U.S. patent application number 14/367941 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-22 for assembly and toy to be assembled using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is ArtHouse Co., Ltd., Yong-Hwan Kim. Invention is credited to Yong-Hwan Kim.
Application Number | 20150024654 14/367941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46271185 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150024654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Yong-Hwan |
January 22, 2015 |
ASSEMBLY AND TOY TO BE ASSEMBLED USING SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to an assembly (100) for
selectively coupling the portions between the parts of a toy
configured of a plurality of parts which are coupled to one
another. The present invention comprises: a housing (110) defining
an installation space (S) therein; and a coupling block (130)
rotatably inserted in the installation space (S), and having a
plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces (140), at least a
portion of which project outward from the installation space (S),
wherein a coupling head (145) is disposed to project at one end of
each of the coupling pieces (140) to thereby reduce the space
between two adjacent coupling pieces (140). Thus, according to the
present invention, through resilient deformation of the coupling
pieces (140) of the assembly (100), parts are assembled together
without the use of magnets in order to provide a relatively safe
toy for infants. Also, due to the omission of magnetic parts, the
manufacturing cost of the assembly (100) can be reduced.
Inventors: |
Kim; Yong-Hwan; (Gimpo-si
Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ArtHouse Co., Ltd.
Yong-Hwan Kim |
Seoul
Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
46271185 |
Appl. No.: |
14/367941 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 7, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2013/000993 |
371 Date: |
June 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/97 ;
446/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/102 20130101;
A63H 3/16 20130101; A63H 33/10 20130101; A63H 3/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/97 ;
446/125 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/10 20060101
A63H033/10; A63H 3/46 20060101 A63H003/46; A63H 3/16 20060101
A63H003/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0012812 |
Claims
1. An assembly unit used for coupling components together,
comprising: a housing having defined therein an installation space;
and a coupling block rotatably accommodated in the installation
space, wherein the coupling block comprises a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space, wherein
coupling heads protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling
pieces that face an outside of the installation space such that a
space between the coupling pieces is reduced.
2. The assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling
heads on the coupling pieces protrude in a direction toward a
center of the installation space and concurrently protrude in
opposite directions so as to face each other, whereby a space
between a pair of adjacent coupling heads of the coupling heads is
smaller than a greatest cross-section of the coupling heads.
3. The assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein a gear section
is provided on an edge of an outer surface of the coupling block
into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being
configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing
at a predetermined angle.
4. The assembly unit according to claim 3, wherein the gear section
is formed around an edge of an exit of the installation space, a
width of the gear section decreasing in a direction toward one end
that protrudes most.
5. The assembly unit according to claim 4, wherein the coupling
block comprises: a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the
installation space; the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling
pieces protruding from one surface of the block body; and the
coupling heads protruding from the exposed predetermined ends of
the coupling pieces in the direction toward the center of the
installation space.
6. The assembly unit according to claim 5, wherein each of the
coupling heads of the coupling block has a curved outer surface, a
cross-section of each of the coupling heads and a degree by which
each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the center of the
installation space increasing in a direction from an outermost
upper end of the housing which protrudes outward to a lower end
which faces a fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the
coupling pieces.
7. The assembly unit according to claim 6, wherein the
cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the coupling block
has a shape of an arc, a width of the arc decreasing in a direction
toward one end which protrudes most toward the center of the
installation space.
8. The assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein a bottom surface
of each of the coupling heads which faces the block body of the
coupling block comprises an inclined surface or a curved
surface.
9. The assembly unit according to claim 8, wherein the bottom
surface of each of the coupling heads which faces an inner
circumference of the installation space comprises a curved surface
corresponding to the inner circumference of the installation
space.
10. The assembly unit according to claim 9, wherein the housing is
cylindrically shaped, and wherein the disk-like shape of block body
of the coupling block corresponds to that of the installation
space.
11. The assembly unit according to claim 10, wherein the block body
of the coupling block has a connecting rib which connects fixed
ends of the plurality of coupling pieces.
12. The assembly unit according to claim 11, wherein a shield plate
which prevents the coupling block from being separated is coupled
with a portion of the housing.
13. The assembly unit according to claim 12, wherein the shield
plate is inserted and coupled through a coupling slit which is
formed in the housing.
14. The assembly unit according to claim 13, wherein the coupling
slit of the housing comprises a pair of coupling slits, wherein the
shield plate is inserted through one of the coupling slits, and one
end of the inserted shield plate is fastened to the other one of
the coupling slits.
