US3882630A - Structural element for composable toy constructions - Google Patents
Structural element for composable toy constructions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3882630A US3882630A US395878A US39587873A US3882630A US 3882630 A US3882630 A US 3882630A US 395878 A US395878 A US 395878A US 39587873 A US39587873 A US 39587873A US 3882630 A US3882630 A US 3882630A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- transverse
- elongated body
- longitudinal
- span
- transverse dimension
- 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
Links
Images
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
- A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
- A63H33/088—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with holes
-
- 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
- A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
- A63H33/084—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with grooves
Definitions
- the element may serve as a supporting stick for UNITED STATES PATENTS Ice cream- 2,712,200 7/1955 Dearling 46/28 2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures STRUCTURAL ELEMENT FOR COMPOSABLE TOY CONSTRUCTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
- This invention relates to composable structural elements for toy constructions.
- Such known structural elements can be joined to each other only in a limited number of mutual positions of the elements with respect to each other so that the number of possible constructional combinations is limited. Furthermore, the configuration of such known elements has limitations in respect to the constructional combinations.
- An object of the invention is to provide a structural element for composable toy constructions adapted to increase the number of mutual positions in which a plurality of elements may be joined together thereby increasing the number of constructional combinations.
- Another object is to render the structural element dimensionally transformable and of modular character.
- Another object if to make it of an overall simple configuration, light in weight and of reduced manufacturing costs, durable and reliable in use.
- a structural element for composable toy constructions comprising an elongated body characterized in that the body has spaced apart land portions defining a first transverse dimension of the element and arranged in regular intervals over the length of the elongated body and recessed portions therebetween defining a second transverse dimension of the element, the land portions each having a first longitudinal extension thereof and the recessed portions each having a second longitudinal extension thereof, the elongated body further comprising a series of apertures spaced apart over the length of the elongated body, said apertures each having a longitudinal span corresponding to said first transverse dimension, said apertures having in at least one intermediate portion thereof a transverse span corresponding to said second transverse dimension.
- FIG. I shows a perspective view of the structural element
- FIG. 2 shows a section according to IllI of FIG. 1 in an enlarged scale
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show examples of structural elements obtained by transformation from the basic structural element shown in FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show some examples of constructional compositions obtainable by the structural element.
- the structural element generally indicated at 1 comprises a flat elongated body 2 having spaced apart land portions 3, defining a first transverse dimension A of the element.
- the land portions 3 are arranged at regular intervals of the apertures 5 spaced apart from each other over the length of the elongated body 2.
- the apertures have a longitudinal span E, the magnitude of which is equal to the magnitude of the first transverse dimension A.
- the apertures 5 each have in an intermediate portion at least one transverse span F, the magnitude of which is equal to the magnitude of said second transverse dimension B.
- the apertures 5 are formed of two crossing longitudinal and transverse slots, numbered 6 and 7 respectively, and it will be noted that the flat elongated body 2 has a thickness G which corresponds to the gap H of the slots 6 and 7, so that the body 2 may be inserted into the slot 6. It will be further noted that the cross-like aperture 5 is located approxiamtely in the center of each of the land portions 3. It will be further noted that the magnitudes of the second transverse dimension B, the first longitudinal extension C, the transverse span F and the second longitudinal extension D are equal with respect to each other. It will be further noted that the first transverse dimension A and the longitudinal span E are also equal in magnitude.
- a plurality of structural elements may not only be joined together by side by side positioning, so that the lands 3 of one element are inserted in the recesses 4 of the other elements, but the joining of the elements may be in positions transverse to each other and even the elements may intersect each other, since the gap H of the slots correspond to the thickness G of the elongated body and the span E corresponds to the first transverse dimensions A of the elongated body 2.
- the mutually intersecting elements may form cross-pieces or bridges of the composable toy construction.
- the lateral joining of the elements may be effected with the main surfaces of the flat body 2 arranged perpendicular to each other.
- the elongated flat body 2 is preferably made of resilient plastic material. It will be further appreciated that one end of the structural element terminates with its aperture open as shown at the right end of FIG. 1, whereas the opposite end terminates with the free recessed portion, as shown at the left end of FIG. 1. In this way, opposite ends of structural elements may be joined together in an aligned relationship, thereby extending the length of the structural element.
- the structural element presents at regular intervals cross-sections with breakoff notches 8, which may be on one side only or on both sides of the element.
