Construction Toy Patents (Class 446/85)
  • Patent number: 6443795
    Abstract: A transmission chain includes a plurality of unitary chain links, each of which has parallel first and second side plates, first and second connecting pins, first and second pivot pins, and first and second pivot seats. The first and second pivot pins of one of the chain links are connected pivotally, removably and respectively to the first and second pivot seats of an adjacent one of the chain links, so as to enable the transmission chain to possess the characteristics of an adjustable chain length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20020119725
    Abstract: A game apparatus of education and entertainment purposes comprises a number of building pieces and a number of connector pieces. The building pieces have peripheral edges that employ slots to receive complementary sized portions of the connector pieces. The connector pieces have a number of different configurations to permit creation of a variety of three dimensional shapes, including arranging building pieces at right angles, and oblique angles. The building pieces can have indicia thereon to create text, images, or combinations thereof when put together. The building pieces are modularly sized so that differently shaped and sized pieces can easily fit together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis B. Pupulin
  • Publication number: 20020115374
    Abstract: A sculptural toy or building block designed and adapted to be joined to other identical sculptural toys or building blocks to create infinite figures and shapes. The sculptural toy or building block is an elongated member that is comprised of five portions: two legs, two feet, and an opening. Each leg is provided with a foot at its distal end and is separated from the other leg by the opening located in the center of the elongated toy member. The legs, feet, and opening are linearly oriented in the same plane with each formed into rectangular or square configurations. The leg configurations also include slots that extend along the entire length of the leg. The feet of one toy member can be received at various angles along the slots in the legs of another toy member. Also, the leg of one toy member can be slidably received into the opening of another toy member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Michael R. Lavender
  • Publication number: 20020115373
    Abstract: This invention is a modular device that uses permanent-magnets and electro-magnets to hold their position and reconfigure their position. The device has a variety of possible sizes, shapes and forms but all use the same principle of “complementary geometry”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Leon Lazerman
  • Publication number: 20020090880
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of injection molding a part having an undercut region and a method of assembling a jointed structure from several parts. A two-part mold has a common cavity with part of the cavity in each mold part. A combined pin-in-a-sleeve extends into the cavity in one of the mold parts in order to form a bore in a part to be molded in that cavity. The pin provides a portion shaped to form a first undercut region in the bore. A second pin extends into the cavity in the other of the two mold parts. The two pins are aligned to form a single bore in the molded part while in the cavity. The second pin also has a portion shaped to form a second undercut region in the bore. After an injection molded part is made, the mold opens a limited and discrete distance to allow the molded part to be released from the hold of the mold cavity. Then, the mold opens fully for the continuation of a multi-step operation to pull the pins out of the undercut regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: James S.W. Lee, Chiu-Keung Kwan
  • Publication number: 20020090881
    Abstract: A construction toy for producing structures or models using flat objects, playing cards in particular, connected together with the connector elements of the present invention. The connector element comprises variable numbers of radiating arms oriented at variable angles that are capable of gripping playing cards by means of an undulating channel. The number and angle of said radiating arms is dependent of the structure or model to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen John Turnham
  • Patent number: 6405937
    Abstract: A system of modular artificial rocks provides aesthetic appeal to a landscape. The system comprises at least two rocks, one stacked on the other and interlocked to each other, as by a tongue and groove arrangement. The rocks have respective back ends that overhang. The back ends of all but the bottom rock of a stack are supported off the ground. In a modified embodiment, the back ends of the rocks align in vertical planes. There may be one back end, in which case the rocks can be placed flush against a fence or a building wall. In another embodiment, there are two back ends. Two or more stacks of modular rocks are placed with their back ends in flat facing contact. For example, the back ends of the rocks of each of three stacks may subtend an angle of 120 degrees. A waterfall can be incorporated into any of the stacks. The bottom rock of a stack has a depression that acts as a reservoir. Water is pumped to the top of the top rock of the stack, from where it flows back to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel R. Stukenberg
  • Patent number: 6398612
    Abstract: A construction toy is disclosed which interconnects construction toys of different types. One version connects toys of the construction block type to toys of the hub and spoke type. Gripper posts (22) or gripper arms (34 and 46) on the interconnector create channels (24, 36 and 48, respectively) which receive a hub (40) from a hub and spoke construction toy. Spokes from the hub and spoke construction toy connect with the block toy at many different angles. Blocks from the block type construction toy connect normally on all faces of the base interconnector. Channels (24, 36 and 48) on the base allow variable hub (40) placement to accommodate the different sizes and spacings of the different toys. This invention maintains substantially all the possible connections of each toy after interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Keith H. Gudger
