TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a toy construction set that includes at least one building element.

BACKGROUND

Persons of all ages enjoy playing and interacting with toys and building elements. Toy construction sets are made up of a plurality of building elements, which include coupling mechanisms such as studs or recesses of specific heights and placement to enable

interconnection with other building elements.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a toy construction set includes a first building element including a stud that extends from a surface, the stud including a cavity and an outer wall; and a second building element including a recess, the recess configured to releasably connect with the stud of the first building element. When the first building element and the second building element are connected, the stud is frictionally engaged at the cavity and at the outer wall.

Implementations can include one or more of the following features. The first building element and the second building element can connect along an axis of connection, and when the first building element and the second building element are connected, the first building element and the second building element can be rotatable relative to each other about the axis of connection. The first building element and the second building element can slidably connect along the axis of connection.

The recess can be a protrusion. The protrusion includes a stud that protrudes into the recess. The protrusion can be configured to be received in the cavity of the stud. The stud can be frictionally engaged at the cavity by a factional engagement between the protrusion and the cavity of the stud.

The first building element can be a pelvis, and the second building element can be a torso, and the toy construction set further can include least one other building element that, with the first building element and the second building element, forms a toy figure. In some implementations, the toy construction set also includes a plurality of additional building elements that are interconnectable with each other. One or more of the first building element and the second building element can have the same height or width as at least one of the additional building elements such that the one or more of the first building element and the second building element are configured to be interchanged with at least one of the additional building elements.

In some implementations, the toy construction set also includes a connection building element configured to connect between the first building element and the second building element, the connection building element including a first coupling element configured to frictionally engage the stud of the first building element. The second building element can be a stud, and the connection building element also can include a second coupling element configured to engage the stud of the second building element with a snap connection. The stud of the first building element can be received in the first coupling element of the connection building element in a first direction, and the stud of the second building element is received in the second coupling element of the connection building element in a second direction, the first direction being different from the second direction. The first direction can be perpendicular to the second direction. The first coupling element of the connection building element can be configured to frictionally engage the stud of the first building element at one or more facets.

In another general aspect, a toy connection building element includes a first side including a first surface that defines a first coupling element configured for snap engagement with a stud of a separate toy building element; a second side including a second surface, the second surface including coupling elements arranged in a grid; and a third side including a third surface that defines a second coupling element configured for frictional engagement with a stud of a separate toy building element. The first and third surfaces are in parallel planes, the first and second surfaces are in perpendicular planes, the first coupling element is configured to receive a stud of a separate toy building element in a first direction, the second coupling element is configured to receive a stud of a separate toy building element in a second direction, and the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

Implementations can include one or more of the following features. The first coupling element can be a first coupling feature, the coupling feature being a first opening, and the second coupling element is can be second coupling feature, the coupling feature being a second opening, the second opening passing through the third side. One of the first coupling feature and the second coupling feature can include one or more facets on an inner wall. The second coupling feature can include one or more facets on an inner wall. The first side can include a plurality of arms that extend from the second surface, and the plurality of arms can at least partially define the first opening.

In another general aspect, a toy construction set includes a first building element including a stud, the stud including an outer surface and a cavity formed in the stud; and a second building element including a recess and a post in the recess. The first building element and the second building element are configured to removably interconnect with a frictional engagement between the post of the second building element and the cavity of the first building element and a frictional engagement between the outer surface of the stud of the first building element and the recess of the second building element.

Implementations can include one or more of the following features. The first building element and second building element can be rotatable relative to each other when connected. The second building element can be a torso, and the first building element can be a pelvis.

The recess of second building element can have a circular cross-section, and the first building element, the post, and the stud can have a circular cross-section.

In another general aspect, a building element is configured to releasably connect to a separate building element, the building element including a stud including an outer wall and a cavity. When connected to the separate building element, the stud engages with two distinct surfaces of the separate building element, the outer wall of the stud engaging with a first of the two distinct surfaces of the separate building element and the cavity of the stud engaging with the second of the two distinct surfaces of the separate building element, to releasably connect the building element to the separate building element at two or more fictional engagement points between distinct surfaces.

