Abstract:
A modular building block system and method. A set of pieces are formed with interlocking pegs and holes allowing the creation of structures. One such structure that can be made is a cube which can be attached using the pegs and holes to identically formed cubes. The cubes have panels of which custom artwork can be printed on them, thereby enabling complex scenes to be created using only the cubes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present general inventive concept is directed to a method and apparatus to construct a cube and a set of joined cubes for use as a toy or display. 
         [0003]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Toy building blocks such as LEGO are blocks with a pattern which can snap onto each other, thereby allowing the user to construct a variety of objects. However, LEGO blocks have drawbacks which render them disadvantageous when building certain structures such as cubes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an advantageous building block system. 
         [0006]    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 
         [0007]    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: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric drawing of a cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a drawing of a side view of a first elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a drawing of an end view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a drawing of a rear view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2D  is a drawing of a top view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2E  is an isometric drawing of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a drawing of a side view of a second elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a drawing of an end view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a drawing of a rear view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3D  is a drawing of a top view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3E  is an isometric drawing of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a drawing of a side view of a large side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a drawing of an end view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4C  is a drawing of a rear view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4D  is a drawing of a top view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4E  is an isometric drawing of the large side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a drawing of a side view of a first medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a drawing of an end view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a drawing of a rear view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5D  is a drawing of a top view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5E  is an isometric drawing of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6A  is a drawing of a side view of a second medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6B  is a drawing of an end view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6C  is a drawing of a rear view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6D  is a drawing of a top view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6E  is an isometric drawing of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7A  is a drawing of a side view of a small side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7B  is a drawing of an end view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7C  is a drawing of a rear view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7D  is a drawing of a top view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7E  is an isometric drawing of the small side piece, according to an embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric drawing showing assembly of a top or end panel, according to an embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric drawing showing two assembled side pieces being assembled to form two sides of a cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric drawing of four assembled side panels and two assembled end panels being assembled to form a cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a drawing of a cross-sectional view as indicated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a drawing of three identical cubes connected together, according to an embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  is an exploded isometric drawing from the top or one end of the cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 14  is drawing of a side view of the cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 15  is a drawing of an opposite side view of the cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 16  is a drawing of a top or one end view of the cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 17  is a drawing of a bottom or opposite end view of the cube, according to an embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 18  is a drawing of the panels and the pieces showing a possible set of measurements, according to an embodiment; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of constructing a cube, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]    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. 
         [0052]    The present inventive concept relates to a set of building blocks and how the building blocks are joined together to form a cube. Once a cube of the present invention is formed, it can then be joined to another cube by pressing the cubes together (thereby causing the cooperative parts to join). In this manner, a large number of such cubes can be joined together in a number of different patterns. Each cube can have different panels with different designs on them, thus a large number of cubes can cause a complex pattern to be displayed. Thus, different scenes can be created, such as a farm, city block, spaceship, or practically anything can be modelled by printing customized panels and assembling the cubes in the proper configuration. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1  is an isometric drawing of a cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0054]    An assembled cube is shown, with a top panel  24 , a first side panel  20 , a second side panel  23 , a plurality of first elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , large side pieces  14 , first medium side pieces  16 , second medium side pieces  17 , and small side pieces  18 . 
         [0055]    Note that the pieces (first elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , large side pieces  14 , first medium side pieces  16 , second medium side pieces  17 , and small side pieces  18 ) can all be made in numerous ways. For example, they can be 3-D printed, injection molded, carved, etc. They can be made out of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, ceramic, or any suitable material. If the pieces are 3-D printed then any suitable material can be used for 3-D printing such as ABS, PLA, nylon (or polyamide), stainless steel, etc. The pieces are made such that they “cooperate” with each other, that is, adjacent pieces in the assembled cube will fit (snap) into each other so that the pegs will fit into the corresponding holes on the adjacent piece. 
