U.S. patent application number 10/492001 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for toy building set.
Invention is credited to Hatting, Jan, Kroigaard, Olav.
Application Number | 20050075035 10/492001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8160756 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatting, Jan ; et
al. |
April 7, 2005 |
Toy building set
Abstract
A toy building set that comprises: a first type of toy building
elements (1) that are configured with at least two protruding parts
(4, 4') provided with aligned transversal openings (5, 5'), a
second type of toy building elements (2) that are configured with
at least one protruding part (7) provided with a transversal
opening (8), and a pin (3). The at least one protruding part (7) on
the second type of toy building elements is/are configured for
being able to be positioned between the at least two protruding
parts (4, 4') on the first type of toy building elements (1),
whereby the transversal openings (5, 5',8) are caused to be
aligned, and the pin is configured such that it can be mounted in
the transversal openings (5, 5',8) for interconnection with the toy
building elements (1, 2). The pin (3) is provided with at least one
snap-engagement bead (11) at a distance (L) from the one end
thereof, said distance corresponding essentially to the width (B)
of a distally arranged, protruding part (4) on the first type of
toy building elements (1).
Inventors: |
Hatting, Jan; (Vejle,
DK) ; Kroigaard, Olav; (Bredsten, DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PITNEY HARDIN LLP
7 TIMES SQUARE
NEW YORK
NY
10036-7311
US
|
Family ID: |
8160756 |
Appl. No.: |
10/492001 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 7, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK02/00669 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/107 20130101;
A63H 33/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/085 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 9, 2001 |
DK |
PA 2001 01486 |
Claims
1. A toy building set comprising a number of toy building elements
that can be interconnected to form large structures, said toy
building set comprising: a first type of toy building elements that
is configured with at least two protruding parts provided with
aligned, transversal openings; a second type of toy building
elements that is configured with at feast one protruding part
provided with a transversal opening; and a pin; wherein the at
least one protruding part on the second type of toy building
elements is configured to be able to be arranged between the at
least two protruding parts of the first type of toy building
elements, whereby the transversal openings are caused to be
aligned; and wherein the pin is configured such that it can be
mounted in the transversal openings for interconnection of the toy
building elements wherein the pin is provided with at least one
snap-engagement bead at a distance from the one end thereof, said
distance corresponding essentially to the width of a distally
arranged protruding part of the first type of toy building
elements.
2. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the width of
the at least one protruding part on the second type of toy building
elements correspond(s) essentially to the distance between the at
least two protruding parts on the first type of toy building
elements.
3. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein at least the
distally arranged, through-going openings of the first type of toy
building elements are provided with a counterboring for receiving
the snap-engagement bead of the pin.
4. A toy building set according to claim 1 wherein the pin is
provided with a slotting in the area around the snap-engagement
bead.
5. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the pin is
provided with an expanded portion at the same end as the
snap-engagement bead.
6. A toy building set according to claim 5, wherein the pin is
provided with a grip at the same end as the expanded part.
7. A toy building set according to claim 6, wherein the grip is in
the shape of a spherical element that is mounted in extension of
the pin.
8. A toy building set according to claim 5, wherein the expanded
part of the pin has a plane end face; and that at least one
distally located, transversal opening in a protruding part on the
first type of toy building elements is/are provided with a
counterboring that is able to receive the expanded part of the
pin.
9. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the protruding
parts on both the first type of toy building elements and the
second type of toy building element are provided with pairs of
transversal openings that are configured for being able to be
aligned in pairs and interconnected by means of two pins.
10. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein at least some
of the toy building elements are manufactured from a soft and
flexible material.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a toy building set comprising a
number of toy building elements that can be interconnected to form
large structures, said toy building set comprising
[0002] a first type of toy building elements that are configured
with at least two projecting parts that are provided with aligned,
transversal openings;
[0003] a second type of toy building elements that are configured
with at least one projecting part provided with a transversal
opening; and
[0004] a pin,
[0005] wherein the at least one projecting part on the second type
of toy building elements is/are configured for being positioned
between the at least two projecting parts on the first type of toy
building elements, whereby the transversal openings are caused to
be aligned, and the pin is configured such that it can be mounted
in the transversal openings for interconnecting the toy building
elements.
[0006] EP-A2-0 294 080 teaches panels that can be interconnected to
form large structures, such as play houses, boxes for toys, cases,
etc. The panels are provided with laterally protruding parts
provided with transversal openings parallel with the panel's side.
