Amusement devices: toys – Construction toy – Having parts assembled for relative movement
Patent
1992-04-03
1993-10-05
Hafer, Robert A.
Amusement devices: toys
Construction toy
Having parts assembled for relative movement
446122, 446125, 52233, 52595, 403163, 403217, 246971, 245731, A63H 3312, A63H 3308, E04B 110, F16C 1106
Patent
active
052500012
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toy construction kit consisting of joinable, elongated elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Construction kits are known which have different types of stave or plate strip elements, with which a spatial structure may be constructed, but these elements are not especially well suited for the simple purpose of merely being "line markers", e.g. for being laid out on a floor area for marking traffic lanes, harbour structures, building ground plans, etc.
When laying out such markings, children normally make do with available elongated objects such as rulers, sticks, string, pencils, etc., but in connection with the invention it is realized that there is a need for such marker elements of a more appropriate design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The construction kit according to the invention comprises a number of stave elements of plastic material, the ends of which are provided with snaplock-like coupling means for rotatable coupling of the stave ends, which means are provided on plate portions which are outwardly projecting from the stave ends with a reduced thickness relative the stave thickness and at their outer ends are provided with either perpendicularly protruding snap lock pins or locking holes for cooperating with such pins, the plate portions provided with the locking pins being situated in a median plane of the stave elements and preferably having locking pins which project outwardly to both sides, while the plate portions which are provided with the locking holes are situated in extension of an upper or lower side area of the stave element, the thickness and location of the plate portions being adapted in such a manner that two endwise joined stave elements will generally be flush with one another.
For the desired primary use of the elements, two essential advantages are hereby obtained, viz. for one thing that the elements may be joined end by end in a rotatable manner such that they may be laid out in extension of each other in either a straight or a kinked manner, i.e. for obtaining line markings along large straight or curved stretches or with sharp angles, and for another thing that the joined elements will be positioned in the same plane, i.e. with both or all adjoining elements parallel with and engaging the support surface without using special, superposed joining members at the joined ends. A further and essential advantage will be that at the end joints, if desired, a third element may be added to the joint, as there will be sufficient space for adding such an element with its apertured plate portion situated at the opposite side of the central pin plate portion of the joint, such that star points may be established in the system, e.g. for allowing an element stretch to branch out perpendicularly or obliquely from a through-going straight stretch, with all three adjacent elements being positioned in one and the same plane. This possibility is particularly pertinent in connection with laying out a ground plan for a building, as it is hereby possible to mark partition walls which project out from an unbroken outer wall, but of course this option may be used for many other purposes.
Thus, in practice the elements should be about three times as thick as the said plate portions projecting out from the end portions, an appropriate thickness indication being about 10 mm, while the width, by way of example may be about 12 mm. An element of such cross-sectional dimensions will have a more than sufficient rigidity against bending in the vertical plane, and a fully sufficient rigidity will be obtainable even if both the upper and the lower side of each element is provided with a longitudinal groove, such that the desired total thickness is obtained by both sides of a thinner, elongated plate portion being provided at both edges with respective upwardly and downwardly projecting rib portions, which also economizes material. However, an especially important function of these edge ribs is to allow reception of upwardly or downwardly projecting
REFERENCES:
patent: 1248068 (1917-11-01), Brunel
patent: 2446018 (1948-07-01), Miskimen
patent: 2589588 (1952-03-01), Winnemore
patent: 2961779 (1960-11-01), Perry
patent: 3168793 (1965-02-01), Gibson
patent: 3360287 (1967-12-01), Wyse
patent: 3611616 (1971-10-01), Einfalt
patent: 3626634 (1971-12-01), Jones et al.
patent: 3676969 (1972-07-01), Moore
patent: 3733655 (1973-05-01), Kolibar
patent: 3927489 (1975-12-01), Bernstein
patent: 3972550 (1976-08-01), Baughton et al.
patent: 3973854 (1976-08-01), Gilbo et al.
patent: 4020566 (1977-05-01), Dreiding
patent: 4383780 (1983-05-01), Davison
patent: 4495380 (1985-01-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 4843976 (1989-07-01), Pigott et al.
patent: 5007636 (1991-04-01), Pagani
Hafer Robert A.
Muir D. Neal
LandOfFree
Toy construction kit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Toy construction kit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Toy construction kit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-999888