method for making toy constructions

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a set (or system) of elements for toy constructions and to a method for building toy constructions.

Prior art

The game of constructions is one of the most widespread and most appreciated games among children and adults, and countless variants were suggested over time.

For example, the patent US 2,877,506 describes a set comprising a plurality of trapezoidal blocks and a flexible, although not stretchable, tie rod. The blocks have shaped side faces that define a male-female type of coupling, when two blocks are side by side and in contact. Such coupling prevents the blocks from slipping one with respect to the other along the coupling faces, but does not prevent the separation, i.e. the detachment of the blocks: in other words, the blocks are not interlocked between one another. The task of keeping the blocks united one against the other, in the configuration selected by the player, is transferred to the tie rod. The blocks have a through hole and the tie rod can be inserted through the aligned holes of a plurality of blocks. The tie rod, which has a predetermined length, is provided with threaded end portions to allow the screwing of nuts. By screwing the nuts, the player applies a compressive force onto the blocks of the succession, and prevents the blocks from separating. In other words, the nuts act as tensioners of the tie rod. By appropriately combining the blocks and by using the tie rod, it is possible to achieve rigid structures, however, the dimensions of the structures that can be achieved are limited to the length of the tie rods.

US 3205611 describes a set wherein the base elements are blocks with female faces only, that can be constrained to one to another by using a rigid pin. The blocks each have a plurality of through holes and are hollow; an elastic and stretchable thread can be inserted in-between them to act as a tie rod. The tensioning is carried out manually by pulling the thread with the fingers, and the thread is then locked directly by winding it on the corners of the blocks.

The Japanese utility model JP 3138472(11) describes a set comprising blocks with flat perforated faces intended to be held together by a tie rod inserted through the holes and tensioned. The blocks can each provide a plurality of through holes, for example three holes made along reciprocally skew axes. Thanks to the presence of more holes, the blocks can be matched according to many configurations, and held together by more tie rods contemporaneously, for example intersecting tie rods extending along orthogonal directions.

ES 2179748 describes a set wherein the blocks have only one perforated female face, and the tie rods inserted into the holes are also used as coupling joints. The tie rods are flexible, although not stretchable, and are inserted into the holes of the blocks by interference, so they are held in the holes, but are not subjected to a real tensioning.

KR 1933097 describes a set wherein the blocks are held together by joints and tie rods, i.e. strings passing both inside and outside the blocks, like a seam. The tensioning is carried out manually and the strings are tied by the player.

US 5302148 describes a set wherein the blocks are hollow and have surface slots inside which elastic and stretchable tie rods can be inserted. The blocks do not have male and female faces and can thus slip one on the other, indeed, the slipping is desired. The tie rods are inserted through the slots of the blocks, and tensioned to hold the blocks against each other, therefore finalizing the structure thus created.

Known solutions are affected by some drawbacks which limit their versatility, i.e. the possibility to create structures with the widest variety of shapes and sizes possible, and consequently they limit the satisfaction of the player.

For example, whenever the tie rods are stretchable, it is difficult to apply the same tension along the entire length of the tie rod and thus on all blocks held by that tie rod, in particular when a tie rod is wound around a corner or goes through holes in which it is partially blocked. As a result, some blocks are well compacted one against the other, at the lengths of the tie rod subjected to greater tension, while other blocks are loose, not cohesive, at the lengths of the tie rod subjected to less tension. This thus imposes limits to the structures that can be made, in particular dimensional and shape limits.

Another example is given whenever the blocks have flat faces. In this circumstance, the blocks slip one on the other if sufficient tension is not applied on the tie rod(s). Thus, also in this circumstance, the player will not be able to create perfectly horizontal structures of great dimensions, in particular cantilevered structures, without them bending downwards by effect of the slipping of the blocks one with respect to the adjacent block.

Moreover, in the solutions described, the blocks are hollow, and the inside remains visible, or they are perforated and the holes remain visible, and this circumstance can limit the applications, for example whenever the player wishes to create a structure devoid of openings.

