WO2018060917A1 - Building blocks and building block assemblies - Google Patents

Building blocks and building block assemblies Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018060917A1
WO2018060917A1 PCT/IB2017/055959 IB2017055959W WO2018060917A1 WO 2018060917 A1 WO2018060917 A1 WO 2018060917A1 IB 2017055959 W IB2017055959 W IB 2017055959W WO 2018060917 A1 WO2018060917 A1 WO 2018060917A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
building block
engagement
retention
receptacle
connector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/055959
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Tang CHAN
Yeung WONG
Original Assignee
Chan Tang
Wong Yeung
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
Application filed by Chan Tang, Wong Yeung filed Critical Chan Tang
Priority to CN201780059840.7A priority Critical patent/CN110191747A/zh
Publication of WO2018060917A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018060917A1/en

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
    • A63H33/06—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
    • A63H33/06—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

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to building blocks and assemblies of building blocks.
  • Modular and interconnectible building blocks for construction of toys such as toy figures, toy vehicles, toy houses, toy farms, toy machines, toy models, and other toy assemblies, toy products and toy structures are known and have been recognized for their educational values, for example, in promoting and encouraging creativity, patience and perseverance.
  • Modular and interconnectible toy building blocks are advantageous, for example, many different types of toy assemblies, toy products and toy structures can be built with a small number of well-designed building blocks of basic configurations and the building blocks can be re-used for building of other toy assemblies, toy products and toy structures.
  • Modular and interconnectible building blocks are also used in building industries, for example, as modular components for construction of buildings and structures.
  • modular and interconnectible building blocks have been known to facilitate flexible, expeditious and standardized construction with less manual work requirements and promote productivity.
  • modular and interconnectible toy building blocks are also used for modular construction of tools, equipment, appliances, and many other types of products.
  • a building block assembly disclosed herein comprises a first building block and a second building block which are in detachable engagement.
  • the first building block comprises a main body and a plurality of first connection members distributed on a first surface of the main body to define a first connection means and a first connection surface.
  • Each first connection member comprises a protrusion portion having an outer peripheral wall which projects from the first surface and extends away from the first surface along a coupling axis to define a coupling direction.
  • the plurality of first connection members is distributed to cooperate to define a retention means having a retention border.
  • the second building block is retained on the first building block by cooperative engagement between the retention means and the second building member at a plurality of discrete retention locations on the retention border, and the plurality of discrete retention locations is discretely distributed on said plurality of first connection members and wherein each discrete retention location corresponds to a discrete retention portion.
  • the discrete retention portions are adapted to apply discretely distributed radial retention forces on a periphery of the second building block.
  • the retention portion may be a clamping portion or a clamping element, or an expansive portion or an expansive element.
  • the cooperative engagement between the retention means and the second building member is by means of radial retention forces, the radial retention forces generated by resilient deformation at the plurality of discrete retention locations on the retention border; and wherein the first connection means and/or the second building block is resiliently deformable or comprises resiliently deformable portions at least at the discrete retention locations of cooperative engagement.
  • the outer peripheral wall of the protrusion portion of the first connection member defines mechanical mating feature profiles and dimensions of the first connection member
  • the retention means is cooperatively formed by portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of first connection members which are distributed along the retention border, or which are at the discrete retention locations where cooperative engagement is present.
  • the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of first connection members which is distributed to cooperate to form the retention portion are distributed along the retention border to form a plurality of discrete retention portions.
  • the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of first connection members which cooperate to form the retention means are in abutment or in close proximity to the first surface.
  • the second building block is surrounded by the retention border, or wherein the second building block surrounds the retention border.
  • the protrusion portion comprises a head portion and a neck portion, the neck portion being intermediate the head portion and the first surface and being a narrowed portion having a radial indentation profile proximal to the first surface; and wherein the retention location is a minor peripheral portion of the neck portion.
  • the second building block comprises an engagement means which is in cooperative engagement with the retention means, and wherein the engagement means has a radial protrusion profile matched with the radial indentation profile of the neck portion, and the radial protrusion profile is in cooperative engagement with the radial indentation profile.
  • the second building block has a main body, a first axial end in engagement abutment with the first building block, and a building block connector at a second axial end distal to the first axial end.
  • the building block connector at the second axial end of the second building block is a snap connector having mechanical mating feature dimensions compatible with those of the first connection member.
  • the second building block comprises a coupling receptacle at the first axial end, the coupling receptacle being in cooperative engagement with the retention means.
  • the coupling receptacle has mechanical mating feature profiles and dimensions which are matched with those of the first connection member such that the coupling receptacle and the first connection member are snap engageable.
  • the main body of the second building block is elongate and the building block connector at the second axial end is elevated well above the first connection members.
  • the second building block comprises a main body having a panel portion, a first surface of the first panel portion in abutment with the first building block, and an interior boundary of the panel portion defining an engagement means in cooperative engagement with the retention means and surrounding the plurality of first connection members.
  • the panel portion at the interior boundary is a blade-like portion having a thickness comparable to or smaller than thickness of the retention means and substantially smaller than height of the protrusion portion.
  • the second building block comprises a building block connector or a plurality of building block connectors on the main body, the building block connector having mechanical mating feature dimensions which are compatible with those of the first connection member.
  • the building block connector is a snap connector having a ball- shaped connection head to facilitate snap connection in a plurality of coupling directions with respect to the panel portion, the snap connector being formed in an outer periphery of the panel portion.
  • the building block connector is at an axial level comparable to the axial level of the first connection member.
  • the plurality of first connection members is distributed on corners of a square or at regular spacing around a circle, and wherein the second building block is engaged by at least a pair of first connection members on opposite corners of the square or on opposite diametric sides of the circle.
  • a building block disclosed herein comprises a main body and an engagement means for making releasable engagement with a corresponding building block
  • the corresponding building block comprises a main body and a plurality of protruding connectors projecting from a first connection surface of the main body to define a first connection means and a first connection surface.
  • Each protruding connector comprises a protrusion portion defining a coupling axis and a coupling direction, and the coupling axes of the plurality of protruding connectors are distributed in parallel, and wherein portions of the protruding connectors are distributed along a retention boundary to define a retention means comprising a plurality of discrete retention portions.
  • the building block comprises a main body and an engagement means, and the engagement means comprises a plurality of engagement portions for engaging with a corresponding plurality of the discrete retention portions formed on the plurality of protruding connectors.
  • the plurality of engagement portions is distributed on a periphery of the building block to define an engagement boundary of the engagement means.
  • the plurality of engagement portions is distributed on an inner periphery of the building block to define an engagement boundary of the engagement means surrounding the retention means or the retention boundary, or the plurality of engagement portions is distributed on an exterior periphery of the building block to define an engagement boundary of the engagement means surrounded by the retention means or the retention boundary.
  • the corresponding building block has a radial indentation profile at a neck portion and the engagement portion has a radial protrusion profile matched with the radial indentation profile of the neck portion to facilitate radial cooperative engagement with the radial indentation profile.
  • the building block has a first axial end for making engagement abutment with the corresponding building block and a building block connector at a second axial end distal to the first axial end; and wherein the building block connector at the second axial end of the building block is a connector having mechanical mating feature profiles and dimensions which are compatible with those of the protruding connector.
  • the building block comprises a coupling receptacle at a second axial end, the coupling receptacle being adapted for cooperative engagement with the retention means and having mechanical mating feature profiles and dimensions which are matched and compatible with those of the protruding connector such that the coupling receptacle and the protruding connector are snap engageable.
  • the main body of the building block is elongate and the building block connector at the second axial end is elevated well above the protruding connectors.
  • the building block comprises a main body having a panel portion, a first surface of the first panel portion in abutment with the corresponding building block, and an interior boundary of the panel portion defining an engagement means in cooperative engagement with the retention means and surrounding the plurality of first connection members.
  • the panel portion at the interior boundary is a blade-like portion having a thickness comparable to or smaller than thickness of the retention means and substantially smaller than height of the protrusion portion.
  • the building block comprises a building block connector or a plurality of building block connectors on the main body, the building block connector having mechanical mating feature dimensions compatible with those of the first connection member.
  • the building block connector is a snap connector having a ball- shaped connection head to facilitate snap connection in a plurality of coupling directions with respect to the panel portion, the snap connector being formed in an outer periphery of the panel portion.
  • the building block connector extends axially above and below the panel portion.
  • the building block has a main body, a plurality of building block connectors on the main body, a base surface on a first axial end of the main body and an engagement means formed at the first axial end for entry into releasable engagement with the plurality of protruding connectors on the first connection surface of the corresponding building block along a connection direction orthogonal to the first connection surface; wherein the engagement means comprises a plurality of partial receptacles of female building block connectors, and the plurality of partial receptacles is formed on the first axial end of the main body; wherein the female building block connector has a coupling axis and a coupling direction and each partial receptacle has a partial receptacle wall defining a partial receptacle compartment, an axial entry, a lateral entry and a lateral entry aperture at the lateral entry, and the lateral entry apertures of the plurality of partial receptacles are formed on opposite facing side surfaces of
  • the partial receptacle wall is a concavely curved inner peripheral wall of the partial receptacle having its concave wall portion oppositely facing the lateral entry and the lateral entry aperture.
  • the partial receptacle is a bisected receptacle of the female connector having a bisection plane on the side surface of the main body.
  • a building block disclosed herein comprises a main body, a plurality of building block connectors on the main body, and a plurality of partial male connectors formed on a base surface on a first axial end of the main body.
  • Each said partial male connector comprises a protrusion portion, the protrusion portion having a curved outer peripheral wall and a split surface defining a coupling axis and a coupling direction.
  • the curved outer peripheral wall and the split surface project away from the base surface and extend along the coupling direction.
  • the partial male connectors are distributed around an outer periphery of the main body, with the split surface or the outer peripheral wall proximal to an exterior side surface of the main body and facing outwardly.
  • the split surface is proximal to an exterior side surface of the main body and facing outwardly, and the curved outer peripheral wall is distal to said exterior side surface and facing inwardly.
  • the split plane is parallel to and/or flush with said exterior side surface.
  • the split plane is parallel to or contains the coupling axis.
  • the outer peripheral wall is proximal to an exterior side surface of the main body and facing outwardly, and the split plane is distal to said exterior side surface and facing inwardly.
  • the curved outer peripheral wall is parallel to and/or flush with said exterior side surface.
  • the outer peripheral wall has an outer peripheral curvature and a centre axis of the peripheral curvature, and wherein the centre axis of the peripheral curvature and the coupling axis are aligned or coaxial.
  • the partial male connectors are distributed in a row and/or in a column.
  • the partial male connectors in a row or in a column have either their split planes oppositely and directly facing each other or their curved outer peripheral walls oppositely and directly facing each other.
  • a plurality of building block connectors is distributed proximal to the exterior side surface of the main body, and adjacent building block connectors in a row or in a column has a pitch defining a distance of separation between the adjacent building block connectors.
  • Adjacent partial male connectors in a row or in a column on the base surface has a distance of separation equal to the pitch or a plurality of the pitches.
  • the split plane or the curved outer peripheral wall of the partial male connector forms a discrete engagement portion, and the discrete engagement portions of the plurality of partial male connectors defines a retention boundary and a retention means.
  • a building block herein comprises one or a plurality of connectors to facilitate detachable or releasable mechanical connection between modular building blocks in abutment.
  • the mechanical connection is typically by press-fitting or snap-fitting.
  • the building block comprises one connector or a plurality of connectors on at least one connection surface and building blocks can be stacked with their respective connection surfaces in abutment connect and the connectors on their respective connection surfaces in detachable mechanical engagement.
