U.S. patent application number 12/571732 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-07 for storage device for toy building components.
Invention is credited to Karl Christopherson.
Application Number | 20110081822 12/571732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43823526 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110081822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Christopherson; Karl |
April 7, 2011 |
Storage Device For Toy Building Components
Abstract
A building set includes a container and several building
components placeable in a receptacle defined by the container. The
container has a sidewall with a opposite ends. A cover is fixedly
coupled to one end of the sidewall, and another cover is removably
coupleable to the other end of the sidewall. Each cover includes a
building portion. The building portion of one cover has the same
configuration as the building portion of the other cover. The
building components are engagable with the building portion on
either or both of the covers.
Inventors: |
Christopherson; Karl;
(Orchard Park, NY) |
Family ID: |
43823526 |
Appl. No.: |
12/571732 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/75 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. A building set, comprising: a container having an upper end, a
lower end, and a sidewall, the sidewall and the lower end defining
a receptacle into which building components can be placed, the
upper end defining an opening in communication with the receptacle,
the lower end of the container including an outer surface defining
a first building portion on which the building components can be
placed, the first building portion having a configuration; and a
cover removably coupled to the container, the cover being
coextensive with the opening of the container, the cover including
an outer surface defining a second building portion on which the
building components can be placed, the second building portion
having a configuration, the configuration of the second building
portion being the same as the configuration of the first building
portion.
2. The building set of claim 1, wherein the first building portion
includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the
outer surface of the lower end of the container.
3. The building set of claim 2, wherein the second building portion
includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the
cover.
4. The building set of claim 1, wherein the cover is a first cover,
the sidewall of the container extends continuously around the
perimeter of the container, and the lower end of the container
includes a second cover fixedly coupled to a lower end of the
sidewall, wherein the second cover includes the first building
portion.
5. The building set of claim 4, wherein the sidewall of the
container includes a first end and a second end, each of the first
cover and the second cover includes a body portion and a wall
portion defining a receptacle, the wall portion of the first cover
receiving the first end of the container sidewall, and the wall
portion of the second cover receiving the second end of the
container sidewall.
6. The building set of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a handle
pivotally coupled thereto.
7. The building set of claim 6, wherein the sidewall includes a
locking protrusion and the handle engages the locking protrusion to
couple the cover to the sidewall.
8. The building set of claim 1, wherein each of the building
portions includes a plurality of projections and each of the
building components is a block with a cavity that receives one of
the plurality of projections.
9. A building set, comprising: a container having a sidewall with a
first end and a second end opposite the first end, the container
including a first cover and a second cover, the first cover being
fixedly coupled to the first end of the sidewall, the first cover
and the sidewall collectively forming a receptacle, the second
cover being removably coupleable to the second end of the sidewall,
the first cover including a building portion, the second cover
including a building portion, the building portion of the first
cover having the same configuration as the building portion of the
second cover; and a plurality of building components, the building
components being placeable in the receptacle defined by the
container, the building components being engagable with the
building portion on the first cover and with the building portion
on the second cover.
10. The building set of claim 9, wherein the building portion of
the first cover includes a plurality of projections extending
outwardly from the first cover and the building portion of the
second cover includes a plurality of projections extending
outwardly from the second cover.
11. The building set of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
building components includes a recess formed therein, the at least
one of the building components being placeable on a projection of
the first cover or of the second cover so that the projection is
inserted into the recess.
12. The building set of claim 9, wherein the second cover includes
a handle coupled thereto, the sidewall includes a projection
extending therefrom, and the handle can engage the projection on
the side wall to couple the second cover to the sidewall.
13. The building set of claim 9, further comprising a ramp
component having a first end and an opposite second end, the first
end of the ramp component releasably coupleable to the building
portion of the first cover and the second end of the ramp component
releasably coupleable to the building portion of the second cover
when the second cover is removed from the second end of the
sidewall.
14. The building set of claim 9, wherein the second cover includes
a first side and an opposite second side, the building portion of
the second cover disposed on the first side, the second side
including a nesting surface engagable with the building portion of
the first cover.
15. A building assembly, comprising: a sidewall having a first end
and a second end opposite the first end; a first cover fixedly
coupled to the first end of the sidewall, the first cover including
a body portion and at least one projection extending outwardly from
the body portion, the first cover and the sidewall defining a
receptacle; and a second cover removably coupled to the second end
of the sidewall, the second cover including a body portion and at
least one projection extending outwardly from the body portion, the
at least one projection of the first cover having the same
configuration as the at least one projection of the second
cover.
