Toy building block.

The present invention concerns a toy building block, in particular a toy building block with which all sorts of shapes and constructions, either or not movable, can be made.

Toy building blocks in the shape of lego® blocks which consist of a beam-shaped element are already known, on which are provided a number of disc-shaped protuberances on one side and which is provided with an opening on the opposite side in which protuberances of another lego® block fit, such that simple constructions can be made.

A disadvantage is that lego® blocks are only provided with protuberances on one side, such that two blocks can only be attached to one another in a single direction, which strongly restricts the number of building and construction possibilities .

Another disadvantage is that complex constructions are very difficult to realise with lego blocks.

Yet another disadvantage is that the outside of a construction always has the typical protuberances of lego blocks, as a result of which the construction does not have a nice, natural finish.

An additional disadvantage is that lego® blocks do not make it possible to make movable constructions with a restricted number of part variants.

The present invention aims to remedy one or several of the above-mentioned and other disadvantages by providing a toy building block formed of a beam-shaped element with six faces, whereby at least two faces are provided with an opening in which a connecting piece can be fixed.

An advantage of such toy building blocks is that they can be connected in different dimensions, resulting in an unrestricted number of building possibilities.

Another advantage is that these toy building blocks make it possible to realise very complex constructions with a restricted number of variants of the toy building blocks.

Another advantage is that movable constructions are very easy to realise with these toy building blocks.

The toy building blocks are preferably formed of two identical basic elements provided with fastening means with which one basic element can be connected to the other.

An advantage is that these basic elements are very easy to manufacture by casting construction materials such as for example plastic in an appropriate mould, as a result of which these toy building blocks are very inexpensive.

The present invention also concerns a connecting piece for the connection of two toy building blocks as described above, whereby this connecting piece is built of a disc whose end faces are provided with at least one protrusion

which can be fixed in an opening of the above-mentioned toy- building block.

Finally, the invention also concerns a finishing element for a toy building block as described above, which finishing element is built of a plate provided on at least one side with at least one protrusion which can be fixed in an opening of the above-mentioned toy building block.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments of a toy building block according to the invention, a connecting piece and a finishing element are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically represents a toy building block according to the invention, seen in perspective; figure 2 is an exploded view of the toy building block in figure 1; figure 3 schematically represents a connecting piece for connecting toy building blocks, seen in perspective; figure 4 schematically represents a finishing element for a toy building block, seen in perspective; figure 5 schematically represents two connected toy building blocks, seen in perspective; figure 6 schematically represents three connected toy building blocks, seen in perspective, which are also provided with some finishing elements; figure 7 shows two variants of a basic element of the toy building block in figure 1;

figure 8 represents a movable construction which was realised with the variants of the basic element in figure 7; figure 9 represents two variants of a basic element of the toy building block in figure 1; figure 10 represents a movable construction which was realised with the variants of the basic element in figure 9.

Figure 1 schematically represents a toy building block 1 formed of a beam-shaped element 2 with six faces 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the beam-shaped element 2 is cube-shaped, such that the six faces 3 have identical dimensions.

In the embodiment of figure 1, said six faces 3 of the cube are all provided with openings 4 having square cross sections in this case, whereby these openings 4 are centred round the respective middle point of each face 3.

According to the invention, it is not excluded to provide only two or four faces 3 of the beam-shaped element 2 with such openings 4 and/or to make one or several openings 4 in the shape of a polygon.

The openings 4 in the faces 3 preferably all have equal dimensions, but it is not excluded according to the invention to provide the openings 4 with different dimensions.

The toy building block 1 is in this case built of two identical basic elements 5A,5B, represented in figure 2.

Each basic element 5 mainly consists of a frame 6, which in the given example is square-shaped, but which may also be rectangular.

In the given embodiment, the frame 6 consists of four identical legs 7 which in turn each comprise at least four walls 8, in this case five walls 8 as the legs 7 are provided with a bevel wall 9 on one or several edges, which preferably extends at an angle of 45° in relation to the plane extending through the frame 6.

Preferably, the upper as well as the lower inner edges of the frame 6 are provided with such a bevel wall 9.

On one side of each basic element 5, every angular point of the frame 6 is provided with an upward directed arm 10, which is provided with a bevel wall 11 on the inner edge.

In the given example, this is realised, for example, as each of the arms 10 has a pentagonal section whose side which is directed to the centre of the frame 6 forms a bevel wall 11 which is identical to the one on the upper and lower inner edge of the frame 6.

The arms 10 are further provided with fastening means which make it possible to connect two identical basic elements 5A, 5B, either or not permanently.

In the given embodiment of figure 3, said fastening means are made as a snap-in system.

This snap-in system is formed of two pins 12 situated on the arms 10 of two diagonally opposed angular points 13, and two cavities 14 in the arms 10 on the other, remaining angular points 15 of the frame 6.

