Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0590432A2/en
Timestamp: 2020-08-13 06:52:43
Document Index: 673013065

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21']

EP0590432A2 - Block units for a block toy - Google Patents
Block units for a block toy Download PDF
EP0590432A2
EP0590432A2 EP93114955A EP93114955A EP0590432A2 EP 0590432 A2 EP0590432 A2 EP 0590432A2 EP 93114955 A EP93114955 A EP 93114955A EP 93114955 A EP93114955 A EP 93114955A EP 0590432 A2 EP0590432 A2 EP 0590432A2
EP93114955A
EP0590432A3 (en
Makoto c/o Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Orii
Katsuhiko c/o Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Hayashi
1992-09-16 Priority to JP246344/92 priority Critical
1992-09-16 Priority to JP24634492A priority patent/JPH0691062A/en
1993-09-16 Application filed by Nidec Sankyo Corp filed Critical Nidec Sankyo Corp
1994-04-06 Publication of EP0590432A2 publication Critical patent/EP0590432A2/en
1994-10-12 Publication of EP0590432A3 publication Critical patent/EP0590432A3/en
A block unit (1) for a block toy contains a block body (1) having protrusions (3) and recesses through which the block body is freely connectable to other block units; a rotary shaft (2) rotatably supported in the block body (1) in such a manner that the rotary shaft (2) is extended in a block coupling direction in which the block unit is coupled to other block units through the protrusions and recesses thereof; and rotation transmitting means (2d,2m) for transmitting the rotation of the rotary shaft to other block bodies coupled to the block unit body, the rotation transmitting means provided at the ends of the rotary shaft, the rotation transmitting means being freely connectable to rotation transmitting means of other block units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invetion
A block toy is well known which is formed by combining block units having protrusions and recesses. There are available a variety of block units different in configuration for block toys; however, the standard structure of a block unit is as shown in FIG. 10 (a). That is, the body of the block unit (hereinafter referred to as "a block body", when applicable) is in the form of a rectangular box made up of two end walls, two side walls, and a top wall, being opened in one direction. The block body has eight protrusions 3a through 3h on the outer surface of the top wall at equal intervals. Furthermore, FIG. 10 (c), it has three annular protrusions 4a, 4b and 4c (hereinafter referred to as "tubes 4a, 4b and 4c", when applicable) extended from the inner surface of the top wall, which is opposite to the outer surface of the wall on which the eight protrusions are formed, to the plane defined by the outer edges of the two end walls and two side walls of the block body. The two end walls and two side walls of the block unit and the tubes 4a, 4b and 4c define a recess a. The block unit shown in FIG. 10 (c) is relatively small in thickness. The block unit shown in FIG. 10 (a) is standard in thickness, and its tubes have a length in proportion to the thickness.
The block units shown in FIG. 10 (a) and (b) are joined into one unit as follows. That is, the block unit shown in FIG. 10 (a) or (b) is turned over and set on the block unit shown in FIG. 10 (a) or (b). Under this condition, those block units are pushed against each other, as a result of which three spaces A, B and C defined on the top wall by the eight protrusions (each space being defined by four adjacent protrusions) are engaged with the three tubes 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively, so that the two block units are connected to each other. In this operation, the protrusions of the block unit of FIG. 10 (c) are engaged with the recess a which is defined by the four side walls and the three tubes. The two block units may be connected to each other in various manners. For instance, the two block units are set in the same direction, and one of the tubes of one of the block units is engaged with one of the above-described spaces on the top wall of the other block unit, or two tubes are engaged with two spaces.
The conventional motor block unit, sticking its rotary shaft out of the block body, suffers from the following difficulties: If, with the motor block unit coupled to a battery block unit, the switch is turned on, then the motor's rotary shaft sticking out of the block body is rotated, thus being hazardous. If the rotary shaft sticking out of the block body is bent by external force, then it becomes impossible to accurately transmit the torque to the rotating member such as a tire. Since the end portions of the rotary shaft are protruded from the block body, the motor block unit is a special block unit; that is, it cannot be employed as a standard block unit, not being applicable to different moving block toys. Furthermore, since the direction of the rotary shaft is perpendicular to the direction of engagement of the block unit, the direction of utilization of the torque provided by the motor is limited; that is, use of the motor block unit is limited.