  • a building block herein may be a toy building block.
  • a toy building block is typically made of thermoplastics such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PC (polycarbonate), or other plastic materials that a high degree of strength and rigidity, as well as a small degree of resilience to be slightly resiliently deformable to facilitate press-fit or snap-fit engagement.
  • a building block herein may be made of clay, ceramic, porcelain, concrete, or other mouldable materials that have a high rigidity and a very low degree of resilience or virtually no resilience.
  • a building block herein may also be made of wood, metals, for example, steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, or other materials that can be shaped.
  • a building block is made of a material having a high rigidity with a very low degree of resilience or no resilience
  • the building block may connect with a building block having a sufficient degree of resilience to facilitate mechanical connection by resilient deformation of the connector(s) thereon.
  • a building blocks can be rigid and slightly resilient or non-resilient, and the rigidity and resilience may be selected to suit applications by selecting appropriate materials or appropriate mix of materials.
  • a building block herein may be ceramic building block or a porcelain building block.
  • the ceramic or porcelain building block may be in the form of a ceramic brick or a porcelain brick, a ceramic tile or a porcelain tile, a ceramic panel or a porcelain panel, or other forms of ceramic parts or porcelain parts without loss of generality.
  • the ceramic or porcelain building blocks may be interconnected using binding agents such as glue, cement, or mortar to form the modules, assemblies or sub-assemblies, or interconnect wit building blocks made of a rigid and slightly resilient material.
  • a building block herein typically comprises a main body, a first surface on a first side of the main body, a second surface on a second side of the main body, a peripheral portion extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a plurality of connectors formed on the main body.
  • the main body is typically rigid or semi-rigid and the connectors have peripheral walls which are rigid or semi-rigid and having a small degree of resilience to facilitate snap engagement with corresponding connector through resilient deformation of the engagement portions of the connectors.
  • the connectors are usually formed on a panel portion of the main body.
  • male connectors are formed on one panel portion and female connectors are formed on another panel portion separate from the panel portion on which the male connectors are formed.
  • male connectors and female connectors are formed on a common panel portion.
  • a connector herein means a building block connector unless the context requires otherwise.
  • a building block connector comprises a connection portion having a coupling axis defining a coupling direction.
  • the connection portion comprises an engagement portion for making closely fitted engagement with a matched connector portion of a matched connector to form a pair of engaged connectors.
  • An engagement portion comprises mechanical mating features for making closely fitted engagement with a corresponding engagement portion of a matched connector to form a pair of engaged engagement portions.
  • An engagement portion may be a male engagement portion or a female engagement portion.
  • a connector is generally classified as a male connector or a female connector.
  • a male connector may comprise a female engagement portion in addition to its inherent male engagement portion and a female connector may comprise a male engagement portion in addition to its inherent female engagement portion.
  • a male engagement portion comprises male mating features.
  • a male engagement portion typically comprises a protrusion which is shaped and sized for closely-fitted reception of a corresponding female engagement portion.
  • a protrusion adapted for closely-fitted reception of a corresponding female engagement portion is a matched corresponding male engagement portion of that corresponding female engagement portion.
  • a protrusion herein is also referred to as a "protrusion portion”, a “protruding member”, a “protrusion member”, “protrusion body”, and “protruding body” and the terms are interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise.
  • a female engagement portion comprises female mating features.
  • a female engagement portion typically comprises a coupling receptacle which is shaped and sized for closely-fitted reception of a corresponding male engagement portion.
  • a coupling receptacle adapted for closely-fitted reception of a corresponding male engagement portion is a matched corresponding female engagement portion of that corresponding male engagement portion.
  • a receptacle herein means a coupling receptacle of a female building block connector unless the context requires otherwise.
  • a coupling receptacle of a female building block connector is also referred to as a male engagement portion receptacle or a male-connector receptacle.
  • a pair of connectors having matched corresponding engagement portions when on separate building blocks are detachably engageable to form a releasable mechanical connection.
  • the connectors are snap engageable to form a snap engaged connector pair.
  • a male engagement portion and a corresponding female engagement portion having matched and compatible mating features will enter into closely fitted engagement when they are brought or moved relatively towards each other with their respective coupling axes aligned and press connected along the aligned coupling axes.
  • the fitted or closely fitted engagement herein may be by interference fit or snap fit.
  • a connector has a characteristic radial profile.
  • the radial profile of a connector is characterized by the radial extent of the engagement portion or the engagement portions of the connector between its axial ends.
  • a snap connector is characterized by a non-uniform radial extent in the axial direction, and more particularly by a bulged radial profile.
  • a male connection portion comprises a protruding portion which is to enter into a receptacle of a corresponding female connection portion to make releasable mechanical engagement therewith.
  • the protrusion portion may be in the form of a protrusion body, a protruding body, a protrusion member or a protruding member.
  • the protrusion portion of a male connection portion projects from a base surface and extends in an axial direction away from the base surface, the axial direction being with respect to the coupling axis of the protrusion portion.
  • a male connection portion comprises a connector head defining its axial end.
  • the axial extent of a protrusion portion measured along the coupling axis of the male connection portion between the base surface from which it projects and its axial end, defines the height of the protrusion.
  • the protruding body has an outer peripheral wall which defines the mating features of the protrusion portion, including shape, configuration, radial profile and dimensions.
  • the protrusion portion of a male snap connector has a radial profile which is defined by its outer peripheral wall.
  • the radial profile of a snap connector is characterized by a nonuniform radial extent in the axial direction.
  • a male snap connector typically comprises a bulged portion having a bulged radial profile and a reduced portion having a reduced radial profile.
  • a typical protrusion portion herein is an annular protrusion comprising a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion.
  • the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion are in series and are aligned on the coupling axis.
  • the first protrusion portion is in abutment with the base surface and the second protrusion portion comprises the axial end, which is usually a free axial end.
  • the first protrusion portion is, in the axial direction, or axially, intermediate the second protrusion portion and the base surface.
  • the first protrusion portion is referred to as a neck portion which is supported on the base surface and the second protrusion portion is referred to as a head portion which is supported by the neck portion.
  • the head portion has an enlarged radial profile compared to the neck portion radial profile, and is also referred to as an enlarged portion. As the profile enlargement is in the radial direction, the head portion is also referred to as a widened portion.
  • the head portion is an enlarged portion having a head portion radial profile which is a bulged radial profile, or a bulged profile in short.
  • the head portion has an outer periphery which is in the general form of a peripherally extending rib.
  • a peripherally extending rib herein is an annular rib having the radial profile of the head portion radial profile in the peripheral direction.
  • the annular rib is defined by the outer peripheral wall of the protrusion portion and may be continuous or non-continuous.
  • the peripheral direction is orthogonal to the coupling axis and is a tangential direction to a circle defining the annular rib.
  • the annular rib surrounds a core portion of the head portion, and the core portion of the head portion may be solid or hollow. When the core portion is hollow, the head portion is in the form of a hollow shell having an internal compartment.
  • the head portion radial profile and the annular rib has the radial profile of a radial protrusion and defines an engagement portion, and more specifically, defines a male snap engagement portion of a male connection portion.
  • the engagement portion on the head portion of a male connection portion is referred to as a first engagement portion or a first snap engagement portion of the protrusion portion or of the male connection portion for ease of reference.
  • the terms “rib” and “ridge” are equivalent and are used interchangeably herein.
  • the bulged head portion has a maximum radial extent defining a maximum radial plane at an axial level with respect to the base surface.
  • the maximum radial plane is a maximum transversal plane, and the axial level of the maximum radial plane is a maximum radial extent level.
  • the bulged portion has a lower surface which extends between the maximum radial plane and the base surface.
  • the lower surface is a tapered surface which oppositely faces the base surface.
  • the radial extent of the lower surface of the bulged head portion at an axial level decreases as the axial level moves closer towards the base level of the base surface to define a lower tapered surface.
  • the radial extent of the lower surface of the bulged head portion at an axial level increases as the axial level of the lower surface away from the base surface increases.
  • the radial extent of the lower surface of the bulged head portion reaches a local minimum at an axial level where it joins the neck portion.
  • the head portion tapers to narrow as it extends axially from the maximum radial extent plane towards the base surface. Conversely, the head portion flares to widen as it extends axially from the base surface towards the maximum radial extent plane.
  • the axial free end of the head portion may be flat or rounded. Where the axial free end is flat, the male connector has a flat head. Where the axial end is rounded, the male connector has a rounded head.
  • the rounded head may be in the shape of a dome, a spherical cap, or a rounded boss or other suitable shapes.
  • the head portion radial profile extends in a peripheral direction to define an annular outer periphery of the head portion and the neck portion radial profile extends in a peripheral direction to define an annular outer periphery of the neck portion.
  • the neck portion has reduced radial profile compared to the head portion radial profile, and is also referred to as a reduced portion. As the profile reduction is in the radial direction, the neck portion is also referred to as a narrowed portion.
  • the neck portion is a reduced enlarged portion having a neck portion radial profile which is a tapered radial profile, or a tapered profile in short.
  • the neck portion has an outer periphery which is in the form of a peripherally extending channel.
  • the peripherally extending channel is an annular channel having the radial profile of the neck portion radial profile in the peripheral direction.
  • the annular channel is defined by the outer peripheral wall of the protrusion portion and may be continuous or non-continuous.
  • the peripheral direction is orthogonal to the coupling axis and is a tangential direction to a circle defining the annular channel.
  • the annular channel that is, the peripherally extending channel, surrounds a core portion of the neck portion, and the core portion of the neck portion may be solid or hollow. When the core portion is hollow, the neck portion is in the form of a hollow shell having an internal compartment.
  • the neck portion radial profile and the annular channel has the radial profile of a radial indentation and defines an engagement portion, and more specifically, a female snap engagement portion on a male connection portion.
  • the engagement portion on the neck portion of a male connection portion is referred to as a second engagement portion or a second snap engagement portion of the protrusion portion or of the male connection portion for ease of reference.
  • This second engagement portion is a retention portion which is adapted to receive and retain a neck receptacle portion of a female connector.
  • channel and “groove” are equivalent and are used interchangeably herein.
  • the neck portion has a local maximum radial extent at an axial level where it joins or is in abutment with the head portion.
  • the local maximum radial extent defines a local maximum radial plane, which is also a local maximum transversal plane.
  • the neck portion has an outer peripheral surface which extends between the local maximum radial plane and the base surface.
  • the outer peripheral surface is a tapered surface which oppositely faces the base surface.
  • the radial extent of the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion at an axial level decreases as the axial level moves closer towards the base level of the base surface to define a tapered outer peripheral surface.
  • the radial extent of the outer peripheral surface of the narrowed neck portion at an axial level increases as the axial level of the outer peripheral surface away from the base surface increases.
  • the radial extent of the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion reaches a local minimum at an axial level where it joins the head portion.
  • the outer peripheral surface is optionally a smooth continuation of the lower surface of the head portion.
  • the radial profile of the outer peripheral surface may follow a curved profile which is a curved continuation of the curved profile to taper.
  • the curved profile follows a radius of curvature equal to half the maximum radial extent.
  • the neck portion tapers to narrow as it extends axially from the local maximum radial extent plane towards the base surface. Conversely, the neck portion flares to widen as it extends axially from the base surface towards the local maximum radial extent plane.
  • peripheral channel is primarily defined by the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion in cooperation with the base surface, the entire channel may be regarded as being defined by the lower axial end of the enlarged portion, the narrowed neck portion and the base surface in cooperation.