- the break-off notches may be arranged either at the recessed portion of the element 1 or at the land portions. It is thereby possible to breakoff easily the structural element at desired points, thereby obtaining modular units in order to increase the possible constructional combinations.
- the structural element may be also used as a supporting rod or core for instance for ice-cream sticks, which after the consumption of the ice-cream may be used as a structural element for toy constructions.
- a structural elementifor composable toy constructions comprising a substantially flat elongated body having spaced apart land portions defining a first transverse dimension of the element and arranged in regular intervals over the length of the elongated body and recessed portions therebetween defining a second transverse dimension of the element, the land portions each having a first longitudinal extension thereof and the recessed portions each having a second longitudinal extension thereof, the elongated body further comprising a number of cross-shaped apertures spaced apart over the length of the elongated body and each defined by a longitudinal and a transverse slot, said cross-shaped apertures each having a longitudinal span having a magnitude equal to said first transverse dimension and a transverse span having a magnitude equal to said second transverse dimension, said first longitudinal extension being equal to saidtransverse span and said second w longitudinal extension being equal to said second transverse dimension.
- said second longitudinal extension, said transverse span and said second transverse dimension are all equal to each other, the magnitude of said first transverse dimension beingequal to the magnitude of 1 said longitudinal span.
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
- Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2310172 | 1972-09-14 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3882630A true US3882630A (en) | 1975-05-13 |
Family
ID=11203783
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US395878A Expired - Lifetime US3882630A (en) | 1972-09-14 | 1973-09-10 | Structural element for composable toy constructions |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3882630A (fr) |
BE (1) | BE804811A (fr) |
CA (1) | CA984149A (fr) |
DE (1) | DE2346207A1 (fr) |
ES (1) | ES195387Y (fr) |
FR (1) | FR2200027B1 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB1435360A (fr) |
LU (1) | LU68421A1 (fr) |
NL (1) | NL7312603A (fr) |
Cited By (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3988854A (en) * | 1973-08-02 | 1976-11-02 | Bartz Richard O | Stackable elements with lateral connector |
US4046408A (en) * | 1973-08-03 | 1977-09-06 | Steven Ausnit | Omni-directional fastener |
US4267681A (en) * | 1975-04-16 | 1981-05-19 | Dunlop Limited | Resilient structures |
US4270304A (en) * | 1977-12-02 | 1981-06-02 | Sofer Nancy C | Flush-fitting toy building blocks |
US4740188A (en) * | 1986-07-31 | 1988-04-26 | Coster Theo M S | Toy construction element |
US4761902A (en) * | 1987-01-20 | 1988-08-09 | John F. Hoffman | Universal picture support assembly and method |
US4821438A (en) * | 1987-01-20 | 1989-04-18 | Albert L. Jeffers | Universal picture support assembly having glass retaining clips |
US4970839A (en) * | 1990-01-12 | 1990-11-20 | Arnon Lavi | Assembly elements and decorative panel formed therewith |
US5281181A (en) * | 1992-08-26 | 1994-01-25 | Steven Carl Pelluer | Construction set |
US5853313A (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 1998-12-29 | Patent Category Corp. | Constructional toy with deformable joints |
US5938496A (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 1999-08-17 | Patent Category Corp. | Constructional pieces with deformable joints |
US6032825A (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 2000-03-07 | Guthrie; Christopher L. | Lid for holding a frozen confection over a cup |
US6554678B2 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2003-04-29 | Emerging Playthings, Inc. | Sculptural toy |
US20040122429A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-06-24 | Mark Phillips | Provisional bone plate |
US20050166519A1 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2005-08-04 | Chiung-Hsuan Tung | Building block element |
US20060173458A1 (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2006-08-03 | Micah Forstein | Bone fracture fixation system |
US20070162015A1 (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 2007-07-12 | Zimmer Technology, Inc. | Orthopaedic bone plate |
US20080207082A1 (en) * | 2002-09-13 | 2008-08-28 | Timothy John Warner | Construction Kit |
USD747421S1 (en) * | 2014-07-21 | 2016-01-12 | Michael James Connor, JR. | Component for a toy construction set |
US20170304741A1 (en) * | 2016-04-22 | 2017-10-26 | Rodney A. Weems | Nestable building blocks |
USD813318S1 (en) * | 2017-03-30 | 2018-03-20 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD813317S1 (en) | 2017-03-30 | 2018-03-20 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD815216S1 (en) | 2017-03-30 | 2018-04-10 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD820359S1 (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2018-06-12 | Brett A. Deemer | Toy construction connector kit |
USD885494S1 (en) * | 2018-12-15 | 2020-05-26 | Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. | Building block with a double male cross hole |
USD897451S1 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-09-29 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD938527S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2021-12-14 | Mechanism Inc. | Compliant beam |
US20220203254A1 (en) * | 2020-12-30 | 2022-06-30 | Gracewood Management, Inc. | Interlocking building block toy |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE8324469U1 (de) * | 1983-08-25 | 1983-12-08 | Walton Masters Werbeagentur GmbH, 8000 München | Zusammensetzspiel |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2712200A (en) * | 1952-09-24 | 1955-07-05 | Harry S Dearling | Shape-retaining interlocking toy element |
US3007279A (en) * | 1958-09-15 | 1961-11-07 | James S Merritt Company | Splitting severable construction stick |
US3663717A (en) * | 1970-12-28 | 1972-05-16 | Borden Inc | Interlockable confection bars |
US3748778A (en) * | 1972-09-27 | 1973-07-31 | A Ellies | Interlockable sticks for confections |
-
1973
- 1973-09-10 US US395878A patent/US3882630A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1973-09-11 CA CA180,759A patent/CA984149A/en not_active Expired
- 1973-09-12 NL NL7312603A patent/NL7312603A/xx unknown
- 1973-09-12 FR FR7332808A patent/FR2200027B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1973-09-12 GB GB4277573A patent/GB1435360A/en not_active Expired
- 1973-09-13 DE DE19732346207 patent/DE2346207A1/de active Pending
- 1973-09-13 BE BE135611A patent/BE804811A/fr unknown
- 1973-09-14 LU LU68421A patent/LU68421A1/xx unknown
- 1973-09-14 ES ES1973195387U patent/ES195387Y/es not_active Expired
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2712200A (en) * | 1952-09-24 | 1955-07-05 | Harry S Dearling | Shape-retaining interlocking toy element |
US3007279A (en) * | 1958-09-15 | 1961-11-07 | James S Merritt Company | Splitting severable construction stick |
US3663717A (en) * | 1970-12-28 | 1972-05-16 | Borden Inc | Interlockable confection bars |
US3748778A (en) * | 1972-09-27 | 1973-07-31 | A Ellies | Interlockable sticks for confections |
Cited By (38)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3988854A (en) * | 1973-08-02 | 1976-11-02 | Bartz Richard O | Stackable elements with lateral connector |
US4046408A (en) * | 1973-08-03 | 1977-09-06 | Steven Ausnit | Omni-directional fastener |
US4267681A (en) * | 1975-04-16 | 1981-05-19 | Dunlop Limited | Resilient structures |
US4270304A (en) * | 1977-12-02 | 1981-06-02 | Sofer Nancy C | Flush-fitting toy building blocks |
US4740188A (en) * | 1986-07-31 | 1988-04-26 | Coster Theo M S | Toy construction element |
US4821438A (en) * | 1987-01-20 | 1989-04-18 | Albert L. Jeffers | Universal picture support assembly having glass retaining clips |
US4761902A (en) * | 1987-01-20 | 1988-08-09 | John F. Hoffman | Universal picture support assembly and method |
US4970839A (en) * | 1990-01-12 | 1990-11-20 | Arnon Lavi | Assembly elements and decorative panel formed therewith |
US5281181A (en) * | 1992-08-26 | 1994-01-25 | Steven Carl Pelluer | Construction set |
US5853313A (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 1998-12-29 | Patent Category Corp. | Constructional toy with deformable joints |
US5938496A (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 1999-08-17 | Patent Category Corp. | Constructional pieces with deformable joints |
AU723718B2 (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 2000-09-07 | Patent Category Corporation | Constructional toy with deformable joints |
US6116981A (en) * | 1996-04-16 | 2000-09-12 | Patent Category Corp. | Constructional pieces with deformable joints |
US6032825A (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 2000-03-07 | Guthrie; Christopher L. | Lid for holding a frozen confection over a cup |