Two panels can be arranged side-by-side in such a manner that their
respective protruding parts fit between each other, such that the
transversal openings are caused to be aligned. A pin can
subsequently be displaced into the transversal openings and thereby
couple the two panels to each other as a hinge joint.
[0007] The pins that are taught in that disclosure fit loosely into
the protruding parts of the panels, and they are kept in place by
means of three-dimensional corner elements that are snapped onto
the lowermost, horizontal pins. If these corner elements are not
used, it is highly likely that the pins drop from the protruding
parts of the panels during playing or other handling of the
structure thus built.
[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a toy building set
with toy building elements of the type described above that can, in
a simple manner, be coupled by means of a strong and stable joint
and that ensures that the pins used do not unintentionally drop
from the protruding parts of the toy building elements when two toy
building elements are interconnected.
[0009] This is obtained by configuration of the toy building set
described above such that the pin is provided with at least one
snap-engagement bead at a distance from the one end thereof, which
distance corresponds essentially to the width of a distally
arranged, protruding part on the first type of toy building
elements.
[0010] Hereby it is obtained that the pin that interconnects the
two types of toy building elements remain secure in their locking
position, since it will be possible to remove it only by exerting a
certain pressure or pull in the pin.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment the width of the at least one
protruding part on the second type of toy building elements
corresponds essentially to the distance between the at least two
protruding parts on the first type of toy building elements, such
that the two toy building elements cannot be displaced considerably
laterally in the axial direction of the pin when they are
interconnected. Hereby a particularly rigid interconnection is
obtained. However, according to particular embodiments a certain
clearance can be provided between the protruding parts of the toy
building elements, which clearance allows the toy building elements
to be shifted slightly in the axial direction of the pin. This
embodiment is particularly advantageous if the toy building set is
used for outdoors playing, where there is a risk of soil, sand and
the like to wedge between the toy building elements. The provision
of a certain clearance between the toy building elements minimises
the risk of these small particles becoming firmly stuck.
[0012] According to the preferred embodiment at least the distally
arranged through-going openings in the first type of toy building
elements are provided with a counterboring for receiving the
snap-engagement bead of the pin. Hereby it is obtained that the
snap-engagement bead has a free space into which it can expand
after having passed through the transversal opening in the
protruding part of the first type of toy building elements.
[0013] Advantageously the pin can be provided with a slotting in
the area around the snap-engagement bead, such that a clasping of
the pin in this area is obtained when it is displaced through the
transversal opening in the protruding part of the first type of toy
building elements.
[0014] Besides, the pin can be provided with an expanded portion at
the same end as the snap-engagement bead, whereby it is ensured
that the pin is not displaced too far into the transversal openings
with an ensuing risk of it being displaced all the way there
through.
[0015] In order to facilitate removal of the pin when the toy
building elements are to be separated again, it may advantageously
be provided with a grip at the same end as the expanded portion. A
particularly simple embodiment of the grip can be obtained by
configuring it like a spherical element mounted in extension of the
pin. Other configurations of the grip are, of course,
perceivable.
[0016] In some cases it is desirable that the pin does not extend
beyond the outer contours of the toy building elements when they
are assembled, and for use in such cases the expanded portion of
the pin can be configured with a plane end face, while
simultaneously at least one distally located, transversal opening
in a protruding portion of the first type of toy building elements
is/are provided with a counterboring that is able to absorb the
expanded portion of the pin. Hereby the end face of the pin will be
situated at the same level as the outer contour of the toy building
elements when the toy building elements are interconnected, and
there are thus no protruding parts that could prevent other
elements from being located closely adjoining the interconnected
toy building elements.
[0017] The protruding parts on both the first type of toy building
elements and on the second type of toy building elements can
advantageously be provided with pairs of transversal openings that
are configured for being, in pairs, aligned and interconnected by
means of two pins. Such pairs of interconnections allow that a
rigid joint is provided, whereas interconnection by use of only one
pin forms a hinge joint that allows the toy building elements to
rotate relative to each other about the pin.
[0018] If, additionally, at least some of the toy building elements
are manufactured from a soft and flexible material, flexible
interconnections between several toy building elements can be
obtained. If, for instance, a soft and flexible toy building
element is positioned between two hard toy building elements, the
flexible toy building element will allow a certain angulation
between the hard toy building elements. This is particularly
interesting if the toy building elements are used for games where
they are exposed to high loads, the flexible toy building elements
being able to receive stresses without being broken. Such high
stresses will typically occur if the toy building set is used for
outdoor playing that is often more rough than indoor playing.