  • the channel may have a constant radial extent in the axial direction or may have a tapered radial profile such that the radial extent of the neck portion decreases as its axial level decreases towards the base surface.
  • the tapering may follow a curved profile, for example the profile of a convex curve, a straight slope or other desired profiles without loss of generality.
  • the axial extent of a protrusion of a connection portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 20% and 80%, for example, in percentage terms, at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or any range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the axial extent will be in the higher range of between 50% and 80% where the protrusion has a rounded end or partial spherical end and in the lower range of 15% and 60% where the protrusion has a flat head or flat axial end.
  • the maximum radial extent E is the diameter D of a circle, the circle defines a maximum radial extent plane and the aforesaid fraction is also in respect of the diameter.
  • the axial extent between the maximum radial extent level and the axial free end of the protrusion portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 5% and 50% of the maximum radial extent, E, at the maximum radial extent level, for example, in percentage terms, at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • This axial extent of the upper portion of the protrusion will be in the lower range of between 5% and 30% where the protrusion has a flat head or flat axial end, and in the higher range of between 25% and 50% where the protrusion has a rounded end or partial spherical end.
  • the upper portion has a hemispherical shape.
  • the axial extent between the base surface and the maximum radial extent plane of the protrusion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 6% and 30% of the maximum radial extent, E, for example, in percentage terms, at 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the axial extent of the bulged portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 5% and 25% of the maximum radial extent, E, for example, in percentage terms, at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the axial extent of the neck portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 5% and 15% of the maximum radial extent, E, for example, in percentage terms, at 5, 10, 15, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the radial extent of the neck portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 90% and 99% of the maximum radial extent, for example, in percentage terms, at 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges
  • the radial extent of the radial indentation defining the channel of the neck portion is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the protrusion, and the fraction is optionally between 1 % and 6%, for example, in percentage terms, at 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges
  • the protrusion portion or a portion thereof may be a convex annular portion which follows a convex curvature as it extends towards the base surface in the direction of the coupling axis.
  • the convex annular portion may have the shape of a spherical segment having a radius of curvature R, where R is half the value of the maximum radial extent of the maximum radial plane, and an axial extent or height h.
  • the maximum radial plane is usually contained between two smaller radial planes so that the radial extent of the convexly curved portion increases from a first radial extent defined by a first smaller radial plane to the maximum radial extent and then decreases to a second radial extent defined by a second smaller radial plane as the curved portion extends along the direction of the coupling axis, the radial plane extending in a transversal direction or a lateral direction which is orthogonal to the coupling axis.
  • the protrusion portion between the base surface and the maximum radial plane may be in the shape of a spherical segment or a truncated cone, i.e., frusto-cone.
  • the axial height between the base surface and the maximum radial plane is optionally between 20% and 85% of R, where R is the radius of the sphere defining the spherical segment, for example, in percentage terms, at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the neck portion of the protrusion portion in abutment with the base surface is in the shape of a spherical segment
  • the neck portion has a shape of a lower spherical segment and has a convexly curved profile in the radial direction.
  • the neck portion has a smaller radial extent at the base surface and a local maximum radial extent at an axial separation from the base surface.
  • the radial extent of the neck portion at the base surface is at a fraction of the maximum radial extent, and the fraction is optionally between 90% and 98.8%, for example, in percentage terms, at 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 98.8, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the local maximum radial plane is elevated above the base surface and a radial plane having a smaller radial extent is in abutment with the base surface.
  • the neck portion may taper to join the base surface and joins at a joining angle.
  • the tapering may follow a convexly curved profile, may have a constant slope, or other desired tapering manner.
  • the joining angle is an acute angle which is optionally between 50 degrees and 88 degrees, for example, in degree terms, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 70, 80, 85, 88, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the protrusion portion for example, the bulged portion or the reduced portion, may comprise 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.
  • a snap connector or the engagement portion of a snap connector herein is axis- symmetrical.
  • An axis symmetrical engagement portion has axis-symmetrical mating feature profiles.
  • An axis-symmetrical engagement portion or connector typically has a circular cross section at an axial defined by the coupling axis of the engagement portion or the connector.
  • the engagement portion may not be exactly axis-symmetrical but has a square cross-section or a cross-section of a regular polygon having five side, six sides, seven sides, eight side, nine sides, ten side or more.
  • a snap connector herein includes both the axis- symmetrical and non-axis-symmetrical types unless the context requires otherwise.
  • the radial extent of a protrusion portion of a press-fit or interference- fit connector without snap-fit features is substantially uniform in the axial direction.
  • a female connection portion comprises a coupling receptacle for reception of a protrusion portion of a corresponding male connector. More specifically, a female connection portion comprises a coupling receptacle, or receptacle in short, for closely-fitted reception of a protrusion portion of a corresponding male connection portion to facilitate snap engagement.
  • a male engagement portion is in closely fitted engagement with a female engagement portion, the male engagement portion is received by the receptacle and at least a portion of the male engagement portion projects into and is received inside the receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle of a female connector comprises a receptacle compartment and a receptacle entry through which an axial end of a protrusion of a corresponding male connection portion is to enter the receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle comprises an inner peripheral wall which defines the receptacle compartment, the receptacle entry, as well as a receptacle entry plane and an entry aperture at the receptacle entry.
  • the entry aperture is typically on an axial end of the receptacle and is also referred to as an access aperture and the receptacle entry plane is orthogonal to the coupling axis.
  • the entry aperture defines a minimum radial clearance of the receptacle which in turn defines a maximum radial extent of the protrusion or the bulged portion of a protrusion that can enter into the receptacle without radial deformation of the receptacle entry or the male connector protrusion.
  • the coupling receptacle extends in the axial direction away from the receptacle entry to define an axial extent of the receptacle compartment.
  • the axial extent of a receptacle as measured along the coupling axis of the receptacle between the axial ends of the inner peripheral wall which defines the receptacle compartment, defines the height of the receptacle.
  • the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle defines the shape, configuration, dimensions of the receptacle compartment.
  • the receptacle may be in the form of a receptacle portion, a receptacle body, or a receptacle member.
  • a female connector comprises a peripheral wall which defines the receptacle.
  • the peripheral wall may comprise an inner peripheral wall which defines the receptacle compartment and the receptacle compartment radial profile and an outer peripheral wall which surrounds the inner peripheral wall and defines the outer periphery of the receptacle.
  • the peripheral wall may be a continuous wall or a non-continuous wall.
  • the outer peripheral wall of the receptacle depends from the panel portion and has a substantial portion of its axial extent which is spaced apart from or independent of the panel portion.
  • the outer peripheral wall may have, in percentage terms of its axial extent or of the maximum radial extent of the receptacle compartment, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90, 95, 100, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges which is laterally separated from the panel portion so that there is radial spatial separation between the outer peripheral wall and the panel portion from which the receptacle depends.
  • a minor portion of the axial extent of the receptacle is spaced apart from or independent of the panel portion, and the minor portion, in percentage terms of its axial extent or of the maximum radial extent of the receptacle compartment, is 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • a female snap connector comprises a snap-fit receptacle which is shaped and dimensioned for closely fitted engagement of a male snap engagement portion.
  • the male engagement portion is subject to a small radially inward compression force exerted radially inwardly by the receptacle functioning as a female engagement portion, and the receptacle is subject to a small radial outward expansion force which is exerted radially outwardly by the male engagement portion.
  • the receptacle compartment of a female connector has a radial profile which is defined by the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle.
  • the radial profile of the receptacle compartment of a female snap connector is characterized by a non-uniform radial extent in the axial direction, and typically includes a bulged radial profile of a bulged receptacle portion and a reduced radial profile of a reduced receptacle portion in the axial direction.
  • the terms receptacle, coupling receptacle, snap-fit receptacle, receptacle portion, receptacle body, and receptacle member are interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise.
  • the entry aperture is on or at one axial end of the receptacle and is an annular aperture which provides access for a male engagement portion so that a male engagement portion can enter into the receptacle compartment through that axial end and through the entry aperture and then enter into closely-fitted engagement with the receptacle.
  • a receptacle may have an entry aperture on each of the two axial ends of the receptacle to facilitate entry or exit of a protrusion portion of a male connector from a selected one of the two axial ends.
  • the entry aperture has or may have a radial clearance which is smaller or slightly smaller than the maximum radial extent of a male engagement portion, and the maximum radial extent of a male engagement portion is typically located on the bulged portion of the male connector protrusion.
  • a smaller radial clearance at the entry aperture than the maximum radial extent of the bulged portion usually means a radial constriction at the axial end of the receptacle.
  • the bulged portion of a male connection means would need to overcome the radial constriction in order to enter the receptacle compartment from outside the receptacle compartment or to leave the receptacle if already inside the receptacle compartment.
  • a minimum radial clearance extent of the receptacle is defined at the entry aperture.
  • a receptacle may comprise a first receptacle portion having a first receptacle compartment and a second receptacle portion having a second receptacle compartment.
  • the first receptacle portion and the second receptacle portion are in series and are aligned on the coupling axis.
  • the first receptacle portion has an axial end comprising the receptacle entry and the second receptacle portion extends axially away from the first receptacle portion and the receptacle entry.
  • the first receptacle portion is to surround and snap on the neck portion of a corresponding male engagement portion upon snap engagement therewith and is referred to as a neck receptacle portion.
  • the neck receptacle portion is also referred to as a neck portion engagement portion and comprises a neck receptacle compartment.
  • the second receptacle portion is to surround and snap on the head portion of a corresponding male engagement portion upon snap engagement therewith and is referred to as a head receptacle portion.
  • the head receptacle portion is also referred to as a head portion engagement portion and comprises a head receptacle compartment.
  • the two receptacle portions namely, the head receptacle portion and the neck receptacle portion, may be separate or integrally formed.
  • the engagement portion of a receptacle portion is an annular receptacle portion defined by a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle defining the receptacle portion.
  • the engagement portion may be in the embodiments of an annular bracket portion, an annular bracket member, an annular collar portion, or an annular collar member.
  • a receptacle portion has an access aperture at each of its axial ends to facilitate entry and/or exit of a matched male engagement portion at either axial end.
  • the receptacle may have only one receptacle portion, for example, only the head receptacle portion or only the neck receptacle portion.
  • the head receptacle portion comprises a head receptacle compartment which is adapted for making snap engagement with the head portion of a corresponding male connector, and has a radial clamping profile which is complementarily shaped and sized to match the radial profile of the bulged portion of the corresponding male connector.
  • the head receptacle portion is an enlarged receptacle portion, also referred to as a widened receptacle portion, or an enlarged portion in short.
  • the head receptacle portion has a head receptacle portion radial profile which is an enlarged radial profile compared to the neck receptacle portion radial profile.
  • the head receptacle portion radial profile extends in a peripheral direction to define an annular inner periphery of the head receptacle portion.
  • the head receptacle portion radial profile and the inner periphery of the head receptacle portion is defined by a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle defining the head receptacle portion.
  • the engagement portion of a head receptacle portion is typically in the form of an annular clamp or clip, and in example embodiments in the form of an annular bracket portion, an annular bracket member, an annular collar portion, or an annular collar member.
  • the maximum radial clearance extent of the receptacle is usually defined in the head receptacle portion.
  • the portion of the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle defining the head receptacle portion and the head receptacle compartment has a radial profile of an indentation or a recess, with the indentation or access inwardly facing the coupling axis.
  • the indentation has a radial profile which defines the head receptacle portion radial profile.
  • the radial profile may be angled or curved and extends peripherally in a peripheral direction, that is annularly, to define the head receptacle compartment and its boundary.
