Modular building blocks with color coding

Details Modular building blocks with color coding Modular building blocks with color coding

1999-06-04

2001-05-01

Muir, D. Neal (Department: 3712)

Amusement devices: toys

Having separable nested parts

C446S117000, C446S118000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06224453

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to building block toys, and more particularly is a set of nested modular building blocks that are color coded to enhance their educational and entertainment utility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An age old pastime for children is playing with building blocks. Building blocks are packaged and distributed in an amazingly diverse array of types and collections. The type of building block offered is generally a function of what skill sets the children using the blocks are to be taught.
Historically, blocks were just that, blocks of wood. The blocks were typically formed from lumber scraps, and they were provided in a limited variety of geometric shapes. Over time, and with the evolution of injection molding, blocks have evolved into significantly more elaborate sets of building materials, many of them formed from plastic. The blocks are typically constructed with some form of pin/receiving hole connecting elements to fasten the blocks together. The connecting elements are formed integral to the blocks themselves.
One drawback to the current art building blocks with fastening means is that there is no efficient method of storing the blocks in a minimal volume without using the connecting elements. This requires the users to disassemble the blocks, sometimes requiring no small amount of effort, before the blocks can be used for play.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a set of blocks that are connected chiefly by friction means.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a set of blocks that nests together for easy and efficient storage.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a set of blocks that is color coded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a color coded set of building blocks comprising a plurality of nesting blocks with diamond cross sections and at least one octahedron cap block. The blocks in each set are progressively sized so that when the individual blocks are stacked, they nest within each other to form a four-sided pyramid. The largest of the diamond cross section blocks acts as the base of the pyramid while the top of the pyramid is capped with an octahedron cap block.
The blocks are stored in a clear pedestal base designed to accept an inverted pyramid. A first set of blocks is stored in the base in inverted configuration. A second set of blocks can then be stacked on top of the first set in upright configuration so that the end result is an octahedron assembly with its base secured in the pedestal. In the preferred embodiment, the interior of the assembly is also filled so that a solid geometric shape is formed. While the preferred embodiment utilizes diamond cross section blocks to construct an octahedral assembly, it should be recognized that other geometric shapes could be utilized.
The pedestal is also utilized as a design platform from which to build complex geometric designs. Each pedestal has four flared legs that provide stability to the platform while designs are constructed vertically and horizontally within it. By using linking elements, the designs can also be used to join together a plurality of the pedestal bases.
An advantage of the present invention is that the blocks can be held together in various conformations without the need for pin/receiving hole joinder mechanisms.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the blocks nest together without locking so that they can be stored in minimal space and are easily taken apart.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that the color coding of the blocks aids in the building of pattern recognition skills for the children using the blocks.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention as described herein and as illustrated in the drawings.


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