WO2020157097A1

WO2020157097A1 - Toy constrution and storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2020157097A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/052099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas FREDRIKSSON; Nicolas Cortolezzis; Arnaud DUBREUIL; Rasmus Buch LØGSTRUP
Original assignee: Lego A/S
Priority date: 2019-01-29
Filing date: 2020-01-29
Publication date: 2020-08-06

Abstract

A toy construction system (1) comprising a first toy building block (10) and a toy construction storage case (5), wherein the first toy building block (10) has first height (H1) and attachment means of a first type (17) formed on a top wall (15); and a second type of attachment means (18) formed at a bottom side (16) wherein the toy construction storage case (5) comprises a first toy building element (20) and a second toy building element (40), wherein the first toy building element (20) comprises a bottom wall (26); at least one side wall (21, 22, 23, 24) and a storage space (27) defined between said bottom wall (26) and said at least one side wall (21, 22, 23, 24); and a second height (H2), wherein said second toy building element (40) is configured for closing said open top surface (25) of the first toy building element (20), and comprises attachment means of the first type (17) formed on a top wall (45) thereof, and has a third height (H3), wherein each of the at least one sidewall (21, 22, 23, 24) of said first toy building element (20) is formed as one integrated unitary structure, where, when said second toy building element (40) is attached to said first toy building element (20), said toy construction storage case (5) has a fourth height (H4) being the sum of the second height (H2) and the third height (H3), and wherein said fourth height (H4) is an integer multiple of said first height (H1).

Description

TOY CONSTRUTION AND STORAGE SYSTEM

The current invention relates to a modular toy constructions system which may be used to construct a toy landscape and to store items, such as toy building blocks.

Description of related art

Toy construction systems comprising a multitude of inter connectable toy building blocks are known in the art. Such toy construction systems are often supplied in cardboard boxes. The cardboard boxes may be used to store the multitude of inter connectable toy building blocks, when they are in a disassembled or at least partially disassembled state. The cardboard boxes used as packaging of toy construction systems however are often to fragile for multiple use after they have been opened.

There is thus a need for a toy construction system where at least some elements of the toy construction system may serve as building block themselves, and additionally provide a durable storage for smaller toy building blocks and possibly also other items.

Summary of the invention

These and other objects of the invention may be achieved by a toy construction system comprising a first toy building block and a toy

construction storage case,

wherein the first toy building block comprises

- a top wall;

- a bottom surface; - at least one sidewall extending from said top wall to said bottom surface and having a first height;

- attachment means of a first type formed at the top wall; and

- a second type of attachment means formed at the bottom side, the second type of attachment means being complimentary to the first type of attachment means,

wherein the toy construction storage case comprises a first toy building element and a second toy building element,

wherein the first toy building element comprises

- a bottom wall;

- at least one side wall extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall;

- a storage space defined between said bottom wall and said at least one side wall; and

- an open top side;

wherein said second toy building element is configured for closing said open top surface of the first toy building element, and comprises

- a top wall;

- at least one side wall extending perpendicularly from said top wall; and

- attachment means of the first type formed on said top wall of said

second toy building element,

wherein each of the at least one sidewall of said first toy building element is formed as one integrated unitary structure,

wherein said first toy building element has a second height,

wherein said second toy building element has a third height,

wherein, when said second toy building element is attached to said first toy building element, said toy construction storage case has a fourth height being the sum of the second height and the third height, and

wherein said fourth height is an integer multiple of said first height. In an embodiment of the toy construction system each of the at least one side wall(s) of the first toy building element forms a closed surface devoid of any apertures.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system each of the at least one side wall(s) of the second toy building element forms a closed surface devoid of any apertures.

Above, by“devoid of any apertures” is understood to mean devoid of any through going apertures.

In an embodiment of the toy construction system each of said at least one side wall(s) of the first toy building element, and each of said at least one side wall(s) of the second toy building element are flush with each other when said second toy building element is placed on said first toy building element.

In an embodiment of the toy construction system a bottom surface of the first toy building element is provided with third attachment means, being configured to cooperate with attachment means of the first type. Further, the third attachment means may be configured to cooperate with attachment means of the first type such that horizontal movement between two stacked toy construction cases is prevented, and that frictionless removal of an upper toy construction case from a lower toy construction case is allowed by a relative horizontal movement between the two toy construction cases.

Alternatively, the third attachment means may be of the same type as the second type of attachment means mentioned above.

In a further embodiment, the at least one sidewall of said first toy building element comprises a first ledge configured for receiving a bottom rim or a downwardly extending flange of said second toy building element. The first ledge is preferably arranged at an upper edge of said at least one sidewall. Preferably the first edge is elongate and extending in parallel to the upper edge of the at least one sidewall.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system an upwardly facing surface of the upper rim of the first toy building element is provided with attachment means of the first type. In this case, a downwardly facing surface of the bottom rim of the second toy building element may be provided with attachment means of the second type, and configured for cooperating with the attachment means of the first type on the upwardly facing surface of the upper rim of the first toy building element. In an alternative embodiment, attachment means of the first type may be provided on the upwardly facing first ledge. In this case also, a downwardly facing surface of the bottom rim of the second toy building element may be provided with attachment means of the second type, and configured for cooperating with the attachment means of the first type on the first ledge of the first toy building element. In yet other embodiments, first attachment means may be provided on an upwardly facing surface of the upper rim of the first toy building element and on the first ledge. In this case second attachment means may be provided on both the second toy building element to cooperate with both the first attachment means may be provided on an upwardly facing surface of the upper rim of the first toy building element and the first attachment means on the first ledge.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system wherein the lower surface of the top wall of the second toy building element is provided with attachment means of the second type, and configured for cooperating with the attachment means of the first type on the upwardly facing surface of the upper rim of the first toy building element. This may for example be applied in embodiments where the lower surface of the top wall intersects with the sidewalls of the second toy building element at the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the second toy building element, i.e. where the bottom rim of the second toy building element is in the same plane as the lower surface of the top wall. In this case the attachment means of the second type are preferably provided in the lower surface of the bottom wall of the second to building element along the rim of the of the lower surface of the second toy building element. It may also apply to embodiments where the sidewalls of the second building element extend below a plane defined by the lower surface of the top wall. In this case the attachment means of the second type are preferably located at least along the sidewall(s).

In all embodiments, the entire lower surface of the top wall or portions thereof may further comprise attachment means of the second type. Toy building blocks of various types including first toy building blocks may in this case be attached to the internal side/surface of the second toy building element. Also if the second toy building element is of the type described above, where the bottom rim of the second toy building element is in the same plane as the lower surface of the top wall, the second toy building element may thereby be allowed to attach to toy building plate. Toy building plates are plates with a height which is smaller than the first height, and where an upper surface of the toy building plate is provided with attachment means of the first type.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system, the fourth height is at least six times the first height.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system, at least one of the at least one sidewalls of the first building element comprises a rectangular recesses with a second ledge and wherein the second ledge is provided with attachment means of the first type. Thereby, markings - for example relating to the content of the toy constructions case - may be provided on the toy construction case by use of toy building blocks of various shapes sizes and colours.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system, said second height and said third height each are integer multiples of said first height.

In a further embodiment of the toy construction system, the at least one sidewall(s), and the bottom wall of the first toy building element are formed as one integrated unitary structure. In this case, the first toy building element may be formed in an injection moulding process. Alternatively, each of the at least one sidewall(s), and the bottom wall of the first toy building element are each formed as one integrated unitary structure, and each of the at least one sidewall(s), and the bottom wall of the first toy building element comprises complementary connection means allowing the at least one sidewall(s), and the bottom wall to assemble into a first toy building element. In this case, each of the at least one sidewall(s) and the bottom wall of the first toy building element may be formed in an injection moulding process.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising/comprised of" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. - Fig. 1 , in a perspective view, shows a toy construction system according to an embodiment of the invention, the toy construction system comprising a set of first toy building blocks and a set of toy construction storage cases in various sizes, each toy construction storage case comprising a first toy building element and a second toy building element;

- Fig. 2, in a perspective view, shows details of a first toy building block for a toy construction system according to the invention;

- Fig. 3A, in a perspective view, and from above, shows a toy construction storage case for a toy construction system according to the invention, the toy construction storage case comprising a first toy building element and a second toy building element, the second toy building element being attached on the first toy building element;

- Fig. 3B is a side view of the toy construction storage case with the first toy building element and the second toy building element shown in Fig. 3A;

- Fig. 3C is a front view of the toy construction storage case shown in Fig. 3A;

- Fig. 3D is a top view of the toy construction storage case shown in Fig.