Summary of the Invention

Object of the present invention is thus to provide a set of elements for toy constructions and a corresponding construction method that are extremely versatile, i.e. that allow to create rigid structures with wide freedom of choice for the player, without the limits imposed by traditional solutions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a set of elements for toy constructions and a respective construction method that can also be used by adults and professionals to create building models or building structures, also whenever they must comprise large cantilevered structures or structures of complex shape.

A first aspect of the present invention thus concerns a set of elements for toy constructions according to claim 1.

In particular, the set comprises a plurality of blocks and at least one tie rod that can be inserted through the blocks, the tie rod being at least partially threaded, i.e. threaded on the outside at least at some lengths. The set further comprises tensioning elements that can be screwed onto the tie rod from opposite sides with respect to the blocks, in order to compact the blocks one onto the other and to create a structure.

Advantageously, the tensioning elements can be completely inserted in corresponding seats in the blocks, so that not to protrude from the outer surface of the respective block, for example being flush with the surface of the block.

The solution suggested is particularly versatile, because it allows to create structures not limited to the presence of the tensioning elements on a side of the blocks. In fact, thanks to the fact that the tensioning elements are concealingly inserted in the blocks, the outer surface of the same blocks is available for the coupling with other blocks and with other elements or accessories of the set.

In other words, the arrangement of preventing the tensioning elements from protruding from the corresponding outer surface of the blocks allows to maximize the versatility of the set, because it lends to the player the freedom of using all the faces of the blocks, also those already used to tension one or more tie rods.

Preferably, the set is implemented with at least one tie rod threaded along its entire length and that can be cut to size, i.e. shortened by the player, for example with a cutting tool. More in detail, the set can be implemented with very long tie rods, for example arranged in coils of many meters, and the player is free to use the length desired for the tie rods; it is sufficient for the player to decide how many centimeters or meters of tie rod to use, cutting it according to the desired length and proceeding with the assembling of the structure, by screwing the tensioning elements to compact and stack the blocks.

This result is achievable because the tie rod is threaded along its entire length and the player can thus cut it at the desired length without hindering the use of the tensioning elements. Clearly, since it can be cut, it is possible to easily obtain several tie rods of shorter length from a single tie rod.

Preferably, the tie rod is a filiform flexible element, for example that can be wound in a coil, as specified above.

Preferably, the tie rod is not stretchable, i.e. is not elastic in the longitudinal direction, but substantially rigid. This way, the screwing of the tensioning elements onto the two ends of the tie rod causes the application of a corresponding compressive force onto the blocks interposed in-between the same tensioning elements.

Preferably, the tie rod, or tie rods if more than one, are made of a material selected from a plastic material, such as for example polypropylene or polyethylene, a metal material, such as iron or steel, or composite materials, for example a carbon fiber cable coated with a polymeric material.

In the preferred embodiment, the tie rods are made of a plastic material and are obtained by molding or, more simply, by drawing, so that to be economical.

Clearly, the tie rods can be implemented with different diameters and different types of thread depending on the needs and purposes.

In general, the blocks are perforated, i.e. are substantially solid and one or more through holes, in which corresponding tie rods can be inserted, extend through them. As an alternative, the blocks are hollow, in the sense that the block is cage-shaped, and the set comprises a plurality of lids juxtaposable on the faces of the blocks to close them; in this embodiment, the through holes for the tie rods are obtained through the lids. The blocks, possibly accessorized with the lids, can be interlocked one with the other, or can simply be juxtaposable or stackable. The through holes, obtained in the blocks or lids, define the housing seats of the tensioning elements. In other words, the tensioning elements exert their function when they are inserted into the aforesaid through holes. Preferably, the blocks have a plurality of faces through which windows are defined. If the blocks are cubes or parallelepipeds, the faces face each other two by two, and thus also the windows. The set further comprises lids interchangeably juxtaposable each to a face of a block. At least some of the lids have one or more through holes through which a tie rod can be inserted, as specified above; some lids may not have holes, so that to completely close a corresponding face of a block, or may have portions shaped to allow the interlocking with other blocks or lids.

