US3796004A

US3796004A - Construction toy

Info

Publication number: US3796004A
Application number: US00305425A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Auerbach
Original assignee: MASTER EVANS Inc
Current assignee: MASTER EVANS Inc
Priority date: 1972-11-10
Filing date: 1972-11-10
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12
Also published as: CA985501A; GB1442840A; FR2206681A5; JPS5122431B2; JPS49101141A

Abstract

A construction toy preferably packaged in kit form comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of elongate flexible resilient strut elements; said intersection elements are envelopes of substantially polygonal configuration, the sides of said envelopes being concavely curved. The peaks or ends are blunt, openings being provided at said ends to permit introduction of the strut elements within the interior of said intersection elements. The intersection elements are formed of a pair of like, superposed planar plastic portions sealingly secured along their edges but for the blunt ends. The strut elements may be elongate plastic rods having tapered ends. The struts may be of uniform dimension or the kit may include groups of different length struts. The struts are introduced into the passageways and follow the interior curvature of the intersection elements or some may simply abut the inner wall of the intersection element opposite the point of entry. The intersection and strut elements are connected, ones to the others to form a spatial array or latticework formations of many and varied geometric configurations. Each end may receive a plurality of struts.

Description

United States Patent [191 Auerbach Mar. 12, 1974 CONSTRUCTION TOY [75] Inventor: Robert S. Auerbach, Chicago, ill.

[73] Assignee: Master-Evans, Inc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 305,425

[52] US. Cl. 46/29 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/10 [58] Field of Search 46/29; 35/16, 18 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,658,776 ll/l953 Wilcox 46/29 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or FirmSilverman & Cass [57] ABSTRACT A construction toy preferably packaged in kit form comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of elongate flexible resilient strut elements; said intersection elements are envelopes of substantially polygonal configuration, the sides of said envelopes being concavely curved. The peaks or ends are blunt, openings being provided at said ends to permit introduction of the strut elements within the interior of said intersection elements. The intersection elements are formed of a pair of like, superposed planar plastic portions sealingly secured along their edges but for the blunt ends. The strut elements may be elongate plastic rods having tapered ends. The struts may be of uniform dimension or the kit may include groups of different length struts. The struts are introduced into the passageways and follow the interior curvature of the intersection elements or some may simply abut the inner wall of the intersection element opposite the point of entry. The intersection and strut elements are connected, ones to the others to form a spatial array or latticework formations of many and varied geometric configurations. Each end may receive a plurality of struts.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmm m4 3796004 Ill .I-IIIH CONSTRUCTION TOY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to construction toys and more particularly concerns the provision of a construction toy preferably provided in kit form comprising plural polygonal intersection elements and connecting flexible, resilient strut elements, the intersection elements being in the form of envelopes all having concavely curved edges, said intersections and struts adapted to interconnect to form many and varied spatial or latticework formations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various systematic methods and means are encountered in the prior art for construction of spatial arrangements. Generally such systems involve the spanning of objects by various connective elements in lattice or framework arrangements generally duplicative of well known building methods. Many of these systems are incorporated in games or toys directed toward providing enjoyment, training, relaxation and in some instances, providing therapeutic and educational benefits to individuals and groups. Some of such systems are directed toward use by children and many are sufficiently challenging to engage the attention of adults.

Of the well known construction toys, arrangements known as erector sets are familiar to the art and consist of miniaturized framework elements with coupling means provided, along with members simulating beams, rigid struts, angle lengths, links, etc., and nuts, bolts, screws, pulleys and the like packaged unassembled with the variety of objects capable of being constructed being many and varied. Also familiar are toy kits of the type including plural spherical elements and elongate thin relatively rigid rod members. These are intended to be assembled by a child or other users. The spherical elements are solid and are provided with a plurality of bores extending angularly inward toward their centers from the outer surface of said elements, and at different angles one relative to the others. The rigid rods fit into such bores, all arranged in a lattice type structure to form a variety of spatial arrangements.

Other construction toys encountered in the art include those provided with simulated log-representative or brick representative units intended to be arranged to form arrangements duplicative of known buildings, log cabins, houses, etc.