3A;

- Fig. 3E, in a perspective view, shows the toy construction storage case of Fig. 3A from below, and showing connection means on the bottom side of the first toy building element;

- Fig. 4A, in a perspective view, shows two toy construction storage cases as shown in Fig. 3A, staked on top of each other;

- Fig 4B shows a side view of the two toy construction storage cases shown in Fig. 4A;

- Fig. 5A, in a perspective view, shows constituent parts for assembling of a first toy building element according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5B, in a perspective view, shows the first toy building element of Fig. 5A in an assembled state;

Fig. 6, in a perspective view from below, shows a second toy building element for a toy construction storage case according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7, in a perspective view, shows a toy construction storage case including a first toy building element and a second toy building element, and constituent parts for assembling the first toy building element according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8, in a perspective view, shows a set of toy construction storage cases of five different sizes,

Fig. 9, in a perspective view, shows a toy construction storage case with a second toy building element detached from a first toy building element, and resting on an edge thereof, and first toy building blocks as well as other types of building blocks stored inside the first toy building element;

Fig. 10, in a perspective view, shows a toy construction system comprising a set of four differently sized toy construction storage cases, and first toy building blocks as well as other types of toy building blocks attached to the differently sized toy construction storage cases at various positions to form a toy landscape;

Fig. 11 A, in a perspective view, shows a toy construction storage case including a first toy building element and a second toy building element, the second toy building element being detached from the first toy building element, and four building blocks of a second type to be arranged in a recess in a sidewall of the first toy building element e.g. to form a labelling of a content of the first toy building element; and Fig. 11 B, in a perspective view, shows two toy construction storage cases as in Fig. 11A stacked on top of each other and with two different labellings formed in the indentations in the sidewall of each of the toy construction storage cases. Detailed description of the embodiments Fig. 1 shows a toy construction system 1 according to one aspect of the invention. The toy construction system 1 comprises a set of first toy building blocks 10 and a set of toy construction storage cases 5 in various sizes. The toy construction system 1 may also comprise toy building blocks of other types than the first toy building block 10 shown in Fig. 1. Examples of other types of toy building blocks of other shapes and sizes are shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11A-B.

The toy construction system 1 according to the invention may comprise any number of first toy building blocks 10. In principle the toy construction system 1 may comprise only a single first toy building blocks 10, but the fun of playing with the toy construction system 1 , and the learning involved in doing so, increases with an increasing number of toy building blocks, such as first toy building blocks 10. Therefore, the toy construction system 1 may comprise a plurality of toy building blocks, such as first toy building blocks 10.

Further, the toy construction system 1 comprises one or more of the toy construction storage cases 5. In principle the toy construction system 1 may comprise only a single toy construction storage cases 5. Flowever, the fun of playing with the toy construction system 1 , and the learning, increases with an increasing number of toy construction storage cases 5. Therefore, the toy construction system 1 may comprise a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5. Each of the plurality toy construction storage cases 5 may be the same size, they may all be different sizes, or groups/sets of the plurality toy construction storage cases 5 may be of the same size. Some or each of the toy construction storage cases 5 comprises a first toy building element 20, and a second toy building element 40. Preferably, for each first toy building element 20 of the system 1 , a corresponding second toy building element 40 is provided. However, the system 1 may comprise also first toy building elements 20 without any second toy building element 40. The first toy building element 20 is preferably box shaped with an interior space (storage space 27, see Fig 5B), and an open top side 25. The open side 25 provides access to the storage space 27 of the first toy building element 20, see Fig. 5B. The second toy building element 40 is configured to function as a lid or closure for the first toy building element 20, and is thereby configured for closing said open top side 25 of the first toy building element 20. When the second toy building element 40 is placed on top of the first toy building element 20, the combination of the two forms the toy construction storage cases 5, as shown e.g. in Fig. 1. When the second toy building element 40 is removed from its seat on top of the first toy building element 20, access to the storage space 27 inside the first toy building element 20 may be obtained, and the first toy building element 20 may thereby be filled with a plurality of for example toy building blocks, such as first toy building blocks 10, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

Now, reference will be made to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an example of a first toy building block 10. In the shown example, the first toy building block has six sides, i.e. four side surfaces defined by sidewalls 11 , 12, 13, 14, a top side defined by a top wall 15 and a bottom side 16 defined by a bottom rim 16’. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the top wall 15 is rectangular. The four sidewalls 11 , 12, 13, 14 are connected to, and extends perpendicularly from the top wall 15. The four sidewalls 11 , 12, 13, 14 preferably are connected to the top wall 1 at the periphery of the top wall 15. The bottom rim 16’ is formed by the bottom, free edges of the four sidewalls 11 , 12, 13, 14, opposite to the top wall 15. Thus, in this embodiment, the first toy building block 10 has the shape of a regular parallelepiped. However, in other embodiments (not shown) the first toy building block 10 may comprise a top surface defined by a top wall 15 and a bottom side 16 defined by a bottom rim 16’, and a single further side or outer surface formed by a single sidewall between the top surface 15 and the bottom surface 16, and thus define e.g. a cylinder shape. In yet other embodiment the first toy building block 10 may comprise a two, three, five or more sidewalls, formed between the top surface 15 and the bottom side 16. In either of the embodiments, the first toy building block 10 has a first height H1 defined from the bottom side 16/bottom rim 16’ to the top side (an upper surface) of the top wall 15.

Further, in either of the embodiments, the first toy building block 10 comprises a first type of attachment means 17 formed on, and extending from the upper surface of the top wall 15. Further, in all embodiments, the first toy building block 10 comprises a second type of attachment means 18 formed in the bottom side 16 of the first toy building block 10, opposite to said top surface of the top wall 15. The first type of attachment means 17 are complementary to second type of attachment means 18, in such a way that e.g. one first toy building block 10 may releasably be attach to another first toy building block 10, by a friction fit, such as is known in the art. Fig. 1 shows examples of how first toy building blocks 10 may be attached to each other.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first type of attachment means 17 are preferably knobs or studs, i.e. cylindrical protrusions on the top wall 15. The second type of attachment means 18 are preferably one or more indentations shaped and sized to cooperate with the knobs. In the shown embodiment the first toy building block 10 is box-shaped with an open bottom side 16. The

indentations, forming the second type of attachment means 18, are defined between the bottom rim 16’ and inner surfaces of the side walls 11 , 12, 13, 14, and cylindrical elements 19 extending downwards from an inner surface (not shown) of the top wall 15.

It will be appreciated that (in not shown embodiments) the complementary first and second type of attachment means 17, 18 (e.g. knobs and

indentations) may be reversed between the top and bottom sides.

In the embodiment shown in e.g. Fig. 2, the first toy building block 10 further has a first width W1 , and a first length L1.

Further, in the embodiment shown in e.g. Figs. 1 and 2, the first toy building block 10 has eight knobs forming the first attachment means 17. The knobs are formed in a regular 2 x 4 grid. Likewise the second attachment means 18 are formed by eight indentations defined between the bottom rim 16’, inner surfaces of the side walls 11 , 12, 13, 14, and three cylindrical elements 19. Thereby, also the indentations are formed in a regular 2 x 4 grid, which is complementary to the regular 2 x 4 grid formed by the knobs. As shown in Fig. 2, the indentations, forming the second attachment means 18, are interconnected to form a coherent or continuous space inside the first toy building block 10.