This solution allows to customize each block and to equip it with the lids that are used by the user from time to time to construct a structure. In fact, the lids are not necessarily all equal, but can have different geometric characteristics, as will now be explained, so that to maximize the versatility of the set.

The arrangement of the holes on the lids can be the same, or can differ between different groups of lids. For example, a group of lids can provide holes close to each other, another group can instead provide holes spaced from each other and peripheral, or a different number of holes.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning elements can be housed in the holes present on the interchangeable lids, so that to be flush with the outer surface of the respective lid.

This characteristic also contributes to maximize the versatility of the set, because it allows to tension groups of blocks without compromising the possibility to constrain other blocks or accessories thereto. In fact, having surfaces devoid of protrusions at the lids allows to juxtapose other elements, without interferences, just on these lids and thus allows to continue the construction, unlike what would occur if the tensioning elements were to protrude from the lids.

Preferably, the holes passing through the lids are conical and the tensioning elements are nuts, also conical, with corresponding conicity. In other words, the holes and nuts are complementary in shape. The nuts can be screwed onto the tie rods so that to be completely inserted into the holes, as specified above. Clearly, some nuts will have a right-hand thread and other nuts a left-hand thread, to allow the screwing of the nuts onto the same tie rod in opposite directions.

In this embodiment, the nuts preferably have a threaded central hole to mesh the thread of a tie rod, and an inner surface adjacent to the hole, with polygonal profile, for example hexagonal, which can be engaged by a mechanical wrench to allow the player to impart rotations to the nut and obtain the screwing and unscrewing with respect to the tie rod. It is also possible to implement nuts with the outer surface that can be meshed by a tool, for example by giving up on the possibility of complete insertion (flush) into the holes of the lids.

In an embodiment, at least some lids have an outer surface in relief, or in low-relief or shaped, and which allows to obtain an interlocking or shape coupling with a corresponding surface of a block or another lid. This characteristic allows to customize the faces of the blocks, since the lids are interchangeable, so that to achieve the desired male-female interlockings or couplings, selectively for each face of the blocks, once again to the advantage of versatility.

Preferably, at least some of the windows of the blocks are delimited by a protruding frame, which defines a shoulder, or an undercut, and which creates a shape coupling of the male-female type with the lids. This arrangement allows to facilitate the coupling between the blocks and lids, by preventing, for example, the lids from slipping with respect to the respective blocks and to obtain the proper centering.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term block identifies the element customizable with the lids, regardless of its shape. In fact, the block can generally be cube-shaped, or parallelepiped, but can also be cylindrical, with hexagonal, octagonal, rhomboidal sections, etc. Obviously, the lids will have a shape corresponding to the faces of the blocks. A second aspect of the present invention concerns a method for building toy constructions or structures, according to claim 15.

In particular, the method provides:

a) providing a plurality of blocks, at least one tie rod for at least a length thereof, and corresponding tensioning elements that can be screwed onto the tie rod;

b) inserting one or more tie rods through a succession of blocks;

c) screwing the tensioning elements onto the tie rods, from opposite sides with respect to the blocks, until the series blocks are compact and a construction or structure is created, and

d) completing the screwing of the tensioning elements until they are fully accommodated in corresponding seats of the blocks, so as not to protrude from the outer surface of the blocks.

The advantages that can be achieved thanks to this method are the ones described above with respect to the set of construction elements and the method can preferably be implemented by using the set described above.

The Applicant reserves the right to file a divisional patent application for the characteristics described in claim 2, i.e. for a set implemented with at least on tie rod threaded along its entire length and that can be cut to size, i.e. that can be shortened by the player, for example with a cutting tool.

The Applicant reserves the right to file a divisional patent application for the characteristics described in claim 7 or 8. In other words, the Applicant reserves the right to file a divisional application for a set comprising a plurality of blocks, at least one tie rod that can be inserted through the blocks, and corresponding tensioning elements that can be screwed onto the tie rod from opposite sides with respect to the blocks, to compact the blocks and create a structure. The tie rod is threaded along at least part of its length. The set comprises two or more lids interchangeably juxtaposable each to a face of a block. The lids have at least one through hole, to allow the insertion of a tie rod, and/or surfaces for the coupling to other blocks or lids, for example to create a male-female coupling, and/or a smooth finish devoid of discontinuities, for example a flat and continuous surface.