Implementations of any of the techniques described above can include a toy construction set, a joint that removably connects a torso and a pelvis of a toy figure, a process, or a device. The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 A is a block diagram of an exemplary toy construction set in a disconnected state. FIG. IB is a block diagram of the exemplary toy construction set of FIG. 1A in a connected state.

FIG. 2 A is a block diagram of another exemplary toy construction set.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a building element of the toy construction set of FIG. 2 A taken along the line 2B— 2B.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of another building element of the toy construction set of FIG. 2B taken along the line 2C— 2C.

FIG. 2D shows an exemplary toy construction set.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary toy figure assembled from building elements.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary building element in the form of a pelvis. FIG. 5 A is a perspective view of another exemplary building element in the form of a pelvis.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the pelvis of FIG. 5 A.

FIG. 6 A is a perspective view of another exemplary building element in the form of a torso.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the building element of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the building element of FIG. 4 placed "in system" with other building elements.

FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional of the building element of FIG. 4 placed "in system" as shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for releasably connecting building elements.

FIG. 9 A is a perspective view of another exemplary construction set in a disassembled state.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the construction set of FIG. 9A in an assembled state. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an exemplary connection building element.

FIG. 1 OB is a bottom view of the connection building element of FIG. 10A. FIG. IOC is a top view of the connection building element of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary foundational building assembly that includes the connection building element of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 1 IB is a partially exploded view of the foundational building assembly of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the foundational building assembly of FIG. 11A.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of another exemplary connection building element.

FIGS. 12C and 12D are front and perspective views, respectively, of a foundational building assembly that includes the connection building element of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of another exemplary foundational building assembly that includes the connection building element of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 13C is a partially exploded perspective view of the foundational building assembly of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIG. 13D is an exploded perspective view of the foundational building assembly of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

DESCRIPTION

A toy construction set is disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 1 A and IB, a block diagram of an exemplary toy construction set 100 is shown. The toy construction set 100 includes at least two building elements that are configured to be repeatedly and releasably connected to each other. At least two of the building elements in the toy construction set 100 connect together with a plurality of frictional engagements, each of which is formed between different pairs of surfaces. The frictional engagements are such that the building elements can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected repeatedly and without harming or destroying the building elements.

As discussed in greater detail below, the plurality of frictional engagements allows the at least two building elements to be held together more securely and to rotate relative to each other while connected. Once connected, the building elements can be held together with an

interference fit. An interference fit is a friction fit or frictional engagement in which the mechanical coupling or fastening between the coupling elements is achieved by friction after the coupling elements are pushed together, mated, seated, or otherwise mutually engaged. The interference fit also may involve a purposeful interference or deformation of one or more of the coupling elements when they are coupled, fastened, pushed together, or otherwise mutually engaged. Thus, the interference fit can be achieved by shaping the two coupling elements so that one or the other, or both, slightly deviate in size or form from their nominal dimension and one or more of the coupling elements slightly interferes with the space that the other is taking up.

In one example, the degree or strength of an interference fit is sometimes referred to as "clutch." The amount of clutch provides an indication of the forces used to combine and/or separate the coupling elements to or from each other. The degree or amount of contact between the coupling elements when coupled directly can correlate to the amount of clutch provided. In addition, the number of points of contact between the coupling elements can determine the amount of clutch. For example, there may be three, four, five or more points of contact between a male stud and a female recess, where more points of contact provide more clutch. With regard to female coupling elements, the point of contact can be referred to as a "point of clutch" or a "frictional engagement point."

In the example of FIGS. 1A and IB, two building elements, a building element 110 and a building element 120, are shown. FIG. 1A shows the toy construction set 100 in a disconnected state, with the building element 110 and the building element 120 being physically separate from each other. The building element 110 and the building element 120 connect to each other along a connection axis 107, which is parallel to the z direction. FIG. IB shows the toy construction set 100 in a connected state, with the building element 110 and the building element 120 being releasably connected and held to each other with a frictional engagement, an interference fit, or a friction fit.