[0019] The invention will now be explained in further detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematical view of two toy building elements
and an associated pin for a toy building element according to the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toy building elements
shown in FIG. 1 in interconnected state; and
[0022] FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments of two toy building
elements and associated pins for a toy building set according to
the invention.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows two toy building elements 1,2 and a pin 3 for a
toy building set according to the invention. The toy building
elements 1,2 are merely shown schematically as they may each
individually be provided with additional coupling means, eg in the
form of further protruding parts with transversal openings or
optionally with coupling studs and their complementary skirts.
[0024] The first toy building element 1 is of a first type that is
configured with two protruding parts 4,4' that are provided with
aligned, transversal, circular openings 5,5'. Counterborings 6 are
provided to both sides of the openings 5,5' and the functioning
thereof will be described below. The second toy building element 2
is of an alternative type that is configured with one protruding
part 7 that is also provided with a transversal, circular opening
8. The width of the protruding part 7 on the second toy building
element 2 corresponds essentially to the distance between the two
protruding parts 4,4' on the first toy building element 1, and the
transversal openings 5,5',8 are configured such in the toy building
elements 1,2 that they can be caused to be aligned with each other
when the protruding part 7 on the second toy building element 2 is
arranged between the two protruding parts 4,4' on the first toy
building element 1.
[0025] In the embodiment shown the pin 3 has a circular cross
section with a diameter that corresponds essentially to or is
slightly smaller than the diameter of the transversal openings
5,5',8 on the toy building elements 1,2. The pin 3 can therefore be
displaced essentially without friction through the transversal
openings 5,5',8 when the two toy building elements 1,2 are
interconnected as will be described below.
[0026] The pin 3 has an essentially cylindrical shape, it being,
however, rounded at the one end and provided with and expanded
portion or collar 9 at the other end. At the same end, a spherical
grip 10 is also provided. At a distance L from the collar 9 a
snap-engagement bead 11 is provided that extends radially from the
pin 3. The distance L corresponds to the width B of the protruding
part 4 on the first toy building element 1. The pin 3 is generally
configured as a massive element, but in the area around the
snap-engagement bead 11 it is provided with a transversal slotting
12, whereby a certain deformation of the pin 3 is allowed in this
area.
[0027] When the toy building elements 1,2 are interconnected, the
protruding part 7 on the second toy building element 2 is located
between the protruding parts 4,4' on the first toy building element
1, such that the transversal openings 5,5', 8 are caused to be
aligned. The pin 3 is subsequently displaced into the transversal
openings 5,5',8--the rounded end first. This is accomplished
essentially without friction until the snap-engagement bead 11
abuts on the protruding part 4 on the first toy building element 1.
Further pressure on the pin 3 causes the snap-engagement bead 11 to
be squeezed together, the slotting 12 being clasped together, and
the pin 3 may, while under friction, be displaced further until the
collar 9 abuts on the protruding part 4 on the first toy building
element 1. In this final position the snap-engagement bead 11 has
passed through the protruding part 4, and the counterboring 6 in
the protruding part 4 causes the snap-engagement bead 11 to be
freely expandable again, whereby the pin 3 is caused to snap-engage
with the protruding part 4.
[0028] The interconnection between the first and the second toy
building element 1,2 is shown in a sectional view in FIG. 2 that
shows the protruding parts 4,4',7 and the pin 3. It appears clearly
how the pin 3 is in snap-locking engagement with the protruding
part 4, the collar 9 being in abutment on the one side thereof,
whereas the snap-engagement bead 11 is in abutment on the other
side thereof. The remaining part of the pin 3 extends through the
transversal openings 5', and 8 in the protruding parts 4' and 7,
and in this manner it interconnects the two toy building elements
1,2 to form a hinge joint.
[0029] As opposed to the prior art hinge joints for use in toy
building sets the, pin 3, however, is secured in a simple manner
and essentially without friction against falling out.
[0030] In order to facilitate withdrawal of the pin 3 when the two
toy building elements 1,2 are once again to be separated, a
spherical grip 10 is provided at the one end of the pin. A pull in
this grip 10 will cause the snap-engagement bead to be clasped
together by the transversal opening 5, and the pin 3 can be
withdrawn, following which the toy building elements 1,2 can be
separated from each other.
[0031] The pin 3 can also be dismounted by exerting a pressure on
its rounded end, eg by use of another pin, instead of pulling the
spherical grip 10.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments of toy building
elements for a toy building set according to the invention. A first
and a second toy building element 101, 102 are shown that can be
interconnected by means of identical pins 103.
