Including Element Having Plural Bosses For Forming Single Joint Patents (Class 446/128)
  • Publication number: 20080113580
    Abstract: Connectable blocks are described. The invention includes a plurality of connectable blocks. Each block has a male part and corresponding female part, such that the male part on one block can be connected with the female part of another block, thereby being stackable. Additionally, each of the blocks includes a surface that is textured. An adhesive-backed material is included for detachably attaching with at least one of the connectable blocks. The connectable block can include an adhesive-backed surface so that it may be connected with another surface, such as a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: David Johnston
  • Patent number: 7155865
    Abstract: A housing structure includes a first plurality of wall panels which form a lower course and a second plurality of wall panels which form an upper course. Each of the wall portions is generally rectangular and includes integrally formed interlocking portions which facilitate attachment of adjacent lateral edges of the wall portions of the first plurality to each other. Integrally formed interlocking portions facilitate attachment of the panels in the lower course to the panels in the upper course. In addition, rectangular roof panels are provided to enclose the housing structure. The interlocking portions enable the panels to slide into an interlocked engagement configuration thereby forming a rigid structure without the need for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Certified Lumber, LLC
    Inventor: Abraham Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7063587
    Abstract: A building block includes two perpendicularly connected square frames, and a hypotenuse frame extended between outer edges of the two square frames. Each of the square and hypotenuse frames has an outer frame portion and an inner cross-shaped rib portion having a thickness twice as large as that of the outer frame portion. The cross-shaped rib portion divides a space enclosed in each frame into four equal divisions, which are four cavities on one of the two square frames; two diagonally opposite round connecting posts and two diagonally opposite cavities on the other square frame; and two diagonally opposite connecting protrusions and two diagonally opposite rectangular cavities on the hypotenuse frame, so that a plurality of the building blocks could be assembled together in different manners to form changeful shapes via engagement of the cavities with corresponding connecting posts or protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Youth Toy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 6997771
    Abstract: A set of elements used for building easily disassembled structures includes a plurality of building cards. At least one surface of each card is provided with protrusions extending normally therefrom. When an edge of a first card is in abutting contact with one or more protrusions of a second card, the one or more protrusions prevent the first card from sliding beyond a point or locus defined by the one or more protrusions thereby permitting the first card to be stably leaned against a third card, and so on, to create supported structures constructed from a plurality of the building cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Stak-Its Toy Company Inc.
    Inventor: Cary Lucier
  • Patent number: 6752680
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising: a sensor (200, 301) capable of recording revolution of a wheel (501, 502), a computer (101, 303) having a display (302), said computer (101, 303) being connectible to the sensor (200, 301) for receiving a revolution signal (S) from the sensor, said computer being capable of converting the revolution signal into a value in dependence on a factor, said value representing the revolution and being displayable on the display. The sensor (200, 301) comprises coupling means (210) for coupling to building elements (101, 504, 505) having complementary coupling means (107), said coupling means being arranged in a modular system with modular units (M1, M2), and the computer (101, 303) is arranged such that the factor may be specified by stating a transverse dimension of the wheel in a plurality of modular unit (M1, M2). The computer may thereby be set to a wheel size in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Jørn Skovløber Hansen
  • Patent number: 6736691
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising box-shaped building elements that have, in the horizontal plane, dimensions that are integer multiples of a horizontal module (L), and, in the vertical direction, a height (H) which exceeds the horizontal module. The building elements have a tubular opening at a first face. Elements are provided that have a tenon that can be introduced into the tubular opening. At its free end, the tenon is flexible and has protruding edges (23) for snap-effect with the second end of the tubular opening, and the tenon has a protruding portion (21) that serves to ensure that the tenon can be introduced only so deeply into the tubular as corresponds to the horizontal module (L). The building set comprises building elements (30) with coupling studs (31) on the top face and a cavity (32) with a tubular coupling means (33), whereby two such elements are able to interconnect with coupling studs (31) in contact with the sides of the cavity (32) and the tubular member (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6634920
    Abstract: A vacuum-shaped toy building plate with a substantially plane building surface arranged with coupling means for being interconnected with toy building elements having complementary coupling means. The toy building plate is also provided with downwardly protruding spacer elements intended for imparting to said toy building plate a certain height. Along its periphery the toy building plate is also provided with a downwardly protruding flange having the same downward extent as said spacer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Carsten Peter Michaelsen
  • Patent number: 6616500
