Building block

Abstract

Set of building elements containing building blocks (1) having a body (2) in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, whose underside is provided with recesses (5) and whose top surface is provided with projections (3) having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the configuration being such that such a building block (1) can be connected in clamping engagement with another building block (1′) of the set of building blocks by engagement of its projections (3) in the recesses (5) provided on the underside of the other building block (1′). The invention provides that the set of building elements contains one or more building blocks (1) where the projections (3) occupy only a part of the intersections of the imaginary square grid.

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority to PCT International Application Number PCT/EP02/07404 filed Jul. 4, 2002 and German Application Number 101 32 423.5 filed Jul. 4, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a building block for use as part of a set of building elements, and to a corresponding construction plate. Building blocks and sets of building elements are known, and are commercially available, as toy building blocks for example under the “Lego” trade name. Building blocks of that kind can be joined to structures by means of projections provided on the top of one such building block, which engage recesses provided in one or more other building blocks in clamping engagement.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Beside the known Lego building blocks, other similar building blocks are also available.

[0006] FR 2,336,956 A1, for example, discloses building blocks that differ from the known Lego building blocks substantially in that the underside of the described building blocks, instead of being provided with recesses, exhibit a free inner space enclosed by sidewalls. Correspondingly, the top of such building blocks is provided with projections only at its edge or, in the case of larger blocks, on which smaller building blocks can be fitted, along the contours of such smaller building blocks. EP 0,379,389 A1 further discloses building blocks which are provided with both projections and recesses for engagement in projections of a matching building block, on their top, their underside and their sidewalls as well. Finally, DE-OS 1,603,572 A describes building blocks which have two projections on their top and two matching recesses at their underside.

[0007] Now, it is the object of the present invention to extend the range of creative applications permitted by such sets of building elements.

[0008] This object is achieved by a set of building elements having the features defined in the claims, and by a building block having the features defined in the claims, all intended for use in a set of building elements. Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the claims.

[0009] While in the case of known building blocks, forming part of sets of building elements, upper projections are provided at all intersections of an imaginary square grid, a set of building elements according to the invention contains one or more building blocks where two of those intersections remain free from such projections. This idea is equally ingenious and simple as the idea underlying the known system of the building blocks as such. While known building blocks only permit rigid connections by engagement of the projections of the one building block in the recesses of the other building blocks, the use of the building block according to the invention as part of a set of building elements now allows, in addition to such rigid structures, rotatable structures or structures with rotating or pivoting elements to be realized. This is so because when the building block according to the invention is connected with another building block, whether of conventional design or of a design according to the invention, by engagement of a single rotationally symmetrical projection, then the two building blocks can be rotated one relative to the other about such projection and the matching recess in the other building block. The angle available for rotation depends on the number and position of the remaining projections on the lower building block, which are not so engaged and clamped. In the case of known building blocks, the remaining projections of the lower building block prevent in this case rotation of the building blocks one relative to the other, presenting an obstacle to the sidewalls of the upper building block. In the case of a building block according to the invention, however, two of four projections are missing, whereby rotation of one building block relative to the other is rendered possible. If only two projections, placed on a diagonal line of the imaginary square grid, are provided on the lower building block, rotation by approximately 360° is possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The building blocks according to the invention can be combined with advantage with the known building blocks. Accordingly, a set of building elements containing one or more building blocks according to the invention permits a much greater variety of structures to be realized than a set of building blocks consisting exclusively of known building blocks. Accordingly, it is now possible with a given number of building blocks to realize much more combinations and a greater variety of interesting and different structures. Advantageously, children's imagination is stimulated more strongly, and the building blocks gain in interest as toys for children of a larger age-group.

[0011] Structures with rotatable or pivoting elements, of the kind that can be realized with the building blocks according to the invention, can be used with advantage also in other fields. For example, the building blocks according to the invention easily permit the realization of a structure comprising a cable entry whose diameter can be exactly adjusted to the required width by simple rotation of one or more of the building blocks.

[0012] According to an advantageous further development of the invention it is provided that the projections have a cylindrically shaped lateral surface. This feature provides the advantage to increase the retaining force of the clamping connection.