  • the peripheral direction is orthogonal to the coupling axis and is a tangential direction to a circle defining the annular clamp or clip.
  • the annular clamp or clip is in the form of an annular channel which surrounds a core portion of the head receptacle portion.
  • the head receptacle portion defines a female snap engagement portion of the female connection portion, and is referred to as a first engagement portion or a first snap engagement portion of the receptacle, or of the female connection portion, for ease of reference.
  • the terms "channel” and “groove” are used interchangeably herein.
  • the head receptacle compartment has a maximum radial extent defining a maximum radial clearance and a maximum radial plane at an axial level referred to a maximum radial extent level.
  • the maximum radial plane is also a maximum transversal plane.
  • the radial extent of the head receptacle portion decreases as the axial distance from the maximum radial extent level increases.
  • the radial extent of the head receptacle portion decreases as the head receptacle portion extends away from the maximum radial extent level and towards the receptacle entry
  • the radial extent of the head receptacle portion decreases as the head receptacle portion extends away from the maximum radial extent level and away from the receptacle entry. Therefore, the head receptacle portion tapers to narrow as its axial distance away from the maximum radial extent plane or the maximum radial extent level increases. Conversely, the head receptacle portion flares to widen as it extends axially towards the maximum radial extent plane or the maximum radial extent level.
  • the axial end of the head receptacle portion distal to the receptacle entry may be flat or curved, for example, may have the shape of a spherical cap or other desired shapes.
  • the neck receptacle portion comprises a neck receptacle compartment which is adapted for making snap engagement with the neck portion of a corresponding male connector and has a radial clamping profile which is complementarily shaped to match the radial profile of the neck portion of the corresponding male connector.
  • the neck receptacle portion is a reduced receptacle portion compared to the head receptacle portion radial profile.
  • the neck receptacle portion is a reduced receptacle portion, since it has a neck receptacle portion radial profile which is smaller than the radial profile of the head receptacle portion radial profile.
  • the reduced receptacle portion is also referred to as a narrowed receptacle portion, or a reduced portion in short.
  • the neck receptacle portion radial profile is defined by a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle which defines the neck receptacle portion and the inner periphery of the neck receptacle portion.
  • the neck receptacle portion radial profile extends in a peripheral direction to define an annular inner periphery of the neck receptacle portion.
  • the portion of the inner peripheral wall of the receptacle which defines the neck receptacle portion and the neck receptacle compartment has a radial profile of an indentation or a recess, and the indentation or access is inwardly facing the coupling axis and the centre of the maximum radial plane of the head receptacle portion.
  • the indentation has a radial profile which is or which defines the neck receptacle portion radial profile.
  • the radial profile may be angled or curved and extends peripherally in a peripheral direction, that is annularly, to define a neck receptacle compartment and its boundary.
  • the engagement portion of an example neck receptacle portion is in the form of an annular clamp or an annular clip which surrounds and defines the neck receptacle portion.
  • the annular clamp or clip may have a radial profile of a clamping bracket or a clamping collar.
  • the neck receptacle portion in exemplary embodiments is in the form of an annular bracket portion, an annular bracket member, an annular collar portion, or an annular collar member.
  • a clamping bracket herein is an inclined bracket having a recess or indentation facing the coupling axis and the centre of the maximum radial plane of the head receptacle portion.
  • the bracket extends peripherally in a peripheral direction to define a neck receptacle compartment portion and its boundary.
  • the peripheral direction is orthogonal to the coupling axis and is a tangential direction to a circle defining the annular clamp or clip.
  • the neck receptacle portion defines a female snap engagement portion of the female connection portion, and is referred to as a second engagement portion or a second snap engagement portion of the receptacle, or of the female connection portion, for ease of reference.
  • This second engagement means similar to the first engagement means, is a retention portion defining a female retention means.
  • the minimum radial clearance extent of the receptacle is usually defined in the neck receptacle portion.
  • the reduced receptacle portion has a local maximum radial extent defining a local maximum radial plane at an axial level referred to a local maximum radial extent level.
  • the local maximum radial plane is also a local maximum transversal plane.
  • the radial extent of the neck receptacle compartment decreases as the axial distance away from the local maximum radial extent level towards the receptacle entry increases. Specifically, the radial extent of the neck receptacle compartment decreases as the neck receptacle compartment extends away from the local maximum radial extent level and towards and joins the receptacle entry.
  • the neck receptacle compartment is a tapered receptacle portion which tapers to narrow as it extends axially towards the receptacle entry. Conversely, the neck receptacle compartment flares to widen as it projects axially away from the receptacle entry.
  • the tapered entry end of the neck receptacle portion is optionally shaped and sized to operate as an engagement portion, or more specifically a male engagement portion, for engaging with or snap on the narrowed neck portion of the corresponding male connection portion, for example, by wedged engagement. Therefore, this tapered entry end be regarded as a third snap engagement portion of the receptacle.
  • the tapering may follow a curve, for example, a concave curve, a straight slope or other desired profiles without loss of generality.
  • the receptacle of a female connection portion is adapted to accommodate the protrusion of a male connection portion such that when two building blocks having matched connection means are stacked and their matched corresponding connection means in releasable engagement, the corresponding connection surfaces of the building blocks are in flush abutment and even contact.
  • the axial end or ceiling of the receptacle compartment which is distal to the entry end would need to be at an axial level sufficient to accommodate the protrusion.
  • the ceiling end of the receptacle would be at an axial level corresponding to the axial extent of the protrusion from the connection surface, unless the ceiling end is an open end that allows the protrusion to pass through.
  • the axial extent of the receptacle compartment is a fraction of the maximum radial extent, E, of the protrusion or of the receptacle, and the fraction is optionally between 15% and 80%, for example, in percentage terms, at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the axial extent will be in the higher range of between 50% and 80% where the protrusion has a rounded end or partial spherical end and in the lower range of 15% and 60% where the protrusion has a flat head or flat axial end.
  • a head receptacle portion which is adapted to snap on the bulged portion has a radial clamping profile which is complementarily shaped to match the radial profile of the bulged of the head portion.
  • the axial extent of the radial clamping profile of the head receptacle portion which is determined by the radial profile of the annular bracket, would be comparable to the axial extent of the bulged portion of the corresponding male engagement portion.
  • the axial extent of the head receptacle portion would be a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the bulged portion, and the fraction would optionally be between 10% and 40%, for example, in percentage terms, at 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the head receptacle portion is optionally symmetrical about a radial plane of symmetry, which corresponds to the maximum radial extent plane of the bulged receptacle portion or the bulged portion of the protrusion on snap engagement.
  • the plane of symmetry divides the head receptacle portion into symmetrical halves about the radial plane of symmetry.
  • the head receptacle portion tapers to narrow as it extends axially away from the maximum radial extent plane to taper.
  • the head receptacle portion optionally follows a concave profile or has a concave radial profile as it extends axially to taper.
  • the concave profile follows or matches the convex profile of the corresponding bulged portion.
  • the concave profile follows a concave curvature having a diameter equal to or comparable to the maximum radial extent of the bulged portion.
  • the tapering may follow a straight slope or other desired profiles without loss of generality.
  • the concave curve may have a radius of curvature comparable to half the maximum radial extent E.
  • the radial extent of the head receptacle portion at an axial end of the head receptacle portion where symmetry about the plane of symmetry ends is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the bulged receptacle portion, and the fraction would optionally be between 95% and 99%, for example, in percentage terms, at 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the neck receptacle portion has an axial extent to provide snap grip on the neck portion of the male connector.
  • the axial extent is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the bulged portion which, in percentage terms, is optionally between 2 and 10, for example, at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the axial extent of the radial clamping profile of the neck receptacle portion which is the radial profile of the annular bracket, would be comparable to the axial extent of the neck portion of the corresponding male engagement portion.
  • the axial extent of the neck receptacle portion would be a fraction of the radial extent of the neck portion at the base surface, and the fraction would optionally be between 10% and 35%, for example, in percentage terms, at 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 35, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the axial extent of the neck receptacle portion can be expressed as a fraction of the maximum radial extent of the receptacle, and the fraction would optionally be between 1 .9% and 5%, for example, in percentage terms, at 1 .9, 2, 2.0, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.0, 4.5, 5, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the neck receptacle portion tapers to narrow as it extends axially towards the access aperture to define a narrowed access aperture to facilitate snap fit.
  • the access aperture at the tapered axial end of the neck receptacle portion has a radial extent which is a fraction of the maximum radial extent of clearance of the internal compartment of the receptacle, and the fraction is optionally between 85% and 96%, for example, in percentage terms, at 85, 90, 95, 96, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the inner peripheral wall of the neck receptacle portion is at an inclination angle to a radial plane at the access aperture axial end of the neck receptacle portion.
  • the inclination angle is optionally between 50 degrees and 88 degrees, for example, in degree terms, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 70, 80, 85, 88, or any range or ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • the inclination angle corresponds to the joining angle to facilitate closely fitted engagement between the neck receptacle portion and the neck portion.
  • both the neck receptacle portion and the head receptacle portion may be defined by an integrally formed peripheral wall of the receptacle, and the axial extent of the peripheral wall of the receptacle would optionally be between 30% and 85% of R, for example, in percentage terms, at 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values and/or ranges.
  • Figure 1 A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 10A
  • Figure 1 A1 is a side elevation view of the building block assembly of Figure 1 A
  • Figure 1 A2 is a perspective view of a variation to the building block assembly of Figure 1 A
  • Figure 1 B is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 10B
  • Figure 1 B1 is a perspective view of a variation to the building block assembly of Figure 1 B
  • Figure 1 C is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 10C
  • Figure 1 D is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 10D
  • Figure 1 E is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 10E
  • Figures 1 F, 1 F1 and 1 F2 are, respectively, perspective, side elevation and plan views of an example building block assembly 10F,
  • Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D are, respectively, perspective, plan, side elevation and cross-sectional views of an example building block 120
  • Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are, respectively, perspective, side elevation and plan views of an example building block assembly 20
  • Figure 3C1 is a cross-sectional view of the example building block assembly 20 taken along a section line indicated in Figure 3C,
  • Figure 3C2 shows an enlarged portion of Figure 3C1 marked by a dotted circle
  • Figure 3D is a perspective view of an example building block 220 taken from another side of Figure 3A,
  • Figures 4A and 4A1 are, respectively, perspective and longitudinal cross-sectional views of an example building block 140
  • Figures 4B and 4B1 are, respectively, perspective and longitudinal cross-sectional views of an example building block 240
  • Figure 4C is a perspective view of an example building block 340
  • Figure 4D is a perspective view of an example building block 440
  • Figure 4E is a perspective view of an example building block 540
  • Figure 4F is a perspective view of an example building block 640
  • Figure 4G is a perspective view of an example building block 740
  • Figures 5A and 5B are plan views of an example building block 320 showing example retention boundaries
  • Figure 6A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 20A
  • Figure 6B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 6A
  • Figure 7A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 30A
  • Figure 7B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 7A
  • Figure 7C is a bottom view of an example building block 840 in Figure 7A.
  • Figure 7D is a plan view of an example building block 420 in Figure 7A.