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising building elements with at least two side walls that define a width for the building elements and a top face with coupling studs arranged in parallel rows on the top face such that the rows are spaced apart. The building elements have a bottom with a cavity for receiving coupling studs on other building elements. The toy building set comprises a toy vehicle with wheels that are mounted in pairs on opposed sides of the vehicle. The wheels in each pair are arranged at such distance from each other that there is room for an integer multiple of rows of coupling studs between the wheels, and that both wheels in a pair can simultaneously be in rolling contact with a top side of the building element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Rune Harms, Per Steen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6585553
    Abstract: A toy building set with interconnectible building elements and comprising an energy source, an energy accumulator and a consumer of energy as separate units which may be built together with the building elements, wherein the energy accumulator may be coupled to the energy source so that energy from the energy source is transferred to and accumulated to the energy accumulator, and the energy accumulator may be coupled to the consumer to supply energy accumulated in the energy accumulator to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Keith Fetridge, Bryant Pierre, Peter Smith
  • Patent number: 6571525
    Abstract: A system for modular construction provided by interconnectable and stackable polymeric blocks having end and side walls connected to a top wall, and exterior and interior cylinders. The exterior cylinders are matable with the interior cylinders of a connecting block, and apertures in the top wall allow for re-bar, conduit or installation of insulation. Raised ribs located adjacent to the top wall contact the connecting block to further enhance stability of the erected structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: J. David Coleman
  • Patent number: 6554675
    Abstract: A method of packaging the toy building elements for a set for building a toy model in which the model is separated into definable sections. The elements for each section, including elements for interconnection to other sections are separately packaged, along with instructions for assembling the separate sections. Instructions are further provided for interconnecting the sections to form the desired model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Lars Randel Nyengaard
  • Patent number: 6508689
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising a plurality of building elements which each are provided with hinge parts, first and second types of hinge parts being shaped complementarily in such a manner that the hinge parts on two building elements may be interconnected releasably so that they form a hinge link between the building elements. The first type of hinge parts is provided with a toothing arranged at a specific distance from the common hinge axis, and the second type of hinge parts comprises a first group which is provided with a toothing arranged at the specific distance from the common hinge axis and a second group of hinge parts which is not provided with such a toothing, said toothings on the first type of hinge parts and on the first group of the second type of hinge parts being directed oppositely to each other in such a manner that they engage each other when the hinge parts are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Kaj S. Mikkelsen, Hans Damgård Nielsen, Kim Pagel, Carsten Røn, Erik Fuglsang, Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6371823
    Abstract: A wrapping band for converting cut standard food cartons into a toy building block, which in the form of a continuous band comprises five surface elements. Each surface element is hinged to the adjacent element or elements along a line or lines, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band. The surface elements are connected as follows: a first end element having a closure slot for engagement with a closure tongue; a top element having a plurality of circular projections or pegs; a second end element; a bottom element having a plurality of holes corresponding to the number of pegs in the top element; and generally arrow-shaped locking tongue for engagement with the slot. The toy building block is formed when the band is secured about the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ola Stavran
  • Patent number: 6340323
    Abstract: The present invention is a waterslide toy block construction system. The present invention includes a plurality of toy construction blocks that can be arranged to create a variety of multi-block structures. Some of the construction blocks have a plurality of elongated projections extending from said top surface, and the undersurface of such blocks defines recesses therein for frictionally engaging the elongated projections of other such blocks. Other construction blocks have conduits for water flow (hereinafter groves) which can be assembled to create continuous, extendable and generally horizontal and vertical paths for the travel of water thereon. The top surface of such blocks defines at least one groove thereon for the routing of water. When a user correctly arranges the blocks to form a multi-block structure, these grooves form a path thereon for the travel of water throughout such a multi-block structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 6315628
    Abstract: A system of elements of plastic material intended for the composition, by frictional insertion, of static or dynamic constructions having a game of didactic purpose, which comprises two kinds of main system elements, from which the first kind of elements has the character of a substantially tubular spacer whose end portions form female coupling members having a symmetry of order eight, while the second kind of elements has the character of a connector formed by a thin flange provided on both sides with male coupling members complementary to the female coupling members of the elements of the first kind but having a symmetry of order four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Alessandro Quercetti
