TOY BLOCK
A toy block. The toy block comprises a body having a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and the bottom. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an interior cavity having a curved portion wherein the curved portion rotatably connects with at least another toy block.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/982,979 filed Oct. 26, 2007, in the name of the present inventor and entitled “Toy Block” and is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates generally to toy structures, and in one application, toy blocks that connect with each other to form a variety of configurations including curved configurations.
Children currently use toy construction blocks to create different types of structures. These toy blocks have keying or matching parts so that only the proper piece of the block fits or engages with the matching receptacle on another block. The matching parts of current toy blocks engage each other in a set orientation for reduced movement of the engaged blocks. Accordingly, the child cannot move one engaged block with respect to the other block leading to limited configurations for the child to create. These current toy blocks also tend to stick together requiring the child, or more commonly an adult, to exert an amount of finger force to pry apart the joined blocks. Additionally, current toy blocks typically have a cube or rectangular base limiting curved or angular configurations for the child to create. Furthermore, these cubed/rectangular blocks often scrape or poke the child's skin while the child handles the blocks.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates generally to toy blocks that connect with each other to form a variety of configurations. One aspect of the disclosure relates to a curved toy block, wherein the curved toy block allows the user to use curves and angles in assembled structures of the toy blocks.
In another aspect of the disclosure, the toy block comprises a body having a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and the bottom. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an interior cavity having a curved portion wherein the curved portion rotatably connects with a raised connector of at least another toy block of the disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following detailed description illustrates the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
The present disclosure relates to a rotatable structure for a toy or educational building block. The structure can be used in any appropriate building block. However, for purposes of illustrations only, the structure will be described as incorporated into a rounded toy building block. The term “block’ does not require any particular geometry and/or configuration.
Referring to the drawings, a toy block of the present disclosure employing a connector is shown generally as 10 (
The toy block 10 comprises a body generally shown as 12 having a top 14, a bottom 16 and a sidewall 18 connecting the top 14 and the bottom 16. The sidewall 18 has a predetermined wall thickness. In one aspect, the body 12 has a length from about 6½ inches to about 8½ inches, a height from about 2¾ inches to about 4¾ inches and a width from about 1 and ⅞ inches to about 3 and ⅞ inches. A body 12 having a length of about 7½ inches, a height of about 3¾ inches and a width of about 2 and ⅞ inches works well. However, any size that is easily used for its intended purpose is acceptable.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the curved ends 28, 30 have a radius of curvature from about 1¼ inches to about 1 and ¾ inches. In one aspect, the curved ends 28, 30 have a radius of curvature of about 1 and ⅝ inches. The dimensions are representative of an embodiment and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. As shown in
The body 12 further includes lateral supports 34 preferably positioned within the cavity 32 and along a major axis of the body 12 and includes a transverse support 36 preferably positioned within the cavity 32 along a minor axis of the body 12 (
Turning to
The upper surface 46 of the curved wall 44 defines an aperture 52 there through and in communication with the cavity 32. Support members 54 segment the aperture 52 into sections. In an embodiment, the support members 54 comprise cross shaped members that segment the aperture 52 into quadrants as shown in
As shown in
Turning to
Alternatively, the user may rotatably connect the other toy block 10′ to the lower positionally set toy block 10 by aligning and placing the bottom 16 of one of the curved ends 28, 30, for example, curved end 28, within the channel 56 defined by the raised connectors 42 of the lower positioned toy block 10 and on the shoulder 50 of the lower positioned toy block 10 (
The curved wall 44 of the now embedded raised connector 42 contacts the clearance area 40 of the inner surface 24 of the upper toy block 10′. In this arrangement, the user can rotate the upper toy block 10′ around the embedded raised connector 42 so as to position the other free curved end 30 of the upper toy block 10′ on a lower and adjacently positioned toy block 10″ (
The curved wall 44 of the raised connector 42 of the lower positioned toy block 10 limits rotational movement of the upper connected curved end 28, and consequently the rotational movement of the upper toy block 10′. In an embodiment, however, the upper toy block 10′ may rotate around the embedded raised connector 42 of the lower toy block 10 from about 45° to about 315° as measured from the channel 56 of the lower toy block 10. While rotating the other free curved end 30 on an adjacent raised connector 42, the user may rotate this free curved end 30 over on an adjacent shoulder 50 and within an adjacent channel 56 of the lower adjacent toy block 10″. The rotational movement around the raised connector 42 and the curved ends 28, 30 allow the user to incorporate curves and angles in creating the structures. As shown in
Referring to
The body 60 may further include lateral supports 67 preferably positioned within the cavity. Vertical ribs 69 may also extend from the top of the inner surface toward the bottom of the inner surface. A clearance area 71 exists between the bottom of the rib and the bottom 62 of the body 60 as previously discussed. The supports 67 and the ribs 69 provide rigidity and stabilization to the body 60 during use of the toy block 58. Any supporting member that can be employed to support/stabilize the body 60 is intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
The top 62 has a raised connector 72 extending outward and away from the top 62. The raised connector 72 is designed to allow the body 60 to connect with another toy block of the present disclosure as will be discussed. The raised connector 72 has a curved wall 74 between an upper surface 76 and a lower end 78. In one aspect, the curved wall 74 comprises a circular shape. The curved wall 74 may have a radius of curvature of about 1½ inches. Additionally, the curved wall 74 preferably has a height of about ⅜ inches. The dimensions are representative of an embodiment and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The raised connector 72 can be constructed in any acceptable manner and shape that allows for the connection of a plurality of the toy blocks 58 of the present disclosure. The raised connector 72 is positioned along the planar surface 20 of the top 14 such that the curved wall 74 forms a shoulder 80.
