U.S. patent application number 10/732165 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-16 for set of building components for building a plurality of predefined structures.
Invention is credited to Gomez, Eduardo G., Grill, Terry M., Karrenbrock, Jill M., Maniquis, Arturo A..
Application Number | 20050130553 10/732165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34652836 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050130553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maniquis, Arturo A. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2005 |
Set of building components for building a plurality of predefined
structures
Abstract
A building set includes a plurality of building components. The
components may be configured so that one or more predefined
structures may be constructed with a set of the components. For
example, the set of components may be configured any number of
predefined structures may be constructed, such as a table and
chairs, a boat, a plane, and so on. The components may be made from
a composition including polyolefin. The polyolefin may have a
density in the range of about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft.sup.3)
to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3. As such, the components are compressible,
resilient, and elastic. One or more of the components may include a
first retaining element, and one or more of the components may
include a second retaining element. The retaining elements are
configured to engage together for securing or coupling the
components together. For example, the retaining elements may be
defined by one or more dimensions, with at least one of the
dimensions of one of the retaining elements being greater than a
corresponding dimension of the other retaining element. The
retaining element with the greater size may be urged or inserted
into the other retaining element, thereby being compressed. When
received within the other retaining element, the compressed
retaining element exerts a spring force, thereby causing the
components to be retained by friction between abutting
surfaces.
Inventors: |
Maniquis, Arturo A.; (West
Covina, CA) ; Grill, Terry M.; (Dixon, CA) ;
Gomez, Eduardo G.; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Karrenbrock,
Jill M.; (Studio City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric K. Satermo
Registered Patent Agent
P.O. Box 19099
Irvine
CA
92623-9099
US
|
Family ID: |
34652836 |
Appl. No.: |
10/732165 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/084 20130101;
A63H 33/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/124 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/06; A63H
033/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A building set comprising a plurality of building components; a
first one of the components having a first retaining element and a
second one of the components having a second retaining element; and
at least the first retaining element including resilient material
such that when the retaining elements are engaged together, the
first retaining element is compressed and applies a spring force
against the second retaining element, thereby securing the
retaining elements together.
2. The building set of claim 1 wherein a number of the components
are made from a composition including a polyolefin such that the
components are resilient.
3. The building set of claim 2 wherein each of the number of
components includes a retaining element for engaging with the
retaining element of another one of the components.
4. The building set of claim 2 wherein the polyolefin has a density
in the range of about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft.sup.3) to about
9 lb/ft.sup.3.
5. The building set of claim 2 wherein the composition includes
polyethylene.
6. The building set of claim 2 wherein the composition includes a
first polyolefin having a density and a second polyolefin having a
density that is different than that of the first polyolefin.
7. The building set of claim 6 wherein the first polyolefin has a
density less than about 4 lb/ft.sup.3, and the second polyolefin
has a density greater than about 4 lb/ft.sup.3.
8. The building set of claim 6 wherein the first polyolefin has a
density in the range of about 1 lb/ft.sup.3 to about 2 lb/ft.sup.3,
and the second polyolefin has a density in the range of about 4
lb/ft.sup.3 to about 12 lb/ft.sup.3.
9. The building set of claim 6 wherein at least one of the
components is configured such that the first polyolefin and the
second polyolefin are layered.
10. The building set of claim 6 wherein the first polyolefin and
the second polyolefin have different colors.
11. The building set of claim 2 wherein the composition includes an
adhesion layer.
12. The building set of claim 11 wherein the adhesion layer
includes adhesive.
13. The building set of claim 11 wherein the adhesion layer
includes material that is activated by heat.
14. The building set of claim 13 wherein the adhesion layer
includes a polyolefin with a melting point of at least about
180.degree. Fahrenheit (F).
15. The building set of claim 2 wherein the composition includes a
utility layer.
16. The building set of claim 15 wherein the utility layer includes
a markable surface.
17. The building set of claim 15 wherein the utility layer includes
an attachment surface.
18. The building set of claim 1 further comprising at least one of
the components is made from a composition excluding polyolefin.
19. The building set of claim 18 wherein at least one of the
components made from a composition excluding polyolefin includes a
retaining element that is substantially non-resilient.
20. The building set of claim 1 wherein the first retaining element
includes a peg and the second retaining element includes a
socket.
21. The building set of claim 20 wherein the peg is substantially
rectilinear.