Brief list of the figures

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted by the review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment illustrated for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a perspective isometric view of a first element of the set according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective isometric view of a second element of the set according to the present invention;

- figure 3 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a first configuration of the set according to the present invention, partially assembled;

- figure 4 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a second configuration of the set according to the present invention, partially assembled;

- figure 5 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a third configuration of the set according to the present invention, partially assembled;

- figure 6 is a perspective isometric view of a third element of the set according to the present invention;

- figure 7 is a sectional plan view of the element shown in figure 6;

- figure 8 is a perspective isometric view of a fourth element of the set according to the present invention;

- figure 9 is a sectional plan view of the element shown in figure 8;

- figure 10 is a perspective view of a fifth and a sixth element of the set according to the present invention, both assembled;

- figure 11 is a perspective view of the fifth element shown in figure 10;

- figure 12 is a first embodiment of a structure achieved with the set according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a first element 1 of a set 100 of elements for toy constructions according to the present invention in a perspective isometric view. In particular, a block 1 of a substantially cubic shape, hollow and with open faces, i.e. with non-solid faces, is shown.

It is an example, since the block 1 can generally have different shapes, for example parallelepiped, hexagonal, circular, trapezoidal, etc. Moreover, the block 1 can be implemented also solid, as will be described below.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the block 1 comprises six faces 2, in each of which a window 3 surrounded by a frame 4 protruding cantileverly towards the outside and the inside of the block 1 is defined. As will be explained below, the frame 4 has the task of creating a shoulder, or an undercut, to keep another element of the set 100 in position just on the corresponding face 2.

The block 1 can be made, for example, of wood or a plastic material, with mechanical workings, starting from solid or more simply by assembling smaller pieces, or by injection molding of a polymer.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the block T that differs from the block 1 in that the frame 4 is missing in at least one face 2', i.e. the block 1 ' is devoid of the frame 4 at least at a face 2'.

Figure 3 shows the set 100 according to the present invention, in a first assembling configuration. In particular, the figure shows a set 100 wherein two blocks 1 are coupled one against the other at a face 2. The other faces of the blocks 1 are closed with lids 5, also named heads, which are squares in the example shown, such as the windows 3.

Obviously, whenever the windows 3 should be implemented of a different shape, for example hexagonal or circular, the lids 5 would also have a corresponding shape.

At the side facing a face 2 of a block 1 , named inner side, the lids 5 have a complementary shape with respect to the window 3 and the respective frame 4, so that to create an undercut shape coupling. As mentioned above, the frame 4 protrudes cantileverly with respect to the respective face 2 of the block 1 and engages a corresponding seat present in the inner side of the lid 5; this arrangement prevents a lid 5 from slipping on the corresponding face 2 of a block 1 , and moreover favors the proper centering of the lid 5 just with respect to the respective face 2 of the block, so that the lids 5 facing from opposite faces 2 of a block 1 , or from opposite faces 2 of a series of coupled blocks 1 , are properly aligned.

The lids 5 are solid, but have one or more through holes 6; in the example shown in figure 3, the lids 5 each have four through holes 6 which can be spaced from and positioned at the corners of the lid 5, as in the case of the lids 5 arranged above and next to the structure 200 shown, or can be close to each other and centralized, as in the case of the lid 5 shown separated from the structure 200.

A tie rod 7 and a corresponding tensioning element 8, for simplicity henceforth named nut, can be inserted through each through hole 6.

The tie rods 7 are filiform flexible elements, in the sense that they can bend if subjected to stress, but are not stretchable, or at least not in an appreciable way. Advantageously, the tie rods are threaded along their entire length and can be shortened by cutting them with a tool, for example with a cutter or with a pair of pliers. This characteristic advantageously allows to maximize the versatility of the set 100: in fact, the set 100 can be marketed with very long tie rods 7, for example 1 meter, 5 meters, 10 meters, 20 meters, etc., wound in coils and the player will be free to cut the tie rods 7 from time to time depending on the structure 200, or portion of structure 200, he intends to create.

