Patent Description:
Pixel art is one of the arts for children's play, development, or hobbies.

The pixel art is a technique to express a desired image by preparing mediums serving as pixels in various colors and arranging the mediums of various colors at desired positions. The mediums serving as pixels include, for example, threads, blocks, beads, and the like.

The pixel art has the advantage of being accessible and enjoyable to anyone because it can easily express a variety of images by arranging the mediums that act as pixels.

However, since the pixel mediums have a uniform shape, there are bound to be restrictions on expression. In addition, when the size of the pixel medium (particularly, a block) is reduced to enable more detailed expression, there is a problem in that it is not easy to change the position of the pixel medium once it is fixed.

<CIT> provides a puzzle building block capable of changing lightemitting areas. In particular, document <CIT> discloses a puzzle building block comprising: a block frame including a plurality of coupling protrusions arranged at regular intervals in row and column directions on an upper surface thereof, and a plurality of blocks each having a coupling recess provided from a lower surface thereof such that the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling recess, wherein the coupling protrusion has a through hole formed at a center thereof in a direction penetrating the block frame.

<CIT> provides a multi-dimensional building set of building block toys capable of being built freely. <CIT> provides a system and a method for assisted construction by using a body structure such as a bead plate.

Accordingly, in order to address the above-discussed problems, the present invention provides a block-type pixel art kit capable of more diverse expressions and easy modification of image.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a block-type art kit includes a block frame including a plurality of coupling protrusions arranged at regular intervals in row and column directions on an upper surface thereof, and a plurality of color blocks each having a coupling recess provided from a lower surface thereof such that the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling recess. The coupling protrusion has a through hole formed at a center thereof in a direction penetrating the block frame.

In addition, the coupling protrusion has a rectangular shape on a horizontal cross-section and has an auxiliary coupling groove on each of four side surfaces.

The block-type art kit further includes a plurality of quarter color blocks each formed to have a horizontal cross-section of a quarter of the size of the color block, each quarter color block having a second coupling recess at one lower corner portion thereof such that one corner portion of the coupling protrusion is inserted into the second coupling recess.

In addition, a block detachable hole may be formed at a bottom of a side of the color block.

The block-type art kit may further include an adapter block for connecting the coupling protrusion and the color block.

In addition, the adapter block may have a horizontal cross-section of the same shape as that of the coupling protrusion and have a fixing protrusion formed on a lower surface thereof to be inserted into the through hole of the coupling protrusion.

The block-type art kit may further include an auxiliary adapter block having a smaller height than the coupling protrusion, and having at a center thereof a coupling hole having a shape engaged with the coupling protrusion.

The block-type art kit may further include a second adapter block for connecting the coupling protrusion and the adapter block.

In addition, the second adapter block may be formed to surround the coupling protrusion at a lower portion thereof and have at an upper portion thereof the same horizontal cross-section as that of the coupling protrusion. Also, the second adapter block may have at a center thereof a second through hole vertically penetrating the second adapter block.

The block-type art kit may further include a plurality of frame coupling protrusions formed on a lower surface of the block frame and arranged to be spaced apart in the row and column directions.

The block-type art kit may further include a bent connection member composed of a first plate portion and a second plate portion connected to each other at a right angle, each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion having a frame coupling hole into which the frame coupling protrusion is inserted.

The block-type art kit may further include a flat connection member having a plate shape and having a plurality of second frame coupling holes into which the frame coupling protrusions are inserted.

The block-type art kit may further include a corner member having one third frame coupling hole into which the frame coupling protrusion is inserted.

According to the block-type art kit of the present invention, it is easy to remove the color block coupled to the block frame, so that an image created by the block-type art kit can be easily changed.

Also, in addition to the color block, the quarter color block having a size of a quarter of the color block can be combined with the block frame, so that an image created by the block-type art kit can be expressed in more detail.

In addition, it is possible to express an image created by the block-type art kit in a three dimension using the adapter block and the second adapter block, so that the image can be expressed in more diverse ways.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the following description of embodiments, techniques that are well known in the art and not directly related to the present invention are not described. This is to clearly convey the subject matter of the present invention by omitting an unnecessary explanation. For the same reason, some elements in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Also, the size of each element does not entirely reflect the actual size. In the disclosure, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention basically includes a block frame <NUM> and a plurality of color blocks <NUM>.

