WO2014013496A1

WO2014013496A1 - Toy building set

Info

Publication number: WO2014013496A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/050613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikhal SOUID
Original assignee: Souid Mikhal
Priority date: 2012-07-19
Filing date: 2013-07-18
Publication date: 2014-01-23

Abstract

A toy building set, comprising toy building elements with coupling means for releasably interconnecting the toy building elements. Different elements comprise toy building elements with multiple holes, each toy building element having three or more holes; toy building elements with two holes each; toy building elements having a front hole and a back hole, and comprising cloth like material connected to a substantially rigid material. All the elements are connected via adapted connectors that can also connect cloth like material with rigid material.

Description

Toy Building Set

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to toy building sets in general, and in particular to toy building elements with coupling means for releasably interconnecting the toy building elements.

BACKGROUND ART

Modular toys sets are a favorable game for children, presented with a variety of elements that can be creatively assembled to different shapes and forms. In their most simple form, the toy elements are simply piled to put one on top of the other, or on the side of the other. Other toy building sets offer toy building elements that can be releasably connected to each other, offering different possibilities for creating new shapes and forms. Connectable toy elements are typically made from substantially rigid materials such plastic and wood. On the other hand, a child may enjoy playing with toys such as teddy bears that are made from a pleasant cloth-type material. There is a need in the industry to provide interconnectable toy elements that combine both cloth and rigid type materials.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy building set.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy building set with releasably interconnected toy building elements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy building element comprising cloth-like material coupled to plastic light material.

The present invention thus relates to a toy building set, comprising toy building elements with coupling means for releasably interconnecting the toy building elements, the toy building set further comprising:

(i) a plurality of toy building elements with multiple holes, each toy building element having three or more holes;

(ii) a plurality of toy building elements with two holes each; (iii) a plurality of toy building elements having a front hole and a back hole, and comprising cloth like material connected to a substantially rigid material; and

(iv) a plurality of connectors having a front connecting element and a back connecting element connected to a flat element, wherein the front and back connecting elements are adapted to releasably connect to the toy building elements, each connecting element comprising two substantially parallel protrusions, each protrusion having a proximal portion connected to the flat element and a distal portion with a rounded edge, wherein the maximal width of the distal portion of the protrusion is slightly larger than the diameter of the holes of the building elements, such that in order to enter or release the connector from a hole, a small amount of force needs to be applied in order to slightly squeeze the protrusion's distal portion in order to squeeze it so it can enter in or out of a hole.

In some embodiments, the toy building elements made of cloth and a substantially rigid material is an elongated toy building block.

In some embodiments, the toy building elements of (iii) comprise a cloth connector made of an inner element having a substantially flat element with erected protrusions on one side, and an outer element having a cylinder shape, open on one side and closed on the other side, the closed side comprising a hole, such that the cloth can be wrapped around the protrusions of the inner element, and the inner element can fit inside the outer element.

In some embodiments, the building elements are made of rigid materials having elastic properties.

In some embodiments, the rigid materials comprise plastic materials, wood or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figs. 1A-1D show embodiments of different toy building elements with multiple holes (more than 2 holes each).

Fig. 2 is a cross section of a toy building element in the shape of a half- sphere having more than 2 holes. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a toy building element in a shape close to a half-sphere and having only 2 holes.

Figs. 4A-4D show embodiments of toy building elements with multiple holes (more than 2 holes each).

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a toy building element comprising cloth like material connected to a substantially rigid material.

Fig. 6 shows embodiments of a cloth connector seen from two angles, showing the inner element (bottom of page) and the outer element (top of page).

Figs. 7A-7C shows an embodiment of an outer element of a cloth connector along from different views. The size of the outer connector is adapted according to the width of the cloth used.

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the external side of an outer element of a cloth connector.

Figs. 9A-9F shows an embodiment of an inner element of a cloth connector viewed from different angles.

Figs. 10A-10D show an embodiment of a connector of the invention from different angles. The size of the connector is adapted according to the size of the holes of the toy building elements.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section of two connectors inserted into the two holes of a toy building element in a shape of a half-sphere and having 2 holes.

Fig. 12 shows a toy built with an embodiment of a toy building set of the invention.

Fig. 13 shows toys built with an embodiment of a toy building set of the invention.

Fig. 14 shows toys built with an embodiment of a toy building set of the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention thus relates to a toy building set. The toy building set comprises various toy building elements of different geometric shapes. The toy building elements can be releasably connected to each other via one or more types of connectors. The toy building set further comprises various elements:

(i) A plurality of toy building elements with multiple holes, each toy building element having three or more holes. These building elements can come in different shapes and sizes, for example, a sphere, half a sphere (half dome), a cone, a cube, or any other symmetric or non-symmetric three-dimensional (3D) shape. Each of these toy building elements has at least 3 or more holes. The holes can be all in a single size (for all toy building elements) or there can be different sizes of holes in the different toy building set.

