WO2004067128A2 - A toy building set with plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements - Google Patents
A toy building set with plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004067128A2 WO2004067128A2 PCT/DK2004/000057 DK2004000057W WO2004067128A2 WO 2004067128 A2 WO2004067128 A2 WO 2004067128A2 DK 2004000057 W DK2004000057 W DK 2004000057W WO 2004067128 A2 WO2004067128 A2 WO 2004067128A2
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- toy building
- coupling
- plate
- elements
- shaped toy
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- 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
Definitions
- the invention relates to a toy building set comprising a plurality of plate- shaped toy building elements of a thickness and having at least one through- going opening provided at an edge of the toy building element, and a plurality of coupling elements for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements, said coupling elements being each provided with at least two protruding coupling studs that are complementary with the through-going openings provided in the plate-shaped toy-building elements.
- Such toy building set is known from US-A-4 209 934 that shows precisely plate-shaped toy building elements that can be interconnected by means of particular coupling elements either for forming a large combined surface or for forming three-dimensional structures, wherein the plate-shaped toy building elements are interconnected at an angle.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements shown in US-A-4 209 934 are, at each edge, provided with a recess with two through-going openings that are able to receive and secure two coupling studs provided on the coupling elements.
- Each coupling element consists of two flaps that are kept together by means of a film hinge, and each flap is provided with two protruding coupling studs that are complementary with the through-going openings in the plate-shaped toy building elements.
- the one flap of the coupling element is connected to the one plate-shaped toy building element, whereas the second flap of the coupling element is connected to the second plate-shaped toy building element.
- the two interconnected, plate-shaped toy building elements can be angled in relation to each other. If the plate-shaped toy building elements are to be interconnected for forming a large, combined surface, the coupling element is turned such that the film hinge extends transversally across the joint between the two plate-shaped toy building elements, whereby a rigid interconnection between the two plate-shaped toy building elements is accomplished.
- toy building elements shown in US-A-4 209 934 it is possible to construct coherent faces that may be plane or form three-dimensional structures. However, it is not possible to build structures, wherein more than two edges of plate-shaped toy building elements are interconnected.
- the toy building set described above is configured such that the coupling studs on the coupling elements have a height that corresponds to or is smaller than half the thickness of the plate- shaped elements at the through-going openings, thereby enabling two coupling studs to engage with the same through-going opening from each side of a plate-shaped toy building element.
- the coupling studs are provided with an outwardly protruding collar that is able to seize behind an inwardly facing bead provided in the through-going openings.
- the coupling studs hereby become interconnected with the through-going openings by means of a snap- engagement that ensures a stable interconnection between the plate-shaped toy building elements and the coupling elements.
- the coupling studs are slotted so as to provide adequate flexibility to ensure a sensible snap-coupling.
- the coupling studs can be configured such that they couple tightly with the through-going openings.
- the engagement becomes purely frictional, a feature that may be desirable in some cases.
- the coupling elements comprise at least one coupling element with at least two legs that form an angle between them, each leg being provided with at least one protruding coupling stud.
- Such coupling element can be used for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements at a specific angle in relation to each other, each leg being coupled to each their plate-shaped toy building element.
- the coupling element has precisely two legs that form a right angle between them.
- This coupling element is particularly suitable if the plate-shaped toy building elements are to be assembled for forming box-shaped structures.
- the coupling elements comprise a coupling element with three legs that form mutual angles between them, preferably right angles.
- Such coupling element can be used for forming corner joints between three plate-shaped toy building elements.
- Figure 1 shows two plate-shaped toy building elements and a coupling element for a toy building set according to the invention
- Figure 2 shows the same three elements as shown in Figure 1 , but in an enlarged scale and in sectional view;
- Figure 3 is a sectional view of interconnection between a plate-shaped toy building element and two coupling elements
- Figure 4 is a sectional view of a straight interconnection between plate- shaped toy building elements via a coupling element
- Figure 5 is a sectional view of interconnection of three plate-shaped toy building elements via three coupling elements
- Figure 6 shows a corner assembly between three plate-shaped toy building elements by means of a coupling element
- Figure 7 shows a large structure built by means of plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements configured in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 1 shows two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 and a coupling element 3 for at toy building set configured in accordance with the invention.
