US20050075035A1

US20050075035A1 - Toy building set

Info

Publication number: US20050075035A1
Application number: US10/492,001
Authority: US
Inventors: Jan Hatting; Olav Kroigaard
Original assignee: Interlego AG
Current assignee: Lego AS
Priority date: 2001-10-09
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2005-04-07
Also published as: CA2461978A1; ES2235114T3; PL198781B1; RU2306166C2; NO20041637L; CN1568213A; DK200101486A; DE60202889T2; CA2461978C; WO2003031011A1; DK1434636T3; PT1434636E; DE60202889D1; ATE288311T1; NO328446B1; EP1434636A1; KR20040037261A; TW542741B; RU2004114216A; JP4287745B2

Abstract

A toy building set that comprises: a first type of toy building elements (1) that are configured with at least two protruding parts (4, 4′) provided with aligned transversal openings (5, 5′), a second type of toy building elements (2) that are configured with at least one protruding part (7) provided with a transversal opening (8), and a pin (3). The at least one protruding part (7) on the second type of toy building elements is/are configured for being able to be positioned between the at least two protruding parts (4, 4′) on the first type of toy building elements (1), whereby the transversal openings (5, 5′,8) are caused to be aligned, and the pin is configured such that it can be mounted in the transversal openings (5, 5′,8) for interconnection with the toy building elements (1, 2). The pin (3) is provided with at least one snap-engagement bead (11) at a distance (L) from the one end thereof, said distance corresponding essentially to the width (B) of a distally arranged, protruding part (4) on the first type of toy building elements (1).

Description

The invention relates to a toy building set comprising a number of toy building elements that can be interconnected to form large structures, said toy building set comprising

- a first type of toy building elements that are configured with at least two projecting parts that are provided with aligned, transversal openings;
- a second type of toy building elements that are configured with at least one projecting part provided with a transversal opening; and
- a pin,
  wherein the at least one projecting part on the second type of toy building elements is/are configured for being positioned between the at least two projecting parts on the first type of toy building elements, whereby the transversal openings are caused to be aligned, and the pin is configured such that it can be mounted in the transversal openings for interconnecting the toy building elements.

