U.S. patent application number 09/268816 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for construction toy interconnector.
Invention is credited to GUDGER, KEITH H..
Application Number | 20010003694 09/268816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23024608 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GUDGER, KEITH H. |
June 14, 2001 |
CONSTRUCTION TOY INTERCONNECTOR
Abstract
A construction toy is disclosed which interconnects construction
toys of different types. One version connects toys of the
construction block type to toys of the hub and spoke type. Gripper
posts (22) or gripper arms (34 and 46) on the interconnector create
channels (24, 36 and 48, respectively) which receive a hub (40)
from a hub and spoke construction toy. Spokes from the hub and
spoke construction toy connect with the block toy at many different
angles. Blocks from the block type construction toy connect
normally on all faces of the base interconnector. Channels (24, 36
and 48) on the base allow variable hub (40) placement to
accommodate the different sizes and spacings of the different toys.
This invention maintains substantially all the possible connections
of each toy after interconnection.
Inventors: |
GUDGER, KEITH H.; (SOQUEL,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEITH H GUDGER
P O BOX 336
SOQUEL
CA
95073
|
Family ID: |
23024608 |
Appl. No.: |
09/268816 |
Filed: |
March 16, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/10 20130101;
A63H 33/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/85 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A construction toy interconnector for connecting different types
of construction toys, comprising: (a) a base with connecting means
for connecting said base to a first type of construction toy, and
(b) gripping means attached to said base, said gripping means
forming a channel whereby components from a second type of
construction toy are held with sufficient force to permit
construction, but also to allow continuously variable placement
along the length and height of said channel, thereby accommodating
the different sizes and spacings of each toy.
2. The construction toy interconnector of claim 1 wherein said
components from said second type of construction toy are hub-like
connector elements.
3. The construction toy interconnector of claim 1 wherein said
gripping means comprises a plurality of opposed pairs of posts,
said pairs of posts having flat facing sides.
4. The construction toy interconnector of claim 3 wherein said
posts are substantially longer than those normally found on said
first type of construction toy, thereby increasing the connection
strength at the friction points.
5. The construction toy interconnector of claim 1 wherein said
connecting means for connecting said base to a first type of
construction toy connect normally on a plurality of the faces of
said base with other components from said first type of
construction toy.
6. The construction toy interconnector of claim 1 wherein said base
has multiple connecting means for connecting to a plurality of
types of construction toys.
7. A method for interconnecting multiple types of construction toys
comprising: (a) a base with connecting means for connecting said
base to a first type of construction toy, and (b) gripping means
attached to said base, said gripping means forming a channel
whereby components from a second type of construction toy are held
with sufficient force to permit construction, but also to allow
continuously variable placement along the length and height of said
channel, thereby accommodating the different sizes and spacings of
each toy.
8. The method for interconnecting multiple types of construction
toys of claim 7 wherein said components from a second type of
construction toy are hub-like connector elements.
9. The method for interconnecting multiple types of construction
toys of claim 7 wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality
of opposed pairs of posts, said pairs of posts having flat facing
sides.
10. The method for interconnecting multiple types of construction
toys of claim 9 wherein said posts are substantially longer than
those normally found on said first type of construction toy,
thereby increasing the connection strength at the friction
points.
11. The method for interconnecting multiple types of construction
toys of claim 7 wherein said connecting means for connecting said
base to a first type of construction toy connect normally on a
plurality of the faces of said base with other components from said
first type of construction toy.
12. The method for interconnecting multiple types of construction
toys of claim 7 wherein said base has multiple connecting means for
connecting to a plurality of types of construction toys.
Description
BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to construction toys, specifically to
interconnecting different types of construction toys.
BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0002] Construction toys of many different configurations are very
well-known, pervasive, and popular. Construction toys generally
fall into one of two categories: building block toys or hub and
spoke toys. Building block construction toys take many different
forms, and some of these are extremely well-known in association
with their respective trademarks, for example LEGO.TM. and
DUPLO.TM., manufactured by Lego Systems, Inc. Hub and spoke
construction toys are also well known in association with their
respective trademarks, for example Tinkertoy.TM., manufactured by
Playskool Inc., a division of Hasbro, Inc., and K'NEX.TM.,
manufactured by K'NEX Industries, Inc. These toys employ various
connection means that permit blocks to connect to other blocks or
hubs to connect to spokes to build composite structures.
[0003] The numerous prior art building toys have many obvious
attractions. However, the design of these toys does not allow
interconnection with other types of toys. There are many reasons
for this. One reason is that the block's or hub's design is optimal
to permit them to connect with other components from the same toy.