The building element 110 includes a surface 112 and a stud 114 that extends from the surface 112. The stud 114 has a cavity 115 and an outer wall 116. The cavity 115 is recessed into the stud 114. The outer wall 116 forms a portion of the exterior of the stud 114. In the example shown, the outer wall 116 is concentric with the cavity 115. The building element 120 includes a surface 122 and a recess 124 formed in the surface 122. The recess 124 has a wall 127. In the example of FIGS. 1 A and IB, a protrusion (such as a post) 126 extends into the recess 124.

When the building elements 110 and 120 are connected, the protrusion 126 is at least partially received in the cavity 115. As a result, a frictional engagement 131 is formed between the protrusion 126 and an inner wall of the stud 114, and a frictional engagement 132 is formed between the outer wall 116 of the stud 114 and the wall 127 at the edge of the recess 124. Thus, the stud 114 is engaged at both its exterior (the outer wall 116) and its interior (inner wall or at the cavity 115). In this manner, the building element 110 and the building element 120 are releasably connected to each other at two distinct frictional engagement areas, regions, or points. This arrangement can be referred to as a "double clutch."

The frictional engagements 131, 132 are distinct from each other because they are formed at different spatial locations. In the example of FIG. IB, the engagements 131, 132 are formed between surfaces that are in different planes and are between different portions of the building elements. The engagements 131, 132 occur without any snap fit action. In other words, there is no purposeful deformation along a first direction before a relaxing back along a second direction antiparallel with the first direction.

Having a plurality of distinct frictional engagement points when the building elements 110 and 120 are connected can result in the connected toy construction set 100 being held more securely, and the building elements 110, 120 being clutched more strongly, as compared to an implementation in which a single frictional engagement is formed between two surfaces.

Additionally, in some implementations, when connected, the building elements 110, 120 can rotate relative to one another about the connection axis 107 in the x-y plane, which is

perpendicular to the connection axis 107. The building elements 110, 120 can rotate through 360 degrees of motion in the x-y plane without becoming disconnected from each other. The building elements 110, 120 can rotate relative to each other in the x-y plane while moving in the z direction along the connection axis 107 or while remaining in their respective positions relative to each other on the connection axis 107. The building elements 110, 120 can remain connected to each other while being rotated because of the strong connection provided by the plurality of frictional engagements.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a block diagram of another exemplary set of building elements 200 in a disassembled state is shown. The set of building elements 200 includes a building element 210 and a building element 220 that are releasably connectable to each other. The building elements 210 and 220 are part of a construction set 236 (FIG. 2D) that includes a plurality of building elements that repeatedly releasably connect to each other. Either or both of the building elements 210 and 220 can connect to any of the building elements in the construction set 236.

The building element 210 includes a stud 214, which has a cavity 215 and an outer wall 216. The building element 220 includes a recess 224 formed in a surface 222, and a protrusion 226 in the recess 224. The recess 224 includes a wall 227 that at least partially defines a boundary of the recess 224. When the building elements 210 and 220 are connected, a frictional engagement is formed between the outer wall 216 and the wall 227 and between the protrusion 226 and the inner wall of the cavity 215. In this manner, the building elements 210 and 220 are held together by a plurality of frictional engagements.

The building element 220 also includes coupling studs 229. The coupling studs 229 are arranged in a pattern on a surface 228. The coupling studs 229 allow the building element 220 to connect to any of the building elements in the construction set 236. For example, the coupling studs 229 can be received and held in frictional engagement by a corresponding recess formed in a separate and distinct building element. In some implementations, the building element 210 can include recesses 219 to receive coupling studs such as the coupling studs 229.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a cross-sectional view of the building element 220 taken along the line 2B— 2B is shown. In the example shown, the protrusion 226 and the recess 224 have circular cross-sections. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the building element 210 taken along the line 2C— 2C. In the example shown, the stud 214 and the cavity 215 have circular cross-sections. The circular cross-sections of the protrusion 226, the recess 224, the stud 214, and the cavity 215 allow the building element 210 and the building element 220 to rotate relative to each other about the connection axis when connected or frictionally engaged to each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an exemplary toy figure 300 in an assembled state is shown. The toy figure 300 includes a head 305, the pelvis or hip 310, the torso 320, arms 330, and legs 340. The head 305, pelvis 310, torso 320, arms 330, and legs 340, collectively the components of the toy figure 300, are building elements and are releasably connected to each other to form the toy figure 300.

