US20040154256A1 - Building set with U-shaped blocks - Google Patents

Building set with U-shaped blocks Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040154256A1
US20040154256A1 US10/361,329 US36132903A US2004154256A1 US 20040154256 A1 US20040154256 A1 US 20040154256A1 US 36132903 A US36132903 A US 36132903A US 2004154256 A1 US2004154256 A1 US 2004154256A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
blocks
building
studs
side walls
cavities
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/361,329
Inventor
Namhyung Kim
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10/361,329 priority Critical patent/US20040154256A1/en
Publication of US20040154256A1 publication Critical patent/US20040154256A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2/04—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
    • E04B2/06—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position
    • E04B2/08—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements using elements having specially-designed means for stabilising the position by interlocking of projections or inserts with indentations, e.g. of tongues, grooves, dovetails
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0202—Details of connections
    • E04B2002/0204—Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections
    • E04B2002/0215—Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections with separate protrusions
    • E04B2002/0223—Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections with separate protrusions of cylindrical shape
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0256—Special features of building elements
    • E04B2002/0263—Building elements for making angled walls

Definitions

  • This invention relates to set of building blocks, which are structured to be connected together.
  • Building blocks of this kind are generally known, and marketed under the trade marks LEGO, or DUPLO.
  • Such building sets includes traditional building elements in the form of box-shaped building blocks provided with coupling studs on the upper side and complementary coupling means on the lower side, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282 Christiansen.
  • the drawbacks with such traditional building blocks are:
  • This invention proposes set of U-shaped building blocks having single row of coupling studs on the upper side and complementary coupling cavity on the lower side.
  • the two common features (U-shape, single row of coupling) of blocks in the set allows the construction of blocks with flexible angles (any angles between 90° to 270°), and pivoting parts.
  • Such building set may consist of blocks with any different number of coupling studs.
  • FIG. 1A, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A are side perspective view of the toy building blocks with number of coupling studs of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1B, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B are top plan view of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1C, FIG. 2C, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4C are front elevational view (thereof, the rear side being identical) of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1C, FIG. 2E, FIG. 3E, FIG. 4E are left side elevational view (thereof, the right side being identical) of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively; and,
  • FIG. 1D, FIG. 2D, FIG. 3D, FIG. 4D are bottom plan view of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively.
  • This invention is not limited to the above set of 4 blocks, but the elementary block structure in the set can be extended to any number of coupling studs.
  • FIG. 5 series illustrate how such elementary building blocks described previously can be used to construct a structure with flexible angle, and a moving part.
  • FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the structure constructed from four elementary blocks 1 through 4 .
  • FIG. 5B is front elevational view of the structure constructed from the four elementary blocks.
  • FIG. 5C is the top plan view of the structure constructed from the four elementary blocks. It illustrates block 3 and 4 can be moved freely against block 1 and 2 . Such is not possible with box-shaped blocks coupled by multiple row of studs.
  • FIG. 3 [0018]FIG. 3:
  • FIG. 5 [0023]FIG. 5:
  • the building block has U-shaped (semi-circled) edges 1 , 2 to allow flexible moves against each other as illustrated in FIG. 5C.
  • the suggested heights of stud 3 and its base 4 are approximately 1.25′′ and 1.5′′ respectively.
  • the diameter of stud 3 is approximately 1′′, and width of its base 4 are approximately 1.25′′.
  • the suggested ratio of dimensions can be altered, and the whole size can be scaled to make smaller (e.g. toy building blocks), or larger constructions possible.
  • the dimensions of the said block can also be sized to fit with existing blocks in the market (e.g. MEGA BLOK block). In such case, existing MEGA BLOK block and the said blocks can be joined together to construct.
  • the cavity 3 surrounded by fins can be connected to the stud 1 .
  • Such male and female connecting means to attach blocks vertically can be any of various configurations and need not be necessarily the same as illustrated herein, as long as the male and female can make firm contact, and pivot against each other.
  • Building blocks according to the invention are preferably made of plastic by means of injection molding. Suitable plastics for the toy blocks include polypropylene and ABS; for the construction block, recycled plastic can be used.
  • FIG. 1- 4 The above descriptions are generally applicable to FIG. 1- 4 , and are not limited to blocks only with number of coupling studs 1 - 4 , but larger numbers as well.

Abstract

A building set with building elements, having coupling means in the form of projecting studs and corresponding cavities for interconnection of building elements, consists of building elements with U-shaped edges and single row of studs and cavities allowing construction of flexible angle structures with pivoting parts.