16. The building assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a
plurality of building components, the plurality of components being
placeable in the receptacle, each of the building components being
engagable with the at least one projection on the first cover and
with the at least one projection on the second cover.
17. The building assembly of claim 15, wherein the first cover
includes a plurality of projections and the second cover includes a
plurality of projections, the projections of the first cover having
the same configuration as the projections of the second cover.
18. The building assembly of claim 15, wherein the second cover
includes a handle pivotally coupled thereto.
19. The building assembly of claim 15, further comprising a ramp
component having a first end and an opposite second end, the first
end of the ramp component releasably coupleable to the first cover
and the second end of the ramp component releasably coupleable to
the second cover when the second cover is removed from the second
end of the sidewall.
20. The building assembly of claim 15, wherein the body portion of
the second cover includes a first side and an opposite second side,
the at least one projection extending outwardly from the first side
of the body portion, the second side of the body portion including
a nesting surface engagable with the at least one projection
extending outwardly from the body portion of the first cover.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a toy building set
including a container and a plurality of building components
retainable in the container. The container includes a first cover
fixedly coupled to a first end of the container, and a second cover
removably coupled to a second end of the container. Each of the
covers includes a building portion engagable with the building
components. The building portion of the first cover has the same
configuration as the building portion of the second cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Young children enjoy grasping and stacking play implements,
such as building blocks. Building blocks with connection means that
can be used to couple or stack blocks together are generally known.
Some building block sets are sold and retained in conventional
storage bins. Although such conventional storage bins retain the
building blocks when not in use, they offer little or no additional
entertainment benefit for the child. Various attempts to provide a
storage bin having a lid with a building surface have been made.
However, such lidded storage bins provide only a single building
surface with limited play configurations.
[0003] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a storage device
for toy building components that provides multiple engagement
surfaces for the associated building components, and provides
various play configurations that enhances entertainment value for
the child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a building set including a
container and a cover removably coupled to the container. The
container has an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall. The
sidewall and the lower end define a receptacle into which building
components can be placed. The upper end of the container defines an
opening in communication with the receptacle. The lower end of the
container includes an outer surface defining a first building
portion on which the building components can be placed, the first
building portion having a configuration. The cover is coextensive
with the opening of the container, and includes an outer surface
defining a second building portion on which the building components
can be placed. The configuration of the second building portion is
the same as the configuration of the first building portion.
[0005] In one embodiment, the first building portion includes a
plurality of projections extending outwardly from the outer surface
of the lower end of the container. The second building portion
includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the
cover. Each of the building components includes a recess or cavity
that receives a selected one of the plurality of projections on the
first building portion or on the second building portion.
[0006] In one embodiment, the cover is a first cover and the lower
end of the container includes a second cover fixedly coupled to a
lower end of the sidewall of the container, wherein the second
cover includes the first building portion. Each of the first and
second covers may include a body portion and a wall portion
defining a receptacle. The wall portion of the first cover receives
the first end of the container sidewall, and the wall portion of
the second cover receives the second end of the container
sidewall.
[0007] In one embodiment, the cover includes a handle pivotally
coupled thereto. The sidewall of the container may include a
projection or locking protrusion. The handle may be oriented so
that it engages the locking protrusion and couples the cover to the
sidewall.
[0008] The present invention also relates to a building set
including a container and a plurality of building components. The
container has a sidewall with a first end and a second end opposite
the first end. A first cover is fixedly coupled to the first end of
the container sidewall, the first cover and the sidewall
collectively forming a receptacle. A second cover is removably
coupleable to the second end of the container sidewall. The first
cover includes a building portion, and the second cover includes a
building portion. The building portion of the first cover has the
same configuration as the building portion of the second cover. The
building components are placeable in the receptacle defined by the
container, and engagable with the building portions on the first
and second covers.
[0009] In one embodiment, the building set includes a ramp
component having a first end and an opposite second end. The first
end of the ramp is releasably coupleable to the first cover. The
second end of the ramp is releasably coupleable to the second cover
when the second cover is removed from the second end of the
sidewall.
[0010] In one embodiment, the second cover includes a first side
and an opposite second side. The building portion of the second
cover is disposed on the first side. The second side includes a
nesting surface engagable with the building portion of the first
cover, so that the first cover may be releasably coupled to the
second cover.
[0011] The present invention also relates to a building assembly
including a sidewall having a first end and an opposite second end.
A first cover is fixedly coupled to the first end of the sidewall.
