This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/902,276 filed Feb. 20, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND The present invention generally relates to toy wood blocks. More specifically, the present invention is wood blocks with holes in various permutations, each hole approximately one-half the depth of wood or plastic dowels, which blocks that can be attached to each other with the dowel connectors in various formations, and makes an attractive children's toy which promotes creative thinking and intelligence building.
The present invention is a toy which includes various sized rectangular, rod-shaped and wheel-shaped wood blocks. The blocks contain holes on five of six sides, the rod-shaped blocks contain holes on each end and around the diameter, and the wheels each contain a single hole centered on one side of the wheel, which holes are designed to match up, in various permutations with the holes on the other blocks. The blocks are connected by the use of wood or plastic dowels. Each of the holes are approximately one-half the depth of the dowel, so that the blocks are flush against one another when connected.
There are many other types of wood blocks. Most of the other types of wood blocks do not interconnect at all. Those that do interconnect, either do not connect in a manner that enables the blocks to stay together under significant stresses (of additional blocks or simply touching or playing with them), have fixed connectors, that severely limit the ways in which the blocks can be connected to one another, or have both such limitations.
The present invention blocks connect in very tight-fitting manner, that enables young children to actually build projects that they think up (or follow instructions for a variety of projects to be provided), which projects will not simply tip over or fall apart under their own weight or even from substantial external pressure; and this is done by simply inserting dowels into the wood blocks and pushing them together, without the use of any tools or the requirement of any great degree of pressure or strength.
Additionally, because the connecting dowels of the present invention are not fixed to the blocks, they may be inserted in any of the many holes contained on a given block and attached to any other block in any of the many holes contained on that other block.
The current intent is to market these blocks as a toy that will enable children as young as three years old (my 3-year old daughter is relatively proficient with them) to build real wooden projects (e.g., houses, chairs, tables, bridges, towers, boxes, etc., or any other creation children can think up) without the use of any tools, that will look like they were made by adults or woodworkers, and that will be extremely sturdy and stay together though the pushing, pulling and tugging of younger siblings, but which will be able to be taken apart and re-used with relative ease by older children (i.e., 3 and over).
The simplicity and versatility of the present invention block, together with its feel and look of grown-up woodworking and building, make it the perfect toy for children (and even adults) of all ages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9b illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9c illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 12a illustrates a drawing of a wood construction toy, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
Referring now to FIG. 1, as in one embodiment illustrated is a perspective view of a wood construction toy 8. A first block 10, second block 20, third block 30, forth block 40, sixth block 50, sixth block 60 and seventh block 70 are shown. Shown is a rod 90 and wheel 80. Referring to FIG. 2, as in one embodiment is an exploded perspective view of the wood construction toy 8 with a connector 100. All blocks, wheels, rods and any other part have at least one hole 110 that is one-half the depth of the connector 100, the holes 110 are designed in a pattern to match up, in various permutations with the holes 110 on the other blocks, rods, wheels or other parts. Each hole 110 may be slightly larger than one quarter inch in diameter and may be exactly one half inch deep
Referring to FIG. 3, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the first block 10. Shown is a first block hole pattern 112 that may have six holes by two holes on a front first block surface 114 and seven holes on either of two side first block surfaces 116. Also shown are two holes on either of two end first block surfaces 120. A back first block surface 122 will have no holes. In FIG. 3a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the first block 10 with dimensions X1, Y1, Y2 and Y3. X1 may be three quarters of an inch, Y1 may be may be 6 inches, Y2 may be one half inch and Y3 may be five eighth of an inch. In FIG. 3b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the first block 10 with dimensions X2, X3, Y4 and Y5. X2 may be one fourth inch, X3 may be may be one half inch, Y4 may be one half inch and Y5 may be 1 inch. In FIG. 3c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the first block 10 with dimensions X4, X5, X6 and Y6. X4 may be one fourth inch, X5 may be one and one half inch, X6 may be one half inch, Y6 may be three quarters an inch.
