WO2017118957A1 - Blocs de construction et ensembles de blocs de construction - Google Patents

Blocs de construction et ensembles de blocs de construction Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017118957A1
WO2017118957A1 PCT/IB2017/050082 IB2017050082W WO2017118957A1 WO 2017118957 A1 WO2017118957 A1 WO 2017118957A1 IB 2017050082 W IB2017050082 W IB 2017050082W WO 2017118957 A1 WO2017118957 A1 WO 2017118957A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
receptacle
building block
axial
panel member
peripheral wall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/050082
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tang CHAN
Yeung WONG
Original Assignee
Frolic Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CN201610010380.6A external-priority patent/CN105617685A/zh
Application filed by Frolic Limited filed Critical Frolic Limited
Priority to CN201780012876.XA priority Critical patent/CN109310930B/zh
Publication of WO2017118957A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017118957A1/fr

Links

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
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
    • 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
    • A63H33/08—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
    • A63H33/086—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 primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls
    • 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
    • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • A63H33/107—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements using screws, bolts, nails, rivets, clamps

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to building components such as building blocks, and more particularly to building blocks for use in toys or industry that are modular, inter-connectible, and/or stackable.
  • Building blocks are widely used in the construction of structures including buildings, figures and apparatus, as toys, stationary or in industry. Building blocks which are modular, inter- connectible, and/or stackable can be used as components to create structures of many types of structures of many different shapes and configurations. Inter-connectible building blocks comprising built-in protrusion members are advantageous to facilitate expeditious, efficient and convenient interconnection of adjacent blocks to facilitate construction with less time and less manual work.
  • Modular components for use in modular construction of articles such as toys, figures, furniture, cars, buildings, food, can be made of many materials, for example moldable materials such as plastics (including hard and soft plastics), rubber (including natural and synthetic), metal, concrete, porcelain, foam, flour, etc.
  • the building blocks can be rigid or resilient, and the rigidity or resilience can be made to suit applications by selecting appropriate materials or appropriate mix of materials.
  • a building block comprising at least one rigid panel member on which at least one connection member is integrally formed and on which an intermediate aperture associated with the connection member is defined.
  • the building block comprises a main body having a first surface on a first side, a second surface on a second side and facing away from the first surface, an outer block wall defining an outer boundary of the main body, and one connection member or a plurality of connection members each comprising a coupling receptacle.
  • the connection member is configured for entering into mated mechanical coupled engagement with a matched male connection member when the building block and the male connection member are moved relatively towards each other along a coupling direction, the coupling direction being orthogonal to a base surface of said panel member and defining an axial direction of the connection member.
  • the coupling receptacle of a connection member is defined by a receptacle body.
  • the receptacle body is defined by a hollow shell member and comprises a receptacle internal peripheral wall which defines a receptacle compartment having a first axial end and a second axial end.
  • the receptacle internal peripheral wall comprises a first axial peripheral wall portion and a second axial peripheral wall portion, the first axial peripheral wall portion projecting away from a base on the panel member in an axial direction which is parallel to the coupling direction and the second axial peripheral wall portion comprising the portion of the panel member which defines the intermediate aperture.
  • connection member is a female type snap connector adapted for making mated mechanical coupled engagement with an engagement portion of a counterpart snap-fit male connection member having a bulged engaging portion
  • the receptacle compartment flares or diverges to expand on progressing from an axial free end towards the base and then tapers or converges to narrow to form a bulged receptacle compartment for snap-fit reception of the bulged engaging portion.
  • the receptacle body or at least an effective axial portion thereof is integrally formed on a surface bearing member and comprises a receptacle bracket or a collar member.
  • the receptacle bracket or the collar member is part of the receptacle body for making primary or effective snap- fit engagement.
  • at least the portion of the receptacle compartment which is defined by the receptacle bracket or the collar member is in effective snap engagement with the bulged engagement portion of a male-type connector.
  • a surface of the panel member on which a connection member such as a receptacle compartment is approachable is referred to as a base surface herein.
  • the receptacle compartment of a female snap connector flares or diverges to expand and then tapers or converges to narrow on extending from the first axial end to the second axial end to form an effective snap receptacle compartment having an expanded receptacle portion intermediate the first axial end and the second axial end.
  • the receptacle compartment may curve initially to flare or curves initially to diverge to expand and curves subsequently to taper or curves subsequently to converge to narrow on extending from the first axial end to the second axial end to form a receptacle compartment having a concavely curved expanded receptacle portion intermediate the first axial end and the second axial end.
  • the expanded receptacle portion is to function effectively as a reception bracket or collar, a receptacle bracket or collar, a retention bracket or collar, for snap-fit retention of a bulged engaging portion of a counterpart connector member and is referred to in short as a snap bracket herein.
  • the axial extent of snap bracket may be comparable to or slightly larger than the average overall thickness of the panel member in the transverse direction.
  • a snap bracket defined by the expanded receptacle portion has a maximum transversal clearance portion defining a maximum transversal clearance and a minimum transversal clearance portion defining a minimum transversal clearance.
  • the maximum transversal clearance of the expanded receptacle portion determines the maximum transversal span of an engagement portion of a counterpart connector member that can move inside and/or move through and/or retained by the snap bracket; the minimum transversal clearance determines the maximum transversal span of an engagement portion of a counterpart connector member that can move inside and/or move through the snap bracket without causing snap deflection or snap deformation, and the maximum transversal span of an engagement portion of a matched counterpart connector member is intermediate the maximum and minimum transversal clearance of the expanded receptacle portion.
  • the panel member has a first base surface and a second base surface, and at least one of the first base surface and/or the second base surface is orthogonal to the coupling direction.
  • the snap bracket, or the expanded receptacle portion thereon or thereof extends axially between the first base surface and the second base surface.
  • the expanded receptacle portion changes from flaring or diverging to tapering or converging at an inflexion plane, and the inflexion plane lis preferably inside the panel member, or on or proximal the base surface.
  • the first axial peripheral wall portion may project from a depressed base on the panel member as a protruding lip portion comprising a protruding lip member.
  • a lateral buffering space is provided between the protruding lip member and the panel member to allow sufficient radial outward deflection of the collar portion into the lateral buffering space to permit a bulged engaging portion of a counterpart connector member to pass through when the lip member is subject to a radial or transverse expansion force.
  • the lip member or the lip portion may extend transversely along a circular path to form a lip circuit, the lip circuit being continuous or comprising a plurality of discrete lip portions.
  • the receptacle compartment may have a maximum transversal clearance at or proximal the depressed base on the panel member.
  • the lateral buffering space maybe formed as a buffering channel or a buffering groove surrounding the lip member or the lip portion and the lip member or the lip portion projects from bottom of the buffering channel or the buffering groove.
  • the depressed base may be the bottom of the buffering channel or the buffering groove.
  • the building block may comprise a first panel member and a second panel member which cooperate with the peripheral block member to define a main body and hollow block internal compartment inside the main body.
  • Corresponding connection members on the first and second panel members forming a connection member are axially aligned or centerline aligned, that is, sharing a common center line.
  • the first connection members and the second connection members may be at different axial levels.
