US3774339A - Hollow building block - Google Patents

Hollow building block Download PDF

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Publication number
US3774339A
US3774339A US00170192A US3774339DA US3774339A US 3774339 A US3774339 A US 3774339A US 00170192 A US00170192 A US 00170192A US 3774339D A US3774339D A US 3774339DA US 3774339 A US3774339 A US 3774339A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
prismic
sections
block
plane
building block
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00170192A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Swett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dart Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Dart Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dart Industries Inc filed Critical Dart Industries Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3774339A publication Critical patent/US3774339A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/062—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements with clip or snap mechanisms
    • 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

Definitions

  • the block herein disclosed similar to the previously discussed prior art block opens along a plane between at least two opposing lateral edges or sidewalls to form at least two polyhedral preferably prismic sections.
  • the block is however provided with a connecting structure which permits interconnection with similar open blocks along the planar area on each prismic section formed by the plane.
  • the connection along the planar area with another prismic section from another block can form a structure having a shape substantially the same as the original block and can form a structure which can be stacked with other unconnected blocks or with other connected blocks.
  • the connection along the planar area can form symmetrical shapes and the openings into the block along the planar area, if it is hollow, can be closed by the interconnection of blocks.
  • the unique block likewise provides a novel construe tional toy for interconnecting building blocks to form structures.
  • the block which may permit the formation of either symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes, which may be hollow, yet be closed by interconnection with other blocks and which can be used as regular unconnected building blocks, without external connecting structures is interesting, educational and amusing and therefore meets the requirements of an excellent toy.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the novel toy building block.
  • FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the opened toy building block.
  • FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing two of the toy building blocks with a secondary prismic section of one of the blocks assembled to a secondary prismic section of the other block.
  • FIG. 4 is a front plan view showing four of the blocks of the invention assembled together to form a hexahedron.
  • FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 1 rotated to the right.
  • FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 5 with one corner broken away.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the block connection taken along lines 77 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the inventive toy building block shown in a partially opened position.
  • FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the block shown in FIG. 2.
  • any polyhedral toy building block may be used which is defined by at least one base and a plurality of connecting sidewalls and is sectioned along a plane passing through at least two opposing sidewalls.
  • Two secondary polyhedral sections will be formed by the sectioning plane and these sections are hinged together along one of the lines defined by the intersection of the sectioning plane with the base or one of the sidewalls so that the toy building block may be opened by pivoting the secondarysections relative to one another about the noted hine.
  • the block may likewise be similarly sectioned by more than one plane and the resulting sections may be attached to each other by more than one hinge.
  • each of the secondary polyhedral sections is provided with a connecting means that selectively retains the secondary polyhedral sections in a closed position and which is adapted to interconnect with similar mating sections of like polyhedral toy building blocks when each have been opened.
  • a hexahedral shape is preferred due to the regular stacking and connecting features which result.
  • the secondary polyhedral sections spoken of may be easily made in prismic form and such form contributes significantly to the advantages of the block as is noted throughout the specification.
  • the sectioning plane may pass through a line formed by the'intersection of a pair of the sidewalls of the hexahedron or in other words, a lateral edge thus a parting line between the polyhedral secondary prismic sections is hidden by the lateral edge.
  • FIG. 1 shows a polyhedral prismic block of the preferred embodiment.
  • the particular block shown in FIG. 1 is a prismic hexahedral block which is cubical in shape, although the particular polyhedral prism could be of any othe shape such as a right triangular prism.
