG. 2 shows, on a scale which is somewhat greater than thatin FIG. 1, the connection of two toy. elements together.
  • the connecting elements consistof a screw-threaded sleeve 20 and a screw or bolt 22.
  • the sleeve 20 has a cylindrical smooth outersurface with a diameter corresponding to the hole diameter and is provided with an internal screw thread.
  • the screw sleeve 20 is provided with a head 24, which can be provided with flats for cooperation with a spanner.
  • the screw or bolt 22 has a head 26 which can be provided with flats for cooperation with a spanner.
  • the heads 24 and 26 are so constructed that they can be tightened by the child without using any tool.
  • the heads can be provided with gripping means such as grooves or a knurled surface, the diameter of the screwhead being as large as possible.
  • gripping surfaces by providing wings so that the structure resembles a wing nut.
  • the screw or bolt 22 is screwed into the internal thread of the screw sleeve 20, the length of the screw sleeve 20 and the length of the screw shank being so dimensioned in relation to the thickness of the material of the limbs 12 and the centerplates that the two limbs can be joined by pressing so as to provide a force fit.
  • FIG. 3 shows a screw sleeve 30 with a head 34 which differs from the screw sleeve 20 in accordance with FIG. 2 in that its length corresponds to the thickness of an element.
  • This screw sleeve is inserted to a hole in the center or middle plate 10 and a screw or bolt 22 is screwed in from below.
  • the length of the bolt can correspond to the bolt 22 shown in FIG. 2.
  • the head 34 of the screw sleeve has a threaded blind hole extending the female thread in the sleeve.
  • the screw or bolt 22 is provided with a central hole 36 in which the axle 38 of a steering wheel or roller 40 can be plugged in or screwed in.
  • the steering roll axle 38 can conveniently be made with the screw or bolt 22 as a complete unit.
  • the hole of the limb or rib 12 has a screw sleeve 30, corresponding to the screw sleeve in accordance'with FIG. 3, inserted into it.
  • the screw sleeve 30 has a head 34 and into it a screw or bolt 22 is screwed in in accordance with FIG. 3.
  • This screw or bolt also has a central hole 36, into which a plug-in axle 38 can be inserted.
  • the axle 38 can be provided with a screw thread. In this case it is however necessary to ensure that the axle 38 is fixed at least axially within the screw or bolt 22.
  • this axle 38 is connected with the screw or bolt 22 also in such a manner as to cut out relative rotation between them.
  • the axle 38 is provided on its outer end with a limiting flange 42 and carries a wheel 44 with a tire 46 of rubber or the like. Between the wheel 44 and the flange 42 and the head 26 washers 48 are arranged.
  • the lateral bearing comprising a screw or bolt 22 and, the axle 38 is provided with the wheel 44 as a complete unit so that it is not necessary for the child to assemble the lateral bearing himself.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show only a few possibilities for assembling the toy elements.
  • FIG. 5 shows some of the possibilities as regards the connection together of two toy elements with an alignment of the surfaces or edges of the two elements.
  • FIG. 6 shows some possibilities as regards the construction of a vehicle with wheels.
  • a constructional set for children comprising U-shaped platelike toy components and connecting elements for connecting the toy components together, in which all said components are constructed with an identical shape and size, each said component having a rectangular centerplate having upper and lower surfaces, opposed side limbs projecting angularly from said plate at the lower surface thereof, the side limbs and centerplate being joined by a transitional curvature, the projecting distance of said limbs being less than half the dimension of said centerplate in the direction from limb to limb, each said component being provided with a regular hole arrangement, the hole spacing fulfilling the following conditions: a. the regular hole arrangement on the centerplate being such that the holes are arranged on points of intersection of a square line network, the network having boundaries parallel to the centerplate boundaries and the smallest hole spacing being equal to an integral multiple of the edge hole spacing;
  • each said limb comprising a single row of holes with the above-mentioned minimum hole spacing, the spacing of the limb holes from the upper surface of the centerplate being equal to said edge hole spacing of the centerplate holes;
  • the spacing between the limb holes and the start of the transitional curvature leading to the centerplate being at least as great as the spacing between said row and the free edge of the limb.
  • connection elements including a bolt and a sleeve with an internal thread, each said element having a head dimensioned so as to seat about the edge of one said hole and having a length approximately twice said thickness.
  • connecting elements comprising a bolt and sleeve including a bayonet joint for connecting the toy elements.
  • a set in accordance with claim 4 comprising an axle and means whereby the axle is fixed on the head of one or said connecting elements.
  • a set in accordance with claim 7 comprising a wheel on the axle, the diameter of the wheel being greater than the height of the limb.
  • axle is made in one piece with the screw sleeve head.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US79571A 1969-10-10 1970-10-09 U-shaped platelike components and connecting elements therefor Expired - Lifetime US3645036A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691951313 DE1951313A1 (de) 1969-10-10 1969-10-10 Zusammensetzbare U-foermige Bauspielelemente

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3645036A true US3645036A (en) 1972-02-29

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ID=5747919

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US79571A Expired - Lifetime US3645036A (en) 1969-10-10 1970-10-09 U-shaped platelike components and connecting elements therefor

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3645036A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA918923A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1951313A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2065272A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1306392A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7014749A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3898939A (en) * 1972-11-21 1975-08-12 Burris Industries Shelf assembly
US3944308A (en) * 1973-08-17 1976-03-16 Expo Nord Ab Frame for supporting articles
US4171590A (en) * 1977-01-27 1979-10-23 Artur Fischer Assembly kit for making structural element
US4682967A (en) * 1985-09-13 1987-07-28 Kao Ching Ho Multi-purpose building block
DE8711954U1 (de) * 1987-09-03 1987-10-22 GFF Geißendörfer Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH, 8000 München Kinderspielmöbel
US4761036A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-08-02 Ignaz Vogel Gmbh Co., Kg Passenger seat support structure
FR2895270A1 (fr) * 2005-12-28 2007-06-29 Meccano Sa Jeu d'assemblage pour jeunes enfants
US9114325B1 (en) * 2014-02-19 2015-08-25 Yitzchok Sternhill Modular toy building kit system

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE512681C2 (sv) * 1998-07-03 2000-05-02 Megamec Kb Byggsystem

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3898939A (en) * 1972-11-21 1975-08-12 Burris Industries Shelf assembly
US3944308A (en) * 1973-08-17 1976-03-16 Expo Nord Ab Frame for supporting articles
US4171590A (en) * 1977-01-27 1979-10-23 Artur Fischer Assembly kit for making structural element
US4682967A (en) * 1985-09-13 1987-07-28 Kao Ching Ho Multi-purpose building block
US4761036A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-08-02 Ignaz Vogel Gmbh Co., Kg Passenger seat support structure
DE8711954U1 (de) * 1987-09-03 1987-10-22 GFF Geißendörfer Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH, 8000 München Kinderspielmöbel
FR2895270A1 (fr) * 2005-12-28 2007-06-29 Meccano Sa Jeu d'assemblage pour jeunes enfants
EP1803492A1 (fr) * 2005-12-28 2007-07-04 Meccano Jeu d'assemblage pour jeunes enfants
US9114325B1 (en) * 2014-02-19 2015-08-25 Yitzchok Sternhill Modular toy building kit system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1306392A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-02-07
NL7014749A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-04-14
CA918923A (en) 1973-01-16
DE1951313A1 (de) 1972-02-17
FR2065272A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-07-23

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