EP-A2-0 294 080 teaches panels that can be interconnected to form large structures, such as play houses, boxes for toys, cases, etc. The panels are provided with laterally protruding parts provided with transversal openings parallel with the panel's side. Two panels can be arranged side-by-side in such a manner that their respective protruding parts fit between each other, such that the transversal openings are caused to be aligned. A pin can subsequently be displaced into the transversal openings and thereby couple the two panels to each other as a hinge joint.
The pins that are taught in that disclosure fit loosely into the protruding parts of the panels, and they are kept in place by means of three-dimensional corner elements that are snapped onto the lowermost, horizontal pins. If these corner elements are not used, it is highly likely that the pins drop from the protruding parts of the panels during playing or other handling of the structure thus built.
The object of the invention is to provide a toy building set with toy building elements of the type described above that can, in a simple manner, be coupled by means of a strong and stable joint and that ensures that the pins used do not unintentionally drop from the protruding parts of the toy building elements when two toy building elements are interconnected.
This is obtained by configuration of the toy building set described above such that the pin is provided with at least one snap-engagement bead at a distance from the one end thereof, which distance corresponds essentially to the width of a distally arranged, protruding part on the first type of toy building elements.
Hereby it is obtained that the pin that interconnects the two types of toy building elements remain secure in their locking position, since it will be possible to remove it only by exerting a certain pressure or pull in the pin.
In the preferred embodiment the width of the at least one protruding part on the second type of toy building elements corresponds essentially to the distance between the at least two protruding parts on the first type of toy building elements, such that the two toy building elements cannot be displaced considerably laterally in the axial direction of the pin when they are interconnected. Hereby a particularly rigid interconnection is obtained. However, according to particular embodiments a certain clearance can be provided between the protruding parts of the toy building elements, which clearance allows the toy building elements to be shifted slightly in the axial direction of the pin. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the toy building set is used for outdoors playing, where there is a risk of soil, sand and the like to wedge between the toy building elements. The provision of a certain clearance between the toy building elements minimises the risk of these small particles becoming firmly stuck.
According to the preferred embodiment at least the distally arranged through-going openings in the first type of toy building elements are provided with a counterboring for receiving the snap-engagement bead of the pin. Hereby it is obtained that the snap-engagement bead has a free space into which it can expand after having passed through the transversal opening in the protruding part of the first type of toy building elements.
Advantageously the pin can be provided with a slotting in the area around the snap-engagement bead, such that a clasping of the pin in this area is obtained when it is displaced through the transversal opening in the protruding part of the first type of toy building elements.
Besides, the pin can be provided with an expanded portion at the same end as the snap-engagement bead, whereby it is ensured that the pin is not displaced too far into the transversal openings with an ensuing risk of it being displaced all the way there through.
In order to facilitate removal of the pin when the toy building elements are to be separated again, it may advantageously be provided with a grip at the same end as the expanded portion. A particularly simple embodiment of the grip can be obtained by configuring it like a spherical element mounted in extension of the pin. Other configurations of the grip are, of course, perceivable.
In some cases it is desirable that the pin does not extend beyond the outer contours of the toy building elements when they are assembled, and for use in such cases the expanded portion of the pin can be configured with a plane end face, while simultaneously at least one distally located, transversal opening in a protruding portion of the first type of toy building elements is/are provided with a counterboring that is able to absorb the expanded portion of the pin. Hereby the end face of the pin will be situated at the same level as the outer contour of the toy building elements when the toy building elements are interconnected, and there are thus no protruding parts that could prevent other elements from being located closely adjoining the interconnected toy building elements.
The protruding parts on both the first type of toy building elements and on the second type of toy building elements can advantageously be provided with pairs of transversal openings that are configured for being, in pairs, aligned and interconnected by means of two pins. Such pairs of interconnections allow that a rigid joint is provided, whereas interconnection by use of only one pin forms a hinge joint that allows the toy building elements to rotate relative to each other about the pin.
If, additionally, at least some of the toy building elements are manufactured from a soft and flexible material, flexible interconnections between several toy building elements can be obtained. If, for instance, a soft and flexible toy building element is positioned between two hard toy building elements, the flexible toy building element will allow a certain angulation between the hard toy building elements. This is particularly interesting if the toy building elements are used for games where they are exposed to high loads, the flexible toy building elements being able to receive stresses without being broken. Such high stresses will typically occur if the toy building set is used for outdoor playing that is often more rough than indoor playing.
The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 is a schematical view of two toy building elements and an associated pin for a toy building element according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toy building elements shown in FIG. 1 in interconnected state; and
FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments of two toy building elements and associated pins for a toy building set according to the invention.
FIG. 1 shows two toy building elements 1,2 and a pin 3 for a toy building set according to the invention. The toy building elements 1,2 are merely shown schematically as they may each individually be provided with additional coupling means, eg in the form of further protruding parts with transversal openings or optionally with coupling studs and their complementary skirts.
The first toy building element 1 is of a first type that is configured with two protruding parts 4,4′ that are provided with aligned, transversal, circular openings 5,5′. Counterborings 6 are provided to both sides of the openings 5,5′ and the functioning thereof will be described below. The second toy building element 2 is of an alternative type that is configured with one protruding part 7 that is also provided with a transversal, circular opening 8. The width of the protruding part 7 on the second toy building element 2 corresponds essentially to the distance between the two protruding parts 4,4′ on the first toy building element 1, and the transversal openings 5,5′,8 are configured such in the toy building elements 1,2 that they can be caused to be aligned with each other when the protruding part 7 on the second toy building element 2 is arranged between the two protruding parts 4,4′ on the first toy building element 1.
In the embodiment shown the pin 3 has a circular cross section with a diameter that corresponds essentially to or is slightly smaller than the diameter of the transversal openings 5,5′,8 on the toy building elements 1,2. The pin 3 can therefore be displaced essentially without friction through the transversal openings 5,5′,8 when the two toy building elements 1,2 are interconnected as will be described below.
The pin 3 has an essentially cylindrical shape, it being, however, rounded at the one end and provided with and expanded portion or collar 9 at the other end. At the same end, a spherical grip 10 is also provided. At a distance L from the collar 9 a snap-engagement bead 11 is provided that extends radially from the pin 3. The distance L corresponds to the width B of the protruding part 4 on the first toy building element 1. The pin 3 is generally configured as a massive element, but in the area around the snap-engagement bead 11 it is provided with a transversal slotting 12, whereby a certain deformation of the pin 3 is allowed in this area.
When the toy building elements 1,2 are interconnected, the protruding part 7 on the second toy building element 2 is located between the protruding parts 4,4′ on the first toy building element 1, such that the transversal openings 5,5′, 8 are caused to be aligned. The pin 3 is subsequently displaced into the transversal openings 5,5′,8—the rounded end first. This is accomplished essentially without friction until the snap-engagement bead 11 abuts on the protruding part 4 on the first toy building element 1. Further pressure on the pin 3 causes the snap-engagement bead 11 to be squeezed together, the slotting 12 being clasped together, and the pin 3 may, while under friction, be displaced further until the collar 9 abuts on the protruding part 4 on the first toy building element 1. In this final position the snap-engagement bead 11 has passed through the protruding part 4, and the counterboring 6 in the protruding part 4 causes the snap-engagement bead 11 to be freely expandable again, whereby the pin 3 is caused to snap-engage with the protruding part 4.
The interconnection between the first and the second toy building element 1,2 is shown in a sectional view in FIG. 2 that shows the protruding parts 4,4′,7 and the pin 3. It appears clearly how the pin 3 is in snap-locking engagement with the protruding part 4, the collar 9 being in abutment on the one side thereof, whereas the snap-engagement bead 11 is in abutment on the other side thereof. The remaining part of the pin 3 extends through the transversal openings 5′, and 8 in the protruding parts 4′ and 7, and in this manner it interconnects the two toy building elements 1,2 to form a hinge joint.
As opposed to the prior art hinge joints for use in toy building sets the, pin 3, however, is secured in a simple manner and essentially without friction against falling out.
In order to facilitate withdrawal of the pin 3 when the two toy building elements 1,2 are once again to be separated, a spherical grip 10 is provided at the one end of the pin. A pull in this grip 10 will cause the snap-engagement bead to be clasped together by the transversal opening 5, and the pin 3 can be withdrawn, following which the toy building elements 1,2 can be separated from each other.
The pin 3 can also be dismounted by exerting a pressure on its rounded end, eg by use of another pin, instead of pulling the spherical grip 10.
FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments of toy building elements for a toy building set according to the invention. A first and a second toy building element 101, 102 are shown that can be interconnected by means of identical pins 103.
The toy building element 101 is shown as a comparatively massive unit provided with protruding parts 104, 104′, 104″ that are each provided with pairs of transversal openings 105, 105′, 105″ provided with counterborings 106 in the same manner as the toy building element 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Between the protruding parts 104, 104′, 104″ braced beads 113 are provided. As it is also outlined the toy building element 101 is provided with corresponding coupling means on the not shown side, and therefore the toy building element 101 may also be a constituent of a large structure constructed by means of the toy building elements in the toy building set.
The toy building element 102 is also constructed with oppositely oriented coupling parts in the form of protruding parts 107, 107′ that are provided with transversal openings 108, 108′. The protruding parts 107, 107′ each has a width that corresponds to the distance between the protruding parts 104, 104′, 104″ on the toy building element 101 and, besides, they are configured such that their transversal openings 108, 108′ can be caused to be aligned with the transversal openings 105, 105′, 105″ in the protruding parts 104, 104′, 104″ of the toy building element 1. Also the toy building element 102 is provided with pairs of protruding parts 107, 107′.
For interconnecting the toy building elements 101 and 102, two identical pins 103 are used. Like the pin 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the pins 103 is cylindrical with an expanded part or collar 109 and a snap-engagement bead 111 at a distance from the collar 109 that corresponds to the width of the protruding part 104 on the toy building element 101. Also, each of these pins is provided with a transversal slotting 112 that allows the pin to be squeezed together in the area at the snap-engagement bead 111.
During interconnection of the first and the second toy building elements 101 and 102, the pairs of protruding parts 107, 107′ of the second toy building element 102 are positioned between the pairs of protruding parts 104, 104′, 104″ of the first toy building element 101, whereby the transversal openings 105, 105′, 105″, 108, 108′ are caused to be aligned. Now, the pins 103 are displaced into the transversal openings 105, 105′, 105″, 108, 108′, until their collars 109 abut on the protruding part 104 on the first toy building element 101, while simultaneously the snap-engagement beads 11 engage with the opposite side of the protruding part 104.
When two pins are used, as shown in FIG. 3, a complete locking between the two toy building elements 101, 102 is accomplished, when they are interconnected.
As will appear from FIG. 3, the pins 103 are not provided with any grip for withdrawing the pins 103 when the toy building elements 101, 102 are to be separated. Quite conversely, they are only provided with a collar 109 whose height corresponds to the depth of the counterboring 106, such that the ends of the pins 103 are plane with the lateral face of the toy building element 101 when mounted. Hereby it is obtained partly that other toy building elements can be arranged closely adjoining the toy building element 101, and partly that the risk of unintentional withdrawal of the pin 103 is minimized. The pins 103 can be dismounted by their being pressed out from the opposite end, eg by use of a corresponding pin.
The toy building elements 1,2, 101, 102 and the pins 3, 103 are preferably made of a hard plastics material. According to a particular embodiment, however, one or more toy building elements, eg the toy building element 102, can be manufactured from a flexible and soft material, such as rubber in order to thereby enable construction of structures that comprise flexible joints. Such flexible joints may also be provided by attachment of a flexible material on a hard toy building element by casting, whereby this combined toy building element comprises both hard and soft protruding parts.
The use of flexible joints are particularly interesting when there is a risk of the structure thus constructed being exposed to heavy loads, the flexible toy building elements being able to receive such heavy loads and thereby contribute to avoiding that the toy building elements or their interconnecting means are destroyed.
The toy building element according to the invention preferably comprises toy building elements of both the first and the second type in various sizes, which means that different structures can be constructed. The number of protruding parts on both the first and the second type of toy building elements can thus be varied, as is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In a corresponding manner the toy building set according to the invention also comprises pins in various lengths so as to be adapted to the various dimensions of the toy building elements.
The toy building elements may comprise ordinary building blocks as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, whereby it is possible to construct various structures. However, they may also comprise the so-called functionality elements that enable integration of various functionalities in the structure thus constructed. For instance, one of the toy building elements could be provided with an electromotor, another with a battery box, a third with a control unit, etc. Interconnection of such functionality elements enables construction of eg automotive cars, robots, and the like. Functionality elements other than those listed are, of course, possible.

Claims

1. A toy building set comprising a number of toy building elements that can be interconnected to form large structures, said toy building set comprising:

a first type of toy building elements that is configured with at least two protruding parts provided with aligned, transversal openings;

a second type of toy building elements that is configured with at feast one protruding part provided with a transversal opening; and

a pin;

wherein the at least one protruding part on the second type of toy building elements is configured to be able to be arranged between the at least two protruding parts of the first type of toy building elements, whereby the transversal openings are caused to be aligned; and wherein the pin is configured such that it can be mounted in the transversal openings for interconnection of the toy building elements wherein the pin is provided with at least one snap-engagement bead at a distance from the one end thereof, said distance corresponding essentially to the width of a distally arranged protruding part of the first type of toy building elements.

2. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the width of the at least one protruding part on the second type of toy building elements correspond(s) essentially to the distance between the at least two protruding parts on the first type of toy building elements.

3. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein at least the distally arranged, through-going openings of the first type of toy building elements are provided with a counterboring for receiving the snap-engagement bead of the pin.

4. A toy building set according to claim 1 wherein the pin is provided with a slotting in the area around the snap-engagement bead.

5. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the pin is provided with an expanded portion at the same end as the snap-engagement bead.

6. A toy building set according to claim 5, wherein the pin is provided with a grip at the same end as the expanded part.

7. A toy building set according to claim 6, wherein the grip is in the shape of a spherical element that is mounted in extension of the pin.

8. A toy building set according to claim 5, wherein the expanded part of the pin has a plane end face; and that at least one distally located, transversal opening in a protruding part on the first type of toy building elements is/are provided with a counterboring that is able to receive the expanded part of the pin.

9. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the protruding parts on both the first type of toy building elements and the second type of toy building element are provided with pairs of transversal openings that are configured for being able to be aligned in pairs and interconnected by means of two pins.

10. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the toy building elements are manufactured from a soft and flexible material.