15. The assembly unit according to claim 14, wherein the shield
plate comprises coupling protrusions on an outer circumference
thereof.
16. The assembly unit according to claim 15, wherein the housing
has a press-fit rib on an outer surface thereof.
17. An assembly toy comprising a plurality of components which form
parts of a human, an animal or an object, wherein the components
are to be selectively coupled with each other such that a variety
of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the components
or changing a coupling structure of the components, wherein the
components comprise assembly units having an equal configuration
and are coupled with each other by fitting, wherein the components
comprise body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal,
whereby a posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type
of the animal is varied through replacement of the individual
components, and wherein each of the assembly units comprises: a
housing having defined therein an installation space; and a
coupling block rotatably accommodated in the installation space,
wherein the coupling block comprises a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.
18. The assembly toy according to claim 17, wherein coupling heads
protrude from predetermined ends of the coupling pieces so as to
reduce a space between the two coupling pieces, whereby a pair of
assembly units are coupled with each other as the coupling pieces
of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by the coupling heads
of the counterpart assembly unit while the coupling heads of the
counterpart assembly unit are being inserted between the coupling
heads.
19. The assembly toy according to claim 17, wherein a gear section
is provided on an edge of an outer surface of the coupling block
into which the coupling pieces extend, the gear section being
configured to engage with a gear section of a counterpart housing
at a predetermined angle.
20. The assembly toy according to claim 19, wherein the coupling
block comprises: a disk-shaped block body corresponding to the
installation space; the plurality of cantilever-shaped coupling
pieces protruding from one surface of the block body; and the
coupling heads protruding from the exposed predetermined ends of
the coupling pieces in a direction toward a center of the
installation space, thereby reducing a space between the two
coupling pieces.
21. The assembly toy according to claim 20, wherein each of the
coupling heads of the coupling block has a curved outer surface,
wherein a cross-section of each of the coupling heads and a degree
by which each of the coupling heads protrudes toward the center of
the installation space increasing in a direction from an outermost
upper end which protrudes outward to a lower end which faces a
fixed end of a corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces,
and wherein the cross-section of each of the coupling heads of the
coupling block has a shape of an arc, a width of the arc decreasing
in a direction toward one end which protrudes most toward the
center of the installation space.
22. The assembly toy according to claim 21, wherein a shield plate
which prevents the coupling block from being separated is coupled
with a portion of the housing.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly unit, and more
particularly, to an assembly unit which allows two components to be
easily attached to and detached from each other through fitting and
an assembly toy using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, assembly units which are used for coupling a
plurality of components together have a variety of assembly
structures. Such assembly units are used in a variety of fields,
including assembly toys which are required to be easy to assemble
and disassemble.
[0003] Assembly toys refer to toys each consisting of several
shapes of components such that children can play with while fitting
together or disassembling them. Assembly toys are made of a variety
of materials, such as paper, wood, metal and plastic. Some assembly
toys are assembled using an adhesive or the like such that
components are not separated from each other. Some assembly toys
are assembled via fitting or magnets without using an adhesive
(Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2001-0033782).
[0004] Recently, toys in which components can firmly maintain the
coupled state using separate magnets together with or apart from
fitting are being developed.
[0005] However, the above-mentioned related art has the following
problems.
[0006] Since components are coupled together using magnets in the
related art, they are not assembled when the poles of magnets are
not properly abutted to each other, which is problematic. In order
to overcome this problem, one component includes a magnet, whereas
another component includes a metal piece. In this case, however,
there is a problem in that the degree of freedom of assembly is low
since a component including a metal piece must be coupled with a
component including a magnet.
[0007] Although axial coupling force between magnets or between a
magnet and a metal piece may be strong, coupling force in the
perpendicular direction is relatively weak. Thus, the components
may easily slip in the perpendicular direction. This consequently
makes it difficult to maintain a preset angle between the
components or to alter the assembled shape into a variety of other
forms, which are problematic.
[0008] In some cases, two components must be assembled at a variety
of angles as required by children users. Once the components are
fitted together at an angle, the coupled components are required to
stay at that angle. It is difficult, however, to concurrently
satisfy these requirements.
[0009] Since the magnets or metal pieces as described above may be
harmful to the human body, the magnets or metal pieces must not be
separated from corresponding components of an assembly toy. In
general, the magnets or metal pieces are fixed to the components
using an adhesive or insert injection is carried out in order to
prevent the magnets or metal pieces from being separated from the
components.
