FOAM CONSTRUCTION TOY
A foam construction toy may utilize a plurality of nodes, studs, and structural elements to construct a toy or an object. For example, the toy may include at least one node having a plurality of holes and at least one structural element configured to connect to the at least one node. The toy may also include at least one stud configured to connect the at least one structural element with the at least one node to form the toy.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/612,722, filed on Mar. 19, 2012. The subject matter of the earlier filed Provisional Patent Application is incorporated herein by its entirety.
FIELDThe present invention generally relates to a toy, and more particularly, to a construction toy using structural elements connected by reconfigurable nodes.
BACKGROUNDCurrently, there are construction toys that allow a user, such as a child. to build structures using structural components. However, these components are generally not flexible in nature, and may be limited in design capabilities.
SUMMARYCertain embodiments of the present invention may provide solutions to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully identified, appreciated, or solved by current construction toys. For example, a construction toy in some embodiments may utilize a plurality of nodes, studs, and structural elements to construct a toy or an object.
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least one node having a plurality of holes, and at least one structural element that is configured to connect to the at least one node. At least one stud is used to connect the at least one structural element with the at least one node.
In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of structural elements. Each of the plurality of structural elements are configured to connect to each other using a node-stud assembly or a connector unit. The node-stud assembly comprises a node having a plurality of holes and a stud configured to connect a structural element with the node. The connector unit configured to connect a first structural element with a second structural element.
In order that the advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. While it should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a construction toy 100 using, for example, foam members 106 for structural members connected by reconfigurable nodes. See, for example,
Some projects can be used for practical purposes, and others may be used simply for artistic purposes. The need fulfilled by this construction toy in some embodiments is to provide a fun and educational experience for children, and possibly adults. This construction toy may help children to visualize three-dimensional structures with a practical aspect not normally found in other toys. For instance, the construction toy can be configured into a soccer goal, a playhouse, a lemonade stand, a volleyball net, and many more items.
For example, construction toy 100 may be configured to form a cube (see
The embodiments of the present invention may utilize reconfigurable joints, use the elastic properties of the foam to accomplish the connections, and the system as a whole may allow many different outcomes. As shown in
In certain embodiments, node 202 may be a rectangular element, a triangular element, or any shape or design that would be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Node 202 may be composed of plastic material, wood, etc., and may include a plurality of holes 204 to allow reception of stud 206. It should be appreciated that each of the plurality of holes 204 may include grooves (not shown) to allow stud 206 to screw on.
Stud 206 may include an attachment unit 208, such as a threaded interface to operably connect with node ball 202. Collar 210 acts as a stopper to prevent a foam member (see
Located between bearing ring 214 and collar 210 is a recessed groove 216. Recessed groove 216 allows a panel, or other accessories, to be attached to the construction toy. This may be an alternative embodiment to that shown in
It should be appreciated that foam member 306 includes a taper 310 to allow for a larger, more compact surface area, and to allow additional foam members to connect to node 302. For example,
Because foam members 306 may vary in size, the structural integrity may be compromised for foam members 306 that are larger than a certain size, depending on the material. To resolve this issue, hollow section 308 may include a partial stiffening tube 312 to prevent foam member 306 from bending, providing structural integrity. See, for example,
In other embodiments, to increase the stiffness throughout foam member 306, hollow section 308 may include a stiffening tube 312 throughout. See
In certain embodiments, such as that shown in
Fish bones 806 are located on the inner side of elongated member 804, creating air pockets 808 between fish bones 806. Air pockets 808 allow each fish bone 806 to act as a spring, enabling elongated member 804 to easily slide into the foam member. Essentially, as elongated member 804 slides into the foam member, each fish bone 806 is compressed between elongated member 804 and central spine 808. Once elongated member 804 is inserted into the foam member, each fish bone 806 is configured to retract into position, causing elongated member 804 to firmly press against the inner walls of the foam member. This allows the holding force to be maintained in an axial direction.
It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the outer surface of elongated member 804 may have a textured surface configured to secure stud 800 within the foam member. This prevents stud 800 from falling out of the foam member and improves the integrity of the construction toy.
A hollow portion 920 of foam member 918 includes a solid surface 922 with an annular groove 924 near the opening of foam member 918. Annular groove 924 in this embodiment allows flexibility when constructing the toy. When elongated portion 914 of the stud is inserted in hollow portion 920 of foam member 918, a second set of locking mechanisms (e.g. stud locking mechanism) 916 slide into annular groove 924 to stabilize, and prevent movement of, elongated portion 914 of the stud within foam member 918.