Acccording to an aspect of the present invetion, there is provided a block unit for a block toy comprising: a block body having protrusions and recesses through which the block body is freely connectable to other block units; a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the block body in such a manner that the rotary shaft is extended in a block coupling direction in which the block unit is coupled to other block units through the protrusions and recesses thereof; and rotation transmitting means for transmitting the rotation of the rotary shaft to other block bodies coupled to the block unit body, the rotation transmitting means provided at the ends of the rotary shaft, the rotation transmitting means being freely connectable to rotation transmitting means of other block units.
FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing a motor block unit, which constitutes a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1 (b) is a perspective view showing a gear block unit of type B, which constitutes a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1 (c) is a perspective view showing a gear block unit of type C, which constitutes a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1 (d) is a perspective view showing a gear block unit of type D, which constitutes a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1 (e) is a perspective view showing a block unit of type E, which constitutes a fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 8 (a) through (e) are perspective views showing a variety of rotation transmitting means;
FIGS. 1 (a) through (c) show first, second and third types of block units according to the invention, in each of which a rotary shaft is built in a block body 1 standard in size which is made up of two end walls, two side walls and a top wall (hereinafter referred to as "a standard block body 1", when applicable). FIGS. 1 (d) and (e) show fourth and fifth types of block units according to the invention, in which a rotary shaft is built in a block body 1S smaller in size than the block body 1 (hereinafter referred to as "a small block body 1S", when applicable). The block body 1S is also made up of two end walls, two side walls and a top wall. The standard block body 1 and the small block body 1S are different from each other only in thickness in the direction of engagement (or disengagement) of the block units (hereinafter referred to as "a block coupling direction", when applicable). The block bodies 1 and 1S each have eight protrusions 3a through 3h, and three tubes 4a through 4c in the same manner. That is, the positions of the protrusions and the tubes of the block body 1 are the same as those of the protrusions and the tubes of the block body 1S.
FIG. 1 (a) shows a first embodiment of the invention; that is, a motor block unit 1A in which a drive source such as an electric motor or spring motor is built. One end portion (or a rotation transmitting end portion) of the rotary shaft 2 is protruded in the space A which is defined by the four adjacent protrusions 3a, 3b, 3e and 3f.
FIG. 1 (b) shows a second embodiment of the invention; that is, a gear block unit of type B, namely, a gear block unit 1B in which a gear unit is built. One end portion of the rotary shaft 21 is protruded in the space A from the top wall, and the output shaft 5 is protruded from one end wall 1a of the block body 1.
FIG. 1 (c) shows a third embodiment of the invention; that is, a gear block unit of type C, namely, a gear block unit 1C in which a gear unit is built. One end portion of the rotary shaft 22 is protruded in the space A from the top wall, and one end portion of the output shaft 6 is protruded from one side wall 1b of the block body 1.
FIG. 1 (d) shows a fourth embodiment of the invention; that is, a gear block unit of type D, namely, a gear block unit 1D in which a gear unit is built. First end portions of three rotary shafts 23, 23A and 23B are protruded in the spaces A, B and C from the top wall. In the block unit, the torque applied to any one of the three rotary shafts is outputted through the others.
FIG. 1 (e) shows a fifth embodiment of the invention; that is, a block unit of type E, namely, a block unit 1E in which the other end portion of the rotary shaft 24 is positioned in the tube 4a. The block unit 1E is connected between two block units having rotary shafts, to transmit torque therebetween.
The rotary shaft 2 comprises: a first shaft part 2b which is integral with the worm wheel; and a second shaft part 2c which is engaged with the first shaft part 2b in such a manner that it is axially slidable and it becomes integral with the first shaft portion 2b when turned. On end portion 2ba of the first shaft part 2b is rotatably supported by a bearing hole 11e formed in a bearing portion 11d of the unit casing 11. A tapered or conical hole trapezoid in section, namely, a first rotation transmitting means 2d is formed in the end face of the first shaft part 2b. The outer end portion of the bearing portion 11d is extended through the tube plate 4 and engaged with the tube 4a. That is, the first rotation transmitting means 2d is positioned inside the tube 4a. The worm 14b and the worm wheel 2a are provided in the reduction gear train between the motor 12 and the rotary shaft 2 in the above-described manner, and therefore a large reduction ratio and a great torque can be obtained with a small number of parts.
The gear block unit 1B comprises: the rotary shaft 21 extended in the block coupling direction; the output shaft 5 arranged perpendicular to the rotary shaft 21; and a reduction gear train provided between the rotary shaft 21 and the output shaft 5. The tube plate 4 secured to the block body 1 has a bearing hole 4d which is coaxial with the tube 4a and opened in the latter 4a. Another bearing hole 1d is formed in the top wall of the block body 1 in such a manner that it opens in the space A
On the other hand, the second shaft part 21b has an engaging hole 21n substantially D-shaped in section, which is slidably engaged with the end portion 21m of the first shaft part 21a. The second shaft part 21b has a flange on which the other end of the coil spring 21f is set, and a second rotation transmitting means 21t which is conical, and substantially trapezoid in section. The coil spring 21f urges the first shaft part 21a and the second shaft part 21b to push the flanges 21e and 21s against the bearing portions. Under this condition, the first rotation transmitting means 21d and the second rotation transmitting means 21t are held set back from the end face of the tube 4a and the end faces of the protrusions 3a and 3b, respectively.
The output shaft 5 has a small diameter end portion 5a, which is inserted into a bearing hole 1e formed in the end wall 1a of the block body 1. The other end portion 5b of the output shaft 5 is supported between bearing portions 1f and 4e of the block body 1 and the tube plate 4. That is, the output shaft 5 is supported in such a manner that it is freely rotatable, but it is prevented from being moved axially. A bevel gear 5c is integrally mounted on the inner end portion of the output shaft. The length of the portion of the output shaft which is extended outside the block body 1 is adjusted according to an end item which is formed by using the gear block unit. The output shaft 5 may be terminated at the outer surface of the end wall 1a of the block as the case may be. However, in this case, a coupling engaging hole should be formed in the end wall (cf. 6b in FIG. 1 (c)).
The gear block unit 1C comprises: a rotary shaft 22 extended in the block coupling direction; and an output shaft 6 arranged perpendicular to the rotary shaft 22. The tube 4a formed on the tube plate 4 secured to the block body 1 is not closed at the base end; that is, a bearing hole 4d is formed in the tube plate 4 secured to the block body 1 in such a manner that it is coaxial with the tube 4a and opened in the latter 4a. Another bearing hole 1d is formed in the block body's top wall at the position corresponding to the space A.
The output shaft 6 is rotatably supported by the two side walls 1b of the block body 1 (only one side wall 1b shown in FIG. 1 (c)). The output shaft 6 has a worm wheel 6a, which is engaged with the worm 22c which is formed on the rotary shaft 22. Elongated holes 6b are formed in both end portions of the output shaft 6, so that rotating members such as tire wheels and caterpillar sprockets are connected to the output shaft by inserting their connecting parts into the elongated holes. As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the end portions of the output shaft are limited in length so that they may not be protruded outside the side walls 1b of the block body 1.
In each of the rotary shafts of the gear block unit 1D shown in FIG. 6, the coupling state of the first shaft part and the second shaft part is the same as in the other gear block units described above. The gear block unit 1D shown in FIG. 6 is of three-axes drive type; however, the rotary shafts and the gears may be combined in various manners. For instance gear block units of the following types may be considered: a first two-shafts drive type (A) that the rotary shafts 23B is eliminated; that is, only the rotary shafts 23 and 23C are employed; a second two-shafts drive type (B) that the rotary shaft 23B has no gear, and the rotary shafts 23 and 23A are coupled through the gears; a three-shafts relay type that none of the three shafts have gears; a two-shafts relay type that two rotary shafts having no gear are employed; and a single-shaft relay type that only one rotary shaft is employed as shown in FIG. 1 (e) which constitutes the fifth embodiment of the invention.