The first cover includes a body portion and at least one projection
extending outwardly from the body portion. The first cover and the
sidewall define a receptacle. A second cover is removably coupled
to the second end of the sidewall. The second cover includes a body
portion and at least one projection extending outwardly from the
body portion. The at least one projection of the first cover has
the same configuration as the at least one projection of the second
cover.
[0012] In one embodiment, the building assembly includes a
plurality of building components, which are placeable in the
receptacle defined by the first cover and the sidewall. Each of the
building components is engagable with the at least one projection
on the first cover and on the second cover.
[0013] In one embodiment, the building assembly includes a ramp
component having a first end and an opposite second end. The first
end of the ramp component is releasably coupleable to the first
cover. The second end of the ramp component is releasably
coupleable to the second cover when the second cover is removed
from the sidewall of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a building
assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a building set
according to another embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective assembly view of a
container of the building set of FIG. 2, showing a sidewall of the
container and covers;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the sidewall
and a cover;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the sidewall
and the cover of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the another
cover of the container of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cover of
FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the container showing one
cover partially nested on the other cover;
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded fragmentary view of a cover
of the container of FIG. 2 showing a projection;
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a cover
of the container of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a front assembly view of a cover and a
handle of the container;
[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates a partial perspective view of the handle
of FIG. 11 showing an end of the handle;
[0026] FIG. 13 illustrates a partial perspective view of the cover
of FIG. 11 showing a protrusion extending outwardly from a sidewall
of the cover;
[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the container showing the
handle in a first position;
[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the container showing the
handle in a second position;
[0029] FIG. 16 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of
the sidewall of the container and the handle in one
orientation;
[0030] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of
the sidewall of the container and the handle in another
orientation;
[0031] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the building set
of FIG. 2 showing a cover decoupled from the container sidewall and
building components coupled to the building portions of the
covers;
[0032] FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a container and a
ramp component releasably coupled to the covers of the container of
FIG. 2; and
[0033] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective assembly view of the
container and the ramp component of FIG. 19.
[0034] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like
elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] It is to be understood that terms such as "left," "right,"
"top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "side," "height," "length,"
"width," "upper," "lower," "interior," "exterior," "inner," "outer"
and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or
portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any
particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as
"first," "second," "third," etc., merely identify one of a number
of portions, components, positions and/or points of reference as
disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any
particular configuration or orientation. Either of the covers of a
building set as described herein can be referred to as a "first
cover" and a "second cover."
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates schematic diagram of a building assembly
S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Building
assembly S1 includes a container 10 having an upper end portion 12,
a lower end portion 14, and a sidewall 16. The sidewall 16 and the
lower end portion 14 define a receptacle 17 into which building
components 40 (shown in phantom within the receptacle 17) can be
placed. The upper end portion 12 defines an opening 18 in
communication with the receptacle 17. The lower end portion 14 of
the container 10 includes an outer surface 20 defining a building
portion B1 on which the building components 40 can be placed and
releasably attached. The building portion B1 has a configuration as
shown.
[0037] Building assembly S1 also includes a cover 60 removably
coupleable to the container 10. The cover 60 is coextensive with
the opening 18 of the container 10 in that it covers the opening
18. The cover 60 has an outer surface 62 defining a building
portion B2 on which the building components 40 can be placed. The
building portion B2 has a configuration that is the same as the
configuration of the building portion B1. As such, the building
components 40 may be releasably attached to either building portion
B1 or building portion B2.
[0038] A building set S2 according to another embodiment is
illustrated in FIG. 2. Building set S2 includes a container 100 and
a plurality of building components 500. In one embodiment, each of
the building components may include a body or block portion with a
movable insert retained therein. When a force is applied to one end
of the insert, the insert is moved relative to the body so that it
extends outwardly from the body.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the container 100 includes a sidewall
102 with ends 104 and 106 that are opposite each other. In this
embodiment, the sidewall 102 extends continuously around the
perimeter of the container 100. However, in other embodiments, the
sidewall 102 may contain portions that are not continuous. The
container 100 also includes covers 150 and cover 200, which will be
described in greater detail below. Cover 150 can be referred to as
either a first cover or a second cover for the container 100.
Similarly, cover 200 can be referred to as either a first cover or
a second cover for the container 100. The building components 500
may be placed in a receptacle 108 defined by the container 100.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, cover 150 includes a body
portion 152 having an outer side 154 and an inner side 156 opposite
the outer side 154. A sidewall 158 extends from the inner side 156
of the body portion 152. The inner side 156 of the body portion 152
and the sidewall 158 collectively form a recess 160 configured to
receive end 104 of the sidewall 102 of the container 100. Cover 150
may be fixedly coupled to end 104 of the sidewall 102, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, such as by an adhesive or one or more connectors.