  • Patent number: 6200187
    Abstract: A toy construction building set includes first and second building elements, which are releaseably interconnectable. The first building elements have a side with a coupling surface, which has coupling studs, and the second building elements have a side with a coupling surface, which has a skirt. Defined within the skirt is a cavity for receiving the coupling studs on the first building element. When the first and second building elements are interconnected, a first abutment portion of the first building element is outside the skirt and a second abutment portion of the second building element abuts the first abutment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Flemming Højberg Olsen, Per Brømsø
  • Patent number: 6186856
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a building block toy, characterized in that a single kind of building block is used and in that the building block is of a unique shape. Specifically, the center of a flat equilateral triangular piece and the center of a flat hexagonal piece with the same thickness can be overlapped, and the three conjugated sides of the hexagonal piece can be connected to the three sides of the equilateral triangular piece upon stacking these two pieces in a parallel manner. The length of each side of the equilateral hexagonal piece is ⅓ of that of the side of the equilateral triangular piece. Thus, the parts where the equilateral triangular piece and the equilateral hexagonal piece overlap form three small equilateral triangular pieces (1, 2 and 3) of equal size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Ching Yean Chen
  • Toy
    Patent number: 6179685
    Abstract: A toy in the form of a shoe having a heel with a tread and a foresole with a substantially plane tread. The treads of the heel and the foresole being separated from each other. The toy additionally has a platform on which the shoe may be placed. The platform being shaped so that just the heel of the shoe forms a complementary coupling to allow the shoe to be detachably coupled to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Hanne Toft
  • Patent number: 6162108
    Abstract: A stacking block system includes a plurality of blocks, each having a top face and a plurality of side walls extending downwardly from the top face. At least one coupling knob extends upwardly from the top face and has a substantially spherical upper part and a substantially cylindrical lower part. A tubular coupler or flange extends downwardly from the top face and beyond the side walls is complementary to the coupling knob, enabling coupling of two blocks. The tubular flange guides the coupling knob to enable coupling of two blocks, even when the blocks are tilted with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Jesper Bo Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 6142847
    Abstract: A plurality of reflective T-rail interconnector members are adapted for use with a toy block set and establish at least one pair of adjoining T-rails, wherein the first T-rail is non-parallel to the second T-rail so as to permit multi-directional slidable interconnection with a plurality of toy block configurations that are slidably, pivotally and fixably coupled to one another and which are further capable of three dimensional slidable and pivotal maneuvering with respect to one another by virtue of rail extension members, rail guide members and pivot members. The reflective T-rails may further include coupling members or, in the alternative, the reflective T-rails may be unistructurally molded so as to establish a plurality of infinitely sized and shaped T-rails which permit multi-directional slidable interconnection with a plurality of toy block configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: 90Degrees, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Rudy
  • Patent number: 6102766
    Abstract: A toy building set comprises building elements (11, 21, 22) of a first type with coupling studs (10, 20) arranged in a two-dimensional periodical pattern with the coupling studs (10, 20) disposed in rows in two main directions perpendicular to each other in such a manner that the coupling studs (10, 20) also form diagonal rows in diagonal directions relative to the main directions, whereby neighboring diagonal rows are separated by a space having a width (d) wider than zero, and building elements (11, 21, 22) of a second type for interconnecting with building elements (11, 21, 22) of the first type, said building elements (11, 21, 22) of the second type having pairs of parallel coupling walls (12, 23, 24) which define cavities with coupling means for receiving coupling studs (10, 20) on building elements of the first type in a releasable engagement in such a manner that the coupling walls (12, 23, 24) are arranged in main directions between rows of coupling studs, wherein the building set further comprises bu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Paul Leadbetter, Arne Egholm Jensen
  • Patent number: 6086444
    Abstract: A building block for a construction toy is characterized by having one or more studs projecting from one side and a corresponding number of recesses formed in the opposite side. The studs and recesses are of an equilateral polygonal configuration, preferably having an even number of sides, preferably eight. At least some of the surfaces of the studs are formed to have a negative taper, making the studs slightly larger at the top than at the base. The recesses also are formed such that the walls have a slight negative taper, making the recesses slightly narrower at the open end than farther down in the recess. When a pair of blocks is assembled by inserting one or more studs of one block into one or more recesses of an adjacent block, the negatively tapered configuration of the studs and recesses provides for a tactilly sensible snap action, which is pleasing to the user and also provides a secure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Joel I. Glickman
  • Patent number: 6050873
