Amusement devices: toys – Construction toy
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-26
2001-06-05
Hafer, Robert A. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Construction toy
C446S119000, C446S490000, C446S107000, C434S211000, C434S278000, C059S002000, C059S092000, C063S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241572
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to configurable elements, and more particularly to beaded string elements which may be configured into a number of different geometric, three-dimensional forms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beaded string construction devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,673 to Monestier, discloses a dismemberable toy having solid blocks on an elastic cord. The block faces have slots that intersect to create a passageway for the cord. The assembly may be manipulated by moving the cord into the slotted faces of each block, to cause sections of the toy to bend at 90° angles relative to previous sections. However, since the toy is held in place by the flat sides of the blocks, non-cubic shapes having curved coincidental sides would not be able to be held in place relative to each other. Also, although Monestier discloses that more than one assembly may be interconnected, only two such assemblies may be used to form a single junction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,148 to Heinz discloses an educational toy which allows the user to assemble building blocks along a flexible cord to form various shapes. This toy relies on the flat sides of the building blocks to hold the building blocks in place, and Heinz does not teach connecting more than one toy together.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,375 to Heinz discloses a toy having a number of blocks interconnected by an elastic cord which passes through the center of the blocks. Again, the toy relies on the flat sides of the building blocks and the elastic force between blocks to hold the building blocks in place, and Heinz does not teach connecting more than one toy together.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,072 to Dryer discloses a block puzzle in which a number of cubes are interconnected by an elastic cord. The user must manipulate the puzzle in order to form different shapes. Dryer does not teach connecting more than one puzzle together.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,872 to Vennola discloses a toy having a number of mutually connected bodies arranged in a row along an elastic cord. Each body is shaped such that turning the body allows the user to form a nonlinear shapes by turning the bodies relative to one another. Vennola also does not teach connecting more than one cord together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a construction device includes a first pair of beads and a second pair of beads. Each of the first and second pairs of beads is disposed a cord. When the first and second pairs of beads are interconnected, a junction is formed including four beads, with each of the four beads being in contact with three other beads.
According to another aspect, the first pair of beads and the second pair of beads may be disposed together on a single cord to form an element
According to yet another aspect, the first pair of beads may be disposed on the first cord to form a first element and the second pair of beads may be disposed on the second cord to form a second element.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for manipulating a beaded string element including at least first and second pairs of beads disposed on a cord includes the steps of: placing a first portion of the cord between the first pair of beads transverse to a second portion of the cord between the second pair of beads; stretching at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the cord to open at least one gap between at least one of the first pair of beads and the second pair of beads; partially wrapping the first portion of the cord around the second portion of the cord; and closing the at least one gap between the at least one of the first pair of beads and the second pair of beads while the first portion of the cord is partially wrapped around the second portion of the cord.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for manipulating first and second beaded string elements includes the steps of: placing a first cord on which a first pair of beads is disposed transverse to a second cord on which a second pair of beads is disposed; stretching the first cord and/or the second cord to open at least one gap between the first pair of beads and/or the second pair of beads; partially wrapping the first cord around the second cord; and closing the at least one gap between the first pair of beads and/or the second pair of beads while the first cord is partially wrapped around the second cord.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 29574 (1978-03-01), Pethick et al.
patent: 1771278 (1930-07-01), Weiner
patent: 3190086 (1965-06-01), Klein
patent: 3222072 (1965-12-01), Dreyer
patent: 3577673 (1971-05-01), Monestier
patent: 3597872 (1971-08-01), Vennola
patent: 3751769 (1973-08-01), Reiner
patent: 4778184 (1988-10-01), Fleischer
patent: 4997375 (1991-03-01), Heinz
patent: 5110297 (1992-05-01), Teague
patent: 5302148 (1994-04-01), Heinz
patent: 5386710 (1995-02-01), Moore
patent: 5525089 (1996-06-01), Heinz
patent: 5836802 (1998-11-01), Harnett
patent: 5890497 (1999-04-01), Tsai
Fossum Laura
Hafer Robert A.
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
LandOfFree
Manipulable beaded string does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Manipulable beaded string, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Manipulable beaded string will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2501049