Cover 150 also includes a building portion B1'. As shown in FIG. 5,
in this embodiment, building portion B1' includes several
projections 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d, 162e, and 162f extending
outwardly from the outer side 154 of the body portion 152.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, cover 200 is removably
coupleable to end 106 of the sidewall 102 of the container 100.
Cover 200 includes a body portion 202 having an outer side 204 and
an inner side 206 opposite the outer side 204. A sidewall 208
extends from the inner side 206 of the body portion 202. The inner
side 206 of the body portion 202 and the sidewall 208 collectively
form a recess 210 configured for receiving end 106 of the sidewall
102 (as shown in FIG. 2).
[0042] In one embodiment, cover 200 includes a building portion B2'
that has the same configuration as the building portion B1' of
cover 150. As shown, building portion B2' includes several
projections 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d, 212e, and 212f that extend
outwardly from the outer side 204 of the body portion 202 of cover
200. The projections 212a-f of cover 200 have the same
configuration as the projections 162a-f of cover 150. In another
embodiment, the configuration of building portion B1' and the
configuration of the second building portion B2' may differ.
[0043] In one embodiment, the building portions B1' and B2' have
the same configuration in that each has projections that extend
outwardly relative to the container 100. In one embodiment, the
building portions B1' and B2' may have the same quantity of
projections. In another embodiment, the projections of the building
portions B1' and BT have the same overall shape. In addition, the
width dimension and/or the length dimension of the projections of
the building portions B1' and B2' may be the same.
[0044] Cover 200 may include additional entertainment elements that
provide sensory stimulation for the child. Referring to FIG. 6, in
one embodiment, an entertainment element 250 is connected to or
integrally formed with the sidewall 208 of cover 200. The
entertainment element 250 extends outwardly from the outer side 204
of the cover 200. As illustrated, the entertainment element 250
forms a rear wall extending upwardly beyond the projections 212a-f
with various indicia, such as molded butterfly and caterpillar
characters. The illustrated entertainment element 250 is exemplary
only, and in other embodiments, it may have other configurations.
However, any additional entertainment element provided on cover 200
should be configured such that it does not interfere with the
releasable attachment of the building components 500 to building
portion B2'. Alternatively, no additional entertainment elements
may be provided on cover 200.
[0045] Similarly, cover 150 may include additional entertainment
elements. Cover 150 is configured to engage a support surface S,
and support the container 100 in an upright position on the support
surface S, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, any additional
entertainment element provided on cover 150 should be configured
such that it does not extend outwardly beyond the projections
162a-f or otherwise cause cover 150 to be unbalanced when resting
on the support surface S. Further, any additional entertainment
element provided on cover 150 should be configured such that it
does not interfere with the releasable attachment of the building
components 500 to building portion B1'.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 7, a plurality of support ribs 207
may extend from the inner side 206 of cover 200. The support ribs
207 provide additional rigidity to cover 200. Projections 212a-f
may have a hollow configuration and define cavities 213a, 213b,
213c, 213d, 213e, and 213f, respectively. The hollow configuration
of projections 212a-f reduces the weight of cover 200 as well as
the material required to form cover 200. The inner side 156 of
cover 150 may be similarly configured, and include support ribs 207
and projections 162a-f having a hollow configuration.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the projections 162a-f
of cover 150 may have a generally cylindrical configuration
including a lower portion 164 connected to the outer side 154 of
cover 150, and a distal portion 166. The distal portion 166 of each
of the projections 162a-f may partially nest within the aligned and
corresponding cavities 213a-f of cover 200. The inner side 206 of
cover 200 may engage the outer side 154, and thus engage building
portion B1' of cover 150.
[0048] In one embodiment, the distal portion 166 of a projection
includes a tapered or rounded edge 168. The distal portion 166 has
a diameter d1, and the lower portion 164 has a diameter d2 that is
larger than the diameter d1 of the distal portion 166. Each of the
cavities 213a-f, defined by the projections 212a-f of the second
cover 200, has a third diameter d3 (shown in FIG. 7) that is larger
than the diameter dl of the distal portion 166. Thus, the distal
portion 166 of each of the projections 162a-f may be inserted into
the corresponding cavities 213a-f, so that cover 200 may be
partially nested on the building portion B1' of cover 150.