Turning now to Fig. 3A, the figure - in a perspective view - shows a toy construction storage case 5. As mentioned above, the toy construction storage case 5 comprises a first toy building element 20 and a second toy building element 40. In Figs. 3A-E the second toy building element 40 is illustrated attached on top of the first toy building element 20.

The first toy building element 20 comprises a bottom wall 26, see e.g. Fig.

3E. Figs 5A-B, showing an embodiment of the first toy building element 20, also shows the bottom wall 26. The first toy building element 20 further comprises four side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24 connected to - and extending perpendicularly from - the bottom wall 26. The first toy building element 20 thereby forms an open box-shape structure, having one open side or surface, top surface 25. The top side/top surface 25 is defined by a top edge or rim 25’ formed by top edges 21’, 22’, 23’, 24’ of the side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24, see e.g. Fig. 5B.

In the embodiment shown in e.g. Figs. 3A-E and 5A-B, the bottom wall 26 is rectangular. The sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, preferably extend from the bottom wall 26 at an outer periphery/circumference thereof or at least in parallel to the outer periphery/circumference of the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20.

In other (not shown) embodiments, the first toy building element 20 may have only a single side wall extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 26, the bottom wall 26 being formed e.g. as a circle or oval, and thus the first toy building element 20 forms a cylinder with either a circular or oval (horizontal) cross section. In yet other embodiments (not shown), the first toy building element 20 may have two side walls extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 26, at least one of them forming an arch. In yet other

embodiments (not shown), the first toy building element 20 may have three, five, six or even more side walls extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 26. In either case, the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 is preferably shaped such that a perimeter/circumference thereof extends parallel to the sidewalls. Thus, the first toy building element 20 has at least one side wall 21 , 22, 23, 24 extending perpendicularly from the bottom wall 26.

In either case, a plane defined by the bottom wall 26, and a plane defined by the top edge or rim 25’ of the open top side 25, are preferably parallel to each other. Further, in any embodiment, the at least one sidewall has a height, here called second height, H2. In cases, where the first toy building element 20 has two or more sidewalls, e.g. the four sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 shown in the figures, each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, preferably has the same height, second height H2. Second height H2 is defined as the distance from a lowest point on an external bottom surface 26” of the bottom wall 26 to the top rim 25’ formed by the top edges/rims 21’, 22’, 23’, 24’ of the side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24.

As also mentioned above, and as shown in Fig. 5B, a storage space 27 is defined between the bottom wall 26 and the at least one side wall 21 , 22, 23, 24. The storage space 27 is defined between the bottom wall 26 (the internal bottom surface 26’), and inner surfaces (See Fig 5B) of the four side walls (21 , 22, 23, 24).

The open top side 25 is configured for providing access to the storage space 27, when the second toy building element 40 is removed from a position covering the open top side25. The open top side 25 is defined by top edges 2T, 22’, 23’, 24’ of the respective side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24. The top edges

2T, 22’, 23’, 24’ together define the above mentioned top rim 26.

As mentioned above the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 is preferably rectangular. Flowever, in other embodiments, the bottom wall 26 may have other shapes, e.g. quadratic, circular, oval, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and the number of sidewalls being adapted correspondingly. In the embodiments shown in throughout the figures, the bottom wall is rectangular, the first toy building element 20 forming a regular parallelepiped (with an open side). As shown in e.g. Fig 3A, the first toy building element 20 has a length, second length L2 and a width, second width W2. In preferred embodiments the second width and the second length is an integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiple of the above mentioned first width W1 of the first toy building block 10. In one embodiment the second width W2 is an integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiple of the above mentioned first width W1 , and the second length is an integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiple of the above mentioned first length L1 of the first toy building block 10.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, and as shown in the figures 1 -11 , each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 are formed without any through-going apertures or holes. Thereby, any items, such as toy building blocks (e.g. first building blocks 10) are prevented from falling out of the first toy building element 20, especially, when a second toy building element 40 has been attached thereto for closing the open top side 25. Thus, preferably each of the at least one sidewall(s) is formed with closed surface devoid of any through going apertures.

As explained below, in some embodiments apertures in the form of closed rectangular recesses 50 may however be formed one or more of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24. These rectangular recesses 50 however are not formed as through-going apertures.

The second toy building element 40 is configured for closing said open top side 25 of the first toy building element 20 by placement of the second toy building element 40 on top of said first toy building element 20. The first and the second toy building element 20, 40 preferably are configured to cooperate.

Now turning to Fig. 6, the second toy building element 40 comprises a top wall 45 with a top surface 45’, and four sidewalls 41 42, 43, 44 connected to - and extending perpendicularly from - the top wall 45 in a direction away from - opposite to - the top surface 45’. The second toy building element 40 thereby forms an open box-shape structure, having one open side or surface, bottom side 46. The open bottom side/surface 46 is defined by a

lower/bottom edge or rim 46’ formed by or at lower/bottom edges 4T, 42’,

43’, 44’ of the side walls 41 , 42, 43, 44, respectively, of the second toy building element 40.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the top wall 45 of the second toy element 40 is rectangular. The sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy element 40, preferably extend from the top wall 45 at an outer periphery thereof.

In other (not shown) embodiments, the second toy building element 40 may have only a single side wall extending perpendicularly from the top wall 45 the second toy building element 40, the top wall 45 being formed e.g. as a circle or oval, and thus the second toy building element 40 forms a cylinder with either a circular or oval (horizontal) cross section. In yet other

embodiments (not shown), the second toy building element 40 may have two side walls extending perpendicularly from the top wall 45, at least one of them forming an arch. In yet other embodiments (not shown), the second toy building element 40 may have three, five, six or even more side walls extending perpendicularly from the top wall 45. In either case, the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 is preferably shaped such that a perimeter/circumference thereof extends parallel to the sidewalls. Also, the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 is preferably shaped such that the sidewalls extend from an outer perimeter/circumference thereof. Thus, the second toy building element 40 has at least one side wall 41 , 42, 43, 44 connected directly to and extending perpendicularly from the top wall 46. In either case a plane defined by the top wall 45, and a plane defined by the lower/bottom rim 46’ of the open bottom side 46 of the second toy building element 40, are preferably parallel to each other.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, and as shown in the figures 1 -11 , each of the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 are formed without any through-going apertures or holes. Thereby, any items, such as toy building blocks (e.g. first building blocks 10) are prevented from falling out of the second toy building element 40, especially, when the second toy building element 40 has been attached to a first toy building element 20 for closing the open top side 25 thereof. Thus, preferably each of the at least one sidewall(s) 41 , 42, 43, 44 is formed with closed surface devoid of any through going apertures.

Further, in any embodiment, the at least one sidewall of the second toy building element 40 has a height, here referred to as third height, H3. In cases where the second toy building element 40 has two or more sidewalls, e.g. the four sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 shown in the figures, each of the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44, of the second toy building element 40 preferably has the same height, third height H3. Third height H3 is defined as the distance from the external, top surface 45’ of the top wall 45 to the bottom rim 46’ formed by the bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’ of the side walls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40.

As mentioned above, the toy construction system 1 may comprise toy construction storage case 5 all of the same shape, as exemplified e.g. in Fig.

1 or the toy construction storage cases 5 may be of different shape (having different number of sidewalls). Preferably, a second toy building element 40 has the same number of sidewalls as a corresponding first toy building element 20. As shown in Fig. 6, a second storage space 47 is defined between the top wall 45 and the at least one side wall 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element. The second storage space 47 is defined between the top wall 45, an internal surface 45” (where the internal surface 45” is a downwardly facing or lower surface of the top wall 45), and inner surfaces of the four side walls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40.

The open bottom side 46 is configured for providing access to the second storage space 47, when the second toy building element 40 has been removed from a position covering the open top side 25 of the first toy building element 20, and turned upside down. The open bottom side 46 is defined by the bottom rim 46’, which are formed by or at the bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’ of the respective side walls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40. In the Fig. 6 embodiment the bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’ together define the above mentioned bottom rim 46’of the second toy building element 40. In other embodiments a bottom rim 46’ may comprise a flanges extending (perpendicularly) downward from said bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’.