  • Each connection member pair may define a through passageway extending through the building block in the axial direction.
  • the first connection members and the second connection member may be separated or spaced apart by the hollow block internal compartment.
  • connection member may comprise a hollow shell member which extends in the coupling direction and spans transversely across said intermediate aperture, the coupling direction being orthogonal to a base surface of said panel member from which the hollow shell member projects.
  • the hollow shell member may comprise a transversely extending arcuate end cap portion and an intermediate shell portion, the intermediate shell portion surrounding said intermediate aperture, being in abutment with both the end cap portion and the panel member and connecting the end cap portion to the panel member.
  • the collar member of a snap bracket extends in a circuit on the surface bearing member to define a collar compartment.
  • the collar member may be integrally formed with the panel member and defines an entry aperture to the collar compartment.
  • a peripheral groove may be integrally formed between the collar member and the surface bearing member.
  • the collar member may project from a depressed base on the panel member and projects in the axial direction to form an upstanding collar portion. To facilitate stacking so that base or bearing surfaces of panel members of adjacently stacked building block are substantially and evenly in abutment contact, the collar member does not protrude beyond its associated base surface.
  • the collar member has an internal peripheral surface which bulges transversely outwards as it extends in the axial direction to define a bulged receptacle compartment for snap-fitted reception of a bulged head portion of a mating connector.
  • the panel member forms a support grid or a support structure on which the receptacle body is dependently formed.
  • the collar member projects in the axial direction to define an entry aperture to the coupling receptacle.
  • a peripheral groove is formed between the collar member and the panel member to permit outward deflection, deformation or expansion of the collar in a radial or transverse direction when encountering the bulged head portion of the mating connector.
  • the receptacle body comprises a receptacle base member, the receptacle base member extending from an axial end of the collar member and projecting in the axial direction away from the collar member and comprises a free axial end which is distal to the collar member.
  • the receptacle base member may be a round shell or bell shaped body and tapers to converge, for example, following a concave curvature, as it extends away from the collar member.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example building block according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 1 A is a top plan view of the example building block of Figure 1
  • Figure 1 B is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line A-A'.
  • Figure 1 C is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line B-B'.
  • Figure 1 D is a perspective view showing a building block assembly comprising the example building block of Figure 1 ,
  • Figure 1 D1 is a cross-section view taken along line D1 -D1 ' of the assembly of Figure 1 D,
  • Figure 1 E is a perspective view of an example building block assembly comprising a building block of Figure 1 and a building block having an elongate body,
  • Figure 1 E1 is a cross-section view of the assembly of Figure 1 E, taken along a longitudinal middle line of the building block of Figure 1 ,
  • Figure is a side view of the building block having an elongate body of Figure 1 E,
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example building block according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 2A is a top plan view of the example building block of Figure 2
  • Figure 2B is a perspective view showing a building block assembly comprising the example building block of Figure 2,
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example building block according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 3A is another perspective view of the example building block of Figure 3,
  • Figure 4 is perspective view of an example building block according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 4A is a top plan view of the example building block of Figure 4,
  • Figure 4B is a bottom plan view of the example building block of Figure 4, and
  • Figure 4C is a perspective view showing a building block assembly comprising the example building block of Figure 4,
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view of an example building block assembly
  • Figures 6A and 6B are perspective views of an example building block assembly with a hinge joint
  • Figures 7A and 7B are respectively a top and bottom perspective view of an example building block
  • Figure 8A is a perspective view of an example building block
  • Figure 8B is a plan view of an example building block assembly
  • Figures 9A1 and 9A2 are respectively a top and bottom perspective view of an example building block
  • Figure 9B is a perspective view of an example building block
  • Figure 9C is a perspective view of an example building block.
  • an example building block 100 comprises a first panel member 120 on which a first plurality of connection members 122 is formed, a second panel member 140 on which a second plurality of connection members 1 22 is formed, and a block peripheral member 160 which cooperate with the panel members 120, 140 to define a main block body 180.
  • the first plurality of connection members 122 collectively define a first coupling portion of the building block 100 and the second plurality of connection members 142 collectively define a second coupling portion of the building block 100.
  • the block peripheral member 160 is panel member that defines a lateral peripheral wall of the building block 100.
  • Each panel member 120, 140 has a first base surface and a second base surface.
  • the first base surface 1201 , 1401 and the second base surface 1202, 1402 are parallel (which includes substantially parallel) and opposite facing.
  • the panel member 120, 140 is also referred herein as a surface bearing member or a surface defining member where appropriate or convenient.
  • a connection member is to function as a coupling member and is referred as such where appropriate or convenient.
  • connection member 122 is configured for making coupled engagement with a counterpart and matched connection member and is to enter into the coupled engagement in a coupling direction.
  • the coupling directions of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are parallel and opposite.
  • the coupling direction associated with a coupling portion also defines and is also the axial direction of the connection members forming that coupling portion.
  • the main body 180 is a shell-like structure comprising a hollow body which defines a hollow internal block compartment 190, as depicted in Figures 1 B and 1 C.
  • Each of the first panel member 120, the second panel member 140 and the block peripheral member 160 has a thickness which is substantially smaller than the thickness of the building block, the thickness of the building block being measured in the coupling direction, which is orthogonal to the base surface.
  • the hollow internal block compartment 190 defines an internal cavity which extends axially between the first panel member 120 and the second panel member 140 and is delimited laterally or transversely by the block peripheral member 160.
  • the block peripheral member 160 extends around the outer periphery of the first and the second panel members and follow the transverse outline of the first and the second panel members.
  • first panel member and the second panel member are joined to block peripheral member 160 by a joining process such as welding (for example ultrasonic welding), soldering, gluing, hot melting, or other fusion joining methods. More specifically, the outer peripheral surface of each panel member is joined to the inner side of the peripheral wall. In some embodiments, the first or the second panel member is integrally formed with the block peripheral member 160 and the other one of the panel member is joined subsequently.
  • the components of the building block are made of structural materials such as hard and/or rigid plastics, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PC (polycarbonate), or metal for use in structures such as steel, aluminum or aluminum alloys and are joined by gluing, welding or other appropriate known joining methods available.
  • structural materials such as hard and/or rigid plastics, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PC (polycarbonate), or metal for use in structures such as steel, aluminum or aluminum alloys and are joined by gluing, welding or other appropriate known joining methods available.
  • Axial clearance of the internal cavity is substantially larger than the thickness of the individual panel members 120, 140 and/or the block peripheral member 160.
  • the axial clearance of the internal cavity is substantially equal to the height of the block peripheral member 160 minus the aggregate thickness of the first panel member 120 and the second panel member 140.
  • the height of the block peripheral member 160 is defined in the axial direction which is orthogonal to the base surfaces of the first panel member 120 and/or the base surfaces of the second panel member 140 and the thickness of the block peripheral member 160 is measured in a transverse direction which is orthogonal to the axial direction.
  • the upward facing surface or the outward facing surface 1201 of the first panel member is flush with a first axial end (or top end) of the block peripheral member 160
  • the downward facing surface or the outward facing surface 1402 of the second panel member is flush with a second axial end (or bottom end) of the block peripheral member 160
  • the first and second panel members are rectangular and have same shape and dimensions so that block peripheral member 160 has a rectangular outline and extends orthogonally to the base surfaces of the panel member.
