BUILDING BLOCK

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to building blocks, and in particular, to blocking blocks of various shapes that can be interconnected to build toys, displays and furniture for recreation, decoration and education.

2. Description of the Related Art The present invention relates to building blocks of shapes: triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, circle, oval and many other different shapes and designs with the same unique joints and various types of materials based on mathematical and material understanding to build 3-dimensional objects like sphere, cylindrical tube, wheel, cube, table, etc. as toys, furniture, display or design structures for recreation, art or decoration.

US Patent No. 4, 804,350 relates to toy building block sets of the type wherein a plurality of block-like elements can be selectively connected together with one another in differing orientations in order to assemble articles of play of various shapes and sizes. There is no such a feature that the interconnected building blocks are 180 degrees to each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,394 there is disclosed a set of toy building blocks in which each block has an outer perimeter frame having straight sides, each block being generally rectangular in shape. Connecting elements and sockets are provided along the frame periphery, so that the blocks are capable of being selectively connected together at selective relative positions to form various shaped articles. The blocks are further formed with inner circular ring-like frame portions joined integrally with the outer peripheral frame, for accommodating cylindrical flotation members therethrough, to enable the assembling of floating toys. Additionally, there are provided blocks having triangular frames with peripheral connecting elements and sockets, so that the toy block set of this patent disclosure is complicated in makeup due to its being comprised of different types and shapes of blocks. Also, the arrangement of the connector elements and sockets on the blocks varies, some blocks having connector elements and sockets on adjacent sides, and other blocks having the connector elements and sockets on opposite sides. Thus, the toy block set of this patent disclosure is complicated to assemble. Several types of building blocks for use by children have already been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,237 shows a block having light sides including a half cube section and dowels to secure the blocks together.

US Patent No. 8,197,297 disclose toy building block that can create a cubic article by assembling a unit piece, said unit piece comprising: a plate body made of a flexible material in which an outer profile of the plate body is formed by a pair of upper and lower short sides curved inward and a pair of right and left long sides curved inward; projections provided at a corner portions located on one of diagonal lines of said plate body on a plate face of the plate body at a right angle; and through holes into which said projections can be fitted, the through holes being provided at the corner portions located on the other diagonal line of the plate body.

US Patent No. 5,800,239 discloses a toy block set, comprising:

a) a plurality of building blocks each having a plurality of sides for interfitting with each other; b) at least one side of each building block having a semicircular-shaped channel formed therein for alignment with the semicircular-shaped channel of another building block of said plurality of building blocks to form a circular channel; c) each of said building blocks including an extending section and a recessed opening having a shape complementary to said extending section, said extending section of one building block configured for interfitting with the recessed opening of another building block of said plurality of building blocks; and d) a plurality of cylindrical rod-like members each configured for placement in one of said circular channels when said building blocks are aligned, and for extending from said aligned building blocks to support other building blocks in said plurality of building blocks.

Another building block system used pyramid shape with hexagonal and pentagonal cross- section is disclosed in U.S Pat 5,100,359 titled "Toy made of several interconnectable and adaptable units" by Francesco M. Glorio et al. The respective elements fit together in a particular manner to form a spherical body with interfitting tongue and groove connectors. However, these described building blocks can only be used to make a spherical body. Another system that uses hexagonal and pentagonal shapes joined together at the edge is disclosed in patent W01996033320 (24th Oct 1996) titled "Cupolas or Convex surfaces with individual plane surfaces sections" by Wicki et al. The hexagonal and pentagonal shapes joined together at the edge by plugs, fluted sections, rings, cords, threads, wires, rubber bands, or threaded rods to form cupolas or convex surfaces that can be used as structural components or as lamps or skylight housing, or as toys. Apart from the fact that there aren't other shapes like triangles involved, the described building blocks cannot be used to make 3-dimensional structures like cylinders, and furniture like tables and shelves. The system does not describe the possibility of different shapes being joined together by hinge-like joints with a limited angle of rotation, as it states the need to be joined together at the edge.

Another system that uses a regular hexagonal flat bottom and flat walls installed along the circumference of this bottom and positioned at a right angle thereto, which walls, at the angular points of bottom, have their side edges adjoining is disclosed in U.S Pat 4,008,932 titled "Structural element" by Wildshcut. The assembly of structures is used only for furnishing houses, exhibition houses and the like.

Existing toy building blocks do not make use of various shapes in the form of hexagons, squares, triangles and pentagons that can be used for creation of 3-dimensional structures.

Existing toy building blocks lack the ability to be used for making 3-dimensional structures like tables, shelves and cylinders, apart from spherical and cylindrical surfaces.