As mentioned above the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 20 is preferably rectangular. Flowever, in other embodiments, the top wall 45 may have other shapes, e.g. quadratic, circular, oval, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and the number of sidewalls being adapted correspondingly. In the embodiments shown in throughout the figures, the top wall 45 is rectangular, the second toy building element 40 forming a regular

parallelepiped (with an open side 46). As shown in e.g. Fig 3D, the second toy building element 40 has a length, third length L3 and a width, third width W3. In preferred embodiments the third width W3 and the third length L3 each are integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiples of the above mentioned first width W1 of the first building block 10. In one embodiment the third width W3 is an integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiple of the above mentioned first width W1 and the third length L3 is an integer (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) multiple of the above mentioned first length L1 of the first toy building block 10.

As mentioned above, the toy construction system 1 may comprise toy construction storage cases 5, e.g. of the same or of different sizes. In either case, each toy construction storage case 5 may preferably comprise a first toy building element 20 and a second toy building element of similar shape and size, i.e. the number, and the arrangement of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23,

24 of the first toy building element 20 corresponds to the number and the arrangement of the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40. In the case of rectangular shaped bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 and rectangular shaped top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40, the second length L2 corresponds to the third length L3, and the second width W2 corresponds to the third width W3, preferably such that the second toy building element will fit over the first toy building element, i.e. the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 are slightly longer than the side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 (This may also be the case for embodiments were the bottom and top walls (26, 45) have other than rectangular shape).

However, in a preferred embodiment the second length L2 is equal to the third length L3 (L2=L3), and the second width W2 is equal to the third width W3 (W2=W3), such that the second toy building element will fit on top of the first toy building element, i.e. the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 are exactly the same length as the corresponding side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 (This may also be the case for embodiments were the bottom and top walls (26, 45) have other than rectangular shape). In the case of equal lengths L2=L3 and W2=W3 of each of the first and second toy building elements 20, 40, the first toy building element 20 may preferably be provided with a stepped ledge or elongate recess, first ledge 28, in the upper part or each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, as shown in Fig. 5B, where each of the four sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 has a stepped ledge or elongate recess, first ledge 28, formed at the top close to and along the upper edges 21’, 22’, 23’, 24’ of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, respectively. The first ledge 28 in this case may have a depth or width (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the sidewalls) corresponding to a thickness of the

corresponding sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 at least at the bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’ thereof. Thereby, when a second toy building element 40 is placed on top of correspondingly sized and shaped first toy building element 20, the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 will rest on the stepped ledge/elongate recess, first ledge 28, formed on each of the sidewalls 21 ,22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20.

Preferably, the lengths of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 and the lengths of the respective sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element in this case are equal, such that each of the corresponding sidewalls 21 , 41 ; 22, 42; 23, 43; 24, 44 are flush when the second toy building element 40 is placed on top of the first toy building element 20, such as illustrated in Figs 3A-E and 4A-B.

It will be appreciated that cooperating first ledge 28 may in other (not shown) embodiments instead be located on the first toy building element 20, in which case the thickness of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, at least at the upper edges 2T, 22’, 23’, 24’ thereof would be adapted to cooperate.

In some embodiments (see e.g. Fig. 11 ), the second toy building element 40 may be formed such the lower surface 45” of the top wall 45 intersects with the at least one sidewall or the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 at the bottom edges 41’, 42’, 43’, 44’ of the sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40, i.e. such that the bottom rim 46’ of the second toy building element 40 is in the same plane as the lower surface 45” of the top wall 45. In this case the attachment means of the second type 18 may preferably be provided in the lower surface 45” of the bottom wall 45 of the second to building element 40 along the rim or perimeter of the of the lower surface 45” of the second toy building element 40, in order to cooperate with attachment means of the first type 17 formed on upwardly facing surfaces of the sidewall(s) 21 , 22, 23, 2 of the first toy building element 20.

Further, in all of the previously described embodiments, the entire lower surface 45” of the top wall 45 - or portions thereof - may further comprise attachment means of the second type 18. Toy building blocks of various types - including first toy building blocks 10 - may in this case be attached to the internal side/surface 45” of the second toy building element 40.

Also if the second toy building element 40 is of the type described above, where the bottom rim 46’ of the second toy building element 40 is in the same plane as the lower surface 45” of the top wall 45, the second toy building element 40 may thereby be allowed to attach to toy building plate. Toy building plates are plates with a height which is smaller than the first height, and where an upper surface of the toy building plate is provided with attachment means of the first type.

In either of the above embodiments, preferably the top surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 is preferably provided with attachment means 17 of the first type, similar to the attachment means of the first type 17 formed on the first building block 10, shown in Fig. 2. The first type of attachment means 17 are formed on and extends from the upper surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 The first type of attachment means 17 are complementary to the second type of attachment means 18 of the first building block 10 as described above. Thus one first toy building block 10 may releasably be attached to the upper surface 45’ of the second toy building element 40 of a toy construction storage case 5, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, by a friction fit.

As shown in the figures, the first type of attachment means 17 on the top surface 45’ of the second toy building element 40 are preferably knobs or studs, i.e. cylindrical protrusions on the top wall 45.

As is the case for the first building blocks 10, described above, the first type of attachment means 17 on the top surface 45’ of the second toy building element 40 are formed in a regular two dimensional grid of h-_| ^ch₂ lattice positions with knobs/studs/protrusions, i.e. the first attachment means 17 on the top surface 45’ are arranged in perpendicular rows and columns.

As shown in the figures, when the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 is rectangular, preferably the regular two dimensional grid of h-_| ^ch₂ of attachment means 17 of the first type (such as knobs) may preferably be arranged such that the perpendicular rows and columns are parallel to respective sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40.

Figs. 3A-E and 4A-B shows a toy construction storage case 5, where the top surface 45’ of the second toy building element 40 is provided with 32x44 lattice positions of knobs/studs/protrusions.

Flowever, in other embodiments (not shown), the rows and columns of attachment means of the first type 17 may be arranged such that they are not parallel to the any or only some of the sidewalls. This may for example be the case if the top wall 45 is round or has an uneven number of edges or more than four edges. However also in the case of square or rectangular top walls 45, the rows and columns may be formed at an angle to the sidewalls, at least for some of the toy construction storage cases 5 of the toy construction system 1.

The upper surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 being provided with a lattice of first attachment means 17, allows the second toy building element 40 to attach to toy building blocks having second attachment means such as first toy building blocks 10. It also allows attachment to first toy building blocks 20, when the bottom side 26” of first toy building blocks 20 are provided with third attachment means 35 as described below.

It will further be appreciated, that the a lattice of first attachment means 17 on the upper surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 allows the second toy building element 40 to function as a (thick) building plate.

The toy construction system 1 may comprise toy construction storage case 5 all of the same shape, as exemplified e.g. in Fig. 1 or the toy construction storage cases 5 may be of different shape (having different number of sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24; 41 , 42, 43, 44).

In any of the embodiments described above, each of the at least one sidewall(s) 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 are formed as one unitary structure. Each sidewall may be formed in plastic in an injection moulding process or similar. As shown in Fig. 5A each of the integrally formed sidewall 21 , 22, 23, 24, may in this case be equipped with

cooperating connection means 31 ,32 between the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, and other cooperating connection means 33, 34 between each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and the bottom wall 26. Thus, a first toy building element 20 may be formed as an assembly of one or more (e.g. four as shown in the figures) sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and a bottom wall 26. Fig. 5B shows how the integrally formed unitary sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and bottom wall 26 of Fig. 5A have been formed into such an assembly.

The cooperating connection means 31 , 32 between the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, may - as shown in Fig. 5A - comprise elongate receiving canals 32 formed at each end of an inner surface of e.g. the shorter end side-walls, third side wall 23 and fourth side wall 24. The elongate receiving canals 32 are configured to cooperate with vertical elongate protrusions 31 formed at the ends of each of the longer sidewalls, first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22. The elongate receiving canals 32 in the third side wall 23 and fourth side wall 24, allows the third side wall 23 and fourth side wall 24 to be slid down over the vertical elongate protrusions 31 formed at the ends of each of the longer sidewalls, first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22 to form interlocking connections there between.