[0033] The toy building element 101 is shown as a comparatively
massive unit provided with protruding parts 104, 104', 104" that
are each provided with pairs of transversal openings 105, 105',
105" provided with counterborings 106 in the same manner as the toy
building element 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Between the protruding
parts 104, 104', 104" braced beads 113 are provided. As it is also
outlined the toy building element 101 is provided with
corresponding coupling means on the not shown side, and therefore
the toy building element 101 may also be a constituent of a large
structure constructed by means of the toy building elements in the
toy building set.
[0034] The toy building element 102 is also constructed with
oppositely oriented coupling parts in the form of protruding parts
107, 107' that are provided with transversal openings 108, 108'.
The protruding parts 107, 107' each has a width that corresponds to
the distance between the protruding parts 104, 104', 104" on the
toy building element 101 and, besides, they are configured such
that their transversal openings 108, 108' can be caused to be
aligned with the transversal openings 105, 105', 105" in the
protruding parts 104, 104', 104" of the toy building element 1.
Also the toy building element 102 is provided with pairs of
protruding parts 107, 107'.
[0035] For interconnecting the toy building elements 101 and 102,
two identical pins 103 are used. Like the pin 3 shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, each of the pins 103 is cylindrical with an expanded part or
collar 109 and a snap-engagement bead 111 at a distance from the
collar 109 that corresponds to the width of the protruding part 104
on the toy building element 101. Also, each of these pins is
provided with a transversal slotting 112 that allows the pin to be
squeezed together in the area at the snap-engagement bead 111.
[0036] During interconnection of the first and the second toy
building elements 101 and 102, the pairs of protruding parts 107,
107' of the second toy building element 102 are positioned between
the pairs of protruding parts 104, 104', 104" of the first toy
building element 101, whereby the transversal openings 105, 105',
105", 108, 108' are caused to be aligned. Now, the pins 103 are
displaced into the transversal openings 105, 105', 105", 108, 108',
until their collars 109 abut on the protruding part 104 on the
first toy building element 101, while simultaneously the
snap-engagement beads 11 engage with the opposite side of the
protruding part 104.
[0037] When two pins are used, as shown in FIG. 3, a complete
locking between the two toy building elements 101, 102 is
accomplished, when they are interconnected.
[0038] As will appear from FIG. 3, the pins 103 are not provided
with any grip for withdrawing the pins 103 when the toy building
elements 101, 102 are to be separated. Quite conversely, they are
only provided with a collar 109 whose height corresponds to the
depth of the counterboring 106, such that the ends of the pins 103
are plane with the lateral face of the toy building element 101
when mounted. Hereby it is obtained partly that other toy building
elements can be arranged closely adjoining the toy building element
101, and partly that the risk of unintentional withdrawal of the
pin 103 is minimized. The pins 103 can be dismounted by their being
pressed out from the opposite end, eg by use of a corresponding
pin.
[0039] The toy building elements 1,2, 101, 102 and the pins 3, 103
are preferably made of a hard plastics material. According to a
particular embodiment, however, one or more toy building elements,
eg the toy building element 102, can be manufactured from a
flexible and soft material, such as rubber in order to thereby
enable construction of structures that comprise flexible joints.
Such flexible joints may also be provided by attachment of a
flexible material on a hard toy building element by casting,
whereby this combined toy building element comprises both hard and
soft protruding parts.
[0040] The use of flexible joints are particularly interesting when
there is a risk of the structure thus constructed being exposed to
heavy loads, the flexible toy building elements being able to
receive such heavy loads and thereby contribute to avoiding that
the toy building elements or their interconnecting means are
destroyed.
[0041] The toy building element according to the invention
preferably comprises toy building elements of both the first and
the second type in various sizes, which means that different
structures can be constructed. The number of protruding parts on
both the first and the second type of toy building elements can
thus be varied, as is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In a
corresponding manner the toy building set according to the
invention also comprises pins in various lengths so as to be
adapted to the various dimensions of the toy building elements.
[0042] The toy building elements may comprise ordinary building
blocks as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, whereby it is possible to
construct various structures. However, they may also comprise the
so-called functionality elements that enable integration of various
functionalities in the structure thus constructed. For instance,
one of the toy building elements could be provided with an
electromotor, another with a battery box, a third with a control
unit, etc. Interconnection of such functionality elements enables
construction of eg automotive cars, robots, and the like.
Functionality elements other than those listed are, of course,
possible.
* * * * *