U.S. patent application number 14/697940 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for toy construction set.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hasbro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicolas Cera, Daniel Roger Hamel, Salvatore F. Lama, Robert C. Maschin.
Application Number | 20150314211 14/697940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54354478 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150314211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lama; Salvatore F. ; et
al. |
November 5, 2015 |
TOY CONSTRUCTION SET
Abstract
A toy construction set includes: a first building element
including a stud that extends from a surface, the stud including a
cavity and an outer wall; and a second building element including a
recess, the recess configured to releasably connect with the stud
of the first building element. When the first building element and
the second building element are connected, the stud is frictionally
engaged at the cavity and at the outer wall.
Inventors: |
Lama; Salvatore F.; (Bolton,
MA) ; Hamel; Daniel Roger; (Ludlow, MA) ;
Cera; Nicolas; (Wauwatosa, WI) ; Maschin; Robert
C.; (Providence, RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hasbro, Inc. |
Pawtucket |
RI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54354478 |
Appl. No.: |
14/697940 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61986136 |
Apr 30, 2014 |
|
|
|
62116204 |
Feb 13, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/97 ; 446/120;
446/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/062 20130101;
A63H 3/46 20130101; A63H 33/086 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/08 20060101
A63H033/08; A63H 33/06 20060101 A63H033/06; A63H 3/46 20060101
A63H003/46 |
Claims
1. A toy construction set comprising: a first building element
comprising a stud that extends from a surface, the stud comprising
a cavity and an outer wall; and a second building element
comprising a recess, the recess configured to releasably connect
with the stud of the first building element, wherein, when the
first building element and the second building element are
connected, the stud is frictionally engaged at the cavity and at
the outer wall.
2. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein the first building
element and the second building element connect along an axis of
connection, and when the first building element and the second
building element are connected, the first building element and the
second building element are rotatable relative to each other about
the axis of connection.
3. The toy construction set of claim 2, wherein the first building
element and the second building element slidably connect along the
axis of connection.
4. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein the recess
comprises a protrusion.
5. The toy construction set of claim 4, wherein the protrusion
comprises a stud that protrudes into the recess.
6. The toy construction set of claim 4, wherein the protrusion is
configured to be received in the cavity of the stud.
7. The toy construction set of claim 6, wherein the stud is
frictionally engaged at the cavity by a frictional engagement
between the protrusion and the cavity of the stud.
8. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein the first building
element comprises a pelvis, and the second building element
comprises a torso, and the toy construction set further comprises
at least one other building element that, with the first building
element and the second building element, forms a toy figure.
9. The toy construction set of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of additional building elements that are interconnectable
with each other, and wherein, one or more of the first building
element and the second building element have the same height or
width as at least one of the additional building elements such that
the one or more of the first building element and the second
building element are configured to be interchanged with at least
one of the additional building elements.
10. The toy construction set of claim 1, further comprising a
connection building element, at least part of the connection
building element configured to connect between the first building
element and the second building element, the connection building
element comprising a first coupling element configured to
frictionally engage the stud of the first building element.
11. The toy construction set of claim 10, wherein the second
building element comprises a stud, and the connection building
element further comprises a second coupling element configured to
engage the stud of the second building element with a snap
connection.
12. The toy construction set of claim 11, wherein the stud of the
first building element is received in the first coupling element of
the connection building element in a first direction, and the stud
of the second building element is received in the second coupling
element of the connection building element in a second direction,
the first direction being different from the second direction.
13. The toy construction set of claim 12, wherein the first
direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
14. The toy construction set of claim 10, wherein the first
coupling element of the connection building element is configured
to frictionally engage the stud of the first building element at
one or more facets.
15. A toy connection building element comprising: a first side
comprising a first surface that defines a first coupling element
configured for snap engagement with a stud of a separate toy
building element; a second side comprising a second surface, the
second surface comprising coupling elements arranged in a grid; and
a third side comprising a third surface that defines a second
coupling element configured for frictional engagement with a stud
of a separate toy building element, wherein the first and third
surfaces are in parallel planes, the first and second surfaces are
in perpendicular planes, the first coupling element is configured
to receive a stud of a separate toy building element in a first
direction, the second coupling element is configured to receive a
stud of a separate toy building element in a second direction, and
the first and second directions are perpendicular to each
other.
16. The toy connection building element of claim 15, wherein the
first coupling element is a first coupling feature, the coupling
feature being a first opening, and the second coupling element is a
second coupling feature, the coupling feature being a second
opening, the second opening passing through the third side.
17. The toy connection building element of claim 16, wherein one of
the first coupling feature and the second coupling feature comprise
one or more facets on an inner wall.
18. The toy connection building element of claim 16, wherein the
second coupling feature comprises one or more facets on an inner
wall.
19. The toy connection building element of claim 18, wherein the
first side comprises a plurality of arms that extend from the
second surface, and the plurality of arms at least partially
defines the first opening.
20. A toy construction set comprising: a first building element
comprising a stud, the stud comprising an outer surface and a
cavity formed in the stud; and a second building element comprising
a recess and a post in the recess, wherein the first building
element and the second building element are configured to removably
interconnect with a frictional engagement between the post of the
second building element and the cavity of the first building
element and a frictional engagement between the outer surface of
the stud of the first building element and the recess of the second
building element.