- the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 are the same, the only difference between them being that the plate-shaped toy building element 2 is provided with a central opening 4, while the plate-shaped toy building element 1 appears as a closed plate.
- Each of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 is provided with a number of through-going openings 5 that are provided at the edge 6 of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1, 2.
- each of the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 is provided with eight through- going openings 5 that are evenly distributed along the edge 6 of the plate- shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
- the through-going apertures 5 should be configured with well-defined mutually specific distances, that are repeated in the various plate-shaped toy building elements, such that the plate-shaped toy building elements can be interconnected to form many different configurations.
- the smallest distance between two through-going openings 5 are, in many toy building sets, designated the modular measure of the toy building set.
- a coupling element 3 is used that can be configured eg as shown in Figure 1.
- This coupling element 3 is configured with two legs 3a, 3b that form a right angle between them.
- Each of the two legs 3a, 3b is provided with a coupling stud 7 that is configured complementarily with the through-going apertures 5, such that the coupling stud 7 is able to engage with a through-going aperture 5 and in this manner couple the coupling element 3 to a plate-shaped toy building element 1, 2 as outlined by dotted lines between the coupling element 3 and the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
- the coupling studs 7 are, in the preferred embodiment, configured with an outwardly protruding collar 8 at the outer end and is moreover slotted in the axial direction, thereby enabling a certain deformation of the walls of the coupling stud 7.
- Figure 2 shows the three same elements as shown in Figure 1 , only in enlarged scale and sectional view.
- each coupling stud 7 is configured as a hollow, slotted tubing with an outwardly protruding collar 8 at the outer end.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 have a thickness t corresponding at least to the area around the through-going openings 5, and this thickness corresponds to or exceeds the height h of the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3.
- the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3 have a height h corresponding to or smaller than half the thickness t of the plate shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 at the through- going openings 5.
- two couplings studs 7 are able to engage with the same through-going opening 5 from each side of a plate-shaped toy building element 1 , 2 as shown in Figure 3.
- the through-going openings 5 in the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 are provided with two inwardly facing beads 9, with which the outwardly protruding collars 8 of the coupling studs 7 may engage, whereby a snap- locking engagement is obtained between the coupling element 3 and the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
- This snap-locking engagement is also shown in further detail in Figure 3 that shows a plate-shaped toy building element 1 with two coupling elements 3 mounted on each their side. As will appear, the outwardly protruding collars 8 of the coupling studs 7 engage with the inwardly facing beads 9 in the through-going opening 5.
- FIG 4 is a sectional view of an alternative configuration of a coupling element 13 that can be used for forming a straight coupling between two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
- the coupling element 13 corresponds to the coupling element 3 shown in Figures 1-3, apart from the fact that it does not comprise two angled legs, but merely comprises a straight portion.
- the coupling studs 7 are configured in the same manner as the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3; and it is thus able to interconnect the coupling element 13 with two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 in the same manner as described above with reference to the coupling element 3, as outwardly protruding collars 8 on the coupling studs 7 are in snap-locking engagement with inwardly protruding beads 9 provided in the through-going apertures 5 of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
- Figure 5 is a sectional view of a third configuration of a coupling element 23 that comprises two legs 23a, 23b that form an angle ⁇ in relation to each other of 120°.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 shown in Figure 5 distinguish themselves over the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 shown in Figures 1-4, the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 generally having a smaller thickness than the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2; the total thickness, however, is smaller than the total height of two coupling studs 7 on the coupling elements 23.
- elevations 12 are thus provided that extend from the surface of the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 to the effect that, at least in these areas, the sufficient thickness t is accomplished that allows two coupling studs 7 to engage with the same through-going opening 5 from each side of the plate-shaped toy building element 11 in correspondence with the invention.
- Figure 6 shows a corner joint between three plate-shaped toy building elements 1 by means of a coupling element 3 that comprises three legs 33a, 33b, 33c that form right angles between them and that are each provided with a coupling stud (outlined by dotted lines).
- this coupling element 33 there can thus be formed a corner between three toy building elements 1 as shown, the coupling studs being caused to engage with through-going openings 5 in the plate-shaped toy building elements 1.
- Figure 7 shows a large structure built by means of plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 and coupling elements 3, 33.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements 21 that are used as horizontal walls and as vertical sidewalls are configured to be rectangular, there being, along the edges, provided five through-going apertures 5 in modular measure in the one direction, while three through-going openings 5 in modular measure are provided in the other direction.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements 22 that are used as rear walls are square, there being along the edges provided five through-going apertures 5, each in modular measure in each direction.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 are interconnected in such a manner that five compartments are formed - two at the top and three below. All horizontal walls and the sidewalls consist of plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , while the rear walls consist of plate-shaped toy building elements 22. In the middlemost compartment at the bottom no rear wall is provided.
- each partition wall comprises only one single plate-shaped toy building element 21 that can be interconnected with other plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 via coupling elements 3, 33.
- FIG. 4 and 5 thus outline other possible building combinations of alternative embodiments of both the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2, 11 and of coupling elements 13, 23 in accordance with the invention, and the person skilled in the art will be able to readily point to further configurations thereof.
- the plate-shaped toy building elements could eg be triangular, pentagonal or have rounded shapes, and, likewise, coupling elements could have any other shape that allows interconnection between two or more plate- shaped toy building elements.
- the coupling elements could also be configured as flexible elements, whereby they allow a flexing between two interconnected plate-shaped toy building elements. Such flexibility could be built into the coupling element by a film hinge, or a soft rubber-like material could be used for at least a part of the coupling element.
- the coupling elements could also be configured with more legs than the ones shown and with other mutual angles between the legs, whereby even more building options are achieved.
- the engagement between the coupling elements and the plate-shaped toy building elements can also be configured in other manners than by snap- coupling without thereby departing from the underlying idea of the invention.
- the coupling studs may be configured eg as simple, cylindrical pins that fit tightly into cylindrical openings in the plate-shaped toy building elements. Configurations other than cylindrical shapes are also an option.
- the toy building set according to the invention is preferably configured such that interconnected toy building elements can comparatively easily be separated again, following which the same toy building elements can be used for building new structures, as is commonly known for this type of toy building sets.
Abstract
A toy building set comprising a plurality of plate-shaped toy building elements (1, 2) with a thickness and having at least one through-going opening (5) provided at an edge of the toy building element (1, 2); and a plurality of coupling elements (3) for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements (1, 2), said coupling elements (3) being each provided with at least two protruding coupling studs (7) that are complementary with the through-going openings (5) provided in the plate-shaped toy building elements (1, 2). The coupling studs (7) on the coupling elements (3) have a height that corresponds to or is smaller than half the thickness of the plate-shaped toy building elements (1, 2) at the through-going openings (5), thereby enabling two coupling studs (7) to engage with the same through-going opening (5) from each side of a plate-shaped toy building element (1, 2).
Description
A toy building set with plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements
The invention relates to a toy building set comprising a plurality of plate- shaped toy building elements of a thickness and having at least one through- going opening provided at an edge of the toy building element, and a plurality of coupling elements for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements, said coupling elements being each provided with at least two protruding coupling studs that are complementary with the through-going openings provided in the plate-shaped toy-building elements.
Such toy building set is known from US-A-4 209 934 that shows precisely plate-shaped toy building elements that can be interconnected by means of particular coupling elements either for forming a large combined surface or for forming three-dimensional structures, wherein the plate-shaped toy building elements are interconnected at an angle. The plate-shaped toy building elements shown in US-A-4 209 934 are, at each edge, provided with a recess with two through-going openings that are able to receive and secure two coupling studs provided on the coupling elements. Each coupling element consists of two flaps that are kept together by means of a film hinge, and each flap is provided with two protruding coupling studs that are complementary with the through-going openings in the plate-shaped toy building elements.
