Object holding mechanism
An object connector for building a structure. The object connector is made of a light weight material with slots to hold various objects such as blocks and playing cards around the circumference of the connector as well as on the top and bottom of the connector. The top and bottom of the connector has a swiveling feature so the objects can be connected at a precise location.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of strategic games and, in particular, to means for enabling different shaped objects to be held together to build a structure made of the objects. Specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism that connects blocks or playing cards to one another to build a structure, which includes a house of cards or any other structure comprising two or more interconnected blocks. The present invention can be used for not only building structures but also design matching and strategic role playing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBlocks and playing cards are commonly used by individuals to build structures. Various sizes and shapes of connectors made out of wood, plastic, and metal have been used by individuals to connect items such as blocks and cards together.
Currently connectors exist to connect blocks and cards however the block and card connecting apparatuses that currently exist in the marketplace only have connecting mechanisms going around the connector and not on the top and bottom of the connector as well.
In the construction of structures, it is important that the connector holding the mechanism together be light enough so as not to weigh down the structure thereby limiting the height and width of the construction. Therefore, the need arises for the connector mechanism to be light weight.
Various attempts to solve the need for card holders and connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,657 for “Construction Toy,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,407 for “Connection Element for Assembling Toys,” Des. 286,555 for “Card Clip,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,793 for “System for Interconnecting Panels,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,913 for “Connector for Use in Connecting Planar Objects,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,438 for “Construction Toy and Adapter,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,276 for “Playing Card Holder,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,221 for “Connectors for Joining Construction Toy Joint Element and Brick,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,411 for “Construction Beam Block Toy with Selective Angular Interlock,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,365 for “Construction for a Modular Building Set,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,429 for “Toy Model Building Set,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,989 for “Card Holder,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,700 B2 for “Rod and Connector Toy Construction Set.”
In the prior inventions, card holders and other forms of connectors are designed for cards and objects to fit in to slots around the circumference of the mechanisms. A card holder that holds more than one card has been designed but does not provide a way to hold cards on not only the circumference but also the top and bottom of the invention.
The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general and these patents in particular by a slot to hold objects such as blocks and cards on all sides of the holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of this invention to provide a connector with slots on the top and bottom of the connector as well as all the way around the circumference of the connector.
It is another object of this invention to provide a light weight connector which can be connected to multiple cards or blocks, but without weighting down the structure being built.
Further objects of this invention, together with additional features contributing thereto, and advantages accruing there from, will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
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While the invention has been shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiment, and possible modifications thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding objects comprising;
- A center;
- At least one slot extending from the center;
- At least one slot on of the top and bottom of said center acting as a swivel; and
- At least two protrusions for holding each object that is placed in between said slot.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slot is comprised of at least one pair of arms.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said arms is rectangular in shape.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said slot can expand and contract to hold said object that is being placed in between it.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inner side of said protrusions includes a plurality of rubber strips.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said slots is equidistant from at least one other of said slots.
7. The unit according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said arms is connected to said center.
8. A method for using an apparatus for holding blocks, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a center, a slot extending from said center, at least two arms, at least two protrusions for holding a block placed on the inner surface of each arm, and at least one swiveled slot placed on the top and bottom of the center, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. Placing the block in a slot;
- b. Using a gripping material inside said at least one of said protrusions to hold the block between said arms.
- c. Attaching a second apparatus for holding blocks to one of the three remaining sides of said block that is not already in a slot.
- d. Placing a block in a second slot;
- e. Building a structure.
8. The method of claim 8, wherein said gripping material is comprised of rubber.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: Jonathan Seth Pincus (Marietta, GA)
Application Number: 11/786,318