[0049] Alternatively or in addition, the inner side 206 of cover
200 may include engagement walls or projections extending outwardly
from the inner side 206, which engage at least a portion of the
projections 162a-f of cover 150. In one embodiment, shown in FIG.
10, the inner side 206 of cover 200 includes engagement walls 215
extending outwardly from the inner side 206 and adjacent each of
the cavities 213a-f. The engagement walls 215 may extend around the
entire perimeter of each of the cavities 213a-f. Alternatively, the
engagement walls 215 may extend around a portion of the perimeter
of each of the cavities 213a-f. The engagement walls 215 have a
diameter d4 greater than the diameter d2 of the projections 162a-f
of cover 150. Thus, a portion of the projections 162a-f below the
distal portion 166 and having the diameter d2 may be engaged by the
engagement walls 215. Thus, the inner side 206 of cover 200 that
includes engagement walls 215 provides a nesting surface engagable
with the building portion B1' of cover 150.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11, cover 200 includes a pivotally
coupled handle 214. In one embodiment, cover 200 includes a
protrusion 216 extending outwardly from the sidewall 208 at one end
218 thereof. Another similarly configured protrusion 220 extends
outwardly from the sidewall 208 at an opposing end 222 thereof. The
handle 214 includes knobs 224, 226 on opposite ends, which are
rotatably coupled to the protrusions 216, 220, respectively.
[0051] The knobs 224, 226 are similarly constructed and only knob
226 is described in detail herein for simplicity only. Referring to
FIG. 12, knob 224 includes an inner wall 228 defining a recess 230,
and an outer wall 232 having an extension member 234 extending
along a portion of an end portion 236 of the outer wall 232. A stop
member 238 extends outwardly from the inner wall 228 and into the
recess 230. As shown in FIG. 13, each of the protrusions 216, 220
on the cover 200 includes an outwardly extending engagement member
240. Rotational movement of the handle 214 relative to the sidewall
208 is limited by the engagement member 240 contacting the stop
member 238.
[0052] The stop member 238 may be configured and positioned within
the recess 230 such that the handle 214 is permitted to rotate
along the direction of arrow D1 until the handle 214 reaches a
position P1 adjacent one face 102a of the sidewall 102, shown in
FIG. 14. At position P1, the engagement member 240 engages the stop
member 238, thereby restricting further rotational movement in
direction D1. The handle 214 may be rotated in along the direction
of arrow D2 opposite direction D1 until the handle 214 reaches a
position P2 adjacent an opposing face 102b of the sidewall 102,
shown in FIG. 15. At position P2, the engagement member 240 again
engages the stop member 238, thereby restricting further rotational
movement in direction D2.
[0053] Referring again to FIG. 4, in one embodiment the sidewall
102 of the container 100 includes locking protrusions 110, 112
extending outwardly from opposing faces thereof and proximate to
end 106. When end 106 of the sidewall 102 is disposed within the
recess 210 of cover 200, the locking protrusions 110, 112 are
aligned with the knobs 224, 226 of the handle 214. In order to
releasably secure cover 200 to end 106, the handle 214 is pivoted
to an unlocked or lowered position, so that the extension member
234 of each of the knobs 224, 226 is positioned above the locking
protrusions 110, 112, such as when the handle 214 is in either
position P1 or P2 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When the handle 214 is
in the unlocked or lowered position, cover 200 may either be seated
on or removed from end 106 of the container 100.
[0054] When cover 200 is seated against end 106 of the container
100, the handle 214 may be pivoted to an upright position in order
to releasably lock cover 200 to end 106, such as shown in FIG. 2.
As the handle 214 is pivoted to the upright position, the extension
member 234 of each of the knobs 224, 226 is rotated to a position
below or underneath the locking protrusions 110, 112, as shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17. When the handle 214 is pivoted to an upright or
locked position, the locking protrusions 110, 112 are intermediate
the extension member 234 and the inner wall 228. Each of the
extension members 234 bear against the corresponding locking
protrusions 110, 112 upon an upward force on the handle 214 and/or
cover 200 (e.g. when the container 100 is carried by a child using
the handle 214), thereby releasably coupling or locking cover 200
to end 106 of the container 100. Thus, the building set S2 may be
easily carried by a child.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 18, each of the building components 500 is
engagable with the building portion B1' on cover 150 and with the
building portion B2' on cover 200. A child may arrange the covers
150 and 200 in various play arrangements and configurations, in
addition to placing one or more of the building components 500
within the receptacle 108 of the container 100. Further, cover 200
may be nested upon cover 150 for alternative play arrangements.
