Coupling element for a constructional building set

Details Coupling element for a constructional building set Coupling element for a constructional building set

1997-05-05

1999-05-11

Hafer, Robert A.

Amusement devices: toys

Construction toy

Including abutting elements having slots or apertures...

403294, 403305, 446113, A63H33/10

Patent

active

059021683

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns coupling elements for elongate pull elements and is of the type defined in the introductory portion of claim 1. The invention moreover concerns the use of such a coupling element as a terminating element and a connecting element, respectively, it being possible to secure an elongate pull element by means of the coupling element to other elements in the constructional building set or to other pull elements.
The type of building elements forming the subject-matter of the invention is used in constructional building sets of a more complex nature. An example of such a building set is the one marketed under the trademark LEGO TECHNICT.TM.. EP-A-560 851 discloses such a coupling element Which receives elongate, flexible pull elements between opposed, resilient Walls of the coupling element. The actual mounting of the pull element takes place by moving it laterally into a keyhole-shaped cavity in Which snap-locking is established when the pull element has passed two projections in parallel with its longitudinal direction. However, a relatively great moment is required to pass these projections, and this is not expedient since the parts involved are relatively small and resilient.
The corresponding principle is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,219, the flexible pull elements being here replaced by rigid, rod-shaped members.
The object of the invention is to provide a coupling element of the type mentioned above, where the coupling element can be coupled with flexible, elongate pull elements, Without it being necessary to subject the pull elements to a great moment in the transverse direction in order to establish coupling.
This object is achieved in that the coupling element is constructed as defined in the characterizing portion of claim 1, an end of the pull element being placed in the cavity in the coupling element, following which locking takes place in that a movable portion is moved to a closed position in which it contributes to retaining the pull element.
The movable portion may advantageously be constructed as a hinged portion having a hinge axis in parallel wraith the longitudinal axis of the pull element, since loads on the portion caused by pulls in the pull element can be distributed evenly. The coupling element is expediently made integral with the hinged portion by plastics injection moulding, since the costs of manufacturing the element are hereby reduced. The hinged portion may then advantageously be formed with snap-locking means, so that, in its closed position, it is secured to the coupling element through the snap-locking means in its one side and by the hinge axis in its other side.
As stated in claim 5, the projection may advantageously be provided on the movable portion in a U-shaped channel, since the introduction of the pull element into the cavity thus takes place completely without resistance, the pull element being merely inserted until the end face abuts the bottom wall of the cavity. Then the U-shaped channel on the movable portion guides the pull element into position during closing, and retains it subsequently when closing has been completed. This structure is particulary expedient if the pull element is introduced axially through an opening in the end of the coupling element, said opening being formed in that a bridge portion is provided in tension of the movable portion, said bridge portion serving as a support portion for the movable portion.
The coupling element is used particularly expediently as a terminating element for a pull element, it being provided with coupling means, in addition to the cavity with the hinged portion in its other end, for coupling with other building elements incorporated in the toy building set. These coupling means may e.g. be a cylindrical bushing having guide beads to receive a ball head, or merely a bushing to receive a cross-shaft or cross stub shaft. Further, the coupling element may be used as a connecting element between e.g. two pull elements, so that two pull elements can replace one longer pull element upon coupling. Ho

REFERENCES:
patent: 432626 (1890-07-01), Killinger
patent: 1012063 (1911-12-01), Davis
patent: 2658776 (1953-11-01), Wilcox
patent: 2683329 (1954-07-01), Kobler
patent: 3590516 (1971-07-01), Dunn
patent: 4278836 (1981-07-01), Bingham

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