If the plate-shaped toy building elements are to be interconnected for forming three-dimensional structures, the one flap of the coupling element is connected to the one plate-shaped toy building element, whereas the second flap of the coupling element is connected to the second plate-shaped toy building element. Owing to the film hinge between the two flaps of the coupling element the two interconnected, plate-shaped toy building elements can be angled in relation to each other. If the plate-shaped toy building
elements are to be interconnected for forming a large, combined surface, the coupling element is turned such that the film hinge extends transversally across the joint between the two plate-shaped toy building elements, whereby a rigid interconnection between the two plate-shaped toy building elements is accomplished.
By the toy building elements shown in US-A-4 209 934 it is possible to construct coherent faces that may be plane or form three-dimensional structures. However, it is not possible to build structures, wherein more than two edges of plate-shaped toy building elements are interconnected.
In many cases, however, it is desirable to be able to build three-dimensional structures, wherein more than two plate-shaped toy building elements are assembled at a common edge; and it is thus the object of the invention to provide a toy building set that allows such three-dimensional structure.
This is accomplished in that the toy building set described above is configured such that the coupling studs on the coupling elements have a height that corresponds to or is smaller than half the thickness of the plate- shaped elements at the through-going openings, thereby enabling two coupling studs to engage with the same through-going opening from each side of a plate-shaped toy building element.
Hereby it is accomplished that it is possible to build three-dimensional structures, wherein more than two plate-shaped toy building elements extend from a common assembly line, the toy building element being configured precisely such that each of the through-going openings in the plate-shaped toy building elements can be used for interconnection with a coupling element on each side, whereby these coupling elements can each be interconnected with at least one other plate-shaped toy building element. It is thus possible to build structures, wherein a plate-shaped toy building element
forms eg a common partition wall between two spaces formed of other plate- shaped toy building elements.
According to a preferred embodiment the coupling studs are provided with an outwardly protruding collar that is able to seize behind an inwardly facing bead provided in the through-going openings. The coupling studs hereby become interconnected with the through-going openings by means of a snap- engagement that ensures a stable interconnection between the plate-shaped toy building elements and the coupling elements.
Preferably the coupling studs are slotted so as to provide adequate flexibility to ensure a sensible snap-coupling.
As an alternative to a snap-engagement, the coupling studs can be configured such that they couple tightly with the through-going openings. Hereby the engagement becomes purely frictional, a feature that may be desirable in some cases.
Preferably, the coupling elements comprise at least one coupling element with at least two legs that form an angle between them, each leg being provided with at least one protruding coupling stud. Such coupling element can be used for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements at a specific angle in relation to each other, each leg being coupled to each their plate-shaped toy building element.
According to the preferred embodiment, the coupling element has precisely two legs that form a right angle between them. This coupling element is particularly suitable if the plate-shaped toy building elements are to be assembled for forming box-shaped structures.
According to a particular embodiment the coupling elements comprise a coupling element with three legs that form mutual angles between them, preferably right angles. Such coupling element can be used for forming corner joints between three plate-shaped toy building elements.
The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the drawing, wherein:
Figure 1 shows two plate-shaped toy building elements and a coupling element for a toy building set according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows the same three elements as shown in Figure 1 , but in an enlarged scale and in sectional view;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of interconnection between a plate-shaped toy building element and two coupling elements;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of a straight interconnection between plate- shaped toy building elements via a coupling element;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of interconnection of three plate-shaped toy building elements via three coupling elements;
Figure 6 shows a corner assembly between three plate-shaped toy building elements by means of a coupling element; and
Figure 7 shows a large structure built by means of plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements configured in accordance with the invention.
Figure 1 shows two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 and a coupling element 3 for at toy building set configured in accordance with the invention.
In principle, the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 are the same, the only difference between them being that the plate-shaped toy building element 2 is provided with a central opening 4, while the plate-shaped toy building element 1 appears as a closed plate.
Each of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 is provided with a number of through-going openings 5 that are provided at the edge 6 of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1, 2. In the shown example each of the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 is provided with eight through- going openings 5 that are evenly distributed along the edge 6 of the plate- shaped toy building elements 1 , 2. In order for the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 to be constituents of a toy building set with many such plate- shaped toy building elements, the through-going apertures 5 should be configured with well-defined mutually specific distances, that are repeated in the various plate-shaped toy building elements, such that the plate-shaped toy building elements can be interconnected to form many different configurations. The smallest distance between two through-going openings 5 are, in many toy building sets, designated the modular measure of the toy building set.
