U.S. patent application number 10/261604 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for nail and toy set.
Invention is credited to Laferrera, Anthony.
Application Number | 20040077256 10/261604 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32092333 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040077256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laferrera, Anthony |
April 22, 2004 |
Nail and toy set
Abstract
A toy log assembly set is disclosed having various length
stackable log-like structural members, nail-like fasteners and a
hammer for building composite structures like a house or cabin and
stimulating child development. Structural members may include base
pieces and/or stacking pieces that are used to form the foundation
and walls of the composite building structure. Each of the pieces
has an aperture for receiving the fasteners to secure the pieces
together and some or all of the apertures are countersunk to
receive the head of the fasteners. A hammer may be used to insert
the fasteners completely in the apertures.
Inventors: |
Laferrera, Anthony; (Basking
Ridge, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLANK ROME LLP
600 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
32092333 |
Appl. No.: |
10/261604 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/107 20130101;
A63H 33/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/085 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/04 |
Claims
I claim
1. A toy log assembly set comprising: a plurality of longitudinally
extending building structural members having a substantially
uniform cross-section, each of the structural members comprising
two substantially parallel, spaced-apart sides, a top surface
substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from a bottom surface,
two spaced-apart ends, and at least one substantially uniform
aperture extending through the structural members from the top
surface to the bottom surface perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the structural members, each of the at least one apertures
including a countersink; and a plurality of fastening devices each
insertable in the at least one aperture for securing at least two
structural members together, each of the fastening devices
including a head.
2. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
aperture is countersunk to receive the head of the fastening
devices.
3. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
aperture has a shape selected from the group consisting of round,
square, rectangular, triangular, and oval.
4. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein each of the at
least one apertures on each of the plurality of structural members
are located the same distance from the spaced-apart ends of the
structural members.
5. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
structural members are made from a material selected from the group
consisting of wood, plastic, and metal.
6. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein one of the
plurality of fastening devices has a shank that has the same shape
as the apertures.
7. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fastening devices have a shank, wherein the lower portion of the
shank comprises two oppositely-facing flexible sides forming an
opening between them.
8. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fastening devices comprise a shank, wherein the lower portion of
the shank is narrower than the upper portion of the shank and
wherein the upper portion of the shank comprises two
oppositely-facing flexible sides forming an opening between
them.
9. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fastening devices comprise a shank, wherein the proximate and
distal ends of the shank have the same dimensions and wherein the
middle portion of the shank is tapered in at the center.
10. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
fastening devices are made from a material selected from the group
consisting of wood, plastic, and metal.
11. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the sides of the
plurality of structural members are longer than the height and
width of the structural members.
12. The assembly set according to claim 1, wherein the width of the
plurality of structural members is about twice the height of the
structural members.
13. A toy log assembly set comprising: a first plurality of
longitudinally extending building structural members having a
substantially uniform cross-section, each of the structural members
comprising two substantially parallel, spaced-apart sides, a top
surface substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from a bottom
surface, two spaced-apart ends, and at least one substantially
uniform aperture extending through the structural members from the
top surface to the bottom surface perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the structural members, each of the at least one apertures
including a countersink; a second plurality of longitudinally
extending building structural members having a substantially
uniform cross-section, each of the structural members comprising
two substantially parallel, spaced-apart sides, a top surface
substantially parallel to and spaced-apart from a bottom surface,
two spaced-apart ends, and at least one substantially uniform
aperture extending through the structural members from the top
surface to the bottom surface perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the structural members, each of the at least one apertures
comprising a countersink; a plurality of fastening devices each
insertable in the at least one aperture of the first or second
plurality of structural members for securing at least two
structural members together, each of the fastening devices
comprising a head and a shank; and a hammer with a striking plate,
wherein the first plurality of structural members have a height
that is less than the height of the second plurality of structural
members.
14. The assembly set according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one aperture on the second plurality of structural members is
countersunk to receive the head of the fastening devices.
15. The assembly set according to claim 13, wherein each of the at
least one apertures on the first and second plurality of structural
members has a shape selected from the group consisting of round,
square, rectangular, triangular, and oval.
16. The assembly set according to claim 13, wherein each of the at
least one apertures on each of the first and second plurality of
structural members is located the same distance from the
spaced-apart ends of the structural members.
17. The assembly set according to claim 13, wherein one of the
plurality of fastening devices has a shank that has the same shape
as the apertures on the first and second plurality of structural
members.
18. The assembly set according to claim 13, wherein at least one of
the first plurality of structural members is the same length as at
least one of the second plurality of structural members.