Referring to FIG. 4, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the second block 20. Shown is a second block hole pattern 130 that may have eight holes by two holes on a front second block surface 132 and seven holes on either of two side second block surfaces 134. Also shown are two end second block surfaces 136 without holes. A back second block surface 138 will have no holes. In FIG. 4a, as in one embodiment is a front view of the second block 20 with dimensions X7, X8, Y7 and Y8. X7 may be one fourth of an inch, X8 may be may be one half inch, Y7 may be one fourth inch and Y8 may be one half of an inch. In FIG. 4b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the second block 20 with dimensions Y9, Y10 and Y11. Y9 may be five eighth inch, Y10 may be may be one half inch, Y11 may be six inches. In FIG. 4c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the second block 20 with dimensions Y12 and X9. Y12 may be three quarters of inch and X9 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 5, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the third block 30. Shown is a third block hole pattern 140 that may have seven holes by two holes on a front third block surface 142 and eight holes on either of two side third block surfaces 144. Also shown are two end third block surfaces 146 without holes. A back third block surface 148 will have no holes. In FIG. 5a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the third block 30 with dimensions X10, Y13, Y14 and Y15. X10 may be one fourth of an inch, Y13 may be may be one half inch, Y14 may be one fourth inch, Y15 may be 6 inches. In FIG. 5b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the third block 30 with dimensions Y16, Y17, X11 and X12. Y16 may be one half inch, Y17 may be five eighth inch, X11 may be one fourth inch and X12 may be one half inch. In FIG. 5c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the third block 30 with dimensions Y18 and X13. Y18 may be three quarters of inch and X13 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 6, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the fourth block 40. Shown is a fourth block hole pattern 150 that may have seven holes by two holes on a front fourth block surface 152 and seven holes on either of two side fourth block surfaces 154. Also shown are two end fourth block surfaces 156 one without holes and one with holes. A back fourth block surface 158 will have no holes. In FIG. 6a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the fourth block 40 with dimensions X14, Y19, Y20 and Y21. X14 may be one fourth of an inch, Y19 may be may be one half inch, Y20 may be five eighth inch, Y21 may be 6 inches. In FIG. 6b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the fourth block 40 with dimensions Y22, Y23, Y24, X15 and X16. Y22 may be one half inch, Y23 may be one inch, Y24 may be one fourth inch, X15 may be one fourth inch and X16 may be one half inch. In FIG. 6c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the fourth block 40 with holes, with dimensions Y25, X17, X18 and 19. Y25 may be three quarters of inch, X17 may be one fourth inch, X18 may be one half inch and X19 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 7, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the sixth block 50. Shown is a sixth block hole pattern 160 that may have ten holes by two holes on a front sixth block surface 162 and nine holes on either of two side sixth block surfaces 164. Also shown are two end sixth block surfaces 166 without holes. A back sixth block surface 168 will have no holes. In FIG. 7a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the sixth block 50 with dimensions X20, Y26, Y27 and Y28. X20 may be one sixth of an inch, Y26 may be may be one half inch, Y27 may be five eighths inch, Y28 may be seven and one half inches. In FIG. 7b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the sixth block 50 with dimensions Y29, Y30, X21 and X22. Y29 may be one fourth inch, Y30 may be one half inch, X21 may be one fourth inch and X22 may be one half inch. In FIG. 7c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the sixth block 50 with dimensions Y31 and X23. Y31 may be three quarters of inch and X23 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 8, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the sixth block 60. Shown is a sixth block hole pattern 170 that may have four holes by two holes on a front sixth block surface 172 and five holes on either of two side sixth block surfaces 174. Also shown are two end sixth block surfaces 176 with holes. A back sixth block surface 178 will have no holes. In FIG. 7a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the sixth block 60 with dimensions X24, Y32, Y33 and Y34. X24 may be one fourth of an inch, Y32 may be may be one half inch, Y33 may be five eighth inch, Y34 may be four and one half inches. In FIG. 8b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the sixth block 60 with dimensions Y35, Y36, X25 and X26. Y35 may be one half inch, Y36 may be one inch, X25 may be one fourth inch and X26 may be one half inch. In FIG. 8c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the sixth block 60 with dimensions Y37, Y 38, X27, X28 and X29. Y37 may be three quarters of inch, Y 38 may be one fourth inch, X 27 may be one fourth of inch, X28 may be one and one half inch and X29 may be one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 9, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the seventh block 70. Shown is a seventh block hole pattern 180 that may have two holes by two holes on a front seventh block surface 182 and three holes on either of two side seventh block surfaces 184. Also shown are two end seventh block surfaces 186 with holes. A back seventh block surface 188 will have no holes. In FIG. 9a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the seventh block 70 with dimensions X30, Y40, Y41 and Y42. X30 may be one fourth of an inch, Y40 may be may be one half inch, Y41 may be one inch, Y42 may be three inches. In FIG. 9b, as in one embodiment is a front view of the seventh block 70 with dimensions Y43, Y44, X31 and X32. Y43 may be one half inch, Y44 may be one inch, X31 may be one fourth inch and X32 may be one half inch. In FIG. 9c, as in one embodiment is an end view of the seventh block 70 with dimensions Y45, Y46, X33, X34 and X35. Y45 may be three quarters of inch, Y46 may be one fourth inch, X33 may be one fourth of inch, X34 may be one half inch and X35 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 10, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the rod 90. Shown are two rod end surfaces 200 with holes. In FIG. 10a, as in one embodiment is a front view of the rod 90 with dimensions Y90 and X90. Y90 may be six inches and X90 may be three fourths inch.
Referring to FIG. 11, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the wheel 80. Shown is one wheel end surface 220 with a hole. In FIG. 11 a, as in one embodiment is a side view of the wheel 80 with dimensions Y92 and X94. Y92 may be three fourths inch and X94 may be one and one half inch.
Referring to FIG. 12, as in one embodiment is a perspective view of the connector 100. At least one connector 100 may be a wooden dowel. In FIG. 12A are dimensions X100 and Y100. X100 may be one fourth inch and Y100 may be one inch.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.