(Note: DUPLOs and LEGOs interconnect, however these are both block
type construction toys and built using the same basic
spacings.)
[0004] Each of the two types of construction toys has two types of
structures: a round interconnecting post (32) or spoke, and a
rectilinear receptacle, such as a block or hub. (While hubs are
generally round, their sides or bases are usually flat. See FIG.
13.) In both cases "female" receptacles connect with "male"
extensions. In the building block case the receptacle side (female)
of a building block interlocks with the post side (male) of another
block. In hub and spoke toys a hub (female) interlocks with (male)
spokes or struts. Prior art interconnectors connected in the same
way. This meant blocks could only connect at a fixed angle and
position to struts or spokes of the hub and spoke toys. This posed
several problems.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,219 and 5,238,438 to Joel I. Glickman,
Oct. 29, 1991 and Aug. 24, 1993 respectively describe one example
of an interconnector. The interconnector 50 in Glickman's patents
(FIG. 10) is a block type toy with one receptacle 54 (female) for
the male end of a spoke described in his patent. Spokes can only
interconnect with these blocks at a perpendicular angle. The
diameter of the spoke is larger than the diameter of the block's
post (and the spacing between posts). This interconnector block can
only connect with spokes, and not other blocks on side 52. This is
because receptacle 64 is too large and there is no room left for
block posts to fit on this side. The side with posts 56 connects
only with blocks and not with spokes or hubs.
[0006] Construction toys have a basic spacing unit associated with
them. In the case of block toys, the basic spacing is the distance
between the posts' centers (the distance between the male
connectors). Blocks are then multiples of this unit. Another term
for this spacing unit is "pitch". The basic unit, or pitch, of hub
and spoke toys is the distance between the centers of two hubs
connected by the smallest spoke. The sizes of the larger spokes
make the distance between hub centers either a multiple of this
basic unit or a multiple of the square root of two times this basic
unit.
[0007] One could envision a hub and spoke toy designed with its
pitch a multiple of a block toy's pitch. However, this is not the
case for the well-known toys mentioned in Glickman's patent. Their
basic spacing units are not compatible. His interconnector does not
address this issue.
[0008] Paul T. Maddock's U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,201, Jun. 18, 1996,
(FIG. 11) describes another type of block interconnector 60. One
block type described includes a connection of the LEGO type, thus
describing an interconnector between two toy types. These blocks
have one or more faces with apertures (female) defined to receive
an elongated framing piece (male), such as a craft stick or a
"tongue depressor". This block's aperture also only accepts a
strut, and only a thin strut, not connectors or hubs from other
toys. The aperture 62 does not provide for more than one direction
or type of interconnection at each face. The aperture does not
address the spacing differences between the two blocks. The framing
piece that fits in this aperture is part of this toy set. The LEGO
style interconnector block does not use this aperture and there is
no adjustment for the differences in the block sizes of this toy
and the LEGO block.
[0009] Both Glickman's and Maddock's interconnectors merely provide
a connection to another type of toy. This is not enough. To build
complex composite structures one needs a better interconnector. A
better interconnector compensates for the differences in the toys;
these patents' interconnectors do not. A better interconnector
truly integrates the different toys; these patents' interconnectors
do not.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0010] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention
are:
[0011] (a) to provide a method for interconnecting construction
toys of different types, for example building block toys with hub
and spoke toys;
[0012] (b) to provide a method for interconnecting construction
toys which maintains substantially all the possible ways to connect
each different toy type to its own parts;
[0013] (c) to provide an interconnection at many different
angles;
[0014] (d) to provide an interconnection which is variable and
accommodates the different spacing units and sizes of each toy;
[0015] (e) to provide a strong interconnection that permits
variable placement.
[0016] One object and advantage of this invention is that struts
can connect with blocks at many different angles. Another object
and advantage is that this interconnector accommodates the
different pitches and sizes of the two toys. A further object and
advantage of this invention is that it maintains substantially all
the possible connections of each toy after interconnection.
[0017] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my
invention, where a base connects to a block type construction toy
and grips a hub of a well-known hub and spoke construction toy.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same block as FIG. 1
without the hub.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of the same block as FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my
invention, showing a base connecting to a block type construction
toy and vertical gripper arms holding a hub of a well-known hub and
spoke construction toy.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same block as FIG. 4
without the hub.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the same block as FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my
invention, showing a base connecting to a block type construction
toy and gripper arms formed into the base underside, holding a hub
of a well-known hub and spoke construction toy.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the same block as FIG. 7
without the hub.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the same block as FIGS. 7 and
8.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a construction block toy
with an interconnector for a spoke of a hub and spoke construction
toy as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,219 and 5,238,438 to Joel
I. Glickman, Oct. 29, 1991 and Aug. 24, 1993 respectively.
[0028] FIGS. 11a and 11b are bottom and top perspective views of a
construction block toy with craft stick (spoke) connection means as
described in Paul T. Maddock's U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,201, Jun. 18,
1996.