21. The toy construction set of claim 20, wherein the first
building element and second building element are rotatable relative
to each other when connected.
22. The toy construction set of claim 20, wherein the second
building element comprises a torso, and the first building element
comprises a pelvis.
23. The toy construction set of claim 20, wherein the recess of
second building element has a circular cross-section, and the first
building element, the post, and the stud have a circular
cross-section.
24. A building element configured to releasably connect to a
separate building element, the building element comprising a stud
comprising an outer wall and a cavity, wherein, when connected to
the separate building element, the stud engages with two distinct
surfaces of the separate building element, the outer wall of the
stud engaging with a first of the two distinct surfaces of the
separate building element and the cavity of the stud engaging with
the second of the two distinct surfaces of the separate building
element, to releasably connect the building element to the separate
building element at two or more fictional engagement points between
distinct surfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/116,204, filed on Feb. 13, 2015 and titled TOY
CONSTRUCTION SET, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/986,136, filed on Apr. 30, 2014 and titled TOY CONSTRUCTION SET,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to a toy construction set that
includes at least one building element.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Persons of all ages enjoy playing and interacting with toys
and building elements. Toy construction sets are made up of a
plurality of building elements, which include coupling mechanisms
such as studs or recesses of specific heights and placement to
enable interconnection with other building elements.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one general aspect, a toy construction set includes a
first building element including a stud that extends from a
surface, the stud including a cavity and an outer wall; and a
second building element including a recess, the recess configured
to releasably connect with the stud of the first building element.
When the first building element and the second building element are
connected, the stud is frictionally engaged at the cavity and at
the outer wall.
[0005] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. The first building element and the second building
element can connect along an axis of connection, and when the first
building element and the second building element are connected, the
first building element and the second building element can be
rotatable relative to each other about the axis of connection. The
first building element and the second building element can slidably
connect along the axis of connection.
[0006] The recess can be a protrusion. The protrusion includes a
stud that protrudes into the recess. The protrusion can be
configured to be received in the cavity of the stud. The stud can
be frictionally engaged at the cavity by a frictional engagement
between the protrusion and the cavity of the stud.
[0007] The first building element can be a pelvis, and the second
building element can be a torso, and the toy construction set
further can include least one other building element that, with the
first building element and the second building element, forms a toy
figure.
[0008] In some implementations, the toy construction set also
includes a plurality of additional building elements that are
interconnectable with each other. One or more of the first building
element and the second building element can have the same height or
width as at least one of the additional building elements such that
the one or more of the first building element and the second
building element are configured to be interchanged with at least
one of the additional building elements.
[0009] In some implementations, the toy construction set also
includes a connection building element configured to connect
between the first building element and the second building element,
the connection building element including a first coupling element
configured to frictionally engage the stud of the first building
element. The second building element can be a stud, and the
connection building element also can include a second coupling
element configured to engage the stud of the second building
element with a snap connection. The stud of the first building
element can be received in the first coupling element of the
connection building element in a first direction, and the stud of
the second building element is received in the second coupling
element of the connection building element in a second direction,
the first direction being different from the second direction. The
first direction can be perpendicular to the second direction. The
first coupling element of the connection building element can be
configured to frictionally engage the stud of the first building
element at one or more facets.
[0010] In another general aspect, a toy connection building element
includes a first side including a first surface that defines a
first coupling element configured for snap engagement with a stud
of a separate toy building element; a second side including a
second surface, the second surface including coupling elements
arranged in a grid; and a third side including a third surface that
defines a second coupling element configured for frictional
engagement with a stud of a separate toy building element. The
first and third surfaces are in parallel planes, the first and
second surfaces are in perpendicular planes, the first coupling
element is configured to receive a stud of a separate toy building
element in a first direction, the second coupling element is
configured to receive a stud of a separate toy building element in
a second direction, and the first and second directions are
perpendicular to each other.
[0011] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. The first coupling element can be a first coupling
feature, the coupling feature being a first opening, and the second
coupling element is can be second coupling feature, the coupling
feature being a second opening, the second opening passing through
the third side. One of the first coupling feature and the second
coupling feature can include one or more facets on an inner wall.
The second coupling feature can include one or more facets on an
inner wall. The first side can include a plurality of arms that
extend from the second surface, and the plurality of arms can at
least partially define the first opening.
[0012] In another general aspect, a toy construction set includes a
first building element including a stud, the stud including an
outer surface and a cavity formed in the stud; and a second
building element including a recess and a post in the recess. The
first building element and the second building element are
configured to removably interconnect with a frictional engagement
between the post of the second building element and the cavity of
the first building element and a frictional engagement between the
outer surface of the stud of the first building element and the
recess of the second building element.
[0013] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. The first building element and second building element
can be rotatable relative to each other when connected. The second
building element can be a torso, and the first building element can
be a pelvis. The recess of second building element can have a
circular cross-section, and the first building element, the post,
and the stud can have a circular cross-section.
