Abstract:
This application discloses a toy construction apparatus that can be used to make posable toy figures. The apparatus includes structural pieces, called “bones,” which can be connected to a plurality of other bones by joints that can be formed by a marble or similar device and connecting structures on the ends of each bone. These joints can either be movable or rigid depending on the type of connecting structures on the end of each bone being connected by the joint. Additionally, specialized structures, such as heads, feet, and torsos, can be used with the toy construction apparatus that allow the user to create more complex and life-like toy figures.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit and priority from provisional application No. 60/654,351 filed on Feb. 18, 2005, entitled, “Marble Building Toy,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a toy design that allows a user to build posable toy figures from rigid structural pieces referred to as “bones” that can be connected to other bones by either movable or rigid joints. These joints are formed by connecting structures on at least one end of each bone that can both be connected to a marble or other similar spherical or spheroidal workpiece. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,070 to Liu, has an issue date of Aug. 13, 1996. The patent discloses planar blocks with edge apertures and hinged connectors. The planar blocks can fit into each other by locking one side to the other side. The blocks can also snap onto each other front/back as well. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be used as a toy construction set, which includes rigid structural pieces connected by both movable and rigid joints that also contain a marble or similar spherical or spheroidal device. 
   The above aspects can also be attained by an apparatus that includes a plurality of structural pieces, each having a first end and a second end; a first u-shaped yoke or split yoke at the first end and a second U-shaped yoke or split yoke at a second end; a marble or other spherical workpiece, or a spheroidal midsection, capable of being received by a u-shaped yoke, two split yokes, or a similar connecting apparatus. 
   These, together with other aspects and advantages, which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a structural workpiece, referred to hereafter as a “bone,” the bone has a first end that includes a first u-shaped yoke and a second end including a second u-shaped yoke, the first u-shaped yoke being on the same plane as the second unshaped yoke, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of two bones and one marble or other spherical workpiece of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together using the first u-shaped yoke of a first bone receiving a spheroidal midsection of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a torso-like toy construction apparatus capable of being joined to a plurality of bones, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of the torso-like toy construction apparatus depicted in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a human-like figure constructed with the torso-like toy construction apparatus depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a bone having a first end that includes a u-shaped yoke and a second end that includes a split yoke, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together by a rigid joint that includes a marble or other spherical device received by a first split yoke of a first bone and a second split yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of the two bones joined together by a rigid joint comprised of a marble or other spherical device being received by a first bone having a first split yoke and a second bone having a second split yoke, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment; and 
       FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of four bones joined together by a rigid joint that includes a single marble or other spherical device received by a first split yoke of a first bone, a second split yoke of a second bone, a third split yoke of a third bone, and a fourth split yoke of a fourth bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 12  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, illustrating how such an apparatus can allow transmission of rotational forces across angles formed between the bones, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 13  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones, made from bent wire, capable of being joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 14  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones, made from sheet metal and bent wire, capable of being joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 15  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones, made from bent sheet metal, riveted or spot welded, capable of being joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first unshaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; 
       FIG. 16  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones, made from sheet metal that has been by machining or stamped extrusion, capable of being joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment; and 
       FIG. 17  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones, made from co-molded plastic over wire, capable of being joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device being received by both a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
   The present general inventive concept relates to a construction toy apparatus for building objects from structural workpieces, called “bones,” connected by both movable and rigid joints that include marbles or similar spherical devices. 
   The bones used to build toy objects can be made of plastic, wood, or any other suitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. These bones can have two ends and connecting structures can be placed at one end or both ends of the bone. These connecting structures can be u-shaped yokes, split yokes, or other similar structures capable of forming a joint containing a marble or other similar spherical device. Additionally, each bone can have a spheroidal midsection that can be used to form a joint with the connecting structure of another bone. This wide variety of bone designs can allow a user to create many diverse toy structures. 
   In addition to standard bone designs described above, specialized bone structures can also be used that allow the user to build particular types of toy structures. For example, a specialized bone structure can be made that simulates the features of a human or animal torso. Standard bones can then be connected to this torso-like structure to create limbs and other desired features of the toy structure being built. 
   The marbles or other similar spherical devices, used to build the movable or rigid joints, can have a proper circumference to be securely received by a bone&#39;s connecting structure (e.g. u-shaped yoke, split yoke, etc.). These marbles or other spherical workpieces can be constructed from glass, plastic, wood, or other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a bone having a first end that includes a u-shaped yoke and a second end that includes a second u-shaped yoke, the first u-shaped yoke being in parallel to the second u-shaped yoke, according to an embodiment. 
   A bone  100  can be used as a structural workpiece in a toy construction apparatus. The bone  100  can include a first u-shaped yoke  101  and a second u-shaped yoke  105 . Each yoke can also include two extensions  102  and each extension  102  can have a hole  103  capable of receiving a marble or other spherical device (not pictured). Each bone may also have a spheroidal midsection  104  which can be received by the u-shaped yoke of another bone (not pictured) thereby creating a movable joint connecting the two bones without the use of a marble or similar spherical device (not pictured). 
     FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together by a movable joint that includes a marble or other spherical device received by a first u-shaped yoke of a first bone and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone, according to an embodiment. 
   A first bone  201  can be joined to a second bone  202  by a movable joint that includes a marble  203  or other spherical workpiece. The first u-shaped yoke  204  of the first bone  201  can receive a marble  203  and a second u-shaped yoke of a second bone  202  can receive the same marble  203 . The first u-shaped yoke  204  can be aligned perpendicularly to the second u-shaped yoke  205 . 