FIGS. 4 and 6A show perspective views of a pelvis 410 and a torso 620 that can be used as the pelvis 310 and the torso 320, respectively, of the toy figure 300 of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the pelvis 410 includes a stud 414 that extends a distance 414a from a surface 412. The stud 414 includes a cavity 415, which is formed in the stud 414, and an outer wall 416. The cavity 415 is at least partially defined by a faceted inner wall. The outer wall 416 is smooth. The pelvis 410 has mirror symmetry in the x-z and y-z planes. Additionally, the pelvis 410 includes balls 418. FIG. 5 A shows a front perspective view of another exemplary pelvis 510. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the pelvis 510. The pelvis 510 includes a stud 514 that extends a distance 514a in the z direction from a surface 512. The stud 514 includes a cavity 515, which is formed in the stud 514, and an outer wall 516. The cavity 514 has a faceted inner wall. The outer wall 516 is smooth. The pelvis 510 is similar to the pelvis 410, except the surface 512 is smaller than the surface 412 in the x-y plane and in the z direction. Additionally, the extent 514a of the stud 514 can be greater than the extent 414a of the stud 414. However, the cavity 515 and the cavity 415 have the same diameter and the same faceted inner wall, and the diameters of the stud 514 and the stud 414 are the same. Thus, the discussion below regarding connecting the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 also applies to connecting the torso 620 and the pelvis 510.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, perspective and perspective bottom views, respectively, of the torso 620 are shown. Referring to FIG. 6A, the torso 620 includes a body 652 that defines a longitudinal axis 607 that is parallel to the z direction. A stud 614 extends in the z direction from the body 652, and balls 632 extend from the body 652 in the y direction. Referring also to FIG. 6B, a bottom end 617 of the torso 620 defines a recess 630 that is bounded in the x-y plane by a surface 622.

Inside the body 652 of the torso 620 and within the recess 630 are two recesses 624, a protrusion (or stud) 626, and a wall 627. The torso 620 also includes ribs 628 that extend along the wall 627 and into the recess 624.

To connect the torso 620 and the pelvis 410, the protrusion 626 is inserted into the cavity

415 of the stud 414 of the pelvis 410, and the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 is physically connected to at least a portion of the wall 627 of the torso 620. The insertion and physical connection creates a frictional engagement between the inner wall of the cavity 415 of the pelvis 410 and the protrusion 626 of the torso 620 and between at least a portion of the outer wall 416 of the pelvis 410 and a portion of the wall 627 of the torso 620. Thus, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 are held together and connected at a plurality of frictional engagement points. This connection can be considered a "double clutch."

Portions of the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 on the pelvis 410 can have a frictional engagement with the wall 627 of the torso 620 by having a frictional engagement with one or more of the ribs 628. Additionally, the ribs 628 can be used to connect and hold the torso 620 to a separate building element, as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. The primary function of the ribs 628 is to locate a long or short stud in the geometric center of the torso 620. This allows the torso 620 to sit either "in system" (discussed with respect to FIG. 7A below) over two studs or in-system over a single stud in the center. Another function of the ribs 628 is to provide additional clutching surfaces for any of the three stud positions.

The torso 620 and the pelvis 410 can be rotated relative to each other while connected.

The rotation can occur in the x-y plane (which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 407 of the pelvis and the longitudinal axis 607 of the torso 620). The rotation can be smooth, without the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 disconnecting from each other or moving apart from each other along the direction of the longitudinal axes 407 and 507 (in the z direction). The ribs 628 can help keep the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 connected when they are rotated relative to each other. The ribs 428 can also help the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 rotate smoothly without separating or moving away from each other in the z direction.