[0014] In another general aspect, a building element is configured
to releasably connect to a separate building element, the building
element including a stud including an outer wall and a cavity. When
connected to the separate building element, the stud engages with
two distinct surfaces of the separate building element, the outer
wall of the stud engaging with a first of the two distinct surfaces
of the separate building element and the cavity of the stud
engaging with the second of the two distinct surfaces of the
separate building element, to releasably connect the building
element to the separate building element at two or more fictional
engagement points between distinct surfaces.
[0015] Implementations of any of the techniques described above can
include a toy construction set, a joint that removably connects a
torso and a pelvis of a toy figure, a process, or a device. The
details of one or more implementations are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DRAWING DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary toy construction
set in a disconnected state.
[0017] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the exemplary toy construction
set of FIG. 1A in a connected state.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of another exemplary toy
construction set.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a building element of
the toy construction set of FIG. 2A taken along the line 2B-2B.
[0020] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of another building
element of the toy construction set of FIG. 2B taken along the line
2C-2C.
[0021] FIG. 2D shows an exemplary toy construction set.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary toy figure
assembled from building elements.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary building
element in the form of a pelvis.
[0024] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another exemplary building
element in the form of a pelvis.
[0025] FIG. 5B is a side view of the pelvis of FIG. 5A.
[0026] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another exemplary building
element in the form of a torso.
[0027] FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the building element
of FIG. 6A.
[0028] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the building element of
FIG. 4 placed "in system" with other building elements.
[0029] FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional of the building element of
FIG. 4 placed "in system" as shown in FIG. 7A.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for
releasably connecting building elements.
[0031] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another exemplary
construction set in a disassembled state.
[0032] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the construction set of
FIG. 9A in an assembled state.
[0033] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an exemplary connection
building element.
[0034] FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the connection building element
of FIG. 10A.
[0035] FIG. 10C is a top view of the connection building element of
FIG. 10A.
[0036] FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
foundational building assembly that includes the connection
building element of FIG. 11A.
[0037] FIG. 11B is a partially exploded view of the foundational
building assembly of FIG. 11A.
[0038] FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the foundational building
assembly of FIG. 11A.
[0039] FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of another exemplary
connection building element.
[0040] FIGS. 12C and 12D are front and perspective views,
respectively, of a foundational building assembly that includes the
connection building element of FIGS. 12A and 12B.
[0041] FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of another exemplary
foundational building assembly that includes the connection
building element of FIG. 10A.
[0042] FIG. 13C is a partially exploded perspective view of the
foundational building assembly of FIGS. 13A and 13B.
[0043] FIG. 13D is an exploded perspective view of the foundational
building assembly of FIGS. 13A and 13B.
DESCRIPTION
[0044] A toy construction set is disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 1A
and 1B, a block diagram of an exemplary toy construction set 100 is
shown. The toy construction set 100 includes at least two building
elements that are configured to be repeatedly and releasably
connected to each other. At least two of the building elements in
the toy construction set 100 connect together with a plurality of
frictional engagements, each of which is formed between different
pairs of surfaces. The frictional engagements are such that the
building elements can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected
repeatedly and without harming or destroying the building
elements.
[0045] As discussed in greater detail below, the plurality of
frictional engagements allows the at least two building elements to
be held together more securely and to rotate relative to each other
while connected. Once connected, the building elements can be held
together with an interference fit. An interference fit is a
friction fit or frictional engagement in which the mechanical
coupling or fastening between the coupling elements is achieved by
friction after the coupling elements are pushed together, mated,
seated, or otherwise mutually engaged. The interference fit also
may involve a purposeful interference or deformation of one or more
of the coupling elements when they are coupled, fastened, pushed
together, or otherwise mutually engaged. Thus, the interference fit
can be achieved by shaping the two coupling elements so that one or
the other, or both, slightly deviate in size or form from their
nominal dimension and one or more of the coupling elements slightly
interferes with the space that the other is taking up.
[0046] In one example, the degree or strength of an interference
fit is sometimes referred to as "clutch." The amount of clutch
provides an indication of the forces used to combine and/or
separate the coupling elements to or from each other. The degree or
amount of contact between the coupling elements when coupled
directly can correlate to the amount of clutch provided. In
addition, the number of points of contact between the coupling
elements can determine the amount of clutch. For example, there may
be three, four, five or more points of contact between a male stud
and a female recess, where more points of contact provide more
clutch. With regard to female coupling elements, the point of
contact can be referred to as a "point of clutch" or a "frictional
engagement point."
[0047] In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, two building elements, a
building element 110 and a building element 120, are shown. FIG. 1A
shows the toy construction set 100 in a disconnected state, with
the building element 110 and the building element 120 being
physically separate from each other. The building element 110 and
the building element 120 connect to each other along a connection
axis 107, which is parallel to the z direction. FIG. 1B shows the
toy construction set 100 in a connected state, with the building
element 110 and the building element 120 being releasably connected
and held to each other with a frictional engagement, an
interference fit, or a friction fit.