  • connection member 122 is formed on the first panel member and a corresponding example plurality of two connection members 122 is formed on the second panel member.
  • the connection members are arranged into axially aligned connector pairs or connection member pairs such that a connection member on the first panel member has a corresponding connection member on the second panel member which is axially aligned or share a common centerline with a connection member on the first panel member.
  • the connection member 122 is a connection device having mating or coupling features and/or properties that are characteristic of a female connector, and is therefore also referred to herein as a "female connector", a "female type connector” or a “female type connector member” where the context requires or is appropriate.
  • connection member pair defines an axially extending through passageway which extends through the building block since the intermediate apertures defined by the connection members of a connection member pair is axially aligned.
  • an elongate body such as an elongate connection member, a screw, a shaft or other elongate devices having a sufficient length and an appropriate transversal span can pass through the building block unobstructed.
  • the elongate body on approaching the first panel member will move through the intermediate aperture on the first panel member, enters into the building block internal compartment and then emerges from the second panel member on moving through the intermediate aperture on the second panel member.
  • Each example female connector comprises a receptacle body and the receptacle bodies of the plurality of female connectors forming a coupling portion are integrally formed on a single panel member.
  • the panel member on which the plurality of connection members is integrally formed is suspended on the block peripheral member 160 and is axially spaced apart from the other panel member.
  • the panel members are arranged such that an example plurality of two sets of female connectors, each comprising one or a plurality of female connectors, is formed on a single building block, and the female connectors forming the female connector sets are at different axial layers.
  • one or more than two layers of connector devices can be formed on a single building block, for example, by joining a plurality of panel members with integrally formed connection devices at different axial levels on the building block and the connection devices can be male and/or female type without loss of generality. Adjacent connection devices on a panel member are integrally joined by a transversal bridging portion of the panel member.
  • the female connector 122 comprises a receptacle body which is suspended on a panel member and the panel member is suspended on an axial end of the block peripheral member 160 and extends transversely across opposite sides of the block peripheral member 160 at a substantially constant axial level.
  • the connection members on a panel member are at different axial levels, for example, where a panel member has steps, without loss of generality.
  • the receptacle body comprises a receptacle internal peripheral wall (or internal peripheral wall in short) which defines a receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle body, and the receptacle compartment has a first axial end and a second axial end which are defined by the axial extent of the internal peripheral wall.
  • the receptacle body comprises a receptacle peripheral wall which extends transversely along a circular path about a centerline so that the receptacle compartment defined by the receptacle internal peripheral wall has a particular circular boundary at a particular axial level.
  • the receptacle peripheral wall has a thickness which is comparable or smaller than the thickness of the associated panel member. Thickness of the receptacle peripheral wall is measured in the transverse direction which is transverse to the coupling direction.
  • An associated panel member of a connector device herein means a panel member on which the connector device is formed.
  • the receptacle inner peripheral wall 1221 flares or diverges to expand and then tapers or converges to narrow on progressing from a first axial end to a second axial end to form a receptacle bracket, the first axial end being the outermost end and the first axial end being the outermost end being the innermost end in the example of Figure 1 .
  • the receptacle inner peripheral wall 1221 follows the convex outer curvature of a defining sphere to flare, diverge, taper, or converge so that the receptacle compartment is substantially convexly curved.
  • the flaring or diverging curvature is different to the tapering or converging curvature.
  • the flaring, diverging, tapering or converging may follow a non-circular curve, for example, an elliptical or other curves. In some embodiment, the flaring, diverging, tapering or converging may follow a linear path without loss of generality.
  • the receptacle bracket or more specifically, the inner peripheral wall 1221 of the receptacle bracket defines an intermediate aperture 1223 which extends through the panel member. Where a plurality of female connection members is formed, a corresponding plurality of intermediate apertures 1223, each associated with a corresponding connection member, is formed on the panel member.
  • the receptacle compartment 1223 defined by the receptacle bracket has an expanded compartment portion or a bulged compartment portion intermediate its axial ends and is configured for making snap-fit engagement with a bulged engagement portion of a male connection member.
  • the receptacle compartment has a narrowed entry or exit and the bulged engagement portion of a matched male connection member would have to encounter and overcome the narrowed entry or exit being moving fully into or out of snap-fit engagement.
  • the receptacle compartment has a smaller transversal clearance at the entry or exit and the transversal clearance gradually increases to the maximum transversal clearance at where the receptacle inner peripheral wall changes from diverging to converging or flaring to tapering.
  • the receptacle bracket joins or meets the panel member at or proximal to where the maximum transversal clearance is defined.
  • a funnel shaped axial portion of the receptacle bracket projects axially from a depressed base on the panel member and appears as a lip portion.
  • the lip portion has a lip member which extends axially from the first axial end until reaching the depressed base where the lip portion joins or merges with the panel member.
  • the first axial end is the outermost axial end of the receptacle, an engagement portion of a counterpart connection member will encounter the first axial end on moving fully into the receptacle bracket.
  • the lip portion is a continuous portion which extends in a circuit. In some embodiments, the lip portion may consist a plurality of broken, discontinuous or discrete portions.
  • a buffer space is formed between the lip portion and adjacent portions of the panel member.
  • the buffer space is formed as a peripheral groove or a peripheral channel which opens outwardly.
  • the lip member projecting from bottom of the channel or groove and extends axially away from the bottom.
  • the buffer space provides buffering space to accommodate the lip portion when the lip member is forced to expand or deflect radially outwards when the narrowed entry or exit encounters an engaging portion having a transversal span larger than the neutral or undetected clearance of the entry or exit.
  • the receptacle bracket has a second lip portion which projects axially from a base on the panel member.
  • a second buffer space is formed between the lip portion and adjacent block peripheral member 160.
  • both the first axial end and the second axial end of the receptacle bracket can function as an entry or an exit and the maximum transversal clearance is approximately midway between the axial extent of the receptacle bracket.
  • one of the first or second axial ends of the bracket is not narrower and the maximum transversal clearance is most distal to the entry/exit.
  • the receptacle bracket or more specifically, the inner periphery of the receptacle bracket extends in a circuit to define a receptacle compartment having a bulged portion which is intermediate the first and the second axial ends.
  • the bulged portion defines a maximum transversal clearance which is larger than the clearance defined by the entry and/or the exit.
  • the transversal clearance defined by the receptacle bracket gradually increases as it extends from the first axial end towards the second axial end until reaching the maximum transversal clearance and gradually decreases from the maximum transversal clearance as it extends from the maximum transversal clearance towards the second axial end.
  • the inner periphery of the receptacle bracket is concavely curved as it extends between the first and second axial ends to define a convexly curved bulged receptacle compartment.
  • the bulged receptacle compartment bulges in a transversal direction as it extends in the axial direction which is orthogonal to the transversal direction.
  • the concavely curved bulged receptacle compartment is fit for reception of a counterpart connection device which has an engagement portion having a spherical segment shape, and is intended to form a snap-fit joint or a snap-fit coupling engaging with the engagement portion of the counterpart connection device.
