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
  • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
  • A63H33/106—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements with rotation, e.g. of bayonet type
• • 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
  • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
  • A63H33/101—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements with clip or snap mechanism
• • 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
  • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
  • A63H33/067—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements with rotation or translation, e.g. of keyhole or bayonet type

Definitions

• the invention relates to a modular construction system, for instance for educational purposes or for use as toy, which system comprises at least two components for mutual releasable coupling by means of coupling means, which coupling means comprise: at least one coupling edge forming part of a wall of the one component and also forming the boundary of a hole in this wall; and at least one coupling lip which is adapted to be inserted in the hole and comprises for this purpose at least one snap edge for co-action with the coupling edge such that after this co-action has been brought about the rearward displacement can only take place by exerting a certain minimum force in the direction of rearward dis- placement.
• the invention has for its object to provide a modular construction system which obviates the stated shortcomings of the prior art.
• the construc- tion system according to the invention has the feature that in coupled situation the coupling edge and the coupling lip press against each other under bias with an inclining coupling surface such that by rotation round the coupling surface the contact between the coupling lip and the coupling edge can be released, a stop surface connects to a coupling lip, which stop surface presses in coupled situation with some force against at least a part of the coupling edge such that the coupling between the components is free of play, and the components consist at least partially of plastic .
• the coupling means comprise one coupling edge and/or one coupling lip.
• the coupling means comprise one coupling edge which is endless and forms the whole boundary of the hole.
• the coupling means preferably comprise two or more coupling lips, each having a curved form, which are arranged such that the joint form of the coupling lips is complementary to the form of the coupling edge.
• the coupling edge is more preferably circular.
• the components can be mutually coupled in any desired orientation.
• the toy is hereby made very suitable for very young children.
• An alternative preferred embodiment has a construction analogous to the first preferred embodiment. The difference lies in that the alternative preferred embodiment is provided with one coupling lip which is endless.
• the coupling means preferably comprise two or more coupling edges, each having a curved form, which are arranged such that the joint form of the coupling edges is complemen- tary to the form of the coupling lip.
• the coupling lip is more preferably circular.
• means are provided for blocking rotation of the components relative to each other in the coupled situation thereof.
• a first component is provided with the coupling lips, wherein a number of grooves running parallel to the coupling direction are arranged radially behind the coupling lips as seen in coupling direction for co-action with one or more protrusions which as seen in coupling direction are arranged radially behind the coupling edge of a second component to be coupled to the first component for coupling of the components at a predetermined radial angle .
• the coupling means comprise one coupling lip and one coupling edge and the coupling means are further provided with at least one insertion lip and at least one insertion open- ing co-acting with the insertion lip.
• this preferred embodiment is asymmetrical, which makes the toy very suitable for older children.
• a specific embodiment has the special feature that the coupling edge and the coupling lip have inclining pressure surfaces on their side remote from said coupling surface, which pressure surfaces can slide over each other to effect the coupling when a pressure force is applied.
• the coupling can be brought about by applying a pressure force depending on said inclining position. It will be apparent that the flexibility of the lip and the coefficient of friction of the surfaces sliding over each other also determine the required pressure force. This is also the case for the associated decoupling.
• the modular construction system according to the invention preferably has the special feature that components consist of plastic, for instance ABS, polypropylene (PP) or POM.
• plastic for instance ABS, polypropylene (PP) or POM.
• PP polypropylene
• POM polypropylene
• the use of a very strong plastic such as ABS has the advantage that the lifespan of the components is very long, even in the case of prolonged and even rough use.
• PP polypropylene
• POM polypropylene
• a system with plastic components can have the special feature that components are manufactured by injection moulding.
• An alternative can have the feature that components are manufactured by extrusion, followed by division into pieces of the profiled prismatic rod manufactured by extrusion, and optionally followed by selective removal of chosen areas.
• figure 1 shows a partly perspective view of a first embodiment of the modular construction system according to the invention
• figure 2 shows partly in side view, partly in cross -section the coupled components of figure 1
• figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment
• figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment
• figure 5A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment
• figure 5B shows the fourth embodiment in cross- section
• figure 6 shows a perspective view of a component of a fifth embodiment.
• Figure 1 shows a coupling block 1 and a frame