[0048] The building element 110 includes a surface 112 and a stud
114 that extends from the surface 112. The stud 114 has a cavity
115 and an outer wall 116. The cavity 115 is recessed into the stud
114. The outer wall 116 forms a portion of the exterior of the stud
114. In the example shown, the outer wall 116 is concentric with
the cavity 115. The building element 120 includes a surface 122 and
a recess 124 formed in the surface 122. The recess 124 has a wall
127. In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a protrusion (such as a
post) 126 extends into the recess 124.
[0049] When the building elements 110 and 120 are connected, the
protrusion 126 is at least partially received in the cavity 115. As
a result, a frictional engagement 131 is formed between the
protrusion 126 and an inner wall of the stud 114, and a frictional
engagement 132 is formed between the outer wall 116 of the stud 114
and the wall 127 at the edge of the recess 124. Thus, the stud 114
is engaged at both its exterior (the outer wall 116) and its
interior (inner wall or at the cavity 115). In this manner, the
building element 110 and the building element 120 are releasably
connected to each other at two distinct frictional engagement
areas, regions, or points. This arrangement can be referred to as a
"double clutch."
[0050] The frictional engagements 131, 132 are distinct from each
other because they are formed at different spatial locations. In
the example of FIG. 1B, the engagements 131, 132 are formed between
surfaces that are in different planes and are between different
portions of the building elements. The engagements 131, 132 occur
without any snap fit action. In other words, there is no purposeful
deformation along a first direction before a relaxing back along a
second direction antiparallel with the first direction.
[0051] Having a plurality of distinct frictional engagement points
when the building elements 110 and 120 are connected can result in
the connected toy construction set 100 being held more securely,
and the building elements 110, 120 being clutched more strongly, as
compared to an implementation in which a single frictional
engagement is formed between two surfaces. Additionally, in some
implementations, when connected, the building elements 110, 120 can
rotate relative to one another about the connection axis 107 in the
x-y plane, which is perpendicular to the connection axis 107. The
building elements 110, 120 can rotate through 360 degrees of motion
in the x-y plane without becoming disconnected from each other. The
building elements 110, 120 can rotate relative to each other in the
x-y plane while moving in the z direction along the connection axis
107 or while remaining in their respective positions relative to
each other on the connection axis 107. The building elements 110,
120 can remain connected to each other while being rotated because
of the strong connection provided by the plurality of frictional
engagements.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2A, a block diagram of another exemplary
set of building elements 200 in a disassembled state is shown. The
set of building elements 200 includes a building element 210 and a
building element 220 that are releasably connectable to each other.
The building elements 210 and 220 are part of a construction set
236 (FIG. 2D) that includes a plurality of building elements that
repeatedly releasably connect to each other. Either or both of the
building elements 210 and 220 can connect to any of the building
elements in the construction set 236.
[0053] The building element 210 includes a stud 214, which has a
cavity 215 and an outer wall 216. The building element 220 includes
a recess 224 formed in a surface 222, and a protrusion 226 in the
recess 224. The recess 224 includes a wall 227 that at least
partially defines a boundary of the recess 224. When the building
elements 210 and 220 are connected, a frictional engagement is
formed between the outer wall 216 and the wall 227 and between the
protrusion 226 and the inner wall of the cavity 215. In this
manner, the building elements 210 and 220 are held together by a
plurality of frictional engagements.
[0054] The building element 220 also includes coupling studs 229.
The coupling studs 229 are arranged in a pattern on a surface 228.
The coupling studs 229 allow the building element 220 to connect to
any of the building elements in the construction set 236. For
example, the coupling studs 229 can be received and held in
frictional engagement by a corresponding recess formed in a
separate and distinct building element. In some implementations,
the building element 210 can include recesses 219 to receive
coupling studs such as the coupling studs 229.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2B, a cross-sectional view of the building
element 220 taken along the line 2B-2B is shown. In the example
shown, the protrusion 226 and the recess 224 have circular
cross-sections. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the
building element 210 taken along the line 2C-2C. In the example
shown, the stud 214 and the cavity 215 have circular
cross-sections. The circular cross-sections of the protrusion 226,
the recess 224, the stud 214, and the cavity 215 allow the building
element 210 and the building element 220 to rotate relative to each
other about the connection axis when connected or frictionally
engaged to each other.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an exemplary toy
FIG. 300 in an assembled state is shown. The toy FIG. 300 includes
a head 305, the pelvis or hip 310, the torso 320, arms 330, and
legs 340. The head 305, pelvis 310, torso 320, arms 330, and legs
340, collectively the components of the toy FIG. 300, are building
elements and are releasably connected to each other to form the toy
FIG. 300.
[0057] FIGS. 4 and 6A show perspective views of a pelvis 410 and a
torso 620 that can be used as the pelvis 310 and the torso 320,
respectively, of the toy FIG. 300 of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4,
the pelvis 410 includes a stud 414 that extends a distance 414a
from a surface 412. The stud 414 includes a cavity 415, which is
formed in the stud 414, and an outer wall 416. The cavity 415 is at
least partially defined by a faceted inner wall. The outer wall 416
is smooth. The pelvis 410 has mirror symmetry in the x-z and y-z
planes. Additionally, the pelvis 410 includes balls 418.