[0029] FIG. 12a is a perspective view of a well-known block type
construction toy.
[0030] FIG. 12b is a bottom view of a well-known block type
construction toy.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a front view of a hub from a well-known hub and
spoke construction toy.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0032] 20 Interconnector block
[0033] 22 Gripper post with one flat side for gripping hubs
[0034] 24 Channel where hub inserts
[0035] 26 Flat side of gripper post
[0036] 28 Underside of block construction toy
[0037] 30 Interconnector block
[0038] 32 Standard connection post
[0039] 34 Gripper arms
[0040] 36 Channel where hub inserts
[0041] 40 Hub from hub and spoke construction toy
[0042] 42 Interconnector block
[0043] 44 Circular post receptacle
[0044] 46 Gripper arm
[0045] 48 Channel where hub inserts
[0046] 50 Interconnector block from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,219 and
5,238,438 to Joel I. Glickman, Oct. 29, 1991 and Aug. 24, 1993
respectively
[0047] 52 Underside of block 50.
[0048] 54 Connection receptacle of block 50.
[0049] 56 Connection post of block 50.
[0050] 60 Interconnector block from Paul T. Maddock's U.S. Pat. No.
5,527,201, Jun. 18, 1996
[0051] 62 Channel where spokes (craft sticks) insert in block
60.
[0052] 64 Underside of construction toy block 60.
[0053] 66 Standard connection posts on top of block 60.
SUMMARY
[0054] This invention interconnects construction toys of different
types. One version connects construction block toys to construction
toy hubs. In this way the spokes from the hub and spoke
construction toy connect with the block toy at many different
angles. This connector also accommodates the different spacing
units and sizes of the two toys. This invention maintains
substantially all the possible connections of each toy after
interconnection.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0055] FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 show perspective views of three basic
versions of my interconnector. Note that these figures show a hub
connector 40 from a well-known hub and spoke construction toy
inserted into a gripping channel (24, 36 and 48, respectively). Hub
connector 40 is not part of this invention.
[0056] The version of my invention in FIG. 1 is based on a
well-known standard size construction toy block. A block 20 has a
female connector 28 (FIG. 12b) on the bottom that is identical to
the well-known block toy. The top of block 20 has posts 22 placed
in the same positions as the well-known toy (compare to FIG. 12a).
However, each post 22 in FIG. 1 has a semi-circular cross section.
Each post 22 has a flat side 26. These flat sides 26 of two rows of
posts face each other, forming channel 24. Channel 24's width is
designed to hold firmly a hub 40 of another well-known hub and
spoke construction toy.
[0057] The common description of the block size in FIGS. 1 through
3 is "2.times.5". This describes the top post layout in basic
units. This block's length of 5 units is not a standard length.
Block 20 is long enough to contain a 180 degree hub of the
well-known hub and spoke toy (FIG. 13). However, many different
block lengths are possible. Practical lengths include blocks from 2
to 6 units long. Wider blocks are also possible, although they are
not generally available in this type of construction toy. The width
of a one unit construction block is comparable to the width of a
hub. A one unit width interconnector between these two toys would
not have room to connect with the block toy on the gripping arms'
side.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the same basic version of
my interconnector as FIG. 1. This figure shows the interconnector
block 20 without a hub 40 inserted. Note the height of posts 22. In
this version of my invention posts 22 are approximately three to
four times taller than a standard post (FIG. 12a). This post height
is still short enough to fit inside standard height blocks. Longer
posts provide a better gripping surface to hold hub 40. However,
this is not necessary when there are many such posts as in FIGS. 1
through 3. The value of these longer posts is that they provide a
larger gripping surface to the underside female connectors of the
same construction toy blocks. This is useful because of the flat
side 26 of the posts. The standard underside 28 of these
construction blocks grips a standard post 32 in two to four places.
Posts with a flat side 26 usually touch the underside of standard
blocks in one less place, reducing the gripping force. Lengthening
the post 22 compensates for this reduction in gripping area.
[0059] Note that this version of my invention still connects
normally with standard construction toy blocks on all surfaces. The
bottom 28 is unchanged from the standard block. The placement of
top posts 22 is identical. The height and width of the block match
the sizes of the standard block construction toy.
[0060] The version of my invention in FIG. 4 is based on a standard
size construction toy block that is well-known. In this version
block 30 has part of the block the standard height and part of the
block twice the standard height. A block 30 of twice the height
increases the length and surface area of a gripping channel 36.
