US3902270A - First and second toy modules, each mateable with similar modules and with each other - Google Patents
First and second toy modules, each mateable with similar modules and with each other Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3902270A US3902270A US484752A US48475274A US3902270A US 3902270 A US3902270 A US 3902270A US 484752 A US484752 A US 484752A US 48475274 A US48475274 A US 48475274A US 3902270 A US3902270 A US 3902270A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- toy building
- legs
- building module
- leg
- 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
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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
- A63H33/08—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
Definitions
- Each toy building module has a base having a curvilinear surface and defining on one side a di- [56] References Cited ametric plane.
- a plurality of legs extend through the UNITED STATES PATENTS base generally perpendicular to the diametric plane. Means on the legs permit interconnection of the legs 2: et
- toy building modules assist in instilling confidence in the child. As he builds up a structure from the modules, then takes it down to build yet another, he feels he has acquired a degree of control over his immediate environment. As the child grasps physical concepts, he is able to grasp mental concepts and thus gains confidence to tackle even more daunting problems.
- the invention relates to toy building modules primarily for children, for the erection of structures of varying sizes and shapes according to the imagaination of the child, allowing experimentation and creativity on the part of the child.
- the building module has a base having a curvilinear surface such as a conical or generally hemispherically shaped shell which defines on one side a diametric plane. Equally spaced about the periphery of the shell are a plurality of legs. The legs are preferably orientated perpendicular to the diametric plane and pass through a portion of the base or shell. One end of each leg terminates in proximity to the diametric plane and the opposite end of each leg extends outwardly from the shell.
- the legs of one toy building module are interconnectable with the legs of another toy building module.
- Means are provided whereby the toy building modules may be connected with the concave portions of the base of each module in facing relationship to each other to define a closed structure, or with the concave portions of the base of each building module sue cessively aligned and facing the same direction.
- the modules may be stacked with the legs in alignment or, alternatively, they may be staggered, thus enabling the child to construct a wide variety of structures of differing shapes and sizes.
- An object ofthe invention is to provide a toy building module interconnectable with other building modules to form a structure.
- a second object is to provide such a building module interconnectable in a variety of different ways to thus provide a wide choice of structures which may be erected.
- a third object of the invention is to provide such a building module having a base with a generally curvilinear surface interconnectable with other such building modules and having the curvilinear surface selectively opposed to or in alignment with the curvilinear surface defined by other toy building modules. Further objects of the invention will become apparent upon the following description.
- FIG. 1 is an end plan view of a toy building module of a first embodiment according to the present invention having a hemispherical base or shell and viewing into the concave side of the surface defined by the hemispherical shell;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toy building module of FIG. I taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view ofa leg of the toy building module of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is an end planview of a second embodiment of a toy building module according to the present invention viewing into the concave side of the surface of the hemispherical shell thereof;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view ofa toy building module of FIG. 4 taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a leg of the toy building module of FIG. 5 taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5; and I FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a structure erected from a plurality of toy building modules of the present invention.
- FIGS. I through 3 a first embodiment of a toy building module, indicated generally at 10, according to the present invention.
- Building module 10 has a base 11 having a curvilinear surface shown to be generally hemispherical in shape, although it is understood that the base could be conically shaped or some other decorative shape such as pyramidal.
- the generally hemispherical base of shell 11 of building module 10 is upwardly open as shown in FIG. 2, and has an outer or upper peripheral edge 12 defining a diametric plane 14.
- Shell 11 has a convex outer side extending from the diametric plane uniformly decreasing in diameter away from said diametric plane about an axis and converging at a point on said axis.
- diametric plane 14 is imagi nary, and is the plane usually defined by planar intersection ofa sphere.
- Shell 11 could optionally be formed more or less of a hemisphere but preferably is constituted as a hemisphere which permits assembly of two modules into a complete sphere.
- Shell 11 has a plurality of tubular legs 15 secured thereto each having a portion extending outward from the convex side of shell I1 and a portion extending inward through the concave portion thereof.
- Legs 15 include four legs equally spaced about the shell 11 having inward ends 16 attached to the outer peripheral edge 12 of shell 11.