    Abstract: The invention provides a toy building block made of a semi-rigid plastic material and joinable to at least one other building block, including a plurality of projections extending from at least one surface of the block, and undercut recesses disposed on the surface opposite to the at least one surface, at least some of which recesses being in substantial alignment with the projections, the projections having a head portion and a neck portion of reduced size and constituting male joining elements, the undercut recesses constituting female joining elements, being at least partial counterparts of the projections, wherein, by application of pressure on two blocks to be joined, elastic deformation of at least the female joining elements will cause the head portions of the male joining elements and the undercut portions of the recesses to snap into mutual engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Ron Reisman
  • Patent number: 6033282
    Abstract: Different types of measuring devices detachably built up with different elements are provided. The elements for forming the built-up measuring devices include suitable numbers of connecting rule elements, corner elements, swing elements, fixing bars, and fixing sleeves. The measuring devices that may be built up with the elements include but not limit to ruler, square, three-dimensional square, and arithmetic balance. These measuring devices integrate functions of many commercially available intellectual aids and can be used to take linear, area and cubic measures, practice four fundamental operations, and learn concepts about coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Youth Toy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-chi Lin
  • Patent number: 6024626
    Abstract: A magnetic block including an upper face and a lower face and side faces therebetween and a plurality of magnets located within the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hillary Singer Mendelsohn
  • Patent number: 5961365
    Abstract: A toy construction kit which includes a structural element or connector having a centre panel and two or more rectangular side panels connected to the centre panel. The side panels are folded to form sleeve members of triangular cross section which are insertable in, and frictionally engaged in a hollow structural member of triangular cross section. The structural members and connectors are fabricated of corrugated cardboard so that the construction kit is safe light-weight and disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Lambert
  • Patent number: 5951356
    Abstract: The modular lattice substructure for a playing structure, such as a toy building set, includes a planar frame having a plurality of exterior corners and a column having a height greater than the height of the frame. The column includes a lower portion and one of the lower portion of the column and a corner of the frame have a receptive connector thereon for removable attachment to a protrusion connector on the other of the lower portion of the column and a corner of the frame. In this manner, a single frame can be attached to a plurality of columns, and a single column can be attached to a plurality of frames in order to form a modular lattice substructure for a playing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Parvia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Cyrus, Sean Cryan, Steve Proctor, Rich Franko, Chris Brady, David Wicklander, Gary Franz
  • Patent number: 5944575
    Abstract: A building plaything comprising building elements, connected in a known way and produced in module size or in any multiple thereof, for creating rolling tracks, upon the building elements a rolling groove is shaped and directrix of the rolling groove is straight or arched or slanting, and the plaything comprising connecting elements to be joined to the building elements in the known way, and the building elements are shaped as at least one of the following elements: as straight element, as slanting element, as arched element, the plaything furthermore comprising a rolling element wherein the rolling groove is shaped with slanting sides having an obtuse angle to one another, further, for the purpose that the slanting element can be placed also at right angle to any of the building elements gradient of the slanting side of the rolling groove of the building elements is the same as the gradient of the directrix of the slanting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Judit Fuchsne Tolnay
  • Patent number: 5938498
    Abstract: The present invention is a toy construction block system which includes a plurality of toy construction blocks and a plurality of interblock connectors. Said blocks each have a main outer structure having a top, four sidewalls and an open bottom. The top has a plurality of symmetrically arranged elongated projections for interlocking with other, similar blocks and the open bottom has an underside to said top which itself has an elongated friction post extending therefrom. The friction post is hollow and is centrally and symmetrically located on the underside. The critical features are that the top has thereon a top recess in alignment with the friction post, a bottom recess within the friction post of the block, and at least one of the four sidewalls has a side recess therein adapted to receive an interblock connector. In preferred embodiments of said interblock connector, each connector has at least an elongated body and first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5938497
    Abstract: A constructional toy including a plurality of main building blocks, preferably square and triangular in shape, all having identical grooves in their side faces, the mouth of each groove being narrower than the rest of the groove. The blocks are connected together by connecting elements each having a cross section in the shape of a symmetrical star having 2N points, where N is at least three. Each connecting element is a sliding fit in the grooves in the main blocks, with N adjacent points of its star-shaped cross section trapped in the groove and the other N points outside the groove, thus enabling the blocks to be connected together side face to side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Morphun Research Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Christopher Mott