  • the prismic block is defined by two major bases 34 and 35 connected by lateral walls 17, 18, 19 and 20. The intersection of the lateral walls define lateral edges 29, 30, 31 and 32.
  • block 10 is sectioned along a plane between two opposing lateral edges to form prismic sections 11 and 12.
  • Prismic section 11 is defined by secondary bases 13 and 14, lateral walls 17 and 18 and lateral area 36.
  • Prismic section 12 is defined by secondary bases 15 and 16, lateral walls 19 and and lateral area 37.
  • Lateral edges 31a and 31b are connected by hinge 33 so that the secondary prismic sections 11 and 12 may be separated by pivoting one of the secondary sections about the hinge in relation to the other secondary prismic section.
  • the lateral areas 36, 37 in essence are representative of the sectioning plane spoken of.
  • each of the secondary prismic sections is provided with means for securing the secondary sections together along the sectioning plane when the sections are not separated, and for securing each of the secondary sections to a separated secondary prismic section of a similar toy building block.
  • the securing means of the preferred embodiment comprises a first pair of separated integral lugs 21 and 22 that form a part of flange 38 that protrudes from lateral area 37 on secondary base 15 of secondary section 12.
  • another pair of separated lugs 23 and 24 extend from a flange 39 on secondary base 16 and these lugs 21 24 engage matching recesses 25, 26, 27 and 28 on secondary section 11 when said sections are closed one upon the other as is shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.
  • either the lugs or the recesses may engage matching recesses or lugs respectively of a secondary prismic section of a similar toy building block to form a combined block shape similar to that of original block 10.
  • a secondary prismic section of a similar toy building block may be formed by variously interengaging the secondary prismic sections of the blocks.
  • new innovative block arrangements may be created.
  • the combined hexahedrons of FIG. 4 is an example but interlocking chains and other structures are also easily produced.
  • FIG. 6 shows a block of the preferred embodiment having a corner broken away which shows the engagement of lugs 21 and 24 with recesses and 28 respectively.
  • FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the engagement of a lug (for example 24) from a secondary prismic section of a similar block with recess 25.
  • the locking feature having at least two lugs engaging at least two recesses to form a major base 34 or 35 forms a se cure attachment which will not easily wobble after the lugs are snapped into the recesses.
  • the major bases 34, 35 and corresponding secondary bases l3, l4, l5 and 16 included exteriorly exposed ribs 40 between which are located land areas 41 (FIG. 8).
  • the ribs 40 are ideally disposed on a bias with respect to the surface configuration and are of varying heights (each decreasing from that which is thickestthe center-most rib). This will accommodate for any material shrinkage in the event the blocks are molded from plastics materials and will thus assure the creation of substantially flat surface areas which are critical for good stacking characteristics.
  • rib width is substantially more than land width so that neting is prevented. This also is dictated to produce satisfactory stacking features.
  • Another significant feature of the invention is the unobtrusive hinge 33. Such is no more than a fine line of material connecting lateral edges 31a and 31b and in effect is lateral edge 31. Unexpectedly no excess of material is needed to produce the hinge and therefore each lateral edge is similar to each other such edge. This, of course, is also significant not only to the esthetics of the blocks, but also to the functional interrelationships therebetween.
  • the block may be manufactured of any suitable material and is preferably manufactured from a resilient, shape-retaining, plastic material to assist in forming a securing means for holding one secondary prismic sec tion to another which securing means can be easily engaged and disengaged.
  • a prismic toy building block having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.
  • said securing means comprises a plurality of lugs positioned both proximate said hinge the lateral edge opposing said hinge on one said prismic sections and further including matching recesses on the second of said prismic sections.
  • said securing means comprises at least two lugs on said first prismic section and a pair of recesses for accepting said lugs on said second prismic section to which said first prismic section is hinged.
  • said securing means comprises a plurality of lugs positioned along lines defined by the intersection of said plane with said base portions on one of said prismic sections and a plurality of matching recesses positioned along lines defined by the intersection of said plane with said base portions on the other of said prismic sections so that said lugs will snap into said recesses to securely and releasably hold said prismic sections together along said planar areas.
  • a toy building block set incorporating at least two similarly constructed prismic toy building blocks adapted for interconnection one with the other each of said blocks having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.