The above-mentioned pins 12 have a length which does not exceed the depth of the cavity 14 in the arms 10 and they are provided with a lip 16 which is directed crosswise to the pin 12.

One or several walls of the above-mentioned cavities 14 is provided with a recess, not represented in the figures, whose dimensions correspond to the dimensions of a lip 16 on an above-mentioned pin 14, such that the above-mentioned lip 16 can work in conjunction with the recess.

The method for manufacturing a toy building block 1 by means of two basic elements 5A, 5B is very simple and as follows .

Figure 2 shows the initial position of the two basic elements 5A, 5B whereby the basic elements 5A, 5B are directed with their arms towards each other and the arms 10 are situated in each other's prolongation. The arms 17 of a first basic element 5A which are provided with pins 12 are thereby positioned opposite the arms 18 of a second basic element 5B provided with cavities 14.

By moving the basic elements 5A, 5B towards one another in the direction of the arms 10, every pin 12 will shift from one basic element 5A in a cavity 14 to another basic element 5B.

As soon as both arms 10 have been put sufficiently close to one another, the lip 16 of every pin 12 will be situated in an above-mentioned recess, as a result of which both basic elements 5A, 5B are firmly connected and a toy building block 1 is obtained.

The positions of the recess in the cavity 14 and of the lip 16 on the pin 12 are preferably selected such that, after both basic elements 5A, 5B have been fixed, the arms 10 of both basic elements 5A, 5B will touch, such that the arms 10 of both basic elements 5A, 5B form continuous edges of the thus formed cube, as shown in figure 1.

According to the invention, it is not excluded for one basic element to only have pins with lips on the arms, and for the other basic element to have an arm on every angular point of the frame having a cavity provided with a recess.

Figure 3 represents a connecting piece 19 for connecting two toy building blocks 1, whereby this connecting piece 19 is provided with a disc 20 which is restricted by two circular end faces 21 and a disc casing 22.

Every end face 21 of the disc 20 is provided with at least two protrusions 23 which, in the given embodiment, but not necessarily, have the same dimensions.

Each of the above-mentioned protrusions 23 is directed at right angles to the end face 21 and has a base 24 which is beam-shaped, on which is provided a narrowing far end 25, and whereby a thickened edge 26 is provided on the base 24 at the height of the parting with the narrowing part 25.

The narrowing part 25 is the broadest on the side which is closest to the base 24 and it narrows in the direction of the free end of the protrusion 23.

Preferably, the distance A between the protrusions 23 is practically equal to the width B of the opening 4 in a toy building block 1, and the length C of the non-narrowing base 24 of the protrusion 23 is almost equal to the length D of the opening 4 of the toy building block 1.

The distance E between the thickened edge 26 of the protrusion 23 and the end face 21 of the disc 20 on which the above-mentioned protrusion 23 has been provided, is preferably practically equal to the width F of a leg 7 of the frame 6.

The two protrusions 23 of a first end face 21 can be provided in the opening 4 of a first toy building block IA, and the protrusions 23 of the other end face 21 can be provided in the opening 4 of a second toy building block IB.

In the given embodiment of figure 3, the opposite walls 27 of the protrusions are flat.

The method for connecting two toy building blocks IA, IB by means of a connecting piece 19 is very simple and as follows .

The connecting piece 19 is placed with the protrusions 23 in front of the opening 4 of a face 3 of a toy building block IA, such that the disc 20 of the connecting piece 19 is practically parallel to the face of the toy building block IA to be connected.

The protrusions 23 of the connecting piece 19 are hereby pushed in the direction of the opening 4, whereby the narrowing far end 25 makes sure that the connecting piece 19 can be easily provided in the opening 4 and that the connecting piece 19 automatically assumes the right position in relation to the toy building block IA.

When the connecting piece 19 is pushed further in the direction of the opening 4, at a given time, the thickening

26 of the protrusion 23 will be situated at the height of the bevel of the legs 7 of the frame 6, and if it is moved even further, it will catch behind a bevel of the leg 7 of the frame 6 and thus it will be firmly connected to the toy building block IA.

In this connected position, the non-narrowing base 24 of the protrusion 23 will rest against a leg 7 of the frame 6, and by selecting the height E of the base 6 and the width of the leg F in an appropriate manner, one can make sure that the disc 20 of the connecting piece 19 is situated

against the face 3 of the toy building block IA.

In the above-described manner, the connecting piece 19 and the toy building block 1λ are connected in a detachable way, after which the protrusions 23 of the connecting piece 19 that are still free can be provided in one of the openings 4 of a second toy building block IB, such that the two toy building blocks IA, IB are connected in a detachable manner via the connecting piece 19, and the distance between both toy building blocks IA, IB is practically equal to the thickness G of the disc 20 of the connecting piece 19, whereby the thickness G is measured between the two circular end faces 21.

