Amusement devices: toys – Construction toy – Including abutting elements having slots or apertures...
Reexamination Certificate
2006-05-09
2006-05-09
Nguyen, Kien (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: toys
Construction toy
Including abutting elements having slots or apertures...
C446S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07040949
ABSTRACT:
A structural connection device to be used primarily as a toy in conjunction with foam tubes, popularly known as “noodles” which are commonly used at swimming pools, wherein the connector is preferably made from foam and is configured as a longitudinal flexible member with a pattern of holes, each of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of a typical noodle, such that a noodle can be press-fit into a connector strip hole to act as a structural node; and because the connector may be made from foam, particularly for toy use, it can be bent and twisted, therefore enabling one simple element to act as a complex-shaped node into which many noodles can be inserted and used in conjunction with other connectors to build complex structures. Because the connector and the noodles are flexible, together they have immense play value because users are not limited by fixed angles and rigid members; and, indeed, because the elements are flexible, users learn to use proper diagonal bracing methods in order to provide stability to the structures. When made from a resilient material such as rubber, the connector can also be used with hard structural members, such as plastic pipe, to rapidly construct emergency structures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2587798 (1952-03-01), Wilcox
patent: 3603026 (1971-09-01), Kishigami
patent: D410973 (1999-06-01), Jensen
patent: D420710 (2000-02-01), Poulsen
patent: 6132276 (2000-10-01), Leemon
patent: 6478649 (2002-11-01), Hoback
patent: 6554677 (2003-04-01), Leemon
AESOP, Inc.
Nguyen Kien
Rines and Rines
LandOfFree
Flexible connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flexible connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3581657