Connected Panels Or Strips Having Parallel Edges And Mutually Angled Faces Patents (Class 446/115)
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Patent number: 5472365Abstract: A geometric toy construction system has a multiplicity of flat, regular polygonal construction panels interengageable edge-to-edge by means of shared but separate intervening cylindrical axles positioned parallel to the edges of the panels and attached thereon, thereby enabling the building of two- and three-dimensional constructions. One axle enables up to six panels to be snap-fit into position about the axis of their commonly shared axle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Inventor: Richard J. Engel
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Patent number: 5400918Abstract: A spherical enclosure constituting a composter made up of identical triangular pieces which are all detachably interconnected. Any of the pieces can be partially detached so that it can be swung to open position for insertion of materials into it, and removal therefrom. The pieces constitute the entire structure, the device not having any other structural pieces, either interior or exterior.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Inventor: Roland G. Prodaniuk
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Patent number: 5390452Abstract: A building block wherein two elongated bars are pivotally connected to each other along their longitudinal edges by a first hinge and at least one end portion of each bar is provided with one or more parts of a second hinge which serves to articulately connect the respective end portion to one end portion of a bar forming part of an additional building block. The axes of the first and second hinges are normal to each other. The building blocks can be assembled into skeleton frames forming part of roof structures, erector sets, decorative arrangements, kiosks and/or other combinations of modules.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: Lignotrend Holzblocktafel Systeme GmbHInventor: Werner Eckert
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Patent number: 5215490Abstract: The present invention is comprised of a set of interlocking pieces whereby the base set of four different pieces provide extensive opportunity to assemble patterns two dimensionally and build three dimensionally. The unique asymmetrical mortise and tenon system allows for continual expansion of engaged forms by joining the pieces. The edge profile establishes a design criteria for developing different shaped pieces in addition to the four base pieces. The modular system of interlocking pieces takes advantage of the structural and spacial characteristics of reinforced concrete that other building configurations do not. This invention has the potential to be used for full scale construction as well as for an educational building toy.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1991Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Charles A. SzoradiInventor: Charles A. Szoradi
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Patent number: 5195282Abstract: What has been disclosed are the means and method for erecting a structure of preformed, interlocking structural elements which may be assembled by unskilled workmen. The preformed structural elements are provided in selected color and texture and include insulative coating surfaces. The interlocking mating configurations of the preformed elements assure a structure whose elements are assembled plumb and true by virtue of their longitudinal axes intersecting orthogonally. The erection of offices, storage, and housing facilities is envisioned utilizing such preformed structural elements. The low cost of materials and the ability to erect structures utilizing the efforts of local, unskilled labor responds to existing immediate needs for housing and other building facilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1990Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Inventor: E. Logan Campbell
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Patent number: 5183430Abstract: A geometric toy construction system has a multiplicity of flat, polyagonal construction pieces interengageable edge-to-edge to form two- and three- dimensional constructions. The edgewise connectors enable the pieces to be snap-fit together and to rotate about the axis of interconnection. The connector sets are formed to allow four or more individual pieces to be snap-fit about a common axis. Attachment sites are also formed along the construction pieces, preferably at the corners thereof, to accomodate flexable connecting pipes in a friction-fit for corner-to-corner or apex-to-apex connection. Similarly, a soft, pliable ball member may be substituted for the pipe into which the connecting sites may be pressed. Elastic bands may also be secured between attachment sites to hold the construction together. The construction pieces may be color coded to indicate the edge size, size of the connector sets or selected types of pieces.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1989Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Inventor: James Swann
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Patent number: 4884988Abstract: A creative building playtoy for children which allows rapid interlocking and disconnecting. A plurality of panels is provided to form the basic building blocks. Each panel has edging strips which have a unique fastening cloth on their exterior surface. The fastener cloth is comprised of a base fabric with cloth hooks and loops interspersed thereon to allow rapid manual connecting and disconnecting of the edging strips of the panels so that various complex forms can be produced by the child.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1988Date of Patent: December 5, 1989Inventor: Larry D. McMurray
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Patent number: 4804350Abstract: A toy building block set suitable for assembling articles of play includes ring like block elements with a circular inner periphery and a polygonal outer periphery with straight side faces. A sixteen-sided polygonal block is provided with square dovetail connector and socket elements arranged on the side faces for connecting the block elements together. Other side faces of the block elements are provided with vertical dovetail chutes for co-operation with elongate stacking members having elongate dovetail projections. The block elements are thus able to be arranged in stacks on the stacking members for storage and transportation. Lashing points are provided on the stacking member ends for accepting a lashing means to secure the stack positively, and several stacks of block elements can be lashed together for packaging large sets of blocks. Different embodiments are presented. In one embodiment the block elements are provided with snap-fit socket elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1987Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Inventor: Chen-Tsung Chen