- Legs 15 are orientated generally in perpendicular relationship to diametric plane 14 and each has an end 17 extending through the shell 11 and outwardly therefrom, terminating approximately in coplanar relationship with the outermost portion of the convex side of shell 11.
- Legs 15 of toy building module 10 are equipped with means for interconnection with the legs of similar toy building modules, enabling the erection of diversified structures.
- the upper end 16 of leg 15, or the end located proximate the diametric plane 14, is open. as at 19, thus to provide a recess to snugly receive an outwardly projected member extended from one end of a leg located on another toy building module.
- the lower portion 17 of leg 15, or that portion extending away from the convex face of shell 11, has a longitudinally extended finger or projection 20.
- the projection 20 is of a transverse dimension or diameter reduced sufficiently to be snugly and removably insertable in a recess of the size of recess 19, at the opposite end of leg 15, located on a leg of another toy building module.
- Toy building module 22 is the same in all respects as the first embodiment of the toy building module except that the interconnecting means on the legs are disposed in reverse relationship to the hemispherical shell as compared to those on toy building module 10 of the first embodiment.
- Toy building module 22, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, has a generally hemispherical shell 23.
- the circular. upper peripheral edge 24 of shell 23 defines a diametric plane 26 facing the concave face of hemispherical shell 23.
- legs 27 are equally spaced around the periphery of shell 23.
- Each leg 27 has a portion 28 extending through the concave face of shell 23 and terminating proximate to the diametric plane 26.
- Each leg 27 also has a portion 29 extending outward from shell 23 from the convex face thereof andterminating in approximately coplanar relationship with the outermost segment of the convex face of shell 23.
- Legs 27 of toy building module 22 are equipped with means for interconnection with legs of similar toy building modules thus to enable erection of diversified structures.
- the upper portion 28 of leg,27, or that portion extending through the concave face of shell 23 and terminating proximate the diametric plane 26, has a longitudinally extended finger or projection 31.
- Projection 31 is of a transverse dimension or diameter reduced sufficiently to be snugly insertable in a recess of the size of the recess 19 of leg of the toy building module 10 of the first embodiment.
- leg 27 At the opposite end of leg 27, or that end extending from the convex face of shell 23, is an opening or recess 32 having a diameter of sufficient size to snugly receive a projection or finger of the size of the projection 31 located on a leg of another toy building module. It is thus apparent that the only difference between the toy building module 22 of the second embodiment and the toy building module 10 of the first embodiment is the orientation of the interconnecting means on the legs.
- FIG. 7 there is shown an elementary structure 35 illustrating several of the many ways in which toy building modules of the embodiments described may be interconnected.
- the toy building modules are interconnectable with the convex face of the shell facing either down or up and with one or more of the legs of a given toy building module in alignment with and interconnected with one or more of the legs of another toy building module.
- a pair of spaced apart toy building modules 36, 37 form the base of structure 35, each being of the type having projections 38 on legs 39 extending away from the concave face of the toy building modules 36, 37.
- Each toy building module 36, 37 is orientated with the convex face of the hemispherical shell directed downward.
- Assembled to the toy building module 36 is a third toy building module 41 of the same embodiment, having the recessed portion of its legs 42 on that portion of the legs 42 extending outward from the convex face of the hemispherical shell and engaging the projections 38 of the legs 39 on toy building module 36.
- a fourth toy building module 44 is assembled to the other base module 37.
- the toy building module 44 is the type having recesses 45 of the legs 46 located in the portion of the leg 46 proximate to the diametric plane of the hemispherical shell of the toy building module 44.
- the projections 38 of the leg 39 on base module 37 engage the recesses 45 of the legs 46 on the module 44.
- the convex face of the hemispherical shell is facing upward, thus forming a complete sphere in assembled relationship to the toy building module 37, as shown in FIG. 7.
- a fifth toy building module 49 is assembled to the closest adjacent legs of the toy building modules 41 and 44.
- Module 49 is of the type having legs 50 with recesses 51 on the portion of the legs 50 located proximate to the diametric plane of the hemisphere of the module 49.
- the upwardly extended projections 53 on the legs 42, 46 of the modules 41, 44 engage the recesses 51 of the legs 50 on the building module 49, two of the legs of each module 41, 44 engaging two of the legs of the upper module 49.