• Frame 2 comprises a continuous hole 3 which is bounded by four mutually perpendicular edges, at least one of which is a coupling edge which is designated with 4 and which coupling edge 4 has a stepped structure.
• Coupling block 1 has a central plate 5, the thickness of which is twice as great as the depth of the first step 6 (see also figure 2) .
• a stop surface 14 Connecting to coupling lip 7 is a stop surface 14 which co-acts with step 9 for a coupling which is free of play and does not rattle.
• two frames 2 can be mutually coupled in this manner without interspaces by means of coupling block 1.
• Plate 5 has on each of both sides one coupling lip 7 with rounded outer edge 8.
• this coupling lip can be placed into snapping co-action with the inner step 9 of frame 2.
• the snapping co-action is ensured by the shown rounded shape of outer edge 8.
• the coupling between block 1 and frame 2 can be released from the situation shown in figure 2 only by exerting a relatively great force.
• Coupling block 1 is provided on the side located opposite coupling lip 7 with an insertion lip 10 which can co-act with insertion opening 11 which is arranged opposite coupling edge 4 in the continuous hole 3 in the wall of frame 2.
• FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the modular construction system according to the invention.
• Coupling block 21 is provided with two coupling lips in the form of semi-circles 27.
• Coupling lips 27 each have a rounded outer edge 28.
• Frame 22 is provided with an endless, in this case circular, coupling edge 24 which forms the boundary of a continuous hole 23.
• Coupling lips 27 can be placed into snapping co-action with coupling edge 24 in a manner analogous to that described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
• Coupling block 21 is provided with a plate-like part 12 which fits into a corresponding recess 13 in frame 2. This prevents coupling block 21 and frame 22 being able to rotate relative to each other in the coupled situation thereof.
• Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the modular construction system according to the invention which displays great similarities to the embodiment of figure 3. The most significant difference lies in the fact that coupling block 31 is provided with one endless coupling lip 37 with rounded outer edge 38. This coupling lip can be placed into snapping co-action with coupling edges which consist of two semi-circles 34 forming the boundary of a continuous hole 33.
• Figure 5A shows a fourth embodiment of the modular construction system according to the invention.
• Figure 5B shows the fourth embodiment in cross-section.
• Coupling block 41 is provided with two coupling lips 47 in the form of semi-circles. Each coupling lip has a rounded outer edge 48.
• Frame 42 comprises a circular coupling edge 44 which bounds a continuous hole 43.
• Coupling lips 47 are adapted for snapping co-action with coupling edge 44.
• Two protrusions 15 are arranged in hole 43.
• Two recesses 16 are arranged between coupling lips 47 for co- action with protrusions 15.
• Coupling block 41 can therefore be coupled to frame 42 only in a very particular orientation in which recesses 16 lie in front of protrusions 15, i.e. an orientation in which coupling block 41 is rotated a quarter-turn relative to the shown position.
• Coupling block 41 is further provided with grooves 17 which are adapted to receive protrusions 15.
• protrusions 15 and coupling edge 44 are arranged between protrusions 15 and coupling edge 44 between protrusions 15 and coupling edge 44.
• the dimension of protrusions 15 as seen in coupling direction is as large as or smaller than the dimension of the stop surface 14 behind coupling lips 47 on coupling block 41.
• the coupling direction runs parallel to the centre line of a component, such as 41, in the direction of the other component for coupling therewith, such as 42.
• Coupling block 41 can thus be inserted in a determined orientation over a certain distance into frame 42, such that coupling lips 47 are accommodated in recessed portion 18. Coupling block 41 can then be rotated through a chosen angle, whereafter coupling block 41 can be coupled fixedly to frame 42 by pressing coupling block 41 further into frame 42. Protrusions 15 are herein received in two of the grooves 17 such that coupling block 41 is connected to frame 42 at a chosen angle. The accuracy with which the angle can be chosen depends on the number of grooves 17 on coupling block 41. Two frames 42 can be mutually coupled at a determined angle with use of coupling block 41.
• FIG 6 shows a fifth embodiment of a coupling block 51 as component of the modular construction system according to the invention.
• Coupling block 51 is provided with offset lips 57 arranged diagonally of each other.
• Coupling lips 57 are provided with rounded outer edges 58 and are adapted for co-action with, for instance two, coupling edges (not shown) .
• the coupling edges are preferably straight and can also form the boundary of one hole.
• the coupling edges can also form the boundary of two separate holes in a frame. The two separate holes can then also be arranged for instance diagonally of each other on the frame.
• the coupling surface in the modular construction system according to the invention has a generally convex shape.
• the coupling edge and the coupling lip preferably have inclining pressure surfaces on their side remote from said coupling surface, which pressure surfaces can slide over each other to effect the coupling when a pressure force is applied.
• These pressure surfaces have a generally convex shape.
• the coupling lip and the part of the coupling edge co-acting therewith have substantially the same shape.
• one or more of the coupling lips comprises spring steel .

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19765308

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (12)

Citations (4)

• 1997
  • 1997-07-10 NL NL1006524A patent/NL1006524C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1998
  • 1998-07-10 WO PCT/EP1998/004958 patent/WO1999002234A1/en active Application Filing
  • 1998-07-10 AU AU88638/98A patent/AU8863898A/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

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