[0010] However, if the adhesive leaks, it may be harmful to
children users. The insert injection requires a separate injection
mold, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of assembly toys,
which is problematic. The magnet components also increase the
manufacturing costs, which is also problematic.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing
problems with the related art, and therefore an aspect of the
present invention is to allow components to be coupled together
through fitting without magnets and be deformed at a variety of
angles in the coupled state.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to allow two
components to be easily attached to and detached from each other
and to be in close contact with each other without gaps in the
coupled state.
Technical Solution
[0013] According to a feature of the present invention, provided is
an assembly unit which may include a housing having defined therein
an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the
installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces. At least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protrudes from the installation space. Coupling
heads are provided on preset ends of the coupling pieces so as to
protrude in the direction of an imaginary centerline. The imaginary
centerline passes through the center of the coupling block and
extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are
assembled to each other.
[0014] A gear section may be provided on the edge of an outer
surface of the coupling block into which the coupling pieces
extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a gear
section of a counterpart housing at a preset angle. The gear
section may be formed around the edge of an exit of the
installation space, the width of the gear section decreasing in the
direction toward one end that protrudes most.
[0015] In addition, the coupling block may include a disk-shaped
block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality
of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of
the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the
protruding ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the
imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling
block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly
units are assembled to each other.
[0016] Furthermore, each of the coupling heads of the coupling
block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of
the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling
heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the
direction from the outermost upper end of the housing which
protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a
corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces. The bottom
surface of each of the coupling heads which faces an inner
circumference of the installation space may have a curved surface
corresponding to the inner circumference of the installation
space.
[0017] In addition, the cross-section of each of the coupling heads
of the coupling block may have the shape of an arc, the width of
the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes
most toward the imaginary centerline. The housing may be
cylindrically shaped. The disk-like shape of block body of the
coupling block corresponds to that of the installation space.
[0018] Furthermore, the block body of the coupling block may have a
connecting rib which connects fixed ends of the plurality of
coupling pieces. A shield plate which prevents the coupling block
from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the housing.
The shield plate may be inserted and coupled through a coupling
slit which is formed in the housing.
[0019] In addition, the coupling slit of the housing may be
implemented as a pair of coupling slits. The shield plate is
inserted through one of the coupling slits. One end of the inserted
shield plate is fastened to the other one of the coupling
slits.
[0020] Furthermore, the shield plate may have coupling protrusions
on the outer circumference thereof. The housing may have a
press-fit rib on an outer surface thereof.
[0021] According to another feature of the present invention,
provided is an assembly toy that may include a plurality of
components which form parts of a human, an animal or an object. The
components are to be selectively coupled with each other such that
a variety of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the
components or changing a coupling structure of the components. The
components include assembly units having an equal configuration and
are coupled with each other by fitting. The components include
body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal, whereby a
posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type of the
animal is varied through replacement of the individual components.
Each of the assembly units includes a housing having defined
therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in
the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.
[0022] Coupling heads may protrude from predetermined ends of the
coupling pieces in the direction toward an imaginary centerline
that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in
the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to
each other so as to reduce a space between the two coupling pieces.
The pair of assembly units are coupled with each other as the
coupling pieces of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by
the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit while the
coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit are being inserted
between the coupling heads.
[0023] In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of
an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling
pieces extend. The gear section is configured to engage with a gear
section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle. The
coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body corresponding
to the installation space, the plurality of cantilever-shaped
coupling pieces protruding from one surface of the block body, and
the coupling heads which protrude from the exposed predetermined
ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the imaginary
centerline that passes through the center of the coupling block and
extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly units are
assembled to each other.
[0024] Furthermore, each of the coupling heads of the coupling
block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of
the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling
heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the
direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to
the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling
piece of the coupling pieces. The cross-section of each of the
coupling heads of the coupling block has the shape of an arc, the
width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which
protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.
[0025] In addition, a shield plate which prevents the coupling
block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the
housing.
Advantageous Effects
[0026] According to the present invention, a plurality of
components are selectively coupled or decoupled using assembly
units, thereby forming a variety of shapes, such as a human, an
animal or an object. Advantageously, the creativity of children can
be enhanced by the diversity of shapes that are realized through
assembly of the components, and children can more easily assemble
the components since there are no press-fitting structures.