- a geometric structure comprised of a plurality of toy building modules including:
- a first toy building module with a shell having a generally hemispherical side and a side defining a diametric plane, a plurality of parallel legs extending from said shell, said legs being equally spaced about the periphery of said shell perpendicular to said diametric plane, each leg having one end located proximate to said diametric plane at the perimeter thereof secured to the inner edge of said shell, each leg extending through said shell and having an opposite end extending outward from said hemispherical side of said shell, interconnection means on said legs including a recess located on the end of each leg proximate the diametric plane, and an outwardly projected member located on the end of each leg extending outward of said hemispherical shell, said projected members and recesses being mateable with those of a similar first toy building module;
- a second toy building module with a shell having a generally hemispherical side and a side defining a diametric plane, a plurality of parallel legs extending from said shell, said legs being equally spaced about the periphery of said shell perpendicular to said diametric plane, each leg having one end located proximate to said diametric plane at the perimeter thereof secured to the inner edge of said shell, each leg extending through said shell and having an opposite end extending outward from said hemispherical side of said shell, interconnection means on said legs including an outwardly projected member located on the end of each leg proximate the diametric plane.
- each of said legs on one of said toy building modules has a length approximately equal the radius of the hemispherical shell of said one toy building module.
- each of said legs of the other of said toy building modules has a length approximately equal the radius of the hemispherical shell of said other toy building module.
- each of said toy building modules has four legs.
- each of said legs on said toy building modules has a length approximately equal the radius of one of said hemispherical shells.
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US484752A US3902270A (en) | 1974-07-01 | 1974-07-01 | First and second toy modules, each mateable with similar modules and with each other |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US484752A US3902270A (en) | 1974-07-01 | 1974-07-01 | First and second toy modules, each mateable with similar modules and with each other |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3902270A true US3902270A (en) | 1975-09-02 |
Family
ID=23925459
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US484752A Expired - Lifetime US3902270A (en) | 1974-07-01 | 1974-07-01 | First and second toy modules, each mateable with similar modules and with each other |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US3902270A (en) |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4106657A (en) * | 1975-09-17 | 1978-08-15 | P. Ferrero & C. S.P.A. | Container usable as a toy construction element |
US4109789A (en) * | 1977-09-28 | 1978-08-29 | Plastic Reel Corporation Of America | Self-contained latch constructions for interlocking containers in stacked relation |
US4739897A (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1988-04-26 | Butler Lorraine M | Holder for the protection of remote electronic devices |
US4895256A (en) * | 1988-09-23 | 1990-01-23 | Johnston James E | Air conditioning supply carrier |
US5287979A (en) * | 1989-01-13 | 1994-02-22 | Alain Bourgeois | Ovoid container for condiments |
US6119426A (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2000-09-19 | Escudero; Gary A. | Heather blocks |
US6142301A (en) * | 1998-09-05 | 2000-11-07 | Inventec Corporation | Expandable modular container system |
US20030205544A1 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2003-11-06 | Rhodes William Timaru | Module for a structure |
US20040253901A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2004-12-16 | Joseph Donahue | Modular construction system and method of constructing toy structures |
US20070278918A1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-06 | Allan Grainger | Storage system |
US20080210694A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-09-04 | Michel Castonguay | Drinking vessel |
US8986012B1 (en) * | 2009-07-01 | 2015-03-24 | University Of Puerto Rico | Three-dimensional 3D visualization kit |
US20170169731A1 (en) * | 2017-01-20 | 2017-06-15 | Issam Kobrsi | Chirality teaching tool and method of using same |
US20180056208A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2018-03-01 | Benkan Corporation | Assembly toy |
US20180170660A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-21 | Nivarox-Far S.A. | Packaging for timepiece appliques |
US20210170296A1 (en) * | 2017-11-08 | 2021-06-10 | Lego A/S | Toy building set |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1883214A (en) * | 1931-09-10 | 1932-10-18 | Design Lab Inc | Ornamental objects |