Further, the ribs 628 provide additional clutching surfaces (surfaces for frictional engagement) for a connection on a building element that connects to the torso 620. Furthermore, the ribs 628 can aid in aligning the outer wall 416 of the stud 414 on the pelvis 410 or the outer portion of any other type of connection on a separate building element that connects to the torso 620 at the protrusion 626. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the four ribs 628 provide four additional points of contact and four lines of alignment. Other implementations can include more or fewer ribs.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a perspective view of the torso 620 placed "in system" with other building elements in a toy construction set is shown. FIG. 7B shows a side cross-sectional view of the torso 620 placed "in system" with other building elements. In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a construction set (such as the construction set 236 of FIG. 2) is used to build a grid 700. A building element is "in system" with other building elements when the building element is built into a grid or an assembly that is formed from at least some of the other building elements of the toy construction set. For example, making the height and/or width of the building element the same as at least some of the other building elements in the toy construction set allows the building element to be interchanged with other building elements of the set, thus allowing the building element to be connected or placed "in system."

For building elements that include a grid of studs, the centers of the studs are 8 millimeters (mm) apart in the x-y plane. Additionally, all building elements in the construction set are factors of the same size in the y-z and x-z dimension. For example, all of the building elements can have an extent in the y-z and/or x-z dimension that is an integer multiple of the extent of all of the other building elements. In other words, the extent of all of the building elements can be the same as or a multiple of a single building element to allow all of the building elements to be used in a grid or structure constructed from the building elements in the construction set. For building elements that include other types of coupling elements (such as balls and sockets), the centers of those coupling elements align with coupling elements of the grid associated with the other building elements of the construction set. Thus, for example, the distances between centers of the coupling elements in the grid taken along a direction that is parallel with either the x or the z axis in the x-z plane are a standard unit, which is an integer multiple of a base unit, BU. Thus, the balls or sockets are in system if their centers are separated from each other by an integer multiple of a base unit BU. For construction sets with building elements that have standard sizes, to make a building element or other object of a construction set "in system" with the other building elements, key dimensions of the building element are designed to fall in either a multiple of 8 mm (the distance between studs), a multiple of 3.2 mm (the height of a plate), or matching any of the key diameters or other "width" dimensions in the construction system, such as 3.18 mm rods, 4.88 mm studs, and other standard building element.

The distances are within a standard tolerance. Thus, the distances are considered to be in system if they are within the tolerance needed to obtain the needed interference fit.

The torso 620 is placed "in system" with the other building elements used to assemble the grid 700 because the torso 620 fits into the grid 700 and is interchangeable with at least one other building element used to assemble the grid 700.

Additionally, and referring to FIG. 7B, when connected "in system," the torso 620 is connected to a building element 710 with a plurality of frictional engagement points. The building element 710 includes a stud 714 that has a portion 715 The portion 715 receives the protrusion 626 of the torso 620, thereby forming a plurality of frictional engagement points between the torso 620 and the building element 710.

In the example shown, the assembled grid 700 includes a building element 733 that has a stud 734 with a cavity 735. The torso 620 includes a shoulder coupling element 632 that, for example, connects the arm 330 (FIG. 3) to the torso 620. The shoulder coupling element 632 is positioned relative to the other parts of the torso 620 so that the shoulder coupling element 632 lines up with the stud 734 and cavity 735. In the example shown, when the torso 620 is connected to the building element 710, the center of the shoulder coupling element 632 is aligned with the center of the cavity 735 in the x direction, as shown by axis 750.

This arrangement of the shoulder coupling element 632 relative to the other portions of the torso 620 helps to allow the torso 620 to be connected "in system" with the other building elements (such as the building element 733) in the toy construction set. For example, the shoulder coupling element 632 can be connected to the building element 733 by inserting the shoulder coupling element 632 into the cavity 735 while still being connected to other building elements in the grid 700. In this manner, the building elements of the construction set can be used to make a grid and/or a figure, enhancing play value and the flexibility of the construction set.