(ii) A plurality of toy building elements with two holes each. These toy building elements can also can in a variety of sizes and geometric shapes. In some embodiments, the toy building elements of (ii) can be smaller than the toy building elements of (i). Stylistically, the toy building elements of (ii) can fit to be an end point, that is, a toy building element that is connected on one side only (i.e. connected to a single other toy building element), although they can also fit to be connected on both sides (via both holes).

(iii) A plurality of toy building elements having a front hole and a back hole, and comprising cloth like material connected to a substantially rigid material. The typical material used for toy building elements of (i) and (ii) is plastic or similarly substantial rigid material that offers some elasticity. The toy building elements of (iii) offer a unique combination of plastic (or similar material) and cloth like material (i.e. linen, cotton, fabric, wool, synthetic materials etc). The use of the cloth like material makes the toy pleasurable to touch by the child building or playing with it, and adds a pleasant aesthetic aspect to the toy.

(iv) A plurality of connectors are available in order to releasably interconnect the different toy building elements of (i) to (iii). The connectors have a front connecting element and a back connecting element connected to a flat element. In some embodiments, the flat element looks like a disk. The front and back connecting elements are adapted to releasably connect to the toy building elements by being inserted into and being removed from a hole in the toy building element. Each connecting element comprises two substantially parallel protrusions, each protrusion having a proximal portion connected to the flat element and a distal portion with a rounded edge. The maximal width (diameter) of the distal portion of the protrusion is slightly larger than the diameter of the holes of the building elements, such that in order to enter or release the connector from a hole, a small amount of force needs to be applied in order to slightly squeeze the protrusion's distal portion in order to squeeze it so it can enter in or out of a hole.

Figs. 1A-AD show embodiments of different toy building elements with multiple holes 10 (more than 2 holes each). These toy building elements 10 can come in any geometric shape, size and color. Fig. 1A is a dome like figure (half sphere), Fig. IB is a pyramid-like figure, Fig. 1C is a sphere and Fig. ID is a rectangular shaped figure. The multiple holes are used for inserting a connector and optionally connecting on the other side of the connector another toy building element in order to create a shape (toy) according to the creative capabilities and taste of a child playing with the toy building set of the invention. The number of holes, the placement of the holes and the space between the holes can be varied. The positioning of the holes can be either symmetric or asymmetric.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of a toy building element 10 in the shape of a half- sphere having more than 2 holes. In some embodiments, the height of the half- sphere can be 3, 5 or 8 centimeters (cm).

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a toy building element 20 in a shape close to a half-sphere and having only 2 holes, only the top hole is shown.

Figs. 4A-4D show embodiments of toy building elements 10 with multiple holes (more than 2 holes each). Figs. 4A and 4B are a rectangular like shape 10 with multiple holes (more than 2 holes each), and Figs. 4C and 4D are a pyramid like shape 10 with multiple holes (more than 2 holes each). Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a toy building element 30 comprising cloth like material 35 connected to a substantially rigid material on both ends. In this embodiment, the form of the toy building element 30 is an elongated form. The cloth 35 typically has an internal padding (filling) to give it volume such that it is elastic and pleasant when touching. The padding can be with any known and future upholstery material such as sponge like materials, rubber like materials etc.

The coupling of the cloth material 35 to the plastic material is done a cloth connector 37. The cloth connector 37 is made of an outer connector (shown at each end of the toy building element) and an internal connector (not shown).

Fig. 6 shows embodiments of a cloth connector 37 seen from two angles, showing the inner element 50 and the outer element 40. The inner connector 50 is made of a base from which a plurality of protrusions is erected on the edges (in one direction only). The protrusions are made such that cloth can be wrapped around them from the outside and towards the center of the base. When the outer element 40 is placed on top of the inner element 50, the cloth wrapped around the protrusions is thus held inside the connector. The protrusion can be in different shapes. In some embodiments, the protrusion comprises a first element which either has parallel edges or having edges that are wider towards the base and become narrower as they are further from the base. A second element is connected to the first element (on the side away from the base). The second element can be of a quadrangle form, for example, wherein the width is larger where connected to the first element, and gets smaller towards the outer edge of the second element, and as shown in Fig. 8, for example.

The first element of the protrusion (the one connected to the base) is typically substantially parallel to the base. The second element of the protrusion is typically slightly tilted towards the center of the base and can be tilted towards the inside with angles up to 60 degrees.

Figs. 7A-7C show an embodiment of an outer element 40 of a cloth connector 37. The size of the outer connector 40 is adapted according to the width of the cloth used. Fig. 7 A is an inside view of the outer connector 40, Fig. 7B is an external view and Fig. 7C is a side view.

Fig. 9 is a cross section of the external side of an outer element 40 of a cloth connector 37.