19. A composite building structure made from a toy log assembly set
comprising: a foundation comprising at least one longitudinally
extending base structural member having a substantially uniform
cross-section, the structural member comprising two substantially
parallel, spaced-apart sides, a top surface substantially parallel
to and spaced-apart from a bottom surface, two spaced-apart ends,
and at least one substantially uniform aperture extending through
the base structural member from the top surface to the bottom
surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base
structural member; at least one wall on top of the foundation, the
wall comprising at least one longitudinally extending wall
structural member positioned on top of the at least one base
structural member having a substantially uniform cross-section,
each of the wall structural members comprising two substantially
parallel, spaced-apart sides, a top surface substantially parallel
to and spaced-apart from a bottom surface, two spaced-apart ends,
and at least one substantially uniform aperture extending through
the wall structural member from the top surface to the bottom
surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wall
structural member; a roof positioned on top of the wall; fasteners
for connecting the foundation, the at least one wall and the roof;
and at least one building item selected from the group consisting
of windows, dormers, entrance doors, and garage doors, wherein the
base structural member has a height that is less than the height of
the wall structural member.
20. The composite building structure according to claim 19, wherein
the fasteners for connecting the foundation to the at least one
wall is a plurality of fastening devices each insertable in the at
least one aperture of the base and the wall structural members for
securing at least two structural members together, each of the
fastening devices comprising a head and shank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to toy building sets
for children, and more particularly, to toy sets made up of
stackable structural members and construction fastening devices
from which composite building structures of sufficient complexity
may be erected to challenge a range of child ages and
interests.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Toys are an important ingredient in childhood development.
Toys not only offer amusement, but they can effect the physical,
cognitive, emotional and social growth of children. For example,
age-appropriate hands-on toys help develop fine-tuning motor skills
and hand-to-eye coordination in children. Structural building
blocks are especially suitable for facilitating those attributes in
children, and have been known in the art for many years going back
at least to 1922 when U.S. Pat. No. 1,402,438 to Nichols was issued
for Lincoln Logs.COPYRGT. type building blocks. Many toy building
block sets, as described below, are limited to simple structural
members that can be interfitted or stacked to erect small, modular,
building structures like houses.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,110,990 to Forbes, for example, discloses a
toy building set having various linear wooden structural members
with multiple notches that allow the members to be stacked in the
shape of a cabin having vertical walls and a pitched roof. The
stated advantage of the toy set is the ability to form gable-ended
roof structures to demonstrate the superior rigidity of the
structure compared to previous toy sets.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,304 to Sofer improves on the basic
structural member building block toy set by providing structural
members having multiple numbers of rectangular notches along the
length of the members. Those multi-notched members facilitate
erection of not only plane and horizontal surfaces, but also
stepped (i.e., slopped) surfaces.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,076 to Beck discloses a toy set having
modular interlocking structural construction pieces made of wood
that may be assembled in the shape of a cabin or house. The toy set
preferably includes up to twenty different shaped members having
rectangular notches at the ends on one or more sides that allow the
pieces to stack together thereby, forming crossed, half-lap joints.
It is stated that the toy set enhances rational thinking and
reasoning in children and adults as a result of the assembly
process and also teaches the relationship between orderliness and
efficiency.
[0008] Simple building block toy sets like the aforementioned toy
sets rely entirely on notches that form loose joints and friction
for holding the assembled modular structure together. Interfitting
or stackable wood pieces with fastening devices add a degree of
complexity to the toy set and enhance their educational value. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,389,808 to Podell et al., for example, discloses a toy
set having multiple wood pieces with pre-drilled aperatures for
receiving oversized wooden bolts and nuts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,515
to George discloses a toy set having several different shaped
modular structural members and fasteners for erecting toy
structures. George discloses structural members with evenly spaced,
pre-drilled apertures along the length of the members for receiving
fasteners. In George, the different types of fasteners include
dowels, pegs, bolts, screws, pins and flexible barbs made of
various materials.
[0009] Toy sets that involve using a hammer or other striking tool
to strike pegs or objects can further enhance development of motor
skills and hand-to-eye coordination in children. U.S. Pat. No.
3,138,894 to Reaux, for example, discloses a peg board toy that
allows a child to strike wooden pegs in pre-drilled holes using a
hammer. The object of the toy is to provide amusement and assist
developing physical coordination. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.
1,555,993 to Larson discloses a toy block set having a nail
connected to a spring that can be repeatedly driven into the block
by striking it with a hammer.