  • Figure 8A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 30B
  • Figure 8B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 8A
  • Figure 8C is an elevation view of an example building block 940
  • Figure 8D is a plan view of an example building block 520
  • Figure 9A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 30C
  • Figure 9B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 9A
  • Figure 9C is a plan view of an example building block 620
  • Figure 9D is an elevation view of an example building block 840
  • Figure 10A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 40
  • Figure 10B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 10A
  • Figure 10C is a plan view of an example building block 1020
  • Figure 10D is an elevation view of an example building block 940
  • Figure 1 1 A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 50
  • Figure 1 1 B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1 1 A
  • Figure 1 1 C is a plan view of an example building block 1 120
  • Figure 1 1 D is an elevation view of an example building block 1 140
  • Figure 12A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 60
  • Figure 12B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 12A
  • Figure 12C is a plan view of an example building block 1220
  • Figure 12D is an elevation view of an example building block 1240
  • Figure 13A is a perspective view of an example building block assembly 70
  • Figure 13B is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 13A
  • Figure 13C is a plan view of an example building block 1320.
  • Figure 13D is an elevation view of an example building block 1340.
  • An example building block assembly 10A comprises a first building block 120 and a second building block 140 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figures 1 A and 1 A1 .
  • the first building block comprises a main body, a first surface 122 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 124 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral portion 126 extending between the first surface 122 and the second surface 124, as depicted in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.
  • a plurality of connectors 128 is formed on the first surface 122 of the building block 120.
  • Each of the connectors 128 is a male connector and comprises a connection portion in the form of a protrusion.
  • the protrusion projects from the first surface 122 and extends away from the first surface 122 as a base surface in a first coupling direction.
  • the protrusion resembles a rounded headed boss and its outer shape and dimensions are defined by an outer peripheral wall.
  • the outer peripheral wall is an annular wall which projects from the first surface 122 and defines a coupling axis X-X' and a coupling direction of the male connector 128.
  • the male connector 128 is a snap connector comprising a head portion 128A and a neck portion 128B, as depicted in Figure 2D.
  • the head portion comprises a bulged annular portion and the neck portion comprises a narrowed annular portion.
  • a shallow annular groove is formed between the neck portion and the first surface 122.
  • An example plurality of four male connectors 128 is formed on the first surface.
  • the male connectors are distributed on four corners of a square such that the separation distances between adjacent connectors 128 on different sides of the square are the same and equal to a pitch of a square matrix defined by the square corners.
  • the first surface is a square surface and the connectors 128 are distributed such that connectors 128 on a side of the building block has a half-pitch separation distance to that side of the building block so that corresponding connectors on corresponding sides of two corresponding building blocks which are placed side by side with their corresponding sides in abutment have a full pitch separation to facilitate convenient inter-block connection.
  • the second building block 140 comprises a main body 142 and connection portions on both axial ends of the main body, as depicted in Figures 4A and 4A1 .
  • the main body is cylindrical and has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 143.
  • the outer peripheral wall 143 has a cylindrical diameter which is slightly larger than the separation distance between the connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square on the corners of which the connectors 128 of the building block 120 are distributed.
  • the main body 142 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis coaxial with the cylindrical axis ⁇ '.
  • the elongate main body has an axial extent which is substantially larger than the axial extent of the male connectors 128 so that an axial end of the second building block 140 which is distal to the first surface 122 is elevated well above the connectors 128.
  • the second building block 140 comprises a first connection portion on a first axial end of the main body 142 which is in abutment with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and a second connection portion on a second axial end of the main body which is distal to and elevated from the first surface 122.
  • the first connection portion of the second building block 140 is a female connection portion comprising a coupling receptacle 144 and having a coupling axis defining a coupling direction.
  • the coupling axis of the coupling receptacle 144 is coaxial with the cylindrical axis Y-Y' of the main body 142.
  • the coupling receptacle 144 is shaped and dimensioned for making snap-fit engagement with a corresponding male connector having a corresponding male engagement portion which is matched in mating feature dimensions.
  • the coupling receptacle 144 comprises a receptacle compartment which is retracted inside the main body.
  • the coupling receptacle 144 has a receptacle entry, an access aperture and an entry plane defined at the first axial end of the main body.
  • the coupling receptacle 144 has mating feature profiles and dimensions which are matched with those of the connector 128 and is therefore an example matched connector of the connector 128.
  • the second connection portion of the second building block 140 is a male connection portion comprising a protrusion portion 146 and having a coupling axis defining a coupling direction.
  • the coupling axis of the protrusion portion 146 is coaxial with the cylindrical axis Y- Y' of the main body.
  • the protrusion portion 146 is shaped and dimensioned for making snap- fit engagement with a corresponding female connector having a corresponding female engagement portion which is matched in mating feature profiles and dimensions.
  • the protrusion portion projects outside the main body and comprises a bulged head portion and a narrowed neck portion.
  • the connector 128 has mating feature profiles and dimensions which are matched with those of the coupling receptacle 144 and is therefore an example matched connector of the coupling receptacle 144.
  • the second building block 140 is stacked on the first building block 120, with its first axial end in abutment contact with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and received in closely fitted engagement by a receptacle defined by the plurality of connectors 128.
  • the receptacle which is defined by the plurality of male connectors in cooperation, has a receptacle compartment which is defined by the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of connectors 128 forming the receptacle. More specifically, the receptacle compartment is defined by portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of connectors 128 which cooperate to form the receptacle.
  • the main body 142 of the second building block 140 is adapted such that its maximum radial extent at the axial portion in abutment with the receptacle is slightly larger than the maximum radial clearance of the receptacle compartment.
  • the portion of the main body 142 at the first axial end of the second building block 140 is an engagement portion 148 which is compressively engaged by the receptacle.
  • the maximum radial extent of the outer periphery of the main body of the second building block 140 is slightly larger than the maximum radial clearance of the receptacle formed by cooperation of the plurality of connectors 128, the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of connectors 128 which cooperate to form the receptacle and which are in abutment with the main body of the second building block 140 are resiliently deformed to facilitate the engagement.
  • the resilient deformation generates a radial clamping force to clamp on the outer periphery of the main body of the second building block, thereby retaining the second building block 140 in the stacked configuration of Figure 1 A and 1 A1 .
  • the maximum radial clearance of the receptacle is the separation distance between the connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square on which the connectors are located.
  • Each of the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 of the first building block 120 which is in compressive contact with the outer periphery of the main body of the second building block 140 is a discrete retention portion functioning as a discrete clamping portion.
  • the plurality of discrete retention portions cooperates to form a retention means to retain the second building block in engagement with the first building block 120.
  • the discrete clamping portions are distributed to delineate a boundary of the retention means.
  • the boundary of the retention means defines a retention border or a retention boundary such that a building block having an outer periphery matched or comparable with the retention border or the retention boundary will be retained by the retention means in like manner.
  • the retention boundary is delineated by the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 of the first building block 120 which is in compressive contact with the outer periphery of the main body of the second building block 140 and is an outer retention boundary in this example.
  • the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 of the first building block 120 which contribute to form the retention means are inward facing portions of the outer peripheral portions of the connectors 128.
  • the inward facing portions of the outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors 128 are distributed along the retention boundary to define the retention border and to surround the retention means.
  • the contributing portions are inward facing portions which face towards other contributing connectors 128 and which face inwards towards the retention means or the retention border.
  • the contributing outer portion of an individual contributing connector 128 faces towards the coupling axis of the contributing connector 128.
  • Each discrete clamping portion exerts a radial retention force on the second building block 140, and the radial direction herein is with respect to the coupling axis of the connector 128 on which the discrete clamping portion is formed.
  • the radial retention force is a radial clamping force due to a discrete clamping portion acts in a radial direction away from the connector 128 on which the clamping portion is formed and towards an opposite clamping portion on an opposite connector 128.
  • the radial clamping force in this example is a radial inward force which acts radially inwards of the building block being retained, that is, the second building block 140.
  • the second building block 140 When in this engaged configuration, the second building block 140 is surrounded by the plurality of the connectors 128 or the retention border or the retention boundary cooperatively defined by the plurality of the connectors 128, and the clamping forces are applied radially towards the main body of the second building block 140.
  • the first building block 120 and the second building block 140 can be stacked engaged in an alternative configuration as depicted in Figure 1 A2.
  • the second building block 140 is stacked on the first building block with its first axial end in abutment with the first surface if the first building block, although the second building block is now connected with the first building block 120 through coupling axes aligned snap engagement between the coupling receptacle 144 and a male connector 128 of the first building block 120.
  • the main body of the second building block 140 is not surrounded by the plurality of connectors 128 or by the retention border of the retention means.
  • the example male connector 128 is a snap connector comprising a head portion and a neck portion, with the head portion comprising a bulged annular portion and the neck portion comprising a narrowed annular portion so that a shallow annular groove is formed between the neck portion and the first surface 122
  • the connectors 128 need not be snap connectors and can be press fit connectors.
  • the connectors 128 may be without a channel at its base or its neck portion and may be a protrusion having a cylindrical or a prismatic main body and a uniform cross-sectional dimension without loss of generality.
  • the second building block may comprise a snap engagement means for engagement with the retention means.
  • the first connection portion on the first axial end of the main body which is adapted to be in abutment with the first surface of the first building block may comprise a snap engagement means.
  • the snap engagement means may have an annular rib having a radial profile of a protrusion.
  • the radial profile of protrusion, or the protrusion profile in short may match the radial indentation profile of an annular channel at the neck portion of the connector 128 to facilitate a more secured or a more robust engagement between the first building block and the second building block.
  • An example second building block 740 having such a radial protrusion is depicted in Figure 4G.
  • the second building block is substantially identical to the building block 140 and the description on and in relation to the building block 140 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 740 where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 600.
  • the first building block 120 optionally comprises a plurality of female connectors which is formed on the second side, as depicted in Figure 2D.
  • the plurality of female connectors is coupling axes aligned with the male connectors so that each male connector 128 on one side of the building block has a corresponding couple axis aligned female connector on the second side.
  • the second side may have no connector, may have male connectors or may have both male and female connectors without loss of generality.
  • An example building block assembly 10B comprises a first building block 120 and a second building block 240 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 1 B.
  • the second building block 240 comprises a main body 242 and connection portions distributed on axial ends of the main body, as depicted in Figures 4B and 4B1 .
  • the main body is a curved cylindrical body having a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 243 and a curved cylindrical axis.
  • the outer peripheral wall 243 has a cylindrical diameter which is substantially smaller than the separation distance between the connectors 228 on opposite corners of the square formed by the connectors 128 of the building block 120.
  • the main body 242 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis coaxial with the cylindrical axis.
  • the elongate main body has an axial extent which is substantially larger than the axial extent of the male connectors 128 so that an axial end of the second building block which is distal to the first surface 122 is elevated well above the connectors 128.
  • the second building block 240 comprises a first connection portion projecting from a first axial end of the main body and a second connection portion projecting from a second axial end of the main body.
  • the first connection portion is configured as a female connector comprising a coupling receptacle 244.
  • the coupling receptacle 244 has a receptacle peripheral wall which defines a receptacle compartment and a receptacle entry.
  • the receptacle entry is at a first axial end of the coupling receptacle 244 and has an entry aperture and an entry plane.
  • the first axial end of the coupling receptacle 244 is also a first axial end of the second building block 240 which is in abutment with the first surface of the first building block 120.
  • the receptacle compartment is shaped and dimensioned for entry into press-fit engagement or snap-fit engagement with a corresponding male connector having a corresponding engagement portion which is matched in mating feature profiles and dimensions.
  • the receptacle compartment has a coupling axis and a coupling direction, and the coupling axis is coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the main body 242.
  • the receptacle peripheral wall comprises an inner receptacle wall which defines the interior profile of the receptacle compartment and an outer receptacle wall which surrounds the inner receptacle wall and defines the exterior profile of coupling receptacle 244.
  • the receptacle peripheral wall projects from the first axial end of the main body and extends axially away from the main body.