[0027] In addition, according to the present invention, the
components are assembled together through elastic deformation of
the coupling pieces of the assembly units without magnets.
[0028] It is therefore possible to provide toys that are safer and
to reduce the manufacturing cost of the assembly units since magnet
components are precluded.
[0029] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
coupling pieces are freely rotated and assembled together free from
the direction of the assembly units while the assembly units are
being coupled. This consequently facilitates the assembly process.
Due to this characteristic, the assembly units which are fitted
into individual components can have the same structure. It is
therefore possible to reduce the overall manufacturing cost of a
toy compared to that of a toy in which assembly units have
different shapes.
[0030] In addition, according to the present invention, the gear
section provided on the housing of the assembly unit engages with
the gear section of the counterpart component. The assembled
components can stay at a preset angle without freely rotating with
respect to each other, thereby increasing the coupling force
between the components. It is also possible to maintain the
assembled state as required by an assembler.
[0031] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
assembly units are coupled with each other through elastic
deformation of elastic pieces of the assembly units, and a
plurality of elastic pieces are firmly engaged with each other. It
is therefore possible to more firmly maintain the coupling between
the components.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an
assembly unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the
configuration of the assembly unit according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (b) are a side elevation view and a
top plan view respectively showing the configuration according to
the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the
configuration of a pair of assembly units according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the pair
of assembly units according to an embodiment of the present
invention which are coupled with each other;
[0037] FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b) are perspective views respectively
showing the shapes of a toy at different angles, the toy being
assembled using assembly units according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) are perspective views respective
showing shapes in which different leg components and head
components are assembled to body components using assembly units
according to the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b) are operational state views
showing shapes in which the angle of a leg component is changed,
the leg component being coupled to a body component using an
assembly unit according to the present invention.
BEST MODE
[0040] According to the present invention, provided is an assembly
unit which may include a housing having defined therein an
installation space and a coupling block accommodated in the
installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces. At least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protrudes from the installation space. Coupling
heads are provided on preset ends of the coupling pieces so as to
protrude in the direction of an imaginary centerline. The imaginary
centerline passes through the center of the coupling block and
extends in the direction in which a pair of assembly units are
assembled to each other.
[0041] In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of
an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling
pieces extend, the gear section being configured to engage with a
gear section of a counterpart housing at a preset angle. The gear
section may be formed around the edge of an exit of the
installation space, the width of the gear section decreasing in the
direction toward one end that protrudes most.
[0042] The coupling block may include a disk-shaped block body
corresponding to the installation space, the plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of
the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the
protruding ends of the coupling pieces in the direction of the
imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the coupling
block and extends in the direction in which the pair of assembly
units are assembled to each other.
[0043] In addition, each of the coupling heads of the coupling
block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of
the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling
heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the
direction from the outermost upper end of the housing which
protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of a
corresponding coupling piece of the coupling pieces.
[0044] Furthermore, the bottom surface of each of the coupling
heads which faces an inner circumference of the installation space
may have a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumference
of the installation space. The cross-section of each of the
coupling heads of the coupling block may have the shape of an arc,
the width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end
which protrudes most toward the imaginary centerline.
[0045] In addition, the housing may be cylindrically shaped. The
disk-like shape of block body of the coupling block corresponds to
that of the installation space. The block body of the coupling
block may have a connecting rib which connects fixed ends of the
plurality of coupling pieces.
[0046] Furthermore, a shield plate which prevents the coupling
block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the
housing. The shield plate may be inserted and coupled through a
coupling slit which is formed in the housing.
[0047] In addition, the coupling slit of the housing may be
implemented as a pair of coupling slits. The shield plate is
inserted through one of the coupling slits. One end of the inserted
shield plate is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits.
The shield plate may have coupling protrusions on the outer
circumference thereof.
[0048] Furthermore, the housing may have a press-fit rib on an
outer surface thereof.
[0049] According to another feature of the present invention,
provided is an assembly toy that may include a plurality of
components which form parts of a human, an animal or an object. The
components are to be selectively coupled with each other such that
a variety of shapes or postures is formed by replacing some of the
components or changing a coupling structure of the components. The
components include assembly units having an equal configuration and
are coupled with each other by fitting. The components include
body, limb and head parts of the human or the animal, whereby a
posture or an expression of the human or animal or a type of the
animal is varied through replacement of the individual components.
Each of the assembly units includes a housing having defined
therein an installation space and a coupling block accommodated in
the installation space. The coupling block includes a plurality of
cantilever-shaped coupling pieces, at least a portion of each of
the coupling pieces protruding from the installation space.