[0010] Combining building block toy sets with toys having
hammerable fasteners would offer increased complexity and,
therefore, enhance the physical, cognitive, and emotional growth of
children while providing a source of amusement.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there
exists a need in the art for a building block toy set that includes
interfitting and/or stackable structural members and hammerable
construction fasteners that challenge the development of a range of
children of different ages and interests.
[0012] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a structural member that is stackable on other
structural members and has one or more apertures extending through
the structural member for receiving a fastener, and to provide a
fastener that is insertable in the aperture of the structural
members for connecting two or more of the structural members
together.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
fastener in the shape of a nail that can be struck with a
hammer.
[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide structural members and fasteners of various sizes for
erecting a modular structure that is sufficiently complex to
challenge a wide range of children, both physically, cognitively,
emotionally, and socially and that is entertaining and
interesting.
[0015] Briefly described, these and other objects and features of
the present invention are accomplished, as embodied and fully
described herein, by a series of linear structural members made of
virgin or recycled wood, plastic, metal or other lightweight yet
rigid material or a combination of those materials having a
generally rectangular profile that can be stacked together to form
horizontal and vertical planar surfaces defining the walls,
ceiling, floor and roof of a building structure, such as a cabin or
a house. Windows, doors, dormers, chimneys and other conventional
items may be integrated into the composite building structure.
There are two types of linear structural members: base pieces and
stacking pieces. The base and stacking pieces have approximately
the same width, but the height of the base pieces is generally half
the height of the stacking pieces. The lengths of each piece
varies.
[0016] To provide dimensional stability in the modular structure,
each structural member may include one or more apertures that is
pre-drilled in the member and extends through the member for
receiving a fastener. Each aperture is counterbored to provide a
countersink recess for the head of a nail-like fastener. The
nail-like fastener is made of virgin or recycled plastic, wood,
metal or other material or a combination of those materials and has
a generally flat head, round shank and flat or tapered tip. The
diameter of the shank is equal to or slightly larger than the
diameter of the aperture so that when the fastener is inserted in
the aperture it is held in place by friction contact with the
surface of the walls of the aperture. The fastener is designed not
to fail under moderate compressive forces from a hammer striking
the head of the fastener and also from moderate bending or
torsional forces applied to the head and shank.
[0017] The objects and features of the invention are also
accomplished by a method of using the linear structural members and
fasteners. With a supplied hammer, a child may outline the shape of
a building structure using base pieces and then begin adding
stacking pieces on top of the base pieces to form walls. One or
more fasteners are inserted into one or more apertures on the
pieces and driven into the apertures with the hammer to hold them
together.
[0018] With these and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention that may become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the
invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the
following detailed description of the invention, the appended
claims and to the several drawings attached herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a perspective view of the set of
linear structural members of the present invention showing both
base and stacking pieces;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective view of
one of the base pieces shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective view of
one of the stacking pieces shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4a is a side view of one embodiment of a fastener of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4b is a side view of another embodiment of a fastener
of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4c is a side view of another embodiment of a fastener
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of some of the base and
stacking pieces of FIG. 1, and the fastener of FIG. 4b being
inserted into an aperture on the pieces;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toy claw and anvil hammer
with an oversized grip;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a finished composite
building made from the base and stacking pieces shown in FIG. 1 and
the fasteners shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is a drawing of a child using the fasteners shown in
FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, the base and stacking pieces shown in FIG. 1,
and the hammer shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Several preferred embodiments of the invention are described
for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention
may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the
drawings.
[0030] Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like parts
are designated by like reference numerals throughout, FIG. 1 is a
perspective drawing of a set of linear structural members of the
present invention each made from virgin or recycled wood, plastic,
metal or other lightweight yet rigid material or a combination of
those materials. As shown in FIG. 1, there are two kinds of
structural members: base pieces 102, 104 and 106, and stacking
pieces 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120. The base pieces
102-106 are approximately rectangular and have a width W.sub.b,
height h.sub.b, and length l.sub.b such that l.sub.b>W.sub.b and
l.sub.b>h.sub.b (see FIG. 2). The width and height dimensions
can be linearly related according to
W.sub.b.apprxeq.p.times.h.sub.b, where p=2, 3, . . . n; however, it
is preferred that W.sub.b.apprxeq.2.times.h.sub.b. That is, the
width dimension is approximately twice the height dimension. It is
contemplated that the width dimension may be slightly greater than
or less than twice the height dimension.