  • the receptacle peripheral wall has a substantially uniform thickness and the coupling receptacle 244 has a substantially hemispherical overall shape resembling the shape of a round boss.
  • the receptacle peripheral wall has a maximum radial extent and a maximum radial extent plane at or proximal the first axial end of the second building block 240 which is in abutment with the first surface of the first building block 120, and the radial extent of the receptacle gradually diminishes as the axial distance of the receptacle away from the first axial end increases.
  • the maximum radial extent of the coupling receptacle 244 at maximum radial extent plane is lightly larger than the separation distance between the connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square formed by the connectors 128 of the building block 120.
  • the maximum radial extent of the coupling receptacle 244 is substantially larger than that of the man body 242.
  • the coupling receptacle 244 has mating feature profiles and dimensions which are matched with those of the connector 128 and is therefore an example matched connector of the male connector 128.
  • the second connection portion of the second building block 240 has the same description as that of the second connection portion of the second building block 140 except that the maximum radial extent of the second connection portion of the second building block 240 is substantially larger than that of the man body 242.
  • the description on and in relation to the second connection portion of the second building block 140 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 240 where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 100.
  • the second building block 240 is stacked on the first building block 120, with its first axial end in abutment contact with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and received in closely fitted engagement by the receptacle defined by the plurality of connectors 128.
  • the coupling receptacle 244 of the second building block 240 is adapted such that its maximum radial extent at the axial portion in abutment with the receptacle is slightly larger than the maximum radial clearance of the receptacle compartment.
  • the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of connectors 128 which cooperate to form the receptacle and which are in abutment with the coupling receptacle 244 of the second building block 240 are resiliently deformed to facilitate the engagement.
  • the resilient deformation generates a radial clamping force to clamp on the coupling receptacle 244, thereby retaining the second building block 240 in the stacked configuration of Figure 1 B.
  • the second building block 240 When in this engaged configuration, the second building block 240, or more particularly, the coupling receptacle 244, is surrounded by the plurality of the connectors 128 or the retention border or the retention boundary cooperatively defined by the plurality of the connectors 128, and the clamping forces are applied radially towards the receptacle peripheral wall of the second building block 240.
  • first building block 120 and the second building block 240 can be stacked engaged in an alternative configuration as depicted in Figure 1 B1 .
  • An example building block assembly 10C comprises the first building block 1200 and a second building block 340 which are stacked in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 1 C.
  • the second building block 340 is releasably retained by the first building block 120 with an engagement means of the second building block 340 in releasable engagement with a retention means of the first building block 120.
  • the retention means of the first building block 120 is formed by the plurality of connectors 128 in cooperation, although the portions of the connectors 128 which form the retention means are different to the portions of the connectors 128 which form the retention means of the assemblies 10A and 10B.
  • the retention means of the assemblies 10A and 10B is referred to herein as a first retention means and the portions of the connectors 128 which cooperate to form the first retention means are referred collectively to as a first set of retention portions or retention formations for ease of reference.
  • the retention means of the assemblies 10C and 10D herein is referred to as a second retention means and the portions of the connectors 128 which cooperate to form the second retention means are referred collectively to as a first set of retention portions or retention formations.
  • the building block assembly 10C has a maximum radial extent defined by the maximum radial extent of the second building block 340 and has a circular outer periphery to facilitate construction of a rotary assembly such as a wheel assembly.
  • the second building block 340 comprises a main body and an engagement means which is integrally formed on the main body, as depicted in Figure 4C.
  • the main body comprises a panel portion 342 having a first surface which is in abutment with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and a second surface which is opposite facing to the first surface of the panel portion and facing away from the first building block 120.
  • the panel portion 342 has a thickness which is substantially smaller than the axial extent of the male connector 128. More specifically, the panel portion has a thickness which is comparable or smaller than the axial extent of the neck portion or the annular groove formed on the neck portion of the connector 128, the thickness of the panel portion being defined by the axial separation between its first and second surfaces.
  • the panel portion 342 has an interior aperture which is defined by an interior boundary formed inside the panel portion.
  • the interior aperture defines a main through aperture and a radial clearance profile of the panel portion 342 and the interior boundary defines a radial engagement profile of the engagement means of the second building block 340.
  • the engagement means of the second building block 340 is a distributed engagement means formed by a plurality of discrete engagement portions 344 distributed on the interior boundary of the main body 340.
  • the plurality of discrete engagement portions is distributed along the interior boundary of the interior aperture, and the interior boundary defines an engagement boundary of the engagement means.
  • the engagement means of the second building block 340 is a main engagement means having a coupling axis defined by the centre of the interior boundary, which is the centre of the defining circle, and a coupling direction along the coupling axis.
  • the example panel portion 342 has a circular outer periphery and a square interior aperture surrounded by the circular outer periphery, with the circular outer periphery and a square interior aperture sharing a common centre and concentric.
  • the square aperture is defined by an interior boundary which is substantially square and the sides of the square has a length defining an engagement length of the engagement means of the second building block 340.
  • the engagement length is slightly smaller than the maximum radial extent of the plurality of connectors 128, which is defined by the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square. Stated simply, the maximum radial extent of the plurality of connectors 128 is the maximum radial extent defined by a pair of the contributing connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square.
  • the second building block 340 is stacked on the first building block 120, with a first, or lower, panel surface in abutment contact with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and a second, or upper, panel surface facing away from the first building block 120.
  • the second building block 340 is received in closely fitted engagement by a retention means of the first building block which is formed by cooperation of the plurality of connectors 128.
  • the retention means in this example is also formed by the same plurality of connection members 128 as a convenient example, the retention means in this example is formed by portions of the outer peripheral walls of the plurality of connectors 128 which are different to those forming the retention means of the assemblies 10A, 10B.
  • the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 of the first building block 120 which contribute to form the retention means of the assembly 10C are outward facing portions of the outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors 128.
  • the outward facing outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors are distributed along the retention boundary to define the retention border and the retention means.
  • the contributing portions are outward facing portions of the outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors 128 which face away from other contributing connectors 128 and which face away from the retention boundary and the retention means.
  • the contributing outer portion of an individual contributing connector 128 faces away from the coupling axis of the contributing connector 128.
  • the first set of retention formations comprises a plurality of inward facing outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors 1208 while the second set of retention formations comprises a plurality of outward facing outer peripheral portions of the contributing connectors 128.
  • the outward facing portion and the inward facing portion of a connector 128 are approximately at diametrically opposite sides of the coupling axis of the connector 128.
  • the first building block 120 and the second building block 340 are releasably engaged at a plurality of discrete engagement locations where a corresponding plurality of discrete engagement portions 344 is formed.
  • the discrete engagement locations are on the interior boundary of the panel portion and the discrete engagement locations correspond to the locations of the discrete engagement portions 344 on the interior boundary of the main body of the second building block 340.
  • the first building block 120 and the second building block 340 are releasably engaged at a plurality of discrete engagement locations where the plurality of discrete engagement portions 344 is in engagement with a corresponding plurality of corresponding discrete retention locations on the plurality of contributing connectors 128.
  • the term contributing connector herein means a connector contributing an outer peripheral portion to form the retention means.
  • the outer peripheral portion being contributed to form the retention means or the retention border is a minor portion or a tiny portion of the connector periphery which is usually less than 5% or 10% of the maximum radial extent of the contributing connector.
  • the retention means on the first connection block and the engagement means on the second connection block are subject to a radial retention force to retain the first building block 120 and the second building block 340 in releasable engagement. More specifically, a discrete engagement portion 344 on the interior boundary of the main body exerts a radially inward retention force on a corresponding discrete retention portion on an outer peripheral portion of a contributing corresponding connector 128 and the corresponding discrete retention portion exerts a radially outward reactionary retention force on the discrete engagement portion 344.
  • the retention mechanism in this configuration is similar to the retention mechanism of the assemblies 10A and 10B, although the direction of retention forces is reversed.
  • the plurality of contributing connectors 128 and the retention border or the retention boundary cooperatively defined by the plurality of contributing connectors 128 is surrounded by the second building block 340, or more specifically surrounded by the panel portion or the interior boundary of the second building block 340.
  • Each of the discrete engagement portions 344 of the second building block 340 has a curved shaped to match with the curved outer periphery of the contributing connector 128 as an option for better fit.
  • the interior boundary may not have an indentation or a curved indentation in some embodiments.
  • the second building block 340 is first aligned with the first building block 120.
  • the centre axis C-C of the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 is aligned with the coupling axis of the second building block 340.
  • the centre axis of the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 is a centre of the four contributing connectors 128 in this example.
  • the second building block 340 and the first building block are aligned with the interior sides of the panel portion aligned with the sides of the square on which the contributing connectors 128 are distributed, the second building block is fitted on the first building block with the contributing connectors 128 passing through the interior aperture of the second building block and with the lower panel surface in abutment with the first surface of the first building block.
  • the second building block is twisted about its coupling axis and relative to the first building block to enter into releasable engagement by radial retention forces generated by resilient deformation of the retention means of first building block 120 and/or the corresponding engagement means on the second building block 340.
  • An example building block assembly 10D comprises the first building block 120 and a second building block 440 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 1 D.
  • the second building block 440 is releasably retained by the first building block 120 with an engagement means of the second building block 440 in releasable engagement with a retention means of the first building block 120.
  • the second building block 440 comprises a main body and an engagement means which is integrally formed on the main body, as depicted in Figure 4D.
  • the main body comprises a panel portion 442 having a first surface which is in abutment with the first surface 122 of the first building block 120 and a second surface which is opposite facing to the first surface of the panel portion and facing away from the first building block 120.
  • the panel portion 442 has an interior aperture which is defined by an interior boundary formed inside the panel portion.
  • the interior aperture defines a main through aperture and a radial clearance profile of the panel portion 442.
  • the interior boundary defines a radial engagement profile of the engagement means of the second building block 440.
  • the engagement means of the second building block 440 is a distributed engagement means formed by a plurality of discrete engagement portions distributed on the interior boundary of the main body, although the discrete engagement portions are not visually or physically distinguishable from the outline of the interior boundary due to its continuity in its radial profile.
  • the plurality of discrete engagement portions is distributed along the interior boundary of the interior aperture, and the interior boundary defines an engagement boundary of the engagement means.
  • the engagement means of the second building block 440 is a main engagement means having a coupling axis defined by the centre of the interior boundary, which is the centre of the defining circle, and a coupling direction along the coupling axis.
  • the example panel portion has a square outer periphery and a circular interior boundary surrounded by the square outer periphery, with the square outer periphery and the circular interior boundary sharing a common centre and concentric.
  • the interior boundary is substantially circular and has a maximum radial extent defining an engagement length of the engagement means of the second building block 440, the maximum radial extent being substantially equal to the diameter of the circular interior boundary.
  • the engagement length is slightly smaller than the maximum radial extent of the plurality of connectors 128, which is defined by the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square.
  • the maximum radial extent of the plurality of connectors 128 is the maximum radial extent defined by a pair of the contributing connectors 128 on opposite corners of the square.
  • the example building block connector 448 is a ball-shaped connector.
  • a ball-shaped connector has engagement means which can facilitates interconnection at different coupling directions and along different coupling axes, and is therefore a connector having multiple coupling axes.
  • a substantial portion of the ball-shaped connector projects outside the panel portion to facilitate inter-block connection along one of a plurality of connection axes or connection directions.
  • the inter-block connection axes can be elevated or depressed with respect to the panel portion, and can have a wide angular range, for example, ⁇ 150 degrees with respect to the panel surface.