[0050] Coupling heads may protrude from predetermined ends of the
coupling pieces in the direction toward an imaginary centerline
that passes through the center of the coupling block and extends in
the direction in which a pair of assembly units are assembled to
each other so as to reduce a space between the two coupling pieces.
The pair of assembly units are coupled with each other as the
coupling pieces of one assembly unit are elastically deformed by
the coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit while the
coupling heads of the counterpart assembly unit are being inserted
between the coupling heads.
[0051] In addition, a gear section may be provided on the edge of
an outer surface of the coupling block into which the coupling
pieces extend. The gear section is configured to engage with a gear
section of a counterpart housing at a predetermined angle.
[0052] Furthermore, the coupling block may include a disk-shaped
block body corresponding to the installation space, the plurality
of cantilever-shaped coupling pieces protruding from one surface of
the block body, and the coupling heads which protrude from the
exposed predetermined ends of the coupling pieces in the direction
of the imaginary centerline that passes through the center of the
coupling block and extends in the direction in which the pair of
assembly units are assembled to each other.
[0053] In addition, each of the coupling heads of the coupling
block may have a curved outer surface. The cross-section of each of
the coupling heads and the degree by which each of the coupling
heads protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increase in the
direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to
the lower end which faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling
piece of the coupling pieces. The cross-section of each of the
coupling heads of the coupling block has the shape of an arc, the
width of the arc decreasing in the direction toward one end which
protrudes most toward the center of the installation space.
[0054] Furthermore, a shield plate which prevents the coupling
block from being separated may be coupled with a portion of the
housing.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to a specific
embodiment of an assembly unit and an assembly toy using the same
according to the present invention in conjunction of the
accompanying drawings. In the following, individual assembly
components of an animal-shaped toy having leg components or wheel
components will be described by way of example.
[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an
assembly unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the
configuration of the assembly unit according to the present
invention, and FIG. 3 is a side elevation view and a top plan view
respectively showing the configuration according to the present
invention.
[0057] As shown in the figures, an assembly unit 100 (hereinafter
referred to as the "assembly unit") is fixed to each of components
of an assembly toy, such as a body component 210, a leg component
and a head component 250, such that individual components can be
coupled with each other.
[0058] The outer shape and frame of the assembly unit 100 are
defined by a housing 110. The housing 110 has an installation space
S therein, and is fixedly fitted into an installation recess (not
shown) which is formed in each of components of the toy.
[0059] As shown in the figure, the housing 110 has substantially
the shape of a cylinder. The installation space S has the shape of
a cylinder corresponding to that of the housing 110, and both ends
of the installation space S are opened. A coupling block 130 which
will be described later is accommodated in the installation space
S. An open portion that is at a lower side in FIG. 2 is referred to
as an entrance, an open portion that is at an upper side in FIG. 2
is referred to as an exit.
[0060] Coupling slits 112 are formed on in outer surface 111 of the
housing 110. The coupling slits 112 are portions through which a
shield plate 150 which will be described later is to be inserted.
According to this embodiment, as shown in the figures, the lower
portion of the housing 110 is opened so as to communicate with the
installation space S.
[0061] The housing 110 may have a pair of coupling slits 112. In
this case, the shield plate 150 is inserted through one of the
coupling slits 112, and the leading end of the inserted shield
plate 150 is fastened to the other one of the coupling slits
112.
[0062] A press-fit rib 113 is formed on the outer surface 111 of
the housing 110. The press-fit rib 113 can be press-fitted while
the housing 110 is being inserted into the installation recess of a
toy component. A plurality of press-fit ribs may be formed around
the outer surface 111 of the housing 110. When the housing 110 is
coupled with an insert recess via an adhesive, the press-fit rib
113 may serve to provide a space where the adhesive can stay
without flowing from the insert recess.
[0063] A gear section 120 is provided on the upper surface of the
housing 110. The gear section 120 is exposed to the outside when
the assembly unit 100 is inserted into the insert recess of the toy
component. As shown in the figure, the gear section 120 has
substantially the shape of a gear.
[0064] The gear section 120 engages with a gear section 120 of a
counterpart assembly unit 100 such that an angle at which the two
sections engage with each other can be maintained. That is, the
gear section 120 prevents a pair of assembly units 100 from freely
rotating in the state in which the assembly units are coupled using
the elastic force of the coupling blocks 130.