For interconnecting two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 a coupling element 3 is used that can be configured eg as shown in Figure 1. This coupling element 3 is configured with two legs 3a, 3b that form a right angle between them. Each of the two legs 3a, 3b is provided with a coupling stud 7 that is configured complementarily with the through-going apertures 5, such that the coupling stud 7 is able to engage with a through-going aperture 5 and in this manner couple the coupling element 3 to a plate-shaped toy building element 1, 2 as outlined by dotted lines between the coupling element 3 and the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
As will appear from Figure 1 , the coupling studs 7 are, in the preferred embodiment, configured with an outwardly protruding collar 8 at the outer end and is moreover slotted in the axial direction, thereby enabling a certain deformation of the walls of the coupling stud 7. This will appear more clearly from Figure 2 that shows the three same elements as shown in Figure 1 , only in enlarged scale and sectional view. Here it appears clearly that each coupling stud 7 is configured as a hollow, slotted tubing with an outwardly protruding collar 8 at the outer end.
The plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 have a thickness t corresponding at least to the area around the through-going openings 5, and this thickness corresponds to or exceeds the height h of the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3. In other words, the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3 have a height h corresponding to or smaller than half the thickness t of the plate shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 at the through- going openings 5. Hereby two couplings studs 7 are able to engage with the same through-going opening 5 from each side of a plate-shaped toy building element 1 , 2 as shown in Figure 3.
The through-going openings 5 in the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 are provided with two inwardly facing beads 9, with which the outwardly protruding collars 8 of the coupling studs 7 may engage, whereby a snap- locking engagement is obtained between the coupling element 3 and the two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2. This snap-locking engagement is also shown in further detail in Figure 3 that shows a plate-shaped toy building element 1 with two coupling elements 3 mounted on each their side. As will appear, the outwardly protruding collars 8 of the coupling studs 7 engage with the inwardly facing beads 9 in the through-going opening 5. The slotting of the coupling studs 7 means that the walls are able to deform sufficiently to accomplish the desired snap-effect between the coupling studs 7 and the through-going opening 5.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of an alternative configuration of a coupling element 13 that can be used for forming a straight coupling between two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2. In principle, the coupling element 13 corresponds to the coupling element 3 shown in Figures 1-3, apart from the fact that it does not comprise two angled legs, but merely comprises a straight portion. The coupling studs 7 are configured in the same manner as the coupling studs 7 on the coupling element 3; and it is thus able to interconnect the coupling element 13 with two plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 in the same manner as described above with reference to the coupling element 3, as outwardly protruding collars 8 on the coupling studs 7 are in snap-locking engagement with inwardly protruding beads 9 provided in the through-going apertures 5 of the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a third configuration of a coupling element 23 that comprises two legs 23a, 23b that form an angle α in relation to each other of 120°. By using three such coupling elements 23 in combination with three plate-shaped toy building elements 11 , it is possible to build a structure in which the three plate-shaped toy building elements 11 extend from a common assembly line at angles of 120° as shown in Figure 5.
It should be noted that the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 shown in Figure 5 distinguish themselves over the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2 shown in Figures 1-4, the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 generally having a smaller thickness than the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2; the total thickness, however, is smaller than the total height of two coupling studs 7 on the coupling elements 23. In the area around the through-going openings 5 elevations 12 are thus provided that extend from the surface of the plate-shaped toy building elements 11 to the effect that, at least in these areas, the sufficient thickness t is accomplished that allows two coupling studs 7 to engage with the same through-going opening 5 from each
side of the plate-shaped toy building element 11 in correspondence with the invention.
Figure 6 shows a corner joint between three plate-shaped toy building elements 1 by means of a coupling element 3 that comprises three legs 33a, 33b, 33c that form right angles between them and that are each provided with a coupling stud (outlined by dotted lines). By means of this coupling element 33 there can thus be formed a corner between three toy building elements 1 as shown, the coupling studs being caused to engage with through-going openings 5 in the plate-shaped toy building elements 1.