The upper surface 76 of the curved wall 74 defines an aperture 82 there through and in communication with a cavity 65 of the toy block 58. Support members 84 segment the aperture 82 into sections. In an embodiment, the support members 84 comprise cross shaped members that segment the aperture 82 into quadrants as shown. The support members 84 provide rigidity and stabilization to the raised connector 72 during use of the toy block 58. Any supporting member that can be employed to support/stabilize the raised connector 72 is intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
During assembly by the user, the user connects toy block 58 by aligning and placing the bottom 64 of the toy block 58 on the top and the shoulder of a previously set toy block of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art recognizes that toy block 58 may connect with toy block 10 previously discussed and/or with another toy block 58. The user may align the upper toy block 58 so that the raised connector (not shown) of the lower positioned toy block extends within the columnar cavity of the now upper positioned toy block 58 to connect together the upper toy block 58 and the lower toy block 58.
Referring to
The body 88 may further include lateral supports 104 preferably positioned within the cavity. Vertical ribs 106 may also extend from the top of the inner surface toward the bottom 92 of the inner surface. A clearance area 108 exists between the bottom of the rib 106 and the bottom 92 of the body 88 as previously discussed. The supports 104 and the ribs 106 provide rigidity and stabilization to the body 88 during use of the toy block 86. Any supporting member that can be employed to support/stabilize the body 88 is intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
During assembly by the user, the user connects toy block 86 by aligning and placing the bottom 92 of the toy block 86 on the top and the shoulder of a previously set toy block of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art recognizes that toy block 86 may connect with toy blocks 10, 58 previously discussed. The user may align the upper toy block 86 so that the raised connector of the lower positioned toy block 10 (58) extends within the columnar cavity of the now upper positioned toy block 86 to connect together the upper toy block 86 and the lower toy block 10, 58 (
Referring to
Regardless of the configurations of the connected toy blocks of the present disclosure, the curved portions allow the user to rotate the toy blocks relative to each other and to use curves and angles in their constructions. The curves and angles allow more creativity in assembling the toy blocks while minimizing unsafe sharp edges. Additionally, the raised connector on one top of a toy block fits into any cavity on any other toy block of the present disclosure. The molding dimensions and configurations are such that there is an easy assembly fit between the toy blocks of the present disclosure. Assembled toy blocks stay in place together but may be easily disassembled by a light pulling force.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Moreover, the use of the terms “upper” and “lower” or “top” or “bottom” or “side” or “inner” or “outer” or “raised” or “block” or “curved” or “rounded” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.
Claims
1. A toy block of a plurality of toy blocks, the toy block comprising:
- a body having a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and the bottom, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an interior cavity having a curved portion wherein the curved portion rotatably connects with at least another of the plurality of toy blocks.
2. The toy block of claim 1 further comprising a raised connector having a curved wall.
3. The toy block of claim 2 wherein the curved wall is circular shaped.
4. The toy block of claim 2 wherein the raised connector comprises a pair of raised connectors spaced apart on the top.
5. The toy block of claim 4 wherein the pair of raised connectors form a channel therebetween.
6. The toy block of claim 1 further comprising a rib positioned on the inner surface.
7. The toy block of claim 1 further comprising a support connected to the inner surface and extending across the cavity.
8. The toy block of claim 1 wherein the sidewall is circular shaped.
9. The toy block of claim 1 wherein the top has a planar surface.
10. The toy block of claim 1 wherein the top has a sloped surface.
11. A toy block of a plurality of toy blocks, the toy block comprising:
- a body having a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and the bottom, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an interior cavity having a curved portion; and
- a raised connector connected to and extending from the top wherein the curved portion rotatably connects with another raised connector of at least another of the plurality of toy blocks.
12. The toy block of claim 11 wherein the raised connector comprises a pair of raised connectors spaced apart on the top.
13. The toy block of claim 12 wherein the pair of raised connectors form a channel therebetween.
14. The toy block of claim 1 further comprising a rib positioned on the inner surface.
15. The toy block of claim 14 wherein the rib extends from the top and toward the bottom.
16. A method of building toy blocks with each toy block having a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and the bottom, the sidewall defining an interior cavity having a curved portion, the method comprising:
- setting one of the toy blocks in a position;
- rotatably connecting another of the toy blocks in the positionally set toy block; and
- rotating the other toy block on the positionally set toy block to an orientation with respect to the positionally set toy block.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein rotatably connecting the other toy block comprises setting the other toy block around and in contact with a raised connector of the positionally set block.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2010
Inventor: James S. Fleming (Chesterfield, MO)
Application Number: 12/258,120
International Classification: A63H 33/08 (20060101);