U.S. patent application number 11/222652 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for children's building and construction kit based on interlocking crossbars and support columns.
Invention is credited to Dana Clark Richdale.
Application Number | 20070060010 11/222652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37855791 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richdale; Dana Clark |
March 15, 2007 |
Children's building and construction kit based on interlocking
crossbars and support columns
Abstract
The unique interfacing of all parts allows for the construction
or assembling of a toy building that achieves a physical look
closely approximating the structural design of a real life
building. To achieve this desired structural effect, injection
molded plastic parts with specific polymer characteristics have
been developed. Dovetailing has been utilized to meet the objective
of support column parts and crossbar parts interlocking to form a
three dimensional vertical and horizontal framework or grid.
Dovetailing also provides good structural stability between these
two parts. Hanging posts, insert posts, and insert holes have also
been utilized to achieve parts interfacing. The technical
requirements of the exterior panel parts require a polymer that
provides for greater flexibility as opposed to the rigidity needed
for support column parts and crossbar parts. The base, roof panel,
and roof anchor parts also required specific polymer
characteristics and attributes to achieve the total interfacing of
parts.
Inventors: |
Richdale; Dana Clark;
(Hilton Head, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dana C. Richdale
146 S. Queenscliff Circle
The Woodlands
TX
77382
US
|
Family ID: |
37855791 |
Appl. No.: |
11/222652 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/086 20130101;
A63H 33/082 20130101; A63H 33/044 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/085 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. The Children's Building and Construction Kit based on
Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns, utilizing molded
plastic parts, allows the user to construct a toy building that
resembles the structural nature and image of an actual building in
real life.
2. The Children's Building and Construction Kit based on
Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns allows the user to
construct a toy building based on a three dimensional vertical and
horizontal structural grid of Crossbars and Support Columns.
3. The Base part (of the kit recited in claim 1) allows for the
vertical insertion of Support Column parts.
4. The Base part (as recited in claim 3) has connecting insert
holes (1) which allows for additional Base parts or other future
fabricated parts to be connected to the Base part.
5. The Support Column part (of the kit recited in claim 1) has a sc
insert post (8), a sc insert hole (4), hanging posts (6), an upper
dovetail section (5), and a main body (7).
6. The Crossbar part (of the kit recited in claim 1) has two
dovetail insertion sections (10).
7. The Crossbar part's (as recited in claim 6) dovetail insertion
sections slide into the upper dovetail sections of Support Column
parts (as recited in claim 5).
8. The Support Column parts (recited in claim 5) and the Crossbar
parts (recited in claim 6) form a three dimensional vertical and
horizontal frame or structural grid.
9. The Exterior Panel A part (of the kit as recited in claim 1) is
attached vertically to two adjacent Support Column parts (recited
in claim 5) by the Exterior Panel A hanging holes (18) which are
slid onto the Support Column part's hanging posts.
10. The Exterior Panel B part (of the kit as recited in claim 1)
has panel B hanging holes (21) and a hanging assembly (19).
11. The Exterior Panel B part's (as recited in claim 10) hanging
assembly performs the function of hanging holes.
12. The Exterior Panel B part's (as recited in claim 10) hanging
holes slide onto hanging posts of a single Support Column part.
13. The Exterior Panel B part's (as recited in claim 10) hanging
assembly slides onto hanging posts of a single Support Column part
(as recited in claim 5).
14. The Roof Panel A part (of the kit as recited in claim 1) covers
the top surface or rooftop section of a constructed building.
15. The Roof Panel B part (of the kit as recited in claim 1) covers
the top surface or rooftop section of a constructed building.
16. The Roof Anchor part (of the kit as recited in claim 1) has an
upper section (26) and an anchor insert post (27).
17. The Roof Anchor part's (as recited in claim 16) anchor insert
post slides into the sc insert hole of a Support Column (as recited
in claim 5).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention is applicable to the children's toy industry
falling within a range of products that can be categorized as
children's construction toys. The USPC Classification that best
fits this categorization is Class 446 AMUSEMENT DEVICES: TOYS,
Subclass 85, CONSTRUCTION TOY.