The color blocks <NUM> used in the block-type art kit <NUM> have various colors. Arranging the color blocks <NUM> of different colors at desired positions on the block frame <NUM>, respectively, it is possible to create a desired image.

The block frame <NUM> has a plate shape as a whole. Although <FIG> shows the block frame <NUM> formed of a rectangular plate shape, it is also possible to form a circular, hexagonal, or any other shape. A plurality of coupling protrusions <NUM> are provided on the upper surface of the block frame <NUM>. The coupling protrusions <NUM> are arranged at regular intervals in the row and column directions, and may be formed on the entire surface of the block frame <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> serves to fix the color block <NUM> to the block frame <NUM>.

The color block <NUM> has a hexahedral shape as a whole. A horizontal cross-sectional size of the color block <NUM> corresponds to the size of a space occupied by one coupling protrusion <NUM> on the block frame <NUM>. A coupling recess <NUM> is provided from the lower surface of the color block <NUM> so that the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM> can be inserted. The color block <NUM> can be fixed to the block frame <NUM> when the coupling recess <NUM> of the color block <NUM> is fitted with the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM>.

Each coupling protrusion <NUM> has a through hole 11a formed at the center thereof in a direction penetrating the block frame <NUM>, that is, in a vertical direction.

If the distance between the adjacent coupling protrusions <NUM> or the size of each color block <NUM> is reduced in order to make an image created by the block-type art kit <NUM> more detailed, it may be difficult to change the position of the color block <NUM> after fitted with the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM>. In particular, it is not easy to remove the color block <NUM> surrounded by neighboring color blocks <NUM> from the block frame <NUM>.

The through hole 11a makes it possible to easily remove the color block <NUM> fixed to the block frame <NUM> so that the position of the color block <NUM> can be easily changed. That is, the color block <NUM> can be easily removed from the block frame <NUM> when a pointed object such as an awl or a pin is inserted into the through hole 11a from the bottom of the block frame <NUM> to push the color block <NUM> out.

The color block <NUM> may have various sizes. That is, one color block <NUM> may be formed to have various numbers of coupling recesses <NUM>. In this case, such respective coupling recesses <NUM> of one color block <NUM> are formed at the same interval as the coupling protrusions <NUM> of the block frame <NUM> to be fitted with the block frame <NUM>.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> has a rectangular shape on a horizontal cross-section and has an auxiliary coupling groove 11b on each of four side surfaces. The auxiliary coupling groove 11b is formed in a long rectangular shape on the horizontal cross-section of the coupling protrusion <NUM> and is extended over the entire height direction (vertical direction) of the coupling protrusion <NUM>.

In the case that the coupling protrusion <NUM> has the auxiliary coupling groove 11b, the block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a plurality of quarter color blocks <NUM>. <FIG> shows perspective views and cross-sectional views illustrating a quarter color block <NUM> used in a block-type art kit according to the present invention.

The quarter color block <NUM> is formed of a hexahedral shape having a horizontal cross-section of a quarter of the size of the color block <NUM>. In addition, the height of the quarter color block <NUM> is the same as the height of the color block <NUM>. Thus, when four quarter color blocks <NUM> are arranged, they occupy substantially the same area as the area occupied by one color block <NUM>.

The quarter color block <NUM> has a second coupling recess <NUM> at one lower corner portion thereof. One corner portion of the coupling protrusion <NUM> can be inserted into the second coupling recess <NUM>. That is, four quarter color blocks <NUM> can be fitted with four corner portions of the coupling protrusion <NUM> to fill the space occupied by one color block <NUM>.

The quarter color block <NUM> makes it possible to more precisely express an image created using the block-type art kit <NUM> of the present invention.

The second coupling recess <NUM> has a rectangular shape on a horizontal cross-section. In addition, the second coupling recess <NUM> has an auxiliary coupling protrusion 31a formed on the inner surface thereof to face and be engaged with the auxiliary coupling groove 11b of the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The quarter color block <NUM> having the second coupling recess <NUM> is coupled to the coupling protrusion <NUM> as if gripping the corner portion of the coupling protrusion <NUM>, it can be firmly fixed to the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The auxiliary coupling protrusion 31a may be formed only at an upper portion of the second coupling recess <NUM> in the height direction as shown in <FIG>, or may be extended over the entire height direction of the second coupling recess <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a half color block <NUM> formed to be half the size of the color block <NUM>. Like the quarter color block <NUM> discussed above, the half color block <NUM> may have the second coupling recess <NUM> and the auxiliary coupling protrusion 31a.