[0065] Of course, the gear sections 120 also act to increase
coupling force since the area where the pair of assembly units 100
engage with each other is also increased by the gear sections
120.
[0066] The gear section 120 is configured such that the width
thereof is decreased in the direction toward the upper end, thereby
facilitating engagement with the gear section 120 of the
counterpart assembly unit 100.
[0067] Reference will now be made to the coupling block 130. The
coupling block 130 is a section that enables coupling between the
assembly units 100. The coupling block 130 is accommodated in the
installation space S of the housing 110 and is maintained in a
rotatable state. With this, the coupling block 130 can freely
rotate in the direction in which the coupling block 130 can engage
with a corresponding coupling block while the pair of assembly
units 100 are being coupled with each other.
[0068] The coupling block 130 includes a block body 131, coupling
pieces 140 and coupling heads 145. More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 2, the block body 131 has the shape of a disk corresponding to
the installation space S. The coupling pieces 140 are provided on
the upper surface of the block body 131. Since the block body 131
is fastened to the edge of the exit of the installation space S,
the coupling block 130 can be prevented from being separated out of
the exit.
[0069] A plurality of the coupling pieces 140 is provided. Each of
the coupling pieces 140 has the shape of a cantilever which
protrudes from one surface of the block body 131 and is elastically
deformable. Specifically, each of the coupling pieces 140 includes
a fixed end which is fixed to the block body 131 and a free end
which extends from the fixed end such that each of the coupling
pieces 140 is elastically deformable. Although two coupling pieces
140 are provided according to this embodiment, three or four
coupling pieces can be provided.
[0070] The coupling heads 145 are respectively provided on the free
ends of the coupling pieces 140. Each of the coupling heads 145 has
a curved outer surface 147. The coupling heads 145 are greater than
the coupling pieces 140, and serve to reduce the space between the
two adjacent coupling pieces 140.
[0071] More specifically, the coupling heads 145 protrude in the
central direction of the installation space S (the direction of an
imaginary centerline A that passes through the center of the
coupling block 130 and extends in the direction in which a pair of
assembly units 100 are assembled together) and opposite directions
perpendicular to the central direction (directions facing toward
the adjacent other coupling heads 145).
[0072] In other words, the coupling heads 145 protrude toward the
center of the installation space S while protruding in opposite
directions away from the inner circumference of the installation
space S, thereby reducing the space between the adjacent two
coupling pieces 140.
[0073] Accordingly, the coupling heads 145 interfere with each
other in the process of being assembled with a counterpart assembly
unit 100 so that the coupling pieces 140 can be elastically
deformed. When the coupling pieces 140 which have been elastically
deformed are restored to the original shape, the coupling heads 145
which are provided on a pair of different assembly units 100 are
fastened to each other, thereby preventing the pair of assembly
units 100 from being separated from each other.
[0074] Accordingly, in the process in which the pair of assembly
units 100 are coupled with each other, the coupling heads 145 are
inserted into the space between the two coupling heads 145 of the
counterpart assembly unit 100. In this process, the coupling pieces
140 are elastically deformed. The coupling pieces 140 are
elastically deformed since the space between the pair of adjacent
coupling heads 145 is smaller than the greatest cross-sectional
area of each of the coupling heads 145.
[0075] Referring to the shape of each of the coupling heads 145 in
more detail, each of the coupling heads 145 has a curved outer
surface. Here, the cross-section of each of the coupling heads
increases and the degree by which each of the coupling heads
protrudes toward the imaginary centerline increases in the
direction from the outermost upper end which protrudes outward to
the lower end that faces the fixed end of a corresponding coupling
piece 140 of the coupling pieces 140.
[0076] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the cross-section of
each of the coupling heads 145 has the shape of an arc, the width
of which decreases in the direction toward one end which protrudes
most toward the imaginary centerline.
[0077] This is intended to allow the coupling heads 145 of one
assembly unit 100 to smoothly slide in contact with the coupling
heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 so that the coupling
heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 can be introduced between the
coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 in the
process in which the pair of different assembly units 100 are being
coupled with each other. Of course, this operation is possible
since the coupling blocks 130 are provided so as to be rotatable
inside the installation space S.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the
coupling head 145 that faces the block body 131 of the coupling
block 130 is formed as an inclined surface or a curved surface. Due
to the inclined surface or the curved surface, the coupling heads
145 which are fastened to each other can be easily separated from
each other in the process in which the pair of assembly units 100
are separated from each other.
