WO2010070681A1 - Component kit for assembling toy buildings - Google Patents
Component kit for assembling toy buildings Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010070681A1 WO2010070681A1 PCT/IT2008/000761 IT2008000761W WO2010070681A1 WO 2010070681 A1 WO2010070681 A1 WO 2010070681A1 IT 2008000761 W IT2008000761 W IT 2008000761W WO 2010070681 A1 WO2010070681 A1 WO 2010070681A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- splined
- rod
- components
- component kit
- splined rod
- 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.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
- A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
- A63H33/084—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with grooves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
- A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
- A63H33/088—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with holes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a kit for assembling a plurality of components to be interconnected to make toy buildings, in particular toy vehicles .
- kits for making toy buildings are available, each providing several and different interconnecting elements to rigidly connect the several components to each other and/or to allow an articulated movement in respect to each other.
- An example of such a connection is provided in the Application PCT WO 03/031011 wherein a fork component receives between the two properly bored arms of the fork a likewise bored hub of a second component, such components being connected to each other by a pin, provided with a small axial land, which snap-engages the cylindrical bore wall made in the second component hub, ensuring a reliable retention within the cylindrical bores of the two components.
- the main element that characterizes the present invention, is a splined linking rod having alternate outer longitudinal lands and grooves cooperating with one or more components having alternate inner longitudinal grooves and lands, or with connecting sleeves, having likewise alternate inner longitudinal grooves and lands.
- couplings of the several building pieces can be achieved, capable of allowing their respective positions to be maintained, or connecting sleeves for joining two splined rods with a rigid coupling, i.e. a coupling which does not allow a rotatory movement in respect to each other, as well as sleeves with a inner cylindrical cavity to be mounted on a splined rod in order to allow a rotatory movement in respect to said splined rod or to act as a spacer.
- the splined rod according to the present invention is also capable of cooperate with linking elements, apt to allow a 90° joining of the several components having splined cavities disposed at 90° in respect to each other.
- end elements with a splined central bore are provided, capable of cooperating with said splined rods .
- Figures IA, IB, and 1C show in a front view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, a splined rod according to the present invention
- Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show in a top plan view, a section view taken along the line A-A of figure 2A and a perspective view, respectively, a splined connecting sleeve according to the invention
- Figures 3A-3F show respectively a connecting elements for components to be mounted at 90° in respect to each other, wherein figure 3A shows a connecting element in front elevational view, fig. 3B shows the same in section taken along the line A-A of fig. 3A, fig. 3C shows the same element in a rear elevational view, fig. 3D shows the same in a bottom plant view, fig. 3E is a section taken along the line B-B of fig. 3A and fig. 3F is a perspective view of said connecting element;
- Figures 4A-4E show an insert with a central splined bore capable of cooperating with said splined rods where figure 4A shows such an end element in a front elevational view, figure 4B shows the same in a side elevation, figure 4C shows the same in a sectional view taken along line A-A of figure 4A, figure 4D is the rear elevational view and figure 4E is the relative perspective view; and
- Figure 5A-5C show an end element with a central splined bore capable of cooperating with said splined rods, where figure 5A shows a front elevational view of such an end element, figure 5B shows a side elevational view of the same, and figure 5C is a rear elevational view thereof;
- Figures 6A-6E are a side elevational view, a sectional view taken along line A-A of figure 6A and a perspective view, respectively, of a structure representing a toy motorbike made according to the present invention using the kit components, with the exception of the 90° connecting element of figures 3A-3F above; and
- Figures 7 e 8 show an exploded perspective view of the several component elements shown in the previ- ous figures in several coupling combinations relative to each other.
- Such a splined rod 10 has on almost all its external surface a plurality of longitudinal lands 11, alternately arranged with the same number of grooves 12, the lands 11 ending, close to both ends of the splined bar, with arched chamfers 13.
- Such a splined rod 10 has a plurality of longitudinal grooves on its external surface, e.g. four grooves 12, which alternate with as many lands 11. Lands 11 end close to both longitudinal ends of the splined rod 10 with arched chamfers 13. It is evident that said splined bar 10, once it has been inserted in a coherent bore formed in a component of toy buildings for children, could enable a rotary movement transmission or a rigid link, i.e. not articulated in two pieces of the building toy based on need.
- connection splined sleeve 20 which allows, for example, to join together two splined rods 10. Therefore, the connection sleeve 20 has quite semi-circular annularly ad- jacent grooves 21. Grooves 21 are interrupted in the middle by restricting protrusions 23 which act as the stops for two splined rods to be joined together introduced into said connection sleeve. With such an arrangement, the two splined rods are rigidly joined to each other with an exact penetration limit in said sleeve 10 without any possibility of a rotary movement relative to each other.