  • Publication number: 20020058456
    Abstract: The invention is a system and set of intercleaving (interfitting and adhering/clinging) toy or real construction elements which may be implemented either directly in a physical form or indirectly in a virtual reality which is physically provided for by the hardware of a general purpose or dedicated computer system. These construction elements may be used, as structural elements, construction components, building blocks, modeling elements, or the like. Each of these discrete structural elements (10, 20, 70) is comprised of a plurality of pyramids (12, 22), or other polyhedral members, clustered around at least one central point in such a manner that the resulting cluster or clusters form a discrete structural element. The polyhedral members may be joined at least partially along coincident edges (18, 28) for maintaining the structural stability of the element (10, 20, 70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: George R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6379212
    Abstract: The invention is a system and set of intercleaving (interfitting and adhering/clinging) toy or real construction elements which may be implemented in either a physical or virtual reality. These construction elements may be used as structural elements, construction components, building blocks, modeling elements, or the like. Each of these discrete structural elements is comprised of a plurality of pyramids, or other polyhedral members, clustered around at least one central point in such a manner that the resulting cluster or clusters form a discrete structural element. The polyhedral members may be joined at least partially along coincident edges for maintaining the structural stability of the element. A portion of the joining coincident edges of the polyhedral members are slotted or not completely joined (“difurcated”) on the outer half of the joining edge to facilitate interfitting of a first element with a second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: George R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6371823
    Abstract: A wrapping band for converting cut standard food cartons into a toy building block, which in the form of a continuous band comprises five surface elements. Each surface element is hinged to the adjacent element or elements along a line or lines, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band. The surface elements are connected as follows: a first end element having a closure slot for engagement with a closure tongue; a top element having a plurality of circular projections or pegs; a second end element; a bottom element having a plurality of holes corresponding to the number of pegs in the top element; and generally arrow-shaped locking tongue for engagement with the slot. The toy building block is formed when the band is secured about the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ola Stavran
  • Publication number: 20020019191
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a toy building set, said shock absorber comprising a substantially rod-shaped element that has, at its one end, a collar and a guide that has a sleeve which displaceably encloses the rod-shaped element; and wherein the rod-shaped element and the guide each comprises means for mounting on another construction; and wherein a spring is arranged which is, with its one end, in abutment on the rod-shaped element and, with its other end, in abutment on the sleeve in such a manner that it uses spring force to displace said sleeve towards the collar on the first mounting element. The guide comprises a substantially cylindrical inner wall which is configured such that the collar on the rod-shaped element is in displaceable abutment on the inner wall of the cylinder element, whereby a pneumatic shock absorbing effect is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Olav Kroigaard
  • Publication number: 20020016126
    Abstract: A diagonal toy piece for a modular toy building set including an underlying support structure for supporting the diagonal toy piece and other toy pieces. The diagonal toy piece is a generally planar member having a top side and a bottom side, two outside edges having respective outer ends spaced from one another, and a diagonal edge joining the outer ends of the outside edges. For mounting the diagonal toy piece on the underlying support structure, the bottom side of the toy piece has an attachment fitting removably attachable to the support structure. The attachment fitting is preferably spaced from the diagonal edge of the toy piece. The diagonal toy piece can be joined with another, complementary diagonal toy piece via a connector on its diagonal edge which is releasably connectable to a cooperating connector on the complementary diagonal toy piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: PETER CYRUS
  • Patent number: 6322414
    Abstract: A set of universal blocks includes a plurality of uniform-sized cubic elements, a plurality of uniform-sized connecting elements, and at least one disassemble aid. The cubic element each is provided at all six sides with an insertion hole each. The connecting element each is adapted to insert into the insertion holes on the cubic elements and has a length twice or almost twice as long as that of the insertion holes. The disassemble aid is a long flat element provided with a plurality of through holes adapted to easily disassemble the connecting elements from the cubic elements. The cubic elements may be freely connected to one another via the connecting elements to create a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric shapes, and be conveniently used to play various kinds of games, including puzzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Youth Toy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Chi Lin
  • TOY
    Publication number: 20010041492