[0058] FIG. 5A shows a front perspective view of another exemplary
pelvis 510. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the pelvis 510. The pelvis
510 includes a stud 514 that extends a distance 514a in the z
direction from a surface 512. The stud 514 includes a cavity 515,
which is formed in the stud 514, and an outer wall 516. The cavity
514 has a faceted inner wall. The outer wall 516 is smooth. The
pelvis 510 is similar to the pelvis 410, except the surface 512 is
smaller than the surface 412 in the x-y plane and in the z
direction. Additionally, the extent 514a of the stud 514 can be
greater than the extent 414a of the stud 414. However, the cavity
515 and the cavity 415 have the same diameter and the same faceted
inner wall, and the diameters of the stud 514 and the stud 414 are
the same. Thus, the discussion below regarding connecting the torso
620 and the pelvis 410 also applies to connecting the torso 620 and
the pelvis 510.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, perspective and perspective
bottom views, respectively, of the torso 620 are shown. Referring
to FIG. 6A, the torso 620 includes a body 652 that defines a
longitudinal axis 607 that is parallel to the z direction. A stud
614 extends in the z direction from the body 652, and balls 632
extend from the body 652 in the y direction. Referring also to FIG.
6B, a bottom end 617 of the torso 620 defines a recess 630 that is
bounded in the x-y plane by a surface 622.
[0060] Inside the body 652 of the torso 620 and within the recess
630 are two recesses 624, a protrusion (or stud) 626, and a wall
627. The torso 620 also includes ribs 628 that extend along the
wall 627 and into the recess 624.
[0061] To connect the torso 620 and the pelvis 410, the protrusion
626 is inserted into the cavity 415 of the stud 414 of the pelvis
410, and the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 is physically connected
to at least a portion of the wall 627 of the torso 620. The
insertion and physical connection creates a frictional engagement
between the inner wall of the cavity 415 of the pelvis 410 and the
protrusion 626 of the torso 620 and between at least a portion of
the outer wall 416 of the pelvis 410 and a portion of the wall 627
of the torso 620. Thus, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 are held
together and connected at a plurality of frictional engagement
points. This connection can be considered a "double clutch."
[0062] Portions of the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 on the pelvis
410 can have a frictional engagement with the wall 627 of the torso
620 by having a frictional engagement with one or more of the ribs
628. Additionally, the ribs 628 can be used to connect and hold the
torso 620 to a separate building element, as shown, for example, in
FIG. 9. The primary function of the ribs 628 is to locate a long or
short stud in the geometric center of the torso 620. This allows
the torso 620 to sit either "in system" (discussed with respect to
FIG. 7A below) over two studs or in-system over a single stud in
the center. Another function of the ribs 628 is to provide
additional clutching surfaces for any of the three stud
positions.
[0063] The torso 620 and the pelvis 410 can be rotated relative to
each other while connected. The rotation can occur in the x-y plane
(which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 407 of the pelvis
and the longitudinal axis 607 of the torso 620). The rotation can
be smooth, without the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 disconnecting
from each other or moving apart from each other along the direction
of the longitudinal axes 407 and 507 (in the z direction). The ribs
628 can help keep the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 connected when
they are rotated relative to each other. The ribs 428 can also help
the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 rotate smoothly without separating
or moving away from each other in the z direction.
[0064] Further, the ribs 628 provide additional clutching surfaces
(surfaces for frictional engagement) for a connection on a building
element that connects to the torso 620. Furthermore, the ribs 628
can aid in aligning the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 on the
pelvis 410 or the outer portion of any other type of connection on
a separate building element that connects to the torso 620 at the
protrusion 626. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the four ribs 628
provide four additional points of contact and four lines of
alignment. Other implementations can include more or fewer
ribs.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 7A, a perspective view of the torso 620
placed "in system" with other building elements in a toy
construction set is shown. FIG. 7B shows a side cross-sectional
view of the torso 620 placed "in system" with other building
elements. In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a construction
set (such as the construction set 236 of FIG. 2) is used to build a
grid 700. A building element is "in system" with other building
elements when the building element is built into a grid or an
assembly that is formed from at least some of the other building
elements of the toy construction set. For example, making the
height and/or width of the building element the same as at least
some of the other building elements in the toy construction set
allows the building element to be interchanged with other building
elements of the set, thus allowing the building element to be
connected or placed "in system."
[0066] For building elements that include a grid of studs, the
centers of the studs are 8 millimeters (mm) apart in the x-y plane.
Additionally, all building elements in the construction set are
factors of the same size in the y-z and x-z dimension. For example,
all of the building elements can have an extent in the y-z and/or
x-z dimension that is an integer multiple of the extent of all of
the other building elements. In other words, the extent of all of
the building elements can be the same as or a multiple of a single
building element to allow all of the building elements to be used
in a grid or structure constructed from the building elements in
the construction set. For building elements that include other
types of coupling elements (such as balls and sockets), the centers
of those coupling elements align with coupling elements of the grid
associated with the other building elements of the construction
set. Thus, for example, the distances between centers of the
coupling elements in the grid taken along a direction that is
parallel with either the x or the z axis in the x-z plane are a
standard unit, which is an integer multiple of a base unit, BU.
