Toy construction apparatus

An assembly toy comprising a plurality of engaged interconnectable elements, each interconnectable element including a generally planar surface and comprising at least one engagement portion selected from first and second types of mutually interconnectable engagement portions, individual ones of the first and second types of mutually interconnectable engagement portions, when engaged permitting relative displacement of the elements interconnected thereby with a plurality of degrees of freedom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to assembly toys generally and more 
particularly to interconnectable assembly tiles. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Various types of interconnectable assembly tiles are known in the prior 
art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,454,307 to Cooley shows the formation of mosaic 
patterns through the interlocking of small sections of flexible material. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,454,307 apparently envisions only the creation of 
two-dimensional articles, the flexibility being provided to enable 
engagement and disengagement of the elements. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,436 to Schuh describes toy construction apparatus, 
including a plurality of elements each comprising a tongue and a tongue 
receiving slot, for providing interconnection of the elements. In order to 
obtain planar configurations, Schuh would appear to require the use of 
very flexible material. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,019 to Harvey describes a constructional toy including 
a plurality of hingeable elements which may be used to create either two 
dimensional or three dimensional objects. It is noted that in the Harvey 
structure each hinged connection provides only a single degree of freedom, 
i.e. rotation about the defined axis of rotation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention seeks to provide an improved interconnectable 
assembly toy having features which are not present in the prior art. 
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention an assembly toy comprising a plurality of 
interconnectable elements, each interconnectable element having a 
generally planar surface and comprising at least one engagement portion 
selected from first and second types of mutually interconnectable 
engagement portions, individual ones of the first and second types of 
mutually interconnectable engagement portions, when engaged permitting 
relative displacement of the elements interconnected thereby with a 
plurality of degrees of freedom. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
engagement portions are configured such that when individual ones of the 
first and second types of mutually interconnectable engagement portions 
are engaged, six degrees of freedom are provided for relative displacement 
of the elements interconnected thereby. 
Further in accordacne with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the six 
degrees of freedom include axial, lateral (side to side), transverse (up - 
down), and rotation about three perpendicular axes. 
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
the engagement portions are configured such that when individual ones of 
the first and second types of mutually interconnectable engagement 
portions are engaged, relative rotation of engaged elements about either 
of two perpendicular axes beyond predetermined limits produces 
disengagement rather than breakage of the interconnected elements. 
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 
engagement portions of the first type each comprise a protrusion including 
an axial portion and a lateral portion. 
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
the lateral portion extends in a single direction from the axial portion. 
Alternatively, the lateral portion may extend in two directions from the 
axial portion. 
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 
engagement portions of the second type comprise a slot for accomodating 
the axial portion and a spacer catch disposed alongside the slot and 
extending only partially therealong. 
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
the engagement arrangement of individual engagement portions of the first 
and second type is such that axial portion extends through the slot and 
lateral portion lies beyond the spacer catch. 
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 
engagement portions are configured that upon engagement and disengagement 
of individual elements, the transverse portion must pass the spacer catch. 
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
the spacer catch is configured to have an axial dimension generally equal 
to the axial dimension of the axial portion, thus permitting traverse 
displacement of the lateral portion therepast only when two adjacent 
elements are in coplanar touching engagement. 
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the spacer catch is formed with a rounded surface for facilitating 
traversal thereof by the lateral portion. 
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present 
invention, there is provided a three dimensional object formed by a 
multiplicity of joined elements of the type described hereinabove. 
Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the 
three dimensional object includes relatively displaceable portions which 
may be displaced without producing disengagement of the joined elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B which illustrate an 
interconnectable tile element constructed and operative in accordance with 
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The element comprises a 
generally planar surface 10, typically of square configuration and four 
edge panels 12, 14, 16, and 18, extending perpendicularly with respect to 
planar surface 10, so as to define the sides of a platform of which 
surface 10 is the platform surface. 
Associated with at least one surface of the interconnectable tile element 
and as shown associated with each of the side panels is an engagement 
portion. The engagement portions are of two types. An engagement portion 
of a first type 20 is seen associated with each of edge panels 12 and 14 
and includes an axial portion 22 which extends perpendicularly outward 
from the edge panel and a lateral portion 24 which extends perpendicularly 
and to at least one side of axial portion 22. Lateral portion 24 is 
separated from the edge panel by a defined clearance distance. 
An engagement portion of a second type 26 comprises a slot 28 formed in a 
edge panel, such as edge panels 16 and 18, and a spacer catch 30 disposed 
alongside slot 28. Spacer catch 30 extends perpendicularly inward from the 
outer surface of the edge panel by a distance which is generally equal to 
the clearance distance. Spacer catch 30 is typically formed with a rounded 
corner 32 adjacent to the entrance to the slot 28 to assist in engagement, 
but may alternatively be formed with a squared corner. 
It will be noted that spacer catch 30 does not extend adjacent the entire 
length of the slot 28, but rather only a portion of the slot, adjacent the 
entrace to the slot. Typically, spacer catch 30 extends along about 
one-third of the length of the slot. 
It is a particular feature of the present invention that the configuration 
of the engagement portions of the first and second type provides 
engagement of first and second type engagement portions which is flexible 
and permits multiple degree of freedom relative movement of engaged 
elements while being resistant to undesired disengagement. 