The tie rods are preferably made of a plastic polymer, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, by injection molding or more preferably by drawing. As an alternative, the tie rods can be made of metal, for example iron, aluminum or steel, including metal alloys, or of carbon fiber, or even of another composite material, for example a carbon fiber thread coated with a plastic material.

The field technician of will understand that when square blocks 1 and blocks 1 of another shape, for example trapezoidal, are combined, it is possible to create curved structures such as arches, canopies, amphitheaters, since the tie rods 7 are flexible and support the curvature of the structure 200, thus simultaneously ensuring the tensioning, as will now be described.

The tie rods 7 are threaded because the nuts 8 can be screwed thereon, i.e. the nuts 8, which are threaded inside, mesh the thread of the tie rods 7, thus achieving a typical screw coupling.

Four tie rods 7 inserted each through a corresponding hole 6 of the lid 5 are shown in the example of figure 3. The tie rods are already fastened at the face opposite the lid 5 that is about to be positioned to close the last window 3 that stayed open. Once the lid 5 has been properly positioned to close the block 1 , the player provides to screw the nuts 8, for example by means of a mechanical wrench until the same nuts 8 go in abutment against the lid 5; at this point, the further screwing of the nuts 8 causes the tensioning of the corresponding tie rods 7 and the compacting by compression of the blocks 1 and lids 5 functionally included in-between two opposite nuts 8 on the same tie rod 7.

More in detail, the through holes 6 present on the lids 5 are conveniently sized to accommodate at least one part of the nuts 8 and preferably to fully accommodate the nuts 8, so that they stay flush with the outer surface of the lid 5 and cannot protrude outside. In fact, this allows to have the necessary tension on the tie rods 7 without the drawback of having the nuts 8 protruding, and thus without hindrances to be able to bring other components of the set 100 to abutment against the structure 200 thus created.

Always with reference to figure 3, it is clear that the player can cut the tie rods 7 after having completed the respective tensioning with the nuts 8, but can also decide to exploit the excess length of the tie rods 7 to couple other blocks, 1 , T to the structure 200 just created, and in particular to couple other blocks to the lid 5 just screwed. As can be noticed by observing figure 3, the nuts 8 close the holes 6, at the side faces, and stay flush with the outer surface of the respective lids 5, while the tie rods 7 extend cantileverly beyond the holes 6 of the last lid 5 to be positioned, ready to be cut or used for other purposes.

Figure 4 shows another structure 300 made with the set 100 according to the present invention. The structure 300 consists of four blocks 1 arranged to form an L. Some faces 2 (the upper ones in the drawing) of the blocks 1 are closed by lids 5 provided each with four holes 6 closed by respective nuts 8 from which the tie rods 7 do not protrude; other faces (lateral) are instead closed by lids 9 devoid of holes 6 or other discontinuities that lend smooth finishing to the structure 300.

The block 1 found at the angle of the L is crossed by tie rods 7 both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. By carefully observing figure 4, it can be noted that the tie rods 7 are arranged along skew axes to avoid interference between the vertical tie rods 7 and the horizontal tie rods 7. This is obtained by using lids 5 and 5' having holes 6 arranged differently: the holes 6 of the lids 5 are more centralized with respect to the holes 6 on the lids 5'. This detail allows to insert a multitude of tie rods 7 through the same block 1 ,1 ', or through several blocks 1 , T, to maximize the versatility of the set 100 and to thus construct complex structures 300.

As explained above, the lengths of the tie rods 7, which protrude from the respective nuts 8 screwed on the lids 5, 5' of the corresponding blocks 1 in figure 4, can be cut at the lying plane of the lids 5, 5' to achieve surfaces devoid of protrusions, or can be used to couple other blocks 1 , T, or other elements or accessories, and further customize the structure 300.