The other cooperating connection means 33, 34 between each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and the bottom wall 26, may - as shown in Fig. 5A - comprise barbed studs 33 extending vertically downward from all of the sidewall 21 , 22, 23, 24. The barbed studs 33 are configured to cooperate with slits 24 formed in along the perimeter of the bottom wall 26 to form

interlocking connection there between.

Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment in which a first toy building element 20 of a toy construction storage case 5 may be formed as an assembly of integrally formed unitary sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and bottom wall 26. Again, the integrally formed unitary sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 each may be formed in plastic in an injection moulding process or similar. Likewise the bottom wall 26 may be formed in plastic in an injection moulding process or similar, to form an integral unitary structure. The first toy building element 20 in Fig. 7 is shown in a semi assembled state, where a first sidewall 21 and a second sidewall 22 has been connected to shorter (end) sidewall, fourth sidewall 24. A bottom wall in this case has been partially been pushed towards its final position. A third side wall 23 awaits mounting to the other parts of the first toy building element 20. In this embodiment the cooperating connection means 31 , 32 between the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24, may - as shown in Fig. 7 - comprise studs 3T - such as barbed studs - protruding from ends of e.g. the longer sidewalls, first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22, which studs 3T may be configured to cooperate with corresponding slits 32’ in inner surfaces of the shorter end walls, third sidewall 23 and fourth sidewall 24. The other cooperating connection means 33, 34 between each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and the bottom wall 26, may - as shown in Fig. 7 - comprise elongate canals 33’ formed along bottom edges of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24. The elongate canals 33’ are configured to receive the edges of the perimeter of the bottom plate 26, which in this embodiment also constitutes connection means 34’.

Forming the first toy building element 20 as an assembly of integrally formed unitary sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 and an integrally formed unitary bottom wall 26 allows a flat packing of the toy construction storage cases 5.

Flowever, in other embodiments, an entire first toy building element 20 may be formed as one integrated unitary structure. For example the sidewall or sidewalls and the bottom wall 26 are formed together in plastic in an injection moulding process.

In one embodiment of a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, all of the first toy building element 20 may be formed as assembled first toy building elements 20 as described above. However, in a another embodiment of a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, all of the first toy building element 20 may be formed all as integrated unitary structures, as described in the previous paragraph. In yet other embodiment, a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, may comprise both first toy building elements 20 formed as assemblies and first toy building elements 20 formed as integrated unitary structures.

In any of the embodiments described above, each of the at least one sidewall(s) 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 may be formed as one unitary structure. Each sidewall may be formed in plastic in an injection moulding process or similar. In this case, the at least one sidewall(s) 41 , 42, 43, 44 and the top wall 45 may be assembled in the same manner as described above in connection with the first toy building element 20 and Figs 5A and B. Preferably, the attachment means of the first type 17 on the upper surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 are formed integrally with the top wall 45.

However, in other embodiments, an entire second toy building element 40 may be formed as one integrated unitary structure. For example the sidewall or sidewalls and the top wall 45 with the attachment means of the first type 17 are formed as one integrated unitary structure in plastic in an injection moulding process.

In one embodiment of a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, all of the second toy building element 40 may be formed as assembled second toy building elements 40 as described above. However, in a another embodiment of a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, all of the second toy building elements 40 may be formed all as integrated unitary structures, as described in the previous paragraph. In yet other embodiment, a toy construction system 1 comprising a plurality of toy construction storage cases 5, may comprise both second toy building elements 40 formed as assemblies and second toy building elements 40 formed as integrated unitary structures.

As also previously mentioned, the first toy building element 20 has a height, second height H2, and the second toy building element 40 has another height, third height H3. In all of the embodiments described above, when said second toy building element 40 is attached to said first toy building element 20, said toy construction storage case 5 has a height, fourth height H4. The fourth height H4, i.e. the height of a toy construction storage case 5, is the sum of the second height H2, i.e. the height of a first toy building element, and the third height H3, i.e. the height of a second toy building element 40 (H4=H2+H3)), and the fourth height H4 is an integer (n) multiple of said first height H 1 , i.e. the height of a first building block 10 (see Fig. 2). Thus, H4=h^cH1 , where n belongs to the natural numbers.

Preferably, in the height of the toy construction storage case 5, height H4, is at least six times the height of a first building block 10 (H4=h^cH1 , where n>6).

In further embodiments the height of the first toy building element 20, second height H2, may also be an integer (n) multiple of said first height H1 , i.e. the height of a first building block 10 (see Fig. 2). Thus, FI2=nxFI1 , where n belongs to the natural numbers. In this case also the height of the second toy building element 40, third height H3, is also an integer (n) multiple of said first height H 1 , i.e. the height of a first building block 10 (see Fig. 2). Thus, H3=h^cH1 , where n belongs to the natural numbers. Thereby, the first and second toy building elements 20, 40 may also individually cooperate with (sets of) first toy building blocks 10. In preferred embodiments, the first toy building element 20 has a height, second height H2, that is at least five times the height of the first toy building block 10, first height H1 , i.e. H2=h*H1 , where n>5.

In preferred embodiments, the second toy building element 40 has a height, third height H3, that is exactly equal to the height of the first toy building block 10, first height H1 , i.e. H3=H1. However in other embodiments (not shown), the height of the second toy building element 40, third height H3, may be two, three, four, five, or six times the height of the of the first toy building block 10 (first height H1 ).

Attachment means of a third type 35 (may also me called third attachment means 35) may be formed at the external/outer surface 26” of the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20. They are preferably formed along and at an outer perimeter of the plane defined by the bottom wall 26. But, they may in other embodiments, see e.g. fig 3E, be formed in parallel with the perimeter at a distance from the perimeter, such as a distance corresponding to one, two, three or four lattice positions of the grid of attachment means of the first type 17.

The attachment means of the third type 35 are configured to cooperate with the attachment means of the first type 17, preferably in such a way that the attachment means of the third type 35 at the bottom 26” of one toy storage construction case 5, 5’ placed on top of another toy storage construction box 5, 5”is prevented from movement in the horizontal plane (parallel to the plane defined by the bottom wall 26 of a first toy building element 20), and allows frictionless removal of the same toy storage construction box 5, 5’; 5, 5” (see Figs. 4A-B, 8 or 10), by separating the two by movement in vertical direction. Thus, the attachment means of the third type 35 at the bottom of one toy construction storage case 5’ may cooperate - loosely - with first attachment means 17 at the top surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 of another toy construction storage case 5”. Such a situation is shown in Figs. 1 , 4A-B and 8.

In an embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 3E, the attachment means of the third type 35 may comprise two parallel flanges 36, 37 extending

perpendicularly downwards from the lower/outer/external surface 26” of the bottom wall 26, an inner flange 36 and an outer flange 37. The flanges 36, 37 extend along and parallel to the perimeter 39 of the bottom wall 26.

In such embodiments, it will be appreciated that the height of the first toy building element 20 (second height, H2) is defined from the lower edge/rim the flanges 36, 37 to the upper rim 25 of the first toy building element 20. It will further be appreciated that in such embodiment the overall height (fourth height H4) of the toy construction storage case 5 is defined by the distance from the lower edge/rim of the flanges 36, 37 to the upper/outer surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40.

The flanges 36, 37 may be continuous or intermittent. In Fig. 3 an

embodiment is shown where an inner flange 36 is continuous and the outer flange 37 is intermittent, in the sense that it is divided into sections.

The height of the flanges (i.e. in a direction parallel to the second height H2) is preferably configured such that the protrusions forming the attachment means of the first type 17, may be received in the space formed between the two parallel flanges, inner flange 36 and outer flange 37. In one embodiment the height of the flanges is equal to the height of the protrusions/knobs/studs forming the attachment means of the first type 17.

