Including Abutting Elements Having Slots Or Apertures Receiving Discrete Transverse Connector Patents (Class 446/122)
  • Patent number: 11591134
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removably or irremovably interconnectable building block containers such as those capable of initially storing consumable items such as food and drink. After consumption of the food or drink, the cavity containing same may be cleaned and/or refilled with consumable or non-consumable items. The building block containers are utilized as building block toys and may be manufactured or otherwise designed to be collectable. In one aspect, the container connectors are nearly identical such that any one connector may mate with any other connector. In another aspect, the connectors are nearly identical but the orientations of each connector vary to allow mating to occur when the connectors are properly oriented. In another aspect, the container is a cube juice box with connectors on all four corners of all six sides of the container. A frame for holding a juice container may also be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ChangeBox IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Mark Marschall
  • Patent number: 11406874
    Abstract: An exercise device that may be used to perform a complete exercise routine. In some implementations, the device includes three block members. A first block may be in the form of a modified rectangular prism. Sides of the first block may have cutouts extending downwardly from the top of the block for receiving a user's feet or elbows for exercises. A portion of the front side of the first block may slope inwardly toward the bottom of the block, and a portion of the top may slope inwardly toward the front side. At the junction of the top and front sides, a rectangular notch may be provided for cradling a user's upper arm or lower leg for exercises. A second block may be in the form of a rectangular prism, and may be joined to the first block for use in some exercises. A third block may be in the form of a truncated triangular prism, and may be positioned between the first block and the ground to tilt and/or stabilize the first block during some exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Roger K. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11020683
    Abstract: A building block includes at least one of a plug portion and a socket portion. The plug portion has two cantilevered tongues deflectable toward each other. Each cantilevered tongue includes a first engaging portion. The socket portion defines a chamber and has two second engaging portions. The plug portion and the socket portion are configured in such a way that the plug portion of one building block is insertable into the chamber of the socket portion of another building block, and the two cantilevered tongues of the building block deflect toward each other after insertion of the plug portion of the building block into the chamber of the socket portion of the other building block, which allows the first engaging portions of the building block to be engaged with the second engaging portions of the other building block, thereby connecting the two building blocks together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Xiongyuan Fang, Youjun Xiong, Tao Bai
  • Patent number: 10881948
    Abstract: A tile game system is provided that includes a plurality of two-dimensional and three-dimensional components. The two-dimensional components can include a plurality of modular tiles provided in various sizes and configurations that can be joined together to form a grid-based gameplay area. The three-dimensional components can include external boundaries for the gameplay area, internal boundaries, terrain elements such as columns and staircases, and game figures. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the external and internal boundaries can be provided with recessed sections that allow a game figure to be contained within a single grid square and prevent the grid of the gameplay area from becoming warped. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the internal and external boundaries can be illuminated and provided with removable and interchangeable light-permeable skins that allow a user to switch between various illuminated designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Ziran, Chas Delong, Bryan Kinsella, Josh Piezas
  • Patent number: 10766689
    Abstract: A packaging for timepiece appliques with a foot and body, including at least one tray provided for the reception, holding, storage and transport of appliques of the same height, including bores for receiving the feet at a constant pitch, adjacent to housings for housing the applique bodies resting on an upper tray surface as opposed to a lower tray surface, each tray including position indexing device, and at least one vertically extending mounting spacer, arranged to cooperate in abutment with a lower surface of another such tray, or a lower spacer surface of a spacer of the packaging, each mounting spacer extending, from the upper tray surface, over a height greater than that of the applique bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Nivarox—FAR S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-Andre Buhler, Roger Juillet
  • Patent number: 10724240
    Abstract: The invention relates to interlocking building blocks for changeable modular assemblies. The set of interlocking building blocks consists of a female block (1) and a set of male blocks (2-5), wherein the female block (1) has rectangular indentations (7) and the male blocks (2-5) fit inside the rectangular indentations (7) of female blocks (1), so that a female block (1) may simultaneously fit in its rectangular indentations (7) two male blocks (2-5), and a male block (2-5) may simultaneously fit inside at least two female blocks (1). In that way, each male block (2-5) simultaneously fills in at least half the rectangular indentations (7) of at least two female blocks (1) and thus fixedly connects said at least two female blocks (1). The set of interlocking building blocks further comprises a terminal block (6) to fill in empty spaces and provide straight edges on the assembly, and a filling block (11) to extend the assembly eight, width or length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Miguel Brandao, Catarina Brandao, Artur Brandao
  • Patent number: 10646791