[0013] According to another advantageous further development of the invention the projections are hollow. This feature advantageously leads to material savings.

[0014] Another advantageous further development of the invention provides that the building blocks are designed as boxes open at their underside. This advantageously reduces the material required for the production of a building block. Another advantageous further development of the invention provides in this connection that the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the building block are provided with ribs serving to connect two building blocks by clamping engagement. This feature provides the advantage to increase the stability of a building block and the holding force of a clamping connection between two building blocks. Another advantageous further development of the invention provides that cylinders are provided inside the box, on the underside of the wall from which the projections start out, at the centers of the imaginary square grid, which cylinders serve to connect the building blocks by clamping engagement, especially in co-operation with the before-mentioned ribs. Centers of the imaginary square grid mean in this connection those points which are found at the center, i.e. the intersection of the diagonal lines of the grid. If the projections of a building block are in engagement with the bottom of another building block, then a clamping effect is achieved not only by the sidewalls, and the ribs provided thereon, but also by the respective cylinder. This advantageously increases the holding force of the clamping connection.

[0015] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, the building blocks have a closed and substantially plane top outside their projections. This feature provides the advantage to simplify production of the building blocks.

[0016] According to an alternative advantageous further development of the invention, the set of building elements contains one or more building blocks which exhibit, on at least one of the intersections of the imaginary square grid, a hole instead of a projection, and one or more pins matching the holes and having a lateral surface whose outer diameter conforms to the outer diameter of the projections. This feature provides the advantage that by combining pins with building blocks according to the invention, it is possible to produce building blocks which exactly have the desired number of projections necessary for realizing a given structure. It is then possible, at desire, by fitting the pins in the holes, to create a greater number of projections and to thereby increase the holding force of the clamping connection between two building blocks, or else to make a structure rotatable by leaving the holes open. This advantageously further increases the number of possible combinations of the number of building blocks in a set of building elements and makes the set of building blocks even more interesting for children. Another advantageous further development of the invention provides in this connection that the holes are configured as blind holes. This feature provides the advantage to limit the depth of engagement of the pins. Preferably, the relevant pins have a cylindrical configuration.

[0017] An alternative advantageous further development of the invention provides in this connection that the holes are through-holes and that the pins are provided with a stop that limits the depth of penetration of the pins. This feature provides the advantage to reduce the production effort and the material input for the production of the building blocks. Another advantageous further development provides in this connection that the pin comprises two cylindrical sections of different diameters. This feature provides the advantage that the holes can be given a smaller diameter and that once a pin has been fitted, so as to form a projection, the holes are no longer visible.

[0018] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the building blocks are made from a plastic material. This feature provides the advantage to permit the building blocks to be produced at low cost.

[0019] According to one advantageous further development of the invention, the set of building elements contains a construction plate, provided with projections, having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution, located at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the design of the projections being such that the construction plate can be connected with a building block of the set of building elements by clamping engagement of its projections in the recesses at the underside of such building block, and that the projections of the construction plate occupy only a part of the intersections of the imaginary square grid. Such a set of construction elements advantageously permits the realization of structures which are rotatably mounted on, or which comprise elements rotatably mounted on, the construction plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained by reference to an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a building block according to the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a building block;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through a rigid structure composed of three building blocks according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a rotatable structure composed of three building blocks according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5, in its rotated position;

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the structure of FIGS. 4 to 6 in another rotated position;

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a building block according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a flexible wall built up from building blocks according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 10 shows the wall illustrated in FIG. 9, curved to the shape of an S;

[0031] FIG. 11 shows the wall illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the shape of a ring;

[0032] FIG. 12 shows the wall illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, in straight condition;

[0033] FIG. 13 shows another wall made from building blocks according to the invention, consisting of two mutually rotatable sections;

[0034] FIG. 14 shows the wall illustrated in FIG. 13 in rotated condition; and

[0035] FIG. 15 shows another wall made from building blocks according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The building block 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a cuboid body 2 with two hollow cylindrical projections 3 on its top. The length of such projections 3 can be freely selected within broad limits so that the projections can be configured at desire as short knobs or bosses, or as long pins. The projections 3 serve to connect two building blocks 1, 1′, as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, by clamping engagement of at least one of the projections 3 of the building block 1′ in recesses provided at the underside of the other building block 1.

