[0001] Interlocking Modular Wedge-Shaped Blocks

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/982,868, titled “Interlocking Modular Wedge-Shaped Blocks for Use as Furniture and Toys”, filed on February 28, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure is generally directed to interlocking modular wedge-shaped blocks, and, more particularly, to the use of such blocks as furniture or toys.

[0004] There is an increasing demand for multipurpose furniture for the home and workplace as many consumers seek to reduce the number of hard goods they purchase, for the sake of saving both money and space, and also for the sake of decreasing manufacturing and waste of goods in the interest of preserving the natural environment. There is also an increasing awareness of how different people’s physical needs and preferences vary, both between users and also at different times for the same user, with respect to the size and shape of the furniture they use. This has led to the growing popularity of modular furniture, combinable in different ways to serve different purposes, in the marketplace, for home, workplace, educational, institutional, and other use.

[0005] Modular furniture is particularly useful for people living in small spaces, who might need a coffee table one day and a high stool the next and will save a good deal of space by having those functions (and others) performed by a single set of physical objects. It is also helpful for families with children, whose furniture needs change constantly as they grow. Offices are also more in need of adaptable and modular furniture in common and meeting spaces, as it can be quickly adapted to changing group sizes, uses, and individual worker preferences. Lightweight modular blocks, in particular, can also function well as toys, in that combining them in different ways to represent different kinds of objects is, for many children (and adults), fun. This means they can play an important role in imaginary play, which has long been considered an important part of healthy mental development for children and is increasingly being used to stimulate creativity within workplace groups of adults, as well.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need to have furnishings perform more than one function in order to save space and/or money. There is also an increasing general desire among consumers to buy fewer hard goods, including furnishings, in order to reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing and transport of said furnishings. There is also a need for furniture that can adapt to the needs of people of different sizes and/or children as they grow. Additionally, in a time of ever more character-branded and digital toys, there is a need for more abstract toys for children that allow them to use their imaginations in play, as well as a need for more toys that help children develop their gross motor skills.

[0007] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to produce interlocking modular wedge-shaped blocks, for use as modifiable furniture or toys.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] An aspect of the disclosure is directed to the novel use of right-triangular wedge-shaped blocks with saw-toothed surfaces as modular furniture (for humans and animals) and toys. Each block has a saw-toothed surface along the diagonal side, allowing it to be stacked and/or otherwise arranged with other blocks of the same shape in such ways that they create a number of different types of furniture objects and imaginary forms for play. The saw-toothed surface on each block allows it to temporarily interlock (at variable connection points) with other blocks when stacked together, and such adjustable interlocking function is an aspect of what makes this modular system different from other modular block systems meant for the same purposes. The adjustability of the location of the connection point between two or more of these blocks at their saw-toothed sides allows for an unusually broad range of heights and widths for the resulting compounded objects, and the teeth, whether pointy or rounded at the tips, allow for such a firm connection that the resulting interlocked structure can bear a significant amount of weight (as required by, for example, a chair, stepstool, a stand for a large television or the like).

[0009] Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of using interlocking blocks, including the steps of: (i) obtaining a first block and a second block, each of the first block and the second block having a side including a plurality of successive teeth, each of the teeth having a first planar surface and an intersecting second planar surface defining an acute, included angle therebetween; (ii) engaging a number of the teeth of the first block with a corresponding number of the teeth of the second block, thereby forming an interlocked structure; and (iii) at least one of placing a furniture or decorative item upon the interlocked structure, or placing the interlocked structure in an environment for sitting, standing or resting upon or against the interlocked structure.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a block having a body having a triangular cross-section with a first side, a second side and a third side, the third side defining a plurality of successive teeth configured to engage a number of teeth of an opposing block to form an interlocked structure. Each of the teeth has a first planar surface and an intersecting second planar surface defining an acute, included angle therebetween. The first side defines a length of at least seven inches, the second side defines a length of at least fourteen inches, and a thickness of the body, in a direction perpendicular to the first and second sides, is at least seven inches. A depth of the first planar surface of each tooth is at least three-eights (3/8) of an inch, a height of the second planar surface of each tooth is at least three-eights (3/8) of an inch and the acute, included angle is at least 25°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The following description of embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective front and side view of a wedge-shaped, three-dimensional block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Fig. 2 is a side view of the block of Fig. 1;

[0014] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of two blocks of substantially the same size oriented facing one another;

[0015] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the two blocks of Fig. 3 A interlocked with one another; [0016] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of two blocks of different sizes interlocked with one another; [0017] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of two pairs of interlocked blocks operating as higher table supports;

[0018] Fig. 5B is a perspective view of two pairs of interlocked blocks operating as shorter table supports;

[0019] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of different pairs of interlocked blocks operating as size adjustable versions of standard articles of furniture;

[0020] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of interlocked blocks operating as a chair;

[0021] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of interlocked blocks operating as a height adjustable step-stool;

[0022] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of multiple configurations of interlocked blocks operating as free-form toys;

[0023] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of three interlocked blocks with varying sizes; [0024] Fig. 1 OB is a perspective view of multiple configurations of more than two interlocked blocks; and

[0025] Figs. 11A-11C illustrate multiple configurations in which blocks may be interlocked and/or utilized either alone or in pairs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0026] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the block, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

[0027] It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the disclosure, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit. [0028] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-11C a plurality of wedge-shaped, three-dimensional blocks, generally designated 10 (or 10' to differentiate between differently sized or shaped blocks), in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the block 10 is generally triangularly shaped in cross-section, having a first side 12, a second side 14, and a third side 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the block 10 takes the form of a right triangle, wherein the third side 16 defines the hypotenuse of the triangle, but the disclosure is not so limited. In one configuration, the first side 12 may define a length X between approximately seven inches and approximately forty-eight inches, such as, for example, between approximately twelve inches and approximately twenty-four inches, but the disclosure is not so limited. In one configuration, the second side 14 may define a length Y between approximately fourteen inches and approximately forty-eight inches, such as, for example, between approximately eighteen inches and approximately thirty-six inches, but the disclosure is not so limited. In one configuration, third side 16 may define a width Z between approximately seven inches and approximately forty-eight inches, such as, for example, between approximately twelve inches and approximately twenty-four inches, but the disclosure is not so limited. Such dimensions correspond to standard furniture dimensions for human beings, to facilitate the use of the blocks 10 as structures that will work with standard height tables, countertops, and the like, but the blocks 10 may be differently dimensioned. As also should be understood, the blocks 10 may take the form of other shapes, e.g., having more than three sides in cross-section, wherein at least one side takes the form of a saw-toothed side as explained further below.

[0029] As shown, the third side 16 of the block 10 defines a plurality of successive steps or teeth 18, i.e., in the form of a saw-toothed side. In the illustrated embodiments, the teeth 18 define the entire third side 16, but the disclosure is not so limited as the teeth 16 may alternatively define a portion of the third side 16. Each step/tooth 18 includes a first planar surface 18a and a second planar surface 18b, defining an acute, included angle 18c therebetween. In one configuration, the first planar surface 18a may define a depth (in a direction transverse to the width Z) between approximately three-eighths (3/8) of an inch and approximately nine inches, but the disclosure is not so limited. In one configuration the second planar surface 18b may define a height (in a direction transverse to the length X) between approximately three-eighths (3/8) of an inch and approximately nine inches, but the disclosure is not so limited. In one configuration, the included angle 18c may be between approximately 25° and 75°, but the disclosure is not so limited. The acute angle 18c between the first and second planar surfaces 18a, 18b of the teeth 18 results in the first planar surface 18a being angled away relative to the first side 12 of the block 10 and the second planar surface 18b becoming angled away relative to the second side 14 of the block 10. Both planar surfaces 18a, 18b of each tooth 18 are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the underlying support surface and angle inward toward the center of the block 10.

[0030] Advantageously, the angle of the planar surfaces 18a, 18b supports the stable interlocking of the blocks 10 and makes them resistant to sliding apart when stacked. Thus, the toothed engagement of opposing blocks 10 adds to the safety of stacked blocks 10 as the acute angle 18c creates a tighter lock than right-angled teeth and keeps the opposing teeth 18 interlocked outside the application of a manually applied external force. That is, and as shown in Figs. 3B and 4, the included angle 18c of the teeth 18 angles the teeth 18 of the underlying block 10 upwardly/away relative to the underlying surface, e.g., the ground surface. Thus, the teeth 18 of the overlying block 10 settle down into the crevices formed by the opposing teeth 18 of the underlying block 10 along the same angle/incline away from the underlying support surface, whereby disengagement of the interlocked blocks 10 is not obtained merely by separating the blocks 10 horizontally, i.e., in a direction parallel to the underlying support surface, from one another. Rather, to separate the interlocked blocks 10 from one another, one must pull the overlying block 10 slightly upwardly, i.e., against the force of gravity, by pulling the blocks 10 directly away from one another in order for them to separate. Such stability of the interlock between the blocks 10 is significant in order to safely bear the weight of a human being or an object supported thereupon in a stable manner.