Description

    FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
  • Not Applicable [0001]
    • SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
  • Not Applicable [0002]
    • BACKGROUND
  • This invention relates to set of building blocks, which are structured to be connected together. Building blocks of this kind are generally known, and marketed under the trade marks LEGO, or DUPLO. Such building sets includes traditional building elements in the form of box-shaped building blocks provided with coupling studs on the upper side and complementary coupling means on the lower side, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282 Christiansen. The drawbacks with such traditional building blocks are: [0003]
  • Construction of such blocks is only possible with right angles or straight angles (e.g. 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° angles). [0004]
  • No possibility of pivoting a portion of a structure relative to another portion. [0005]
  • Other invention such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,189 Bertrand takes more complicated new additional units to avoid the above drawbacks. The invention proposed hereinafter overcomes such drawbacks simply by means of U-shaped building blocks arranged only with single row of coupling studs on the upper side and complementary coupling means on the lower side. [0006]
    • SUMMARY
  • This invention proposes set of U-shaped building blocks having single row of coupling studs on the upper side and complementary coupling cavity on the lower side. The two common features (U-shape, single row of coupling) of blocks in the set allows the construction of blocks with flexible angles (any angles between 90° to 270°), and pivoting parts. Such building set may consist of blocks with any different number of coupling studs.[0007]
    • DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1A, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A are side perspective view of the toy building blocks with number of coupling studs of [0008] 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1B, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B are top plan view of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of [0009] 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1C, FIG. 2C, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4C are front elevational view (thereof, the rear side being identical) of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of [0010] 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively;
  • FIG. 1C, FIG. 2E, FIG. 3E, FIG. 4E are left side elevational view (thereof, the right side being identical) of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of [0011] 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively; and,
  • FIG. 1D, FIG. 2D, FIG. 3D, FIG. 4D are bottom plan view of the toy blocks with number of coupling studs of [0012] 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.
  • This invention is not limited to the above set of 4 blocks, but the elementary block structure in the set can be extended to any number of coupling studs. [0013]
  • FIG. 5 series illustrate how such elementary building blocks described previously can be used to construct a structure with flexible angle, and a moving part. [0014]
  • FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the structure constructed from four [0015] elementary blocks 1 through 4.
  • FIG. 5B is front elevational view of the structure constructed from the four elementary blocks. [0016]
  • FIG. 5C is the top plan view of the structure constructed from the four elementary blocks. It illustrates [0017] block 3 and 4 can be moved freely against block 1 and 2. Such is not possible with box-shaped blocks coupled by multiple row of studs.
    • REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 3: [0018]
  • [0019] 1, 2 U-Shaped edges.
  • [0020] 3 Stud
  • [0021] 4 Base
  • [0022] 5 Cavity
  • FIG. 5: [0023]
  • [0024] 1, 4 elementary building block with 2 studs.
  • [0025] 2, 3 elementary building block with 3 studs.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Referring to FIG. 3.B, the building block has U-shaped (semi-circled) edges [0026] 1, 2 to allow flexible moves against each other as illustrated in FIG. 5C.
  • Referring to FIG. 3.C, the suggested heights of [0027] stud 3 and its base 4 are approximately 1.25″ and 1.5″ respectively. The diameter of stud 3 is approximately 1″, and width of its base 4 are approximately 1.25″. The suggested ratio of dimensions can be altered, and the whole size can be scaled to make smaller (e.g. toy building blocks), or larger constructions possible. The dimensions of the said block can also be sized to fit with existing blocks in the market (e.g. MEGA BLOK block). In such case, existing MEGA BLOK block and the said blocks can be joined together to construct.
  • Referring to FIG. 3.D, the [0028] cavity 3 surrounded by fins can be connected to the stud 1.
  • Such male and female connecting means to attach blocks vertically can be any of various configurations and need not be necessarily the same as illustrated herein, as long as the male and female can make firm contact, and pivot against each other. [0029]
  • Building blocks according to the invention are preferably made of plastic by means of injection molding. Suitable plastics for the toy blocks include polypropylene and ABS; for the construction block, recycled plastic can be used. [0030]
  • The above descriptions are generally applicable to FIG. 1-[0031] 4, and are not limited to blocks only with number of coupling studs 1-4, but larger numbers as well.

Claims (2)

What is claimed is:
1. A building block of U (semi-circle)-shaped parallelepiped hollow comprising a bottom and at most four side walls, at least one or more cylindrical projections extending normally outwardly from said bottom and arranged in single row, matching number of cavities to said cylindrical projections extending normally from the inner face of said bottom, and parallel to said side walls, the longitudinal axis of said cavity passing through the center of said cylindrical projection, and the peripheries of said cylindrical projections contacting said at least two side walls, whereby the cylindrical projections on one of said blocks can be inserted into the cavities on another of said blocks.
2. A building block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inside diameter of said cavity is sized to fit snugly said cylindrical projection.
US10/361,329 2003-02-10 2003-02-10 Building set with U-shaped blocks Abandoned US20040154256A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/361,329 US20040154256A1 (en) 2003-02-10 2003-02-10 Building set with U-shaped blocks

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/361,329 US20040154256A1 (en) 2003-02-10 2003-02-10 Building set with U-shaped blocks

