Abstract:
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a toy building construction set, comprising: pieces in the form of bars  4  and pieces in the form of corresponding connectors  6,  for simulating a concrete skeleton, wherein: each of the bars having only male connecting members at the end thereof; each of the connectors having at each facet thereof a female connecting member corresponding to the male connecting member; and a connection of each of the bars to each of the connectors is concealed. The set may further comprise a casing for storing the pieces of the set. The casing may comprise a scale for indicating the number of floors that can be built by the remaining pieces in the casing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT International Application No. PCT/IL2008/001223, which has an international filing date of Sep. 15, 2008, and which claims priority to, and the benefit of, Israel Patent Application No. 186078, filed Sep. 19, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of toy building construction sets. More particularly, the invention relates toy building pieces for use in children&#39;s construction sets. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Presently toy building construction sets are well, and in fact long known. Such sets usually comprise a plurality of pieces with connection means used to form toy buildings and other toy/miniature structures. 
         [0004]    Although this principle is common in various toy building sets, no current toy building set has been directed to impart to infants the foundations required for step-by-step construction, especially the concept of the loads on the constructed elements. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy building construction set, upon which the construction foundations are imparted. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, in a toy building constructed from myriad pieces, it is also important that the constructed building will look like a real construction as much as possible. Prior art sets fail to provide this character. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy building construction set, from which the final toy constructions look like a real construction more than in prior art building construction sets. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a toy building construction set, comprising:
       pieces in the form of bars  4  and pieces in the form of corresponding connectors  6 , for simulating a concrete skeleton, wherein:   each of the bars having only male connecting members at the end thereof;   each of the connectors having at each facet thereof a female connecting member corresponding to the male connecting member; and   a connection of each of the bars to each of the connectors is concealed.       
 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the invention, the male connecting member  44  comprises at least one vane  22 , and the female connecting member  28  comprises corresponding depression(s), thereby enforcing connecting a bar (of said plurality of bars) to a connector (of said connectors) in a desired angle therebetween. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the male connecting member  44  comprises a stud  24 . The stud may be of a cylindrical form, prismatic form, quadratic prism form, and so forth. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the pieces has at least one groove along the piece and at least one groove across the piece. 
         [0018]    The set may further comprise a plurality of quadrate and/or rectangular tablets, to be placed such that the grooves of the surrounding pieces are used as a frame thereof. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the latitudinal contour of at least one of the pieces is quadrate, but the contour may be also rectangular. 
         [0020]    In embodiments of the invention, at least one facet of the pieces thereof is divided by grooves into bricks-like forms. Preferably the brick-like forms are of 1×1 cm. 
         [0021]    The set may further comprise a lamp-like piece. The lamp-like piece may have a male connecting member corresponding to the female connecting member of a connector. 
         [0022]    The set may further comprise a casing for storing the pieces of the set. The casing may comprise a scale for indicating the number of floors that can be built by the remaining pieces in the casing. 
         [0023]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]    Each of  FIGS. 1 and 2  schematically illustrates a toy building model formed from a construction set, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 3 to 11  schematically illustrate the structure of the pieces of the building illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0027]    Each of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  schematically illustrates the structure of a bar and a connecting member thereof, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section along two connected bars  4 , which schematically illustrates a connection mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  schematically illustrates the structure of a bar  4  and a connecting member  6 , according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates the arch piece  18  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates the “wall” piece  8  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a “wall” piece  9 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates a “wall” piece  12 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates a bar  14 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]    Each of  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  schematically illustrates a “lamp” piece  10 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  schematically illustrates a casing  34 , for a toy building construction set. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated among the figures in order to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, for the sake of clarity. 
         [0039]    The term “piece” refers herein to a basic construction element in a toy building construction set, which can be assembled and connected to other construction elements. Lego pieces™, for example, consist of colorful interlocking plastic pieces and an accompanying array of gears, mini-figures (also called “minifigs” by Lego fans), and various other parts. 
         [0040]    Pieces are successfully used and enjoyed by children, normally above the age of five. Pieces are commonly made of a safe, semi-plastic material of a relatively large, easily handled size. They are provided with snap-in features which facilitate assembly and prevent inadvertent disintegration. 
         [0041]    Each of  FIGS. 1 and 2  schematically illustrates a toy building model formed from a toy building construction set, according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  is the rear view thereof, and  FIG. 2  is the front view thereof. 
         [0042]    Bar pieces  4  comprise the major part of the set, which are referred to herein simply as “bars”. As illustrated, some bars  4  are deployed vertically, and some horizontally. 
         [0043]    Each of two adjacent bars  4  are connected by a connecting piece  6 , which is also referred to herein as “connectors”. As illustrated in these figures, the connection between the bars is concealed. 
         [0044]    The bars and the connectors allow constructing a skeleton. The quadrate form of the bars and the connection technique between two bars, which conceals the connection points, allow demonstrating a concrete-like skeleton, in order to impart foundations of building construction to an infant player. 
         [0045]    Also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a plurality of tablets  8 , which are used as walls. Preferably, the size of the edge of a tablet  8  corresponds to the size of a bar  4 . 
         [0046]    An additional piece illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a guardrail  12  of a porch, which is actually a tablet. Numeral  10  denotes a piece used as a lamp and the like. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3 to 11  schematically illustrate the structure of the pieces of the building illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0048]    The basic pieces forming the construction are bars  4 , and the connectors  6 . Preferably, the connectors are designed such that upon connecting two bars, it will appear to be a single piece, regardless whether the bars are connected subsequently or perpendicularly. 
         [0049]    The term “column” refers herein to a vertical bar in a toy construction, and the term “beam” refers herein to a horizontal bar in a construction. Thus, a bar  4  may be used as a column and also as a beam. 