[0037] Contrary to the prior art, not all, but only some of the intersections of an imaginary square grid of the building block 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 are occupied by projections 3. In the illustrated configuration, the building block 1 has exactly two projections 3, and these are arranged diagonally opposite one to the other. This advantageously provides the possibility to combine a plurality of such building blocks for the purpose of creating rotatable structures or structures comprising rotatable or pivoting elements. It is an essential aspect in this connection that the projections 3 have a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution, a cylindrical shape of the projections 3 being especially advantageous for establishing a reversible clamping connection.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the building block illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0039] The building blocks known heretofore only permit the realization of rigid structures; the realization of rotatable structures is not possible with prior art building blocks. The described building blocks 1 of course also allow the realization of rigid structures—also in combination with the known building blocks—, in which case two projections 3 provide almost the same reliability of the clamping connection between two building blocks 1 as four or more projections 3 according to the prior art. An example of such a rigid structure is illustrated in FIG. 3. The user has the choice of joining either identical components 1, or components 1′ with differently arranged, or a different number of, projections 3.

[0040] FIG. 4 now shows a cross-section of a rotatable structure. In this example, the lower building blocks 1 have two projections 3, arranged diagonally opposite each other, while the upper building block 1′ is provided with a single projection only, the number of projections 3 of the upper building block 1′ being of course without relevance for the rotating capability of the structure. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the same structure. In this case, the two lower components 1 are movable one relative to the other. The structure comprises two axes of rotation, each being defined by a projection 3 of the lower building block 1 engaging a recess in the upper building block 1′. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a rotated position, which has been achieved by rotation of the lower building blocks 1 relative to the upper building block 1′, from their original position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0041] The building blocks 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 have square tops.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows the underside of the described building blocks 1, 1′. The building blocks are configured as hollow boxes, and the inner surfaces of their sidewalls are reinforced by ribs 6 which coact with the cylinder 7 to establish the clamping connection. Inside the box, at the underside of the wall from which the projections 3 extend, the building block 1 is provided with a cylinder 7 arranged at the center of the imaginary square grid. In the case of larger building blocks, there are then correspondingly more centers of the imaginary square grid, with a cylinder 7 arranged at each such center. Thus, a building block with a square top and four intersections of the imaginary square grid has one such cylinder 7 at its center, while a larger rectangular building block has a correspondingly greater number of cylinders 7. When a projection 3 engages the bottom of another building block, the projection 3 is clamped between the inner lateral surfaces by ribs 6, extending in the direction from the top to the bottom, and the cylinder 7 so that a clamping connection is achieved between two building blocks.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a wall built up from building blocks according to the invention. While known building blocks only permit the realization of rigid or straight walls, or walls arranged at right angles, the building blocks according to the invention also permit the realization of flexible walls. This is so because the individual building blocks can be rotated one relative to the other, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, whereby the wall in its entirety can be rendered flexible and can be given the curved shape illustrated in the drawing. FIG. 10 shows the wall illustrated in FIG. 9 in a slightly more curved S-shape. As can be seen in FIG. 11 such walls may even be formed into a ring. In FIG. 12, the wall illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 is shown in straight condition. It will be seen, when comparing FIGS. 4 and 6, that the possibility to rotate the individual building blocks one relative to the other allows a change in length of the wall to be realized. The configurations illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 are different in length by a factor equal to root of 2.

[0044] Another wall built up from building blocks according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 13. That wall comprises two sections A and B, which can be rotated one relative to the other about an axis S. FIG. 14 shows the wall of FIG. 13 in rotated condition such that the sections A and B extend at a right angle one relative to the other. It is thus possible to configure a section of the wall as a door. FIG. 15 shows another wall built up from building blocks according to the invention, with a plurality of axes of rotation.