[0031] The blocks 10 may be constructed of any number of materials, including but not limited to closed-cell foam, plastic, metal, concrete, resin, wood, cork, a combination thereof, or the like. According to intended function of the blocks 10, i.e., the requisite load bearing capacity, as well as the construction material, the blocks 10 may be solid, or hollow (partially or completely). The blocks 10 may also be selected to be made of a soft and/or non-abrasive material to be less damaging to other objects and surfaces upon impact. Another benefit to constructing the blocks 10 of a soft material may be that they will make less noise upon impacting hard surfaces and/or each other. Fabrication of a closed-cell foam block 10 may include filling a pre-formed mold in the shape of the entire wedge with the foam; carving the wedge shapes out of solid blocks of foam using either manual, computer-driven, or a combination of manual and computer-driven cutting techniques; or gluing multiple layers of foam that have been pre-cut in the shape of a cross-section of a wedge. Cork fabrication may be executed using the same techniques as closed-cell foam. Plastic or otherwise polymeric wedges may be solid plastic shaped in a mold or 3D-printed, or blow- molded (starting either as liquid plastic or as foam) in either a single part or two halves to be connected afterwards or rotational molded out of plastic powder or liquid resin. Wood fabrication may include layering solid sheets or veneer over a frame composed of digitally cut MDF or plywood, or else (e.g., for a very heavy or more decorative option) carving each wedge out of solid hardwood. As should be understood, however, the blocks 10 may be constructed of other material currently known or that later become known, such as, for example, without limitation, molded mycelium fiber, plywood construction with fabric upholstery, and wire-cut foam rubber or Styrofoam. As also should be understood, materials having a high coefficient of static friction may be beneficial to further the stability of the interlock between two engaged blocks 10. As also should be understood, material should be selected which may provide the blocks 10 with sufficient structural integrity and load bearing capacity to support a human being or furniture items.

[0032] In one example of interlocked blocks 10, Fig. 3 A shows two blocks 10 of substantially the same size, oriented with their respective saw-toothed sides 16 facing one another, in preparation for engaging the blocks 10 with one another. Fig. 3B shows the two blocks 10 of substantially the same size fit together in an interlocking position in such a way as to form a substantially rectangular structure. In the configuration of Fig. 3B, the respective saw-toothed sides 16 of the two blocks 10 are fit together such that the sides 16 completely overlap with one another, i.e., all the teeth 18 are engaged with opposing teeth 18, but the disclosure is not so limited.

[0033] As also should be understood, the blocks 10 interlocked and stacked with one another may be of differing sizes. Blocks 10, 10' of different sizes that are intended to be engageable/stackable together are manufactured such that the respective teeth 18 thereof are dimensioned in a uniform size and/or included angle 18c to enable such interlocking. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, two blocks 10, 10' of different sizes are fit together in an interlocking, but staggered, formation. Advantageously, a user may manually adjust the desired height H of the formed structure, according to the selected amount of overlap between the respective saw-toothed sides 16 of the engaged blocks 10, 10'. The saw-toothed side 16 of each block 10, therefore, allows for a far greater range of potential interlocked combinations than blocks that have no such teeth. [0034] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate how the blocks 10 may be used alongside existing other furnishings to obtain height adjustable furniture. In the illustrated configuration, two pairs of two blocks 10 of substantially the same size are shown operating as table supports, with tabletop 30 supported thereupon. In Fig. 5A, each pair of blocks 10, 10 is arranged as a rectangular structure having the short end, e.g., the first side 12, of one of the blocks 10 engaging the underlying ground surface, with the long dimension, e.g., the second side 14, oriented as the height, making for a higher table setting. Conversely, in Fig. 5B, each pair of blocks 10, 10 is arranged as a rectangular structure having the long end, e.g., the second side 14, of one of the blocks 10 engaging the underlying ground surface, with the short dimension, e.g., the first side 12, oriented as the height, making for a shorter table setting. Additionally, the height of the table supports is further adjustable by the saw-toothed sides 16 being able to interlock in different staggered relationships. Fig. 6 illustrates additional manners in which the blocks 10 may act as size adjustable versions of standard articles of furniture, e.g., as a TV stand/sideboard, a coffee table, or an end/side table. As shown in Fig. 6, pairs of interlocked blocks 10, 10 are arranged in a staggered formation, thereby increasing the overall height of the interlocked structure, but the disclosure is not so limited. Fig. 6 also illustrates that the blocks 10 need not entirely overlap one another over the thickness Z of the third side 16, but may be partially offset with one another, e.g., for ornamental appearance.

[0035] In yet another alternative purpose, Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a pair of interlocked blocks 10, 10 operating as a chair. Advantageously, the staggering of one block 10 relative to another block 10 along the respective third sides 16 thereof enables height adjustability of the chair. Thus, for example, the blocks 10 may be employed as adjustable furniture that is well suited for growing children and may replace a chair with a booster cushion. Fig. 8 illustrates another exemplary arrangement of a pair of interlocked blocks 10, 10 employed as a height adjustable step-stool, convenient for reaching surfaces of multiple different heights. Fig. 9 illustrates three exemplary configurations (out of multiple different possible configurations) of interlocking blocks 10, 10' of the same or different sizes and employing them as free-form toys for an abstract playscape for children.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, more than two blocks 10 may be interlocked to form a support structure, e.g., for seating, furniture item support, as toys, a combination thereof or the like. Fig. 10A illustrates one example of how a single block 10' may interlock with two opposing, underlying blocks 10 at a time. In Fig 10A, the overlying block 10' is partially offset along the thickness Z of the third side 16 of each of the underlying blocks 10 to interlock with both of the underlying blocks 10. Fig. 10B illustrates other formations in which more than two blocks 10 may be combined. For example, as shown, multiple smaller blocks 10' may be engaged in series along a single third side 16 of a larger block 10. Such configurations are not limited to seating, but may be equally usable as step-stools, pedestals, support for retail displays, side tables or the like.