[0079] In addition, a connecting rib 135 is provided on the upper
surface of the block body 131. The connecting rib 135 connects the
fixed ends of the coupling pieces 140 with each other, and is
provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the block body
131. The connecting rib 135 serves to prevent the coupling pieces
140 which are repeatedly subjected to elastic deformation from
being plastically deformed while reinforcing strength.
[0080] The housing 110 is provided with the shield plate 150. As
shown in FIG. 2, the shield plate 150 is substantially
plate-shaped, and is inserted through one of the coupling slits 112
of the housing 110 to support the coupling block 130 from below,
thereby preventing the coupling block 130 from being separated from
the installation space S of the housing 110.
[0081] More specifically, the shield plate 150 is inserted through
one coupling slit 112 of the pair of coupling slits 112, and one
end of the shield plate 150 is fastened to the other coupling slit
112 of the pair of coupling slits 112.
[0082] Coupling protrusions 155 are provided on the outer surface
of the shield plate 150. The coupling protrusions 155 are provided
so as to protrude from the outer surface of the shield plate 150
such that the coupling protrusions 155 can be pressed inward during
the process in which the assembly unit 100 is inserted into the
insert recess of a toy component.
[0083] Although not shown, the shield plate 150 may be omitted.
More specifically, the assembly unit can be manufactured through
double injection molding or insert injection so as to be the
assembly unit can be manufactured in the state in which the
coupling block 130 is accommodated in the housing 110. In this
case, no shield plate 150 is required since the housing 110 can be
formed such that the bottom portion thereof is narrow.
[0084] With reference to the figures, the process in which two
assembly units are coupled with each other will now be described in
detail.
[0085] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the
configuration of a pair of assembly units according to an
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective
view showing the shape of the pair of assembly units according to
an embodiment of the present invention which are coupled with each
other.
[0086] Substantially, the pair of assembly units 100 are
respectively fixed to separate toy components which form one toy,
for example, a body component 310 (see FIG. 7) and a leg component
320 (see FIG. 7) such that the toy components can be coupled with
each other. However, descriptions of the toy components will be
omitted, and for the sake of convenience, an example in which the
assembly units 100 are directly coupled with each other will be
described.
[0087] As shown in the figures, when a user moves the pair of
assembly units 100 in the direction toward each other, the coupling
heads 145 which are provided in the coupling blocks 130 of the pair
of assembly units 100 are brought into contact with each other.
[0088] The coupling heads 145 of one assembly unit 100 are required
to cross the coupling heads 145 of the other assembly unit 100 at
right angles. Specifically, the coupling heads 145 of one assembly
unit 100 are required to be inserted into the space between the
coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100. FIG. 4
shows this state of crossing at right angles.
[0089] However, although the pairs of coupling heads 145 are not
set in the direction of crossing at right angles, the two pairs of
coupling heads 145 can rotate in suitable directions with respect
to each other without being set by the user in the assembly
process.
[0090] This is because the two pairs of coupling heads 145 slide on
each other while interfering with each other, thereby rotating the
coupling blocks 130 with respect to each other, since the outer
surfaces of the coupling heads 145 are curved.
[0091] In particular, since the cross-section of each of the
coupling heads 145 increases and the degree by which each of the
coupling heads 145 protrudes toward the imaginary centerline
increases in the direction from the outermost upper end which
protrudes outward to the lower end which faces the fixed end of the
corresponding coupling piece 140, and the cross-section of each of
the coupling heads 145 has the shape of an arc, the width thereof
decreasing in the direction toward one end which protrudes most
toward the imaginary centerline, the cross-section is curved at any
angles. Accordingly, the above-mentioned sliding can be naturally
carried out.
[0092] In the state in which the coupling blocks 130 are suitably
positioned through rotation, when the user pushes the two assembly
units 100 in the direction toward each other, the coupling heads
145 of one of the assembly units 100 are put into the space between
the two coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit
100.
[0093] Since the space between the two adjacent coupling heads 145
of the counterpart assembly 100 is smaller than the size of the
coupling heads 145, the coupling piece 140 are elastically deformed
in the direction of increasing the space between the two coupling
heads 145 in this process. After the coupling heads 145 are put
into the space between the two coupling heads 140 of the
counterpart assembly unit 100, the coupling heads 140 of the
counterpart assembly unit 100 are restored to the original shape,
thereby completing coupling.