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  • Toys (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
US00170192A 1971-08-09 1971-08-09 Hollow building block Expired - Lifetime US3774339A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17019271A 1971-08-09 1971-08-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3774339A true US3774339A (en) 1973-11-27

Family

ID=22618928

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00170192A Expired - Lifetime US3774339A (en) 1971-08-09 1971-08-09 Hollow building block

Country Status (25)

Country Link
US (1) US3774339A (it)
JP (2) JPS4827846A (it)
AR (1) AR193751A1 (it)
AT (1) AT327752B (it)
AU (1) AU461321B2 (it)
BE (1) BE787313A (it)
BR (1) BR7205382D0 (it)
CA (1) CA974768A (it)
CH (1) CH554186A (it)
DE (1) DE2238318A1 (it)
DK (1) DK140472B (it)
ES (1) ES9300013A1 (it)
FI (1) FI52818C (it)
FR (1) FR2149982A5 (it)
GB (1) GB1382627A (it)
IE (1) IE36624B1 (it)
IT (1) IT963279B (it)
MX (1) MX144128A (it)
MY (1) MY7500267A (it)
NL (1) NL170496C (it)
NO (1) NO131866C (it)
PH (1) PH9615A (it)
PL (1) PL85223B1 (it)
SE (1) SE378524B (it)
ZA (1) ZA724931B (it)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3940142A (en) * 1974-11-29 1976-02-24 Ideal Toy Corporation Fold up die construction
US3999761A (en) * 1975-11-06 1976-12-28 Western Publishing Company, Inc. Activity block and method of making same
US4145574A (en) * 1976-09-28 1979-03-20 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Circuit arrangement for the transmission of digital signals between subscriber stations of a time multiplex telecommunications network
US4729748A (en) * 1985-04-26 1988-03-08 Gerard Van Ruymbeke Flying toy
US4906215A (en) * 1987-11-13 1990-03-06 Lionel Trains, Inc. Toy combination of toy article and toy attachments
US5458495A (en) * 1989-12-18 1995-10-17 Nottingham Group Ltd. Building block having opposing male and female hinge elements for connection to like elements on another like block
USD387183S (en) * 1996-08-26 1997-12-02 Best Block Company Structural block
WO1999043574A1 (en) 1998-02-24 1999-09-02 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Toy interlocking block container
EP1136103A2 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-09-26 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
WO2003057337A1 (fr) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-17 Ange Prados Module articule
US20110206872A1 (en) * 2010-02-25 2011-08-25 Robert Swartz Foldable construction blocks
US20130143467A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2013-06-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy building blocks
WO2015059323A1 (es) * 2013-10-26 2015-04-30 Jevremovitch Martínez Laura Elena Sistema de construcción modular de formas geométricas tridimensionales y mobiliario
WO2017070621A1 (en) * 2015-10-23 2017-04-27 Kma Concepts Limited Linkable toy elements with enhanced acoustic properties
WO2023087050A1 (en) * 2021-11-16 2023-05-25 Engelhard Teresa Lucille Toy building unit
USD1010020S1 (en) * 2020-10-14 2024-01-02 Vincenzo Giambanco Cube-shaped playset

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5011529U (it) * 1973-05-29 1975-02-06
JPS5287858U (it) * 1975-12-25 1977-06-30
US4197669A (en) * 1977-08-01 1980-04-15 Hynes Bernard D Construction elements and assembled structures
JPS55101199U (it) * 1979-01-08 1980-07-14
US4385467A (en) * 1980-03-31 1983-05-31 Samuels Stephen S Physiognomically based puzzle toy
DK478389A (da) * 1989-09-28 1991-03-29 Lego As Emballage til opbevaring samt opbygning af legetoejskonstruktioner
GB8928504D0 (en) * 1989-12-18 1990-02-21 Stone Robert J Building block
DK0492067T3 (da) * 1990-12-28 1994-09-12 Palimondial Sa Indstikningsbyggeklods som del af et legetøjsbyggesæt

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US776042A (en) * 1904-02-06 1904-11-29 Laundry Blue Company Packing and display box.
US3295713A (en) * 1965-02-15 1967-01-03 Lermer Packaging Corp Hinged box construction
US3360152A (en) * 1965-08-27 1967-12-26 Robert S Leers Plastic housings

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1049484A (en) * 1962-06-20 1966-11-30 Mettoy Co Ltd Improvements in toy building blocks
CH411694A (fr) * 1964-01-21 1966-04-15 Edouard Latour Henri Charles Emballage
US3333760A (en) * 1966-07-11 1967-08-01 Phillips Petroleum Co Carrier
FR1534402A (fr) * 1967-08-18 1968-07-26 Mattel élément de jeu de construction comprenant des organes d'assemblage perfectionnés
JPS4425477Y1 (it) * 1967-11-18 1969-10-25

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US776042A (en) * 1904-02-06 1904-11-29 Laundry Blue Company Packing and display box.
US3295713A (en) * 1965-02-15 1967-01-03 Lermer Packaging Corp Hinged box construction
US3360152A (en) * 1965-08-27 1967-12-26 Robert S Leers Plastic housings