US20070162015A1 (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 2007-07-12 | Zimmer Technology, Inc. | Orthopaedic bone plate |
US7846189B2 (en) | 1998-03-31 | 2010-12-07 | Zimmer, Inc. | Orthopaedic bone plate |
US6554678B2 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2003-04-29 | Emerging Playthings, Inc. | Sculptural toy |
US20080207082A1 (en) * | 2002-09-13 | 2008-08-28 | Timothy John Warner | Construction Kit |
US20040122429A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-06-24 | Mark Phillips | Provisional bone plate |
US20090171398A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2009-07-02 | Zimmer, Inc. | Provisional bone plate |
US7963979B2 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | Zimmer Technology, Inc. | Provisional bone plate |
US7736365B2 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2010-06-15 | Zimmer Technology, Inc. | Provisional bone plate |
US20050166519A1 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2005-08-04 | Chiung-Hsuan Tung | Building block element |
US8740905B2 (en) | 2004-10-07 | 2014-06-03 | Zimmer, Inc. | Bone fracture fixation system |
US20090312760A1 (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2009-12-17 | Zimmer, Inc. | Bone fracture fixation system |
US20060173458A1 (en) * | 2004-10-07 | 2006-08-03 | Micah Forstein | Bone fracture fixation system |
USD747421S1 (en) * | 2014-07-21 | 2016-01-12 | Michael James Connor, JR. | Component for a toy construction set |
US20170304741A1 (en) * | 2016-04-22 | 2017-10-26 | Rodney A. Weems | Nestable building blocks |
USD815216S1 (en) | 2017-03-30 | 2018-04-10 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD813317S1 (en) | 2017-03-30 | 2018-03-20 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD813318S1 (en) * | 2017-03-30 | 2018-03-20 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD928890S1 (en) | 2017-03-30 | 2021-08-24 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD820359S1 (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2018-06-12 | Brett A. Deemer | Toy construction connector kit |
USD897451S1 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-09-29 | Chrome Cherry Design Studio (Pty) Ltd | Tape forming a toy building block base |
USD885494S1 (en) * | 2018-12-15 | 2020-05-26 | Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. | Building block with a double male cross hole |
USD938527S1 (en) * | 2019-10-29 | 2021-12-14 | Mechanism Inc. | Compliant beam |
US20220203254A1 (en) * | 2020-12-30 | 2022-06-30 | Gracewood Management, Inc. | Interlocking building block toy |
US11491414B2 (en) * | 2020-12-30 | 2022-11-08 | Gracewood Management, Inc. | Interlocking building block toy |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB1435360A (en) | 1976-05-12 |
CA984149A (en) | 1976-02-24 |
FR2200027A1 (fr) | 1974-04-19 |
LU68421A1 (fr) | 1973-12-14 |
ES195387Y (es) | 1975-06-01 |
FR2200027B1 (fr) | 1974-11-08 |
BE804811A (fr) | 1974-01-02 |
NL7312603A (fr) | 1974-03-18 |
ES195387U (es) | 1975-01-16 |
DE2346207A1 (de) | 1974-03-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3882630A (en) | Structural element for composable toy constructions | |
US3032919A (en) | Building elements for toys, replicas and like articles | |
US4326354A (en) | Recreational kit for constructing objects | |
US2885822A (en) | Construction set | |
US3220141A (en) | Building blocks connectable in slideable or non-slideable relationship | |
US3564758A (en) | Polygonal building elements with connectors therefor for assembling toy structures | |
US4602908A (en) | Toy building block set | |
CA2102307C (fr) | Jeu de construction | |
US2843971A (en) | Construction toy block | |
US4997375A (en) | Elastically interconnected articulated blocks | |
US2803088A (en) | Educational toy construction | |
US4054393A (en) | Snap-locking coupler | |
US2558591A (en) | Toy construction element | |
HU180392B (en) | Form-construction toy | |
US4381619A (en) | Building block | |
US5928052A (en) | Cube toy blocks | |
US3660928A (en) | Modular building blocks with interfitting grooved surfaces | |
US3224135A (en) | Construction set including members with plural connecting means | |
US3604146A (en) | Rectangular and triangular blocks with means enabling one pin to connect three blocks | |
US4589853A (en) | Construction set, preferably a toy set | |
US3678613A (en) | Block set | |
US4283055A (en) | Puzzle type toy | |
US3518787A (en) | Building blocks with means for loosely connecting same | |
US3605322A (en) | Interlocking toy blocks | |
US4077154A (en) | Toy building block set |