[0037] Figs. 11A-11C illustrate multiple configurations in which two blocks 10, 10 may be interlocked and/or utilized, used, either alone or in pairs. Fig. 11A illustrates different options for combining two blocks 10, 10 at different connection points to create a variable-height, stool or step. Fig. 11B illustrates employing a single block 10 as a back support, for either sitting up or lying down, under a body part for a fully supported lounge position, and/or engaging the respective smooth surfaces facing one another to create back support for two people sitting back-to-back. Fig. l lC illustrates exemplary configurations of employing two or more blocks 10 of the same or different size, either together or singularly, and a combination thereof. As shown, the height and/or width of the structure formed by the engaged blocks is adjustable. Blocks 10 may be combined to make a seat big enough for more than one person, or to form a high seating position, e.g., for a high countertop or easier viewing of a stage at an event where the audience sits or stands on a non-slanted surface. Blocks 10 may also be combined to form a seat having a seatback. As shown, the same two blocks 10 may be combined in several various ways to form various supporting structures, e.g., to form a stool or chair, to form a height adjustable seated desk arrangement and/or to form a chair- and-footrest arrangement. Advantageously, the adjustability in interlocking the blocks 10 may assist in forming support structures that reduce pressure off of a user’s back, which can be useful as a work position for those with back pain. Alternatively, the blocks 10 may be engaged to form a structure which assists in supporting and enabling a desirable structure, orientation and/or position for activities such as physical exercise or sexual intercourse (as might the blocks in general, in an unlimited number of arrangements). Additional blocks 10 may also be added as additional support structures, e.g., such as for lower leg support and extension in a lounge position.

[0038] As shown, a user can combine two or more of the blocks 10 to create tables, chairs, stools, adjustable trestles, and other kinds of furniture and furnishings (for indoor, outdoor and/or water use) by placing the respective saw-toothed sides 16 of each block 10 together in such a way that the opposing teeth 18 interlock in a stationary, stable manner, stopping the two blocks from sliding alongside one another (a feature which is important for safety, especially when the blocks will be utilized by children). The blocks 10 offer the opportunity for adults and children to play and exercise their creative muscles, while exploring different ways to combine the blocks 10 to serve various furniture and playscape needs. This is not only simply recreational for people of all ages, but also offers a unique opportunity, for example, for people in a workplace setting to have their creative thought processes stimulated.

[0039] Another advantage of the blocks 10 in the workplace or school environment is the opportunity they present for each worker or student to choose and make their own preferred type and height of seating, either at their desk or in a group/meeting setting, when presented with numerous blocks 10 to choose from and combine as desired. In the workplace, the blocks 10 may also operate as a height-adjustable desk. An aspect to the usefulness of the invention is that any furniture item made by stacking one block on another by interlocking the saw-toothed sides 16 of opposing blocks 10 will be adjustable in height. This is particularly useful for growing children and teens, but also in any other situation where frequent size adaptations are desired, such as places where seating is required for people of widely varying heights. People using the invention in a work environment, school, daycare, or other institutional setting, might put several of the blocks 10 into a conference room or other gathering space in place of chairs, so that users might assemble stable, sturdy seating as they wish. They might also use two or more blocks together as an adjustable- height desk chair. Adults and children who wish to play with the invention will combine the blocks 10 next to each other on the floor and in vertical stacks, using the teeth 18 to hang one block 10 on the side of another, to create an assortment of objects and landscapes limited only by their imaginations.

[0040] One of the benefits of the blocks 10 as a toy for children is that the adaptability and vertical, stable stackability, combined with the simplicity of form of each block 10, makes space for, even demands, that children use their imaginations regarding what each shape they make might represent, e.g., a staircase, castle wall, mountain, etc. The large, furniture-size dimensions of the blocks 10, when made of sufficiently lightweight material, also encourages a good deal of physical movement in the child in order to move them around. Both of these features fill a growing gap in the children’s toy marketplace of the developed world, in that more and more commercially distributed toys are so narrowly defined and/or digital that they require little, if any, imagination or movement from the child.

[0041] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations could be made to the embodiment(s) described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. Some of these have been discussed above and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims.