US3651597A

US3651597A - Interconnecting toy block set

Info

Publication number: US3651597A
Application number: US848445A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Daenen
Original assignee: Dart Industries Inc
Current assignee: Dart Industries Inc
Priority date: 1969-08-08
Filing date: 1969-08-08
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28
Also published as: DE2039039A1; NL7011324A; NO128011B; FR2056776A5; AT321795B; DE2039039B2; DE2039039C3; BE754451A; MY7400241A; CH532943A; SE345809B; ZA704943B; IE34451B1; GB1322777A; JPS518061B1; IE34451L

Abstract

An interconnecting toy building block set that has as its basis a modular concept and in which the basic module is a cube. Each block-like piece of the set has this cubic construction which further includes appropriately positioned male projections and female recesses. These respective projections and recesses provide the means for interconnecting the various blocks. Several of the block-like pieces also include variously shaped protrusions which, although being framed within the confines of cube of similar size to the basic cube, add distinctively to the overall block shapes. It is principally these distinctive shapes which contribute to the many items that may be formed by interconnecting the blocks.

Description

United States Patent Daenen [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] INTERCONNECTING TOY BLOCK SET Primary Examiner- Louis G. M ancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attomey-Leigh B. Taylor, Paul R. Wyiie and Harold R. Beck {57] ABSTRACT An interconnecting toy building biock set that has as its basis a modular concept and in which the basic module is a cube Each block-like piece of the set has this cubic construction which further includes appropriately positioned male projections and female recesses. These respective projections and recesses provide the means for interconnecting the various blocks. Several of the block-like pieces also include variously shaped protrusions which, although being framed within the confines of cube of similar size to the basic cube, add distinctively to the overall block shapes. it is principally these distinctive shapes which contribute to the many items that may be formed by interconnecting the blocks.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,597

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5 Sheets Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. A 050?- film/51v BY @Az. 75,4,

Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,597

5 Sheets-Sheet r Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,597

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG/l JNVEN TOR. P9651191 p/vnw-w I rrap/vfr INTERCONNECTING TOY BLOCK SET This invention relates to a toy building block set and, more particularly, to blocltlike pieces adapted for assembly in removable, interconnecting, interlocking and mating relationships with each other. These blocks and blocklilte pieces are adapted for such assembly to form almost endless combinations of modular structures that resemble many typical recognizable items.

The invention encompasses btocklilte pieces that are provided with both projections (male members) and recesses (female members) that are centrally located or positioned on the various sidewall faces of the pieces. The configurations of these male and female members are such that a male member carried by one block may be inserted into mating frictional engagement with a female member carried by another similar block.

It should also be noted that the construction of the basic blocklike piece is that of a cube and that this modular concept is repetitive within each block or blocklike piece regardlessof its size or shape. Further, and of particular importance to the invention, is the fact that several of the blocltlike pieces are characterized by their distinctive shapes. As indicated, each block includes a basic cubular portion integral with which are the male and female members. Several blocklike pieces, however, have variously shaped protrusions integral with and extending from one sidewall face. These protrusions are framed within the confines of a cube of similar size to the basic cube but do not incorporate either the male or female members.

The blocks described herein may be hollow or solid or may be composed of a low density foam. it is also often desirable to brightly color each of the pieces, both to add to their visual interest and to provide a color code which will assist in their assembly to form various recognizable items, some of which are set forth hereinafter.

The material from which these blocks are constructed is not critical to the invention, however, it is generally preferred to fabricate them from synthetic resinous materials. of these, the polyolefins, polyvinyls and cellulosics are particularly desirable. These and other similar materials are lightweight, easy to clean and keep clean and are relatively unbreakable in ordinary usage. Further, their natural resiliency is advantageous in that it aids in the assembly of the blocks and in their effecting and maintaining an interlocking relationship with each other.

Hollow blocklike pieces of this invention may be easily manufactured from the indicated materials by any one of a number of processes such as blow molding or rotational castmg.

Prior art toy building blocks, although satisfactory in many respects, have failed to provide the child with a variety of distinctively shaped blocks which, when assembled, imaginatively resemble any one of a variety of items or objects. Accordingly, it is the primary objective of this invention to provide a toy building block set including such distinctively shaped blocks.

Additionally, it is the objective of this invention to provide blocklike pieces that may be assembled in removable interlocking relationship with one another.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one typical assembled block construction symbolizing a motion picture camera;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one typical block construction also symbolizing the motion picture camera shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the distinctively shaped blocitlilte pieces hereinafter referred to as a T-R block;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the TR block taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

F l6. 5 is a perspective view of a blocklike piece hereinafier referred to as a T-Y block;

H6. 6 is a side view of the T-( block;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blocklike piece hereinafter referred to as a C-G block;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the C-G block;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a blocltlike piece hereinafter referred to as a (3-5 block;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the C-8 block;

H6. 11 is a perspective view of a block hereinafter referred to as an 8-8 block;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the 8-H block;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the wheel of this invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of the wheel hub of this invention depicting the exterior and interior configurations thereof, respectively.

F265. 1 and 2 illustrate one of the many varied and imaginative creations I that may be produced with the block set of this invention. For descriptive purposes, each of the blocks and blocltlike pieces have been separately designated as follows:

the 'f-R block is generally indicated as 2; the T-Y block as 4;

the OB block as 6; the (3-0 block as 8; the 8-8 block as 10; the wheels as 12; and the hubs as 14. Each of these elements except for the hub l4 may be either solid or hollow as is desired. As indicated, however, a hollow type of construction is preferred.

Particular note should be taken of the fact that because of the distinctive shapes of the biockiilte pieces 1, 4, 6, 8, and 10, various block combinations will provide openings and discontinuities in the block construction outline. These openings and discontinuities in effect furnish the imaginative type of structure necessary for the construction of many recognizable items such as race cars, cameras, pistols, trains, dogs, buses, steam rollers, sewing machines, camels and elephants.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 where the blocklike pieces of the invention are interconnected in such manner as to form a motion picture camera 1, it becomes clearly apparent how important the varied shapes are to the invention. Each block or blocklike piece incorporates the modular concept mentioned hereinabove which has as its basis a cubical or cubular structure. The basic cube or main body portion 20 may be in each of the

blocks

2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. However, several of the blocltlike pieces and most particularly the T-R, T-Y, (3-8, and G6 blocks further include an outwardly projecting secondary portion 22. These secondary portions are also modular in nature. Therefore, despite the fact that portions 22 are irregularly shaped, each falls within the confines of an imaginary cube of approximately the same size as that which makes up the main body portion 20.

Each block further includes a plurality of outwardly extending male members 24 and recessed female members 26. As is readily apparent, each of these members, whether male or female, is centrally located on the sidewall faces 28 of the main body portion 20. The respective positioning of the male and female members varies with respect to the secondary portions 22 of the several blocltlike pieces and this will be discussed in greater detail below. The respective male and ten-tale members are sized so that there will be an interlocking relationship between the members upon the interconnection thereof between adjacently positioned blocks. Further, each male member 24 may be provided with a plurality of ribs 30 suitably positioned around its perpendicularly extending peripheral wall 32 (FIG. 4). These ribs are intended to enhance the interlocking characteristics between members.

As has been stressed above, each of the blocks or blocklilte pieces which form a part of this invention incorporate a calm- Iar structure or main body portion 20. The most basic and sin:- plest of these is the 8-5 block 10 shown in FIGS. l1 and 12. As may be seen there, this block is formed as a basic cube made up of six sidewall faces 28 and having one rounded corner or edge 32. This block further includes two centrally located recessed female members 26. One of these female members is positioned on one of the sidewall faces that forms the rounded edge 32 and the other female member is located on the sidewall face which is opposite to it. It is further preferred that the other sidewall face 28 forming the rounded edge 32 be substantially planar and therefore the three male members 24 may be found to be centrally located on the remaining three sidewall faces of this cubular S-B block 10.

The T-R and T-Y

blocklike pieces

2 and 4, respectively, may be best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. These blocks are essentially the same except for the respective positioning of the male and female members. As is again quite apparent, both include a main body portion which forms the basic cube. Each, however, also incorporates an integral outwardly projecting secondary portion 22.

These secondary portions 22 in side elevation, and as may be seen in, for example, FIGS. 3,5 and 6, appear as being T- shaped." As may readily be seen, the T is comprised of a web 34 and a caplike portion 36. The web 34 is integrally formed with and is centrally located on one of the sidewall faces 28 of the main body portion 20. The caplike portion 36 is likewise integral with the web and is effectively the cross for the T.

As has been pointed out above, the secondary portion 22 also complies with the modular concept of the block design. The top 38 of the caplike portion, for example, is of approximately the same size and shape as a typical sidewall face 28. Further, the side or end walls 40 of the cap lie in approximately the same plane as do the similarly positioned sidewall faces. Thus, it can be seen that two of the sidewalls 40 are partial planar extensions of the main body portion sidewall faces 28 and in that extension provide two walls for the web 34. Complete compliance with the concept is, however, maintained by extending the T-shaped secondary portion from the sidewall face only a distance approximately equal to the length ofa main body portion sidewall face.

Similarly to the 8-3 block, the T-R and T-\ blocks also employ a plurality of male and

female members

24 and 26, respectively. These members are centrally positioned on each of five sidewall faces 28. For example, T-R block 2 incorporates two female members 26 on the main body portion sidewall faces from which the planar secondary portion sidewalls 40 extend and three centrally positioned male members 24 on the three remaining sidewall faces. The T-Y blocklike piece on the other hand has two male members 24 positioned on the main body portion sidewall faces from which the planar secondary portion sidewalls extend, has two female members 26 positioned on two other opposite sidewall faces, and has a third male member extending from the sidewall face that is opposite the secondary portion.

The C-B blocklike piece 6 and the C-G blocklike piece 8 (FIGS. 7-10) are also similarly shaped and differ only with respect to the placement of the various male and

female members

24 and 26. Each of these blocks again includes a main body portion 20 and an integrally extending secondary portion emanating from one of the sidewall faces of the main body. Here, however, the secondary portion 22 in one elevation appears as an inverted "L" and includes a web and a caplike portion. Thus, the web 34 is formed by the partial planar extension of two sidewall faces and a full planar extension of another of the sidewall faces.

Similarly to the T-R and T-Y blocks, the caplike portion has a top 38 which is of approximately the same size and shape as a typical sidewall face 28. In this instance, though, the mating edge of the planar sidewall extension and top has been smoothly rounded as at 42. Also, it should be noted that the end wall 40 lies in substantially the same plane as the similarly positioned sidewall face 28. Thus, it is apparent that these particular secondary portions also fall within the bounds of an imaginary cube similar in size to that of the main body portion 20. Such is assured since the distance from its integral sidewall face to the top 38 is substantially equal to the length of a sidewall face.

Five male and female members are again employed with this block construction. In the C-8 block 6, one recessed female member 26 is centrally positioned on the sidewall face 28 of the main body portion 20 from which the full secondary por tion sidewall extends and the other female member is located on the opposite sidewall face 28. The three male members 24 are centrally positioned on the three remaining sidewall faces 28, one of which is opposite the extended secondary portion 22. The CO blocklike piece 8 has male members 24 on opposite sidewall faces, one of which has the integral full secondary sidewall extending therefrom. The two female members 26, on the other hand, are centrally positioned on the sidewall faces from which the partial secondary sidewalls 40 extend, and the third male projection is similarly positioned on the sidewall face opposite the extending secondary portion.

The various respective positions of the male and

female members

24 and 26 are described hereinabove represent the preferred arrangement, however, other similar arrangements may be equally eflective in carrying out the inventive concept. These members have also been illustrated as being circular in shape, however, other shapes may be used at the discretion of the designer, manufacturer. Likewise, it should be pointed out that the

rounded corners

32 and 42 add esthetically to the constructions created but other corners than those designated might equally well be so rounded.

In addition to the toy blocks described above, it is contemplated that this set include several wheels I2 and hubs 14 as are depicted in FIGS. 13, I4 and 15. The wheels are typically shaped and include a center opening 13 into which the male members 24 are adapted to extend. Similarly, the hub 14 also includes a tubular portion I5 that is adapted to slip into the wheel opening and over the male member. The hub further includes a flange I7 whose diameter is greater than the wheel opening and, when properly positioned, will removably, yet securely, attach the wheel to a male member.

Alternatively, another hub embodiment may include a further extended tubular portion ofa lesser diameter than that adjacent the flange. Such further extended portion would be of a size that could be securely inserted into any recessed female member. Thus, the wheel will be retained on the tubular hub portion adjacent the flange and the recessed female member.

It is intended that the inside of tubular portion 15 include several raised ribs which may engage the male member 24 and assist in forming a secure fit therebetween. Similar ribs may also be placed on the exterior of any extended tubular portion for the same reason.

Accordingly, it is considered that the foregoing description and drawings have set forth numerous advantages which establish the inventive concept as it is contemplated.

I claim:

1. A blocklike piece adapted to be interconnected with similar pieces enabling the creation of variously constructed shapes and forms and comprising:

a main body portion ofa substantially cubular configuration and having at least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces;

at least one centrally-located outwardly extending male member positioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrally located and recessed female member positioned on another of said sidewall faces, said male and female members being adapted for interengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected with said similar pieces; and,

an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with an an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being of approximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positioned side wall faces of said main body portion.

2. A blocklike piece as described in claim I wherein a plurality of said male members are positioned on adjacent ones of said side wall faces.

3. A blocklike piece as described in claim 2 wherein a plurality of female members are positioned on opposite ones of said sidewall faces.

4. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein the web of said outwardly projecting secondary portion is centrally located.

5. A blockiike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said male member is positioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planar sidewall extension.

6. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said female member is positioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planar sidewall extension.

7. A blocklike piece as described in claim 4 wherein the web of said outwardly projecting secondary portion includes three substantially planar sidewall extensions.

8. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein the main body and secondary portions of said piece are made of a hollow synthetic plastic material.

9. A set of interconnected blocklike pieces, some of which comprise:

a main body portion of a substantially cubular configuration and having at least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces;

at least one centrally located outwardly extending male member positioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrally located and recessed female member positioned on another of said sidewall faces, said male and female members being adapt for interengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected with said similar pieces; and,

an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with and an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being of ap proximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positioned sidewall faces of said main body portion.

i III I! i i

Claims

1. A blocklike piece adapted to be interconnected with similar pieces enabling the creation of variously constructed shapes and forms and comprising: a main body portion of a substantially cubular configuration and having at least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces; at least one centrally-located outwardly extending male member positioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrally located and recessed female member positioned on another of said sidewall faces, said male and female members being adapted for interengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected with said similar pieces; and, an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with an an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being of approximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positioned side wall faces of said main body portion.

2. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said male members are positioned on adjacent ones of said side wall faces.

5. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said male member is positioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planar sidewall extension.

9. A set of interconnected blocklike pieces, some of which comprise: a main body portion of a substantially cubular configuration and having at least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces; at least one centrally located outwardly extending male member positioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrally located and recessed female member positioned on another of said sidewall faces, said male and female members being adapt for interengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected with said similar pieces; and, an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with and an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being of approximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positioned sidewall faces of said main body portion.