[0031] The stacking pieces 108-120 are approximately rectangular
and have a width w.sub.s, height h.sub.s, and length l.sub.s such
that l.sub.s>w.sub.s and l.sub.s>h.sub.s (see FIG. 3) The
width and height dimensions can be linearly related according to
w.sub.s.apprxeq.p.times.h.sub.s, where p=1, 2, 3, . . . n; however,
it is preferred that w.sub.s.apprxeq.h.sub.s. That is, the width
dimension is approximately equal to the height dimension. Again, it
is contemplated that the width dimension can be slightly greater
than or less than the height dimension. It is also preferred that
W.sub.b.apprxeq.w.sub.s. That is, the width dimension of the base
pieces should be approximately equal to the width dimension of the
stacking pieces. The cross-sectional dimensions W.sub.b and
h.sub.b, in the case of the base pieces 102-106, and w.sub.s and
h.sub.s, in the case of the stacking pieces 108-120, are nearly
constant along the length of the individual pieces.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the base pieces 102-106 and the stacking
pieces 108-120 have apertures A drilled through the pieces so that
the longitudinal axes of the apertures are approximately
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pieces. The apertures
A are separated by a distance d apart. Preferably, the apertures A
are evenly spaced along the length l.sub.b and l.sub.s of the
pieces. The number of apertures A on each piece depends on the
lengths l.sub.b and l.sub.s and the separation distance d. For
example, as shown in FIG. 1, when d is approximately 0.75-inches,
there would be 20 holes on a base or stacking piece that is
15-inches long (see base piece 106 and stacking piece 120, for
example), 18 holes on a piece that is 13.5-inches long (not shown),
10 holes on a piece that is 7.5-inches long (base piece 104 and
stacking piece 118), 6 holes on a piece that is 4.5-inches long
(102, 116), 5 holes on a 3.75-inch piece (114), 4 holes on a 3-inch
piece (112), 3 holes on a 2.25-inch piece (110), and 2 holes on a
1.5-inch piece (108). If the distance d is greater than or less
than 0.75-inches, then a fewer or greater number of apertures A may
be included on each piece.
[0033] Some of the pieces may include apertures A that are not
equally separated by the same distance d. For example, on one piece
the apertures A may be spaced 0.75 inches apart and on another
piece the apertures A may be spaced 1.5-inches apart. Further, the
apertures A may be grouped at a particular end of the pieces or
grouped on both ends with the center portions having no apertures A
at all. As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferred that the apertures A be
round; however, they may also be square, rectangular, triangular,
oval or other non-round shape. Further, each piece 102-120 may have
a combination of different shaped apertures A.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective view of
one of the base pieces shown in FIG. 1. Each aperture A has an
outside diameter D1 that is pre-drilled in the piece. The apertures
A are preferably pre-drilled completely through the piece forming a
hole 204. In some instances, however, the apertures A may be
pre-drilled to a depth that is less than the height of the piece.
Each aperture may be counterbored to provide a countersink recess
202 to accept the shape of a fastener (see FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c) so
that the fastener is flush with the top surface of the base or
stacking piece. The countersink is made to a depth s on one end of
the aperture and has a diameter D2 such that D2 >D1.
[0035] Similarly, FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional, perspective
view of one of the stacking pieces shown in FIG. 1. As shown in
FIG. 3, each aperture A has a countersink 302 and a pre-drilled
hole 304 and is separated by a distance d. The dimensions of each
aperture A in FIG. 3 are the same as the dimensions of the
apertures A on the base piece shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] The apertures A on the linear structural members are
designed to accept a fastener like that shown in FIG. 4a. FIG. 4a
is a side view of one embodiment of a fastener 400 according to the
present invention. The fastener 400 is made of virgin or recycled
plastic, wood, metal or other material or a combination of those
materials and generally resembles a flat-head nail having a head,
shank and tip. Although a nail-like fastener is preferred, other
types of fasteners may also be used without departing from the
nature and scope of the invention, such as screws, pins, rivets,
bolts and the like.
[0037] The shank 406 of the fastener 400 should have a diameter D3
that is equal to or (preferably) slightly larger than the diameter
D1 of the aperture A so that the fastener 400 is held in the
aperture A by friction contact with the surface of the walls of the
aperture hole 204 (FIG. 2). It will be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the size of D3 will vary depending
on the tightness of the friction fit desired. When the fastener 400
is inserted in the aperture A, the radial force exerted by the
shank 406 of the fastener 400 against the surface of the aperture
hole 204 should be sufficient to hold the fastener 400 in place but
not too great that a child will not be able to readily separate the
linear structural members with reasonable force. Further, it is
contemplated that the friction force will be small enough so that a
child of reasonable strength can manually insert the fastener 400
by using, for example, a thumb or finger pressed against the top of
the head 402 and applying a force in the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the fastener 400. Separation of the linear
structural members connected by a fastener 400, or removal of the
fastener 400 from an aperture A, is facilitated by the opening 408
in the shank 406 that flexes inward when the fastener 400 is
inserted in the aperture A. The slit-type opening 408 reduces some
of the friction force exerted by the shank 406 of the fastener 400
against the surface of the hole 204.