  • the receptacle bracket may function as a ball socket to receive a ball-shaped engagement portion of a counterpart connection device.
  • the receptacle bracket inner periphery follows the curved surface of a spherical segment in order to form snap-fit coupling engagement with an engagement portion of a counterpart connection device having a spherical segment shape.
  • the maximum internal transversal span of the receptacle bracket inner periphery which defines the maximum transversal clearance of the receptacle bracket is equal to the maximum transversal span of a sphere defining the spherical segment.
  • the maximum transversal clearance is defined by a circular periphery having a radius R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment.
  • the axial span or thickness of the receptacle bracket may equal to h% of the diameter D of the sphere, where h may be larger than 15% or 20%, for example, 15% or more or less, 20% or more or less, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 55% or more or less, 60% or more or less, 65% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or less, or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the receptacle bracket inner periphery is to define a receptacle compartment having an initially flaring, diverging or widening compartment portion and a subsequently tapering, converging, or narrowing compartment portion for snap-fit retention of an engagement portion of a counterpart connection device
  • the receptacle bracket inner periphery may be simply concavely curved without following the curvature of a sphere to define a generally concavely curved bulged receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle bracket inner periphery may follow the outer curved surface of a truncated cone or a frusto-cone to define the initially flaring, diverging or widening compartment portion and/or subsequently tapering, converging, or narrowing compartment portion.
  • the receptacle bracket inner periphery may have a combination of a frusto-conical portion and a spherical segment portion.
  • a peripheral groove is formed between the receptacle bracket and the first base surface 1201 as a receptacle bracket bearing surface.
  • the peripheral groove is defined between an internal periphery of the first panel member and an outer periphery of the receptacle bracket.
  • the peripheral groove provides a space or clearance to permit radially outward deflection of the receptacle bracket when the lip member is to deform resiliently to expand or deform radially to enlarge its inner boundary of its internal peripheral wall, or to enlarge the clearance defined by the internal peripheral wall, when an engagement portion of a counterpart connection part having a larger transversal span than the transversal clearance defined by the receptacle bracket negotiates through the receptacle bracket.
  • the receptacle bracket is joined to the first panel member by a bridging portion on the other side or inward facing of the first base surface, the bridging portion has a thickness which is larger than the thickness of the receptacle bracket peripheral wall to provide an adequate robust support and structural integrity of the receptacle bracket.
  • the receptacle bracket peripheral wall projects or protrudes from the bridging portion and extends axially outwardly and away from the first base surface to form an upstanding receptacle bracket peripheral wall which is surrounded by the first panel member and clearance between the upstanding portion of the receptacle bracket and the first panel member is maintained by the peripheral groove.
  • the height or axial extend of the upstanding portion of the lip member is less than the height or axial extend of the receptacle bracket.
  • the height of the upstanding lip portion of the receptacle bracket is about c1 of the height or axial extent of the receptacle bracket.
  • C1 is typically in the region of 35%-65%, for example, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or more or less, 55% or more or less, 60% or more or less, 65% or less, or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the connection member on the second panel member is identical to that on the first panel member and the second panel member is mounted in mirror symmetry to the first panel member.
  • An example building block assembly 10 of Figure 1 D comprises an example building block 300 and the example building block 100 which are in snap-fit engagement.
  • the example building block 300 comprises a main body, a first base surface on a first side of the main body, a second surface on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral wall (also referred to as block wall or block peripheral wall) defining an outer boundary of the main body.
  • An example plurality of four protrusion members is formed on the first base surface of the building block 300.
  • the protrusion members 330 are counterpart and matched connection members of the connection members 122 which are distributed such that the spacing between adjacent protrusion members in a row and in a column is the same and equal to the spacing between adjacent connection members.
  • the protrusion member comprises an engagement portion which is a mating or coupling counterpart to the connection members 122 and possess mating features and properties which are opposite to the connection member 122.
  • the engagement portion of the protrusion member and the receptacle bracket cooperate to form a snap joint to form the example building block assembly 10.
  • FIG. 1 E, 1 E1 and 1 E2 an example building block assembly comprising a building block of Figure 1 and a building block 190 having an elongate body is shown.
  • the building block having an elongate body on which an example plurality of eight male-type engagement portions are integrally formed.
  • the engagement portions 192 are distributed in series and at different longitudinal locations along a common centerline.
  • Each example engagement portion comprised a curved bulged portion having a maximum transversal span intermediate two tapered ends, resembling and functioning as an engagement portion of a connection member of a first type herein.
  • the building block is an example of connection member having a plurality of male- type connection devices on an elongate main body.
  • the elongate main body extends through the building block 100 and is retained at a selected axial level with respect to the building block 100 by cooperation between a plurality of the male-type engagement portions 192 and a corresponding plurality of female-type connection members on the building block.
  • the elongate body of the building block can be retained at a selected axial level with respect to the base surfaces of the building block by cooperation of a counterpart and matched pair of connection members formed separately on the building blocks.
  • An example building block 200 comprises a main body 280, a first base surface 220 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 240 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral wall 260 (also referred to as block wall or block peripheral wall) defining an outer boundary of the main body as depicted in Figure 2.
  • a peripheral wall 260 also referred to as block wall or block peripheral wall
  • substantive features of the example building block 200 are same as that of the example building block 100.
  • Description herein in relation to the example building block 100 is incorporated herein mutatis mutandis for succinctness with corresponding numerals increased by 100.
  • An example building block assembly 20 of Figure 2B comprises the example building block 200 and the example building block 300 which are in snap-fit engagement.
  • An example plurality of four connection members 330 is formed on the second surface or the second surface bearing member.
  • the plurality of connection members 330 on the second surface and the corresponding plurality of protrusion members 310 on the first base surface bearing member is correspondingly aligned such that a coupling member 330 on the second surface bearing member has a corresponding protrusion member 310 on the first base surface bearing member which is axially aligned and shares a common center axis with the coupling member 330 on the second surface bearing member.
  • a coupling member 330 on the second panel member and a protrusion member 310 on the first base surface bearing member which share a common center axis formed an axis-aligned or axially aligned complementary coupling member pair.
  • An example building block 400 comprises a main body 480, a first base surface 4201 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 4202 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral wall 460 (also referred to as block wall or block peripheral wall) defining an outer boundary of the main body as depicted in Figures 4 to 4B.
  • the first base surface, the second surface, the peripheral wall and the receptacle bracket are all integrally formed on a single surface bearing member 420, and the peripheral wall has rounded ends instead of right- angled ends.
  • substantive features of the example building block 400 are identical to that of the building block 100 and description herein is incorporated herein by reference mutatis mutandis, with corresponding numerals increased by 300 for succinctness.
  • An example building block assembly 40 of Figure 4C comprises the example building block 300 and the example building block 400 which are in snap-fit engagement.
  • the coupling receptacle extends further to form a receptacle base member.
  • the receptacle base member extends axially away from an axial end of the collar member which is distal to the entry aperture and projecting in the axial direction away from the collar member and comprises a free axial end which is distal to the collar member.