Figure 5 shows another structure 400 that can be obtained with the set 100 according to the present invention. The structure 400 is similar to the structure 300 just described, but differs from it for the fact that the block 1 used to create an angle is closed on the side, in addition to a lid 9 smooth and devoid of discontinuity, also by a hollowed lid 5", i.e. a lid 5" whose outer surface 10 is inside the volume of the block in low-relief, thus defining a female seat for the insertion by interference or without interference of a corresponding male portion of another block 1 , i.e. a portion protruding in a complementary way from the volume of the block 1.

In other words, the set 100 has different lid variants 5, 5', 5": from time to time, the player selects which lids 5, 5', 5" to use and positions them selectively, one by one, onto the faces 2 of the blocks 1 , 1 ' to obtain the desired configuration.

For simplicity, the examples shown in the figures show solutions wherein the tie rods 7 are all obtained from the same coil and thus all have the same characteristics in terms of the material used to make them, mechanical and aesthetic characteristics. The field technician will however understand that the set 100 can be equipped with tie rods 7 having different characteristics, can for example be equipped with two coils, one for a tie rod 7 having a first diameter and the other for a tie rod 7 having a second diameter greater than the first, intended for the heavier structures or those requiring more tensioning.

For example, the tie rod 7 can be a filiform element with a diameter of between 2 mm and 6 mm.

As a result, the set 100 can be marketed with several tie rod 7 versions and corresponding versions of nut 8.

In the example described, the holes 6 and the nuts 8 are conical; in fact, the shape allows to obtain the best performances in terms of tensioning; however, it is not the only shape possible, for example the nuts 8 can be substantially cylindrical and the holes 6 circular with an abutment surface of the nuts 8, otherwise the holes 6 can be circular and the nuts 8 can be rectangular and can be inserted into the holes 6 until reaching a travel limit.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a lid 5, in particular seen from the back side intended to be positioned on a face 2 of a block 1 , 1'.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 5 shown in figure 6.

As can be noticed, the lid 5 defines a frame 11 that is engaged on the frame 4 of the windows 3 of the blocks 1 , T to make a shape coupling, by interference or preferably with minimum clearance. In this embodiment, the holes 6 are conical: the tie rods 7 can be inserted through the holes 6 so that to be confined at the narrowing 12 and the same narrowing 12 defines the travel limit for the nuts 8.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lid 5" seen from the back side intended to be positioned on a face 2 of a block 1 , 1 '.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 5" shown in figure 8.

As can be noticed, the lid 5" has a central surface 10 in low-relief with respect to the outer side and in relief on the inner side shown in figure 8. In other words, the lid 5" defines a seat to achieve a shape coupling of the male- female type, by interference or preferably with minimum clearance, with another block 1 , 1 ' of the set 100. For example, the low-relief 10 is inserted into the face 2' of the block 1 ' shown in figure 2 to couple the lid 5" to the block 1 ' and in turn allows the insertion of a male portion of another block 1 , 1 '. Also in this embodiment, the holes 6 are conical even if the profile is different than that of the holes 6 of the example shown in figures 6 and 7: the tie rods 7 can be inserted through the holes 6 so that to be confined at the narrowing 12 and the same narrowing 12 defines the travel limit for the nuts 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective and enlarged view of a nut 8 screwed onto a corresponding tie rod 7 and figure 11 shows a nut 8 in perspective. As can be noticed, the nut 8 is provided with a threaded axial hole 8' and with an inner surface 13 with hexagonal profile that allows the insertion of a tubular mechanical wrench to impart rotations to the nut 8 and obtain the screwing and unscrewing.

In order to allow the screwing of the nuts 8 on the same tie rod 7 from opposite sides, some nuts 8 will have the right-hand thread and others the left- hand one (reversed).

Figure 12 shows, in a perspective and partially exploded view, a further structure 500 that can be achieved with the set 100 according to the present invention. It is a chair provided with legs 501 , a seat 502 and a backrest 503. Each leg 501 is obtained by vertically stacking eight blocks 1. The seat 502 is obtained by coupling fifty-six blocks 1 and the backrest 503 is a square structure obtained by assembling sixty-four blocks 1.