Existing building blocks do not allow the joint to be moved through the use of actuators and mini-motors that can be easily connected to the joint, or strengthen the connection between the joints. There are no existing building blocks of various colors and types of synthetic materials that can be used for making all forms of 3-dimensional structure that can be sued as display or furniture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a main object of the present invention to provide building blocks of various shapes such as triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, circle, and oval and many other different shapes and designs with the same unique joints. Various types of materials can be used to fabricate the building blocks and the blocks are used to form 3-dimensional objects such as sphere, cylindrical tube, wheel, cube, table, etc. as toys, furniture, and display or design structure for recreation, art or decoration.

Another main object of the present invention is to provide a building block for toy adapted to interconnect with similarly or identical shaped blocks in forming into an animated structure, characterized in that a plurality of building blocks each having a plurality of sides for interconnection with each other; said block comprising: (i) a central platform 110 having a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112, of multiple sides; (ii) a plurality of female engaging member 200 and male engaging member 211 formed integrally on each of the sides of the central platform 110;wherein the female and male engaging members 200, 211 are horizontally extending out from the sides of the central platform 1 0, (iii) a plurality of holding slots 300 extending from the bottom surface 112 of the central platform 110, wherein the male engaging member 21 and the female engaging member 200 pivotally engage with each other to form a structure and that the pivotal movement of the moves in an angle ranging from 0 to 180 degrees, preferably 90-180 degree.

An object of the present invention is to provide building blocks of various shapes wherein the length of each side of the central platform is that it provides the building blocks to be seamlessly connected to each other.

Still another object of the present invention to provide building block with joints that permit unidirectional degree of freedom, which is restricted to between 90 to 80 degrees; and allows 2 interconnected building blocks to be connected to create stable 3 dimensional structure varying from a stable L- shaped structure, where the interconnected building blocks are 90 degrees to each other, to a plane, where the interconnected building blocks are 180 degrees to each other.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide building block with the joint by connecting the building blocks in a plane, permitting each to be interlocked in a way that allows the total weight of the building blocks to be uniformly distributed on the interconnecting joints rather than exerted upon localized joints thus allowing the entire plane to be lifted without the building blocks falling off or disconnecting.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide building block with the joint wherein the building blocks can be made of various materials: opaque or transparent plastic, metal, glass and wood for aesthetic and mechanical strength and stability, which can be interconnected.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide building block with the joint, wherein the joint can be locked by the use of glue or sealant should building block be made of plastics, nail should building block be made of wood, screw should building block be made of metal, and localized heating using blow torch should building block be made of glass. Further object of the present invention is to provide building block with joint, wherein the joint allows object to be interconnected and is permitted to rotate. In addition, the joint can also be connected to magnet which can be used to attract magnetic objects like paper clips or stationery. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide building block with the joint wherein the joint allows object to be interconnected be used for mounting a signboard should the building blocks be used to make into a column or pillar, or it can be connected with any shapes or designs of any forms including leaves, butterfly etc. Another object of this invention is to provide building block with joint, wherein the joint allows mini-actuator or mini-motor to be connected to the building block such that the interconnected building block can be programmed to be moved in accordance to certain pattern or to mimic any movement that is observed in nature based on the object that is constructed using the interconnected building blocks.

These and additional objects of this invention are accomplished by a building block which can be easily formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:

FIG. 1A and 1 B illustrate top views of a preferred embodiment of a hexagonal building block with a specified thickness in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 1 B has no slot for the joints. FIG. 1C is the perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the hexagonal building block as shown in FIG. 1A in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 D is the perspective view of the preferred hexagonal building block as shown in FIG. 1 B in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of pentagonal building block; FIG. 2B is another design of pentagonal building block with different connecting joints in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a square building block, while FIG. 3B is another preferred embodiment of a square building block with twice the length of the shorter length square building block in FIG. 3A in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a rectangular building block with only 2 joints, while FIG. 4B is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a bigger rectangular building block with longer sides in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of an equilateral triangular building block, with angle of 60 degrees, while FIG. 5B is another preferred embodiment of a triangular building block with different connecting joints, and FIG 5C is another preferred embodiment of triangular building block with twice the length of the shorter length triangular building block in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a diamond building block, with angles of 60 degrees and 120 degrees, while FIG. 6B is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the diamond building block with longer sides in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of an octagonal plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a top view bf another preferred embodiment of a circular building block with 10 joints, while FIG. 8B is a top view of another same-sized circular building block in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the circular building block (FIG. 8A) when connected with square building blocks (FIG. 3A) to form a stand or support pillar in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8D is a top view of an elliptical building block with 12 joints in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 9A is a top view of a circular building block with 10 joints in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9B and 9C are top views of the 2 different detachable joints which can be connected to the circular building block (FIG. 8B) in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9D is a top view of a circular building block (FIG. 9A) when connected with the 2 detachable joints (FIG. 9B) and the other 2 detachable joints (FIG. 9C) in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a revolute joint in accordance with the present invention, wherein the degree of rotation is constrained between 90 degrees and 180 degrees

FIG. 10B shows the connection amongst hexagonal building blocks (FIG. 1A) in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the connection between hexagonal and equilateral triangular building blocks (FIG. 5A and 5B), which are held together by mini-actuators to allow the connected building blocks to rotate and move in accordance with the present invention .

