Amusement devices: toys – Construction toy – Interfitting elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-11-13
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Construction toy
Interfitting elements
C446S103000, C446S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315628
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention refers to a system of elements of plastic material intended for the composition, by means of frictional insertion, of static or dynamic constructions having a game or didactic purpose.
There are known several systems of elements of plastic material which can be mutually connected by means of frictional insertion, and which enable composing static constructions, to which some dynamic elements can also be applied. In most such systems each element is provided with at least one male coupling member and at least one female coupling member, and the composition is obtained by mutually inserting a male coupling member of an element into a female coupling member of another element. A first drawback resulting from this principle resides in that the male and female coupling members, since they pertain to the same elements, are unavoidably formed by the same material, whereby the efficiency of their frictional insertion only depends on the accuracy of the dimensions of the parts and on the own elasticity of the material. This material, since it should form the entire element, cannot be chosen with complete freedom, due to technical requirements, to reasons depending on a pleasant use and to economic restrictions. Therefrom there can result a somewhat weak coupling which, in particular, can be jeopardized by permanent deformations of elements remained connected for a long time, due to the so-called “cold flux” to which several plastic materials are subjected. This phenomenon is aggravated by the male coupling members generally having a very reduced extent.
A remedy to this drawback has been found, according to the Italian Patent No. 1.147.731, by means of elements in which the male coupling members are applied to the element body and, therefore, can be embodied in a material different from that forming the body of the elements and the female coupling members. However, it is evident the economical burden resulting both from the manufacture of the elements in several parts, and from the need of mounting together said parts.
Moreover, it is a common feature of most known systems that the symmetry of the coupling members is generally of order four, whereby the elements can be mutually connected only according to a number of positions which mutually differ by displacements of 90°. In those cases in which the arrangement according to a different angle, for example of 45°, should be allowed, this cannot be obtained by means of the normal elements of the system, and special elements intended for this purpose should be provided, however this is contrary both to the manufacture economy and the systematicity of the composition.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of this invention is that of improving the known systems of composable elements in order of systematically enabling, without the use of special elements, all element arrangements which mutually differ by displacements of 45°. Another object of the invention is that of rationalize the coupling members of the elements, in order to ensure effective and durable connections, though avoiding difficulties of manufacture and excessive expenses. A specific object of the invention is that of integrating the element system with base elements and possible other elements in order to expand the possibility of application of the system. Still another specific object of the invention is that of enabling the application of dynamic elements capable of mutually co-operating, such as wheels and toothed wheels, even in constructions which extend in different planes.
The main object of the invention is attained, in a system of elements of plastic material intended for the composition, by means of frictional insertion, of static or dynamic constructions having a game of didactic purpose, in that the system comprises two kinds of main system elements, each main element of the first kind having the character of a substantially tubular spacer whose end portions form female coupling members having a symmetry of order eight, whilst each element of the second kind has the character of a connector formed by a thin flange provided on both sides with male coupling members, complementary to the female coupling members of the elements of the first kind, but having a symmetry of order four.
Thanks to this subdivision of the coupling tasks between two different main kinds of elements, various advantages are attained. The first and more evident advantage is that all elements may be composed according to all mutual angles which differ by 45°, without being compelled to use special elements. The resulting composition flexibility is evident. The systematic use of elements of the second kind for effecting the connections among the system elements of the first kind involves a construction rationality which is favourable to its didactic character. Moreover, the feature according to which the male coupling members have a symmetry of order four allows adopting for these elements extremely simple structures, easy to manufacture, without jeopardizing the flexibility of the composition which derives from the symmetry of order eight of the female coupling members.
Preferably, the male coupling members of the elements of the second kind comprise, on each side of the flange, four hollow cylindrical sleeves having circular cross section, and the female coupling members of the elements of the first kind are embodied by the shaping of the walls of the tubular elements, which walls are determined, in cross section, by eight circle arcs whose inner radius is equal to the outer radius of the cylindrical sleeves of the elements of the second kind.
This way, a large contact surface is obtained between the male and female coupling members, though with simple structures easily produced by forming the plastic material of the elements, and for the user it is extremely easy to determine the positions of correct connection between the elements.
Preferably, in the elements of the second kind, the hollow cylindrical sleeves forming the male coupling members lying on one side of the flange are displaced by 45° with respect to the hollow cylindrical sleeves forming the male coupling members lying on the other side of the flange.
In this manner, also the flange elasticity is exploited in order to ensure the better obtainment of the couplings and, both thanks to this arrangement and to the sleeves being hollow, a substantial uniformity in the thickness of the material is attained, which is useful in respect of the forming operation.
Preferably, the elements of the first kind are manufactured of a plastic material having high stability and pleasant appearance and touch, such as the ABS, whilst the elements of the second kind are manufactured of a plastic material having good elasticity, low friction coefficient and not subjected to cold flow deformation, such as a polyammidic or acetalic resin.
In this way a great stability and duration of the elements and their couplings is obtained. As it may be understood, such a provision could not be taken in the element systems wherein the elements are provided both of male and female coupling members, which are parts of the element body.
Preferably, the system also includes complex elements formed by an element mainly of the first kind which is provided with at least one male coupling member extending from a side wall. Such elements serve for providing angular junctions in the construction.
Preferably, said complex elements are provided with two male coupling members diametrically opposite or forming an angle between them. In a more complete form, they are provided with four male coupling members extending from the side wall and mutually spaced by 90°, thus embodying a six-way element.
It is of advantage that some of the male coupling members with which said complex elements are provided include an elastic axle on which can be rotatably inserted a wheel or a toothed wheel.
Preferably the male coupling members of the complex elements are provided with surfaces ending with six rims, arranged in such a way as to be able
Ricci John A.
Young & Thompson
LandOfFree
System of elements for the composition of static or dynamic... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System of elements for the composition of static or dynamic..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System of elements for the composition of static or dynamic... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2574958