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Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050178081A1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2005-08-18 Bott Timothy A. Interlocking building block
US7125373B1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2006-10-24 Ray Garza Calf blaster
US20070271868A1 (en) * 2006-05-23 2007-11-29 Abella Ricardo E System of brick with rod
US20090168969A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2009-07-02 Schmulenson Harold K Radiation sensing device and holder
US20100166151A1 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-07-01 Schmulenson Harold K Holder for radiation sensing device
US20100180527A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2010-07-22 Hankook Styropol Co., Ltd Constructive light weight insulation block and construction method thereof
US9089096B1 (en) * 2013-10-09 2015-07-28 Michael R. Ulrich Pre-formed landscape barrier
USD776890S1 (en) * 2015-03-09 2017-01-17 Brian K. Reaux Hand held sponge handle
USD777392S1 (en) * 2015-03-18 2017-01-24 Brian K. Reaux Hand held cleaning sponge handle
USD784644S1 (en) * 2016-01-07 2017-04-18 Brian K. Reaux Hand held sponge handle
WO2018075493A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-26 Fryfogle Vaughn Blocks and molds for building landscape walls and methods of making the blocks
USD833540S1 (en) * 2017-04-10 2018-11-13 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Toy brick
USD878484S1 (en) * 2017-08-24 2020-03-17 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Toy building block
USD891531S1 (en) * 2018-06-15 2020-07-28 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Building block
WO2020227370A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Atwood Rope Mfg Building toy
US20210348383A1 (en) * 2018-10-15 2021-11-11 Start Somewhere gemeinnützige GmbH Wall block, range of wall blocks, and formwork for producing a wall block
USD982096S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-03-28 Matthew Andersen Building block
USD983890S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-04-18 Matthew Andersen Building block
USD1012196S1 (en) * 2023-01-16 2024-01-23 Lego A/S Elongated rounded plate toy brick

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6086444A (en) * 1998-12-21 2000-07-11 Connector Set Limited Partnership Block-type construction toy
USD437895S1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2001-02-20 Soren Christian Sorensen Octagonal toy building element
USD456462S1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2002-04-30 Soren Christian Sorensen Toy building element

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6086444A (en) * 1998-12-21 2000-07-11 Connector Set Limited Partnership Block-type construction toy
USD437895S1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2001-02-20 Soren Christian Sorensen Octagonal toy building element
USD456462S1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2002-04-30 Soren Christian Sorensen Toy building element

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050178081A1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2005-08-18 Bott Timothy A. Interlocking building block
US7712281B2 (en) * 2003-01-09 2010-05-11 Allan Block Corporation Interlocking building block
US7125373B1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2006-10-24 Ray Garza Calf blaster
US20070271868A1 (en) * 2006-05-23 2007-11-29 Abella Ricardo E System of brick with rod
US20100180527A1 (en) * 2007-10-05 2010-07-22 Hankook Styropol Co., Ltd Constructive light weight insulation block and construction method thereof
US20090168969A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2009-07-02 Schmulenson Harold K Radiation sensing device and holder
US8142074B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2012-03-27 Schmulenson Harold K Radiation sensing device and holder
US9354506B2 (en) 2007-11-26 2016-05-31 Harold K. Schmulenson Radiation sensing device and holder
US20100166151A1 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-07-01 Schmulenson Harold K Holder for radiation sensing device
US8333507B2 (en) 2008-12-29 2012-12-18 Schmulenson Harold K Holder for radiation sensing device
US9089096B1 (en) * 2013-10-09 2015-07-28 Michael R. Ulrich Pre-formed landscape barrier
USD776890S1 (en) * 2015-03-09 2017-01-17 Brian K. Reaux Hand held sponge handle
USD777392S1 (en) * 2015-03-18 2017-01-24 Brian K. Reaux Hand held cleaning sponge handle
USD784644S1 (en) * 2016-01-07 2017-04-18 Brian K. Reaux Hand held sponge handle
WO2018075493A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-26 Fryfogle Vaughn Blocks and molds for building landscape walls and methods of making the blocks
USD833540S1 (en) * 2017-04-10 2018-11-13 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Toy brick
USD878484S1 (en) * 2017-08-24 2020-03-17 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Toy building block
USD891531S1 (en) * 2018-06-15 2020-07-28 Shanghai Putao Technology Co., Ltd. Building block
US20210348383A1 (en) * 2018-10-15 2021-11-11 Start Somewhere gemeinnützige GmbH Wall block, range of wall blocks, and formwork for producing a wall block
WO2020227370A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Atwood Rope Mfg Building toy
US20220212117A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2022-07-07 Atwood Rope Mfg Building toy
USD982096S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-03-28 Matthew Andersen Building block
USD983890S1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-04-18 Matthew Andersen Building block
USD1012196S1 (en) * 2023-01-16 2024-01-23 Lego A/S Elongated rounded plate toy brick

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