  • Patent number: 5890943
    Abstract: constructional building set comprising gear boxes which are provided with guide grooves and shaft passages. The guide grooves and the shaft passages are constructed such that transmission elements can be inserted into the guide grooves from the outer side of the gear box in such a manner that the transmission elements are positioned in alignment with the shaft passages in the gear boxes. When the gear box additionally comprises means for releasable geometrical retention of the transmission elements in their position in alignment with the shaft passages after insertion of the transmission elements into the gear box, it is ensured that the shafts can be pulled out of the assembled gear structure without the transmission elements dropping out of the gear structure. This simplifies the mounting operation and makes it easier to use the gear structure as an assembled unit that can be used for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Ole Vestergaard Poulsen, Sten Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5888114
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with the formation of modular units from individual plate-like elements and other elements with special interlocking joints at their ends that allow them to form cubes that can be grouped together to form storage "cubbies" and modular structural systems and toy construction sets and the like, wherein, in one embodiment, the plates are formed with one end having studs on a 45 degree angled surface, and the other end having receptacles or openings such as sockets on a 45 degree angled surface for interlocking with a second mating plate like the first, but in which the studs and sockets are interchanged, allowing a cube to be formed by two of each type of plate, with the use of studs and sockets on the surfaces allowing two or more such cubes to stick together; and wherein, in another embodiment, the cube is made from four identical plates, as by an extrusion process, where one end of a plate contains double male features, such as barb arrows, and the other end contains double correspo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: AESOP, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Christopher M. Ho
  • Patent number: 5848927
    Abstract: A stacking block system having stacking blocks which have a body part which is provided with coupling knobs with a mutual uniform modular distance on its upper surface and is downwardly provided with coupling means which are complementary with respect to the coupling knobs on the upper side and are adapted to be coupled with the coupling knobs. According to the invention, the blocks are additionally provided with one or more spacers downwardly, which are designed such that when two stacking blocks are stacked on top of each other, the body parts of the stacking blocks will be spaced from each other along their entire periphery. This provides a gripping edge or a gap between two blocks stacked so that it is particularly easy to grip the blocks when a stack of such blocks is to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Jesper Bo Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 5830032
    Abstract: A set of novel architectural design blocks is disclosed. The design blocks may be used for education, instruction, and design purposes. Generally, the blocks contain a post member positioned in a generally upright position. Also, a beam member cooperating with the post member is provided and the beam member is positioned in a generally lateral position relative to the post member. Additionally, a rafter member cooperating with the post member and the beam member is included, with the rafter positioned in a sloping position relative to the post member. The post member comprises a 3 unit by 3 unit lateral surface area such that 9 unit members are formed therein with said center unit member being void so that 8 unit members are formed by said post member. The rafter will have in the preferred embodiment an 12 unit run by 8 unit rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: John Holland Campbell
  • Patent number: 5826394
    Abstract: A hollow block (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face preferably has a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in all six (6) faces. A hollow beam (e.g. a rectangular prism) preferably has six (6) perpendicular faces. Each face is preferably defined by a wall with a particular thickness. An opening is provided in at least a particular one of the faces, and preferably in the four (4) faces defining a closed loop, in the beam. Substantially parallel snaps extend from the other two (2) beam walls and have at their outer ends portions shaped to facilitate insertion of such snaps into the opening in the particular face of the block, retention of the snaps by the inner surface of the face defining the opening and removal of the snaps from the opening. Such portions are shaped for the beams to be pulled, peeled or bent from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: William M. Barton, Jr., Lonnie Pogue
  • Patent number: 5827106
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toy construction piece being in the form of a half-shell having a bottom portion, a top portion, a bottom wall portion and first and second pair of top wall portions. The bottom wall portion is generally octagonal in shape. The first and second pair of top wall portions extend perpendicularly to each other from the bottom wall portion to the top portion, forming together a generally pyramidal shape and defining four generally dihedral recesses between the four adjacent top wall portions respectively. Each of the dihedral recesses have a bottom in the form of a flat surface. Each of the flat surfaces have rows of outwardly projecting pegs and have an opening also having outwardly projecting pegs. The top portion has a border having two rows of outwardly projecting pegs, the inner row being downwardly recessed from the other. The border defines an opening therein and has an inner surface having outwardly projecting pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ritvik Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Crepeau, Jean-Christophe Doyon, Christian Lemire, Real Lanoix
