FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to coupling systems and more specifically, to coupling members for detachably connecting at least two modular toy components. The coupling members function in complimentary pairs and are defined by a support piece which serves as a base. The base is formed so as to be mountable in an aperture in a modular toy component and has integrally formed therein a hermaphroditic coupling element having both a male portion and a female portion having a common central axis. In use, one coupling member is adapted to mateably receive another substantially identical, complimentarily configured coupling member to form a mated pair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toys which may be assembled from a variety of modular components to form and re-form different configurations are well known. These types of toys are particularly desirable from the perspective of a parent or other care giver in that the steps of forming and re-forming different configurations possesses an inherent educational and developmental value by encouraging motor coordination, creative and relational thinking and spatial cognizance skills.

On the other hand and perhaps more importantly, children also find these type of toys desirable simply because they are fun. Advantageously, these types of toys may be enjoyed by children

and adults alike and may also be part of either solitary or group play. A wide variety of such toys and articles of this type are commercially available.

While popular, many modular component toys of this type have specialized connector means which cannot be successfully utilized by children, particularly young children.

Often this is due to the fact that the connector means used in these toys may be too complex requiring a relatively high degree of manual dexterity or specialized tools. In other instances the connector means are physically demanding, thus making the connection and disconnection steps challenging or frustrating. Still at other times, the connection will be sufficiently insecure so that the connection, while easily made, disassembles during play. It will be appreciated that these problems minimize the play value and the desirability of such toys.

Attempts to overcome the above and other shortcomings have been met with varying degrees of success. As a result, a number of connecting structures have been proposed, each of them less than ideal in one respect or another.

For example, in U.S. Design Patent No. 2,904,77 and U.S. Patent Nos. 3,61 1 ,621 ; 4,685,892; and 4,582,477, the coupling elements, which include projections and receptacles, are composed of cylinders of constant cross section. In order for parts to be connected together with these coupling structures, they must be first perfectly aligned and oriented so that the axes of the projections are coaxial with those of receptacles. The connection and disconnection operations require movements which are essentially parallel to those axes and the connection is maintained solely by frictional forces. As the coupling elements become worn, the connections tend to loosen and a rigid connection becomes less possible.

Other connecting structures such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,253,268 and 2,972,833 generally disclose ball and socket type connectors. These are provided to the edge of flat parts to enable connected parts to be pivoted relative to one another. A rigid connection between these parts is, therefore not even possible. The connection together w ith two parts of the structure also requires two distinct steps and it is extremely difficult to simultaneously align each ball with the respective socket.

U.S. Patent 2, 701 , 152 discloses a releasabie coupling apparatus comprising of bifurcated female member and a wedge-shaped male member capable of being moved into locking pivotal engagement with the female member and capable of being tilted to spread the bifurcated female member and thereby permit disengaging withdraw of the male member. While appropriate for use on modular toys, this coupling mechanism does not provide a rigid coupling

U.S. Patent 4,685,892 discloses a toy construction set having multi sided construction elements including tabs and hinges, each tab including a pair of aligned connectors. Adjacent connectors on a given tab may be inverted to one another. While somewhat easily assembled, this connector is of limited utility in modular component toys.

U.S. Patent 4,631,040 relates to a toy construction set having multiple component parts including bases, housings and auxiliary members. Separate male and female connecting elements are attached to respective components to allow for assembly of components for a variety of configurations.

U.S. Patent Nos. 2,791,868 and 2,961 ,779 also disclose connecting type structures. These structures include one part which is provided with a projecting element which has an enlarged end and a second part provided with a separate receptacle, or aperture, in the form of two conic frustrums whose small bases meet at the center of the pan. In the case ol U.S.

Patent 2,791 ,868, the tip of each projecting element has a rounded form. In view of the form of the projecting elements and receptacles, it would appear that the connection and disconnection operations would require considerable level of force.

U.S. Patent No. 2,649,803 also discloses a connection structure composed of snap fasteners. The connection and disconnection of these fasteners would also appear to require a considerable level of force.

U.S. Patent 3,230,634 discloses a connecting structure which a rod carries, at one end a coupling structure of generally rectangular cross section provided with a laterally extending spherical boss via which the rod can be held in an associated tubular rod having an annular constriction which is engaged by the boss.

Finally, U.S. Patent No. 5,322,466 discloses a connection device for toy construction sets which comprises a cylindrical socket and a bolt like locking element inserted therein. The socket is inserted to the bores of the construction elements to be connected and is provided at one end with a radially protruding outer edge shoulder as a retaining member as well as longitudinal slots. While this connecting type of device may be suitable for some toy- construction elements, its use in connection with modular toys is particularly limited.