         [0056]    Note that all of the different types of pieces would come in a kit in which the user would assemble on his own. Each of the different types of pieces are identical to each other (subject any minor difference to do manufacturing variations, etc.) 
         [0057]      FIG. 2A  is a drawing of a side view of a first elbow piece, according to an embodiment. Note that the first elbow pieces are “elbow shaped” at a right angle. In other words, a first shaft of the first elbow piece and a second shaft of the first elbow piece are joined at right angles. 
         [0058]      FIG. 2B  is a drawing of an end view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2C  is a drawing of a rear view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0060]      FIG. 2D  is a drawing of a top view of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 2E  is an isometric drawing of the first elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0062]    Note that the first elbow piece and the second elbow piece are identical but for one difference, that is the holes and pegs in the first elbow piece are in an opposite configuration to the holes and pegs in the second elbow piece. Opposite configuration means wherever there is a hole in one there is a peg in the other and wherever there is a peg in one there is a hole in the other. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3A  is a drawing of a side view of a second elbow piece, according to an embodiment. Note that the second elbow pieces are “elbow shaped” at a right angle. In other words, a first shaft of the second elbow piece and a second shaft of the second elbow piece are joined at right angles. 
         [0064]      FIG. 3B  is a drawing of an end view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0065]      FIG. 3C  is a drawing of a rear view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0066]      FIG. 3D  is a drawing of a top view of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3E  is an isometric drawing of the second elbow piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0068]      FIG. 4A  is a drawing of a side view of a large side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4B  is a drawing of an end view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0070]      FIG. 4C  is a drawing of a rear view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0071]      FIG. 4D  is a drawing of a top view of the large side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4E  is an isometric drawing of the large side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5A  is a drawing of a side view of a first medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5B  is a drawing of an end view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0075]      FIG. 5C  is a drawing of a rear view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5D  is a drawing of a top view of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0077]      FIG. 5E  is an isometric drawing of the first medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0078]      FIG. 6A  is a drawing of a side view of a second medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0079]      FIG. 6B  is a drawing of an end view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0080]      FIG. 6C  is a drawing of a rear view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0081]      FIG. 6D  is a drawing of a top view of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0082]      FIG. 6E  is an isometric drawing of the second medium side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0083]    Note that the first medium side piece and the second medium side piece are identical but for one difference, that is the holes and pegs in the first medium side piece are in an opposite configuration to the holes and pegs in the second medium side piece. 
         [0084]      FIG. 7A  is a drawing of a side view of a small side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0085]      FIG. 7B  is a drawing of an end view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0086]      FIG. 7C  is a drawing of a rear view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0087]      FIG. 7D  is a drawing of a top view of the small side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0088]      FIG. 7E  is an isometric drawing of the small side piece, according to an embodiment. 
         [0089]    Top panel  24 , side panel  20 , side panel  21 , side panel  22 , side panel  23 , bottom panel  26 , can be made out of any flat material that can be printed on (e.g., thick paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, foam, etc.) The panels can have the custom printed designs/artwork directly printed on them so that when a plurality of cubes are placed in the right configuration, a designed scene can be created (e.g., an appearance of a place or object). The panels will also have sufficient thickness to fit snugly inside their respective pieces that surround them. 
         [0090]      FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric drawing showing assembly of a top or end panel, according to an embodiment. 
         [0091]    First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11  and large side pieces  14  are all pressed onto the perimeter of top panel  24 . The thickness of top panel  24  is sufficient to fit snugly inside all of these pieces. Once assembled, the fit is snug enough such that the entire top assembly (the top panel  24  and all of its surrounding pieces shown in  FIG. 8 ) will stay together. Note that the bottom assembly is constructed similarly (using the same pieces with the bottom panel  26 ). 