Furthermore, when connected to the building element 710 "in system", the torso 620 can rotate relative to the building element 710 about a rotation axis 707. The rotation axis 707 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 607 (FIG. 6A) of the torso 620.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process 800 for releasably connecting building elements. The process 800 can be performed, for example, with the building elements 110 and 120, the building elements 210 and 220, the torso 320 and the pelvis 310, and/or the torso 620 with any of the pelvises 310, 410, and 510. The process 800 is discussed with respect to the building elements 110 and 120.

The building element 110 is provided (810). The first building element 110 is releasably connected to the second building element 210 by inserting the protrusion 126 into the cavity 115 such that the protrusion engages the inner wall of the cavity 115 and the wall 127 engages the outer wall 116 of the stud 114 (820). In some implementations, the first building element 110 and the second building element 120 are rotatable about the connection axis 107 relative to each other when connected.

FIG. 9 A shows a perspective view of another exemplary construction set 900 in a disassembled state, and FIG. 9B shows the construction set 900 in an assembled state. The construction set 900 includes the torso 620 and a building element 950. The building element 950 includes studs 952 arranged in a regular pattern or grid on a flat surface 954. The centers of the studs 952 are separated, along a direction that is parallel with either the x or the z axis in the x-z plane, by a standard unit, which is an integer multiple of a base unit, BU. This center-to- center distance is labeled 940 in FIG. 9A. The torso 620 can be connected to the building element 950 "in system" by connecting the protrusion 626 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 920 between any two of the studs 952 and connecting the recesses 624 (FIG. 6B) to those two studs.

In some implementations, a connection building element is connected to the torso and the pelvis to form a foundational building assembly that can be used to build a more complex structure. The connection building element also provides additional clutching of the pelvis, resulting in a stronger and more robust assembly. A portion of the connection building element is positioned between the torso and the pelvis and, when the torso and the pelvis are connected with the connection building element, a "triple clutch" effect arises. Examples of connection building elements and foundational building assemblies are discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 OA- IOC, an exemplary connection building element 1060 is shown. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the connection building element 1060, FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the connection building element 1060, and FIG. IOC is a top view of the connection building element 1060.

The connection building element 1060 is removably coupled to two building elements that are removeably held together with a frictional engagement between surfaces that are in different planes (such as the building elements 110 and 120, 210 and 220, the torso 320 and the pelvis 310, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410, and the torso 620 and the pelvis 510). The connection building element 1060 provides an additional clutch surface and results in a stronger connection between the connected building elements, while still allowing the two building elements to rotate relative to each other and to be disconnected from each other.

The connection building element 1060 includes first, second, and third sides 1061a, 1061b, 1061c. The surfaces of the sides 1061a and 1061c are in planes that are parallel to each other, and the sides 1061a and 1061c extend from the side 1061b. The side 1061b has a thickness 1062b, and the side 1061c has a thickness 1062c. Studs 1062 extend from the surface of the side 1061b in a direction opposite the direction in which the sides 1061a and 1061b extend from the side 1061b. The studs 1062 are arranged in a grid in the x-z plane with the center-to- center distance 940 (FIG. 9A). The center-to-center spacing of the studs 1062, the thicknesses 1062b and/or 1062c, the location of the studs 1062 relative to the other portions of the connection building element 1060, and/or the extent of the side 1061b in the z direction are such that the studs 1062 can be "in system" with the coupling elements on the building elements to which the connection building element 1060 connects (for example, the torso 620 and the pelvis 410).

The connection building element 1060 also includes coupling features 1064 and 1065 that enable the connection building element 1060 to repeatedly connect to and disconnect from the core toy figure building elements. The coupling features 1064 and 1065 are openings through which a coupling element of a core building element can pass. The coupling feature 1064 is defined by the side 1061a, which, in this example includes two arms 1066a, 1066b that extend from the side 1061b and form the coupling feature 1064.

The coupling feature 1064 holds the stud 614 of the torso 620 with a frictional engagement. The arms 1066a, 1066b deform when the stud 614 is inserted into them along the y direction and the arms 1066a, 1066b snap back in place or return to their original position after the stud 614 is in the opening formed by the arms 1066a, 1066b.

The coupling feature 1065 is an opening that passes through the side 1061c and is defined by the surface 1061c. In this example, the coupling feature 1065 includes facets 1065b that hold a smooth-walled coupling element of a core toy figure building element (for example, the stud 514 of the pelvis 510) in frictional engagement. The facets 1065b are part of an inner wall that surrounds the opening that forms the coupling feature 1065. The inner wall can have portions that are curved and portions that are faceted with a facet 1065b. The curved and faceted portions can alternate, and there can be any number of facets 1065b. For example, the inner wall can include four facets 1065b to form an eight-sided inner wall (with four curved portions and four faceted portions). Other numbers of facets can be used. When a stud is inserted into the coupling feature 1065, the facets 1065b make contact with an outer surface of the stud to create a frictional engagement. Thus, the facets 1065b can be the portions of the coupling feature 1065 that hold the stud.

The opening that forms the coupling feature 1065 is surrounded in the x-y plane by the inner wall, thus, the coupling feature 1065 can receive a coupling element of another building element in the z direction or in a direction opposite to the z direction. In other implementations, the coupling feature 1065 can be open in more than one direction (similar to the coupling feature 1064).

Referring also to FIGS. 1 lA-11C, the connection building element 1060 can be connected to the torso 620 and the pelvis 510 to form a foundational building assembly 1 170 (FIG. 11C). FIG. 11A shows an exploded perspective view of the connection building element 1060, the torso 620, and the pelvis 510. FIG. 1 IB shows a perspective side view of the connection building element 1060 connected to the torso 620. The connection building element 1060 slides onto the body 652 of the torso 620 in the y direction such that the side 1061b of the connection building element 1060 is parallel to a plane that includes the centers of the balls 632. Attaching the connection building element 1060 to the torso 620 in this manner results in the coupling feature 1065 (FIGS. 1 OA- IOC) aligning with the recess 629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 along the z direction and the coupling feature 1064 receiving the stud 614 of the torso 620 in the y direction. The alignment of the coupling feature 1065 of the connection building element 1060 and the recess 629 of the torso 620 provides a space into which the stud 514 of the pelvis 510 can be inserted to connect the pelvis 510 to the torso 620 and the connection building element 1060.

The connection building element 1060 is rigid in that none of the sides 1061a, 1061b, 1061c articulate relative to each other aside from nominal deflection that typically occurs in molded plastic parts. Thus, the connection building element 1060 is pressed onto the torso 620 and connects to the stud 614 of the torso and is held in place until a force is applied to remove the connection building element 1060.

After the connection building element 1060 and the torso 620 are connected, the stud 514 of the pelvis 510 is connected, in the z direction, to the recess 629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 and the coupling feature 1065 of the connection building element to form the foundational building assembly 1170, a perspective view of which is shown in FIG. 11C. The building element components of the foundational building assembly 1170 (the torso 620, the pelvis 510, and the connection building element 1060) are "in system" with each other once connected and can be used to construct a variety of different toy assemblies.

Additionally, when the foundational building assembly 1170 is formed in this manner, a "triple clutch" arises. The three points of clutch are as follows: the stud 626 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 is received in the cavity 515 of the stud 514 on the torso, the outer wall 516 of the stud 514 engages with the ribs 628 (FIG. 6B) on the torso 620 and/or the wall 627 of the torso 620, and the facets 1065b (FIG. 10A) on the connecting building element 1060 engage with the outer wall 516 of the stud 514.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show perspective views of another exemplary connection building element 1260. The connection building element 1260 connects to the torso 620 and the pelvis 510 to form a foundational toy building assembly 1270. A front view of the foundational building assembly 1270 is shown in FIG. 12C, and a perspective view of the foundational building assembly 1270 is shown in FIG. 12D.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the connection building element 1260 includes four sides 1261a, 1261b, 1261c, and 1261d. The sides 1261a and 1261c are parallel to each other and the sides 1261b and 1261d are parallel to each other. The edges of the sides 1261a, 1261b, 1261c, 126 Id form a rectangular perimeter 1266, which defines an open region 1267b in the y-z plane. On an opposite side of the connection building element, the sides 1261a, 1261b, 1261c, 126 Id form another open region 1267a. The open regions 1267a, 1267b allow the connection building element 1260 to connect to the torso 509 while still exposing the balls 215 for connection to other building elements. The sides 1261b and 1261d include studs 1262 that are arranged in a grid pattern with the center-to-center spacing 940. The side 1261a and the side 1261c define coupling elements 1264 and 1265, respectively. Thus, the connection building element 1260 has coupling elements on sides 1261b and 126 Id.