The various forms of connectors found in the known prior art have inherent disadvantages which are readily apparent. However, one particular disadvantage shared by all of the modular connectors of the known prior art is that they are fixed with respect to a given toy component. In these toys, the modular connector occupies a particular and non-moveable spatial position with respect to the component, thus limiting the orientation of other mateable components. This disadvantage is most often the result of the connector being integrally formed within the modular component. Such connectors are incapable of being repositioned on a given component's surface. In this regard, the configuration of the base structure and the associated aperture are predetermined so that the connector only occupies a fixed position such that the connector is not capable of movement. This disadvantage further limits the desirability or play value of the modular toy.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide a modular connector that overcomes the inherent shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, it is desirable to provide a modular connector for use on a toy component that may be easily assembled and disassembled by a child, particularly a young child. It will also be appreciated that it may be desirable to provide a modular connector that is capable of being moved relative to its position on a modular toy component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a detachable connection device of the aforementioned type which enables with simple actuation, a clear locking of the connector means or a clear release of the connector means on the components being connected therewith.

It is another object of the invention to provide coupling members which permit modular components to be connected together easily without the need for specialized tools and with low levels of force, while simultaneously providing a connection which is rigid and relatively secure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a modular connector member which may be easily brought into engagement with coupling elements of a identical member.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a connection which is rigid and relatively secure and which may be made moveable with respect to the modular component upon which it is mounted.

A still further object is to provide a modular component of a relatively simple design and which may be conveniently manufactured in an automated manufacturing environment.

These and other objects are met by the instant invention by providing a coupling system for detachably connecting components of modular articles, particularly toys. In its most fundamental form, each toy component is provided with at least one coupling member for mateably receiving another substantially identical, complimentarily configured coupling member. The coupling members are hermaphroditic in that each coupling clement has a male portion and a female portion. In one preferred embodiment, the coupling elements are projections and a common central axis which define the male-female element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the following drawings and descriptions in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a coupling member according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the coupling member of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view opposite the side elevational view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the coupling member of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the coupling member of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the coupling member of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a pair of joined coupling members of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the coupling member of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the coupling member of the present invention mounted on a modular toy component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, there is shown one embodiment of the coupling member of the present invention shown generally at 10. Coupling member 10 includes base 20 having bearing surface 22. Base 20 is preferably planar and a generally rectangular shape formed of plastic or other semi-rigid materials and serves to mount or otherwise support coupling member 10 on an associated modular component toy. Bearing surface 22 provides a load bearing support surface for another coupling member in mated engagement therewith. Bearing surface 22 is preferably planar, although in other alternate embodiments (not shown), bearing surface may also be formed with additional surface features that may enhance engagement or disengagement of the coupling member. Preferably formed as part of coupling member 10 and more preferably on the peripheral edge of bearing surface 22 are a pair of bearing surface shoulders 24 oriented in opposite position relative to one another. In the

embodiments shown, coupling member 10 is mounted on or otherwise supported by an associated modular component as snap-in or drop-in piece; however, it will be appreciated that coupling member 10, and the attendant coupling element disclosed herein may also be integrally formed within the body of the modular component the bearing surface 22 being formed as part of the modular component body.

Referring specifically now to FIGS 1 through 4, extending downwardly from the plane opposite bearing surface 22 at or near each corner of coupling member 10 is leg 26 having at its opposite end foot 28. Formed within foot 28 is shoe 30. Shoe 30 is wedge shaped to facilitate snap-in insertion of the coupling member in a designated opening with a modular component. Leg 26 may be of any length but it must be of sufficient depth to provide interlocking mounting support for the coupling member between bearing surface shoulder 24 and shoe 30. In the embodiment shown, the distance between bearing surface shoulder 24 and shoe 30 is equal to or slightly greater than the depth of the opening in the modular component. A slightly greater depth between shoulder 24 and shoe 30 permits the coupling member to engaged in a slidable arrangement with an associated opening as more clearly shown in FIG. 9.

Projecting perpendicular to bearing surface 20 is hermaphroditic coupling element 40. Coupling element 40 is identified as hermaphroditic in that it has both male and female portions in a single coupling element which inter-engage with another complimentarily configured coupling element as is shown more clearly in FIG. 7. Unlike other coupling members of the prior art which may include either or both separate male and female coupling members, coupling element 40 has both a male portion 50 and a female portion 60 in a single structure. Male portion 50 includes projection member 52 which may be any number of predefined shapes or configurations which are mateably received by a complimentarily configured aperture 62 of female portion 60.