[0005] The concept behind this invention is formulated from the
belief that there is no commercially available children's
construction kit that allows a child to conceptualize and construct
a toy building that is similar in nature and image to the
construction of an actual building in real life.
[0006] There are no specific references to documents relating to
this invention. One cannot refer to specific problems in prior art
(or state of technology) with this particular invention. There are
other attempts with patented inventions that present a system of
interlocking parts that allow a child or person to assemble some
type of structure. However, the functional design of these other
interlocking parts and systems are significantly different from the
dovetailing and interlocking being achieved with this invention.
The invention, categorized as a children's construction toy is
unique and differentiated when compared to any other construction
toy product in the marketplace. This invention looks to take
advantage of injection molding techniques so that parts can be
molded allowing for the dovetailing or interlocking of specifically
developed parts so that they fit together to form a building
structure.
[0007] Three primary questions presented themselves during
development: [0008] Can the invention be manufactured in a cost
effective manner? [0009] Is the invention easy to understand and
use? [0010] Does the invention's manifestation lend credence to a
structure or structures found in the real world?
[0011] This invention looks to streamline the manufacturing
process, simplify the process of assembly, and present an assembled
structure that has a resemblance to a real world structure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention consists of eight plastic (six of which are
injection molded) parts that allow a child or person to construct a
toy building that is similar in nature and image to the
construction of an actual building in real life. In the future new
parts will be developed and added to the product line. The eight
parts are as follows:
[0013] 1) Base
[0014] 2) Support Column
[0015] 3) Crossbar
[0016] 4) Exterior Panel A
[0017] 5) Exterior Panel B
[0018] 6) Roof Panel A
[0019] 7) Roof Panel B
[0020] 8) Roof Anchor
[0021] The building is constructed by virtue of interlocking
Support Column parts (approximately 80 mm in vertical length) and
Crossbar parts (approximately 80 mm in horizontal length) that form
a three dimensional vertical and horizontal structural grid pattern
similar to what one would envision with an actual building being
constructed. The bottom portion or insert post of each vertical
Support Column part fits into a specially constructed plastic Base
part (also injection molded). Four Support Column parts will allow
the user to begin to construct the basis of a building by virtue of
the fact that each series of four Support Column parts will be
connected by horizontal Crossbar parts that fit into the upper
dovetail section of the Support Column parts. A dovetail design has
been incorporated so that the parts can slide easily into
place.
[0022] The Exterior Panel A and B parts represent the exterior skin
or windows of a constructed building. The Exterior Panel A and B
parts are very thin and flexible plastic polymers. Each Exterior
Panel part (approximately 87 mm.times.80 mm.times.0.5 mm) will
slide onto small protruding hanging posts that are a component of
the vertical Support Column part.
[0023] The roof of a constructed building will consist of either
Roof Panel A or Roof Panel B parts. The Roof Panel A and B parts
are thicker (approximately 11.0 mm) as compared to the Exterior
Panel A and B parts. The Roof Panel A and B parts also contain
supporting strips placed on the underside of the Roof Panel A and B
parts. These strips provide strength and stability.
[0024] Inserted into the top end (insert hole) of a vertical
Support Column part (representing the last and uppermost Support
Column part in a series of Support Column parts placed one atop
another) is the Roof Anchor part. The Roof Anchor part enhances the
visual appeal of a constructed and completed building as well as
provides structural integrity to the Roof Panel A and B parts.
[0025] The creative and imaginative essence of this invention is
predicated on 1) the ability of a user to expand the size and scope
of a building to a theoretically infinite size in both width and
height and 2) on the ability of the user to fabricate multiple
building designs with the eight manufactured parts.