  • the receptacle base member defines a receptacle base compartment which is for receiving a portion of engaging portion of a counterpart connection device which projects beyond the collar portion.
  • the receptacle base member may define a receptacle base for receiving a spherical segment portion or of other shapes complementary to the shape of the portion of the engaging portion of a counterpart connection device which projects beyond the collar portion without loss of generality.
  • FIG. 5 Another example building block assembly 50 comprising an example building block 500 and an example counterpart connection block 550 is depicted in Figure 5.
  • a plurality of coupling receptacle 522 is formed on a base surface 540 of the building block 500.
  • the example collar member of the coupling receptacle 522 defines a receptacle compartment for receiving a spherical segment.
  • the counterpart connection block 550 comprises a connection member having substantially spherical or segment of a spherical bulging head portion 560 which is to form a snap joint with the collar member of the coupling receptacle 522.
  • At least a portion of the bulged head portion 560 has an outer peripheral profile complementary to the receptacle compartment of the collar member of the coupling receptacle 522.
  • the bulged head portion 560 is rotatably retained within the coupling receptacle 522.
  • the coupling receptacle 522 further comprises a dome-shaped receptacle base member 536 which functions as a receptacle compartment that surrounds an axial end of a collar member as a receptacle compartment.
  • FIG. 6A and 6B An example building block assembly 60 comprising a first example building block 600A and a second example building block 600B which are hinge connected is shown in Figures 6A and 6B.
  • Each one of the example building blocks 600A and 600B comprises a plurality of coupling receptacle 622 which is formed on a base surface of a surface bearing member.
  • the base surfaces of the first and second building blocks can rotate relative to each other about the hinge axis to change the angular orientations relative to each other.
  • the base surfaces can be parallel to each other (that is, at 180 degree spread), at 90 degrees to each other, at zero degree to each other (that is, totally folded) or at any angles there-between.
  • the building block assembly can be used, for example, as a connector assembly to connect compatible building blocks together and at different relative angular orientations.
  • Substantive features of the coupling member 622 of the building blocks 600A and 600B are the same or equivalent to that of the coupling receptacle 122 and the description in relation to the coupling member 122 is incorporated herein by reference mutatis mutandis with numerals increased by 500.
  • An example building block 700 comprises a first base surface bearing member 710 on which an example plurality of four connection members of a second type is formed, as depicted in Figures 7A and 7B.
  • connection members of the second type is arranged in an example square matrix of two rows and two columns having uniform row and column spacing.
  • Uniform row and column spacing means that the spacing between adjacent connection members in a row and the spacing adjacent connection members in a column is the same.
  • a square matrix of two rows and two columns is used herein as a convenient example.
  • the connection members may be arranged in matrixes having uniform or non-uniform spacing without loss of generality.
  • connection members may be arranged in square matrixes of 3x3 (i.e., three rows and three columns), 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, etc.; rectangular matrixed of 2x3, 2x4, 2x5, 2x6, 3x4, 3x5, 3x6, 3x7, 4x5, 4x6, 4x7; circular matrixes of two, three, four, five etc. of concentric rows (or rings) having uniform or non-uniform spacing.
  • the example connection member of the second type of the building block 700 comprises a coupling receptacle 722 which is adapted for snap fit reception of a counterpart connection member of a first type.
  • the coupling receptacle 722 comprises a receptacle body which is joined to the surface bearing member by a bridging portion.
  • the bridging portion extends radially outwards from an outer peripheral wall of the receptacle body to connect the receptacle body and the surface bearing member.
  • the receptacle body comprises a first axial portion which projects from the bridging portion and extends in a first axial direction towards a base surface on the surface bearing member and a second axial direction which projects in a second axial direction away from the first axial portion.
  • the second axial direction is opposite to the first axial direction and is orthogonal to the base surface.
  • the receptacle body has an internal peripheral wall which defines a receptacle compartment, and the receptacle compartment is accessible through an aperture which is formed on the base surface of the surface bearing member.
  • the first axial portion is formed as an upstanding portion and a peripheral groove is formed between the first axial portion and the surface bearing member. The peripheral groove provides expansion space to accommodate radial outward expansion of the upstanding portion when an over-sized engagement member is forced fed into the receptacle compartment.
  • a first axial end of the receptacle body is a free end which defines an entry aperture to the receptacle body and the receptacle compartment.
  • the first free end of the receptacle body is proximal to or flush with the base surface.
  • the second axial portion of the receptacle body protrudes from a second surface of the surface bearing member and appears as a dome-shaped protrusion on the second surface, as depicted in Figure 7B.
  • the second surface is a surface of the surface bearing member which is parallel to and opposite facing to the base surface as a first base surface.
  • An example building block 800 depicted in Figure 8A comprises a first base surface bearing member 810 on which an example plurality of two connection members of a second type is formed.
  • the surface bearing member comprises a first portion and a second portion which are interconnected by an intermediate portion.
  • the first portion and the second portion are parallel but are at different axial levels and the intermediate portion extends in the axial direction to interconnect the axially offset first and second portion so that the building block 800 has a substantially "Z" shaped profile.
  • substantive features of the example building block 800 are substantially identical to that of the example building block 700 and the substantive descriptions there on are incorporated herein mutatis mutandis for succinctness.
  • An example building block assembly 800 depicted in Figure 8B comprises an example plurality of two building blocks 300 which are in coupled connection with an example building block 800.
  • the two building blocks 300 of the building block assembly 800 are at different axial levels as a result of the axially offset first and second portions of the building block 800.
  • An example building block 900 depicted in Figures 9A1 and 9A2 comprises an example plurality of connection members of a second type formed on a planar surface bearing member.
  • the example plurality of connection members comprises an example connection member of a first type and an example connection member of a second type.
  • the receptacle body of the example connection member of the second type defines an entry aperture on a first base surface of the surface bearing member and protrudes from a second surface as a protrusion body, as depicted in Figure 9A1 .
  • the second surface is a surface of the surface bearing member which is parallel to and opposite facing to the base surface as a first base surface.
  • An example building block depicted in Figures 9B comprises an example plurality of two connection members of a second type formed on a planar surface bearing member.
  • substantive features of this example building block are substantially identical to that of the example building block 900 and the substantive descriptions there on are incorporated herein mutatis mutandis for succinctness.
  • An example building block depicted in Figures 9C comprises an example plurality of two connection members of a first type formed on a planar surface bearing member. Apart from the aforesaid differences, substantive features of this example building block are substantially identical to that of the example building block 800 and the substantive descriptions there on are incorporated herein mutatis mutandis for succinctness.
  • a connection member of the second type comprises a coupling receptacle.
  • the coupling receptacle comprises a receptacle body and has an internal peripheral wall which defines a receptacle compartment.
  • the coupling receptacle extends in an axial direction between a first axial end and a second axial end to respectively define a first axial end and a second axial end of the receptacle compartment.
  • the first axial end of the coupling receptacle is a free end which defines an entry aperture to the receptacle compartment and the second axial end of the coupling receptacle is an end which is distal to the entry end where the entry aperture is defined.
  • the internal peripheral wall of the coupling receptacle comprises a first peripheral wall portion which is proximal to a base surface of the surface bearing member and a second peripheral wall portion which is distal to the base surface.