Preferred projection configurations are those which extend above the plane of the bearing surface and share a common central axis or center line with aperture 62. Particularh preferred shapes include, for example, hemicylinders, hemifrustrums. hemiconics. rectangular and cuboidal shaped projections; however, it will be appreciated that regardless of the shape of projection member 52, aperture 62 will be configured to mateably receive it. A particularly preferred configuration for the projection member 52 is a hemifrustroconical shape.

Hemi frustroconical in this context means a frustroconical shape which is truncated along the axis perpendicular to the base so as to result in a projection member having at least one substantially 90 degree angle at its intersection with the bearing surface and thus, hemifrustroconical is intended to include all of the aforementioned preferred projection shapes. The preferred complimentary configuration of aperture 62 will likewise be, in part of the same hemifrustroconical shape, albeit at least also in part, in phantom, as voids qua voids possess no particular configuration absent the opening defining them. A hemifrustroconical shape is also preferred in that as a pair of coupling elements are brought into mating relationship, the slightly tapered surfaces of the projection and the aperture makes insertion easier and creates a compressive fitment which enhances the interlocking engagement when the bearing surfaces are brought into contact with each other.

As shown more specifically in FIGS. 4 through 7, projection member 52 also preferably includes integrally formed projection member tongue 54. Tongue 54 is positioned at or near the distal end of member 52 and extends outwardly from member 52 in a plane roughly parallel to bearing surface 22. Tongue 54 provides for positive interlocking engagement with the lower surface features of aperture 62, discussed in greater detail below. Tongue 54 is made slightly flexible via projection member cavity 56 and flexation zone 58. Zone 58 may be formed by the addition of slots or grooves in member 52 or by a reduction in the amount of plastic or other materials in the zone area. On the lower surface of base 20, coincident with the area defining aperture 62 and forming the interior surface walls thereof is aperture base 64. Aperture base 64 is slightly tapered and is formed to receive member 52 in a compressive engagement manner. The preferred depth of aperture base 64 is approximately equal to the length of projection member 52 measured from bearing surface 22. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, aperture base 64 terminates at base shoulder 66 which optionally includes groove 68. When in interlocking engagement, groove 68 positively receives tongue 54 of projection member 52 thus providing additional strength and rigidity to the coupled arrangement.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the coupling member of the present invention. In this embodiment, coupling element 40 is configured essentially with a rectangular projection member 52 and a complimentarily configured generally rectangular aperture 62. In this embodiment, the common central axis is the plane which separates the male portion 50 from the female portion 60. As shown in FIGS 1 through 7, and with reference to the structures and

reference numbers above, tongue 54 is positioned at or near the distal end of member 52 and extends outwardly from member 52 in a plane roughly parallel to bearing surface 22. Tongue 54 provides for positive interlocking and is made slightly flexible via projection member cavity 56 and flexation zone 58 which may be formed by the addition of slots or grooves in member 52. On the lower surface of base 20 (not shown), coincident with the area defining aperture 62 and forming the interior surface walls thereof is aperture base 64. Aperture base 64 is slightly tapered and is formed to receive member 52 of a second, complimentarily configured coupling member in a compressive engagement manner.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a side elevational view of one embodiment of the coupling member of the present invention mounted on a modular toy component. In this embodiment, coupling member 10 is slidably mounted in opening 80 of component 70. Below component surface plane 72 defining opening 80 is a pair of parallel tracks 82. Tracks 82 are positioned on either side of opening 70 to define a recessed mounting surface for coupling member 10. Once mounted in component 70, bearing surface 22 of coupling member 10 is essentially coincident with surface plane 72 of component 72. It will be appreciated that the lower plane bearing surface 24 rests on the upper surface of track 82 and is held in place by a plurality of shoes 30 (not shown) on the lower surface of track 82. Shoes 30 are wedge shaped to facilitate snap-in insertion of the coupling member with opening 80. Legs 26 (also not shown) extend downwardly from rear surface of to provide interlocking mounting support for the coupling member between bearing surface shoulder 24 and shoe 30 thus enabling a positive, rigid mounting on component 70, while permitting sliding movement along tracks 82.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that other types of mounting arrangements such as those which may be rotatable or pivotable relative to the modular component can be employed with the coupling member of the present invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is understood that variations and modifications may exist and are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined and generally set forth in the claims which follow.