Finally, Figure 7 shows a large structure built by means of plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 and coupling elements 3, 33.
The plate-shaped toy building elements 21 that are used as horizontal walls and as vertical sidewalls are configured to be rectangular, there being, along the edges, provided five through-going apertures 5 in modular measure in the one direction, while three through-going openings 5 in modular measure are provided in the other direction. The plate-shaped toy building elements 22 that are used as rear walls are square, there being along the edges provided five through-going apertures 5, each in modular measure in each direction.
The plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 are interconnected in such a manner that five compartments are formed - two at the top and three below. All horizontal walls and the sidewalls consist of plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , while the rear walls consist of plate-shaped toy building elements 22. In the middlemost compartment at the bottom no rear wall is provided.
All of the plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 are interconnected by means of coupling elements 3, 33 that are shown in Figures 1-3 and 6 and
are described above. By configuring both the plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 and the coupling elements 3, 33 in accordance with the invention, it is possible to build the shown structure, wherein each partition wall comprises only one single plate-shaped toy building element 21 that can be interconnected with other plate-shaped toy building elements 21 , 22 via coupling elements 3, 33.
Of course, it is possible to build many other structures than the one shown in Figure 7. Figures 4 and 5 thus outline other possible building combinations of alternative embodiments of both the plate-shaped toy building elements 1 , 2, 11 and of coupling elements 13, 23 in accordance with the invention, and the person skilled in the art will be able to readily point to further configurations thereof. The plate-shaped toy building elements could eg be triangular, pentagonal or have rounded shapes, and, likewise, coupling elements could have any other shape that allows interconnection between two or more plate- shaped toy building elements. For instance, the coupling elements could also be configured as flexible elements, whereby they allow a flexing between two interconnected plate-shaped toy building elements. Such flexibility could be built into the coupling element by a film hinge, or a soft rubber-like material could be used for at least a part of the coupling element.
Of course, the coupling elements could also be configured with more legs than the ones shown and with other mutual angles between the legs, whereby even more building options are achieved.
The engagement between the coupling elements and the plate-shaped toy building elements can also be configured in other manners than by snap- coupling without thereby departing from the underlying idea of the invention. The coupling studs may be configured eg as simple, cylindrical pins that fit tightly into cylindrical openings in the plate-shaped toy building elements. Configurations other than cylindrical shapes are also an option.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the toy building set according to the invention is preferably configured such that interconnected toy building elements can comparatively easily be separated again, following which the same toy building elements can be used for building new structures, as is commonly known for this type of toy building sets.
Claims
1. A toy building set comprising
- a plurality of plate-shaped toy building elements (1 , 2, 11 , 21 , 22) with a thickness (t) and having at least one through-going opening (5) provided at an edge of the toy building element (1 , 2, 11 , 21 ,22); and
- a plurality of coupling elements (3, 13, 23, 33) for interconnecting at least two plate-shaped toy building elements (1 , 2, 11 , 21, 22), said coupling elements (3, 13, 23, 33) being each provided with at least two protruding coupling studs (7) that are complementary with the through-going openings (5) provided in the plate-shaped toy building elements (1, 2, 11 , 21 , 22); characterised in that the coupling studs (7) on the coupling elements (3, 13, 23, 33) have a height (h) that corresponds to or is smaller than half the thickness (t) of the plate-shaped toy building elements (1 , 2, 11 , 21 , 22) at the through-going openings (5), thereby enabling two coupling studs (7) to engage with the same through-going opening (5) from each side of a plate- shaped toy building element (1 , 2, 11 , 21 , 22).
2. A toy building set according to claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling studs (7) are provided with an outwardly protruding collar (8) that is able to seize behind an inwardly protruding bead (9) provided in the through-going openings (5)
3. A toy building set according to claim 2, characterised in that the coupling studs are slotted.
4. A toy building set according to claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling studs (7) are configured such that they couple tightly with the through-going openings (5).
5. A toy building set according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the coupling elements (3, 13, 23, 33) comprises at least one coupling element with at least two legs (3a, 3b; 23a, 23b; 33a, 33b, 33c) that form an angle (α) between them, each leg (3a, 3b; 23a, 23b; 33a, 33b, 33c) being provided with at least one protruding coupling stud (7).