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Patent number: 4792319Abstract: The invention provides a basic building piece capable of combining with other, identical basic building pieces to form three-dimensional geometric models of the five regular polyhedrons (tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron), or more accurately, the Archimedean counterparts or truncated versions of these polyhedrons, as well as structures based on combinations of these solids, and other irregular and complex solids and shells. The basic building piece comprises a flat, generally hexagonal member carrying three types of fastening devices on its edges and surfaces to enable the desired variety of connection configurations with other, identical building pieces, and the structures resulting therefrom. In one embodiment, completed forms utilize the interplay of transparent colored pieces to create aesthetic patterns and multicolor relationships.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1987Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Inventor: Daniel E. Svagerko
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Patent number: 4731041Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 1986Date of Patent: March 15, 1988Inventor: James T. Ziegler
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Patent number: 4685892Abstract: A toy construction set having a plurality of generally planar geometrically configured unitary multi-sided construction elements, with each side having a tab connected thereto with living hinges, each tab including an aligned pair of connectors, each connector including a generally cup-shaped protuberance, the exterior forming a male connector or pin and the interior forming a female connector or well. Adjacent connectors on a given tab are inverted relative to one another. A shaft member is provided with one end having a pin and the other end having a wall. A wheel carrying member is provided with horseshoe-shaped clip portions for engaging the periphery of the shaft member.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1985Date of Patent: August 11, 1987Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Diane C. Gould, Robert R. Tucker
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Patent number: 4682967Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of building blocks of different shapes, wherein each individual building block unit comprises a horizontal partition plate (2) which divides the unit block into upper and lower compartments, a supporting partition wall (1) wherein on the surface of supporting partition wall (1) at the upper compartment of the unit there is a row of equi-spaced hole. One of the characteristics of the building blocks is that three of the faces of the block are not enclosed by any plate. The block units may have a square, rectangular, semicircular or circular shape. The block units may also have a triangular, sector, trapezium or a truncated sector shape, each of the last four shapes having an angle of either 60.degree., 72.degree. or 90.degree.. Hence, there are altogether 16 types of blocks which can be arranged in many geometric shapes.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1985Date of Patent: July 28, 1987Inventor: Ching-Ho Kao
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Patent number: 4620843Abstract: A constructional toy is disclosed which may be assembled in numerous different configurations employing four basic components which include a triangularly-shaped component, a rectangularly-shaped component and two elongated board components. A pair of wheels are mounted on the triangularly-shaped and rectangularly-shaped components. From these four basic components, the plurality of toys may be constructed.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1984Date of Patent: November 4, 1986Inventors: Richard H. Higginbotham, Sr., Richard H. Higginbotham, Jr.
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Patent number: 4536162Abstract: A child's playset comprised of a number of rooms offering different stage settings which may be changed. Each room includes a pair of walls at an angle with respect to each other and a floor having two different heights. The playset is preferably formed by attaching four rooms together at hinges whereby the rooms may be moved with respect to each other to form different shaped playsets. In addition, the rooms may be brought together to form a square wherein a handle extending upwardly from the walls of each room come together to form a central carrying handle for transportation of the playset.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1983Date of Patent: August 20, 1985Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Marshall E. Ace, Jr., deceased, Ray W. Mattson, Mark S. Wittenberg
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Patent number: 4519724Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for elastically assembling two identical pieces, wherein one of the ends of a piece comprises two lugs between which is disposed a bar in the form of an arc of circle, while the opposite end of this piece comprises a flange provided with two notches in which are engaged the lugs of a second, identical piece while the convex face of the bar abuts against the inner face of the flange. Beads on one piece engage in notches of the other piece to complete the assembly. The invention is particularly applicable to games and toys.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1983Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: MajoretteInventor: Jean L. Ribas
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Patent number: 4509930Abstract: A multilateral modular structure having fastening devices for connection to similar structures, the fastening devices including the module member having surfaces terminating in edges, a tab extending outwardly from an edge of and being offset from said member, the tab being connected to the member by a hinge integral with the member and the tab, the tab having one surface extending outwardly from said edge alignable with one surface of the member, the tab having an opposite surface to its said one surface unaligned with a surface of the member, and a connecting pin adjacent said edge from which the tab extends, the pin extending and supported from said one surface of the member, said opposite surface of said tab being transversely alignable with said pin, said tab having an opening therethrough, said opening having an axis generally parallel to the axis of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1979Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Inventors: Lothar L. Schweigert, Heimo A. Knaus