US2916161A (en) * | 1959-06-15 | 1959-12-08 | Republic Molding Corp | Utility containers |
US3553882A (en) * | 1967-10-19 | 1971-01-12 | Kevin F Meates | Means for locking a wheel to a shaft and for securing a handle to the wheel |
US3604130A (en) * | 1968-07-05 | 1971-09-14 | Incentive Ab | Construction series for molecular models |
US3611621A (en) * | 1969-05-15 | 1971-10-12 | Mattel Inc | Building unit toy |
-
1974
- 1974-07-01 US US484752A patent/US3902270A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1883214A (en) * | 1931-09-10 | 1932-10-18 | Design Lab Inc | Ornamental objects |
US2916161A (en) * | 1959-06-15 | 1959-12-08 | Republic Molding Corp | Utility containers |
US3553882A (en) * | 1967-10-19 | 1971-01-12 | Kevin F Meates | Means for locking a wheel to a shaft and for securing a handle to the wheel |
US3604130A (en) * | 1968-07-05 | 1971-09-14 | Incentive Ab | Construction series for molecular models |
US3611621A (en) * | 1969-05-15 | 1971-10-12 | Mattel Inc | Building unit toy |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4106657A (en) * | 1975-09-17 | 1978-08-15 | P. Ferrero & C. S.P.A. | Container usable as a toy construction element |
US4109789A (en) * | 1977-09-28 | 1978-08-29 | Plastic Reel Corporation Of America | Self-contained latch constructions for interlocking containers in stacked relation |
US4739897A (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1988-04-26 | Butler Lorraine M | Holder for the protection of remote electronic devices |
US4895256A (en) * | 1988-09-23 | 1990-01-23 | Johnston James E | Air conditioning supply carrier |
US5287979A (en) * | 1989-01-13 | 1994-02-22 | Alain Bourgeois | Ovoid container for condiments |
US6142301A (en) * | 1998-09-05 | 2000-11-07 | Inventec Corporation | Expandable modular container system |
US6119426A (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2000-09-19 | Escudero; Gary A. | Heather blocks |
US7287653B2 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2007-10-30 | William Timaru Rhodes | Apparatus for storing bottles |
US20030205544A1 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2003-11-06 | Rhodes William Timaru | Module for a structure |
US20040253901A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2004-12-16 | Joseph Donahue | Modular construction system and method of constructing toy structures |
US6966813B2 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2005-11-22 | Joseph Donahue | Modular construction system and method of constructing toy structures |
US20070278918A1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-06 | Allan Grainger | Storage system |
US8016370B2 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2011-09-13 | Allan Grainger | Storage system |
US20080210694A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-09-04 | Michel Castonguay | Drinking vessel |
US8986012B1 (en) * | 2009-07-01 | 2015-03-24 | University Of Puerto Rico | Three-dimensional 3D visualization kit |
US20180056208A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2018-03-01 | Benkan Corporation | Assembly toy |
US20180170660A1 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-21 | Nivarox-Far S.A. | Packaging for timepiece appliques |
US10766689B2 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2020-09-08 | Nivarox—FAR S.A. | Packaging for timepiece appliques |
US20170169731A1 (en) * | 2017-01-20 | 2017-06-15 | Issam Kobrsi | Chirality teaching tool and method of using same |
US10192463B2 (en) * | 2017-01-20 | 2019-01-29 | Issam Kobrsi | Chirality teaching tool and method of using same |
US20210170296A1 (en) * | 2017-11-08 | 2021-06-10 | Lego A/S | Toy building set |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHASE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION, 50 FEDERAL ST., BOST Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:JAMES INDUSTRIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003919/0969 Effective date: 19810409 Owner name: JAMES INDUSTRIES, INC.; Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) THE;REEL/FRAME:003919/0975 Effective date: 19810414 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JAMES INDUSTRIES, INC. A PA CORP Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHASE COMMERCIAL CORP. A DE CORP;REEL/FRAME:004757/0270 Effective date: 19870513 Owner name: CHASE COMMERCIAL CORP., 50 FEDERAL STREET, BOSTON, Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JAMES INDUSTRIES, INC., A PA CORP;REEL/FRAME:004757/0279 Effective date: 19870513 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE, 1 CHASE MANHATTAN Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHASE COMMERICAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004912/0002 Effective date: 19880211 Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE,NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHASE COMMERICAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004912/0002 Effective date: 19880211 |