    Abstract: A planar toy element interchangeably attached to other planar toy elements to form an arrangement of elements which may define a planar or three-dimensional object. The planar element may be pliable or soft, may be soft or may have toy items attached thereto or integral therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: SHOSHANA OREN, RONI GOLOS, ZAFRIRA WEISMAN-SANGER
  • Patent number: 6312305
    Abstract: A structure-forming construction element for a toy log building set, such as those sold under the well known “Lincoln Logs”. The construction element, typically a molding of plastic material, is formed with a plurality of adjacent sockets for the reception and gripping of log elements in parallel, side-by-side relation. In a typical form, the construction element is positioned on a support, and the log elements are oriented vertically in the sockets provided. A second, similar construction element may be placed on top of the upper ends of the logs. Side walls of the sockets can be notched to provide a castellated appearance, such that a structure with vertically spaced construction elements and vertical log elements has the appearance of a castle tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Mark McCormick, Michael D. DiLabio
  • Patent number: 6280282
    Abstract: A toy building set includes a plurality of building members each including at least one coupling mechanism for coupling with similar coupling mechanisms in other building members. The coupling mechanism including a proximal portion and a distal portion connected to the proximal portion. The distal portion includes at least one flexible locking element configured to be releasably locked with a plurality of similar flexible locking elements in the distal portions of other similar coupling mechanisms when the distal portion of the coupling mechanism is pushed toward the proximal portions of the other coupling mechanisms to deform the flexible locking elements from an undeformed state to a deformed state to produce locking forces in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Artur Puchalski
  • Patent number: 6273778
    Abstract: A toy building set with toy building elements having coupling means in the form of projecting studs and corresponding cavities which allow interconnection of building elements, has a building element with an integrated pipe member with a female end and a male end having complementary snap coupling means for connection with other pipe members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Steen Kyster
  • Patent number: 6250986
    Abstract: A building element for a set of toy building blocks that are capable of being interconnected in a releasable engagement includes a box with side walls, a top having one or more projections, and an open bottom providing access to interior surfaces for frictional engagement with the top projection(s). The side walls includes a plurality of grooves having entry openings of a given predominant width and a plurality of tongues having distal portions of a predominant width that is greater than the given predominant width of the groove entry openings for interconnecting in a releasable restraining engagement with grooves in another such building element. The tongues are flexible and split longitudinally into sections so that the tongues can be compressed laterally in order to effect the restraining engagement by frontally pressing the tongues into the grooves. The tongues can also be disengaged from the grooves by sliding the tongues from one end of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Soren Christian Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20010003694
    Abstract: A construction toy is disclosed which interconnects construction toys of different types. One version connects toys of the construction block type to toys of the hub and spoke type. Gripper posts (22) or gripper arms (34 and 46) on the interconnector create channels (24, 36 and 48, respectively) which receive a hub (40) from a hub and spoke construction toy. Spokes from the hub and spoke construction toy connect with the block toy at many different angles. Blocks from the block type construction toy connect normally on all faces of the base interconnector. Channels (24, 36 and 48) on the base allow variable hub (40) placement to accommodate the different sizes and spacings of the different toys. This invention maintains substantially all the possible connections of each toy after interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventor: KEITH H. GUDGER
  • Patent number: 6241572
    Abstract: A manipulatable beaded string toy device comprising of a plurality of interconnectable elements, each element including a number of beads disposed on a cord. When the plurality of interconnectable elements are interconnected, a junction formed comprises at least four beads, two from each cord, each of the at least four beads is in contact with at least three other beads of the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Leonid Braginsky
  • Patent number: 6164972
    Abstract: An educational doll or action figure comprises the professional attire, tools and safety gear of a particular profession so as to give a child a hands-on learning experience regarding the requirements, responsibility and hazards involved in carrying out the profession. The educational doll or action figure preferably also includes a written, schematic and/or multimedia description of the attire, tools and safety gear of the profession so as to further the general knowledge of the child about the particular profession. The clothing, tools, safety gear and written description may be sold separately from the doll figure so as to allow the child to dress a single doll in a variety of professions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew R. Winslow
  • Patent number: 6142786
