Improvements in Toy Building Blocks or Bricks.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1893-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Toy Building Blocks or Bricks.
I, JOHN BRIERLEY HOWARD of Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax in the
County of York, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
which has been communicated to me by Johann Wolfgang Arold of Nurnberg
in the Empire of Germany, Box Maker and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to improvements in buildings, blocks or bricks such as are
designed for the amusement, recreation, and instruction of children. The blocks or
bricks are generally made of wood, or composition and when built in the form of an
edifice, or placed one on top of the other, a slight knock or vibration caused the
whole structure to tumble down. The object of this invention is to provide a
simple connection between each and every block or brick so that when placed or
built together the edifice is tolerably rigid and may even be moved without falling
in pieces, but when desired the blocks or bricks can readily be separated.
The device for connecting the several blocks or bricks consists of a small split
metal cylinder, or a wooden or metal dowel, one end of which is to be placed in a
hole in one end of the blocks or bricks and its protruding end is received in a corre-
sponding hole in a second block or brick, the opposite side of which is also provided
with a hole for the split metal cylinder or dowel. One or more holes may be
formed in each side or end of each block or brick which comes in contact with the
side or end of another block or brick.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a
complete description of same reference being had to the accompanying drawings in
which:-
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal, and end view of the split metal cylinder.
Fig. 2 shews a block or brick with holes for the reception of the split metal
cylinder or dowel.
Fig. 3 illustrates a cone or pinnacle fixed on a block or brick by the improved
device.
Fig. 4 shews a series of blocks or bricks placed together and held by the improved
device in the position shewn, holes in the blocks and connecting devices being
shewn.
According to this invention I preferably employ a short split metal cylinder or
dowel a one end of which is to be stuck into one of the holes in the blocks or
bricks. When blocks or bricks are placed together the protruding end of the split
metal cylinder a (see Fig. 4) is received in one of the holes 6 in the next adjoining
brick or block, and the bricks or blocks are held together by the tendency to expand,
or spring like action of the split metal cylinder a which is to be very slightly
compressed, being received in any of the holes b.
Instead of the split metal cylinder a there may be employed a solid pin of wood
or metal.
The blocks or bricks have holes b bored in them at various sides, or at the sides
and ends so that the building operations may proceed in different directions.
The front or face of each block or brick is kept free from holes. The holes in
some cases are bored straight through the block or brick and the metal cylinder a
can be inserted in either end.
Plates, columns, cones, pyramids, balls, and the like may be connected in the
manner hereinbefore described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The connecting building blocks or bricks to one another by means of the split
metal cylinders or wooden or metal dowels and holes as herein described and
substantially as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1893.
J. BRIERLEY HOWARD,
Applicant.