US2794293A - Block construction - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1957 M MILE-20D TAL 2,794,293

'14 1o FLSA June 4, i957 Filed April '7, 1954 M. MILROD FAI.

BLOCK CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent C BLOCK CONSTRUCTION Murray Milrod and Robert W. C..Ellis, Baldwin, N.. Y.

Application April 7, 1954,.Serial No. 421,474x

2 Claims. (Cl. 46-26) This invention relates generally to the artV ofV construction-type toys, and more particularly to, an. improved form of block construction adapted to be assembled to form a large, smooth-surfaced. rectangular solid, or three dimensional figure.

It isV among the principal objectsof the. present invention to provide building. block construction of the typedescribed which may have relatively simple assembly, thereby adapting thev same for use. bychildren of relatively tender years, as well as equally simple disassembly.

Another object of the invention lies. in the provision. of building block construction, whichv although easily assembled and disassembled, will maintain itself in assembled form, and which may be disassembled only by positive action on the part ofthe user.

Another object of the invention lies inv the provision of building block construction possessing the aboveenumerated advantages, in which. the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order,4 with consequent. wide sale, distribution and use.v

A further object of the invention'liesV in the provision of a number of uniform parts which are readily interchangeable, and which permit the. addition of numbersof such parts from time to time, thereby permitting thechild to have a larger set of blocks incorporated with his previous set, as his imagination andy ability to assemble increasesv with growth.Y

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of building block construction which may be formed completely of materials which are easily maintained in a sanitary condition without damage or deleterious eifect.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that smooth outer surfaces are presented to the viewer at the rectangular corners of any gure or solid construction.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that it has application to a three dimensional figure other than rectangular in configuration.

These objects and features, as Well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a rectangular solid embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 2 2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded view in perspective showing the interrelation of the various elements comprising the embodiment.

Figure 4 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing another of the elements comprising the second embodiment.

Figure 6 is a view in isometric showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure` 7 is a view in isometric showing one of the elements comprising the second embodiment.

In accordance with, the rst embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a plurality of block elements 10, a plurality of rst angularly shaped connecting elements 12, and a plurality of seconder planar connectingV elements 14.

The individual blocks 10 may be formed from any suitable material, as for example, molded synthetic resin, molded rubber, Wood, aluminum or other suitable metal, or molded papier-mache. Since the blocks 10 are substantially similar, a detailed description of one of said blocks will serve equally well to describe all, thereby avoiding needless repetition.

An individual block 10 is generally in the form of* a I truncated pyramid, including a first or outer surface 16 of generally larger area, a second or inner surface 18 of generally smaller area, four outer side surfaces 20, and four inner side surfaces 22, which are continuations of the outer side surfaces 20, and which are separated therefrom by agroove 24 which extends into the side surfaces in a4 direction parallel to the surfaces 16 and 18. As may be: seen on` Figure 2, the grooves extend in a plane and are bounded by an inner edge surface 28. The surfaces 20-22 arey inclined at substantially a 45 angle with respect to the plane of the surfaces 16-l8- The first or angularly shaped connecting elements 12v are. preferably formed from lengths of extruded or molded synthetic resins, although if desired, these may be made orcut from extruded aluminum, wood or other suitablev material. The elements 12 are all substantially similar, each including a iirst angularly disposed portion 30, a second angularly disposed portion 32, the planes of which intersect on a line 34. 'Ihe elements are bounded by end' edges 36, side edges 38 and corner edges 40, which are provided to eliminate sharp corners which might injure the user, as well asito provide clearance between adjacent connecting elements'.

The secondY or planar connecting elements 14 are of" generally similar construction, and differA from the first connecting elements 12 in that they arel adapted toA interconnect adjacent blocks which are disposed in a plane. They include a planar portion bounded by side edges 50, end edges 52 and corner edges 54, and an elongated portion of substantially triangular cross section which is bounded by surfaces 58. The elongated portion is preferably so shaped as to completely fill the space between adjacent blocks disposed .in a common plane, so as to thereby provide additional rigidity to the assembled structure.

As may be best seen on Figure 4, all of the connecting elements are preferably provided with a raised projection 44 which corresponds to a groove or trough 46 on the block, thereby forming a resilient detent which aids in maintaining the assembled structures together.

'Ihe assembly of the elements 10-14 is best seen on Figure 3. Assuming that the solid shown on Figure 1 is to be constructed, construction is best commenced at a corner, which is assembled by means of the angularly shaped connecting elements 12. The angle portions 30 and 32 are first inserted into the groove 24 of two adjacent blocks 10, which may easily abut each other owing to the 45 disposition of the side surfaces 26. A third block 10 is next interconnected between the two blocks already joined to complete the corner. Side walls are formed by use of the second connecting elements 14 which are inserted in like manner, but which permit the succeeding blocks to lie in a plane with those blocks already assembled. Successive corners are formed in a similar manner, followed by succeeding walls. For inserting the nal blocks, two adjacent blocks are provided with finger holes 56, extending perpendicular to the plane of the box which permit the completed solideto be dis'-` move several oftheV blocks suciently.fargapartlthatV the rest may be disassembled in the reverse vorder of assembly at any timeit is desiredto/dismantle the come pleted solid.V y i l Y l Although we have shown the blocks as substantially square with regard to the configuration of the first and second surfaces 16 and 18, it is to be understood that rectangular shapes may also be employed with similar facility; i Y Y Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, to avoid needless repetition, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters-with the additional pref Thesecrond` embodiment differs from the rst embodi- Y ment principally in that the building blocks are triangular in over-all conguration rather than rectangular. The connecting elements are correspondingly altered as to angular configuration as is the relationship of the sides of the blocks to the parallel planarV area.

lt may thus be seen that we have invented novel and highly useful improvements in block construction, which may be quickly and easily assembled by a young child to form relatively large hollow rectangular solids, the size of which are limited only by the number of blocks on hand, and the ability of the child using the same. The solid may in turn be easily disassembled, wherein the individual blocks may be stored and shipped ina space substantially smaller than that occupied by the solid, which may be assembled, thereby permitting a large number of such blocks to be stored with little or no inconvenience. By molding the blocks, which are essentially planar in configuration, it is possible to easily obtain'a uniform size in shape permitting extremely precise construction, heretofore unobtainable in the case of wood blocks.

We Wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure shown and set forth in his specification, for obvious modications will occur to those skilled in the art to Which the present invention pertains.

1. In combination, a pairfof substantially equally sized building blocks, each of said blocks comprising a rst outer planar surface having a given geometrical shape of given area, a second inner planar surface disposed parallel with respect to saidirstsunface and of similar geometrical shape, said second'surface having a second given area substantially less than said first given area; said blocks having side surfaces disposed at an angle with respect to said inner`a1`1d outer surfaces, the edges of which are coextensive Vwith each other and with the bounding edges of said first and second surfaces, each of said side surfaces having a groove disposed therein, the plane of which lies parallel to the planes of said inner and outer surfaces; a connecting element adapted to interconnect said pair of blocks comprising a rst substantially planar member, anda second Ymemberhaying a substantially triangular cross section and a principal axis lying substantially parallel to the plane of said firstA member; said connecting element being adapted to maintain said blocks in adjacent co-planar relationship with said first mentioned surfaces forming a continuoussurface by engaging the juxtaposed portions of said grooves in each of said pair of blocks, whereby said second member may contact the mutually angularly disposed adjacent side surfaces of each block.

2. Structure according to claim 1 in which said grooves in said blocks and said rst member of said connecting element are provided with interlocking detent means.

References Cited in the-file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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