  • the first peripheral wall portion extends in a transversal direction as a transversal circuit to define a collar portion.
  • the transversal direction is orthogonal to the axial direction and the axial direction is parallel to the centerline of the coupling receptacle.
  • the first peripheral wall portion is a upstanding wall which projects from a base.
  • the base is joined to the surface bearing member by a bridging portion, with a peripheral groove formed between the first peripheral wall portion and the surface bearing member.
  • the internal peripheral wall of the coupling receptacle comprises a second peripheral wall portion which defines a receptacle base member.
  • the receptacle base member projects in an axial direction away from the first peripheral wall portion
  • Each of the coupling receptacle, the receptacle body and the receptacle compartment is circularly symmetrical about the centerline to permit relative rotation between the coupling receptacle and a counterpart protrusion member in mated engagement connection therewith, and/or to permit the receiving coupling receptacle to enter into mated engagement connection with a counterpart protrusion member at different relative angular orientations about the centerline.
  • the coupling receptacle has opposite and complementary mating features and properties to a counterpart protrusion member to facilitate mated engagement connection with a counterpart protrusion member.
  • the first and second axial ends of the coupling receptacle are on the centerline of the coupling receptacle.
  • the centerline of the coupling receptacle is also the centerline of the receptacle body and the centerline of the receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle body projects away from the base surface and extends along a second axial direction, the second axial direction being parallel to centerline.
  • the receptacle internal peripheral wall of the receptacle body is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the shape and dimensions of a counterpart protrusion member of a counterpart connection member.
  • the receptacle internal peripheral wall may be shaped to define a receptacle compartment for receiving a connector head having a rounded free end, such as a rounded free end having the shape of a spherical cap, having a bulb shape or having the shape of a boss.
  • the receptacle internal peripheral wall is shaped to receive a protrusion member having cylindrical body, or a cylindrical body having a narrowed base portion defined by a periphery extending groove or channel.
  • the coupling receptacle compartment comprising the collar or bracket compartment and the receptacle base compartment defines a continuous compartment for snap-fitted reception of an engaging portion having the shape of a spherical segment.
  • the first axial end or the transversal circuit of the internal peripheral wall at the first axial end which defines and entry aperture to the receptacle compartment has a transversal span which defines an initial transversal clearance of the receptacle body at an entry end.
  • the transversal circuit of the internal peripheral wall at an axial level away from the base surface defines a transversal span at that axial level.
  • the internal peripheral wall flares to expand to increase its transversal span to reach a maximum transversal span as it extends away from the base surface in the axial direction and then tapers to converge to decrease its transversal span as it extends away from the maximum transversal span and towards its second axial end.
  • the internal peripheral wall flares or diverges with a constant gradient or along a linear path as it extends away from the base surface to form a frusto-conical engaging portion. [0075] In some embodiments, the internal peripheral wall tapers or converges to narrow with a constant gradient or along a linear path as it extends away from the maximum transversal span and progress towards the second axial end.
  • the second axial end of the receptacle body is a rounded end having an axis of symmetry which is coaxial with the center axis of the receptacle body.
  • the rounded second axial end defines a receptacle compartment having a dome-shaped or hemispherical distal end.
  • the internal peripheral wall flares or expand with an increasing gradient and defines a concave profile as it extends away from the base surface.
  • the radial end of the internal peripheral wall forms a wedging end for engaging with a retention device on a counterpart connection member.
  • the internal peripheral wall tapers to narrow with an increasing gradient and defines a concave profile as it extends away from the maximum transversal span to form a rounded axial free end.
  • the internal peripheral wall has a concave profile which extends across the maximum transversal span as the internal peripheral wall progresses in the axial direction, the concave profiles on two axial sides of the maximum transversal span cooperate to form a bulged retention compartment which is part of the receptacle compartment.
  • the portion of the internal peripheral wall between the base and the maximum transversal span is in the form of a spherical segment and/or has an outer peripheral surface which follows the shape and curvature of the curved surface of a spherical segment.
  • the internal peripheral wall has a concavely curved portion which is proximal to the base surface, the convexly curved portion form a peripherally extending wedging portion.
  • the internal peripheral wall cooperates with the base surface to form a peripherally extending wedging portion.
  • the peripherally extending wedging portion is a wedging portion which progressively narrows, converges or tapers to narrow on extending radial inwards towards an axially extending centerline of the protrusion member.
  • the tapered or flaring end of the protrusion member makes an acute angle with the base surface.
  • the acute angle is typically between 20 degrees to 60 degrees and may be 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more or less, 30 degrees or more or less, 35 degrees or more or less, 40 degrees or more or less, 45 degrees or more or less, 50 degrees or more or less, 65 degrees or more or less, 60 degrees or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the axial height H between the first axial end and the axial level of the maximum transversal span may be between 10% and 40% of the width W of the internal peripheral wall at the axial level of the maximum transversal span, and H may equal to 10% or more, 15% or more or less, 20% or more or less, 25%o r more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the axial height H between the axial level of the maximum transversal span and the second axial end of the receptacle body or receptacle compartment may be between 20% and 50% of the width W of the protrusion member at the axial level of the maximum transversal span, and H may equal to 20% or more, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35%o r more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the width W equals the diameter D of the sphere defining the spherical segment and the maximum transversal span is defined by a circular plane of the sphere.
  • the axial height h between the first axial end and the axial level of the maximum transversal span may be between 20% and 85% of R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment and the axial direction is parallel to the axis of the spherical segment.
  • the axial height h may equal to 20% or more or less, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or more or less, 55% or more or less, 60% or more or less, 65% or more or less, 70% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or more or less, 85% or less, or a range defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the axial height of the internal peripheral wall between the first axial end and the maximum transversal span may be determined with reference to the strength, rigidity and resilience of the materials of the protrusion member and/or the counterpart engagement member to be coupled with the protrusion member without loss of generality.
  • the portion of the internal peripheral wall between the base and the maximum transversal span is a concavely curved portion having the shape of a lower spherical segment
  • the initial transversal span w at the first axial end has a transversal width which is a fraction of W, where W is the transversal width at the maximum transversal span.
  • the fraction w may be between 60% and 90% of W, for example, 60% or more, 65% or more or less, 70% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or more or less, 85% or more or less, 90% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • a lower spherical segment herein is one where the maximum transversal span is a transversal span defined by a diameter of the sphere and is parallel to and spaced apart from the base surface.
  • the internal peripheral wall may have a circular symmetry about a center axis to facilitate coupling in different angular orientations about the center axis.
  • the center axis of the internal peripheral wall is coaxial with the center axis of the spherical segment or the spherical cap.
  • the internal peripheral wall of the receptacle body has the shape of a spherical cap or a spherical segment.
  • the axial height of the spherical cap or the spherical segment may equal to R+h and may be between R and 1 .85R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment and h may equal 20%R or more or less, 25%R or more or less, 30%R or more or less, 35%R or more or less, 40%R or more or less, 45%R or more or less, 50%R or more or less, 55%R or more or less, 60%R or more or less, 65%R or more or less, 70%R or more or less, 75%R or more or less, 80%R or more or less, 85%R or less, or a range defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the value of h which equals the axial extent of a collar portion, may be determined with reference to the strength
  • the internal peripheral wall tapers to meet the base surface at an acute angle to define a retention device at the first axial end of the receptacle body.