[0094] Concurrently, the gear section 120 of the housing 110
engages with the gear section 120 of the housing of the counterpart
assembly 100.
[0095] Consequently, the coupling heads 145 are put under the two
coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly unit 100 and then
are fastened to the coupling heads 145 of the counterpart assembly
unit 100, thereby completing the coupling between the two assembly
units 100.
[0096] Next, the processes of assembling and deforming an assembly
toy which includes assembly units will be described in detail with
reference to the figures.
[0097] FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b) are perspective views respectively
showing the shapes of a toy at different angles, the toy being
assembled using assembly units according to the present
invention.
[0098] As shown in these figures, an assembly toy 200 includes a
body component 210 and a head component 250. The body component 210
forms an animal-shaped body, and the head component 250 forms the
shape of the head of an animal.
[0099] The head component 250 can be coupled to the body component
210 at a variety of angles. The coupling of the head component 250
and the body component 210 can be carried out through the
above-described assembly units 100. More specifically, a plurality
of assembly units 100a to 100d are fixed to the body component 210,
and corresponding assembly units (not shown) are fixed to the head
component 250. The head component 250 and the body component 210
can be coupled with each other through engagement between these
assembly units.
[0100] Since the body component 210 includes the plurality of
assembly units 100a to 100d, the head component 250 can be coupled
with the body component 210 at a position corresponding to one of
the assembly units 100a to 100d. Accordingly, the head component
250 can be coupled with the body component 210 at a variety of
coupling angles.
[0101] FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) are perspective views respective
showing shapes in which different leg components and head
components are assembled to body components using assembly units
according to the present invention.
[0102] As shown in these figures, an assembly toy 300 includes a
body component 310, leg components 320, a tail component 330 and a
head component 350. Assembly units 100 are fixed to these
components.
[0103] For reference, the body component 310 includes a total of
nine assembly units 100. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), among the nine
assembly units 100, four leg components 320 and one tail component
330 are assembled to five assembly units 100, and the remaining
four assembly units 100a to 100d are exposed.
[0104] In this case, the user can be couple other components to the
body component 310. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the user can couple leg
components 320' and a tail component 330', which are different from
those shown in FIG. 7 (a), to the body component 310, and add a
head component 250 to the body component.
[0105] FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b) are operational state views
showing shapes in which the angle of a leg component is changed,
the leg component being coupled to a body component using an
assembly unit according to the present invention.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b), leg components 420
are coupled to a body component 410 of an animal-shaped assembly
toy 400. The body component 410 includes a plurality of assembly
units 100, in which assembly units (not shown) of different leg
components 420 are coupled to these four assembly units 100. For
reference, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), two assembly units 100a and 100b
of the assembly units 100 of the body component 410 are exposed
without being coupled.
[0107] The user can rotate the leg components 420 with respect to
the body component 210. The assembly components 100 of the leg
components 420 and the assembly components 100 of the body
component 410, which are coupled with each other, can be rotated
with respect to each other without being separated from each other.
This is because the coupling block 130 of the assembly unit 100 is
rotatably coupled to the housing 110.
[0108] In addition, since the gear sections 120 provided in the
housings 110 of the two assembly units 100 are engaged with each
other, the user is required to rotate the two components 410 and
420 with respect to each other with a force that can disengage the
engaged gear sections 120.
[0109] Then, the two gear sections 120 are fixedly engaged with
each other at a new angle in the state in which the two assembly
units 100 are rotated with respect to each other, and thus the new
coupling angle between the two components 410 and 420 can be
maintained. In FIG. 7 (b), the angle of the leg component 420 is
shown as being rotated counterclockwise.
[0110] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the
certain embodiments that have been described above but shall be
defined by the appended Claims. It is apparent to a person skilled
in the art to which the present invention pertains that a variety
of alterations and modifications are possible without departing
from the scope defined by the Claims.
[0111] Although the component assembly units have been described as
being applied to a toy by way of example in the foregoing
embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The
assembly units can be applied to a variety of fields, such as
furniture components or machine components, in which two or more
components are selectively coupled together.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0112] The present invention relates to an assembly unit which
allows two components to be easily attached to and detached from
each other through fitting and an assembly toy using the same.
According to the present invention, the components are assembled
together through elastic deformation of the coupling pieces of the
assembly units without magnets. It is therefore possible to provide
safer toys to children. Since magnet components are precluded, the
manufacturing cost of the assembly units is advantageously
reduced.
* * * * *