6. A toy building set according to claim 5, characterised in that the coupling elements comprise a coupling element (3) that has precisely two legs (3a, 3b) that form a right angle between them.
7. A toy building set according to claim 5, characterised in that the coupling elements comprise a coupling element (33) with three legs (33a, 33b, 33c) that form mutual angles between them.
8. A toy building set according to claim 7, characterised in that right angles are formed between the three legs (33a, 33b, 33c).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DKPA200300116 | 2003-01-29 | ||
| DK200300116A DK175541B1 (en) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-01-29 | Toy building kit with plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2004067128A2 true WO2004067128A2 (en) | 2004-08-12 |
| WO2004067128A3 WO2004067128A3 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
Family
ID=32798646
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DK2004/000057 WO2004067128A2 (en) | 2003-01-29 | 2004-01-27 | A toy building set with plate-shaped toy building elements and coupling elements |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DK (1) | DK175541B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004067128A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011114315A3 (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-12-08 | Equimodus Sarl | Construction kit |
| CN103596631A (en) * | 2011-07-29 | 2014-02-19 | 德国电信股份公司 | Construction toy comprising a plurality of interconnectable building elements, set of a plurality of interconnectable building elements, and method to control and/or monitor a construction toy |
| US9839860B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-12-12 | Saturn Enterprises, Inc. | Interlocking construction toy |
| KR20230148089A (en) * | 2022-04-15 | 2023-10-24 | 전효찬 | Block type art implements |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1180316A (en) * | 1957-04-24 | 1959-06-03 | construction elements, in particular for construction games | |
| US3681870A (en) * | 1971-01-27 | 1972-08-08 | Childcraft Education Corp | Construction toy and a block construction therefor |
| US3979855A (en) * | 1973-06-16 | 1976-09-14 | Otto Schmidt | Construction toy |
| US4055373A (en) * | 1974-10-04 | 1977-10-25 | Inbauproduct Innenausbausysteme Gmbh & Co., Kg | Furniture construction system |
| US4209934A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-07-01 | Takara Co., Ltd. | Modular toy building units |
| WO1997025121A1 (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-07-17 | Wild-Design Holding Gmbh | Modular construction system |
-
2003
- 2003-01-29 DK DK200300116A patent/DK175541B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2004
- 2004-01-27 WO PCT/DK2004/000057 patent/WO2004067128A2/en active Search and Examination
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1180316A (en) * | 1957-04-24 | 1959-06-03 | construction elements, in particular for construction games | |
| US3681870A (en) * | 1971-01-27 | 1972-08-08 | Childcraft Education Corp | Construction toy and a block construction therefor |
| US3979855A (en) * | 1973-06-16 | 1976-09-14 | Otto Schmidt | Construction toy |
| US4055373A (en) * | 1974-10-04 | 1977-10-25 | Inbauproduct Innenausbausysteme Gmbh & Co., Kg | Furniture construction system |
| US4209934A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-07-01 | Takara Co., Ltd. | Modular toy building units |
| WO1997025121A1 (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-07-17 | Wild-Design Holding Gmbh | Modular construction system |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011114315A3 (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-12-08 | Equimodus Sarl | Construction kit |
| US9345983B2 (en) | 2010-03-19 | 2016-05-24 | Equimodus Sarl | Construction kit |
| CN103596631A (en) * | 2011-07-29 | 2014-02-19 | 德国电信股份公司 | Construction toy comprising a plurality of interconnectable building elements, set of a plurality of interconnectable building elements, and method to control and/or monitor a construction toy |
| US9839860B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-12-12 | Saturn Enterprises, Inc. | Interlocking construction toy |
| KR20230148089A (en) * | 2022-04-15 | 2023-10-24 | 전효찬 | Block type art implements |
| KR102615818B1 (en) * | 2022-04-15 | 2023-12-20 | 전효찬 | Block type art implements |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DK175541B1 (en) | 2004-11-29 |
| DK200300116A (en) | 2004-07-30 |
| WO2004067128A3 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
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