    Abstract: An apparatus to educate a special needs child about shapes and hardware includes a working platform having three boards that each have one of three faces. A first face has colored areas with shaped openings in the colored areas, including round openings, square openings and triangular openings in respective ones of the colored areas. A second face has threaded openings, including openings equipped with bolts and openings to receive screws, and also including openings to receive pegs. A third face has an assortment of locks. The apparatus includes collections of pegs, threaded shafts, nuts, elastic bands and an internal box with internal compartments. The collections of items can be placed in the compartments or on the faces, as appropriate to assist a special needs child in learning skills needed in life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kaplan Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Judith L. Culberson, Dean A. Caldwell, Christie Lockhart
  • Patent number: 6142847
    Abstract: A plurality of reflective T-rail interconnector members are adapted for use with a toy block set and establish at least one pair of adjoining T-rails, wherein the first T-rail is non-parallel to the second T-rail so as to permit multi-directional slidable interconnection with a plurality of toy block configurations that are slidably, pivotally and fixably coupled to one another and which are further capable of three dimensional slidable and pivotal maneuvering with respect to one another by virtue of rail extension members, rail guide members and pivot members. The reflective T-rails may further include coupling members or, in the alternative, the reflective T-rails may be unistructurally molded so as to establish a plurality of infinitely sized and shaped T-rails which permit multi-directional slidable interconnection with a plurality of toy block configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: 90Degrees, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Rudy
  • Patent number: 6132282
    Abstract: A multi-configuration amusement device in the shape of a ball includes a variety of mass components with axially-extending cylindrical bores, a lock fastener unit having a hollow cylindrical shaft, and an hollow cylindrical extension tube, with the lock fastener unit and the extension tube operably insertable into the cylindrical bores of the mass components, for locking the mass components together in a unitary configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Richard S. Camp
  • Patent number: 6126506
    Abstract: A toy block set includes a plurality of toy block configurations that are slidably, pivotally and fixably coupled to one another and which are further capable of three dimensional slidable and pivotal maneuvering with respect to one another by virtue of rail extension members, rail guide members and pivot members. A first group of the block configurations includes embodiments with a rail extension member which consists of a first thinner segment and a second wider segment. A second group of the block configurations includes embodiments with rail guide members which are configured to permit multi-directional movement of the rail extension members therethrough. A third group of the block configurations includes embodiments with pivot members which are configured to permit multi-directional pivotal and slidable movement of the rail extension members therethrough. In an alternative embodiment, the rail extension members may be independent pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: 90Degrees, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Rudy
  • Patent number: 6116978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for constructing quilts. A series of blocks are utilized with each block including six faces. Each face of each block is includes a predetermined pattern. The blocks are arranged such that the upper surfaces of the blocks define a quilt pattern which is used as the basis for the overall design of the quilt. Individual quilt components may constructed and then connected together in accordance with the quilt pattern defined by the upper surfaces of the blocks. As an alternative approach, the quilt pattern defined on the upper surface of the blocks may traced onto a sheet of paper, with the tracing subsequently used to define the quilt pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Mary Heidi Clemens
  • Patent number: 6086444
    Abstract: A building block for a construction toy is characterized by having one or more studs projecting from one side and a corresponding number of recesses formed in the opposite side. The studs and recesses are of an equilateral polygonal configuration, preferably having an even number of sides, preferably eight. At least some of the surfaces of the studs are formed to have a negative taper, making the studs slightly larger at the top than at the base. The recesses also are formed such that the walls have a slight negative taper, making the recesses slightly narrower at the open end than farther down in the recess. When a pair of blocks is assembled by inserting one or more studs of one block into one or more recesses of an adjacent block, the negatively tapered configuration of the studs and recesses provides for a tactilly sensible snap action, which is pleasing to the user and also provides a secure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Joel I. Glickman
  • Patent number: 6024626
    Abstract: A magnetic block including an upper face and a lower face and side faces therebetween and a plurality of magnets located within the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hillary Singer Mendelsohn
  • Patent number: 6000983
    Abstract: A display system is shown which comprises, in combination, a display panel and a modular multi-layer three dimensional figure which can be readily disassembled and re-assembled in different forms. The display panel has a structural member with a first and second outer covering member, at least one of which is a hook or loop material, and which outer coverings are joined at their lateral edges in a narrow, unobtrusive seam. The figure is comprised of a plurality of first flexible elements, flat in relaxed state, and having hook or loop fabric on at least one facial surface, and a plurality of second flexible elements, also flat in relaxed state, with hook or loop material on both facial surfaces which are releasably secured to the first flexible elements. A method of making the panel and a finger or hand puppet constructed from the flexible elements are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Formabilities, Inc.
    Inventors: Avra Pressman, Nadine Nemec, Thomas A. Teach, Jeffrey Lynn Best
  • Patent number: 5993282
    Abstract: A component set for assembling toy cubes made up of a first member having a square bottom and square side walls extending from the edges of the bottom member in a direction normal thereto and a second member made up of a square lid and side walls extending similarly therefrom, the second member being of similar shape as the first member but dimensioned to fit into the cavity formed by the bottom and side walls. The first and second members are provided with recesses or slots extending from free edges thereof and protrusions to be received by the recesses or slots. When the second member is inserted into the first member the slots or other openings will form openings penetrating the center of each side wall. Some of the bottoms and lids have cylindrical protrusions extending from their center and dimensioned to fit into the openings, and some of the bottom and lids may have apertures similar to those in the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Max Ernst
  • Patent number: 5964634
    Abstract: A kit for building objects from block-like construction pieces comprising a plurality of construction pieces, each having a core made of resilient flexible foam material and having a plurality of planar faces, an outer cover snugly fitting over and completely covering the outer peripheral surface of the foam core made of a looped fabric and a plurality of double-sided hooked surface tabs for lockingly engaging with the loop fabric so that the construction pieces may be releasably assembled to one another and reinforcing strips adapted to be removably connected to tabs for bridging adjacent blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: James Chang
  • Patent number: 5947786
    Abstract: The invention discloses an educational block having a frame member portion with a thickness appropriate for grasping, and a translucent window portion, the edge of which cooperates with the inner surface of portions of the frame member portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Eileen Mary Glick
  • Patent number: 5938497
    Abstract: A constructional toy including a plurality of main building blocks, preferably square and triangular in shape, all having identical grooves in their side faces, the mouth of each groove being narrower than the rest of the groove. The blocks are connected together by connecting elements each having a cross section in the shape of a symmetrical star having 2N points, where N is at least three. Each connecting element is a sliding fit in the grooves in the main blocks, with N adjacent points of its star-shaped cross section trapped in the groove and the other N points outside the groove, thus enabling the blocks to be connected together side face to side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Morphun Research Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Christopher Mott
  • Patent number: 5916006
    Abstract: A flexable foam construction toy set, comprising: a plurality of elongated foam tube toys, each having an elongated foam body, with a flexible wire adhered therein, to allow each foam tube toy to be bent and retain its bent shape; wherein each tube toy is capable of connection to another tube toy by intertwining the tube toys to be interconnected without the need for defined interconnection structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: HandsOnToys, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur M. Ganson
  • Patent number: 5908342
    Abstract: A multi-pointed three dimensional connector has a first planar element having a plurality of radially extending arms, a second planar element having a plurality of radially extending arms, a first locking member defined by the interengagement the first and second elements and a second locking member to secure the first and second elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: 3160840 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Wolvin
  • Patent number: 5906530
    Abstract: A system for releasably joining balloons and the like to form a structure, novelty, educational, or play item. The present invention comprises a modular system of inflated cells having connection members placed about each cells periphery, said cells configured to form various polyhedral shapes. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches the utilization of generally ellipsoidal balloons of a non-elastomeric material, such as MYLAR, each said ellipsoid forming a cell, and being configured to selectively engage neighboring balloons to form generally radial or other multi-celled structures. While the preferred embodiment of the present system contemplates the utilization of hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO, for joining the cells, alternative modes of releasable attachment are also contemplated such as adhesives, ties, tape, and shrink wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Alan Lindsey
  • Patent number: 5904606