[0026] The manufacturing and functional design of the parts
provides for a cost effective and easy to use Children's Building
and Construction Kit based on Interlocking Crossbars and Support
Columns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0027] FIG. 1--World view of the Base part which measures
approximately 291 millimeters.times.291 millimeters
(11.46''.times.11.46'') with a height or depth of approximately 9
millimeters (0.35''). The Base part consists of evenly spaced base
insert holes and evenly spaced connecting insert holes. Base
ribbing has been placed for strength and firmness.
[0028] FIG. 2--Isometric view of the Base part. Base insert holes
and connecting insert holes are through holes.
[0029] FIG. 3--Side view of the Support Column part. This view
illustrates the sections of the Support Column part. The support
column (sc) insert post and support column (sc) insert hole are
clearly illustrated with the important upper dovetail section also
being highlighted. The overall dimension of the Support Column part
is approximately 80 mm.times.10 mm.times.10 mm
(3.15''.times.0.39''.times.0.39'').
[0030] FIG. 4--Isometric view of the Support Column part. This view
provides a nice illustration of the hanging posts that consists of
two (2) hanging posts on each side of the main body of the Support
Column part for a total of eight (8) hanging posts per Support
Column part.
[0031] FIG. 5--World view of the Crossbar part illustrates the two
(2) dovetail insertion points located on each end of the Crossbar
part.
[0032] FIG. 6--Side view of the Crossbar part. The Crossbar part
measures approximately 80 mm.times.10 mm.times.10 mm
(3.15''.times.0.39''.times.0.39'').
[0033] FIG. 7--Isometric view of the Crossbar part. The crossbar
ribbing provides structural support.
[0034] FIG. 8--World view of the Exterior Panel A part. The four
(4) hanging holes allow for the Exterior Panel A part to be hung
onto the hanging posts located on the main body of the Support
Column part.
[0035] FIG. 9--Isometric view of the Exterior Panel A part. The
approximate Exterior Panel A part dimensions are as follows: 97 mm
(horizontal length), 80 mm (vertical length), and 0.5 mm in
thickness or depth (97 mm.times.80 mm.times.0.5 mm or
3.82''.times.3.15''.times.0.02'').
[0036] FIG. 10--Side view of the Exterior Panel B part,
highlighting the hanging assembly. The significant difference
attributed to this Exterior Panel B part as opposed to the Exterior
Panel A part is the hanging assembly. The hanging assembly allows
for greater building design configurations. The Exterior Panel B
part's horizontal length (approximately 87 mm or 3.43'') is also
shorter (by approximately 10 mm or 0.39'') as compared to the
Exterior Panel A part's horizontal length.
[0037] FIG. 11--Isometric view of the Exterior Panel B part. The
Exterior Panel B part has only two hanging holes with the hanging
assembly substituting for hanging holes on the opposite side of the
Exterior Panel B part.
[0038] FIG. 12--World view of the Roof Panel A part. As the part
name suggests, this Roof Panel A is designed to sit flat atop a
section of constructed building to function as a section of the
roof. Each corner has an approximate 5 mm.times.5 mm
(0.2''.times.0.2'') cut to compensate for the physical presence of
Support Column parts at these corner locations.
[0039] FIG. 13--Isometric view of the Roof Panel A part. The
overall dimension of this part is approximately 87 mm.times.87
mm.times.1 mm (3.43''.times.3.43''.times.0.04''). The strips which
are molded into the part provide strength and stability for the
Roof Panel A part.
[0040] FIG. 14--World view of the Roof Panel B part. The cut-a-way
portion allows for greater building design configurations. The
dimension of this part is approximately 87 mm.times.81 mm.times.1
mm (3.43''.times.3.19''.times.0.04'').
[0041] FIG. 15--Isometric view of the Roof Panel B part. Molded
strips, as in Roof Panel A, are added for additional strength and
stability of the Roof Panel B part.
[0042] FIG. 16--Side view of the Roof Anchor part. The insert post
of the Roof Anchor part slides into the insert hole of the Support
Column part. The upper section of the Roof Anchor is approximately
10 mm.times.10 mm.times.5 mm (0.39''.times.0.39'' 0.2''). The
portion of the insert post that slides into the Support Column
part's insert hole is approximately 7 mm in length (0.28'').
