US3879935A - Toy chain - Google Patents

Toy chain Download PDF

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Publication number
US3879935A
US3879935A US431578A US43157874A US3879935A US 3879935 A US3879935 A US 3879935A US 431578 A US431578 A US 431578A US 43157874 A US43157874 A US 43157874A US 3879935 A US3879935 A US 3879935A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
chain link
portions
side members
link unit
chain
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
US431578A
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English (en)
Inventor
Artur Fischer
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of US3879935A publication Critical patent/US3879935A/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
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

Definitions

  • the invention relates in general to toy construction kits of the type comprising toy chains formed from a plurality of chain link units.
  • chains are often used instead of transmission gearing, when the distance between the source of driving force and the driven member or members is relatively large.
  • a chain drive at least two chain wheels are necessary, one being the driving chain wheel and the other the driven chain wheel.
  • the toy construction kit will include one or more accessory components, such as scoops or buckets for the assembly of a scoop or bucket conveyor.
  • Each scoop or bucket will be provided with the just mentioned complementary engaging means and will be releasably engag'eable with the engaging means provided on the chain link unit of the toy chain.
  • each chain link unit includes two side members spaced from each other in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the chain, with each side member extending in the general direction of elongation of the chain.
  • the side members of each chain link unit have facing inner sides and also have outer sides.
  • the side members of each chain link unit furthermore have first portions adjoining one or two neighboring chain link units, and have second portions adjoining the other of the two neighboring chain link units.
  • the inner sides of the first portions of the side members of each chain link unit are spaced from each other a distance at least equal to the spacing between the outer sides of the second portions of the side members of the chain link unit.
  • Each chain link unit further includes connecting means connecting together the two side members of the chain link unit and configurated to releasably engage the connecting means of the adjoining chain link unit, with the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit being nested between the first portions of the two side members of the adjoining chain link unit.
  • the engaging means comprises two projecting portions each of one piece with a respective one of the first portions of the side members of said one of the chain link units, the two projecting portions projecting in direction transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of elongation of the chain.
  • the mentioned connecting means may advantageously comprise a first transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, and a second transverse connecting bar joining together the second portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, the second transverse connecting bar being provided with an elongated undercut groove extending along the entire length of the second transverse connecting bar and configurated to engage with a releasable snapaction the first transverse connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit.
  • each chain link unit is advantageously rigidly connected by the just-mentioned first and second transverse connecting bars, so that the entire chain link unit is substantially rigid, except that the material of the chain link unit may be somewhat resilient for purposes of enabling the releasable snapaction engagement of adjoining chain link units.
  • the elongated undercut groove in the second transverse connecting bar is composed of a slit extending along the whole length of the groove and constituting the entrance to the groove, with the depth of the slit being oriented transverse to the general plane of the chain link unit.
  • each of one piece with the first portion of a respective one of the two side members of the chain link unit is particularly advantageous.
  • the connection together of the chain link units to form a chain is in no way interfered with; likewise, the operation of the chain for drive transmission purposes is not interfered with, inasmuch as the engaging means provided on the selected chain link units will not contact any sprocket wheels about which the chain may travel.
  • the releasable engagement between the engaging means on the chain link and accessory units of the toy construction kit makes for a very versatile toy construction kit.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plurality of chain link units connected together to form a toy chain, with an accessory component of a toy construction kit releasably mounted on one of the chain link units;
  • FIG. 2 depicts the construction of one exemplary embodiment of a chain link unit according to the inventlOIl.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a toy chain 1 composed of a plurality of individual chain link units la releasably connected together.