- a connecting element 30 for components to be mounted at 90° relative to each other is shown.
- Such a connecting element 30 is formed by a stem 31 and a head 32.
- the stem 31 has a blind hole 33, which is duly splined to receive and couple with a splined rod 10 or a part thereof.
- the head 32 has a coherently splined bore 34 in order to receive and connect with an end of a splined rod 10, the axes of the splined bores 33 and 34 being arranged at 90° relative to each other.
- Figures 4A-4D show a flanged insert 40 consisting of an essentially cylindrical body 41 in which a bore 43 is made, coherently shaped in respect to the body and dimensions of rod 10 which can be received therein, in perfect coupling relationship.
- the flanged insert ends, at the front side, with a bearing flange collar 46 and, on the rear side, with an chamfer 47 whereas the substantially cylindrical body 41 has orientating conic protrusions 44 and restraint axial ribs 45.
- Said flanged insert 40 is intended to be inserted within a bore made in a building block.
- Figures 5A-5C show an end element 50, apt to cooperate with said flanged insert 40 and to supplement it, which is made of a peripherally chamfered disc 51, where a bore 53 is made, coherently shaped in respect to shape and dimensions of rod 10 which can be received therein.
- the end element 50 also has rear conic protrusions 54 and arched restraining ribs 55.
- Figures 6A-6c show the use of several components of the inventive kit to build a toy motorbike construction formed by flat building elements, preferably of wood, provided with a wheel 60, and made of several building elements jointed to each other by several components of the inventive kit.
- Figures 7 and 8 simply show how the several components can be coupled to each other.
- the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and illustrated, as several variants and modifications can be made, which always and in any case fall within the scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Landscapes
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
Component kit for assembling toy buildings, com¬ prising components, preferably made of wood and having various shapes, provided with properly located bores and connecting elements for said components, preferably made of plastic, wherein, according to the invention, a splined rod (10) is provided, which has, on almost all its external surface, a plurality of longitudinal lands (11), which alternate with the same number of grooves (12), said lands (11), at a short distance from both the ends of the splined rod, ending with arched chamfers (13), said splined rod being apt to support other toy building components, such as sleeves (20), right-angled connecting ele¬ ments (30), inserts (40), end elements (50), all of which being provided with coherent bores, i.e. with coherent shape and dimensions relative to the charac¬ teristics of said splined rod (10).
Description
Title: Component kit for assembling toy buildings
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kit for assembling a plurality of components to be interconnected to make toy buildings, in particular toy vehicles .
Related art
Several kits for making toy buildings are available, each providing several and different interconnecting elements to rigidly connect the several components to each other and/or to allow an articulated movement in respect to each other. An example of such a connection is provided in the Application PCT WO 03/031011 wherein a fork component receives between the two properly bored arms of the fork a likewise bored hub of a second component, such components being connected to each other by a pin, provided with a small axial land, which snap-engages the cylindrical bore wall made in the second component hub, ensuring a reliable retention within the cylindrical bores of the two components.
Object of the invention
It is the object of the invention to provide a kit of connecting elements of a plurality of compo-
nents which are totally different in respect to those of the prior art, capable of allowing a rigid fit of the components, as well as an articulated mounting of components through easy-to-make coupling elements having excellent characteristics of assembly easiness and extremely reliable operation, suitable for small children.
Preferred embodiment of the invention The main element, that characterizes the present invention, is a splined linking rod having alternate outer longitudinal lands and grooves cooperating with one or more components having alternate inner longitudinal grooves and lands, or with connecting sleeves, having likewise alternate inner longitudinal grooves and lands. Thus couplings of the several building pieces can be achieved, capable of allowing their respective positions to be maintained, or connecting sleeves for joining two splined rods with a rigid coupling, i.e. a coupling which does not allow a rotatory movement in respect to each other, as well as sleeves with a inner cylindrical cavity to be mounted on a splined rod in order to allow a rotatory movement in respect to said splined rod or to act as a spacer. The splined rod according to the present invention is also capable of cooperate with linking
elements, apt to allow a 90° joining of the several components having splined cavities disposed at 90° in respect to each other. According to the present invention, end elements with a splined central bore are provided, capable of cooperating with said splined rods .
Detailed description
The present invention will be described in more detail below, referring to the accompanying drawings, most of which are not in full size scale, wherein:
Figures IA, IB, and 1C show in a front view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, a splined rod according to the present invention;
Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show in a top plan view, a section view taken along the line A-A of figure 2A and a perspective view, respectively, a splined connecting sleeve according to the invention;
Figures 3A-3F show respectively a connecting elements for components to be mounted at 90° in respect to each other, wherein figure 3A shows a connecting element in front elevational view, fig. 3B shows the same in section taken along the line A-A of fig. 3A, fig. 3C shows the same element in a rear elevational view, fig. 3D shows the same in a bottom plant view, fig. 3E is a section taken along the line B-B of fig.