It will be appreciated that the third attachment means being provided as one or flanges 36, 37 will prevent horizontal movement between stacked toy construction cases 5’ 5”, and allow the above mentioned frictionless removal of an upper toy construction case 5’ from a lower toy construction case 5” by a relative horizontal movement between the two.

In embodiments, where the sidewalls (21 , 22, 22, 24, 41 , 42, 43, 44) of the toy construction storage cases 5 are not all perpendicular to each other, for example in the case of a triangular toy construction storage cases 5, some of the flanges 36, 37 may have regularly spaced openings to receive portions of the protrusions/knob/studs forming the attachment means of the first type 17 on for example a toy construction storage cases 5 placed below.

In embodiments, where the first toy building element is an assembly as described in connection with Fig. 5A-B above, the attachment means of the third type 35 may be formed on lower/bottom edges of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24. The attachment means of the third type 35 may then be formed integral with the respective sidewall 21 , 22, 23, 24. Alternatively, in

embodiments, also where the first toy building element is an assembly as described in connection with Fig. 5A-B, the attachment means of the third type 35 may be formed on the external surface 26” of the bottom wall 26.

The attachment means of the third type 35 may then be formed integral with the bottom wall 26.

In Fig. 4B, showing a side view of two toy construction storage cases 5’ and 5”, the outermost row of first attachment means 17 on the top of the lower toy construction storage case 5” can be seen between the two toy construction storage cases 5’ and 5”. The toy construction storage cases 5’, 5” in Figs. 4A-B are the same as in Figs 3A-E, and the third attachment means 35 being provided as two flanges that are located at a distance from the perimeter of the bottom wall 26, allows us to view the mentioned outermost row of first attachment means 17. In further embodiments (not shown) the attachment means of the third type 35 may alternatively be formed as attachment means of the second type 18. Such attachment means may for example be formed at the same location as the flanges 36, 37 shown in Fig. 3E.

It will be appreciated that the first type of connection means 17, formed on the upper surface 45’ of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40, and the attachment means of the third type 35 formed at the

external/outer surface 26” of the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20, may be reversed between the two.

As will be appreciated, the attachment means of the third type 35 at the bottom of the first toy building element 20 allows a first toy building element 20 to cooperate with a surface provided with first attachment means 17, such as an upper surface 45” of a second toy building element 40, as shown in Figs. 1 , 4A-B, 8 10 and 10B. Flowever the attachment means of the third type 35 at the bottom of the first toy building element 20 allows a first toy building element 20 to cooperate with toy building plates (not shown). Toy building plates are known in the art. Toy building plates are plates, which are thin, and are provided with attachment means of the first type 17 on one side. By thin is meant that the toy building plates has a height which is smaller than the first height H1.

Figs. 1 , 8 and 10 shows embodiments of a toy construction system 1 according to the invention. In these embodiments all of the toy construction storage cases 5 of the toy construction system 1 has the same general shape (regular parallelepipeds), but being of different sizes. Flowever the toy construction/building system 1 according to the invention may comprise a plurality of toy storage cases 5, and each or some of the plurality may have different number of sides (sidewalls of the first and second toy building elements 20, 40). As shown in Figs. 5A-B, 7 and 11 A, the internal/inner surface 26’ of the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 may be smooth. However, in other (not shown) embodiments, the internal/inner surface 26’ of the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 - or portions thereof - may be provided with a grid/lattice of attachment means of the first type 17.

In some further embodiments (not shown), one or more sidewalls - or portions of one or more of the sidewalls - of the first toy building element 20 may be lower than the second height H2, in order to create a window allowing a user to view into the first storage space 27 inside the toy construction storage case 5.

If, for examples, the first toy building element 20 has three side walls, one of the sidewalls may be lower than second height, H2, while the other two side walls have the second height, H2, in order to support the second toy building element 40. If for examples, the first toy building element 20 has four side walls 21 , 22, 23, 24, one or two of the sidewalls may be lower than second height, H2. The other three or two sidewalls, respectively, may in such cases have the second height H2, in order to support the second toy building element 40, and in order to provide the overall fourth height H4 of the toy constructions storage case 5.

In order to comply with the above mentioned purpose of preventing items, such as toy building blocks, such as first toy building block, from falling out of the first toy building element each such window may therefore be sized to prevent items from falling out, .i.e. the window is preferably smaller than the smallest items that needs to be prevented from falling out. In other embodiments any windows may be equipped with a grid or lattice of some form which may prevent items from falling out, but may allow visual inspection into the toy construction case 5. One or more of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may in (not shown) embodiment, further comprise one or more windows formed in a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, to allow visual inspection of the content of the toy construction storage case 5. In this case, the remaining part of each of the one or more sidewall(s) 21 , 22, 23, 24 having a transparent window, would be formed as one integral unitary structure. Alternatively, in (not shown) further embodiments, one or more of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may be formed entirely in a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, to allow visual inspection of the content of the toy construction storage case 5.

However, in some embodiments, such a window(s) may also be sized so as to allow a user to enter a hand into the storage space 27, e.g. to enter or extract a building block (such as a first building block 10) or other item.

In yet other embodiments (not shown), the bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 may - alternatively or additionally - comprise one or more windows formed in a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, to allow visual inspection of the content of the toy construction storage case 5.

In yet other embodiments (not shown), the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 may - alternatively or additionally - comprise one or more windows formed in a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, to allow visual inspection of the content of the toy construction storage case 5.

In any of the above described embodiments, the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may have a thickness being a multiple of a distance between the individual lattice positions of the grid of the attachment means of the first type 17 of the first type of building block 10 and of the second toy building element 40, described above, i.e. the distance may be an integer multiple (where the integer belongs to the natural numbers) of the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. Thus the thickness of each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may for example be one, two, three or four times the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. In a particular embodiment the thickness each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 is two times the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17.

In any of the above described embodiments, one or more of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may further comprise one or more rectangular recesses 50. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 shows embodiments, where one rectangular recess 50 is provided at a central location at an upper portion of each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20. Figs. 11 A-B shows an embodiment where the first toy building element 20 comprises one rectangular recess 50 formed at an upper portion, and in a decentral position on a single sidewall, third sidewall 23 of the four sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20.

The rectangular recesses will now be described in further detail with reference to Fig 5A. Fig. 5A shows that rectangular recesses are made in all four sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20. Due to the viewing angle, the rectangular recesses 50 in the second sidewall 22 and the fourth side wall 24 can only be identified by an elongate notch in each of the upper edges 22’ and 24 ', respectively. The rectangular recesses 50 formed in the first side wall 21 and the third sidewall 23, however, are fully visible. Each of the four rectangular recesses 50 is identical to the rectangular recesses 50 in the first and third sidewalls 21 , 23. The rectangular recesses, in this embodiment, are formed as a depression in the sidewall, such that - at the rectangular recess, the thickness of the sidewall is smaller than the remaining parts of the sidewall. The rectangular recess 50 defines an upwardly facing second ledge 51. The second ledge is preferably provided with attachment means of the first type 17. Thereby, toy building blocks, e.g. toy building blocks having attachment means of the second type 18, such as the first toy building blocks 10, may be attached in the rectangular recesses 50.

The shown rectangular recesses 50 are not though-going, i.e. they do not extend through the sidewalls of the first toy building element 20. Thus, each of the rectangular recesses 50 further has a back wall 55. The above mentioned second ledge 51 and first and second side ledges 52, 53, connects the back wall 55 of the rectangular recesses 50 with the remainder of the sidewall 21 , 23.

In (not shown) embodiments, the back wall 55 of each or some rectangular recesses 50 may be formed in a transparent material, such as transparent plastic.

In other (not shown) embodiments, the rectangular recesses 50 may be through-going.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5A-B, the second ledge 51 has a width, or depth, allowing one row of attachment means of the first type 17 to be arranged thereon. Thus, the width of the second ledge 51 is equal to the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. In the shown embodiment, the thickness of each of the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 is two, times the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. The thickness of the back wall 55 at the rectangular recess 50 is half of the thickness of the surrounding sidewall, i.e. on time the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3A-E, 4A-B and 11 A-B, the width of the second ledge 51 is also equal to the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. However, in other (not shown) embodiments, the width of the second ledge may be for example be two, three or four times the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17, allowing two, three or four rows of attachment means of the first type 17. In these cases, the thickness of the sidewall would need to be increased accordingly.