[0038] As also shown in FIG. 4a, the head 402 has a height s equal
to the depth s of the countersink of the apertures A. This allows
the fastener 400 to fit approximately flush in the aperture A. The
head 402 has a diameter D2 approximately equal to the diameter D2
of the countersink of the apertures A.
[0039] The shank 406 of the fastener 400 is long enough to hold two
linear structural members together. Clearly, when a stacking piece
is on top of a base piece, the shank 406 should be equal to or less
than the combined height of those two pieces, or h.sub.b+h.sub.s.
However, when a stacking piece is stacked on top of another
stacking piece, the shank 406 should be equal to or less than the
combined height of those two pieces, or h.sub.s+h.sub.s. Thus, it
is contemplated that different lengths of fasteners 400 will be
required.
[0040] FIG. 4b is a side view of another embodiment of a fastener
420 according to the present invention. The fastener 420 has all of
the same features and attributes of the fastener 400, except for
the opening 428 and lower shank 430 shown in FIG. 4b. The fastener
420 includes a top 422, head 424, upper shank 426, opening 428,
lower shank 430 and tip 432. The opening 428 is larger than the
opening 408 on the fastener 400 and extends along a larger length
of the upper shank 426 of the fastener 420 compared to opening on
the shank 406 of the fastener 400. The lower shank 430 has a
slightly smaller diameter of length h.sub.t, such that
h.sub.t<h.sub.b and h.sub.t<h.sub.s. The lower shank 430 and
the tip 432 have a diameter D4 that is equal to or (preferably)
slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the aperture A. The
smaller diameter of the lower shank 430 and the tip 432 act as a
guide when inserting the fastener 420 in the aperture A and allow
that portion of the fastener 420 to be loosely held in the aperture
A by friction contact with the walls of the aperture hole 304 (FIG.
3). Most of the friction force will be exerted by the upper shank
426.
[0041] FIG. 4c is a side view of another embodiment of a fastener
440 of the present invention. The fastener 440 includes a top 442,
head 444, shank 446 and tip 450. The end of the shank 446 and the
tip 450 have a diameter D3 that is equal to or (preferably)
slightly larger than the diameter D1 of the aperture A so that the
fastener 440 is held in the aperture A by friction contact with the
surface of the walls of the aperture hole 204 (FIG. 2) or the hole
304 (FIG. 3). The shank 446 shown in FIG. 4c is hour-glass shaped
(exaggerated for clarity) to reduce the friction force exerted by
the fastener 440.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a composite structure 500
made from the base pieces 102 and 104 and the stacking pieces 108
and 116 being connected together using the fasteners 420 inserted
into the apertures A on the pieces.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toy claw and anvil hammer
600 with an oversized grip. Any type of striking device suitable
for use by children in connection with the present invention may be
used.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a finished composite
building 700 made from the base pieces 102-106 and the stacking
pieces 108-120 shown in FIG. 1, and the fasteners 400, 420 and 440
shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively. Composite building 700
may include a separately assembled roof 702 with one or more
optional dormers 704, upper windows 706, lower windows 708, front
entrance 710, garage door 712 and chimney 714 (not shown). Some of
those building items may be attached to the outside of the building
structure 700, like the dormers 704, the upper windows 706, and the
front entrance 710. Other building items may be integrated into the
building structure 700, like the garage door 712. However, each of
the aforementioned building items may be either integrated into the
building structure 700 or attached to the outside, depending on the
desires of the user. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art that other sizes and configurations of building
structures may be assembled from the pieces 102-120 shown in FIG.
1.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a drawing of a child using the fasteners 400, 420
and 440 shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, the base pieces 102-106 and
the stacking pieces 108-120 shown in FIG. 1, and the hammer 600
shown in FIG. 6. To assemble a building structure 800, a user
outlines the foundation 802 of the structure 800 using base pieces
102-106 and then begins building walls 804 by stacking one or more
stacking pieces 108-120 as shown in FIG. 8. After each layer is
added, a fasteners 806 may be inserted into one of the apertures A.
Using the hammer 600, the fastener 806 is inserted into the
aperture A by striking the top of the fastener 806 with the hammer
600.
[0046] Although only preferred embodiments are specifically
illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the
appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended
scope of the invention.
* * * * *