22. The building set of claim 20 wherein the peg is substantially
curvilinear.
23. The building set of claim 20 wherein the socket is
substantially rectilinear.
24. The building set of claim 20 wherein the socket is
substantially curvilinear.
25. The building set of claim 20 wherein the peg has at least one
dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the
socket.
26. The building set of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
components includes a plurality of retaining elements.
27. The building set of claim 26 wherein the plurality of retaining
elements includes a plurality of different configurations.
28. The building set of claim 27 wherein at least one of the
retaining elements is engageable with a plurality of retaining
elements each having a different configuration.
29. The building set of claim 1 wherein the components are
configured such that a number of predefined structures are
constructible with at least a plurality of the components.
30. The building set of claim 1 wherein the components are
configured such that a first predefined structure is constructible
with at least a plurality of the components.
31. The building set of claim 30 wherein the components are
configured such that a second predefined structure is constructible
with at least a plurality of the components.
32. The building set of claim 31 wherein the first and the second
predefined structures are constructed with the same components.
33. A method for building structures, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of building components, a first one of the
components having a first retaining element and a second one of the
components having a second retaining element, at least the first
retaining element including resilient material; and coupling the
first one of the components to the second one of the components by
urging the first retaining element into the second retaining
element, such that the first retaining element is compressed and
applies a spring force against the second retaining element,
thereby securing the retaining elements together.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein a plurality of the components
each has a retaining element with a different configuration,
further comprising: decoupling the components by urging the first
retaining element out of the second retaining element; and coupling
the first one of the components with another one of the components
having a retaining element with a different configuration.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein the plurality of components are
configured such that a number of predefined structures are
constructible with a set of the components, further comprising:
coupling the set of components together in a predetermined manner
to construct one of the predefined structures.
36. The method of claim 35 further comprising: decoupling the set
of components; and coupling the set of components together in
another predetermined manner to construct another one of the
predefined structures.
37. A method for building structures, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of building components each being made from a
composition including a polyolefin that has a melting point of at
least about 180.degree. F.; positioning two of the components
together such that the components abut along an interface; applying
heat at or near the interface that is sufficient to cause the
polyolefin to melt; removing the heat such that the polyolefin
cools, thereby adhering the two components together.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein: the step of the applying heat
comprises: positioning a resistive element between the components
at the interface; and applying power to the resistive element. the
step of removing the heat comprises: disconnecting the power from
the resistive element.
39. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of applying heat
comprises: directing hot air at or near the interface.
40. A building set for use in constructing a plurality of
predefined structures, the building set comprising: a plurality of
components each made from a resilient material and including a
retaining element being defined by at least one dimension; a number
of the retaining elements having a dimension that is greater than a
corresponding dimension of another one of the retaining elements
such that the retaining element with a greater dimension is
compressed and thereby exerts a spring force against the other
retaining element with a small dimension when engaged therewith;
the plurality of components being configured such that a plurality
predefined structures are constructible from the components.
41. The building set of claim 40 wherein the plurality of
predefined structures includes furniture.
42. The building set of claim 40 wherein the plurality of
predefined structures includes play structures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to building components, such
as toy blocks. The present invention relates in particular to a set
of building components that may be used to build one or more
predefined structures.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Examples of conventional toy building components include
wood blocks and wooden Lincoln Logs.RTM.. Each of these examples
includes a predetermined number of components which may be stacked
upon each other and next to each other to build a structure.
Gravity essentially keeps the components together.
[0005] Other examples of conventional building components are the
Lego.RTM.-type components. In these building systems, individual
components include two types of complementary attachment structure
or engagement means. Accordingly, one component can be snapped
together with another compatible component. Like the wooden
building components, the Lego.RTM.-type components are made from
material that is inelastic, non-compressive, and non-resilient.
[0006] Given the current state of the art, conventional building
blocks are designed to attach to each other by predetermined
attachment structures (e.g., the Lego.RTM.-type attachment
structure). Accordingly, such conventional building blocks are
unable to be attached to other structurally incompatible building
blocks, that is, a Lego.RTM. cannot be attached to a wood block.
Further, the size of the building components is on the order of a
few inches such that a large number of components need to be used
to construct a large structure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a number of embodiments, a building set may
include a plurality of building components. The components may be
configured so that one or more predefined structures may be
constructed with a set of the components. For example, the set of
components may be configured so that any number of predefined
structures may be constructed, such as a table and chairs, a boat,
a plane, and so on. In a number of embodiments, the components may
be configured so that the predefined structures are able to support
the weight of a person.