Claims

1. A set of building elements containing building blocks having a square body, whose underside is provided with recesses and whose top is provided with projections, the projections having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the configuration being such that a first such building block can be connected in clamping engagement with a second building block of the set of building elements by engagement of its projections in the recesses provided on the underside of the other building block, the set of building elements containing one or a plurality of building blocks comprising the projections which occupy only two diagonally arranged intersections of the imaginary square grid and where at least four intersections of the imaginary square grid so that two building blocks, which are mutually connected by engagement of a single projection of the first such building block in a first recess of the second building block, can be rotated one relative to the other due to the fact that the second building block can be moved over an intersection of the imaginary square grid of the first building block, which intersection neighbours the engaging projection and is not occupied by a projection.

2. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1, wherein the projections have a cylindrical lateral surface.

3. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1 wherein the projections are hollow.

4. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1 wherein the building blocks are configured as boxes open at their bottom.

5. The set of building elements as defined in claim 4, wherein the inner lateral surfaces of the building block are provided with ribs extending in the direction from the top to the bottom, which serve to connect two building blocks by clamping engagement.

6. The set of building elements as defined in claim 4, wherein cylinders are provided inside the box, on the underside of the wall from which the projections start out, at the centers of the imaginary square grid, said cylinders serve to connect two building blocks by clamping engagement.

7. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1, wherein the building blocks (1) have a closed and substantially plane top outside the projections (3).

8. The set of building elements as defined in any of claims 1, wherein one or a plurality of building blocks which comprise a hole instead of a projection on at least one intersection of the imaginary square grid, and one or a plurality of pins matching the holes and having a lateral surface whose outer diameter conforms to the outer diameter of the projections.

9. The set of building elements as defined in claim 8, wherein the holes are blind holes.

10. The set of building elements as defined in claim 9, wherein the pins are cylindrical.

11. The set of building elements as defined in claim 8, wherein the hole is a through-hole and the pin comprises a stop that limits the depth of penetration of the pin.

12. The set of building elements as defined in claim 11, wherein the pin comprises two cylindrical sections of different diameters.

13. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1, wherein the building blocks (1) are made from a plastic material.

14. The set of building elements as defined in claim 1, further comprising a construction plate provided with projections having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution, located at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the design of the projections being such that the construction plate can be connected with a building block of the set of building elements by clamping engagement of its projections in the recesses in the underside of the building block, and that at least four intersections of the imaginary square grid are provided on the construction plate and the projections of the construction plate occupy only a part of the intersections of the imaginary square grid so that a building block connected with the construction plate by engagement of a single projection of the construction plate in one of its recesses can be rotated relative to the construction plate due to the fact that it can be moved over an intersection of the imaginary square grid of the construction plate, which neighbours the engaging projection and which is not occupied by a projection.

15. Building block for use in a set of building elements as defined in claim 1 having a square body, whose underside is provided with recesses and whose top surface is provided with projections having a lateral surface in the form of a surface of revolution at the intersections of an imaginary square grid, the configuration of the recesses and projections being such that such a building block can be connected in clamping engagement with a second building block of the set of building elements by engagement of its projections in the recesses provided on the bottom of the second building block that projections of which occupy only two diagonally arranged intersections of the imaginary square grid, four intersections of the imaginary square grid are provided on the building block, so that when a single projection is engaged in a recess of the second building block of the set of building elements, the building block can be rotated relative to the latter around the engaging projection in that the second building block can be moved over an intersection of the imaginary square grid of the first building block, which neighbours the engaging projection and which is not occupied by any projection.

16. (Cancelled)

17. The set of building elements as defined in claim 4 wherein said cylinders serve to connect two building blocks by cooperation with said ribs.

18. The set of building elements as defined in claim 5 wherein cylinders are provided inside the box, on the underside of the wall from which the projections start out, at the centers of the imaginary square grid, said cylinders serve to connect two building blocks by clamping engagement.

19. The set of building elements as defined in claim 18 wherein said cylinders serve to connect two building blocks by cooperation with said ribs.

20. The set of building elements as defined in claim 5 wherein the projections have a cylindrical lateral surface and are hollow and the building blocks are configured as boxes open at their bottom.

21. The set of building elements as defined in claim 20, wherein one or a plurality of building blocks comprise a hole instead of a projection on at least one intersection of the imaginary square grid,

one or a plurality of pins matching the holes have a lateral surface whose outer diameter conforms to the outer diameter of the projections,

the holes are blind holes and

the pins are cylindrical.