  • One of the chain link units 1a is provided with engaging means 2 in the form of two spaced flaring dovetail-shaped projections. These are slidable into any one of four elongated undercut grooves 4 of a component 3 of a toy construction kit.
  • the portions of the component 3 bounding the undercut grooves constitute complementary engaging means complementary to the engaging means 2 on the chain link unit la.
  • FIG. 2 depicts in perspective view the construction of the one chain link unit la in FIG. 1 which is provided with the engaging means 2.
  • the chain link unit la of FIG. 2 is comprised of two side members 5.
  • the side members 5 extend more or less in the general direction of elongation of the chain, and are spaced feom each other in direction transverse to the general direction of elongation of the chain.
  • the side members 5 have facing inner sides and also have outer sides.
  • the side members 5 are furthermore comprised of flat and parallel first portions joined together by a first transverse connecting bar 7.
  • the side members 5 are also comprised of fiat and parallel second portions joined together by a second transverse connecting bar 6.
  • the facing inner sides of the first portions of the side members 5 are spaced from each other by a distance equal to or greater than the distance between the outer sides of the second portions of the side members 5 (the portions joined by bar 6).
  • the transverse connecting bars 6 and 7 constitute connecting means for connecting together not only the two side members 5 of a particular chain link unit la, but also for connecting together neighboring chain link units 1a.
  • the second transverse connecting bar 6 is provided with an elongated undercut groove 8.
  • the groove 8 extendsalong the whole length of the connecting bar 6, and furthermore passes through the second portions of the side members 5.
  • the groove 8 is i comprised of a cylindrical cavity, and of an elongated slit 9. Slit 9 extends along the whole length of the groove 8 and constitutes the entrance into the groove.
  • the first transverse connecting bar 7 of one chain link unit la is inserted into the slit 9 of another chain link unit la, and pressed into the cylindrical portion of the groove 8 with a releasable snap-action.
  • the material of the chain link units 1a is somewhat resilient.
  • the second portions of one chain link unit i.e., the portions joined by bar 6
  • the first portions of the next chain link unit i.e., nested between the portions joined by bar 7
  • the diameter of the cylindrical portion of groove 8 is slightly greater than the diameter of cylindrical bar 7, whereas the width of entrance slit 9 is somewhat less than the diameter of cylindrical bar 7.
  • first and second portions of each side member 5 are both flat and are parallel to each other, but offset from each other in stepped manner.
  • the engaging means are provided in the form of flaring dovetail-shaped projections 2 of one piece with the first portions of the respective side members 5.
  • the projections 2 project in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the chain and substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the illustrated chain link 1a.
  • the facing inner surfaces of the projections'2 constitute smooth continuations of the facing inner surfaces of the first portions of side members 5.
  • the outer surfaces of projections 2 constitute smooth continuations of the outer surfaces of the first portions of side members 5.
  • the chain links 1a are preferably formed from plastie, and can advantageously be formed in one piece together with the engaging means 2 by means of injection molding, for example.
  • each chain link unit including two side members spaced from each other in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of said chain and extending in the general direction of elongation of said chain, the side members of each chain link unit having facing inner sides and also having outer sides, the side members of each chain link unit having first portions adjoinmeans of the adjoining chain link unit, with the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit being nested between the first portions of the two side members of the adjoining chain link unit; and engaging means on at least one of said chain link units configurated to be releasably engageable with a complementary engaging means of a predetermined complementary configuration, said engaging means comprising two projecting portions each of one piece with a respective one of the first portions of the side members of said one of said chain link units and each projecting in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of said chain.
  • each chain link unit comprises a transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, and wherein the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit are configurated to engage the connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit with a releasable snap-action.
  • each chain link unit comprises a first transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit
  • the connecting means of each chain link unit further comprises a second transverse connecting bar joining together the second portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, the second transverse connecting bar being provided with an elongated undercut groove extending along the entire length of the second transverse connecting bar and configurated to engage with a releasable snap-action the first transverse connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit.