Referring also to FIGS. 12C and 12D, to connect the connection building element 1260 to the torso 620, the bottom side 613 of the torso 620 is slid into the connection building element 1260 through the open region 1267a in the x direction and the stud 614 of the torso 620 is received in the coupling element 1264. When connected in this manner, the coupling element 1265 and the recess 629 (FIG. 6B) of the torso 620 align, and the stud 514 of the pelvis 510 is inserted through the coupling element 1265 and held by the facets 1265a, the stud 626, and the ribs 628 and/or the wall 627. Similar to the coupling feature 1065 (FIGS. lOA-lOC), the coupling element 1265 can include alternating curved and faceted portions.

Thus, when assembled into the foundational building assembly 1270, the connecting building element 1260 provides studs 1262 on more than one side of the torso 620 and also allows the coupling elements of the torso 620 and the pelvis 510 to connect to other building elements. Additionally, the foundational building assembly 1270 made from the torso 620, the pelvis 510, and the connection building element 1260 is "in system," with the centers of the studs 1262 being aligned with the centers of the balls 418 and 632 in the x and y directions, and the centers of the balls 418 and the balls 632 being separated in the x direction by a distance that is an integer multiple of the center-to-center spacing 940. The connection building element 1060 and the connection building element 1260 also can be connected to other toy figure building elements. FIGS. 13A-13D show the connection building element 1060 with the torso 620 and the pelvis 410 (FIG. 4). The pelvis 410 is similar to the pelvis 410 except the pelvis 410 includes the surface 412 that has the same extent in the x and y directions as the body 652 of the torso 620 has at the bottom end 618. Additionally, when connected to either the connection building elements 1060 or 1260, the pelvises 410 and 510 can rotate in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 407 and 507, respectively.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

For example, any of the building elements discussed above can include one or more coupling elements. Coupling elements of standard building elements can include male coupling elements, for example, in the form of a coupling stud, and female coupling elements, for example, in the form of a coupling recess that is sized to receive the coupling stud. The male and female coupling elements can have a first coupling size. For example, the first coupling size of a standard coupling stud (that is on a surface of a building element, such as a plate or brick) is defined by an outside diameter of 4.88 mm and a height of 1.80 mm, and the coupling recesses are sized to have an interference fit with the coupling studs of the same size. There can be different types and configurations of female recesses that mate with the first coupling size. For example, in some configurations, the recesses may be circular, partially circular with flats on multiple sides, square, or pronged to name a few. The recesses may have varying depths;

however, a minimum depth may be provided to ensure proper coupling with the male stud via an interference fit. Additional configurations for recesses that provide different alignment possibilities between building elements are described below in greater detail.

Coupling elements, for example, a male stud of a standard building element of the toy construction system, can be arranged in a uniform two-dimensional array structure (that is in an x-z plane) on the surface of a building element which allow for easy coupling (and de-coupling) with the similarly arranged female recesses of another building element. Typically, the building elements are referred to by the array formed on the surface of the building element. Thus, a 3 x 4 building element has 12 male coupling elements, for example, studs, arranged in four columns by three rows. The distances between centers of the coupling elements taken along a direction that is parallel with either the x or the z axis in the x-z plane are a standard unit, which is an integer multiple of a base unit, BU. For example, a 1 x 3 standard building element (brick or plate) has three studs A, B, and C whose centers are arranged along a center axis of the element (for example, a z axis) where the center of stud A is IBU from the center of stud B and 2BUs from the center of stud C. In the implementations described, the base unit or BU of such a toy construction system is 8 mm.