  • the internal peripheral wall curves concavely to converge towards the centerline and meets the base surface at an acute angle.
  • the acute joining angle may be between 20 degrees to 60 degrees, for example, the joining angle may be 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more or less, 30 degrees or more or less, 35 degrees or more or less, 40 degrees or more or less, 45 degrees or more or less, 50 degrees or more or less, 55 degrees or more or less, or 60 degrees or less, or a range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the receptacle body defines a ball-joint socket or a bulb-shaped receptacle compartment or a dome-shaped receptacle compartment for snap-fit reception of a ball-shaped coupling head of a counterpart connection member.
  • the internal peripheral wall may follow the curved surface of a spherical segment in order to form snap-fit coupling engagement with an engagement portion of a counterpart connection member having a spherical segment shape.
  • the maximum internal transversal span of the internal peripheral wall which defines the maximum transversal clearance of the collar portion that may equal to the maximum transversal span of a sphere defining the spherical segment.
  • the maximum transversal clearance is defined by a circular periphery having a radius R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment.
  • the axial span or thickness of the collar member may equal to h% of the diameter D of the sphere, where h may be larger than 15% or 20%, for example, 15% or more, 20% or more or less, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or more or less, 55% or more or less, 60% or more or less, 65% or more or less, 70% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or less, or any range or ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the collar internal peripheral wall may be a curved surface which follows curvature of a curved surface of a spherical segment as it extends in the second axial direction.
  • the collar portion be circularly symmetrical about a collar centerline which is parallel to the second axial direction, and the collar internal peripheral wall is concavely curved with respect to the collar centerline to define an arcuate bulged receptacle compartment.
  • the coupling receptacle may comprise a receptacle base member, the receptacle base member extending from an axial end of the collar member and projecting in the axial direction away from the collar member and comprises a free axial end which is distal to the collar member.
  • the receptacle base member may be formed as a shell and tapers to converge as it extends away from the collar member.
  • the collar member comprises a collar inner wall which defines the entry aperture and a collar outer wall which surrounds the collar inner wall, the collar outer wall being an outer peripheral wall projecting in the axial direction from a support base, the support base being integrally formed on the first base surface.
  • the receptacle base member is suspended on the base surface.
  • the receptacle body comprises a socket-type body which extends axially away from the collar portion in the second axial direction.
  • the portion of the protrusion member between the base and the maximum transversal span is in the form of a spherical segment and/or has an outer peripheral surface which follows the shape and curvature of the curved surface of a spherical segment.
  • the convexly curved portion cooperates with the base surface to form a peripherally extending wedging portion.
  • the peripherally extending wedging portion is a wedging portion which progressively narrows, converges or tapers to narrow on extending radial inwards towards an axially extending centerline of the protrusion member.
  • the convexly curved portion may end on the base surface or may be axially separated from the base surface.
  • the tapered or flaring end of the protrusion member makes an acute angle with the base surface.
  • the acute angle is typically between 20 degrees to 60 degrees and may be 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more or less, 30 degrees or more or less, 35 degrees or more or less, 40 degrees or more or less, 45 degrees or more or less, 50 degrees or more or less, 55 degrees or more or less, 60 degrees or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the axial height H between the base and the axial level of the maximum transversal span may be between 10% and 40% of the width W of the protrusion member at the axial level of the maximum transversal span, and H may equal to 10% or more, 15% or more or less, 20% or more or less, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the axial height H between the axial level of the maximum transversal span and the axial free end of the protrusion member may be between 20% and 50% of the width W of the protrusion member at the axial level of the maximum transversal span, and H may equal to 20% or more, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • the width W equals the diameter D of the sphere defining the spherical segment and the maximum transversal span is defined by a circular plane of the sphere.
  • the axial height h between the base and the axial level of the maximum transversal span may be between 20% and 85% of R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment and the axial direction is parallel to the axis of the spherical segment.
  • the axial height h may equal to 20% or more, 25% or more or less, 30% or more or less, 35% or more or less, 40% or more or less, 45% or more or less, 50% or more or less, 55% or more or less, 60% or more or less, 65% or more or less, 70% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or more or less, 85% or less, or any range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the axial height of the protrusion member between the base and the maximum transversal span may be determined with reference to the strength, rigidity and resilience of the materials of the protrusion member and/or the counterpart engagement member to be coupled with the protrusion member without loss of generality.
  • the initial transversal span w at the base has a transversal width which is a fraction of W, where W is the transversal width at the maximum transversal span.
  • the fraction w may be between 60% and 90% of W, for example, 60% or more, 65% or more or less, 70% or more or less, 75% or more or less, 80% or more or less, 85% or more or less, 90% or less, or any range or ranges defined by any combination of the aforesaid values, range or ranges.
  • a lower spherical segment herein is one where the maximum transversal span is a transversal span defined by a diameter of the sphere and is parallel to and spaced apart from the base surface.
  • the protrusion member may have a circular symmetry about a center axis to facilitate coupling in different angular orientations about the center axis.
  • the center axis of the protrusion member is coaxial with the center axis of the spherical segment or the spherical cap.
  • the protrusion member has a convexly curved peripheral profile which extends across and about the maximum transversal span, the protrusion member has a bulged profile about the maximum transversal span.
  • the outer periphery of the protrusion member may the shape of a spherical cap or a spherical segment.
  • the axial height of the spherical cap or the spherical segment may equal to R+h and may be between R and 1 .85R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment and h may equal 20%R or more, 25%R or more or less, 30%R or more or less, 35%R or more or less, 40%R or more or less, 45%R or more or less, 50%R or more or less, 55%R or more or less, 60%R or more or less, 65%R or more or less, 70%R or more or less, 75%R or more or less, 80%R or more or less, 85%R or less, or any range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the value of h which equals the axial extent of a neck portion, may be determined with reference to the strength
  • the protrusion member tapers to join the base surface at an acute angle to define a retention region at the base of the protrusion member.
  • the protrusion member curves convexly to converge towards the centerline and joins the base surface at an acute angle.
  • the acute joining angle may be between 20 degrees to 60 degrees, for example, the joining angle may be 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more or less, 30 degrees or more or less, 35 degrees or more or less, 40 degrees or more or less, 45 degrees or more or less, 50 degrees or more or less, 55 degrees or more or less, or 60 degrees or less, or any range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the protrusion member comprises a cylindrical body or a prismatic body which projects away from the base surface, with a tapered portion formed at a peripheral region in abutment with or in proximity to the base surface.
  • the tapered portion may define a depression or recess which extends around the outer periphery of the protrusion member to form a retention groove or a retention channel as an example of a retention device.
  • the periphery of the protrusion member defining the tapered portion defines the initial transversal span on the base surface. Where the protrusion member is circularly symmetrical, the initial transversal span defines a circular plane which is orthogonal to the axial direction.
  • the protrusion member may be considered as comprising a neck portion and a head portion which share a common center axis, with the neck portion intermediate the head portion and the base surface.