This increases the force with which gripping arms 34 grip hub 40.
Making a portion of block 30 a standard height enhances the
connection of this block 30 with other blocks of the standard type
block construction toy.
[0061] Note that this version of my invention still connects
normally with standard construction toy blocks on all surfaces. The
bottom is unchanged from the standard block. The top of the block
and the placement of top posts 32 is identical (compare FIG. 6 to
FIG. 12a). The height and width of the block match the sizes of the
standard block construction toy. The one side of the block with
gripper arms 36 obviously cannot fit directly up against other
blocks. This is not a limitation in use, however, as a hub 40 is in
channel 36. One then connects other pieces from the standard hub
and spoke construction toy on this side of block 30.
[0062] The amount of gripping force required to hold hub 40
determines the depth and length of gripper arms 36. The surface
area of a gripper arm 36 needs to be large enough to grip firmly
hub 40. In this version of my invention the length of gripper arm
36 is two block's height. The height of gripper arm 36 is
approximately one basic unit of the standard construction toy block
wide. These sizes facilitate connection with other blocks of the
well-known type.
[0063] This version of my invention has gripper arms 36 on the side
of the block, while the previous version had gripper posts 22 on
the top of the block. Side gripper arms 36 permit hubs 40 to
connect struts to the side of and above and below the blocks. A
block 30 can face either direction and interconnect in all four
directions in this plane. Block 20 permits interconnection in three
of the four directions in this plane. Hubs 40 permit connection
with the standard hub and spoke construction toy components in
directions out of the plane. Note also that blocks of the standard
construction block toy type already permit placement at 90 degree
angles, allowing interconnection in the third dimension.
[0064] The version of my invention in FIG. 7 is based on a standard
size construction toy block that is well-known. In this version
block 42 is a standard height, width and depth. This version of my
invention connects normally with standard construction toy blocks
on all surfaces. The top is unchanged from the standard block (FIG.
12a).
[0065] One end of the bottom of the block is of a standard type 28.
There are modifications to a portion of the underside of the block.
Instead of an open area, the area not required to mate with posts
becomes gripper arms 46. Between the gripper arms 46 are circular
regions 44 to mate with posts from other blocks. Opposing gripper
arms 46 form a channel 48 that holds a hub connector 40.
[0066] This version of my invention has gripper arms 46 on the
underside of a block, while the previous versions had gripper posts
22 on the top or gripper arms 36 on the side of blocks. Bottom
gripper arms 46 permit hubs 40 to connect spokes to the bottom and
sides of blocks. Hubs 40 permit connection with the standard hub
and spoke construction toy components in directions out of the
plane.
[0067] Clearly, one can place gripper arms on any of the six faces
of construction blocks. The key is to provide these gripper arms in
such a fashion as to not interfere with the standard methods for
connecting blocks to one another.
[0068] Note that the gripping surfaces of the arms and posts do not
have any "detents", channels or protrusions to strengthen their
grip on the hubs. While detents would certainly increase the grip
on the hubs, they would force a singular placement in the direction
out of the channel. This would interfere with matching the
different pitches or spacing units of the two toys in this
direction.
[0069] The figures show one standard type of hub and spoke
construction toy. Obviously many different types of hub and spoke
construction toys can connect to block type construction toys, even
though only one type is shown.
OPERATION OF INVENTION
[0070] FIGS. 2, 5 and 8 show three versions of my invention. FIGS.
1, 4 and 7 show a hub 40 inserted into channels 24, 36 and 48. The
width, length and height of base blocks 20, 30 and 42 are
consistent with other blocks of this well-known construction toy.
These versions of my invention fit easily into structures built
with this type of toy.
[0071] Here is the basic operation of my invention, describing how
to interconnect different types of construction toys:
[0072] 1. A base (20, 30 and 42) connects on several surfaces with
construction block toys of a well-known type.
[0073] 2. A hub 40 slides into a channel (24, 36 or 48) formed by
gripping means (22, 34 or 46).
[0074] 3. Spokes and hubs from a well-known hub and spoke toy
connect to hub 40 in channel 24, 36 or 48. Gripping means 22, 34 or
46 grip hub 40 with sufficient force.
[0075] 4. One adjusts the placement of hub 40 to match the spacing
requirements of the different toys. In this manner the two
different types of well-known construction toys interconnect.
[0076] Gripper posts 22 and gripper arms 34, 46 do not lock hubs 40
into one position, but instead allow for variable placement. The
placements of hub 40 is continuously variable along the length and
height of the channel. This accommodates the different pitches or
basic units of the two different types of construction toys.
* * * * *