Of those known systems, all utilized intersections of straight lines which limit substantially the constructions capable of being created. All utilize rigid elements and some use rigid constructional curvatures. Use of some known construction systems for the creation of arrangements of artistic merit is considerably limited since the resultant latticework generally is regular, uniformly arranged and devoid of the variety and spatial creative possibilities concomitant with preferred art materials. In addition, the variety of constructions capable of being created using the systems heretofore available are limited not by the creativity of the artist but by the straight-line arrangements possible. Flexibility and creative possibilities are materially limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of flexible, resilient strut elements, said intersection elements formed as envelopes of polygonal configuration having curved edges and end portions, means coupling the strut elements to the end portions of the intersection elements whereby said strut elements extend from said intersection ends between intersection elements along principal lines following the lines of curvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the construction toy according to the invention assembled into one of many possible spatial formations;

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail illustrating an intersection element and strut of the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2 and in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of an intersection element and struts of the system illustrated in FIG. 1, portions being broken away to show interior detail;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of several modified embodiments of intersection elements constructed according to the invention, differing in the number of ends carried by each element;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of steps utilized in the manufacture of one of the intersection elements in the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the construction system according to the invention arranged in a spatial formation differing from the formation illustrated in FIG. 1 and utilizing more than one type of intersection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction system of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as employed to construct a spatial formation, said formation capable of being utilized as a hanging sculpture or mobile. The formation 10 is formed of a plurality of intersection elements 20 and a plurality of flexible resilient elongate strut elements 30 of small diameter coupled ones to the others. The formation illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed using intersection elements 20 having three end portions l2, l4 and 16 and defined by the intersections of three concavely

curved edges

13, 15 and 17 and straight edges 18. The illustrated elements 20 may be described as envelopes defined by a pair of planar

thin plate members

22 and 24 having like concavely curved edges and superposed one on the other, their edges matched. As shown in FIG. 6,

plates

22 and 24 are of plastic heat scalable material so that matching

curved edges

13, 15 and 17 are heat sealed, at 26 joining the plates 22 and.24 one to the other. The peaked edges are severed, leaving openings 28 defined therebetween at the respective remaining end portions.

Strut members generally indicated by 30 are formed as extruded plastic rod members preferably having tapered ends 34 to facilitate entry and passage thereof through the openings 28 between

plates

22 and 24 of the intersection elements 20. In the embodiment described herein three strut members 32 may be introduced into each opening 28 carried by intersection element 20. The opposite ends 34 of the struts 30 then may be introduced into the respective selected openings 26 of each of three additional intersection elements 20. With three strut elements entering each opening 28 of intersection element 20, the end of one strut element 32 bears against one of the curved sealed interior wall 36 of the envelope at a location opposite to the point of entry of the strut 32. Another strut 32' is illustrated engaged within the envelope, arranged bearing against the curved inner wall along an edge immediately adjacent thereto. A third strut 32 is illustrated just prior to entry into the envelope. Strut 32", on entry into opening 26 of envelope 20 will bear against a curved inner wall along the edge adjacent its point of entry. In this manner, the

struts

32 and 32" follow the line of curvature of said respective edge when coupled to another envelope. When using an intersection element having three end portions, as many as nine strut elements can be employed, all radiating outward of the element 20. Each of these struts can be coupled to other intersection elements 20 so as to con struct the spatial formation illustrated in FIG. 1 and many others.

In the formations thus formed, the resilience of the struts will direct their ends to a stable disposition within the envelopes 20 along the curved inner walls, except for those struts, like strut 32, occupying an intermediate position at the openings 28, as

beween struts

32 and 32".

The

planar plates

22 and 24 are spread apart, as shown in FIG. 3 on entry of'the end 34 of a strut element 30. Accordingly, there is a frictional engagement of said strut with the walls of the envelope 20, serving also to stabilize the formation 20.

Preferably, a plurality of intersection elements 20 and a plurality of strut elements 30 are provided in kit form for use in creating arrangements limited only by the number of elements and the creative imagination of the user. Mobiles, kites, skeletons, and lamp frame arrangements are only a few of the possible formations capable of being created using the system according to the invention.

In FIG. 5, intersection elements other than the three sided envelope 20 are illustrated and take the form of four sided element 40, six sided element 42 and eight sided element 44.

While the end portions of element 20 are blunt, that is defined by straight edges 18, intersection elements may be formed having sharper end portions, perhaps to define openings to accommodate only one or two strut elements. Various combinations of sharp and blunt ends may be utilized in the same intersection element. Other numbered side or edge configurations are feasible. Also, greater side multiplicity can be provided but may not be commercially required as most constructional formations may be formed from combinations already illustrated.