    Abstract: A panel for housing a photovoltaic cell or the like, for use in combination with a toy construction set of the type having a plurality of connector elements and rod-like struts engageable with the connector elements has a panel body and a plurality of legs extending from the panel body. The legs are adapted for tight frictional engagement with cavities in the connectors and are located such that the connectors mounted thereon can be interconnected to each other using the connectors and struts so that the panel can be incorporated in an assembly comprised of a combination of the connectors and struts. Outside legs are located near the corners of the panel such that one connector can be used to join two adjacent panels. A pair of inside legs are located near the center of the panel for mounting a center connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John Zimmer, Michael DiLabio
  • Patent number: 5895304
    Abstract: A toy construction kit for constructing sand cast structures using a set of different casting molds, support posts installed in the molds during filling and compacting the sand, and support plates that encompass the open part of the mold and that include a socket to engage the post, the support plate and post supporting the sand casting when the mold is removed the kit including interconnection clips to interconnect the support plates of multiple casting when constructing a multi-tier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Marc Dixon
  • Patent number: 5873762
    Abstract: A playing structure in one embodiment comprises a plurality of playing structure modules arranged in an array. Each of the playing structure modules includes a re-orientatable top having at least two major sides, each of the at least two major sides constituting a playing surface. The playing surface on each major side of the re-orientatable top depicts a different scene. A support frame supports the re-orientatable top above the surface on which the support frame is located in a manner such that one of the playing surfaces is upwardly presented. The re-orientatable tops of the playing structure modules in the array are first arrangeable such that the scene over the upwardly presented playing surfaces of adjacent playing structure modules is continuous and visually fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: 550058 Alberta Limited
    Inventor: Robert de Chazal
  • Patent number: 5848926
    Abstract: A set of three-dimensional construction elements which removably adhere to one another for use as a construction toy or as a decorative display structure. Surfaces of the elements are substantially covered with hook-and-loop fastener material in accordance with "surfacing patterns" which maximize inter-connection flexibility. The "3-point" surfacing pattern for rectangular prisms, and derivatives of the 3-point pattern for other shapes, provide a unified surfacing system which promotes ease of use. Derivative 3-point patterns may be determined by morphological transformations of a rectangular prism with a 3-point surfacing pattern. The 3-point pattern and its derivatives obey a set of surfacing guidelines which maximizes the number of ways of forming face-to-face, edge-to-face, and point-to-face connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventors: Alexander M. Jardetzky, Charles P. Weidmann
  • Patent number: 5848927
    Abstract: A stacking block system having stacking blocks which have a body part which is provided with coupling knobs with a mutual uniform modular distance on its upper surface and is downwardly provided with coupling means which are complementary with respect to the coupling knobs on the upper side and are adapted to be coupled with the coupling knobs. According to the invention, the blocks are additionally provided with one or more spacers downwardly, which are designed such that when two stacking blocks are stacked on top of each other, the body parts of the stacking blocks will be spaced from each other along their entire periphery. This provides a gripping edge or a gap between two blocks stacked so that it is particularly easy to grip the blocks when a stack of such blocks is to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Jesper Bo Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 5846113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toy building element (1,8) for use in a toy building element system comprising a number of toy building elements with coupling studs for coupling with other toy building elements with complementary coupling sockets, the coupling studs being arranged in a regular pattern with a specific modular distance relative to each other. The toy building element is characterized in that in its free state at least some of the coupling studs of the toy building element are shifted relative to the modular distance, the mutual position of the coupling studs of the toy building element being elastically changeable at least to a mutual position corresponding to the modular distance.The invention also relates to a toy building set having such a toy building element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Helle Kleist Nielsen, Paul Leadbetter
  • Patent number: 5846114
    Abstract: A building unit for constructing a structure, the unit being in the shape of a generally cylindrical log formed by a light-weight, resilient core encased snugly in a fabric covering have the same shape as the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Foam Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L.. Frandsen, II
  • Patent number: 5827105