Figs. 11A-B show an embodiment, where a first toy building element 20 of a toy construction storage case 5 has one rectangular recess 50 formed in a single sidewall, third sidewall 23. In this embodiment of the toy construction storage case 5 the sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 has a thickness of only on time the distance between two neighbour protrusions/studs/knobs of a row or column of the protrusions/studs/knobs in the grid/lattice forming the attachment means of the first type 17. In this embodiment, the back wall 55 at the rectangular recess 50 is formed as a thin plate indented slightly from the inner surface of the third sidewall 23. In all cases, the back wall 55 at the rectangular recess 50 is preferably formed integrally with the sidewall 21 , 22, 23, 24 in which it is formed, such as in an injection moulding process.

As illustrated in Figs. 11A-B, rectangular recesses 50 may be used to label a toy construction storage case 5. In Fig. 11 A, four second toy building blocks 10’ are shown. The second toy building blocks 10’ are generally identical two the first building blocks 10, described above. Thus, the second toy building blocks 10’, like the first toy building block 10, has the same height, first height H 1 , and the same length, first length L1. The second toy building blocks 10’ differs from the first toy building block 10 in that is has half the width, and correspondingly the second toy building blocks 10’ only has four knobs forming the first attachment means 17. The knobs are formed in a regular 1 ^c 4 grid. The four second toy building blocks 10’ may have different colours.

In Figs. 11A-B the rectangular recess 50 has a height of four times the first height H 1. This means that four second building blocks 10’ may fit connected on top of each other in the rectangular recess 50. Thereby, e.g. by the use of differently coloured second building blocks 10’ visual markings, e.g. indicative of the content of the toy construction storage case 5, may be provided.

In Fig 11 B, the rectangular recess 50 having again a height of four times the first height H 1 , has been filled out with the toy building blocks of different shapes and colours to form markings, in the form of numbers. The toy building blocks comprises:

- a third toy building block 10” having first height H 1 , the same width as the second toy building block 10’, a length corresponding to three knobs forming the first attachment means 17, i.e. the third toy building block 10” has knobs forming a regular 1 ^c 3 grid; - a fourth toy building block 10’” having first height H1 , the same width as the second toy building block 10’, a length corresponding to two knobs forming the first attachment means 17, i.e. the third toy building block 10” has knobs forming a regular 1 ^c 2 grid; and

- a fifth toy building block 10”” having first height H1 , the same width as the second toy building block 10’, a length corresponding to one knob forming the first attachment means 17, i.e. the third toy building block 10” has knobs forming a regular 1 ^c 1 grid.

Each of these may have different colours.

Using the differently shaped and coloured third, fourth and fifth toy building blocks, the upper toy construction storage case 5 in Fig. 11 B carries the number 1 , and the lower toy construction storage case 5 in Fig. 11 B carries the number 9, written in toy building blocks.

Referring now to Fig 8, a toy construction system 1 comprising five toy construction storage cases 5 of five different sizes is shown. The toy construction system 1 also comprises toy building blocks, at least of the type first toy building blocks 10. Flowever, no toy building blocks are shown in the figure. The toy construction system 1 comprises a first toy construction storage case 5’ on the top, being the smallest of the five toy construction storage cases 5. The first toy construction storage case 5’ is placed on top of a second toy construction storage case 5”, which has a length, second and third lengths, L2, L3 and a width W2, W3, both of which are twice the length and width of the first toy construction storage case 5’. The height of the first and second toy construction storage cases 5’, 5” are equal.

The second toy construction storage case 5” is placed on top of a third toy construction storage case 5”’, which has a length, L2, L3 and a width W2, W3, both of which are twice the length and width of the first toy construction storage case 5”. The height of the first and second and third toy construction storage cases 5’, 5”, 5’” are equal.

The third toy construction storage case 5’” is placed on top of a fourth toy construction storage case 5””, which has a length, L2, L3 and a width W2, W3, both of which are twice the length and width of the first toy construction storage case 5”. In this case, the height of the fourth toy construction storage case 5”” is also double of that of the first and second and third toy

construction storage case 5’, 5”, 5’”.

The fourth toy construction storage case 5”” is placed on top of a fifth toy construction storage case 5””, which has a length, L2, L3 and a width W2, W3, both of which are twice the length and width of the fourth toy

construction storage case 5””. The height of the fourth and the fifth toy construction storage cases 5””, 5’”” are equal.

As shown in Fig. 11 A, in further embodiments, the upper rim 25’ of the first toy building element 20 may be provided with first attachment means 17. The second toy building element may in this case be equipped with second attachment means 18 provided on the internal/inner surface 45” of the top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 at least along a rim thereof, or the second attachment means 18 provided on the bottom rim of the second, provided at the bottom edges 4T, 42’, 43’, 44’ of the sidewalls41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40.

Thus, Fig. 8 illustrates how the sizes of toy construction storage cases 5 may be varied by e.g. doubling the width, the length or the height of the toy construction storage cases 5 or two of them. Also, in Fig. 8, it is illustrated that a toy construction storage case 5 may comprise a first toy building element 20 and two second toy building elements 40. Thus, in Fig. 8 the lowermost, fifth toy construction storage case 5’”” has one first toy building element 20, and is covered by two second toy building elements 40.

One way of allowing a first toy building element 20 to be covered by e.g. two second toy building element as shown in Fig. 8, could be by providing one or more openings or depressions 29 in the upper/top edges 2T, 22’. 23’. 24’ of the sidewalls 21 , 22, ,23, 24, respectively, or in the upper/top rim 25’of the first toy building element 20, as illustrated in Figs. 5A-B. In this case, openings 29 are provided in the central parts of each of the four sections of the upper/top rim 25’of the first toy building element 20 corresponding to each of the four sidewalls 21 , 22, ,23, 24. These openings 29 may receive a lower portions of a sidewall 41 , 42, 43, 44 of a second toy building element 40 of the kind shown in Fig. 6. In other embodiments, where the first attachment means 17 are provided on a the top rim 25’ of the first toy building element 20, two second toy building element 40 may be brought to cover the open side 25 of the first toy building element 20 if they are configured with corresponding second attachment means 18 arranged on the bottom rim 46’.

In yet other embodiments, where the first attachment means 17 are provided on a the top rim 25’ of the first toy building element 20, two second toy building element 40 may be brought to cover the open side 25 of the first toy building element 20 if the second toy building blocks are of a type where the lower surface of the top wall intersects with the sidewalls of the second toy building element at the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the second toy building element, i.e. where the bottom rim 46’ of the second toy building element 40 is in the same plane as the lower surface 45” of the top wall 45.

In this case attachment means of the second type 18 are preferably provided in the lower surface 45” of the bottom wall 45 of the second to building element 40 along the perimeter/rim of the of the lower surface of the second toy building element 40. In this case the first attachment means 17, provided on a the top rim 25’ of the first toy building element 20, may cooperate with the corresponding second attachment means 18 arranged at the rim 46’ of the lower surface 45” of the second toy building element 40.

Now reference is made to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 illustrates how toy construction storage cases 5 of various sizes may be used in combination with a plurality of different types of toy building blocks, including at least to first toy building blocks 10, to create a toy landscape. In Fig. 10 there are four toy construction storage cases 5 of the same general shape (regular parallelepipeds) but each of a different size, here with the largest 5”” on the bottom and the smallest 5’ at the top. First toy building blocks 10 are used to create toy stairs between plateaus provided by free upper surfaces of the top surfaces 45’ of the toy construction storage cases 5. Other toy structures are provided by other types of toy building blocks and combinations thereof, and toy figurines.

The bottom wall 26 of the first toy building element 20 may preferably be formed in (manufactured from) plastic. The sidewalls 21 , 22, 23, 24 of the first toy building element 20 may preferably be formed in (manufactured from) plastic. The top wall 45 of the second toy building element 40 may preferably be formed in (manufactured from) plastic. The sidewalls 41 , 42, 43, 44 of the second toy building element 40 may preferably be formed in (manufactured from) plastic.