In order to detach the toy building blocks IA, IB and the connecting piece 19, one only has to exert a tensile force on the toy building blocks IA, IB.

The thickened edge 26 of the protrusion 23 hereby follows a bevel wall 9 of the leg 7 and then, when sufficient force is exerted, both protrusions 23 will move towards each other, as a result of which the toy building block 1 comes off the connecting piece 19.

Figure 4 represents a finishing element 27 for a toy building block 1 according to the invention, whereby this finishing element 27 is formed of a plate 28 having preferably a rectangular or a square shape, and whereby the thickness H of the plate 28 is practically equal to half the thickness G of the disc 20 of the connecting piece 19.

The plate 28 is further provided with bevelled circumferential edges 29 whereby the bevel angle preferably amounts to 45° in relation to the plane extending through the plate 28.

The side of the plate 28 with the largest surface preferably has a width I and a length J that are equal to the length K of a side of the toy building block, increased with the thickness G of the disc 20 of the connecting piece 19.

Further, the plate 28 is provided with at least one protrusion 30 situated on the side with the smallest surface.

In the given embodiment, the plate 28 of the finishing element 27 is provided with two protrusions 30 on the above-mentioned side which are symmetrical in relation to the centre of the plate 28, and whereby the distance L between the protrusions 30 is equal to the width B of an opening in the toy building block and the protrusions 30 have the same shape as the protrusions 23 of the connecting piece 19.

Compared to the connecting piece 19, the protrusions 30 of the finishing element 27 may be provided with a narrower base and consequently also with a narrower far end, since the forces exerted on the finishing element 27 are much smaller, making it possible to save material and consequently also costs.

The method for applying a finishing element 27 is analogous to the one for fixing a connecting piece 19 to a toy building block 1.

Figure 5 represents two toy building blocks IA, IB according to the invention which are connected by means of a connecting piece 19.

Figure 6 represents three toy building blocks IA, IB, 1C which are connected into an L-shaped construction via two connecting pieces 19A, 19B and whereby some faces 3 of the toy building blocks IA, 1C are further provided with a finishing element 27.

The dimensions of the plate 28 of the finishing element 27 hereby make it possible to obtain a continuous finishing layer on the connected toy building blocks 1.

Figure 7 shows two co-operating variants of the basic elements 5C,5D for a toy building block 1 according to the invention which allow for a construction whereby the two toy building blocks 1C, ID can rotate in relation to one another.

To this end, the side of one leg 7 of the frame 6 is made as a continuous wall 31 between the arms which restrict this leg.

On said wall 31 is provided a protrusion 32 whose base has the shape of a semi-circle. This protrusion 32 extends perpendicular to the above-mentioned wall 31 of the basic

element 5C and it is provided with a thickening 33 situated at a certain distance from the wall 31, after which the protrusion 32 in this case ends in a truncate cone 34.

The other basic element 5D in figure 7 is provided with recesses in at least one of the legs, and in this case also in the arms, on the angular points of said leg, which recesses together form a semi-circular mounting opening 35, whereby the dimensions of these recesses are such that the protrusion 32 of the above-described co-operating basic element 5C practically fits in the semi-circular mounting opening 35.

Figure 8 shows the basic elements 5C, 5D of figure 7 as mounted, whereby the two obtained toy building blocks 1C, ID can rotate in relation to one another.

Figure 9 shows two other variants of a basic element 5E, 5F for a toy building block 1 according to the invention.

For one basic element 5E, one leg of the frame is made in the form of a plate 36 extending in the plane of the frame, whose thickness M is equal to the thickness N of a leg 7 of the frame 6 and whereby this plate 36 is provided with a circular recess which is not shown in figure 9.

For the other basic element 5F of figure 9, a similar plate 37 is provided on the arms 10 whereby the plate 37 extends parallel to the plane of the frame 6 and has dimensions which, in the given embodiment, correspond to the dimensions of the plate 36 of the first-mentioned basic

element 5E of figure 9.

On the plate 37 of the last-mentioned basic element 5F is further provided a rotating pin, not represented in the drawings, whereby the diameter of this rotating pin is almost equal to the diameter of the recess in the plate 36 of the first-mentioned basic element 5E in figure 9.

The two basic elements 5E,5F in figure 9 thus allow for a rotation of the basic elements 5E,5F in the plane of the frame 6 when mounted, as represented in figure 10.

The above-described variants are not restrictive in any ^¬ way, and they are mere examples of toy building blocks according to the invention; their only purpose is to show how the toy building block can be used to realise complex, true-to-life, either or not movable constructions.

The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments described by way of example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a toy building block according to the invention, a connecting piece and a finishing element applied thereby, can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.