         [0092]    Note that there are two types of elbow pieces (first elbow pieces  12  and second elbow pieces  11 ) and that in the top assembly identical elbow pieces are catacorner to each other. In other words a first elbow piece  12  is opposite a first elbow piece  12  along a line dividing the top panel in equal parts, and a second elbow piece  11  is opposite a second elbow piece  11  along a line dividing the top panel in equal parts. The bottom assembly can be the same way. In another embodiment, the opposite elbow pieces can be different along a line dividing the panel (top and/or bottom) in equal parts can be different (not the same type of elbow piece but the other kind of elbow piece). 
         [0093]      FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric drawing showing two assembled side pieces being assembled to form two sides of a cube, according to an embodiment. The holes and pegs of the different sides are pressed together to connect the sides as shown in  FIG. 9 . All sides and the top and bottom are connected similarly to form the cube. 
         [0094]    First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , the first medium side piece  16 , the second medium side piece  17 , and two small side pieces  18  are all pressed onto side panel  20  as illustrated to form a first side assembly. First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , the first medium side piece  16 , the second medium side piece  17 , and two small side pieces  18  are all pressed onto side panel  23  as illustrated to form a second side assembly. All four sides are constructed in the same way using their respective side panels. 
         [0095]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric drawing of four assembled side panels and two assembled end panels being assembled to form a cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0096]    First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , the first medium side piece  16 , the second medium side piece  17 , and two small side pieces  18  are all pressed onto side panel  21  as illustrated to form a third side assembly. First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11 , the first medium side piece  16 , the second medium side piece  17 , and two small side pieces  18  are all pressed onto side panel  22  as illustrated to form a fourth side assembly. 
         [0097]    First elbow pieces  12 , second elbow pieces  11  and large side pieces  14  are all pressed onto the perimeter of bottom panel  26  to form a bottom assembly. 
         [0098]    The first side assembly (comprising side panel  20 ) is attached to the third side assembly (comprising side panel  21 ), and the second side assembly (comprising side panel  23 ) in the manner shown. The fourth side assembly (comprising side panel  22 ) is attached to the second side assembly (comprising side panel  23 ) and the third side panel assembly (comprising side panel  21 ) in the manner shown. 
         [0099]    The top assembly (comprising top panel  24 ) is connected to the first side assembly, the second side assembly, the third side assembly and the fourth side assembly in the manner shown. The bottom assembly (comprising bottom panel  26 ) is connected to the first side assembly, the second side assembly, the third side assembly, and the fourth side assembly in the manner shown. 
         [0100]    Note that opposite elbow pieces in each side assembly are different (non-identical) elbow pieces. In another embodiment, opposite elbow pieces can be identical. 
         [0101]    Note that top panel  24  and bottom panel  26  are both end panels and are typically identical in structure (but not necessarily appearance as unique designs can be printed on them). Note that the four side panels  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  are also typically identical in structure (but not necessarily appearance as unique designs can be printed on them). 
         [0102]    Note that all pieces that are pressed into each other are designed to cooperate, that is all pegs will fit the corresponding holes in the adjacent piece and all holes will fit their corresponding pegs in the adjacent piece. The fit will be snug such that once assembled, the pieces will stay together without the need for any type of adhesive. However, with reasonable manual force, the pieces can still be pulled apart and separated from each other. 
         [0103]    The top assembly would require two first elbow pieces  12 , two second elbow pieces  11 , and four large side pieces  14 . The bottom assembly would also require two first elbow pieces  12 , two second elbow pieces  11 , and four large side pieces  14 . Each side assembly would require two first elbow pieces  12 , two second elbow pieces  11 , a first medium side piece  16 , a second medium side piece  17 , and two small side pieces  18 . To construct an entire cube would require the top assembly, the bottom assembly, and four side assemblies, which would all be pushed together (in the manner illustrated) to connect all of the assemblies to form the cube. Thus, the entire cube would require 12 first elbow pieces, 12 second elbow pieces, 8 large side pieces  14 , 4 first medium side pieces  16 , 4 second medium side pieces  17 , and 8 small side pieces  18 . A kit could come with these quantities of pieces to create exactly one cube although of course a kit could have enough pieces to construct many cubes (e.g., 2 to 100 or more). 