  • connection direction can be at, in degree terms,- 10, -20, -30, -40, -50, -60, -70, -80, -90, -100, -120, -130, -140, -150, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 130, 140, 150, or a range or any ranges formed by a combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the retention boundary 132 of the first retention means of the assemblies 10A, 10B is schematically shown by a first set of dotted lines and the retention boundary 134 of the second retention means of the assemblies 10C, 10D is shown by a second set of dotted lines in Figure 2A.
  • An example building block assembly 10E comprises the first building block 120, a second building block 240 and a third building block 440 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 1 E.
  • the second building block 240 is releasably retained by the first retention means formed by the first set of retention portions or the first set of retention formations
  • the third building block 440 is releasably retained by the second retention means formed by the second set of retention portions or the second set of retention formations.
  • An example building block assembly 10F comprises the first building block 120 and a second building block 540 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 1 F.
  • the second building block 540 is releasably retained by the first building block 120 with an engagement means of the second building block 540 in releasable engagement with a retention means of the first building block 120.
  • the second building block 540 comprises a main body and an engagement means which is integrally formed on the main body, as depicted in Figure 4E.
  • the main body comprises an l-shaped bar portion 542 having a two engagement portions which are in engagement with two discrete retention portions formed on the portions of the outer peripheral walls of the connectors 128 of the first building block 120.
  • the two engagement portions are at an lower transversal portion of the l-shaped bar portion 542 and the two discrete retention portions are on opposite facing connectors on a side of the square.
  • the building block assembly 10F may engage an additional building block by the retention means defined by the retention boundary 132 shown in Figure 1 F2.
  • the additional building block may be one of the building blocks 140, 240, 740 or alike.
  • An example building block assembly 20 comprises the first building block 220 and a second building block 740 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 3A, 3B, 3C, 3C1 , 3C2 and 3D.
  • the second building block 740 is releasably retained by the first building block 220 with an engagement means of the second building block 740 in releasable engagement with a retention means of the first building block 220.
  • the first building block 220 of this assembly is substantially identical to that of the building block 120 except that each of the connection member 228 has a flat head instead of a rounded head or a spherical head.
  • the description on and in relation to the first building block 120 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 220 where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 100.
  • the first building block 220 optionally comprises a plurality of female connectors on the second side, as depicted in Figure 3D.
  • an optionally additional female connector matched with the male connector on the elevated second axial end of the second building block 740 is formed on the second side of the first building block 220.
  • This additional female connector 264 comprises a coupling receptacle having its coupling axis and coupling direction aligned with the centre axis of the group of first connection members 228 on the first side.
  • an additional first building block 220 can be rotatable mounted on the second connection portion on the second axial end of the second building block 740.
  • the retention means herein is a first type of retention means having a retention boundary 132, as shown schematically in Figures 2A and 1 F2.
  • An example building block 320 comprises an example plurality of sixteen male connectors 328 distributed on a first surface on one side of the building block 320, as depicted in Figures 5A and 5B. Apart from the difference in number of male connectors and their disposition, the building block 320 is identical to the building block 120, 220, and the description on and in relation to the first building block 120 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 320 where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 200.
  • Example retention boundaries 332 and 334 are depicted in Figures 5A and 5B. Each one of the retention boundaries 332 is an interior boundary of the first type of retention means and has an irregular boundary.
  • An example building block assembly 20A comprises the first building block 220A and a second building block 740A which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 6A.
  • the second building block 740A is releasably retained by the first building block 220A with an engagement means of the second building block 740A in releasable engagement with a retention means of the first building block 220A.
  • the retention means herein is a first type of retention means having a retention boundary 132, as shown schematically in Figures 2A and 1 F2.
  • the first building block 220A of this assembly is substantially identical to that of the building block 120 except that each of the connection member 228A has a flat head instead of a rounded head or a spherical head, and the main body is annular and having annular groove.
  • the description on and in relation to the first building block 120 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 220A where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 100 and appended with "A”.
  • the second building block 740A of this assembly is substantially identical to that of the building block 740 except the connector at the second axial end is flat headed.
  • the description on and in relation to the second building block 740 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 740A where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals appended with "A”.
  • An example building block assembly 30A comprises a first building block 420 and a second building block 840 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figure 7A and 7B.
  • the second building block 840 is releasably retained by the first building block 420 with an engagement means of the second building block 840 in releasable engagement with a corresponding engagement means of the first building block 420.
  • the first building block 420 comprises a main body, a first surface 422 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 424 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral portion 426 extending between the first surface 422 and the second surface 424, as depicted in Figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D.
  • a plurality of connectors 428 is formed on the first surface 422 of the building block.
  • Each of the connectors 428 is a male connector comprising a bulged head portion and a narrowed neck portion.
  • the bulged head portion has a rippled radial profile and a flat axial end.
  • a plurality of partial connectors 438A, 438B is formed on the peripheral portion.
  • the plurality of partial connectors comprises both male partial connectors 438A and female partial connectors 438B.
  • Each partial connector comprises a partial annular connector portion having a coupling axis and a coupling direction of a full or complete connector and a split plane.
  • the split plane is parallel to the coupling axis and is aligned with and flush with the first surface of the first building block.
  • a partial annular connector is on the peripheral portion and extends from the split plane towards the second side of the building block 420.
  • the building block 420 is identical to the building block 120, and the description on and in relation to the first building block 120 is incorporated herein and to apply mutatis mutandis to the building block 420 where the context permits or appropriate, with reference numerals increased by 300.
  • the split plane is a bisection plane which splits the connector 428 along the coupling axis into two equal split portions or two equal half portions and which contains the coupling axis.
  • the two partial connectors will join to form a full connector such as the connector 428 or its female counterpart, that is, a corresponding female connector that is matched and engageable with the connector 428.
  • the split plane may not be a bisection plane and a partial connector can be a major split portion or a minor split portion of the connector 428 or its female counterpart.
  • the second building block 840 is a building block module formed by snap engagement of two component building blocks.
  • One of the component building blocks is the same as the first building block 420 while the other one of the component building blocks has an identical basic structure as the first building block 420, but with the split planes of the partial connectors aligned with and flush with the second surface of the building block and the partial annular connector portion formed on the peripheral portion and extending towards the first side.
  • the second building block 840 comprises a main module body, a plurality of male connectors 828 projecting from a first side surface of the module, a plurality of female connectors formed on another side of the module and retracted from the second side surface, a plurality of female partial connectors 838B formed on a first axial end of the module and retracted from a base surface 852 on a first axial end, and a plurality of partial female connectors retracting from a top surface on a second axial end of the module.
  • the first axial end of the second building block 840 is in snap engagement with the plurality of male connectors 428 on the first surface of the first building block 420 and the base surface 852 is in abutment contact with the first surface of the first building block 420.
  • the male connector 828 is identical to the male connector 428 of the first building block 420
  • the male partial connectors 838A is identical to the male partial connectors 438A of the first building block 420
  • the female partial connectors 838B is identical to the female partial connectors 438B of the first building block 420, but have been given different numerals for ease of identification.
  • Each partial female connector 838B comprises a partial receptacle, an inner peripheral wall which defines a partial receptacle compartment and the profile of the partial receptacle compartment, an axial entry to the partial receptacle and a lateral entry to the partial receptacle.
  • the axial entry permits entry of a matched male connector into the partial receptacle in an axial direction defined by the coupling axis and the coupling direction of the receptacle
  • the lateral entry permits entry of a matched male connector into the partial receptacle in a radial, i.e. transversal, direction with respect to the coupling axis.
  • the lateral entry defines a lateral entry aperture and a lateral entry plane on a side surface of the building block.
  • the inner peripheral wall 838B1 is concave curved and is concavely facing the lateral access which is on a lateral side surface of the second building block 840 to permit lateral entry of a male connector into the partial receptacle 838B, lateral entry herein means entry in a direction transversal to the coupling axis of the receptacle.
  • the inner peripheral walls 838B1 of the plurality of partial female connectors 838B on the base surface 852 are in engagement with the connection members 428 of the first building block 420 to bring about the releasable engagement. More specifically, the outer portions of the peripheral walls of the connection members 428 which are on opposite sides of the second building block 840 and which directly faces the inner peripheral walls 838B1 of the plurality of partial female connectors 838B are in engagement with the plurality of partial female connectors 838B.
  • the inner peripheral walls 838B1 of the plurality of partial female connectors 838B are discrete engagement portions which cooperate to form an engagement means of the second building block and outer portions of the peripheral walls of the connection members 428 which are on opposite sides of the second building block 840 and which directly faces the inner peripheral walls 838B1 of the plurality of partial female connectors 838B are discrete engagement portions 4281 which cooperate to define an engagement means of the first building block.
  • Each outer portion of the peripheral walls of the connection members 428 contributing to form the retention means is a half annular portion of the annular peripheral wall of the contributing connection members 428 to match with the half annular portion of the inner peripheral wall of the partial receptacle 838B.
  • the engagement means of the first building block is a first type of retention means and the outer portions of the peripheral walls of the contributing connection members 428 are discrete engagement portion which collectively define the retention border or the retention boundary of the first retention means.
  • An example building block assembly 30B comprises a first building block 520 and a second building block 940 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figures 8A and 8B.
  • the second building block 940 is releasably retained by the first building block 920 with an engagement means of the second building block 940 in releasable engagement with a corresponding engagement means of the first building block 520.
  • the first building block 520 comprises a main body, a first surface 522 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 524 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral portion 526 extending between the first surface 522 and the second surface 524, as depicted in Figures 8A and 8B.
  • a plurality of connectors 528 is formed on the first surface 522 of the building block.
  • the connectors 528 on the first surface is a partial male connector comprising a protrusion portion having a curved outer peripheral wall 5281 and a split plane having a split surface 5282.
  • the protrusion has a coupling axis and a coupling direction along the coupling axis, and the curved outer peripheral wall 5281 and a split surface 5282 extend along the coupling direction.
  • the example plurality of four connectors 528 is arranged to distribute in a distribution matrix and the example distribution matrix is a square matrix having two rows and two columns at a uniform pitch such that the separation distance between adjacent connectors in a row and between adjacent connectors in a column is the same and equal to the pitch.
  • the four connectors are distributed on four corners of a square and the length of the square equals the pitch of the distribution matrix.
  • the connectors 528 are distributed around an outer periphery of the main body, with the split surface proximal to an exterior side surface of the main body.
  • the connectors 528 in this example are disposed such that the split surface is flush with an exterior side surface of the main body and is outwardly facing, while the curved outer peripheral wall 5281 faces away from the split surface 5282 and faces inwardly towards an opposite exterior side surface of the main body, as shown in Figure 8D.
  • the split surface 5282 of the connector 528 is a bisection plane of an annular male connector having the same coupling axis and the same coupling direction as that of the partial connector 528 and the connector 528 is a half-annular male connector with the split surface containing the coupling axis.
  • the second building block 940 comprises a main body on which an example plurality of two female connectors 938 is distributed on a base surface 952.
  • the female connectors 938 is a matched female connector to the male connector 228A and the connector 528 and are distributed in a column and having the same pitch as that of the distribution matrix of the connectors 528.
  • each of the curved outer peripheral walls 5281 of the two connectors 528 defines a discrete engagement portion in the form of a discrete retention portion
  • the curved outer peripheral walls 5281 of the two connectors 528 which are in abutment with the female connectors 938 on the second building block 940 cooperate to define the retention boundary and the retention means.
  • each of the two portions 9381 of the corresponding female connectors 938 on the second building block 940 define a discrete engagement portion and the two portions 9381 of the corresponding female connectors 938 on the second building block 940 cooperate to define the engagement boundary and the engagement means.