    Abstract: A toy building brick system includes a brick which has an outer surface including a plurality of outer walls. A male peg is attached to one of the outer walls. The male peg is configured to engage a female connector and includes a post having a terminal end. The terminal end has an outer peripheral edge. The outer peripheral edge has a notch positioned therein. The notch faces an adjacent edge of the outer wall attached to the male peg to prevent adjacent male pegs of adjacent bricks from abutting in such a manner that the male pegs bias the adjacent bricks apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Semling
  • Patent number: 10596480
    Abstract: A toy building component is disclosed. The toy building component includes a first body portion formed from soft, flexible material and a second body portion formed from a hard, resilient material that is coupled to the first body portion. One of the first body portion and the second body portion comprises a mounting component that extends from the other of the first body portion and the second body portion, and the other of the first body portion and the second body portion forms a protective casing around the toy building component. The different materials have different properties, and in some embodiments, different colors. The portions may be co-molded together to form the building component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jebraeil Samo, James Franklin Elliott
  • Patent number: 10518193
    Abstract: A toy construction set comprising operatively interconnectable blocks and connectors. Each of the blocks has one or more apertures formed in relief Each of the connectors has a base in the form of a plate or rod and a plurality of pins attached to the base in a spaced apart arrangement for interconnecting blocks. The pins are integral with the base plate. The interconnection between a block and a connector is achieved by the pins being positively engaging and releasably retained within one or more of the apertures of the blocks. The pins are oppositely disposed of a base plate so that a block can be connected to a connector on one side of the base plate, and another block can be connected to the same connector on the other side of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Ningsi You
  • Patent number: 10363491
    Abstract: An improved toy vehicle is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle includes a plurality of different modules that may be removably coupled to one another to provide a variety of different toy vehicles. The modules include at least a steering module, a gearbox module, and a main body module. The main body module may house any number of elastic members configured to drive a drive axle disposed within the gearbox module. The size and construction of the main body module chosen to be used may dictate how fast and how far the modular toy vehicle is capable of traveling across a support surface. The gearbox module may further include a crank that enables the elastic members to be wound and an actuator that actuates the wound elastic members to drive the toy vehicle. Finally, the steering module may be configured to direct the modular toy vehicle in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo Ricardo Ferreyra, Michael Finizza, Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 10272353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a unit block having a coupling portion and an insertion portion provided in special structure and shape such that, instead of providing an assembly-type toy that makes a user build an assembly-type completed product according to the manual, the user is enabled to implement various articles by exercising creativity without feeling bored. The present invention provides a unit block, which has integrally provided coupling and insertion portions, and provides, as a means for using the same when a desired object is to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Seung Young Oh
  • Patent number: 10188371
    Abstract: A phantom used in quality assurance and performance tests and/or in pre-purchase testing of ultrasound scanners is provided. The phantom includes a container, a boundary formed within the container, and a curved scanning surface. The container includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a wall mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface to form the container. The boundary is configured to hold a tissue mimicking material. The curved scanning surface is formed in the top surface in a direction towards an interior of the container. The curved scanning surface is shaped to support translation perpendicular to an image plane of an application end of an ultrasound transducer along at least a portion of an axis extending between a first location on the curved scanning surface and a second location on the curved scanning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ernest L. Madsen, Gary R. Frank
  • Patent number: 9829022
    Abstract: A universal joint system is provided for joining tubular members to form two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes or structures. The system includes a plurality of cubic elements, a plurality of adaptor elements, a plurality of connection elements, and a plurality of insertion elements. Structures or shapes built with the system can have a smooth and continuous appearance. In addition, the construction of varies structures or shapes requires only few kinds of elements and no special tool or training is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Blandon E Su
  • Patent number: 9734733
    Abstract: A modelling assembly 1400 includes a plurality of releasably interconnectable parts, the parts including floor parts 1402 and wall parts 1408. The assembly 1400 includes a plurality of pegs 102, each of which, in an assembled condition, extends from one part to another part to hold the parts together, at least one of the parts defining a peg receiving hole 104 in which one of the pegs 102 is receivable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MBM Building Systems Limited
    Inventor: Damien Murtagh
  • Patent number: 9708781
    Abstract: A sound barrier wall has a plurality of footings spaced apart and vertical “I” beam wall stiffeners mounted to the footings. Alternatively, the vertical wall stiffeners are mounted to a crash barrier. A horizontal wall stiffener can be disposed between the adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. A plurality of wall panels is vertically stacked between adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. Each wall panel includes a sound insulating block, and plurality of support members disposed on opposite sides of the sound insulating block for providing structural support. Each support member has a head portion in contact with a surface of the sound insulating block and a stem portion extending into the sound insulating block. An “I” beam can be disposed between the vertically stacked wall panels. A top cap is mounted over the vertically stacked wall panels and protective layer is formed over the wall panels and vertical wall stiffeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mute Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Sanders, Donald J. Parks, James L. Beavers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9579588
    Abstract: This invention relates to construction components, and particularly to those used in toy construction sets and puzzles. A construction component has at least two interlocking joints, each of them is made in the form of a volumetric body with faces, at least part of which lie in the planes of the cube faces where cube face length is equal to <<a>>, where protrusions are made on at least one of the aforementioned faces, having a height ?<<a/2>> and containing four sections, arranged individually in the planes of the cube faces and adjacent to the face on which protrusions are made, wherein each face of the interlocking joint, lying on the plane of the faces of the cube, lies either in the plane of one of the faces of another interlocking joint or in the plane parallel to the plane of one of the faces of the other interlocking joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Dmitriy Andreyevich Sokolov
  • Patent number: 9322621
    Abstract: An armor system pellet and an array and armor composed therefrom are provided. The pellet includes a pellet body and a plurality of projections for interlocking adjacent pellets when arranged in an array. The projections are configured for maximizing a contact area between adjacent pellets without substantially restricting independent movement of each of the pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Edan Administration Services (Ireland) Limited
    Inventor: Hananya Cohen
  • Patent number: 9216344
    Abstract: A set of tiles interconnecting to each other in a continuous end-to-end manner. Each tile has a body. The body of each tile has a specific amount of through bores, a pair of blind bores, and a pair of pins. The pin of the body of one tile sits in the blind bore of the body of another tile. A portion of the specific amount of through bores in the body of the one tile align with a similar portion of the specific amount of through bores in the body of the another tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Robert E. Peale
  • Patent number: 9033761
    Abstract: An interlocking toy block set may include at least two blocks with at least one constraining groove formed in a surface of each of the at least two blocks. At least one connector may have at least two attachment members formed thereon. The attachment members may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the constraining grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Youssef Azmani
  • Patent number: 9010059
    Abstract: A building block (100) comprises a first mating portion and a second mating portion which are complementary. The first mating portion comprises a mating protrusion (140) which defines an axially extending through bore (144) and the second mating portion comprises an axially extending mating receptacle (180) which is complementary to the mating protrusion (140). The mating protrusion (140) and the mating receptacle (180) are in communication via the through bore (144), and a fastener anchoring device (146) adapted for engaging with an engagement means (920) of a fastener (900) is formed inside the through bore (144). The through bore (144) is adapted to permit axial insertion of the engagement means (920) of the fastener (900) into the mating protrusion (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Value Chain Network (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Chi Kin Lin
  • Patent number: 8961258
    Abstract: An interlocking building block, and procedure for constructing the same, having a planar locking mechanism and a spatial locking mechanism. The planar locking mechanism being a three-clawed piece built around an equilateral triangle with protruding arms and grooves corresponding to a circular arc. The protruding claws are rotated on a plane around a center of rotation. These align with grooves of another three-clawed piece to offer a locking mechanism, where the center point of the circular arc is identical to the center of planar rotation. The spatial locking mechanism may have a hexagonal prism placed next to the three-clawed piece and connected to the corners of the equilateral triangle, into which the three-clawed piece is placed so that the protruding claws extend beyond the hexagonal prism, or the spatial locking mechanism consists of protrusions ensuring a groove/taper connection and connecting grooves, so that each piece contains protrusions and grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Adám Bálint
  • Patent number: 8905812
    Abstract: A toy block, configured to be assembled with a mating block, has four sidewalls. The toy block includes, where applicable, at least one stud, at least one recessed portion, bottom posts, semi-circle posts, rib pairs, a plurality of edge stoppers, and a plurality of corner stoppers. The studs and the recessed portion are provided at the top side and at the bottom side of the toy block respectively. When one of the studs of the mating toy block is inserted in one of the recessed portions of the toy block, each one of the engaged studs of the mating toy block has its sidewall abutting against eight abutment points in its corresponding recessed portions of the toy block. Thus, the toy block is grasped with the mating toy block at the engaged studs of the mating toy block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Cheng Pai-Chen
  • Patent number: 8850683
    Abstract: A method of making blocks with internally disposed magnets. Pockets for the magnets are machined into a non-extrudable material such as wood. Strong permanent magnets are disposed in the pockets to cause the faces of the block to exhibit a desired polarity magnetic field. The pockets are then sealed to permanently retain the magnets. The exterior shape of the block may be formed either prior to or subsequent to machining and sealing of the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tegu
