Patent ID: 6736691
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A toy building set comprising a first type of box-shaped building elements (15, 17) that have, in a first direction, a first dimension which is a first integer multiple of a first module (L), and have, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second dimension which is a second integer multiple of the first module (L), and have, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction perpendicular to the second direction, a third dimension (H) which is larger than the first module (L) and smaller than twice the first module (L), the building elements of the first type having a top wall with an outer face extending in the first and second directions, the top wall having protruding coupling studs (10, 16), the building elements of the first type further having four side walls defining a coupling cavity with an opening of the cavity opposite the top wall for receiving coupling studs on another building element in a releasable engagement,and a connecting element (20) with a pair of opposed tenons, the tenons being, at free ends thereof, flexible and having protruding edges (23), the connecting element having a length corresponding to two times the first module (L), and having, between the opposed tenons, a flange (21) having a larger diameter than the tenons and a length, and at least two of the building elements of the first type having the first integer equal to one and having two opposed outer faces perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one tubular opening (18) extending between the two opposed outer faces, the tubular opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the flange, the two opposed outer faces having, at each end of the tubular opening, a recess (19) of larger diameter than the flange (21) and a depth corresponding to half the length of the flange (21), the tubular opening being dimensioned to receive a tenon with the flange seated in the recess on one outer face and the protruding edges on the tenon in snap-fit engagement with the recess on the opposite outer face, characterized in that the building set comprises building elements of the first type, in which the first and second integers are both greater than or equal to two, and the top wall has at least four coupling studs arranged in a square configuration, and a tubular coupling element (33) with a tubular opening (34), the tubular coupling element extending from the top wall into the coupling cavity and being arranged centrally relative to the square, the top wall having an opening into the tubular coupling element and, at the opening into the tubular coupling element, a recess (38) of larger diameter than the flange (21) and a depth corresponding to half the length of the flange, the tubular coupling element having, opposite the top wall, a free end (35) situated at a distance from the opening of the coupling cavity corresponding to half the length of the flange, the tubular opening (34) in the tubular coupling element (33) having a central section (37) of reduced diameter and opposed ends defining first and second edges (40, 42) between the recess (38) and the free end (35), the tubular opening (34) in the tubular coupling element (33) being dimensioned to receive a tenon of a connecting element with the flange (21) seated against the free end (35) of the tubular coupling element (33) and the protruding edges (23) on the tenon in snap-fit engagement with the first edge (40) of the central section (37), and the tubular opening (34) in the tubular coupling element (33) being dimensioned to receive a tenon of a connecting element with the flange (21) seated in the recess (38) on the top wall and the protruding edges (23) on the tenon in snap-fit engagement with the second edge (42) of the central section (37).