  • Patent number: 5810639
    Abstract: A construction toy block set including a plurality of toy block elements respectively made of flat shape, a plurality of swivel connectors, and a plurality of fixed connectors, the block elements having pins and coupling recesses for coupling to one another directly, and retaining slots for coupling to one another by the swivel connectors or the fixed connectors, the swivel connectors being adapted for connecting the block elements together, permitting them to be turned relative to one another, the fixed connectors being adapted for connecting the block elements together and preventing them from being turned relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Jin-Su Liu
  • Patent number: 5803783
    Abstract: A toy building set containing wall elements for the construction of facade structures. The building set includes at least one of each of two types of wall elements: a first type of wall element formed with one opening having hinge parts for suspension of plate elements; and a second type of wall element formed with a plurality of openings, each having hinge parts for suspension of plate elements. The height of the openings in each type of wall element are equal so that the plate elements may fit into the openings of either type of wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Berit Holmstr.o slashed.m, Charlotte Katharina H.o slashed.yer H.o slashed.jlund
  • Patent number: 5795210
    Abstract: A toy building set has building elements which can be interconnected in a releasable frictional engagement. The building set comprises building elements having a first type of coupling means arranged in a two-dimensional modular pattern, and building elements having a coupling means of a second type dimensioned to touch coupling means of the first type. The building set moreover comprises building elements having a third type of coupling means, which are arranged in the two-dimensional modular pattern, but offset with respect to coupling means of the first type and dimensioned not to touch coupling means of that type, as well as building elements having at least one coupling means of a fourth type dimensioned to touch coupling means of the third type. Further, building elements for the building set are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Philip Marshall Kushner, Kenn Rasmussen, Niels hrwald
  • Patent number: 5788555
    Abstract: The present invention involves a toy construction block set which includes at least two toy construction blocks and at least one toy construction block extender which are removable and attachable. A top of the block has a plurality of symmetrically arranged elongated protrusions for interlocking with a recessed bottom having a plurality of projections, on other, similar blocks. A toothed hole is located on at least one of the top, sidewalls, or a friction post of the block for angularly interconnecting with an elongated toothed interconnecting positioning rod located on at least one of the top, sidewalls, or bottom of a similar toy block. The elongated toothed interconnecting positioning rod when inserted into the toothed hole of a similar block or block extender permits a number of angular alignments between the blocks and the extender proportional to the number of teeth on the elongated toothed interconnecting positioning rod and toothed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5788350
    Abstract: A system, adapted for use with connectable building components used to build a unit, includes a structure having an open area accessible from the front of the structure for storing the unit. A baseplate is moveable between a storage position for controlled movement of the baseplate in the open area and an extended position adapted for building the unit from the connectable building components. The baseplate includes either a plurality of upwardly extending members, openings or other connectors for connecting the unit to the baseplate. Guide rails block upward movement of the baseplate and the closure when moved in the closed position blocks movement of the baseplate out of the structure. The system further includes a plurality of drawers having compartments positioned in the structure movable between a retracted position adapted for storing and transporting the connectable building components and an extended position for access to the connectable building component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Daniel Edwin Fladung
  • Patent number: 5775969
    Abstract: A toy element having a thin, flexible material as well as a holder for it is provided. The toy element may be used in the construction of a doll house for which it constitutes a curtain and the suspension, in the form of a rod, for the curtain. An elongated cavity having a longitudinal slot through which the flexible material extends is provided in the holder. A locking part couples to the holder and secures the rod holding the curtain in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Lars Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5743779
    Abstract: The invention concerns a toy ship having a hull part (1) which is blow moulded as a closed unit, and an upper part (2) which is injection moulded, the two parts being assembled to form the toy ship. The novelty of the toy ship is that at least one area of the upper part (2) is provided with coupling studs for coupling with other toy building elements (3), that this area is located between the outer, peripheral edge of the upper part (2) and the joint between the hull part (1) and the upper part (2), and that the outer, peripheral edge of the upper part (2) is cantilevered at least around the area provided with coupling studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Per Steen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5733167