The struts may be in the form of elongate relatively flat slats having slots which may accommodate peaked or blunt ends of intersection elements, while the intersection elements may also be provided with end opening slots for receiving flat elongate slat-like strut elements. While desirable, the material utilized need not be limited to plastic. Intersection elements of thin, flexible metal stock such as aluminum, steel, etc. may be used. The strut elements must have some degree of flexibility or resilience so that when connected to, and between plural intersection elements, they can follow the lines of curvature concerned.

Referring to FIG. 6, the intersection elements 20 are formed by (A) cutting or stamping

planar sections

22, 24 generally of triangular configuration from a thin sheet of plastic material, such as polyvinyl or polystyrene. The curved edges of the

sections

22, 24 are curved inwardly, with the sides being of equal length and the same curvature. A pair of the planar sections then are positioned (B) superposed and engaged one on the other with the edges matched. The matched pair of

sections

22, 24 then are placed in position to heat seal the edges along their length as shown at 26 thereby forming a single member (C). The peaks or apeces then are severed (D), leaving blunt end portions 18. Severing of said ends thereby provides openings 28 to the interior of the single member. These openings 28 are intended to receive the ends 34 of the elongate rod members comprising struts 30.

Other methods of sealing, such as utilization of chemicals or solvents are feasible although it is believed that heat sealing is most suitable for commercial production, and is more economical. There is enough resilience inherent in the

sections

22, 24 so that they spread slightly to accommodate the rod ends and retain same therebetween frictionally so that they are permitted to find their own resting area when stressed in assembly to other intersections. The seal is of sufi'icient strength as not to fracture when the struts 30 are placed under tension, as occurs when the struts and intersections are assembled to form the desired spatial arrangement.

In FIG. 7, a different spatial formation has been constructed utilizing a plurality of intersection and strut elements. I-Iere, intersection elements havingdifferent numbers of sides are combined. Envelopes 20 having three struts 30 coupled to one end portion thereof while three sided envelopes 20 utilizes two of their three end portions, three struts extending therefrom. Envelopes 40 each have a strut 30 coupled to each of their four end portions.

What I claim is:

1. A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of flexible, resilient strut elements removably interconnected with said intersection elements to form curved latticework spatial formations, said intersection elements formed as envelopes of polygonal configurations having concavely curved edges, and end portions joining said curved edges, said end portions being open and of such size as to frictionally retain one or. more strut elements, whereby said strut elements extend from said intersection end portions between intersection elements along principal lines following the lines of curvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.

2. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which said strut elements are elongate plastic rods.

3. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which said intersection elements have sides of equal length.

4. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said intersection elements are threesided.

5. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of said intersection elements have the same curvature.

6. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which the intersection elements are formed as an envelope comprising a pair of like planar sheet members of polygonal configuration, one superposed on the other ments being formed of a pair of like planar sheet members superposed one on the other with the curved sides thereof matching and sealed together, said intersection elements adapted to couple ones to the others by securement of said connecting elements therebetween with each of said connecting elements radiating outward of said intersection elements at the junctions of said curved sides to define a selected spatial arrange-

Claims

1. A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of flexible, resilient strut elements removably interconnected with said intersection elements to form curved latticework spatial formations, said intersection elements formed as envelopes of polygonal configurations having concavely curved edges, and end portions joining said curved edges, said end portions being open and of such size as to frictionally retain one or more strut elements, whereby said strut elements extend from said intersection end portions between intersection elements along principal lines following the lines of curvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.

4. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said intersection elements are three-sided.

6. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which the intersection elements are formed as an envelope comprising a pair of like planar sheet members of polygonal configuration, one superposed on the other with the edges thereof matching and sealed together along their curved edges.

7. The construction toy as claimed in claim 6 in which said sheet members are spreadable at said open end portions to receive said strut ends.

8. A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elements of polygonal configuration and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said intersection elements having concavely curved sides and open end portions joining said curved sides, said intersection elements being formed of a pair of like planar sheet members superposed one on the other with the curved sides thereof matching and sealed together, said intersection elements adapted to couple ones to the others by securement of said connecting elements therebetween with each of said connecting elements radiating outward of said intersection elements at the junctions of said curved sides to define a selected spatial arrangement.