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the connection amongst equilateral triangular building blocks (FIG. 5A and 5B) which are held together by mini-actuators to reinforce the connection between the various building blocks in accordance with present invention.

FIG. 11A is a top view of a ball mounted with the unique joints that can be connected to the family of shapes of the building blocks in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 1 B and 11C are top views of pendulums with the unique joints that can be connected to the family of shapes of the building blocks in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12A and 12B are perspective views of board and partition in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are perspective views of shelves in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are perspective views of containers in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15A and 15B are perspective views of tables containers in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 16A and 16B are perspective views of chairs in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D and 17E are perspective views of decorative items in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are provided with the same numerals, the block of the invention is generally shown in FIGs. 1 C and 1 D as numeral 100. FIG. 1A and 1 B illustrate top views of a preferred embodiment of a hexagonal building block with a specified thickness in accordance with the present invention; FIG. B has no slot for the joints. FIG. 1C is the perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the hexagonal building block as shown in FIG. 1A in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 D is the perspective view of the preferred hexagonal building block as shown in FIG. 1 B in accordance with the present invention.

The building block 100 is for toy adapted to interconnect with similarly or identical shaped blocks in forming into toy structure or displays or furniture. The building block 100 is characterized in that a plurality of building blocks 100 each having a plurality of sides of the same length for interconnection with each other. The building block comprises (i) a central platform 1 10 having a top surface 1 1 1 and a bottom surface 1 12, of multiple sides; (ii) a plurality of female engaging member 200 and male engaging member 211 formed integrally on each of the sides of the central platform 1 10. The female and male engaging members 200, 21 1 are horizontally extending out from the sides of the central platform 110. A plurality of holding slots 300 are extending from the bottom surface 112 of the central platform 1 10, wherein the male engaging member 21 1 and the female engaging member 200 pivotally engage with each other to form a structure and that the pivotal movement of the moves in an angle ranging from 0 to 180 degrees, preferably 90- 180 degree.

In another aspect of present invention, there is provided building blocks for toy adapted to interconnect with similarly or identical shaped blocks in forming into an animated structure, characterized in that said block comprising: a central platform 110 having a top surface 11 and a bottom surface 1 2, of multiple sides and a plurality of female engaging member 200 and male engaging member 211 formed integrally on each of the sides of the central platform 110;wherein the female and male engaging members 200, 21 1 are horizontally extending out from the sides of the central platform 0, a plurality of holding slots 300 extending from the bottom surface 1 12 of the central platform 1 10, wherein the male engaging member 21 1 and the female engaging member 200 pivotally engage with each other to form a structure and that the pivotal movement of the moves in an angle ranging from 90 -180°; and at least one mini-actuator or mini motor connected to the building block such that the interconnected building blocks can be programmed to be moved in accordance with certain pattern or to mimic any moment.

As shown in the drawings, FIGs. 10B, 10C, 10D, the building block is body member which are identical in shape and a centrally disposed body portion or the central platform 1 10 is provided with a plurality of female and male engaging members 220, 2 1 for engaging with the same of other identical building block. These building blocks are interconnected with each other.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the thickness of the building blocks as sketched is an indicative design as the thickness of the blocks can be varied and increased depending on the mechanical strength and stability required in the structure to be built. This design idea applies to all other members of the family of the building blocks, apart from the hexagonal building block.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the slot at one of the joints allow the placement or inclusion of mini- actuator 109 or mini motor 209 (shown in FIGS. 10C/10D) to enable the movement of the building blocks 100 that are connected. This design idea applies to the joints of other members of the family of the building blocks, apart from the hexagonal building block.

The building block for toy of the present invention is characterized in that the female engaging member 200 is provided with a flared recess opening towards the bottom surface 112 for the engagement of the male engaging member 211 of an adjacent block of identical or structurally similar block, and the exterior surface of the female engaging member 200 curves upwardly from the line formed by the central platform 1 10, and the exterior surface of the female engaging member 200 is provided with a slot 220 for mounting of a mini actuator 109 or a mini motor 209. The female engaging member 220 and male engaging member 21 1 are located at the middle of the side of the of the central platform 110, and the female engaging member 200 and the male engaging member 221 are arranged in alternate position on the sides of the central platform 110.