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  • Toys (AREA)
US431578A 1973-01-13 1974-01-07 Toy chain Expired - Lifetime US3879935A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE7301232 1973-01-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3879935A true US3879935A (en) 1975-04-29

Family

ID=6636228

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US431578A Expired - Lifetime US3879935A (en) 1973-01-13 1974-01-07 Toy chain

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3879935A (ja)
AR (1) AR202111A1 (ja)
AT (1) AT341389B (ja)
BE (1) BE807912A (ja)
BR (1) BR7400146D0 (ja)
CH (1) CH559051A5 (ja)
ES (1) ES219748Y (ja)
FR (1) FR2214244A5 (ja)
GB (1) GB1439877A (ja)
IT (1) IT1003350B (ja)
NL (1) NL7317369A (ja)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4815271A (en) * 1980-11-26 1989-03-28 The Laitram Corporation Detachable link chain
US4882901A (en) * 1980-11-26 1989-11-28 The Laitram Corporation Detachable link chain
EP1437312A1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2004-07-14 Habasit AG Conveyance chain
EP1487723A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2004-12-22 Span Tech LLC Rodless conveyor belt or chain
EP1911694A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2008-04-16 Span Tech LLC Rodless conveyor belt or chain

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4418946A (en) * 1981-02-06 1983-12-06 Gambon Thomas F Quick acting coupler
CN106512437B (zh) * 2016-12-15 2023-03-14 深圳市优必选科技有限公司 积木搭建组件以及积木机器人

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2805084A (en) * 1955-06-09 1957-09-03 Garrison K Hall Flexible index strip
US2972833A (en) * 1957-07-05 1961-02-28 Lapin Products Inc Plastic block assembly
US3451158A (en) * 1965-10-14 1969-06-24 Artur Fischer Toy construction kit with selective rotatable and non-rotatable connection of components
US3477167A (en) * 1966-05-25 1969-11-11 Rene Ach Figure shaped blocks with integral connectors
US3566531A (en) * 1962-06-09 1971-03-02 Heinz Hasel Mating blocks having beaded studs and resilient sidewalls
US3604203A (en) * 1967-10-28 1971-09-14 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Link bracelet
US3665704A (en) * 1969-06-16 1972-05-30 Portec Inc Drag chain
US3780469A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-12-25 Hi Ho Prod Inc Sectional creative toy

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2805084A (en) * 1955-06-09 1957-09-03 Garrison K Hall Flexible index strip
US2972833A (en) * 1957-07-05 1961-02-28 Lapin Products Inc Plastic block assembly
US3566531A (en) * 1962-06-09 1971-03-02 Heinz Hasel Mating blocks having beaded studs and resilient sidewalls
US3451158A (en) * 1965-10-14 1969-06-24 Artur Fischer Toy construction kit with selective rotatable and non-rotatable connection of components
US3477167A (en) * 1966-05-25 1969-11-11 Rene Ach Figure shaped blocks with integral connectors
US3604203A (en) * 1967-10-28 1971-09-14 Rodi & Wienerberger Ag Link bracelet
US3665704A (en) * 1969-06-16 1972-05-30 Portec Inc Drag chain
US3780469A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-12-25 Hi Ho Prod Inc Sectional creative toy

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4815271A (en) * 1980-11-26 1989-03-28 The Laitram Corporation Detachable link chain
US4882901A (en) * 1980-11-26 1989-11-28 The Laitram Corporation Detachable link chain
EP1487723A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2004-12-22 Span Tech LLC Rodless conveyor belt or chain
US20050067262A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2005-03-31 Layne James L. Rodless conveyor belt or chain
EP1487723A4 (en) * 2002-02-26 2006-01-18 Span Tech Llc BELT OR TRANSPORT CHAIN WITHOUT ROD
US7314132B2 (en) 2002-02-26 2008-01-01 Span Tech Llc Rodless conveyor belt or chain
US20080023303A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2008-01-31 Layne James L Modular link or link section for use in forming a rodless conveyor belt
EP1911694A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2008-04-16 Span Tech LLC Rodless conveyor belt or chain
US7559422B2 (en) * 2002-02-26 2009-07-14 Span Tech Llc Modular link or link section for use in forming a rodless conveyor belt
EP1437312A1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2004-07-14 Habasit AG Conveyance chain
US20040140181A1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2004-07-22 Habasit Ag Conveyance chain
US6871736B2 (en) 2003-01-09 2005-03-29 Habasit Ag Conveyance chain

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1003350B (it) 1976-06-10
ES219748U (es) 1976-09-16
FR2214244A5 (ja) 1974-08-09
ATA21574A (de) 1977-05-15
CH559051A5 (ja) 1975-02-28
BE807912A (fr) 1974-03-15
GB1439877A (en) 1976-06-16
BR7400146D0 (pt) 1974-08-22
AT341389B (de) 1978-02-10
AR202111A1 (es) 1975-05-15
ES219748Y (es) 1977-02-01
NL7317369A (ja) 1974-07-16

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