    Inventors: Christopher Harwood Haughey, William Harcourt Haughey, William Joseph Delisle
  • Publication number: 20140227937
    Abstract: A toy block, configured to be assembled with a mating block, having four sidewalls, is herein provided. The toy block comprising, where applicable, at least one Stud, at least one recessed portion, Bottom Posts Semi-circle Posts, Rib Pairs, a plurality of Edge Stoppers, and a plurality of Corner Stoppers. The Studs, and the recessed portion are provided at the top side, and at the bottom side of the toy block respectively. When one of the studs of the mating toy block is inserted in one of the recessed portions of the toy block, each one of the engaged studs of the mating toy block have its sidewall abutting against eight abutment points in its corresponding recessed portions of the said toy block, such that the toy block is grasped with the mating toy block at the engaged Studs of the mating toy block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Cheng Pai-Chen
  • Patent number: 8756894
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, corrugated board is folded into a building system. The building system comprises a plurality of blocks and connectors. The blocks are rectangular cuboid in shape. The bottom and top sides of the blocks have rectangular arrays of holes. The blocks may be releasably connected by aligning the top holes of one block with the bottom holes of another block, and then inserting connectors into the aligned pairs of holes, one connector per aligned paid of holes. The ends of the connectors that are inserted are circular or equiangular polygonal in shape. In some embodiments, compression is used to releasably hold the connectors in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Impossible Objects LLC
    Inventors: Robert Swartz, Joseph Fallon, Robert McClure
  • Patent number: 8671640
    Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8579536
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector for toy structures and educational instruments, particularly for assembling plastic and metal components. The connector includes a circular base with apertures for securing to an expansive metal construction piece by use of screws or similar threaded fasteners. The connector further includes a passageway for receiving a second construction piece, such as a plastic construction piece. Pegs pass through aligned apertures in the walls of the passageway as well as apertures in the second construction pieces, thereby securing the second construction piece to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lego A/S
    Inventors: Paul Uttley, Stephan S. Turnipseed
  • Patent number: 8458980
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of construction and in particular to a modular construction system used for building of construction modules. The construction system comprises plurality of flat elements (1) with identical thickness C and having slots (3) on at least one of its long sides (4), as the slots (3) are located at a distance from each other so that the flat elements (1) can intersect each other through their slots (3) in order to form a grid. The elements (1) of the system have slots (3) located at equal distances n or b from each other where the ratio n:b is within the range from 1:1 to 1:10. The building construction module is made as three-dimensional frame structure shaped like polyhedron including a floor (20), a ceiling (21) and at least two walls (22) grids connected together. The grids are made by intersecting through slots (3) flat elements (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Nikolay Vaskov Ivanov
  • Patent number: 8435095
    Abstract: A building block system includes building blocks which have elongated grooves on opposite faces. An elongated connector is received by the grooves of two adjacent building blocks and serves to hold the building blocks together. The connector is slightly wider than the grooves so it can be press fit into the grooves to ensure a tight fit. The connector is flexible so that it can be received by curved grooves, and the connector also has chamfered ends to facilitate insertion into the grooves. The system can be used to build structures containing a plurality of building blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Kassem Charif Abbas
  • Patent number: 8402710
    Abstract: Modular building blocks and block systems including a connecting lug extending outwardly beyond the exterior surface of a block for engaging another block or block accessory, the connecting lug having a recessed slot for engaging a lug rail of a mating component, each building block further having lug rails projecting inwardly from interior surfaces of the building block accessible for engaging a recessed slot of a connecting lug of another block or block accessory, wherein a width of the first recessed slot of the building block corresponds to a width of the lug rails of the building block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond W. Cables
  • Patent number: 8381455
    Abstract: A modular shelter comprising a first side wall, first end wall, second side wall, second end wall, first roof section, and a second roof section cut from stock material, such that: (a) the first side wall and the first end wall, the first end wall and the second side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall, and the second end wall and the first side wall are disposed at an angle between 60 and 120 degrees relative to one another and are connected by at least two mortise and tenon joints; and (b) the first roof section and the second roof section are disposed at an angle between 45 and 180 degrees relative to one another and are connected by at least two mortise and tenon joints; wherein the components of the mortise and tenon joints are created using one tool resulting in a novel joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Frank W. Schooley
  • Patent number: 8366507