[0043] FIG. 17--Isometric view of the Roof Anchor part.
[0044] FIG. 18--Isometric view of a building being assembled
incorporating the parts that comprise a Children's Building and
Construction Kit based on Interlocking Crossbars and Support
Columns.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] A Children's Building and Construction Kit based on
Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns is comprised of eight
(8) specific and identifiable parts:
[0046] 1) Base
[0047] 2) Support Column
[0048] 3) Crossbar
[0049] 4) Exterior Panel A
[0050] 5) Exterior Panel B
[0051] 6) Roof Panel A
[0052] 7) Roof Panel B
[0053] 8) Roof Anchor
[0054] Each Children's Building and Construction Kit based on
Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns contains over two
hundred pieces (200) derived from the eight (8) specific and
identifiable parts. Each part is unique with a corresponding and
unique relationship to the other parts.
[0055] For a child or user to enjoy the benefits of this invention
the child or user needs to have an understanding of the parts and
how such parts interface with each other.
[0056] With the possible exception of the Exterior Panels
(A&B), all parts shall be manufactured through the process of
injection molding. Each part requires different material
characteristics and thus different polymers will be selected to
meet the material characteristics needed for a particular part.
[0057] The Base part (approximately 291 mm.times.291 mm.times.9 mm
or 11.46''.times.11.46''.times.0.35'') is needed to begin the
process of assembling or constructing a building. As evidenced in
FIG. 1, the Base part contains sixteen Base Insert Holes (2). The
Base Insert Hole width is approximately 2.5 mm.times.2.5 mm
(0.10''.times.0.10''). Each Base Insert Hole accepts the vertical
insertion of a Support Column Insert Post (FIG. 3, SC Insert Post
(8)). The sixteen (16) Connecting Insert Holes (1) located around
the perimeter of the Base part allow for the attachment of other
Base parts and other related parts envisioned for future
production. The Connecting Insert Hole width is approximately 1.5
mm.times.1.5 mm (0.06''.times.0.06''). The Support Column Insert
Holes and the Connecting Insert Holes are through holes. Ample Base
part Ribbing (3) exists to provide strengthen and rigidity. FIG. 2,
an Isometric view of the Base Part, provides a very nice
visualization of the Base Part and its functionality.
[0058] The Support Column part (FIG. 3) is one of two integral
parts that forms the vertical and horizontal structural grid of the
building to be constructed. A Children's Building and Construction
Kit based on Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns, being
comprised of approximately sixty-four (64) Support Column parts
allows a child or user to construct a building that is either four
(4) stories high (16 support column parts per floor) or sixteen
(16) stories high (4 support column parts for each floor). FIG. 3
illustrates that there are five sectional components of a Support
Column part. The SC Insert Hole (4) allows for the vertical
insertion of an SC Insert Post of another Support Column part. This
second Support Column part forms the basis of another floor as the
building is being constructed. The Upper Dovetail Section (5) is
structurally important because this is the section that allows for
the sliding insertion (or interlocking) of a corresponding Crossbar
part and its Dovetail Insertion Section best illustrated in FIG. 5
of the drawings. The Upper Dovetail Section can accept up to four
Crossbar Dovetail Insertion Sections (one section for each side
facet or face of the Support Column part). The Hanging Post (6), of
which two exist for each face of the Support Column part (for a
total of eight hanging posts per support column part) allow for the
vertical hanging or affixing of an Exterior Panel to the frame or
grid formed by two vertical Support Column parts connected by a
horizontal Crossbar part. The main body (7) of the Support Column
part is approximately 70 mm.times.10 mm.times.10 mm
(2.76''.times.0.39''.times.0.39'') with a total overall Support
Column part length of approximately 87 mm (3.43'') including the 7
mm (0.28'') SC Insert Post (8). The SC Insert Post slides
vertically into a Base Insert Hole of the Base Part or another SC
Insert Hole of another Support Column part. The SC Insert Hole of a
Support Column part is approximately 7.5 mm (0.3''). The material
characteristics of the Support Column part are rigid. FIG. 4
provides an isometric view of the Support Column part with a clear
illustration of a Hanging Post (6).