   This movable joint allows each bone to move approximately 90 degrees forward, backward and to each side in relation to the bone to which it is attached by the movable joint. 
     FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of the two bones and one marble making up the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together using the first u-shaped yoke of a first bone receiving a spheroidal midsection of a second bone, according to an embodiment. 
   The first bone  400  can be connected to a second bone  401  by a movable joint formed by the spheroidal midsection  402  of the first bone  400  and the first u-shaped yoke  403  of the second bone  401 . The u-shaped yoke  403  of the second bone  401  can receive the spheroidal midsection  402  of the first bone  400  by placing the extensions of the u-shaped yoke  403  on either side of the spheroidal midsection  402  so that the holes in the extensions can receive opposing sides of the spheroidal midsection  402 . 
   The movable joint depicted in  FIG. 4  can allow the second bone  401  to rotate 360 degrees about Axis A  404  and a limited amount up and down from its connection to the first bone  400  in relation to Axis B  405 . 
     FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a torso-like structural workpiece capable of being joined to a plurality of bones, or other structural workpieces, according to an embodiment. 
   The torso-like structural workpiece  500  can be designed to simulate the movements of the joints connecting the arms, legs, and head of a human or human-like creature to its torso. A first u-shaped yoke  501  can be attached to the upper middle point of a shoulder piece  502  creating a joint where the first u-shaped yoke  501  can move 360 degrees about Axis A  503 . This first u-shaped yoke  501  can be used to form a neck-like joint where a head (not pictured) can be attached to the torso-like structural workpiece  500 . Additionally, the shoulder piece  502  can have a first end having a second u-shaped yoke  504  and a second end having a third u-shaped yoke  505 . Both the first and second u-shaped yokes,  504  and  505 , can rotate 360 degrees about Axis B  506 . These u-shaped yokes,  504  and  505 , can be used to form a shoulder joint where arm-like structures can be attached to the torso-like structural workpiece  500 . The torso-like structural piece can also include a backbone piece  507  having a first end and a second end. The backbone piece  507  can be perpendicularly attached at its first end, by a movable joint, to the lower middle point of the shoulder piece  502 . This movable joint can allow the backbone piece  507  to move 360 degrees about Axis A  503 . The second end of the backbone piece can include a u-shaped yoke  508  capable of forming a movable joint with a pelvis piece  509 , which can also include a first u-shaped yoke  514 , and a marble or other spherical device  510 , immovably mounted onto the pelvis piece  509 . This movable joint allows each bone to move approximately 90 degrees forward, backward and to each side in relation to the other bone to which it is attached by the joint. The pelvis piece  509  can also include a second u-shaped yoke  511 , and a third u-shaped yoke  512 , movably mounted to the sides of the pelvis piece  509 . These second and third u-shaped yokes,  511  and  512 , can rotate 360 degrees about Axis C  513  and can form hip joints for attaching a leg-like appendages. 
     FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of a torso-like structural workpiece capable of being joined to a plurality of bones, according to an embodiment; 
   Attaching mechanisms  600 , can be mounted to u-shaped yokes of the arms  602 , legs  603 , and neck  601  joints, as well as the backbone piece  607 . These attaching mechanisms  600  can include a plurality of tabs that can be received by circular openings  610 , securely fastening the u-shaped yokes of the arms  602 , legs  603 , and neck  601  joints, as well as the backbone piece  607  to the shoulder piece  602  and the pelvis piece  609 . Each of these attaching mechanisms can allow the u-shaped yokes to turn 360 degrees. 
     FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a human-like figure constructed using the torso-like toy construction apparatus depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to an embodiment. 
   This human-like  FIG. 700  can contain specialized workpieces other than the torso-like toy construction apparatus  703 . The human-like  FIG. 700  can also contain one or more head workpieces  701  that can also include a u-shaped yoke for forming a movable joint with any other u-shaped yoke using a marble or other spherical device. Any number of foot-like workpieces  702  can each be attached to any u-shaped yoke on the human-like  FIG. 700 . 
     FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a bone having a first end that includes a u-shaped yoke and a second end that includes a split yoke, according to an embodiment. 
   A bone  800  can be used as a structural workpiece in a toy construction apparatus. The bone  800  can have a first end that includes a u-shaped yoke  801  and a second end that also includes a split yoke  803 . The split yoke can have two extensions  804 , which can receive another split yoke (not pictured), and either a marble or other spherical device or spheroidal midsection (not pictured), to form a rigid joint. Each bone may also include a spheroidal midsection  802  which can be received by the unshaped yoke of one other bone (not pictured) or two joined split yokes of two other bones (not pictured). 
     FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of two bones joined together by a rigid joint made with a marble or other spherical device  902  received by a first split yoke  901  of a first bone  904  and a second split yoke  903  of a second bone  905 , according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating an exploded perspective view of two bones joined together by a rigid joint made with a marble or other spherical device  1002  received by a first split yoke  1001  of a first bone  1004  and a second split yoke  1003  of a second bone  1005 , as depicted in  FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating an perspective view of four bones joined together by a rigid joint made with a single marble or other spherical device  1101  received by a first split yoke of a first bone  1102 , a second split yoke of a second bone  1103 , a third split yoke of a third bone  1104 , and a fourth split yoke of a fourth bone  1105 , according to an embodiment. 
   The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.