Thus, the balls or sockets are in system if their centers are
separated from each other by an integer multiple of a base unit BU.
For construction sets with building elements that have standard
sizes, to make a building element or other object of a construction
set "in system" with the other building elements, key dimensions of
the building element are designed to fall in either a multiple of 8
mm (the distance between studs), a multiple of 3.2 mm (the height
of a plate), or matching any of the key diameters or other "width"
dimensions in the construction system, such as 3.18 mm rods, 4.88
mm studs, and other standard building element.
[0067] The distances are within a standard tolerance. Thus, the
distances are considered to be in system if they are within the
tolerance needed to obtain the needed interference fit.
[0068] The torso 620 is placed "in system" with the other building
elements used to assemble the grid 700 because the torso 620 fits
into the grid 700 and is interchangeable with at least one other
building element used to assemble the grid 700.
[0069] Additionally, and referring to FIG. 7B, when connected "in
system," the torso 620 is connected to a building element 710 with
a plurality of frictional engagement points. The building element
710 includes a stud 714 that has a portion 715 The portion 715
receives the protrusion 626 of the torso 620, thereby forming a
plurality of frictional engagement points between the torso 620 and
the building element 710.
[0070] In the example shown, the assembled grid 700 includes a
building element 733 that has a stud 734 with a cavity 735. The
torso 620 includes a shoulder coupling element 632 that, for
example, connects the arm 330 (FIG. 3) to the torso 620. The
shoulder coupling element 632 is positioned relative to the other
parts of the torso 620 so that the shoulder coupling element 632
lines up with the stud 734 and cavity 735. In the example shown,
when the torso 620 is connected to the building element 710, the
center of the shoulder coupling element 632 is aligned with the
center of the cavity 735 in the x direction, as shown by axis
750.
[0071] This arrangement of the shoulder coupling element 632
relative to the other portions of the torso 620 helps to allow the
torso 620 to be connected "in system" with the other building
elements (such as the building element 733) in the toy construction
set. For example, the shoulder coupling element 632 can be
connected to the building element 733 by inserting the shoulder
coupling element 632 into the cavity 735 while still being
connected to other building elements in the grid 700. In this
manner, the building elements of the construction set can be used
to make a grid and/or a figure, enhancing play value and the
flexibility of the construction set.
[0072] Furthermore, when connected to the building element 710 "in
system", the torso 620 can rotate relative to the building element
710 about a rotation axis 707. The rotation axis 707 is parallel to
the longitudinal axis 607 (FIG. 6A) of the torso 620.
[0073] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process 800 for
releasably connecting building elements. The process 800 can be
performed, for example, with the building elements 110 and 120, the
building elements 210 and 220, the torso 320 and the pelvis 310,
and/or the torso 620 with any of the pelvises 310, 410, and 510.
The process 800 is discussed with respect to the building elements
110 and 120.
[0074] The building element 110 is provided (810). The first
building element 110 is releasably connected to the second building
element 210 by inserting the protrusion 126 into the cavity 115
such that the protrusion engages the inner wall of the cavity 115
and the wall 127 engages the outer wall 116 of the stud 114 (820).
In some implementations, the first building element 110 and the
second building element 120 are rotatable about the connection axis
107 relative to each other when connected.
[0075] FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of another exemplary
construction set 900 in a disassembled state, and FIG. 9B shows the
construction set 900 in an assembled state. The construction set
900 includes the torso 620 and a building element 950. The building
element 950 includes studs 952 arranged in a regular pattern or
grid on a flat surface 954. The centers of the studs 952 are
separated, along a direction that is parallel with either the x or
the z axis in the x-z plane, by a standard unit, which is an
integer multiple of a base unit, BU. This center-to-center distance
is labeled 940 in FIG. 9A. The torso 620 can be connected to the
building element 950 "in system" by connecting the protrusion 626
(FIG. 6B) of the torso 920 between any two of the studs 952 and
connecting the recesses 624 (FIG. 6B) to those two studs.
[0076] In some implementations, a connection building element is
connected to the torso and the pelvis to form a foundational
building assembly that can be used to build a more complex
structure. The connection building element also provides additional
clutching of the pelvis, resulting in a stronger and more robust
assembly. A portion of the connection building element is
positioned between the torso and the pelvis and, when the torso and
the pelvis are connected with the connection building element, a
"triple clutch" effect arises. Examples of connection building
elements and foundational building assemblies are discussed
below.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, an exemplary connection building
element 1060 is shown. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the
connection building element 1060, FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the
connection building element 1060, and FIG. 10C is a top view of the
connection building element 1060.
[0078] The connection building element 1060 is removably coupled to
two building elements that are removeably held together with a
frictional engagement between surfaces that are in different planes
(such as the building elements 110 and 120, 210 and 220, the torso
320 and the pelvis 310, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410, and the
torso 620 and the pelvis 510). The connection building element 1060
provides an additional clutch surface and results in a stronger
connection between the connected building elements, while still
allowing the two building elements to rotate relative to each other
and to be disconnected from each other.
[0079] The connection building element 1060 includes first, second,
and third sides 1061a, 1061b, 1061c. The surfaces of the sides
1061a and 1061c are in planes that are parallel to each other, and
the sides 1061a and 1061c extend from the side 1061b. The side
1061b has a thickness 1062b, and the side 1061c has a thickness
1062c. Studs 1062 extend from the surface of the side 1061b in a
direction opposite the direction in which the sides 1061a and 1061b
extend from the side 1061b. The studs 1062 are arranged in a grid
in the x-z plane with the center-to-center distance 940 (FIG. 9A).
The center-to-center spacing of the studs 1062, the thicknesses
1062b and/or 1062c, the location of the studs 1062 relative to the
other portions of the connection building element 1060, and/or the
extent of the side 1061b in the z direction are such that the studs
1062 can be "in system" with the coupling elements on the building
elements to which the connection building element 1060 connects
(for example, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410).
[0080] The connection building element 1060 also includes coupling
features 1064 and 1065 that enable the connection building element
1060 to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the core toy
figure building elements. The coupling features 1064 and 1065 are
openings through which a coupling element of a core building
element can pass. The coupling feature 1064 is defined by the side
1061a, which, in this example includes two arms 1066a, 1066b that
extend from the side 1061b and form the coupling feature 1064.
[0081] The coupling feature 1064 holds the stud 614 of the torso
620 with a frictional engagement. The arms 1066a, 1066b deform when
the stud 614 is inserted into them along the y direction and the
arms 1066a, 1066b snap back in place or return to their original
position after the stud 614 is in the opening formed by the arms
1066a, 1066b.
[0082] The coupling feature 1065 is an opening that passes through
the side 1061c and is defined by the surface 1061c. In this
example, the coupling feature 1065 includes facets 1065b that hold
a smooth-walled coupling element of a core toy figure building
element (for example, the stud 514 of the pelvis 510) in frictional
engagement. The facets 1065b are part of an inner wall that
surrounds the opening that forms the coupling feature 1065. The
inner wall can have portions that are curved and portions that are
faceted with a facet 1065b. The curved and faceted portions can
alternate, and there can be any number of facets 1065b. For
example, the inner wall can include four facets 1065b to form an
eight-sided inner wall (with four curved portions and four faceted
portions). Other numbers of facets can be used. When a stud is
inserted into the coupling feature 1065, the facets 1065b make
contact with an outer surface of the stud to create a frictional
engagement. Thus, the facets 1065b can be the portions of the
coupling feature 1065 that hold the stud.
[0083] The opening that forms the coupling feature 1065 is
surrounded in the x-y plane by the inner wall, thus, the coupling
feature 1065 can receive a coupling element of another building
element in the z direction or in a direction opposite to the z
direction. In other implementations, the coupling feature 1065 can
be open in more than one direction (similar to the coupling feature
1064).
[0084] Referring also to FIGS. 11A-11C, the connection building
element 1060 can be connected to the torso 620 and the pelvis 510
to form a foundational building assembly 1170 (FIG. 11C). FIG. 11A
shows an exploded perspective view of the connection building
element 1060, the torso 620, and the pelvis 510. FIG. 11B shows a
perspective side view of the connection building element 1060
connected to the torso 620. The connection building element 1060
slides onto the body 652 of the torso 620 in the y direction such
that the side 1061b of the connection building element 1060 is
parallel to a plane that includes the centers of the balls 632.
Attaching the connection building element 1060 to the torso 620 in
this manner results in the coupling feature 1065 (FIGS. 10A-10C)
aligning with the recess 629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 along the z
direction and the coupling feature 1064 receiving the stud 614 of
the torso 620 in the y direction. The alignment of the coupling
feature 1065 of the connection building element 1060 and the recess
629 of the torso 620 provides a space into which the stud 514 of
the pelvis 510 can be inserted to connect the pelvis 510 to the
torso 620 and the connection building element 1060.
[0085] The connection building element 1060 is rigid in that none
of the sides 1061a, 1061b, 1061c articulate relative to each other
aside from nominal deflection that typically occurs in molded
plastic parts. Thus, the connection building element 1060 is
pressed onto the torso 620 and connects to the stud 614 of the
torso and is held in place until a force is applied to remove the
connection building element 1060.
[0086] After the connection building element 1060 and the torso 620
are connected, the stud 514 of the pelvis 510 is connected, in the
z direction, to the recess 629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 and the
coupling feature 1065 of the connection building element to form
the foundational building assembly 1170, a perspective view of
which is shown in FIG. 11C. The building element components of the
foundational building assembly 1170 (the torso 620, the pelvis 510,
and the connection building element 1060) are "in system" with each
other once connected and can be used to construct a variety of
different toy assemblies.
[0087] Additionally, when the foundational building assembly 1170
is formed in this manner, a "triple clutch" arises. The three
points of clutch are as follows: the stud 626 (FIG. 6B) of the
torso 620 is received in the cavity 515 of the stud 514 on the
torso, the outer wall 516 of the stud 514 engages with the ribs 628
(FIG. 6B) on the torso 620 and/or the wall 627 of the torso 620,
and the facets 1065b (FIG. 10A) on the connecting building element
1060 engage with the outer wall 516 of the stud 514.