    Abstract: A building toy block set consisting of base blocks and connection blocks is disclosed. Each base block has a connection notch located on each of multiple peripheral sides thereof and extending in direction toward the center thereof, and two pivot holes arranged at two opposite lateral sides of each connection notch. Each connection block has two pivot pins respectively located on two first opposing sides thereof and respectively pivotally connectable to the pivot holes at two opposite lateral sides of one connection notch of one base block, and a plug rod and a plughole respectively located on two second opposing sides thereof in such a manner that the plug rod of one connection block can be press-fitted into the plughole of another connection block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ying-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 8286402
    Abstract: A system of interlocking building blocks includes one or more building blocks having a generally right triangular planform, a generally rectangular elevation form, and a periphery generally defined by respective generally rectangular side panels. Each building block has alternating male and female fastener elements arrayed generally around the periphery. The male fastener elements on opposed edges of the same generally rectangular side panel are offset generally diagonally from one another. Each male fastener element is aligned generally normally with a female fastener element on an opposed edge of the same generally rectangular side panel. The building blocks may be formed by folding single flat sheets, and may be made from cardboard, plastic, metal or other conventional materials. Each building block may be coated or filled with structurally reinforcing or insulative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Gregg Fleishman
  • Patent number: 8240939
    Abstract: The apparatus is a connector for toy structures and educational instruments, particularly for assembling plastic and metal components. The connector includes a circular base with apertures for securing to an expansive metal construction piece by use of screws or similar threaded fasteners. The connector further includes a passageway for receiving a second construction piece, such as a plastic construction piece. Pegs pass through aligned apertures in the walls of the passageway as well as apertures in the second construction pieces, thereby securing the second construction piece to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lego A/S
    Inventors: Paul Uttley, Stephan S. Turnipseed
  • Patent number: 8221182
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electro-mechanical system for making mechanical structures using snap-together parts or building blocks that easily demonstrate the principles required in making three-dimensional electronic circuits incorporated in the mechanical structures. A reusable electronic module that contains batteries or other power sources and has means for attaching to other electronic modules to power these three-dimensional circuits and prevent and warn the user of excessive current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Arthur Seymour, Brian P. Johnson, Alexander B. Matz, Marc C. Lehner, Gerald J. Ceuhin
  • Patent number: 8109803
    Abstract: An assembling block includes block plates having square and equilateral triangular plan shapes, respectively, and a joint for connecting the block plates together. Each of the block plates includes seat portions provided along the respective sides of the block plate, and retaining pieces extending from the center of the block plate to the outer edge thereof and spaced from the seat portions in the thickness direction. The joint comprises a plate member made of a flexible and bendable material, whereby when the joint is inserted between two of the seat portions and one of the retaining pieces of each block plate, the joint engages the seat portions with engaging protrusions formed on the seat portions fitted in engaging holes formed in the joint, thereby coupling the block plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yoshiritsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kichijo, Yoshiie Kichijo
  • Patent number: 8105128
    Abstract: A toy building element includes side walls, a top having an upper surface that extends from the side walls, and a plurality of projections extending upward from the extensive upper surface, an open bottom and an interior. The interior is accessible through the open bottom for receiving a plurality of projections of another building element of a set of toy building elements. The interior includes a plurality of hollow members that extend downward from a respective portion of the extensive upper surface that is disposed between two of the projections; and the hollow members are open to the extensive upper surface. The hollow members partition the interior into regions in which a plurality of projections of another building element is received; and the regions of the building element are disposed directly below the projections of the same building element for receiving the projections of the other building element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Soren Christian Sorensen, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 8082709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a construction system, including modules, which are capable of being used in a wide range of applications including buildings and various other structures. Prior systems included structured modules connected by means of flexible joints which were composed of cables. These allowed relative movement between walls of various units. Such systems were complex and expensive to manufacture An improved modular construction system overcame this problem by providing a plurality of structural elements of V-shaped or chevron-shaped cross section. These are adapted to be assembled in a cellular configuration by their similar form, size and by virtue of the elements having apertures. Any aperture may receive a connector, which permits an amount of relative movement between said elements in two-rotational degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew William Lewis Roberts
  • Patent number: 7942717
    Abstract: A brick assembly with automatically recognizing connecting relationships includes a rod brick, a sleeve brick and a frame brick. The rod brick has an irregular polygon-shaped cross-section and an identification IC. The sleeve brick has the internal bore with the same shape with the cross-section of the rod brick to make the rod brick insert into the sleeve brick only in one direction. Also, the sleeve brick is used to connect the rod brick to the frame brick. The signals, caused by the resistor of the sleeve brick, of the identification IC of the frame brick are detected by a computer system to recognize automatically connecting relationships of these bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Ting-Shuo Chou
  • Patent number: 7892065
    Abstract: The system comprises a plurality of modular blocks (10, 14) of nonmagnetic material, to be assembled to create compositions imitating, for example, a building, a doll, an animal, a vehicle or any other fancying assembly; a framework for connecting the blocks, comprises a plurality of magnetic frame members (11, 12) removably disposable into corresponding seatings (13, 17) in each modular block (10, 14), or between adjacent blocks of the composition. The modular blocks (11, 12) and the magnetic frame members of framework have shoulder surfaces (18, 19) mutually engageable in the assembled condition of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Claudio Vicentelli
  • Patent number: 7789727
    Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric material. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. Sounding elements are disposed within the interior space of at least some of the secondary objects. The sounding elements are free moving and produce noise within said secondary objects when said novelty device is manually shaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7785170
    Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7736211
    Abstract: A construction system is described and which includes a construction element having at least one passageway extending therethrough; a fastener body telescopingly received in the passageway; and a locking member cooperating with the fastener body and which, in a first position, allows the fastener body to be received in the passageway, and in a second position, substantially impedes the removal of the fastener body from the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Minds-I, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Marzetta
  • Patent number: 7517270
    Abstract: A construction system is described and which includes a first construction element which has at least one passageway which extends therethrough; a fastener body having a first and a second portion, and wherein the first portion of the fastener body is received in the passageway defined by the first construction element; and a locking member having first and second portions which individually matingly cooperate with the respective first and second portions of the fastener body to secure the fastener body to the first construction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Minds-I, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Marzetta
  • Patent number: 7481692
    Abstract: A constructional system comprises a plurality of building blocks and one or more connectors. In order to propose an improved constructional system, the building block (1) is characterized by a square assembly opening (2) which is surrounded by an assembly funnel (3)(FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz Bruder
  • Patent number: 7458186
    Abstract: The invention provides an igloo-shaped structure formed from a plurality of rectangular shaped blocks having a rim and a trough molded therein. The rim has pins adjacent the corners of the blocks that engage apertures or holes fastening plates. Each fastening plate has four holes to enable it to snap together four blocks. Subsequent rows of blocks may have smaller dimensions so that the assembly curves inward forming the familiar domed shape of an igloo. Curved trapezoidal shaped blocks, also held together with fastening plates, are used to cap off the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Philip R. Carter
  • Publication number: 20080200091
    Abstract: The present invention is wood blocks with holes that may be ¼ inch in various permutations, each hole one-half the depth of the wood dowels one example of a dowel length is approximately one inch which blocks can be attached to each other with the dowel connectors in various formations, making an attractive children's toy which promotes creative thinking and intelligence building. The holes in the wood blocks would be in a particular pattern that would allow the maximum amount of ways to connect a first block to a second block using the dowels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Jay Blaivas
  • Patent number: 7374468
    Abstract: A construction system includes an elongated connection stem with a central member having a uniform first transverse dimension and opposed integral end members, each having a uniform second transverse dimension greater than the first, each end member having a longitudinal slot extending from a tip end to the central member and an attachment member having a central through bore slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension. A cross section of each end member is similarly shaped to the central through bore and slightly larger than the central through bore and a cross section of the central member is similarly shaped to the central through bore but of smaller size than the central through bore. In one instance, the attachment member is fittingly received on either of the opposed end members and, in another instance, the attachment member is slidably received on the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Greene Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Flodin, Albert W. Seifert
  • Patent number: 7371146
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved construction toy set having a number of different structural elements which are configured for snapping together. These elements having key connectors configured for mating together, where integral locking indentations in the key connectors are configured for locking onto locking ridges provided on the adjacent structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Dane Scarborough
  • Patent number: 7371147
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for realizing complex constructions, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of basic elements, and a plurality of constructive and/or figurative elements, that can be coupled with said basic elements, each basic element being comprised of ferromagnetic material, to be coupled with a first type of constructive and/or figurative magnetic elements, said basic elements being further provided with not-magnetic coupling means, for coupling with at least a second type of plastic material elements, said plastic material elements being provided with coupling means corresponding to the coupling means provided on said plurality of basic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Edoardo Tusacciu