3A and fig. 3F is a perspective view of said connecting element;
Figures 4A-4E show an insert with a central splined bore capable of cooperating with said splined rods where figure 4A shows such an end element in a front elevational view, figure 4B shows the same in a side elevation, figure 4C shows the same in a sectional view taken along line A-A of figure 4A, figure 4D is the rear elevational view and figure 4E is the relative perspective view; and
Figure 5A-5C show an end element with a central splined bore capable of cooperating with said splined rods, where figure 5A shows a front elevational view of such an end element, figure 5B shows a side elevational view of the same, and figure 5C is a rear elevational view thereof;
Figures 6A-6E are a side elevational view, a sectional view taken along line A-A of figure 6A and a perspective view, respectively, of a structure representing a toy motorbike made according to the present invention using the kit components, with the exception of the 90° connecting element of figures 3A-3F above; and
Figures 7 e 8 show an exploded perspective view of the several component elements shown in the previ-
ous figures in several coupling combinations relative to each other.
Referring now to figures IA and IB, the splined rod 10 provided according the present invention will be described in detail below. Such a splined rod 10 has on almost all its external surface a plurality of longitudinal lands 11, alternately arranged with the same number of grooves 12, the lands 11 ending, close to both ends of the splined bar, with arched chamfers 13.
Such a splined rod 10 has a plurality of longitudinal grooves on its external surface, e.g. four grooves 12, which alternate with as many lands 11. Lands 11 end close to both longitudinal ends of the splined rod 10 with arched chamfers 13. It is evident that said splined bar 10, once it has been inserted in a coherent bore formed in a component of toy buildings for children, could enable a rotary movement transmission or a rigid link, i.e. not articulated in two pieces of the building toy based on need.
In figures 2A and 2B a connection splined sleeve 20 is depicted, which allows, for example, to join together two splined rods 10. Therefore, the connection sleeve 20 has quite semi-circular annularly ad-
jacent grooves 21. Grooves 21 are interrupted in the middle by restricting protrusions 23 which act as the stops for two splined rods to be joined together introduced into said connection sleeve. With such an arrangement, the two splined rods are rigidly joined to each other with an exact penetration limit in said sleeve 10 without any possibility of a rotary movement relative to each other.
It is also evident that the mounting of a conventional sleeve (not shown) having a central cylindrical through-hole on the connecting rod will enable to achieve spacers, if required, or to mount any free rotating element thereon, such as a vehicle wheel.
Referring to figures 3A-3C, a connecting element 30 for components to be mounted at 90° relative to each other is shown. Such a connecting element 30 is formed by a stem 31 and a head 32. The stem 31 has a blind hole 33, which is duly splined to receive and couple with a splined rod 10 or a part thereof. In turn, the head 32 has a coherently splined bore 34 in order to receive and connect with an end of a splined rod 10, the axes of the splined bores 33 and 34 being arranged at 90° relative to each other.
Figures 4A-4D show a flanged insert 40 consisting of an essentially cylindrical body 41 in which a bore
43 is made, coherently shaped in respect to the body and dimensions of rod 10 which can be received therein, in perfect coupling relationship. The flanged insert ends, at the front side, with a bearing flange collar 46 and, on the rear side, with an chamfer 47 whereas the substantially cylindrical body 41 has orientating conic protrusions 44 and restraint axial ribs 45. Said flanged insert 40 is intended to be inserted within a bore made in a building block.
Figures 5A-5C show an end element 50, apt to cooperate with said flanged insert 40 and to supplement it, which is made of a peripherally chamfered disc 51, where a bore 53 is made, coherently shaped in respect to shape and dimensions of rod 10 which can be received therein. The end element 50 also has rear conic protrusions 54 and arched restraining ribs 55.
Figures 6A-6c, explanatory per se, show the use of several components of the inventive kit to build a toy motorbike construction formed by flat building elements, preferably of wood, provided with a wheel 60, and made of several building elements jointed to each other by several components of the inventive kit. Figures 7 and 8 simply show how the several components can be coupled to each other.
The present invention, however, is not limited to the embodiments shown and illustrated, as several variants and modifications can be made, which always and in any case fall within the scope of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. Component kit for assembling toy buildings, comprising components having various shapes, having properly located bores and connecting elements for said components, characterized in that it includes a splined rod (10) which has, on almost its whole surface, a plurality of longitudinal lands (11) alternated with the same number of grooves (12), the lands
(11), at a short distance from both the ends of the splined rod, ending with arched chamfers (13), said splined rod being apt to support other toy building components provided with coherent bores, i.e. coherently shaped and sized relative to the characteristics of said splined rod (10), or cylindrical bores.
2. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that said splined rod (10) is apt to cooperate with a connecting sleeve (20) having a central through-hole provided with annularly adjacent axial grooves (21) capable of accommodating said splined rod (10) and exactly coupling with said splined rod (10) .
3. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to claim 2, characterized in that said grooves (21) are interrupted in the middle by inwardly directed restricting protrusions (23) , which act as stops for splined rods (10) inserted at the two ends of the sleeve (20) in order to limit the grade of insertion thereof.
4. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that said splined rod (10) is apt to cooperate with a connecting element (30) formed by a stem (31) and a head (32), said stem (31) having a blind hole (33) which is properly splined in order to receive and couple with a splined rod (10) or with a part thereof, the head (32) having a coherently splined bore (34) to receive and couple itself with an end of the splined rod (10), the axes of the splined bores (33, 34) being arranged at 90° to each other.
5. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that said splined rod (10) is apt to cooperate with an insert
(40) consisting in an essentially cylindrical body
(41) wherein a bore (43) is made, coherently shaped in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the rod (10) which can be received therein in perfect coupling relationship, the flanged insert (40) ending, at the front side, with a bearing flange collar (46) and, at the rear side, with an invitation chamfer (47) whereas the substantially cylindrical body (41) has orientating conic protrusions (44) and restraint axial ribs (45) .
6. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that said splined rod (10) is apt to cooperate with an end element (50) made of a peripherally chamfered disc (51), where a bore (53) is made, coherently shaped in respect to shape and dimensions of rod 10 which can be received therein, the end element (50) having also orienting rear conic protrusions (54) and arched restraining ribs (55) .
7. Component kit for assembling toy buildings according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bored components are made of wood, whereas said connecting element of said bored components are made of plastic.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13/132,146 US20110230113A1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Component Kit for Assembling Toy Buildings |
| PCT/IT2008/000761 WO2010070681A1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Component kit for assembling toy buildings |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2008/000761 WO2010070681A1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Component kit for assembling toy buildings |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2010070681A1 true WO2010070681A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
Family
ID=40984290
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2008/000761 Ceased WO2010070681A1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Component kit for assembling toy buildings |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20110230113A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2010070681A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD748742S1 (en) * | 2014-02-25 | 2016-02-02 | Chiswick Innovations Ltd | Toy building block |
| JP6219869B2 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2017-10-25 | 株式会社ベンカン | Assembly toy |
| RU2612919C1 (en) * | 2016-01-25 | 2017-03-13 | Родионс Зеневичс | Game designer |
| CN112053621A (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2020-12-08 | 天津市隆秀科技开发有限公司 | Combined mechanical model |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3638352A (en) * | 1969-02-03 | 1972-02-01 | Interlego Ag | Splined shaft and wheel retained thereon by spring and hub element |
| US6672931B1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2004-01-06 | Jim Bagley | Interconnectable model construction elements |
| US20060046604A1 (en) * | 2004-09-02 | 2006-03-02 | Dane Scarborough | Toy construction set method and apparatus |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4547160A (en) * | 1984-08-21 | 1985-10-15 | Richard Labelle | Educational building toy |
| US5938498A (en) * | 1994-03-18 | 1999-08-17 | Ideal Ideas, Inc. | Toy construction block system with interblock connectors for extended support structures |
| US5788555A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1998-08-04 | Glynn; Kenneth P. | Small angle interconnecting toy blocks |
| US5562519A (en) * | 1994-08-10 | 1996-10-08 | Loewenton; Edward | Panel, dowel and block construction kit |
| AU707434B2 (en) * | 1995-06-26 | 1999-07-08 | Morphun Research Limited | Constructional toys |
| US5803782A (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1998-09-08 | Selton; Daniel E. | Universal connector |
| US5771650A (en) * | 1997-03-14 | 1998-06-30 | Kingswood, Inc. | Interlocking building block system |
| US5954562A (en) * | 1998-07-06 | 1999-09-21 | Chen; Chen-Yao | Building block assembly |
| DE29920656U1 (en) * | 1999-11-24 | 2000-02-17 | Vincent, Irvin G., Luxemburg, Wis. | Universal component |
-
2008
- 2008-12-15 WO PCT/IT2008/000761 patent/WO2010070681A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2008-12-15 US US13/132,146 patent/US20110230113A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3638352A (en) * | 1969-02-03 | 1972-02-01 | Interlego Ag | Splined shaft and wheel retained thereon by spring and hub element |
| US6672931B1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2004-01-06 | Jim Bagley | Interconnectable model construction elements |
| US20060046604A1 (en) * | 2004-09-02 | 2006-03-02 | Dane Scarborough | Toy construction set method and apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20110230113A1 (en) | 2011-09-22 |
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