In the example shown, the tie rods 7 extend through both the seat and the legs 501 to couple with one another. More in particular, the tie rods 7 contemporaneously tension seven blocks 1 of the seat 502 and a block 1 of two legs 501 in the longitudinal direction, and so forth. Obviously, the tie rods 7 are used in the vertical direction, along two axes in the horizontal plane, so that to compact all the blocks 1 together along the three Cartesian axes, by applying tension with the nuts 8, as specified above.

With reference to all the figures 1 -12 annexed, the functioning of the set

100 of elements for toy constructions is as follows. The player selects the blocks 1 , T to be matched, i.e. to be coupled, and the number of lids 5, 5', 5" necessary to close the faces 2 of the blocks 1 , T. The player arranges these parts on a plane and inserts the tie rods 7 through the aligned holes 6 of the lids 5, 5' or 5" of the opposite blocks 1 , T of a succession of blocks 1 , T placed side by side. At this point, he provides to screw the nuts 8 onto the tie rods, until inserting just the nuts 8 into the holes 6: depending on the need, the player provides to cut the lengths of the tie rods 7 that protrude beyond the respective nut 8 housed in the hole 6, or exploits these remaining lengths of the tie rods 7 to couple further elements or accessories to the series of blocks 1 , T held together by the tie rods 7 and the nuts 8.

The series of blocks 1 , T thus created develops along a first direction. The player can decide to couple new blocks 1 , T in an orthogonal direction, as shown in figures 4 and 5, to make a flat structure, or also in two orthogonal directions, as shown in figure 12, to make structures in the three dimensions. The player must simply insert the tie rods 7 through the blocks 1 , T such as not to interfere with possible tie rods 7 already inserted in the same blocks 1 , T along other directions.

The tensioning force is regulatable by the player, who can decide when to screw the nuts 8 onto the tie rods 7. As mentioned above, the examples show lids 5, 5', 5" with several holes 6, but it is generally sufficient that the lids 5, 5', 5" are provided with a single hole. This does not exclude that, as an accessory, the set 100 can further comprise non-perforated lids, such as the lids 9 shown in figures 4 and 5, which have the aesthetic function of closing a corresponding face 2 of a block 1 , T with smooth finishing.

Moreover, even if the tie rods 7 are rectilinear in the examples shown, the set 100 can also be configured by extending the tie rods 7 so that to make them bend, if necessary, thanks to the respective flexibility. For example, the tie rods can bend inside an end block 1 of the respective structure. In other words, it is possible to provide also the case wherein the tie rods 7 go into a block at a face 2 and do not come out of the opposite face 2, but an adjacent face. Moreover, the tie rods 7 can be curved also outside of the blocks 1 , T.

The advantages offered by the set 100 of elements for toy constructions are as follows:

- the tie rods 7 are threaded along their entire length and can be shortened by the player with a cutting tool to achieve the desired measure, for example to make structures 200, 300, 400, 500 or portions of structures, with the outer surface flush with the surface, i.e. devoid of protruding parts;

- the blocks 1 , T are basic elements that can be configured in a versatile way depending on the lids 5. 5', 5" and 9 that are selected by the player to customize the faces 2. The player is free to select which lids 5, 5', 5" and 9 to position selectively on the faces 2 of the blocks 1 , T, depending on the number and position of the tie rods 7 intended to be used or depending on whether or not one wishes to create shape couplings of the male-female type with the lids 5, 5', 5" of other blocks 1 , T. In other words, the lids 5, 5', 5" are interchangeable on the blocks 1 , T;

- the tensioning elements of the tie rods 7, i.e. the nuts 8, can be housed in the holes 6 made through the lids 5, 5' and 5" to apply a tension onto the tie rods 7 and, simultaneously, to result flush with the outer surface of the respective lid 5, 5', 5", thus preventing to protrude cantileverly and allowing the juxtaposition and coupling (also by shape) of other blocks.