    Abstract: A unit toy system comprises at least partially differing landscape units, which have a base area and at least one bearing area for the base area of the in each case other landscape unit. The bearing areas have a vertical distance from the respective base area that corresponds to an integral multiple of a vertical modular dimension. A locking aperture is formed on each bearing area. In the vicinity of the base area, locking elements are formed, which are provided with snap-in locking elements which can detachably engage with the locking aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Geobra Brandstatter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Felgenhauer, Wolfgang Gorlich, Peter Dziemballa
  • Patent number: 5826394
    Abstract: A hollow block (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face preferably has a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in all six (6) faces. A hollow beam (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face is preferably defined by a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in the four (4) faces defining a closed loop, in the beam. Substantially parallel snaps extend from the other two (2) beam walls and have at their outer ends portions shaped to facilitate insertion of such snaps into the opening in the particular face of the block, retention of the snaps by the inner surface of the face defining the opening and removal of the snaps from the opening. Such portions are shaped for the beams to be pulled, peeled or bent from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: William M. Barton, Jr., Lonnie Pogue
  • Patent number: 5827106
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toy construction piece being in the form of a half-shell having a bottom portion, a top portion, a bottom wall portion and first and second pair of top wall portions. The bottom wall portion is generally octagonal in shape. The first and second pair of top wall portions extend perpendicularly to each other from the bottom wall portion to the top portion, forming together a generally pyramidal shape and defining four generally dihedral recesses between the four adjacent top wall portions respectively. Each of the dihedral recesses have a bottom in the form of a flat surface. Each of the flat surfaces have rows of outwardly projecting pegs and have an opening also having outwardly projecting pegs. The top portion has a border having two rows of outwardly projecting pegs, the inner row being downwardly recessed from the other. The border defines an opening therein and has an inner surface having outwardly projecting pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ritvik Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Crepeau, Jean-Christophe Doyon, Christian Lemire, Real Lanoix
  • Patent number: 5816882
    Abstract: A construction toy kit comprises a plurality of construction elements and fasteners adapted for forming structures of various forms. The construction elements comprise straight flat strip, angled flat strips of various configurations, plates of various configurations, angled brackets of various configurations, blocks of various forms, and other accessories such as axle rods of various lengths, wheels, pulleys, locking clips, pin connectors, fasteners, spacers, washers, etc. Each of the construction elements has at least two holes of a same diameter, each hole having an associated concentric embossment formed therearound. The kit also includes a hand toy tool for tightening and loosening fasteners, which could also be used an accessory of the construction element. The kit further includes a container for holding the components thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Meccano, S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Guegan, Francis Lecocq, Jean-Pierre Moussaud, Jean-Jacques Urvoy, Valerie Gautier, Francis Bance
  • Patent number: 5800239
    Abstract: A toy building block set, that includes a plurality of building blocks each having a plurality of sides for interconnection with the sides of other building blocks; and at least one side of each building block having a semicircular-shaped channel formed therein for alignment with the semicircular-shaped channel of another building block to form a circular channel. In addition, there is a plurality of cylindrical rod-like members each for placement in one of the circular channels of the aligned building blocks and for extending from the aligned building blocks to support other building blocks in the toy building block set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Avi Cohen
  • Patent number: 5788556
    Abstract: An illuminable toy device has a main housing for supporting a light source, a reflective sheet, a diffusion screen and a plurality of at least translucent elongated rods. It also includes a light source which is connected to the main housing which includes at least one light, a power source for illumination of the light, and an on/off control switch for the power source. There is a reflective sheet in front of the light. There is also a diffusion screen located in front of the reflective sheet. A plurality of at least translucent elongated rods connected to the main housing are adapted to receive a plurality of orificed beads thereon in a stacked fashion. There is also a plurality of at least translucent and opaque beads, each having an orifice therein of sufficient size to permit placement of each onto one of the elongated rods in a stacked fashion. Each of the beads have a predetermined color and are stackable onto the rods to create a unique, illuminable artistic creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Western Trimming Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth G. Morace