In order to remove the stud from foam member 918, a second set of tabs 912B is utilized. For example, when a user applies pressure to second set of tabs 912B, second set of locking mechanisms 916 is configured to slide out of annular groove 924 to allow the stud to be removed from foam member 918.
Also, in order to secure the stud within node 902, the stud may include a first set of locking mechanisms 908 to prevent node 902 from detaching from the stud. However, in order to release the stud from node 902, a first set of tabs 912A is utilized. For instance, when a user applies pressure or force to first set of tabs 912A, first set of locking mechanisms 908 is configured to compress, allowing the stud to be removed from a hole of node 902. It should also be appreciated that first set of locking mechanisms 908 do not touch, and may be proximate to collar 910. See
First clip attachment 1002 in this embodiment includes a first set of locking mechanisms 1004 and a first set of tabs 1006. As discussed above, first set of locking mechanisms 1004 is configured to secure stud 1000 against the node. Further, when the user applies pressure to first set of tabs 1006, first set of locking mechanisms 1004 is configured to compress, allowing stud 1000 to be removed from the node.
Second clip attachment 1008 in this embodiment includes a second set of locking mechanisms 1010, a second set of tabs 1012, and a threaded section 1014. Similar to
In order to secure first stud 1320 and second stud 1330 within hollow portions 1304, 1312 of foam members 1302, 1310, respectively, locking mechanisms 1324, 1334 are configured to slide into annular grooves 1308, 1316 when first stud 1320 and second stud 1330 are inserted into foam members 1302, 1310, respectively. To release first stud 1320 and second stud 1330, tabs 1322, 1332 may be pressed, causing locking mechanisms 1324, 1334 to slide out of annular grooves 1308, 1316.
One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a foam construction toy. The foam construction toy may include at least one node and a plurality of foam members configured to connect with the at least one node to form a structural element. A stud may be used to connect each of the plurality of foam members to the at least one node.
It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.
The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one node comprising a plurality of holes;
- at least one structural element configured to connect to the at least one node; and
- at least one stud configured to connect the at least one structural element with the at least one node to form the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one structural element comprises a hollow section configured to receive an elongated portion of the at least one stud.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hollow section comprises a partial stiffening tube configured to increase structural stiffness of the at least one structural element.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hollow section comprises a stiffening tube throughout the hollow section of the at least one structural element, and gripping material affixed to the stiffening tube, the gripping material configured to secure the elongated portion of the at least one stud.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hollow portion comprises a solid material near an opening of the at least one structural element, the solid material comprising an annular groove configured to secure the elongated portion of the at least one stud.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one stud comprises an elongated portion configured to slide into a hollow section of the at least one structural element.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the elongated section comprises a set of locking mechanisms configured to slide into an annular groove within the hollow section of the at least one structural element to secure the elongated portion within the hollow section of the at least one structural element.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one stud comprises a set of tabs configured to release the set of locking mechanisms from the annular groove when pressure is applied to the set of tabs.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one stud comprises a threaded interface configured to operably connect to one of the plurality of holes on the at least one node.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one stud comprises an interface comprising a set of locking mechanisms configured to secure the at least one stud when the interface is inserted in one of the plurality of holes.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one stud comprises another set of tabs configured to compress the set of locking mechanisms and release the at least one stud from the at least one apparatus.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one stud comprises a bearing ring configured to stabilize the at least one node when attached to the at least one stud.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one stud comprises a recessed groove located between an interface and collar, the recessed groove configured to allow accessories to be attached to the apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one stake configured to be inserted into a medium.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
- an adapter configured to be connected to the at least one stake via a stake interface, and to connect to the at least one stud or the at least one node.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- at least one connector unit configured to connect two structural elements together.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one connector unit comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, the first elongated member configured to be inserted into a hollow section of one of the at least one structural elements and the second elongated member configured to be inserted a hollow section of another of the at least one structural elements.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of structural elements, each of the plurality of structural elements are configured to connect to each other using a node-stud assembly or a connector unit, wherein
- the node-stud assembly comprises a node having a plurality of holes and a stud configured to connect a structural element with the node, and
- the connector unit configured to connect a first structural element with a second structural element.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 19, 2013
Inventor: John Renfro (Newport Beach, CA)
Application Number: 13/799,631
International Classification: A63H 33/08 (20060101);