Figs. 9A-9F show an embodiment of an inner element 50 of a cloth connector 37 from various angles. Fig. 9A is a top view; Figs. 9B-9E are views; and Fig. 9F is a bottom view. In some embodiments, the second element protrusion of the inner element can be of an angle between 20 and 60 degrees, the distance between the second elements of the protrusions can be of 4 to 9 mm, and the height to the protrusions can range between 4 to 9 mm.

Figs. 10A-10D show an embodiment of a toy building elements 10, 20 connector 60 according to the invention. Fig. 10A is a top view (equal to a bottom view) and Figs. 10B-10D are all side views of the connector 60. The connectors 60 have a front connecting element and a back connecting element connected to a flat element. In some embodiments, the flat element looks like a disk. The connector 60 is made to connect into the holes of the various toy building elements 10, 20. The front and back connecting elements are adapted to releasably connect to the toy building elements 10, 20 by being inserted into and being removed from a hole in the toy building element 10, 20. If all the holes of the toy building set 10, 20 are of the same size, a single connector type 60 will be required. If the holes of the toy building set 10, 20 are of variable sizes, different connector 60 types will be required, each connector 60 made to fit a specific hole diameter size.

Each connecting element 60 comprises two substantially parallel protrusions, each protrusion having a proximal portion connected to the flat element and a distal portion with a rounded edge. The maximal width (diameter) of the distal portion of the protrusion is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole of the building element 10, 20 which the connector 60 fits, such that in order to enter or release the connector 60 from a hole, a small amount of force needs to be applied in order to slightly squeeze the protrusion's distal portion in order to squeeze it so it can enter in or out of a hole. The proximal portion is not connected to the base in a flat line, because when the distal portion is squeezed inside a hole, the pressure applied on the proximal portion touching the base could break the protrusion. Rather, the proximal portion is connected to the base with a sphere (rounded like connection) such that only the center of the proximal portion is connected to the base, and the edges of the proximal portion are slightly above the base. In such case, when the distal portion is squeezed inside a hole, the pressure bending the proximal portion will enable the proximal portion to also bend slightly and thus allow the protrusion more flexibility and strength when being inserted or removed from a hole.

The size of the connector 60 is adapted according to the size of the holes of the toy building elements 10, 20. The connector 60 needs to be able to be inserted and withdrawn from a hole with relative ease, yet in needs to stay connected to the toy building element 10, 20 and not "slip out" of the hole accidentally. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the protrusion be of a right angle to the base. In some embodiments, the protrusions height can be of 8.5 millimeters (mm), the distance between the two protrusions of 3 mm, and the radius of the base of the protrusion about 1.5 mm. Alternatively, the protrusion can have an angle between 80 and 100 degrees to the base, the protrusions height be of 7 to 9 (mm), the distance between the two protrusions of 1 to 3.5 mm, and the radius of the base of the protrusion about 1.5 mm. When increasing the side of the connector 60 all measures should be increased proportionally (same logic applies for decreasing the size of the connector 60).

It should be noted that in some embodiments the two protrusions can be merged to a single protrusion in a connector 60, and such variation is also considered as part of the invention.

Fig. 13 shows toys built with an embodiment of a toy building set of the invention. Fig. 14 shows toys built with an embodiment of a toy building set of the invention.

In some embodiments, the toy building element made of cloth 30 and a substantially rigid material is an elongated toy building block.

In some embodiments, the toy building elements comprise a cloth connector

37 made of an inner element 50 having a substantially flat element with erected protrusions on one side, and an outer element 40 having a cylinder shape, open on one side and closed on the other side, the closed side comprising a hole, such that the cloth can be wrapped around the protrusions of the inner element 50, and the inner element 50 can fit inside the outer element 40.

In some embodiments, the building elements 10, 20 are made of rigid materials having elastic properties, such as but not limited to any plastic materials made of any range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable. Wood can also be used alternatively.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following invention and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the invention is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the invention. The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A toy building set, comprising toy building elements with coupling means for releasably interconnecting the toy building elements, the toy building set further comprising:

(ii) a plurality of toy building elements with two holes each;

(iii) a plurality of toy building elements having a front hole and a back hole, and comprising cloth like material connected to a substantially rigid material; and

2. The toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the toy building elements made of cloth and a substantially rigid material is an elongated toy building block.

3. The toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the toy building elements of (iii) comprise a cloth connector made of an inner element having a substantially flat element with erected protrusions on one side, and an outer element having a cylinder shape, open on one side and closed on the other side, the closed side comprising a hole, such that the cloth can be wrapped around the protrusions of the inner element, and the inner element can fit inside the outer element.

4. The toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the building elements are made of rigid materials having elastic properties.

5. The toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the rigid materials comprise plastic materials, wood or any combination thereof.