         [0050]    The higher the construction, the higher is the load on the lower parts thereof. As a result, in a construction the columns must be massive with regard to the expected load. 
         [0051]    In the real world—as opposed to that of the miniature—columns and beams are made of wood, metal, reinforced concrete, and the like. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3   a  schematically illustrates the structure of a bar  4  and a connecting member  6 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0053]    A connector  6  is used to connect two bars  4 . The bars may be connected perpendicularly or subsequently. 
         [0054]    According to this embodiment of the invention, the object of the design of the bars and the connectors is to allow connecting each of two bars such that the connection is concealed, thereby providing to the construction an appearance which departs from a construction made of myriad pieces. In order to achieve this object, the contour of the ends of a bar  6  and the connecting member  4  must be substantially the same. 
         [0055]    According to embodiments of the invention, the connection technology is based on mating elements. This is a well-known technology. According to such technology, one of the mating elements is referred to as “male” and the other as “female”. In the illustrations herein, numeral  44  denotes a “male” connecting element, and numeral  28  denotes a “female” connecting element. Numeral  20  denotes a zoomed view on the “male” connecting element  44 . 
         [0056]    According to this embodiment of the invention, the male connecting element comprises a stud  24  (an element projecting from a surface), and four vanes  22 . The stud  24  is the part which mates with the corresponding female member  28 . Vanes  22  are used to enforce the means by which a bar is connected to a connector. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the planes of the facets and the bars and the connector will be parallel upon connection. 
         [0057]    Of course, other mechanisms may be employed in order to achieve this object, such as a rectangular contour of the stud  24 , and corresponding form of element  28 . 
         [0058]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contour of the end  9  of bar  4  is quadratic. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the end  9  of bar  4  is rectangular. 
         [0059]    The size of bar  4  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is 12×2×2 bricks. Numeral  7  denotes a brick. Actually bar  4  is made of a single piece, but comprises grooves  5  imparting bar  4  an appearance of a structural form made of bricks  7 . 
         [0060]    Preferably, the size of a facet of a brick is about 1×1 cm, since it demonstrates the size of the cm unit. 
         [0061]    The grooves are also used as a frame for tablet pieces, such as pieces  18 ,  8 ,  9 , and  12 . Of course, the form of the edges of tablet pieces must correspond to the form of the grooves. 
         [0062]    Numeral  26  denotes a zoomed view of a connector  6 . Connector  6  is a cube of 2×2 bricks. It comprises a bore  28 , which is the female member corresponding to stud  24 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 3   b  schematically illustrates the structure of a bar  4  and a connecting member  6 , according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         [0064]    A connector  6  is used to connect two bars  4 . The bars may be connected perpendicularly or subsequently. 
         [0065]    According to this embodiment of the invention, the object of the design of the bars and the connectors is to allow connecting each of two bars such that the connection is concealed, thereby providing to the construction an appearance which departs from a construction made of myriad pieces. In order to achieve this object, the contour of the ends of a bar  6  and the connecting member  4  must be substantially the same. 
         [0066]    According to embodiments of the invention, the connection technology is based on mating elements. This is a well-known technology. According to such technology, one of the mating elements is referred to as “male” and the other as “female”. In the illustrations herein, numeral  44  denotes a “male” connecting element, and numeral  28  denotes a “female” connecting element. Numeral  20  denotes a zoomed view on the “male” connecting element  44 . 
         [0067]    According to this embodiment of the invention, the male connecting element comprises only four vanes  22 , in contrast to the embodiment of  FIG. 3   a  in which also a stud  24  is employed. Thus, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3   b  the part which mates with the corresponding female member  28  is the vanes. Accordingly, the structure of the female connecting element has to correspond to the vanes. 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section along two connected bars  4 , which schematically illustrates a connection mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0069]    The zoomed view focuses on connector  6 . In this particular case, the bars are connected perpendicularly. 
         [0070]      FIG. 5  schematically illustrates the structure of a bar  4  and a connecting member  6 , according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         [0071]    According to this embodiment of the invention, stud  24  is a quadrate prism, in contrast to the embodiment of  FIG. 3  in which stud  24  is a cylinder. The quadrate form of the stud performs the same role as vane  22  in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , i.e., a certain angle between bar  4  and connector  6  is enforced. 
         [0072]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates the arch piece  18  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0073]    The arch is “derived” from a tablet of the size of 10×12 bricks. 
         [0074]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates the “wall” piece  8  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0075]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a “wall” piece  9 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0076]    The only difference between wall  8  and  9  is the decoration. 
         [0077]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates a “wall” piece  12 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0078]    The size of piece  12  is 4×4 bricks. 
         [0079]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates a bar  14 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0080]    The size of piece  14  is 4×2×2 bricks, in contrast to bar  4 , the size of which is 12×2×2 bricks. 
         [0081]    Each of  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  schematically illustrates a “lamp” piece  10 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0082]    In  FIG. 11   a  the stud  11  of lamp  10  corresponds to the size of the female member  28  of a connector  6  of  FIG. 3   a , and in  FIG. 11   b  the stud  11  of lamp  10  corresponds to the size of the female member  28  of a connector  6  of  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0083]      FIG. 12  schematically illustrates a casing  34 , for a toy building construction set. 
         [0084]    The casing comprises a box  40 , on which a scale  38  is impressed. Assuming the pieces are used layer-by-layer, scale  38  indicates the number of remaining floors that can built. For example, if the level of the pieces inside box  40  points on number 2 of the scale, it indicates that only two floors can be built from the remaining pieces in the box. A top cover  36 , which moves along rails  42 , is used to close box  40 . 
         [0085]    Of course, the scale may reveal how many layers have been used, rather than how many layers remain. 
         [0086]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.