[0008] One or more of the components may have a first retaining
element, and any number of the components may have a second
retaining element. One or more of the first retaining elements may
include resilient material such that when retaining elements are
engaged together, the first retaining element is compressed and
applies a spring force against the second retaining element,
thereby securing the retaining elements together. The components
may be made from a composition including polyolefin. In some of the
embodiments, the polyolefin may have a density in the range of
about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft.sup.3) to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3.
Accordingly, the components are compressible, resilient, and
elastic.
[0009] The retaining elements may be defined by one or more
dimensions, with at least one of the dimensions of one of the first
retaining elements being greater than a corresponding dimension of
the second retaining element. Accordingly, the first retaining
element compresses while being urged or inserted into the second
retaining element. When received within the second retaining
element, the compressed retaining element exerts the spring force
while under compression, thereby retaining the components together
with friction between abutting surfaces. To decouple, the retaining
elements may be pulled apart.
[0010] One of the advantages of the invention is that because of
the resiliency of the material and the configuration of the
retaining elements, the components may be connected together by any
number of methods. For example, if one of the retaining elements is
a rectangular peg, then it can be compressed and urged into a
curvilinear socket. When the peg is received in the socket and
expands, the two components are secured together. Accordingly, the
building components of the invention allow people to utilize their
imaginations to build any type of random structure in addition to a
predefined structure.
[0011] Furthermore, in embodiments in which the components are made
from a composition including polyolefin, because of the physical
properties of this material, the components may be made relatively
large (e.g., on the order of several feet) while still being easy
to handle. In addition, the predefined structures made from such
components are able to support the weight of a person. Accordingly,
people can utilize the predefined structures as furniture and as
play structures.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a building set including a
plurality of building components according to an example of a
commercial embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating building
components according to a number of embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a predefined structure of
some of the embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another predefined structure
of other embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of
building components and respective retaining elements;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in
some of the embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in
other embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining elements
of FIGS. 5 and 6 engaged together;
[0021] FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the engaged
retaining elements of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in
still other embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining element in
yet other embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a curvilinear retaining
element engaged with a rectilinear retaining element;
[0025] FIG. 10A is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 1, illustrating a composition according to a number of
embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 10B is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 1, illustrating a composition according to other
embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 10C is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 1, illustrating a composition according to still other
embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 10D is a cross-section view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 1, illustrating a composition according to yet still other
embodiments;
[0029] FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views illustrating
steps for attaching components according to some of the
embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a resistive heating
element;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating methodology
for attaching two components together according to other
embodiments;
[0032] FIGS. 14A to 14F respectively illustrate steps in
constructing an example of a predefined structure;
[0033] FIGS. 15A to 15G respectively illustrate steps in
constructing another example of a predefined structure;
[0034] FIGS. 16 to 23 respectively illustrate examples of
predefined structures that may be constructed with a building set
of the invention; and
[0035] FIG. 24 illustrates a component according to a number of
alternative embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1A of the drawings, a
building set 100 includes a plurality of building components 102a,
102b, 102c, . . . , 102z. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a set
100 of building components 102 in plan view, while FIG. 1A
illustrates examples of two of the components in perspective view
for clarity. According to a number of embodiments, the components
102 may be configured so that one or more predefined structures may
be constructed with a set of the components 102. As discussed in
more detail below, the set 100 of components 102 may be configured
so that any number of predefined structures may be constructed, for
example, furniture (such as chairs, tables, and couches) and play
structures (such as ships, forts, cars, and airplanes).
[0037] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the building set 100 may
include components 102 that are configured so that a predefined
structure 104a consisting of a table and chairs may be constructed.
In other embodiments, the same set 100 of building components 102
may be configured so that a predefined structure 104b consisting of
an airplane may be constructed, such as shown in FIG. 3. The
predefined structures 104 will be discussed in more detail below.
In addition, any given set 100 of building components 102 may be
configured to enable two or more predefined structures 104 to be
constructed from the same set 100, for example, the table and
chairs of FIG. 2 and the airplane of FIG. 3. Because of the size of
the predefined structures 104, in many embodiments the components
102 may be on the order of feet in size and several inches
thick.
[0038] In a number of embodiments, the components 102 may be made
from a composition including polyolefin. In some of the
embodiments, the polyolefin may have a density in the range of
about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft.sup.3) to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3.
Accordingly, the components 102 possess a number of physical
properties that enable the components 102 to be coupled together,
including compressibility, resiliency, and elasticity. In many of
the embodiments, the composition may include polyethylene.
[0039] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the
components 102, i.e., a first component 102a, may include a first
retaining element 106a, and one or more of the components 102,
i.e., a second component 102b, may include a second retaining
element 106b. The retaining elements 106 are configured to engage
together for securing or coupling the components 102 together.
[0040] More specifically, as shown in the embodiments represented
in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first retaining element 106a may include or
be configured as a peg 108 and the second retaining element 106b
may include or be configured as a socket 110. As shown in the
drawings, the retaining elements 106 may be defined by one or more
dimensions, such as width W and height H in the rectilinear
embodiments shown.
[0041] According to some of the embodiments, the peg 108 may have
at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding
dimension of the socket 110. For example, the width of the peg 108
may be greater than the width W of the socket 110 by a
predetermined amount a, such that the width of the peg 108 is
indicated by W+.alpha.. In other embodiments, the height of the peg
108 may also be greater than the height H of the socket 110 by a
predetermined amount .beta., such that the height of the peg 108 is
indicated by H+.beta..
[0042] With the greater size in at least one dimension and because
of the compressibility of the composition comprising the components
102, while being urged or inserted into the socket 110, the peg 108
is compressed inwardly. In addition, the socket 110 may be
compressed outwardly. Accordingly, when received within the socket
110 under compression as shown in FIG. 7, because of the resiliency
of the composition comprising the components 102, the peg 108
exerts outward spring force f.sub.1 as shown in FIG. 7A. In return,
the socket 110 exerts an inward spring force f.sub.2. Therefore,
the peg 108 is retained within the socket 110 by friction between
abutting surfaces, as indicated by reference 111 in FIG. 7A. To
decouple, the peg 108 may be urged or pulled out of the socket 110
to overcome the frictional forces.
[0043] In alternative embodiments, the peg 108 and the socket 110
may be substantially curvilinear as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In
these embodiments, a diameter of the peg 108 may be greater than
diameter D of the socket 110, as indicated by D+.delta.. The
particular configurations of the retaining elements 106 shown in
the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9 are representative of the
principles of the invention in that one or more of the dimensions
of one of the retaining elements 106 may be greater than one or
more of the dimensions of another one of the retaining elements
106. The retaining elements 106 may be configured according to any
number of different configurations.
[0044] Because of the compressibility of the composition, the
curvilinear peg 108 of FIG. 8 may be engaged with the socket 110 of
FIG. 6, which is shown in FIG. 9A. In this embodiment, the diameter
of the peg 108 may be greater than the width W and/or the height H
of the socket 110 so that the peg 108 may be compressed to be
received within the socket 110.
[0045] Regarding the composition of the components 102 in more
detail, reference is made to FIGS. 10A to 10D. According to a
number of embodiments, the composition may comprise a single
polyolefin 112 as represented in FIG. 10A. As mentioned above, the
polyolefin 112 may have a density in the range of about 1
lb/ft.sup.3 to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3.
[0046] In other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 10B, the
composition may include a first polyolefin 114 and a second
polyolefin 116. In some of the embodiments, the polythylenes 114
and 116 may be configured as layers, thereby resulting in the
component 102 being substantially planar or plank-like. In many
embodiments, the second polyolefin 116 may have a density that is
greater than that of the first polyolefin 114. For example, in
other embodiments, the first polyolefin 114 may have a density less
than about 4 lb/ft.sup.3, and the second polyolefin may have a
density greater than about 4 lb/ft.sup.3. Alternatively, the first
polyolefin 114 may have a density in the range of about 1
lb/ft.sup.3 to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3, and the second polyolefin 116
may have a density in the range of about 4 lb/ft.sup.3 to about 12
lb/ft.sup.3. In still other embodiments, the first polyolefin 114
may have a density in the range of about 1 lb/ft.sup.3 to about 2
lb/ft.sup.3, and the second polyolefin 116 may have a density in
the range of about 6 lb/ft.sup.3 to about 9 lb/ft.sup.3.