[0088] FIGS. 12A and 12B show perspective views of another
exemplary connection building element 1260. The connection building
element 1260 connects to the torso 620 and the pelvis 510 to form a
foundational toy building assembly 1270. A front view of the
foundational building assembly 1270 is shown in FIG. 12C, and a
perspective view of the foundational building assembly 1270 is
shown in FIG. 12D.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the connection building
element 1260 includes four sides 1261a, 1261b, 1261c, and 1261d.
The sides 1261a and 1261c are parallel to each other and the sides
1261b and 1261d are parallel to each other. The edges of the sides
1261a, 1261b, 1261c, 1261d form a rectangular perimeter 1266, which
defines an open region 1267b in the y-z plane. On an opposite side
of the connection building element, the sides 1261a, 1261b, 1261c,
1261d form another open region 1267a. The open regions 1267a, 1267b
allow the connection building element 1260 to connect to the torso
509 while still exposing the balls 215 for connection to other
building elements. The sides 1261b and 1261d include studs 1262
that are arranged in a grid pattern with the center-to-center
spacing 940. The side 1261a and the side 1261c define coupling
elements 1264 and 1265, respectively. Thus, the connection building
element 1260 has coupling elements on sides 1261b and 1261d.
[0090] Referring also to FIGS. 12C and 12D, to connect the
connection building element 1260 to the torso 620, the bottom side
613 of the torso 620 is slid into the connection building element
1260 through the open region 1267a in the x direction and the stud
614 of the torso 620 is received in the coupling element 1264. When
connected in this manner, the coupling element 1265 and the recess
629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 align, and the stud 514 of the
pelvis 510 is inserted through the coupling element 1265 and held
by the facets 1265a, the stud 626, and the ribs 628 and/or the wall
627. Similar to the coupling feature 1065 (FIGS. 10A-10C), the
coupling element 1265 can include alternating curved and faceted
portions.
[0091] Thus, when assembled into the foundational building assembly
1270, the connecting building element 1260 provides studs 1262 on
more than one side of the torso 620 and also allows the coupling
elements of the torso 620 and the pelvis 510 to connect to other
building elements. Additionally, the foundational building assembly
1270 made from the torso 620, the pelvis 510, and the connection
building element 1260 is "in system," with the centers of the studs
1262 being aligned with the centers of the balls 418 and 632 in the
x and y directions, and the centers of the balls 418 and the balls
632 being separated in the x direction by a distance that is an
integer multiple of the center-to-center spacing 940.
[0092] The connection building element 1060 and the connection
building element 1260 also can be connected to other toy figure
building elements. FIGS. 13A-13D show the connection building
element 1060 with the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 (FIG. 4). The
pelvis 410 is similar to the pelvis 410 except the pelvis 410
includes the surface 412 that has the same extent in the x and y
directions as the body 652 of the torso 620 has at the bottom end
618. Additionally, when connected to either the connection building
elements 1060 or 1260, the pelvises 410 and 510 can rotate in a
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 407 and 507,
respectively.
[0093] Other implementations are within the scope of the following
claims.
[0094] For example, any of the building elements discussed above
can include one or more coupling elements. Coupling elements of
standard building elements can include male coupling elements, for
example, in the form of a coupling stud, and female coupling
elements, for example, in the form of a coupling recess that is
sized to receive the coupling stud. The male and female coupling
elements can have a first coupling size. For example, the first
coupling size of a standard coupling stud (that is on a surface of
a building element, such as a plate or brick) is defined by an
outside diameter of 4.88 mm and a height of 1.80 mm, and the
coupling recesses are sized to have an interference fit with the
coupling studs of the same size. There can be different types and
configurations of female recesses that mate with the first coupling
size. For example, in some configurations, the recesses may be
circular, partially circular with flats on multiple sides, square,
or pronged to name a few. The recesses may have varying depths;
however, a minimum depth may be provided to ensure proper coupling
with the male stud via an interference fit. Additional
configurations for recesses that provide different alignment
possibilities between building elements are described below in
greater detail.
[0095] Coupling elements, for example, a male stud of a standard
building element of the toy construction system, can be arranged in
a uniform two-dimensional array structure (that is in an x-z plane)
on the surface of a building element which allow for easy coupling
(and de-coupling) with the similarly arranged female recesses of
another building element. Typically, the building elements are
referred to by the array formed on the surface of the building
element. Thus, a 3.times.4 building element has 12 male coupling
elements, for example, studs, arranged in four columns by three
rows. The distances between centers of the coupling elements taken
along a direction that is parallel with either the x or the z axis
in the x-z plane are a standard unit, which is an integer multiple
of a base unit, BU. For example, a 1.times.3 standard building
element (brick or plate) has three studs A, B, and C whose centers
are arranged along a center axis of the element (for example, a z
axis) where the center of stud A is 1 BU from the center of stud B
and 2 BUs from the center of stud C. In the implementations
described, the base unit or BU of such a toy construction system is
8 mm.
* * * * *