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3940142A (en) * 1974-11-29 1976-02-24 Ideal Toy Corporation Fold up die construction
US3999761A (en) * 1975-11-06 1976-12-28 Western Publishing Company, Inc. Activity block and method of making same
US4145574A (en) * 1976-09-28 1979-03-20 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Circuit arrangement for the transmission of digital signals between subscriber stations of a time multiplex telecommunications network
US4729748A (en) * 1985-04-26 1988-03-08 Gerard Van Ruymbeke Flying toy
US4906215A (en) * 1987-11-13 1990-03-06 Lionel Trains, Inc. Toy combination of toy article and toy attachments
US5458495A (en) * 1989-12-18 1995-10-17 Nottingham Group Ltd. Building block having opposing male and female hinge elements for connection to like elements on another like block
USD387183S (en) * 1996-08-26 1997-12-02 Best Block Company Structural block
WO1999043574A1 (en) 1998-02-24 1999-09-02 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Toy interlocking block container
SG99349A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2003-10-27 Konami Corp Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
US6923442B2 (en) 2000-02-18 2005-08-02 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
US20030094755A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2003-05-22 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
US20030094754A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2003-05-22 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
EP1136103A3 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-04-10 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
US6824725B2 (en) 2000-02-18 2004-11-30 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
EP1136103A2 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-09-26 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
EP1366786A2 (en) * 2000-02-18 2003-12-03 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened
US6659459B2 (en) * 2000-02-18 2003-12-09 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened, manufacturing method thereof, and mold
EP1366786A3 (en) * 2000-02-18 2004-01-02 Konami Corporation Die capable of being opened
FR2834649A1 (fr) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-18 Ange Prados Module articule
WO2003057337A1 (fr) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-17 Ange Prados Module articule
US20130143467A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2013-06-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy building blocks
US8961259B2 (en) * 2009-02-13 2015-02-24 Mattel, Inc. Toy building blocks
US20110206872A1 (en) * 2010-02-25 2011-08-25 Robert Swartz Foldable construction blocks
US8756894B2 (en) * 2010-02-25 2014-06-24 Impossible Objects Llc Foldable construction blocks
WO2015059323A1 (es) * 2013-10-26 2015-04-30 Jevremovitch Martínez Laura Elena Sistema de construcción modular de formas geométricas tridimensionales y mobiliario
WO2017070621A1 (en) * 2015-10-23 2017-04-27 Kma Concepts Limited Linkable toy elements with enhanced acoustic properties
US9782688B2 (en) 2015-10-23 2017-10-10 Kma Concepts Limited Linkable toy elements with enhanced acoustic properties
USD1010020S1 (en) * 2020-10-14 2024-01-02 Vincenzo Giambanco Cube-shaped playset
WO2023087050A1 (en) * 2021-11-16 2023-05-25 Engelhard Teresa Lucille Toy building unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA974768A (en) 1975-09-23
JPS4827846A (it) 1973-04-12
ATA680572A (de) 1975-04-15
ZA724931B (en) 1973-04-25
NO131866B (it) 1975-05-12
NL170496B (nl) 1982-06-16
BE787313A (fr) 1973-02-08
JPS5276798U (it) 1977-06-08
FI52818B (it) 1977-08-31
IT963279B (it) 1974-01-10
FR2149982A5 (it) 1973-03-30
DK140472B (da) 1979-09-10
AR193751A1 (es) 1973-05-22
PL85223B1 (it) 1976-04-30
DE2238318A1 (de) 1973-02-22
IE36624L (en) 1973-02-09
AU461321B2 (en) 1975-05-22
CH554186A (de) 1974-09-30
FI52818C (fi) 1977-12-12
NL170496C (nl) 1982-11-16
DK140472C (it) 1980-02-11
JPS5651915Y2 (it) 1981-12-03
MX144128A (es) 1981-08-31
PH9615A (en) 1976-01-20
AU4467172A (en) 1974-02-07
SE378524B (it) 1975-09-08
IE36624B1 (en) 1977-01-19
BR7205382D0 (pt) 1973-07-19
AT327752B (de) 1976-02-25
ES9300013A1 (es) 1975-07-01
NO131866C (it) 1975-08-20
NL7210574A (it) 1973-02-13
MY7500267A (en) 1975-12-31
GB1382627A (en) 1975-02-05

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