         [0104]    Note that each cube also requires two end panels (the top panel and the bottom panel are end panels) and four side panels. The end panels and side panels fit inside the pieces as illustrated in the Figures. The kit can come with the top panels and side panels. In an embodiment a user can print overlays on a standard printer (along with any desired patterns, colors, or designs) using standard party. The user can place the overlays over the end panels and side panels before inserting into the pieces. In this way, the overlays are visible on the cube so each cube can have a customized appearance on all six sides (of course surfaces that may not be visible such as the bottom would not need an overlay). 
         [0105]      FIG. 11  is a drawing of a cross-sectional view as indicated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0106]      FIG. 12  is a drawing of three identical cubes connected together, according to an embodiment. 
         [0107]    Note that pegs and holes of different cubes fit together to cooperate in order to allow different cubes to fit snugly together when pressed together. In this manner, a large and tall structure made of such cubes should be stable and not fall down. While not all pegs and holes are visible in  FIG. 12 , the pegs and holes of adjacent surfaces of different cubes are pushed together to fit. 
         [0108]      FIG. 13  is an exploded isometric drawing from the top or one end of the cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0109]      FIG. 14  is a drawing of a side view of the cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0110]      FIG. 15  is a drawing of an opposite side view of the cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0111]      FIG. 16  is a drawing of a top or one end view of the cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0112]      FIG. 17  is a drawing of a bottom or opposite end view of the cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0113]      FIG. 18  is a drawing of the panels and the pieces showing a possible set of measurements, according to an embodiment. 
         [0114]    The cube described herein (and hence its pieces) can come in almost any sizes. However one possible set of measurements is shown in  FIG. 18 . Note that second elbow piece  11  would have the same measurements as first elbow piece  12 , and that first medium side pieces  16  would have the same measurements as second medium side piece  17 . Note that the invention is not limited to the sizes/measurements shown. 
         [0115]    Note also that the end panel (meaning the top panel  24  and bottom panel  26 ) size is larger than the side panel size. All end panels are equal in size and all side panels (i.e. first side, second side, third side, fourth side) are equal in size. 
         [0116]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a method of constructing a cube, according to an embodiment. 
         [0117]    The method can begin with operation  1900 , which provides the parts used for the other operations. The parts can be purchased in a kit, 3-D printed, molded, etc. All pieces are 
         [0118]    From operation  1900 , the method proceeds to operation  1901 , wherein the top assembly is constructed using the parts as described herein. See  FIG. 8  and the accompanying description. 
         [0119]    From operation  1901 , the method proceeds to operation  1902 , wherein the bottom assembly is constructed using the parts as described herein. See  FIG. 8  and the accompanying description. 
         [0120]    From operation  1902 , the method proceeds to operation  1903 , wherein the four side assemblies are constructed using the parts as described herein. See  FIG. 9 . 
         [0121]    From operation  1903 , the method proceeds to operation  1904 , wherein the top assembly, bottom assembly, and four side assemblies are all joined together to form a cube. All of the assemblies can be joined together by pressing their corresponding edges together thereby utilizing the pegs and holes to form a friction fit. See  FIG. 10 . 
         [0122]    Note that the operations in  FIG. 1900  can be performed in any order. Note that there is no limit to the number of cubes that can be constructed using the embodiments described herein and these cubes can all be joined together in unlimited ways to create an unlimited number of displays. Cubes can be stacked vertically to create multiple levels, and any type of 3-D shapes and scenes can be made using the cubes, such as skyscrapers, pyramids, etc. The panels (or inserts over the panels) of each cube would have appropriate designs printed on them corresponding to the exact position and orientation of the cube in the scene in order to make the scene. Scenes can be made out of a very large number of cubes, such as hundreds, thousands, etc. 
         [0123]    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.