Patents by Inventor James T. Ziegler

James T. Ziegler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8845381
    Abstract: A geometric construction module formed from a substantially flat, flexible material, the module comprising a polygon based shape having two straight edges; and a locking tab pair integral with each one of the straight edges to form joining edges, each locking tab of the locking tab pair having a notch at the straight edge, the notches of each locking tab pair being symmetrical about a center line of the joining edge. Multiple construction modules can be releasably attached at the joining edges to form models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Novation Design Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120270463
    Abstract: A geometric construction module formed from a substantially flat, flexible material, the module comprising a polygon based shape having two straight edges; and a locking tab pair integral with each one of the straight edges to form joining edges, each locking tab of the locking tab pair having a notch at the straight edge, the notches of each locking tab pair being symmetrical about a center line of the joining edge. Multiple construction modules can be releasably attached at the joining edges to form models.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: James T. ZIEGLER
  • Patent number: 5518434
    Abstract: A toy construction set is described having construction modules with male connectors and female connectors on selected ends thereof. Each male connector comprises a projecting pin of generally rounded cross-section with an outwardly projecting shoulder adjacent the outer end thereof. Each female connector comprises a generally square socket formed by a pair of projecting opposed L-shaped fins with one leg of each L-shaped fin being no more than one half the length of the other leg thereby providing gaps on opposite sides of a module. The fins also have grooves on inside faces thereof adapted to receive and hold in a snap fit the projecting shoulder of a male connector. With this arrangement, the modules can be simply snapped together while at the same time being rotatable relative to each other. This rotatable feature adds a new dimension to the constructions and greatly increases play value. The design of the female connector socket also simplifies the moulding of the modules because there are no undercuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4902259
    Abstract: Polygonal construction modules are capable of being connected together by their edges and by their faces to create many different three-dimensional shapes. Each module has a generally planar body with edge faces, a top face and a bottom. Each edge face has a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers designed to provide a snap-together lateral interlock between fingers of adjacent modules while permitting hinging or rotation between modules on an axis parallel to the side face. Projecting upwardly from each top face is at least one annular connector element for establishing a friction fit with a like connector element in face-to-face interlocking engagement. The connector element includes a series of projections arranged in a uniform circular array, each projection being segmental in shape with radial side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Novation Design Ltd.
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4886477
    Abstract: Polygonal construction modules are capable of being connected together by their edges and by their faces to create many different three-dimensional shapes. Each module has a generally planar body with edge faces, a top face and a bottom. Each edge face has a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers designed to provide a snap-together lateral interlock between fingers of adjacent modules while permitting hinging or rotation between modules on an axis parallel to the side face. Projecting upwardly from each top face is at least one annular connector element for establishing a friction fit with a like connector element in face-to-face interlocking engagement. The connector element includes a series of projections arranged in a uniform circular array, each projection being segmental in shape with radial side walls. The space between each pair of projections snugly receives and holds a projection of a like connector element solely by frictional contact between engaging projection side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Novation Design Ltd.
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4874341
    Abstract: A polygonal toy construction element is described having a substantially flat body portion with edge faces and top and bottom faces. Each edge face has a plurality of outwardly projecting integrally formed connectors adapted to connect with corresponding projecting connectors of an edge face of another construction element in a snap-together lateral interlock between adjacent elements while permitting hinging action between connected element on an axis parallel to connected edge faces. According to the novel feature of the invention, the polygonal construction element has at least one line of reduced thickness extending across the element between at least two apices of the polygon to form a living hinge which separates the element into at least two face portions joined by a living hinge and at least one edge face. This has the advantage of making possible a greatly increased variety of constructions while using only one modular edge length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Novation Design Ltd.
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4731041
    Abstract: Polygonal construction modules are capable of being connected together by their edges and by their faces to create many different three-dimensional shapes. Each module has a generally planar body with edge faces, a top face and a bottom. Each edge face has a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers designed to provide a snap-together lateral interlock between fingers of adjacent modules while permitting hinging or rotation between modules on an axis parallel to the side face. Projecting upwardly from each top face is at least one annular connector element for establishing a friction fit with a like connector element in face-to-face interlocking engagement. The connector element includes a series of projections arranged in a uniform circular array, each projection being segmental in shape with radial side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: D721142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Novation Design Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Ziegler