[0059] The Crossbar part (FIGS. 5, 6, & 7) is the second of the
two integral parts that form the vertical and horizontal structural
grid of the building to be constructed (the support column part
being the other). The Crossbar part ties together the Support
Column parts via the Dovetail Insertion Section (FIG. 5, (10)) and
the Upper Dovetail Section of the Support Column Part. Each
Dovetail Insertion Section slides downward into the Upper Dovetail
Section of a Support Column part thus connecting two Support Column
parts. A building's floor (1.sup.st floor, 2.sup.nd floor,
3.sup.rd, etc.), if constructed with sixteen (16) Support Column
parts would need twenty-four (24) Crossbar parts to stabilize and
form the basis for a floor of a building. FIG. 6 illustrates the
insertion direction (11) of a Dovetail Insertion Section as well as
the top (12) and crossbar horizontal plane (14) of the Crossbar
part. Disregard the line (15) which is strictly a line that exists
in the drawing but would not exist in a fabricated Crossbar part.
The Dovetail Insertion Section is approximately 7 mm in length or
height while the Main Body (13) is approximately 10 mm.times.10
mm.times.77 mm (0.39''.times.0.39''.times.3.03''). FIG. 7 is an
isometric view of the Crossbar part with the Dovetail Insertion
Section (10) and the Crossbar Ribbing (16) nicely illustrated.
[0060] The Exterior Panel A part is the "skin" or "window" that
covers the exterior of a constructed building. The Exterior Panel A
part is approximately 97 mm (horizontal length), 80 mm (vertical
length), and 0.5 mm in thickness or depth (97 mm.times.80
mm.times.0.5 mm or 3.82''.times.3.15''.times.0.02''). FIG. 8, a
world view shows the panel A horizontal plane (17) of the Exterior
Panel A part. More importantly, FIG. 8 clearly shows the four
Hanging Holes (18) that are integral aspects of the Exterior Panel
A part. The Hanging Holes are situated at each corner of the
Exterior Panel A part and are approximately 1 mm (0.04'') in
diameter. The Hanging Holes allow for the Exterior Panel A to be
slid and vertically affixed to the protruding Hanging Posts of the
Support Column parts. The Hanging Posts are dimensionally spaced to
accept the Exterior Panel A part's Hanging Holes. Two vertically
placed Support Column parts connected by a Crossbar part would form
the surface area and structure needed to accommodate and place an
Exterior Panel A part. The primary material characteristic needed
for the Exterior Panel A part is one of flexibility. FIG. 9
presents an isometric view of the Exterior Panel A part and nicely
illustrates the thinness of the Exterior Panel A part.
[0061] The Exterior Panel B part is a variation of the Exterior
Panel A part. This variation allows for greater building design
configurations. FIG. 10 highlights the major design variation of
the Exterior Panel B part--the Hanging Assembly (19). Refer to FIG.
11, an isometric view of the Exterior Panel B part and one can
grasp the fundamental differences of the Exterior Panel A part and
the Exterior Panel B part. As is evidenced in FIG. 11, there are
only two Hanging Holes with the Hanging Assembly replacing the
Hanging Holes on one edge of the Exterior Panel B part. The
insertion point for the Hanging Post illustrates how two Hanging
Posts, located on a Support Column part would interface with a
Hanging Assembly. The Hanging Assembly allows for the ability to
utilize two Hanging Posts of a Support Column part that lie on a
plane that is set at a right angle to the Exterior Panel B part's
plane. As previously mentioned, the Hanging Assembly allows for
greater building design variation--specifically when two Exterior
Panel B parts approach each other at a right angle. The vertical
dimension of the Exterior Panel B part remains virtually the same
as the Exterior Panel A part while the horizontal dimension is
reduced by approximately 10 mm (0.39'') to 87 mm (3.43'').