    Abstract: A building element (10) for a constructional building set comprises a housing (11, 12) and a light source (15) mounted in it. The light source (15) is mounted on a rotatably mounted member (14) spaced from the axis of rotation (13) of the member. The housing (11, 12) includes a wall having a plurality of light exit openings (16) through which the light from the light source (15) can leave the housing (11, 12), when the light emitter (15) has been aligned with one of the light exit openings (16) by rotation of the rotatable member (14). The rotatable member (14) can be coupled with an external drive device (20) and is enclosed by the housing (11, 12). The rotatable member is freely rotatable about its axis of rotation (13) with respect to the housing (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Olav Kr.o slashed.igaard
  • Patent number: 5725411
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel construction toy having a main block body adapted to be removably engaged with other block bodies and connection elements or beam members. The block body provides recessed or protruding octa-arc connectors, as well as, additional connectors that mate with the ends of the connection elements and beam members to form composite structures. The octa-arc connector is comprised of a recessed surface area circumscribed by an outer circular perimeter of eight arcs symmetrically arranged in a generally circular manner and an inner perimeter which may be circular or eight arcs symmetrically arranged in a generally circular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5707271
    Abstract: A toy car (1) is provided which has a car box (10) on which two wheels (20) are rotatably mounted. Each wheel (20) has an eccentric disc (21) at the side facing the car box (10). The sidewalls (16) of the car box (10) have longitudinal grooves (27). These are engaged by guide cams of skid places over the corresponding wheel (20). When the car is pulled, the wheels rotate, the eccentric disc (21) moves which causes the skid to reciprocally move. The car thus simulates foot movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Philippe Kunz, Heinz Looser, Werner Tanner
  • Patent number: 5704186
    Abstract: A construction element, preferably a constructional toy, including a tubular body portion and, formed integrally with each of the opposite ends thereof, a pair of gripping jaws, each pair constituting a coupling portion. The constituent jaws of each pair are oppositely disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion and are separated by oppositely disposed peripheral coupling device. The tubular body portion is formed with longitudinally directed, angularly spaced-apart, first coupling device. Each pair of the gripping jaws of the construction element can embrace a body portion of a second construction element, with the jaws not extending beyond a median plane of the body portion of the second construction element, and with inner surfaces of the pair of jaws conforming to the outer surface of said body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Tiltan 3 Dimensional Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Alcalay, Tomer Ganelevin
  • Patent number: 5683283
    Abstract: The present invention involves a toy construction block which includes a main outer structure having a top, four sidewalls and an open bottom. The top has a plurality of symmetrically arranged elongated projections for interlocking with Other, similar blocks and the open bottom has an underside to the top which itself has an elongated friction post extending therefrom. The friction post is hollow and is centrally and symmetrically located on the underside. The critical features are that the top has thereon a top recess in alignment with the friction post, a bottom recess within the friction post of the block, and at least one of the four sidewalls has a side recess therein adapted to receive an interblock connector. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of the four sidewalls has a side recess therein, and the top recess and bottom recess are formed by a continuous and complete orifice or hole directly through the block vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5674103
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shape sorting bucket for use in combination with a set of construction toy blocks having coupling elements that make them detachably stackable onto each other. The bucket is made of three parts including a container defining an enclosure in which the construction toy blocks can be stored, a shape sorting rim extending above the container, this rim having walls provided with holes of different shape, and a lid detachably connectable onto the rim, this lid having an upper surface from which project coupling elements similar to or compatible with those of the construction toy blocks, whereby the lid can be used as a base plate for use to play with the construction toy blocks. Some of the construction blocks are sized and shaped to snugly fit into and thus be sortable through the holes in the walls of the rim, whereby the bucket can also be used as a shape sorting toy. This bucket can be personalized into a character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: The Ritvik Group Inc.
    Inventor: Sandra Bean
  • Patent number: 5666777
    Abstract: There is provided a building block (10) comprising a rectangular parallelepiped having three pairs of opposing surfaces (12 and 14, 16 and 18 and 20 and 22), each pair of opposing surfaces being provided with one or more identical pairs of interlocking formations (24 and 26), whereby two such building blocks (10) may be arranged with one of a pair of opposing surfaces of a first of the blocks in interlocking engagement with one of any of the three pairs of opposing surfaces of the other of the blocks. There is also provided a corner block (100) for use with a building block (10) of the type previously described, the corner block (100) subtending in included angle and being provided with one or more formations (118) on each of its surfaces (102-116) whereby the corner block (100) may be arranged with one of its surfaces (102-116) in interlocking engagement with one of at least one of each pair of opposing surfaces (12 and 14, 16 and 18 or 20 and 22) of said building block (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald Patrick Murphy