It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description. For example, the specific materials used and the specific injection moulding procedure have not been described in detail since it is maintained that the person skilled in the art would be able to find suitable materials and suitable processes to manufacture the toy construction storage cases 5 according to the current invention.

Parts list

I toy construction system

5 toy construction storage case

10 first toy building block

10’ second toy building block

I I (first) sidewall of first toy building block

12 (second) sidewall of first toy building block

13 (third) sidewall of first toy building block

14 (fourth) sidewall of first toy building block

15 top wall of first toy building block

16 bottom surface/bottom side of first toy building block

16’ rim, bottom/lower rim of first toy building block defined by lower

rims/edges of the side walls of the first toy building blocks

17 first attachment means/first type of attachment means on first toy building block, and on second toy building element

18 second attachment means/second type of attachment means on first toy building block

19 cylindrical element

20 first toy building element of the toy construction storage case

21 (first) side wall of first toy building element

21’ top edge of the first side wall of first toy building element

22 (second) side wall of first toy building element

22’ top edge of the second side wall of first toy building element

23 (third) side wall of first toy building element

23’ top edge of the third side wall of first toy building element

24 (fourth) side wall of first toy building element

24’ top edge of the fourth side wall of first toy building element

25 open upper/top surface of the first toy building element

25’ upper/top rim of the first toy building element

26 bottom wall of first toy building element 26’ internal/inner surface of the bottom wall of the first toy building element

26” external/outer/bottom surface of the bottom wall of the first toy

building element

27 internal first storage space of first toy building element

28 first ledge stepped ledge/shelve/elongate recess

29 opening or depression in upper/top rim of the first toy building

element

31 complementary connection means between sidewalls of first toy building element

32 complementary connection means between sidewalls of first toy building element

33 complementary connection means between sidewalls and bottom wall of first toy building element

34 complementary connection means between sidewalls and bottom wall of first toy building element

40 second toy building element of the toy construction storage case

41 (first) sidewall of the second building element

41’ bottom edge of the first side wall of second toy building element 42 (second) sidewall of the second building element

42’ bottom edge of the second side wall of second toy building element

43 (third) sidewall of the second building element

43’ bottom edge of the third side wall of second toy building element

44 (fourth) sidewall of the second building element

44’ bottom edge of the fourth side wall of second toy building element

45 Top wall of the second building element

45’ upper surface or top surface of the top wall of the second toy building element

45” internal/inner/lower surface of the top wall of the second toy building element

46 open bottom side/ bottom side of the second toy building element 46’ rim, bottom rim of the second toy building element

47 second storage space, internal storage space of the second toy building element

50 rectangular recesses in sidewall of the first toy building element

51 second ledge, ledge of rectangular recess

52 (first) side ledge of rectangular recess

53 (second) side ledge of rectangular recess

55 back wall of rectangular recess

H1 first height (height of the first toy building block)

H2 second height (height of the first toy building element)

H3 third height (height of the second toy building element)

H4 fourth height (height of the toy building storage case)

L1 first length (length of first toy building block)

L2 second length (length of first toy building element)

L3 third length (length of second toy building element)

W1 first width (width of first toy building block)

W2 second width (width of first toy building element)

W3 third width (width of second toy building element).

Claims

1. A toy construction system (1 ) comprising a first toy building block (10) and a toy construction storage case (5),

wherein the first toy building block (10) comprises

- a top wall (15);

- a bottom surface (16);

- at least one sidewall (11 , 12 ,13, 14) extending from said top wall (15) to said bottom surface (16) and having a first height (H1 ); - attachment means of a first type (17) formed at the top wall (15); and

- a second type of attachment means (18) formed at the bottom side (16), the second type of attachment means (18) being complimentary to the first type of attachment means (17), wherein the toy construction storage case (5) comprises a first toy building element (20) and a second toy building element (40), wherein the first toy building element (20) comprises

- a bottom wall (26);

- at least one side wall (21 , 22, 23, 24) extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall (26);

- a storage space (27) defined between said bottom wall (26) and said at least one side wall (21 , 22, 23, 24); and

- an open top side (25);

wherein said second toy building element (40) is configured for closing said open top surface (25) of the first toy building element (20), and comprises

- a top wall (45);

- at least one side wall (41 , 42, 43, 44) extending perpendicularly from said top wall (45); and - attachment means of the first type (17) formed on said top wall (45) of said second toy building element (40),

wherein each of the at least one sidewall (21 , 22, 23, 24) of said first toy building element (20) is formed as one integrated unitary structure, wherein said first toy building element (20) has a second height (H2), wherein said second toy building element (40) has a third height (H3), wherein, when said second toy building element (40) is attached to said first toy building element (20), said toy construction storage case (5) has a fourth height (H4) being the sum of the second height (H2) and the third height (H3), and

wherein said fourth height (H4) is an integer multiple of said first height (H1 )

2. A toy construction system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one side wall(s) (21 , 22, 23, 24) of the first toy building element (20) forms a closed surface devoid of any apertures.

3. A toy construction system (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said at least one side wall(s) (41 , 42, 43, 44) of the second toy building element (40) forms a closed surface devoid of any apertures.

4. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -3, wherein each of said at least one side wall(s) (21 , 22, 23, 24) of the first toy building element (20), and each of said at least one side wall(s) (41 , 42, 43, 44) of the second toy building element (40) are flush with each other when said second toy building element (40) is placed on said first toy building element (20).

5. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -4, wherein a bottom surface (26”) of the first toy building element (20) is provided with third attachment means (35), being configured to cooperate with attachment means of the first type (17).

6. A toy construction system (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the third attachment means (35) are configured to cooperate with attachment means of the first type (17) such that horizontal movement between two stacked toy construction cases (5’ 5”) is prevented, and that frictionless removal of an upper toy construction case (5’) from a lower toy construction case (5”) is allowed by a relative horizontal movement between the two toy construction cases (5’, 5”).

7. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -6, wherein the at least one sidewall (21 , 22, 23, 24) of said first toy building element (20) comprises a first ledge (28) configured for receiving a bottom rim (46’) or a downwardly extending flange of said second toy building element (40).

8. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -7, wherein an upwardly facing surface of the upper rim (25’) of the first toy building element (20) is provided with attachment means of the first type (17).

9. A toy construction system (1 ) according claim 8, wherein a downwardly facing surface of the bottom rim (46’) of the second toy building element (40) is provided with attachment means of the second type (18) and configured for cooperating with the attachment means of the first type (17) on the upwardly facing surface of the upper rim (25) of the first toy building element (20).

10 A toy construction system (1 ) according claim 8 or 9, wherein the lower surface (45”) of the top wall (45) of the second toy building element (40) is provided with attachment means of the second type (18) and configured for cooperating with the attachment means of the first type (17) on the upwardly facing surface of the upper rim (25) of the first toy building element (20).

11. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -10, wherein the fourth height (H4) is at least six times the first height (H1 ).

12. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -11 , wherein at least one of the at least one sidewalls (21 , 22, 23, 24) of the first building element (20) comprises a rectangular recesses (50) with a second ledge (51 ) and wherein the second ledge (51 ) is provided with attachment means of the first type (17).

13. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -12, wherein said second height (H2) and said third height (H3) each are integer multiples of said first height (H1 ).

14. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -13, wherein the at least one sidewall(s) (21 , 22, 23, 24), and the bottom wall (26) of the first toy building element (20) are formed as one integrated unitary structure.

15. A toy construction system (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1 -13, wherein each of the at least one sidewall(s) (21 , 22, 23, 24), and the bottom wall (26) of the first toy building element (20) are each formed as one integrated unitary structure and each comprises complementary connection means (31 , 32, 33, 34; 31’, 32’, 33’, 34’) allowing the at least one sidewall(s) (21 , 22, 23, 24), and the bottom wall (26) to assemble into a first toy building element (20).