[0062] The Roof Panel A part dimensions are approximately 87
mm.times.87 mm.times.1 mm (3.43''.times.3.43''.times.0.04''). A
Roof Panel part is thicker than an Exterior Panel part because of
the need to prevent any possible sagging of the part as well as
allowing for the placement of an object onto the roof of a
constructed building. The Roof Panel A part, as intuitively
inferred, is placed at the top portion of a constructed building
and lies on a horizontal plane. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the Roof
Panel A part has a Corner Cut-A-Way (23) at each corner. These
Corner Cut-A-Ways of approximately 5 mm.times.5 mm (0.2'') are
designed to allow for proper placement between Support Column
parts. A Roof Panel A part covers the horizontal surface area
formed by four Support Columns that are interlocked or interfaced
by four Crossbar parts. FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the Roof
Panel A part and is highlighted with the Strips (24) added for
strength and stability to the underside. These Strips are molded as
part of the Roof Panel A and are 2 mm (0.08'') in depth. The Strips
provide strength and stability. Stability in this case refers to
the need to stabilize the Roof Panel A part so that it does not
"float" out of place. The Strips will settle in-between the
interior portions of the Crossbar parts that form the surface area
of a Roof Panel A part.
[0063] The Roof Panel B part has virtually all of the same
properties as the Roof Panel A part except for the Section
Cut-A-Way (25) as illustrated in FIG. 14. The Section Cut-A-Way
allows for greater building design variation. The dimension of this
part is approximately 87 mm.times.81 mm.times.1 mm
(3.43''.times.3.19''.times.0.04''). FIG. 15 presents an isometric
view of the Roof Panel B part.
[0064] The Roof Anchor part is the smallest Children's Building and
Construction Kit based on Interlocking Crossbars and Support
Column's part. The Upper Section of the Roof Anchor is
approximately 10 mm.times.10 mm.times.5 mm (0.39''.times.0.39''
0.2''). The portion of the Roof Anchor that is the Anchor Insert
Post and which slides into the Support Column part's Insert Hole is
7 mm in length (0.28''). FIG. 16 illustrates the Upper Section (26)
and the Anchor Insert Post (27) of the Roof Anchor part. A Roof
Anchor part enhances a constructed building by capping-off the top
of a Support Column part that terminates at the approximate
horizontal plane of a Roof Panel part. A Roof Anchor part also
stabilizes the Roof Panel parts so that the Roof Panel parts do not
shift or float once set into place. Also the Upper Section of the
Roof Anchor's lower horizontal surface is the same horizontal
surface latitude as the Upper Dovetail Section of the Support
Column. When the Roof Anchor Insert Post is inserted into the
Support Column Insert Hole the two part's sides are flush which
forms a visually attractive capping-off of a constructed building.
FIG. 17 presents an isometric view of the Roof Anchor part.
[0065] FIG. 18 shows an assembly of parts to illustrate how the
parts comprising a Children's Building and Construction Kit based
on Interlocking Crossbars and Support Columns interface. As
presented earlier, the Base part (28) is an essential part that
facilitates construction. The Base Insert Holes of the Base part
are dimensionally spaced to allow for the vertical placement of
Support Column parts which can then be interlocked with Crossbar
parts. The Support Column parts in this illustration are not
perfectly lined-up with the Base Insert Holes of the Base part
because it is easier this way to visualize the insertion aspects of
an SC Insertion Post and Base Insertion Hole. The vertical hanging
of Exterior Panels (29) presents the concept that the Exterior
Panel parts cover the surface area formed by Support Column parts
and Crossbar parts. The Crossbar part (30) and Support Column part
(31) illustrate their interface in forming the vertical and
horizontal structural grid. The Roof Panel A part (32) placements
is easily visualized. The Roof Anchor part (33) is further
illustrated showing the concept of capping-off a constructed
building.
* * * * *