  • An example building block assembly 30C comprises a first building block 620 and a second building block 840 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figures 9A and 9B.
  • the second building block 840 is releasably retained by the first building block 620 with an engagement means of the second building block 840 in releasable engagement with a corresponding engagement means of the first building block 620.
  • the first building block 620 comprises a main body, a first surface 622 on a first side of the main body, a second surface 624 on a second side of the main body, and a peripheral portion 626 extending between the first surface 622 and the second surface 624, as depicted in Figures 9A and 9B.
  • a plurality of connectors 628 is formed on the first surface 622 of the building block.
  • the connectors 628 on the first surface are partial male connectors which are of the same type as the connectors 528 and are distributed in the same manner.
  • the description on and in relation to the connectors 528 and their manner of distribution and disposition is incorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis where the context permits, with the reference numerals increased by 100.
  • the second building block 840 comprises a main body on which an example plurality of four female connectors 838 is distributed on a base surface 852.
  • the female connectors 838 is a matched female connector to the male connector 228A and the connector 528, 628 and are distributed in a square matrix of two connector rows and two connector columns and having the same pitch as that of the distribution matrix of the connectors 528, 628.
  • each of the curved outer peripheral walls 6281 of the connectors 628 defines a discrete engagement portion in the form of a discrete retention portion
  • the curved outer peripheral walls 6281 of the four connectors 628 which are in abutment with the female connectors 838 on the second building block 840 cooperate to define the retention boundary and the retention means, as depicted in Figures 9C and 9D.
  • each of the four portions 8381 of the corresponding female connectors 838 on the second building block 840 defines a discrete engagement portion and the four portions 9381 of the corresponding female connectors 838 on the second building block 840 cooperate to define the engagement boundary and the engagement means.
  • An example building block assembly 40 comprises a first building block 1020 and a second building block 1040 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figures 10A and 10B.
  • the second building block 1040 is releasably retained by the first building block 1020 with an engagement means of the second building block 1040 in releasable engagement with a corresponding engagement means of the first building block 1020.
  • the first building block 1020 comprises a main body, a first surface 1022 on a first axial end of the main body, a second surface 1024 on a second axial end of the main body, and a peripheral portion 1026 extending between the first surface 1022 and the second surface 1024, as depicted in Figures 8A and 8B.
  • a plurality of connectors 1028 is formed on the first surface 1022 of the building block.
  • the connectors 1028 on the first surface is a partial male connector comprising a protrusion portion having a curved outer peripheral wall 10281 and a split plane having a split surface 10282.
  • the connector 1028 is identical to the connector 528 and the description on and in relation to the connector 528 is incorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis where the context permits, with the reference numerals increased by 500.
  • the main body has a pair of oppositely facing exterior side surfaces and each of the exterior side surfaces curves convexly outwards and away a core portion of the main body.
  • the connector 1028 is disposed proximal to the convexly curved exterior side surface of the main body, with the convexly curved outer peripheral wall 10281 parallel to convexly curved exterior side surface.
  • the manner of disposition of the connectors 1028 are substantially identical to that of the connectors 528 on the building block 520 and the description on and in relation thereto are incorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis.
  • the second building block 1040 is identical to the building block 940 and the description on and in relation thereto are incorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis, with reference numerals increased by 100 where necessary.
  • the two connectors 1028 the first building block 1020 are engaged with two corresponding female connectors 1038 on the second building block 1040.
  • the curved outer peripheral walls 10281 of the two connectors 1028 are in abutment engagement with the portions 10381 of the corresponding female connectors 1038 on the second building block 1040.
  • each of the curved outer peripheral walls 10281 of the connectors 1028 defines a discrete engagement portion in the form of a discrete retention portion
  • the curved outer peripheral walls 10281 of the two connectors 1028 which are in abutment with the female connectors 1038 on the second building block 1040 cooperate to define the retention boundary and the retention means, as depicted in Figures 9C and 9D.
  • each of the two portions 10381 of the corresponding female connectors 1038 on the second building block 1040 defines a discrete engagement portion and the two portions 9381 of the corresponding female connectors 1038 on the second building block 1040 cooperate to define the engagement boundary and the engagement means.
  • An example building block assembly 50 comprises a first building block 1120 and a second building block 1140 which are in detachable engagement, as depicted in Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B.
  • the second building block 1140 is releasably retained by the first building block 1120 with an engagement means of the second building block 1140 in releasable engagement with a corresponding engagement means of the first building block 1120.
  • the first building block 1120 comprises a main body, a first surface 1122 on a first axial end of the main body, a second surface on a second axial end of the main body, a peripheral portion extending between the first surface 1122 and the second surface and a plurality of connectors 1128 distributed on the first axial end, as depicted in Figures 12A and 12B.
  • Each of the connector 1128 is a partial male connector of the same type and description as that of the connector 528, and the description on and in relation to the connector 528 is incorporated herein by reference, with reference numerals increased by 600 where necessary.
  • the connectors are disposed such that the curved outer peripheral walls 11281 is proximal an exterior side surface of the main body and the split plane is distal to that exterior side surface, otherwise the manner of disposition is identical to those of the building block 620 and the description on and in relation thereto is incorporated herein by reference.
  • each of the curved outer peripheral walls 11281 of the connectors 1128 defines a discrete engagement portion in the form of a discrete retention portion
  • the curved outer peripheral walls 11281 of the four connectors 1128 which are in abutment with the female connectors 1138 on the second building block 1140 cooperate to define the retention boundary and the retention means, as depicted in Figures 9C and 9D.
  • each of the four portions 11381 of the corresponding female connectors 1138 on the second building block 1140 defines a discrete engagement portion and the four portions 11381 of the corresponding female connectors 1138 on the second building block 1140 cooperate to define the engagement boundary and the engagement means.
  • the example building block assembly 60 depicted in Figures 12A to 12D and the example building block assembly 70 depicted in Figures 13A to 13D and 80 provide further examples of construction variants as further examples of the retention means and engagement means disclosed herein and their inter-relationship would be apparent from the description herein without loss of generality.
  • the connectors on the first surface of the example first building blocks are arranged in an example connector matrix.
  • the example connector matrix has a plurality of connector rows and a plurality of connector columns, with a connector row being orthogonal to a connector column.
  • the connector matrix is arranged in the form of a regular matrix such that adjacent rows and adjacent columns of the matrix are at equal spacing. When adjacent rows and adjacent columns of the matrix are at equal spacing, adjacent rows and adjacent columns of the matrix have a constant pitch and a uniform separation distance defining the pitch.
  • pitch herein means the separation distance between adjacent connector rows and/or adjacent connector columns unless the context requires otherwise.
  • adjacent connectors in a row and adjacent connectors in a column have the same separation distance defined by the pitch of the regular matrix.
  • the example connector matrix is optional disposed such that an outermost connector row that is closest to a portion of a corresponding outer peripheral wall of the building block which is parallel to the outermost connector row is at half pitch, which means the separation distance between the connector row and the corresponding outer peripheral wall, referred to as a row wall, is at half of the separation distance between adjacent connector rows.
  • an outermost connector column that is closest to a portion of a corresponding outer peripheral wall of the building block which is parallel to the outermost connector column is at half pitch, which means the separation distance between the connector column and the corresponding outer peripheral wall, referred to as a column wall, is at half of the separation distance between adjacent connector columns.
  • the connectors on the first surface of the example building blocks are distributed in a square matrix.
  • the example plurality of the connectors on the first side of the building block is distributed in the form of a square matrix having two rows and two columns, with adjacent connectors in a row and adjacent connectors in a column having equal spacing and at a constant separation distance equal to the matrix pitch.
  • the example first surface is a square surface of a panel portion having a square boundary delimited by a peripheral wall which extends along the square boundary.
  • the peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral wall which defines the internal compartment of the building block and an outer peripheral wall which surrounds the inner peripheral wall.
  • the outermost connector column which is closest to a portion of a corresponding outer peripheral wall of the building block that is parallel to the outermost connector column is at half pitch.
  • An outermost connector row which is closest to a portion of a corresponding outer peripheral wall of the building block that is parallel to the outermost connector row is at half pitch.
  • the outermost connector row of a building block and an outermost connector row or column of a corresponding building block having its corresponding outer peripheral wall in abutment with the outer peripheral wall of the building block is at a full pitch.
  • the example building block has a square panel portion or a square first surface and the connector matrix is a square matrix of 2x2, the panel portion or the first surface need not be square and the connector matrix need not be a non-square matrix.
  • the panel portion may be square and the connector matrix may be a 3x3, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, 8x8 or other sizes.
  • the panel portion may be rectangular and the connector matrix may be a 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 2x3, 2x4, 2x5, 3x4, 3x5, 3x6, 3x7, 4x5, 4x6, 4x7, ... , or any other order without loss of generality.
  • the panel portion has a polygonal boundary having three sides or more than four sides without loss of generality, and the sides may be of equal or unequal lengths.
  • the first surface or the panel portion may have a circular boundary and the connectors on a side is arranged in rows of concentric circles with equal spacing between connectors in a circular row and adjacent circular rows.
  • the example building blocks herein are toy building blocks for toy or toylike applications and the building block assemblies are toy or toy-like building block assemblies.
  • the building blocks herein can also be non-toy building blocks such as machine building blocks, construction building blocks such as tiles or bricks, and/or other industrial building blocks and the building block assemblies are modular built machines or machine parts, modular built structures, modular built structure parts, modular built structural parts, modular built fixture and/or fixture parts and/or fixture sub-assemblies.
  • the component building blocks When used for toy applications as toy assemblies, the component building blocks have a typical radial extent (or width, or lateral extent) of between 1 cm and 15cm and a typical axial extent (or thickness) or between 0.3mm for a miniature block to 5cm.
  • the radial extent can be, in units of cm, 1 for a miniature block, 1 , 1 .5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 1 1 , 1 1.5, 12, 12.5, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, or more for a mega block, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the axial extent can be, in units of cm, 1 for a miniature block, 1 , 1 .5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, or more for a mega block, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.
  • the aforesaid values may be scaled up, in unit of times, by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1 10, 120, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges; and the component building blocks may be made of strong thermoplastics, carbon fibres, fibre glass, or metals, or other mouldable materials, having a high rigidity and a small degree of resilience.
  • a connector herein can be a "press-fit” connector for making press-fit engagement or a “friction-fit for making press-fit engagement unless the context requires otherwise.
  • a snap-fit connector comprises an engagement portion having snap-fit mating features.
  • the terms “snap”, “snap fit”, and “snap-fit”, are interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise.
  • the terms “fastener” and “connector” are also interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise.

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PCT/IB2017/055959 2016-09-28 2017-09-28 Building blocks and building block assemblies WO2018060917A1 (en)

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FR3087350A1 (fr) * 2018-10-22 2020-04-24 Waste Is More Unite d’assemblage de jeu construction bi et/ou tridimensionnel
US20220226747A1 (en) * 2021-01-20 2022-07-21 Lego A/S Connector for constructions system and construction system
WO2023211052A1 (ko) * 2022-04-29 2023-11-02 최용수 조립용 완구 유닛

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US20090117815A1 (en) * 2006-09-15 2009-05-07 Hideyuki Hiraide Block toy and process for producing the same
US20130072082A1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-21 Darryl J. Wizenberg Twistable and connectable block
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CN103285605A (zh) * 2013-06-03 2013-09-11 北京嘉鑫天辰科技有限公司 魔块凸头、魔块凹槽及连接组装魔块
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