  • the neck portion projects axially away from the base surface and has the shape of a spherical segment, for example a lower spherical segment.
  • the spherical segment (or the 'first spherical segment') has an axial height and is defined between two parallel circular planes, namely, a first circular plane on the base surface and having a first radius r1 and a second circular plane which is axially spaced apart from the base surface and the first circular plane and has a second radius r2 which is larger than the first radius r1 .
  • the center line of the first spherical segment extends in the axial direction which is orthogonal to the base surface, and the centers of the first and second circular planes are on the center line.
  • the neck portion As the neck portion extends axially away from the base surface, its transversal span gradually increases and the rate of increase also gradually increases so that an outer side of the neck portion is convexly curved when viewed in a transversal direction, that is, a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. As the neck portion is laterally symmetrical about the center line, the neck portion has an outer shape of a bowl base.
  • the outside periphery of the neck portion follows the curvature of a sphere as it extends axially away from the base surface.
  • two mirror symmetrical arcuate portions are disposed on two diametrically opposite ends of the neck portion at the same axial level, as the neck portion is laterally or circularly symmetrical about the center line.
  • Each of the convex sides has its convex surface facing away from the center line or facing outwards.
  • the neck portion flares and diverges in the transversal direction as it extends axially away from the base surface until reaching a maximum transversal span at its axial end.
  • the maximum transversal span is characterized by the radius R of a sphere.
  • the transversal plane at the location of maximum transversal span may be a circular plane having a radius R, or a non- circular plane having a characteristic transversal span of 2R.
  • the characteristic transversal span may be a width of the plane.
  • the neck portion tapers to reduce its transversal span as it extends in an axial direction towards the base surface or away from the head portion to define a tapered retention device having an external transversal span which gradually decreases as it extends towards the base surface.
  • a convexly curved retention surface (or engagement surface) is formed around the periphery of the neck portion and the neck portion has the shape of a bowl base.
  • This peripheral retention surface as one engaging surface cooperates with the base surface as another engaging surface to form a pair of retention surfaces and/or wedging surfaces.
  • the head portion continues from the neck portion and extends away from the neck portion in the axial direction and has the shape of another spherical segment. That spherical segment (or the 'second spherical segment') has an axial height h2 and is defined between the second circular plane and a third circular plane which is axially spaced apart from the second circular plane and having a third radius r3, the third radius being smaller than the second radius r2.
  • the head portion extends axially away from the base surface or the neck portion, its transversal span gradually decreases and the rate of decrease gradually increases so that an outer side of the head portion is also convexly curved when viewed in the transversal direction.
  • the head portion is laterally symmetrical about the center line and, in some embodiments, the outside of the head portion follows the curvature of a sphere as it extends axially away from the neck portion.
  • two mirror symmetrical arcuate portions are disposed on two diametrically opposite ends of the neck portion at the same axial level, as the head portion is laterally or circularly symmetrical about the center line.
  • Each of the convex sides has its convex surface facing away from the center line or facing outwards.
  • a head portion which flares to expand its transversal span as it extends in an axial direction towards the base surface or towards the retention device facilitates easier or more convenient coupling insertion of a counterpart engagement device towards the retention device.
  • a head portion that has a smaller transversal span at its axial free end would facilitate more convenient alignment with a retention or engagement device of a counterpart connection member.
  • a neck portion having a retention device which flares to expand its transversal span as it extends in an axial direction away from the base surface or towards the head portion facilitates more effective retention of a retention or engagement device of a counterpart connection member.
  • the continuity in transversal span at the junction of the head and neck portion facilitates easy movement across the junction.
  • a counterpart connection member would have features which are matched, opposite and complementary to that of the connection member of the first type and in matching correspondence in feature sizes, shapes and dimensions.
  • the building blocks herein can be molded of hard plastics or soft plastics as a convenient example.
  • the building blocks may be for toy building blocks for toy constructions.
  • the building block may be machine blocks or other modules that can be for machine or general constructions without loss of generality.

Landscapes

  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un bloc de construction (100) qui comprend au moins un élément de panneau rigide (120, 140) sur lequel au moins un élément de raccordement est intégralement formé et sur lequel les ouvertures intermédiaires associées à l'élément de raccordement est défini. L'élément de raccordement comprend un corps de réceptacle défini par un élément d'enveloppe creuse qui est configuré pour venir en prise mécanique accouplée avec un élément de raccordement correspondant lorsque le bloc de construction (100) et l'élément de raccordement correspondant sont déplacés l'un vers l'autre le long d'une direction de couplage. La paroi périphérique interne de réceptacle (1221) comprend une première partie de paroi périphérique axiale faisant saillie depuis une base sur l'élément de panneau (120) et une deuxième partie de paroi périphérique axiale comprenant la partie de l'élément de panneau (120) qui définit l'ouverture intermédiaire.
PCT/IB2017/050082 2016-01-08 2017-01-09 Blocs de construction et ensembles de blocs de construction WO2017118957A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201780012876.XA CN109310930B (zh) 2016-01-08 2017-01-09 构件块和构件块组件

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201620014385.1 2016-01-08
CN201620014385 2016-01-08
CN201610010380.6A CN105617685A (zh) 2016-01-08 2016-01-08 一种发光积木组
CN201610010380.6 2016-01-08
HK16108584.7 2016-07-19
HK16108584 2016-07-19
HK16111360 2016-09-28
HK16111360.1 2016-09-28
CN16111418.3 2016-09-29
CN201620111418 2016-09-29

Publications (1)

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WO2017118957A1 true WO2017118957A1 (fr) 2017-07-13

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WO (1) WO2017118957A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019091938A1 (fr) * 2017-11-08 2019-05-16 Lego A/S Jeu de construction

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1159765A (zh) * 1994-09-29 1997-09-17 英特莱格公司 积木系统
CN101443089A (zh) * 2005-11-29 2009-05-27 迈克尔·马尔泽塔 构造系统
CN101791481A (zh) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-04 河田有限公司 积木玩具
CN101890244A (zh) * 2009-12-15 2010-11-24 韩教泰 组装玩具
US20150165337A1 (en) * 2013-12-16 2015-06-18 Carlos A. Lopez Building system using plastic bottle caps
CN105617685A (zh) * 2016-01-08 2016-06-01 陈腾 一种发光积木组

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1159765A (zh) * 1994-09-29 1997-09-17 英特莱格公司 积木系统
CN101443089A (zh) * 2005-11-29 2009-05-27 迈克尔·马尔泽塔 构造系统
CN101791481A (zh) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-04 河田有限公司 积木玩具
CN101890244A (zh) * 2009-12-15 2010-11-24 韩教泰 组装玩具
US20150165337A1 (en) * 2013-12-16 2015-06-18 Carlos A. Lopez Building system using plastic bottle caps
CN105617685A (zh) * 2016-01-08 2016-06-01 陈腾 一种发光积木组

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019091938A1 (fr) * 2017-11-08 2019-05-16 Lego A/S Jeu de construction
US20210170296A1 (en) * 2017-11-08 2021-06-10 Lego A/S Toy building set

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