It is also a particular feature of the present invention that the first and 
second types of engagement portions are configured such that when 
individual ones of the first and second types of mutually interconnectable 
engagement portions are engaged, relative rotation of engaged elements 
about either of two perpendicular axes beyond predetermined limits 
produces disengagement rather than breakage of the interconnected 
elements. Such axes are, for example, axes 45 and 49 (FIG. 2). 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 2-4, which illustrate engagement of two 
interconnectable elements in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. For the purpose of clarity in description, the 
following terminology will be used throughout. "Axial" refers to the 
longitudinal axis 40 (FIG. 1B) of the axial portion 22 of the engagement 
portion of the first type; "transverse" refers to movement along an 
up-down axis 42 (FIG. 4) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40; and 
"lateral" refers to movement along a side to side axis 44 (FIG. 4) 
perpendicular to axes 40 and 42. "Pitch" refers to rotation about an axis 
45 (FIG. 2); "yaw" refers to rotation about an axis 47 (FIG. 3); and 
"roll" refers to rotation about an axis 49 (FIG. 2). 
From a consideration of FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that locked 
engagement of two interconnectable elements is provided when the 
engagement portion 20 of a first element extends through slot 28 of a 
second element, such that the lateral portion 24 is clear of the spacer 
catch 30. In this orientation, according to the present invention, 6 
degrees of freedom for relative displacement of the engaged elements are 
provided. 
It may be seen from FIG. 4 that engagement and disengagement of two 
elements through relative transverse movement thereof may be realized only 
if the edge panels of the respective elements lie in parallel touching 
relationship. When the edge panels of the respective elements lie in 
parallel touching relationship, the lateral portion 24 can pass the spacer 
catch 30 so as to assume the locked orientation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
It will be appreciated that the interconnectable elements may be formed of 
any suitably high strength material such as ABS plastic. The inherent 
flexibility of such material may influence the dimensional tolerances of 
the engagement portions. For example, if a material of sufficient 
flexibility is employed, then the relevant dimension of the spacer catch 
30 may be slightly larger than the clearance distance for providing a snap 
engagement arrangement. 
It is a particular feature of the present invention that engagement of the 
interconnectable elements formed in accordance with the present invention 
permits relative movement of engaged interconnectable elements with 
multiple degrees of freedom. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate extremes of 
relative transverse displacement of engaged (locked) elements. FIGS. 6A, 
6B, 7A and 7B illustrate extremes of relative axial displacement of 
engaged elements. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate extremes of relative lateral 
displacement of engaged elements. 
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate extremes of yaw rotation, while FIGS. 10A and 
10B illustrate extremes of pitch rotation and FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate 
extremes of roll rotation, all for engaged (locked) elements. 
FIG. 12 illustrates the arrangement of a multiplicity of interconnectable 
elements according to the present invention arranged with their surfaces 
10 facing inwardly in a cylindrical configuration. FIG. 13 illustrates a 
similar configuration wherein the surfaces 10 face outwardly. 
FIG. 14 is a sectional illustration of a multiplicity of elements of the 
type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B engaged in relative orientations having two 
different pitches. FIG. 15 is a bottom view illustration of a multiplicity 
of elements of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B engaged in relative 
orientations having two different yaws. FIG. 16 is a pictorial 
illustration of a multiplicity of elements of the type shown in FIGS. 1A 
and 1B engaged in a series of orientations displaced by a given amount of 
roll. 
FIG. 17 illustrates a generally planar array of engaged interconnectable 
elements. FIG. 18 illustrates an object defined by a multiplicity of 
engaged interconnectable elements having differing axial, transverse and 
lateral separations as well as differing pitch, yaw and roll relative 
rotational orientations. 
FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of interconnectable element 
wherein an additional engagement portion of the first type 20 is disposed 
on surface 10. FIG. 20 illustrates an object, including a perpendicularly 
extending wall which may be constructed using elements of the type shown 
in FIG. 19 to support the upstanding wall. 
FIG. 21 illustrates another alternative embodiment of interconnectable 
element, which serves to illustrate the face that in accordance with the 
present invention, the interconnectable elements may have any desired 
number of engagement portions of the first and second types and any 
desired suitable element configuration. In the illustrated embodiment 
non-parallel edge panels 54 and 56 are provided. 
FIG. 22 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of interconnectable 
element, wherein the engagement portion of the first type includes a 
lateral portion 58 which extends to both sides of the axial portion. 
Correspondingly a pair of spacer catches 30 are associated with the two 
sides of the slot 28. 
FIG. 23 illustrates still another alternative embodiment of 
interconnectable element wherein the engagement portion of the first type 
comprises a lug shaped hook 60 and the engagement portion of the second 
type comprises a bifurcated slot 62 having a spacer catch 64 mounted on a 
central stem 66, for engagement with the lug. 
FIG. 24 illustrates a fanciful figure constructed in accordance with the 
present invention. It is a particular feature of the present invention 
that the figure has inherent flexibility and can thus be re-positioned, 
re-shaped, re-posed and re-oriented without disengagement of the 
individual elements from adjacent elements, thus enhancing the play value 
thereof. 
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present 
invention is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described 
hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is defined only by the 
claims which follow: