Construction system

A construction system includes an elongated connection stem with a central member having a uniform first transverse dimension and opposed integral end members, each having a uniform second transverse dimension greater than the first, each end member having a longitudinal slot extending from a tip end to the central member and an attachment member having a central through bore slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension. A cross section of each end member is similarly shaped to the central through bore and slightly larger than the central through bore and a cross section of the central member is similarly shaped to the central through bore but of smaller size than the central through bore. In one instance, the attachment member is fittingly received on either of the opposed end members and, in another instance, the attachment member is slidably received on the central member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a toy construction system, and more particularly, to such a system in which components are uniquely formed and can be assembled in a unique manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Over the years, many structural toys have been devised and marketed comprising elongated elements connected by joint elements in the form of cubes, spheres, disks, or other appropriate compact components to produce an architectural structure or a replica of a machine or vehicle. The elements and components of such toys have been of great variety, some of simple design and others of fairly complex design. When of complex design, they have been expensive to manufacture. Some of these toys suffer from the fault of rapid wear so that after moderate use, the parts are no longer friction tight and no longer capable of maintaining necessary connections.

In contrast, the present invention provides components of exceedingly simple design, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and adapted to be used by young children as well as by the older set. Further, while the components are to be fastened and held together by friction, by their,inherent design, wear is minimal and the life of the components and resulting structures and vehicles is maximized.

There are numerous examples of toy construction sets exemplified by patents. A very early example is U.S. Pat. No. 853,756 to Bétis which discloses an educational appliance for kindergarten work in the form of a counting frame in which is arranged a plurality of units in the form of cubes or blocks of any shape, each bearing a plurality of letters, figures, colors or other differentiated faces, susceptible of the various groupings or arrangements required by such work, Toy construction sets using, as a primary component, rods with bifurcated or slotted ends for fitting reception in other components with bored openings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,113,371 and 2,208,049 to Pajeau, and 3,698,123 to Heldt. U.S. Pat. No. 2,662,335 to Caverley discloses a set of toy or doll building pieces comprising bodies, heads, limbs, feet, and connecting elements which may be interchangeably interconnected. Apparatus for constructing molecular models may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,851,159 to Dodge, U.S. Pat. No. 2,962,820 to Petersen, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,581 to Clarke, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,404 to Fischer discloses a technique of constructing an assembly by connecting hollow structural elements with specially formed connecting elements. A construction toy system which comprises a variety of molded plastic connector elements arranged to be joined with rod-like struts to form complex structural units is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,919 to Glickman. A variety of other toy structural construction sets and techniques are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,255 to Warehime, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,120,253 and 5,282,767 to Gelardi. U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,215 to Kunz et al. discloses toy building sets in the form of box-shaped building blocks provided with coupling studs on one side and complementary coupling holes on an opposite side further provided with a tubular, elongated, flexible, corrugated building element to produce a unique structure.

It was in light of the foregoing that the present invention was conceived and has now been reduced to practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A construction system includes an elongated connection stem with a central member having a uniform first transverse dimension and opposed integral end members, each having a uniform second transverse dimension greater than the first, each end member having a longitudinal slot extending from a tip end towards the central member and an attachment member having a central through bore slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension. A cross section of each end member is similarly shaped to the central through bore and slightly larger than the central through bore and a cross section of the central member is similarly shaped to the central through bore but of smaller size than the central through bore. In one instance, the attachment member is fittingly received on either of the opposed end members and, in another instance, the attachment member is slidably received on the central member.

A primary feature, then, of the present invention, then, is the provision of a toy construction system in which components are uniquely formed and can be assembled in a unique manner.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system which includes an elongated connection stem with a central member having a uniform first dimension transverse of the longitudinal axis, opposed end members integral with the central member, each having a uniform second dimension transverse of the longitudinal axis greater than the first transverse dimension, each opposed end member having a longitudinal slot formed into the outer peripheral surface extending from its associated free tip end toward the central member and an attachment member having a central through bore slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension of each of the end members, a cross section of each of the end members perpendicular to the longitudinal axis being of similar shape to that of the central through bore and being slightly larger in size than that of the central through bore and a cross section of the central member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis being of similar shape to that of the central through bore but of smaller size than that of the central through bore such that, in one instance, the attachment member can be fittingly received, via the central through bore, on either of the opposed end members and, in another instance, the attachment member can be slidably received, via the central through bore, on the central member.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which the connection stem is substantially cylindrical, the central member has a first outer diameter, each of the opposed end members has a second outer diameter, and in which the attachment member has a cylindrical through bore having a diameter slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member.

Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which the length of the attachment member in a direction parallel with the through bore is less than the length of the central member between the opposed end members.

Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which the attachment member has a generally spherical outer peripheral surface in one instance and a generally cylindrical outer peripheral surface in another instance.

Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which the attachment member has at least one partial bore aligned with an axis transverse that of the central through bore and in which a cross section of each of the end members perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is of similar shape to that of the partial bore and slightly larger than the diameter of the partial bore such that the attachment member can be fittingly received via the partial bore on either of the opposed end members.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which the central member of the connection stem is curved in some instances and straight in some other instances.

Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system in which a plurality of the components can be joined to result in a completed assembly.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system including a plurality of decorative components of various configurations, each decorative component including a body with a central through bore having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member.

Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a toy construction system including a plurality of rolling members supporting the assembly for movement along a supporting surface, each rolling member including an axle and a wheel whereby, with a central hub of the wheel slidably received on a central member of the axle and with a plurality of the rolling members so assembled mounted on the assembly by engagement of each free end member with a partial bore of an attachment member and with the outer rims of the wheels rollingly engaged with the supporting surface, the assembly is selectively movable along the supporting surface.

Other and further features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate one of the embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, there are is shown a perspective view of an assembly20which has resulted from the joining of a plurality of components constituting a construction system embodying the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

The assembly20utilizes a construction system which incorporates, in its most basic form, a plurality of elongated connection stems22and a plurality of attachment members24. A preferable material for manufacture of all of the components of the invention, though not to be limiting of the invention, is high density polyethylene. Turning now toFIG. 2, each connection stem22extends between opposed free tip ends26,28, has an outer peripheral surface30, a longitudinal axis32, and includes a central member34having a uniform first dimension D1(FIG. 3) transverse of the longitudinal axis. Opposed end members36,38are integral with the central member34and each has a uniform second dimension D2(FIG. 4) transverse of the longitudinal axis32. The second transverse dimension D2is greater in magnitude than the first transverse dimension D1. Also, each opposed end member36,38has a longitudinal slot40formed into the outer peripheral surface30extending from its associated free tip end26or28toward the central member34. In the preferred instance that the central member34and end members36,38are cylindrical, the transverse dimensions D1and D2are intended to be diameters. However, it will be understood that the cross sectional shapes of the central member34and of the end members36,38may be of a host of other configurations. Also, in this disclosure, the term cylindrical will be taken to include ellipsoid configurations and the term diameter will be taken to mean all appropriate transverse dimensions of such ellipsoid configurations or of other configurations.

Viewing nowFIG. 5, each attachment member24has a central through bore42which is slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension D2of each of the end members36,38. As seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, a cross section of each of the end members36,38perpendicular to the longitudinal axis32is of similar shape to that of the central through bore42and slightly larger in size than the central through bore. Somewhat in contrast, while a cross section of the central member34perpendicular to the longitudinal axis32is of similar shape to that of the central through bore42of the attachment member24, it is of smaller size than the central through bore. With this construction, in one instance as seen inFIG. 6, the attachment member24can be fittingly received, via the central through bore42, on either of the opposed end members36,38and, in another instance as seen inFIG. 7, the attachment member can be slidably received, via the central through bore42, on the central member34.

It should also be explained that the outer peripheral surface30of each connection stem22has a smoothly contoured transition zone44between each of the end members36,38and the central member34to enable ease of movement of the attachment member from alignment with the central member to its fitting positioning on an end member36,38. It is also proper to note that the slot40in the end members36and38provides a measure of band resilience which, together with chamfered end rims46, enables ease of insertion of the end members,36,38into the through bore42of the attachment member24.