The structures of the rotation transmitting means for coupling the rotary shafts to one another may be modified in various manners as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 (a) shows a pair of rotation transmitting means which have a pyramidal protrusion 25a and an engaging holes 25a pyramidal in section at the ends, respectively. FIG. 8 (b) shows another pair of rotation transmitting means. One of the rotation transmitting means has an end face in which radial teeth are cut, and the other also has an end face which radial teeth are cut so as to be engaged with the radial teeth of the one rotation transmitting mans. FIG. 8 (c) shows another pair of rotation transmitting means. One of the rotation transmitting means has an end portion which is formed into a circular-truncated-cone-shaped protrusion 27a with grooves, and the other has an end portion in the end face of which an engaging hole 27b is formed which is complementary in configuration with the protrusion 27a. In addition, pairs of rotation transmitting means as shown in FIG. 8 (d) and (e) may be employed. The rotation transmitting means designed as described above are advantageous in the following point: Even if, in engaging the block units with each other, the rotary shafts are shifted in phase from each other; that is, the protrusion of the rotary shaft of one of the block units is shifted from the engaging hole of the rotary shaft of the other, the rotary shafts, being urged by the respective coil springs, are contracted to energize the coil springs, so that the block units are positively engaged with each other, and one of the rotary shafts is turned to positively engage with the other.
A block unit for a block toy comprising:
a block body having protrusions and recesses through which the block body is freely connectable to other block units;
a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the block body in such a manner that the rotary shaft is extended in a block coupling direction in which the block unit is coupled to other block units through the protrusions and recesses thereof; and
rotation transmitting means for transmitting the rotation of the rotary shaft to other block bodies coupled to the block unit body, the rotation transmitting means provided at the ends of the rotary shaft, the rotation transmitting means being freely connectable to rotation transmitting means of other block units.
A block unit as claimed in claim 1, futher comprising:
drive means for rotating the rotary shaft provided in the block body.
A block unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the rotary shaft includes:
a first shaft member to which external torque is applied;
first auxiliary rotation transmitting means for transmitting the external force, first auxiliary rotation transmitting means being formed on the side of one end portion of the first shaft member;
second shaft member engaged with the first shaft member in such a manner that the second shaft member is slidable axially and rotatable integrealy with the first shaft member and
second auxiliary rotation transmitting means for transmitting the external torque, second auxiliary rotation transmitting means being formed on the side of the other end portion of the first shaft part.
A block unit as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
energizing means for energizing first auxiliary rotation transmitting means and the second auxiliary rotation transmitting means so as to be coupled to those of other block units.
A block unit as claimed in claim 3, in which the first auxiliary rotation transmitting means includes an engaging hole.
A block unit as claimed in claim 5, in which the engaging hole is a conical hole trapezoid in section.
A block unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the second auxiliary rotation transmitting means includes a protrusion.
A block unit as claimed in claim 7, in which the protrusion of the second rotation transmitting means is conical, being trapezoid in section.
A block unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the end faces of the first and second auxiliary rotation transmitting means are set back from the protrusions and recesses of the block body.
A block unit as claimed in the claim 1, further comprising:
an output shaft arranged perpendicular to the rotary shaft.
EP19930114955 1992-09-16 1993-09-16 Block units for a block toy. Withdrawn EP0590432A3 (en)
JP246344/92 1992-09-16
JP24634492A JPH0691062A (en) 1992-09-16 1992-09-16 Block unit for block toy
EP0590432A2 true EP0590432A2 (en) 1994-04-06
EP0590432A3 EP0590432A3 (en) 1994-10-12
ID=17147171
EP19930114955 Withdrawn EP0590432A3 (en) 1992-09-16 1993-09-16 Block units for a block toy.
US (1) US5411428A (en)
EP (1) EP0590432A3 (en)
JP (1) JPH0691062A (en)
CN (1) CN1085117A (en)
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1993-09-13 US US08/119,389 patent/US5411428A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1993-09-15 CN CN 93116969 patent/CN1085117A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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JPH0691062A (en) 1994-04-05
US5411428A (en) 1995-05-02
CN1085117A (en) 1994-04-13
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Ipc: A63H 33/04