[0047] In some of the embodiments, one or both of the polyolefins
114 and 116 may be colored. Having a greater density than the first
polyolefin 114, the second polyolefin 116 may be colored more
vibrantly or with a greater saturation than the first polyolefin
114. As shown in FIG. 10B, the second polyolefin 116 may be in a
layer. In the example described below, the second polyolefin 116
layer may have a thickness in many embodiments ranging from about
{fraction (1/16)} inch to about 1/2 inch.
[0048] With continued reference to FIG. 10B, in a number of
embodiments, the composition of one or more of the components 102
may include a third polyolefin 118. The density of the third
polyolefin 118 may range from about 4 lb/ft.sup.3 to about 12
lb/ft.sup.3. Accordingly, the components 102 may be made from a
composition including a plurality of polyolefins. In layered
embodiments, the polyolefins may be laminated by heat, adhered
together with adhesive, or chemically bonded together.
[0049] Referencing FIG. 10C, in a number of embodiments the
composition from which the components 102 may be made may include a
utility layer 120. In some of the embodiments, the utility layer
120 may include a markable surface such as a dry-erase board. In
other embodiments, the utility layer 120 may include an attachment
surface such as hook-and-eye fasteners (e.g., Velcro.RTM.). In
addition, the attachment surface may include a surface to which
common objects may be releaseably attached, such as Legos.RTM.. In
still other embodiments, the attachment surface may be magnetic or
configured so that magnets are attachable thereto. The utility
layer 120 may be substantially coextensive with one or both sides
of a component 102 or, alternatively, may cover a smaller area on
one of the sides of a component 102. In addition, the utility layer
120 may provide a skin for printing graphics, text, artwork, and so
on.
[0050] According to some of the embodiments, the composition of the
components 102 may include an adhesion layer 122 as shown in FIG.
10D. For example, the adhesion layer 122 may include an adhesive so
that two components 102 may be secured together by pressing the
adhesive layers together. In other embodiments, the adhesion layer
122 may include material that is activated by heat. For example,
the adhesion layer 122 may include material that has a melting
point of above approximately 180.degree. Fahrenheit (F), such as
polyolefin.
[0051] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, two components
102 may be secured together by positioning or abutting the adhesive
layer 112 of one of the components 102 against a surface of another
one of the components 102, which may be another adhesive layer 122
(as shown in FIG. 11A) or a polyolefin layer (e.g., 112, 116, 118).
Heat may then be applied to the adhesive layer 122 as shown in FIG.
11B, for example, with an iron or a blow dryer. Accordingly, heat
causes a reaction of the adhesive layer 122 to adhere to the
abutting surface. In contrast to the releasable engagement
described above, the securing of components 102 by heat is a
permanent engagement.
[0052] In other embodiments, heat may be applied by inserting a
thin resistive element 124 as shown in FIG. 12. The resistive
element 124 generates heat when electrical power 126 is applied. An
example of a resistive element or heater is a flexible heating
element produced by Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company of St.
Louis, Mo. (www.watlow.com). To secure, the resistive element 124
is positioned between two of the components as shown in FIG. 13,
and power 126 is applied, thereby causing the composition 112
abutting the resistive element 124 to melt. When the power 126 is
disconnected, the composition 112 cools, thereby adhering the
components 102 and the resistive element 124 together.
[0053] With further reference to FIG. 1A, one or more of the
components 102 may include a plurality of retaining elements 106.
More specifically, component 102a may include retaining elements
106a, 106b, 106c, . . . , 106m, and may include a plurality of one
or more specific types of retaining elements. In the specific
embodiment shown, retaining elements 106a and 106b include puzzle
piece-type of complementary structures, retaining element 106c
includes a three-sided slot, retaining element 106d includes an
elongated rectangular socket, retaining element 106e includes a
square-like socket, and retaining element 106m includes a notch. As
shown, component 102a includes any number of any one of the
retaining elements 106. In addition, any number of the retaining
elements 106 may have a different configuration (i.e., rectilinear,
curvilinear, size, shape, and so on).
[0054] According to some of the embodiments, one or more of the
retaining elements 106 may be configured to be engageable with not
only one but a plurality of other retaining elements 106 each
having a different configuration. For example, retaining element
106a of component 102b may be compressed to engage with at least
retaining elements 106c, 106d, and 106e of component 102a.
Accordingly, in addition to constructing the predefined structures
104, the components 102 may be attached together in any number of
random configurations.
EXAMPLE 1
[0055] As mentioned above, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a set
100 of building components 102 that are configured to enable one or
more predefined structures 104 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. To
construct the predefined structure 104a shown in FIG. 2, i.e., a
table and chairs, reference is made to FIGS. 14A to 14F.
[0056] To construct a chair, components 102g may be coupled
together as shown in FIG. 14A for a base, with component 102j
forming a seat and component 102h forming a back as shown in FIG.
14B. Components 102i may be coupled between the back and the seat
to provide added stability. A second chair may be constructed
analogously.
[0057] To construct a table, components 102a to 102f may be laid
out as shown in FIG. 14C. Components 102a may be coupled to form a
table top as shown in FIG. 14D, with components 102b, 102c, 102e,
and 102f connected as shown to form a portion of a base. As shown
in FIG. 14E, components 102d may be coupled as shown to complete
the base. The table may then be turned over to complete the
predefined structure of a table and chairs 104a as shown in FIG.
14F. As an example of scale, components 102a that make up the table
top may be on the order of about 3 feet to 4 feet for a table and
chairs designed for a children's embodiment. In addition, the
thickness of the components 102 may be on the order of a few inches
so that the chairs can support the weight of a large child or even
an adult.
[0058] To reconfigure or reconstruct the predefined structure of a
table and chairs 104a into another one of the predefined
structures, reference is made to FIGS. 15A to 15G. As shown in FIG.
15A, with the table and chairs 104a already constructed, the table
may be turned on its side as shown in FIG. 15B, with one of the
components 102a being removed. As shown in FIG. 15C, components
102c and 102e may then be removed. Component 102a that was removed
may then be reconnected as shown in FIG. 15D. The chairs may be
disassembled (not shown) with components 102h laid out, along with
components 102k, 102l, and 102m as shown in FIG. 15E. Components
102e may then be reconnected as shown in FIG. 15F, with component
102k connected as a propeller shaft. Components 102h from the
chairs may be connected as wings as shown in FIG. 15G, with
component 102l being connected as a propeller, component 102m being
connected as a rudder or steering wheel, and component 102n being
connected as a tail fin, thereby resulting in the predefined
structure of an airplane 104b.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the set 100 may include other components
that are not used in construction of structures 104a and 104b,
which are generally referenced as components 102o, 102p, 102q, . .
. , 102z. However, these components 102 may be utilized in
constructing any number of other predefined structures 104,
including but not limited to a boat 104c (including component 102q
as a propeller) as shown in FIG. 16, a car 104d (with components
102o as bumpers) as shown in FIG. 17, a fire truck 104e (with
component 102z as a steering column) as shown in FIG. 18, a rocker
104f as shown in FIG. 19, a cradle 104g as shown in FIG. 20, a
vanity 104h as shown in FIG. 21, a lemonade stand 104i (with
components 102p as flags) as shown in FIG. 22, and a castle 104j
(with components 102p as flags) as shown in FIG. 23. Accordingly,
the building set 100 may be configured so that the predefined
structures 104 may include furniture (e.g., a table and chairs, a
rocker, a cradle, a vanity, a lemonade stand, and so on) and play
structures (e.g., a plane, a boat, a car, a fire truck, a castle,
and so on).
[0060] Because of the resiliency of the components, additional
objects may be coupled to the structures 104, such as flashlights
126 as shown in FIG. 17. As shown in the example, a number of the
components 102 may be substantially planar. Accordingly, such
planar components 102 may be cut from planks of polyolefin stock.
The cutting process may be accomplished by a water-jet cutting
device or by any other alternative cutting method. With particular
reference to FIG. 16, component 102a is illustrated according to
the layered embodiment of FIG. 10B, with the first polyolefin layer
114 being a first color and the second polyolefin layer 116 being a
second color. The third polyolefin layer 118 may also be a
different color, or the same color as layer 116, which is
shown.
[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding
embodiments of the present invention provide the foundation for
numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. For example, as
shown in FIG. 24, in a number of embodiments, one or more of the
components 102 may be configured so that only the retaining
elements 106 are resilient and compressible, while a main body 128
of the component 102 is substantially non-resilient. These other
modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely
as shown and described in the present invention.
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