Building components 500 may be coupled to the building portion B1'
of cover 150, and cover 200 then nested upon the building
components 500 that are placed on cover 150. A variety of play
arrangements are possible due to the multiple building portions B1'
and B2'.
[0056] Each of the building components 500 may include a housing
having a cavity for receiving a selected one of the projections
212a-f or 162a-f. In one embodiment, each of the building
components 500 includes a housing 502 having a recess 504 extending
into a face 506 thereof. A selected one of the projections 212a-f
or 162a-f is inserted into the recess 504 of an associated building
component 500, thereby releasably connecting the building component
500 to the selected building portion B1' or B2'. The building
component 500 may also include an engagement member 508 slidably
coupled to the housing 502. The engagement member 508 is disposed
substantially within the housing 502 when the building component
500 is disengaged from one of the projections 212a-f or 162a-f and
in an upright position, as shown by building component 500A. When
the building component 500 is engaged with a selected one of the
projections 212a-f or 162a-f, the engagement member 508 is pushed
outwardly from the housing 502 by the selected projection 212a-f or
162a-f, as shown by building component 500B. Exemplary building
components suitable for use with the container 100 of the present
invention are blocks marketed under the name Stack 'n Surprise
Blocks.TM. by Fisher-Price, Inc. of East Aurora, N.Y.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 19, the building set S2 may also include a
ramp component 600 having an end 602 releasably coupleable to cover
150, and an opposing end 604 releasably coupleable to cover 200
when cover 200 is removed from the sidewall 102 of the container
100. The ramp component 600 may include a third building portion
B3. The third building portion B3 may include a plurality of
projections 606a, 606b, 606c, and 606d extending outwardly from a
side 608 of the ramp component 600. The building components 500 are
engagable with the third building portion B3. Alternatively, the
ramp component may not include any projections.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 20, in one embodiment, the end 602 of the
ramp component 600 includes projections 610, 612 receivable in
correspondingly configured slots 170, 172 provided in the sidewall
158 of cover 150. The projections 610, 612 may be releasably
retained within the corresponding slots 170, 172 via a friction
fit. Similarly, the other end 604 of the ramp component 600
includes projections 614, 616 receivable in correspondingly
configured slots 242, 244 provided in the sidewall 208 of cover
200. The projections 614, 616 may be releasably retained within the
corresponding slots 242, 244 via a friction fit. The friction fit
between the projections 610, 612, 614, 616 and corresponding slots
170, 172, 242, 244, respectively, should be sufficient snug so that
the ramp component 600 and covers 150, 200 may be retained in a
coupled arrangement, as shown in FIG. 19. However, a child should
be able to easily remove the projections 610, 612, 614, 616 from
the corresponding slots 170, 172, 242, 244, if desired.
[0059] Each of the ends 602, 604 of the ramp component 600 may
alternatively include a single projection receivable in a selected
slot in the covers 150, 200, or more than two projections
receivable in corresponding slots in the covers 150, 200. Further,
either or both of the covers 150 and 200 may include multiple slots
spaced about the sidewalls 158, 208 thereof, so that the
corresponding ends 602, 604 of the ramp component 600 may be
secured to a selected one of a plurality of different positions on
the covers 150 and 200. Further, other mechanisms for releasably
securing the ramp component 600 to the covers 150, 200 may be
employed. Thus, the illustrated connection mechanism is exemplary
only.
[0060] The various components of the container 100 are formed of
plastic and can either be translucent or opaque, as desired.
[0061] While the covers 150 and 200 are illustrated as each having
six projections, in alternative embodiments, the quantity of
projections on each of the covers 150 and 200 can vary. For
example, in some embodiments, each of the covers 150 and 200 may
fewer than six projections, such as four. Alternatively, in other
embodiments, each of the covers 150 and 200 may have more than six
projections. While the projections in the illustrated embodiment
are cylindrical, in alternative embodiments, the projections may
have different shapes, such as square, rectangular, or oval
cross-sections.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the size (width and height)
of the projections on a particular cover 150 or 200 are
substantially the same. However, in different embodiments, at least
one the projections on a cover can vary in height or width relative
to at least one of the other projections on that cover. In an
alternative embodiment, each of the projections on a cover may be
different than the other projections on that cover.
[0063] Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and
described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it
is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since various modifications and structural changes may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and
within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In
addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be
incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in
the following claims.
* * * * *