In addition to the central through bore42, each attachment member has at least one partial bore48and, preferably, a plurality of partial bores, each aligned with an axis transverse that of the central through bore. A cross section of each of the end members36,38(seeFIG. 4) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis32is of similar shape to that of the partial bore48and slightly larger than the diameter of the partial bore. The partial bore48is so named because it extends only partially into an outer peripheral surface50(FIG. 5) of the attachment member24. With this construction, the attachment member24can be fittingly received via the partial bore48on either of the opposed end members36,38.

As seen inFIG. 7, the length of the attachment member24in a direction parallel with the through bore42is less than the length of the central member34between the opposed end members36,38. This construction enables the connection stem22whose end member36is shown fittingly received in the partial bore48of the attachment member24to swing to and fro with the attachment member in the directions of double arrowhead52about the longitudinal axis32.

As seen inFIGS. 5,6, and7, the attachment member24has a generally spherical outer peripheral surface.50. Alternatively, a modified attachment member24A is illustrated inFIG. 8having a generally cylindrical outer peripheral surface50A as well as a through bore42A and one or more partial bores48A. Other configurations not illustrated can also be imagined without altering the basic concept of the invention.

As seen inFIG. 1, a plurality of rolling members54support the assembly20for movement along a supporting surface56. Each rolling member54includes an axle58(FIG. 9) having an outer peripheral surface60and a longitudinal axis62. More specifically, the rolling member54includes a cylindrical central member64having a uniform first outer diameter, a free end member66integral with and axially aligned with the central member having a uniform second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter and a longitudinal slot68formed into the outer peripheral surface60extending from its associated free tip end70toward the central member. A stop member72is integral with the central member64and is spaced from the free end member and has a transverse dimension substantially greater than the central member and the free end member66. Now viewing especiallyFIG. 10, the rolling member54also includes a wheel74including a central hub76having a journal bore78with an inner diameter slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member64of the axle58. Further defining the wheel74is a circular outer rim80and spoke members82joining the outer rim to the central hub.

With the central hub76of the wheel74slidably received on the central member64of the axle58and with a plurality of the rolling members54so assembled mounted on the assembly20by engagement of each free end member66with a partial bore48of an attachment member24and with the outer rims80of the wheels74rollingly engaged with the supporting surface56, the assembly is selectively rollingly movable along the supporting surface. Also, it will be appreciated that there is a smoothly contoured transition zone84between the end member66and the central member64similar to the transition zones44on the connection stem22to enable ease of movement of the hub76of the wheel74from alignment with the central member64to its eventual removal from the free end member66. Chamfered end rims86, generally similar to the end rims46of the connection stem22enable ease of insertion of the end members66into the journal bore78of the wheel74. Although spoke members82are illustrated joining the central hub76to the outer rim80, numerous other constructions are possible, including a disk member, joining those two components of the wheel.

A modified construction stem22A is illustrated inFIG. 11having a curved central member34A and, indeed, for purposes of the invention, modified construction stems may also be of a variety of lengths.

A plurality of decorative components of various configurations are also provided for the assembly20. InFIG. 12A, a spool88has a cylindrical body90with disk-shaped flanged ends92and a central through bore94having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12B, a knob96has a curved outer peripheral surface98with a central through bore100having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12C, a cube102has a central through bore104having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12D, a three dimensional trapezoidal component106has a central through bore108having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12E, a simple sphere110has a central through bore112having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12F, a simple cylinder114has a central through bore116having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

InFIG. 12G, an ovoid component118has a central through bore120having a transverse dimension slightly smaller than the second outer diameter of each of the end members36,38of the connection stems22and slightly larger than the first outer diameter of the central member34of the connection stems.

Each of the components illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12Athrough12G can be attached to the assembly20in any manner and configuration desired by an operator.

FIG. 13is provided merely to illustrate a stationary assembly using only the primary components of connection stems22and attachment members24.