FIG. 3A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a square building block, while FIG. 3B is another preferred embodiment of a square building block with twice the length of the shorter length square building block in FIG. 3A in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3B, the length of the side of the square building blocks is twice longer; each side has 2 joints instead of 1. In this preferred embodiment, it is shown that this is one such variation of the design as the building blocks can be designed to have side that is 3 times, or in any multiple length of the shortest length of the smallest building blocks. This feature applies to all other members of the family of the building blocks, apart from the square building block.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a possible design of rectangular building block with only 2 joints, while FIG. 4B is a top view of another design of a bigger rectangular building block with longer sides. FIG. 5A is a top view of a possible design of equilateral triangular building block, with angle of 60 degrees, while FIG. 5B is another design of triangular building block with different connecting joints, and FIG 5C is another design of triangular building block with twice the length of the shorter length triangular building block. FIG. 6A is a top view of a possible design of diamond building block, with angles of 60 degrees and 120 degrees, while FIG. 6B is a top view of another design of diamond building block with longer sides. FIG. 7 is a top view of a possible design of octagonal plate in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8A is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a circular building block with 10 joints, while FIG. 8B is a top view of another same-sized circular building block in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the circular building block (FIG. 8A) when connected with square building blocks (FIG. 3A) to form a stand or support pillar in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8D is a top view of an elliptical building block with 12 joints in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8B, there is shown the building block having a square hole with dimension such that the square building blocks can be connected perpendicularly to the plane of the circular building block and can be extended to have triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal hole that allows the other members of the family of building blocks to be connected.

FIG. 9A is a top view of a circular building block with 10 joints in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 9B and 9C are top views of the 2 different detachable joints which can be connected to the circular building block (FIG. 8B) in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 9D is a top view of a circular building block (FIG. 9A) when connected with the 2 detachable joints (FIG. 9B) and the other 2 detachable joints (FIG. 9C) in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9A, there is shown the building block which has objects that to be mounted with the unique design of the detachable joint such that they can be connected to the family of building blocks. This unique feature applies to all possible means of connecting the detachable joints including the use of normal methods like screw, nail, glue etc. depending on the types of materials.

As shown in the drawings, the male engaging member 211 is a rod-like structure which rotatably disposed into the female engaging member 200 and the male engaging member 21 snaps onto the female engaging member 200 such that the male engaging member 211 is pivotally engaged with the female engaging member 21 1. The exterior surface of the female engaging member 200 has a protruded edge having two recesses such that the movement of the male engaging member 211 is restricted by the recesses in such a way that the formed structure is on a same plane. The male engaging member 211 is longitudinally pivotally disposed into a channel 230 formed by the female engaging member 200 of a horizontally adjacent block. As shown in the drawings, the shape of the block is selected from the group consisting of triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or the combination thereof, and the shape of the block is circular and oval, spherical, cylindrical, cuboid, which can be used to form structure including furniture, toys, display or structure for recreation, art or decoration. The length of each side of the central platform is that it provides the building blocks to be seamlessly connected to each other, and the pivotal movement of the female and male engaging member 200, 21 is restricted to move in an angle in the range of 90 to 180 degrees. The two interconnected building blocks are connected to create a stable three dimensional structure. In accordance with the present invention, the blocks are interlocked in a way that allows uniform distribution of the weight of the building blocks on the interconnecting joints. The blocks are made from material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, glass and wood, or the combination thereof, and the joint or interconnects are locked by the used of glue, sealant, nail, screw or the combination thereof, depending on the material used for the building blocks. FIG. 11A is a top view of a ball mounted with the unique joints that can be connected to the family of shapes of the building blocks. In this case the circular ball that connects to the 2 different joints can be rotated with the use of ball bearing, or suitable lubricant materials with low friction. FIG. 11 B and 1 1C are top views of pendulums with the unique joints that can be connected to the family of shapes of the building blocks. The pendulum bobs can be magnetic and can be used to attract paper clips etc. FIG. 12A and 12B are perspective views of board and partition can be possibly made using the family of shapes of the building blocks. FIG. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are perspective views of shelves that can be possibly made using the family of shapes of the building blocks. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the joints or the pivotal engagement of the engaging members joints of the building permits the blocks to be rotated to form shield or the like for gaming toy, or rotate to form wearable objects on hands such as bracelet, necklace, brooch, or plastic housing, and components of toy robots. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slot (200) at the exterior surface of the female engaging member (200) is mounted with sensors or electronic LEDs to allow automatic movement and provide aesthetic effect to the building block. Similarly, the building block of the present invention can be mounted with a plurality of rollers to facilitate movement of the building block. In FIG. 14A, 14B, 14C or 14D, the building blocks can be made of transparent materials so that object can be place inside the designed container for display purposes. In FIG. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D, the building blocks can be made of transparent materials so that lighting can be placed inside to illuminate the display created using the building blocks. In FIG. 17E, mini actuator or mini-motor can be connected at the joints to move the interconnected blocks 172, 174, 176 (as shown) so that the hanging out blocks can flap to simulate the movement of the parts much like the movement of leaves in the presence of wind.

The foregoing is a description of preferred embodiments of building blocks for toy. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.