Meanwhile, a block detachable hole <NUM> may be formed at the bottom of the side of the color block <NUM>.

By inserting a pointed object such as an awl or a pin into the block detachable hole <NUM> and lifting the color block <NUM>, the color block <NUM> fixed to the block frame <NUM> can be easily removed from the block frame <NUM>.

The block detachable hole <NUM> may be formed on only some or all of the four sides of the color block <NUM>.

In addition, the block detachable hole <NUM> can be formed at the bottom of the side of the quarter color block <NUM> or the half color block <NUM>.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include an adapter block <NUM>. <FIG> shows various views illustrating an adapter block <NUM> used in a block-type art kit according to the present invention.

The adapter block <NUM> serves to connect the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM> and the color block <NUM>. That is, after the adapter block <NUM> is fitted with the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM>, the color block <NUM> can be fitted with the adapter block <NUM>.

In the case of coupling the color block <NUM> to the block frame <NUM> by using the adapter block <NUM>, the color block <NUM> will further protrude from the block frame <NUM> compared to the case of directly coupling the color block <NUM> to the block frame <NUM>. It is therefore possible to form an image three-dimensionally and diversify image expression through the block-type art kit <NUM> of the present invention.

Specifically, the adapter block <NUM> has a horizontal cross-section of the same shape as that of the coupling protrusion <NUM> and has a fixing protrusion <NUM> formed on a lower surface thereof. The fixing protrusion <NUM> can be inserted into the through hole 11a of the coupling protrusion <NUM> to be engaged with the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The adapter block <NUM> can be fixed to the block frame <NUM> when the fixing protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the through hole 11a of the coupling protrusion <NUM>, and the color block <NUM> can be fixed to the adapter block <NUM> when the coupling recess <NUM> of the color block <NUM> is fitted with the adapter block <NUM>.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include an auxiliary adapter block <NUM>. <FIG> shows various views illustrating an auxiliary adapter block <NUM> used in a block-type art kit according to the present invention.

The auxiliary adapter block <NUM> is formed in a thin square tube shape having a smaller height than the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM>. The auxiliary adapter block <NUM> has at the center thereof a coupling hole <NUM> having a shape engaged with the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling hole <NUM> is formed to vertically penetrate the auxiliary adapter block <NUM>.

The auxiliary adapter block <NUM> serves to adjust the height of the color block <NUM> in the case where the adapter block <NUM> is used. That is, as shown in (c) of <FIG>, after coupling the adapter block <NUM> and the auxiliary adapter block <NUM> to the coupling protrusion <NUM>, the color block <NUM> can be coupled to the adapter block <NUM>. If this is done, the length at which the color block <NUM> is coupled to the adapter block <NUM> is reduced due to the height of the auxiliary adapter block <NUM>. Therefore, compared to the case where there is no auxiliary adapter block <NUM>, the color block <NUM> can be coupled to a higher position from the block frame <NUM>.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a second adapter block <NUM>. <FIG> shows various views illustrating a second adapter block <NUM> used in a block-type art kit according to the present invention.

The second adapter block <NUM> serves to connect the coupling protrusion <NUM> and the adapter block <NUM>. That is, by sequentially coupling the second adapter block <NUM>, the adapter block <NUM>, and the color block <NUM> to the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM>, the color block <NUM> can be coupled to the block frame <NUM> through the second adapter block <NUM> and the adapter block <NUM>.

The second adapter block <NUM> allows an image created by the block-type art kit <NUM> of the present invention to be formed more three-dimensionally.

Specifically, the second adapter block <NUM> is formed to surround the coupling protrusion <NUM> at a lower portion thereof and have at an upper portion thereof the same horizontal cross-section as that of the coupling protrusion <NUM>. Both the adapter block <NUM> and the color block <NUM> can be coupled to the second adapter block <NUM>. In addition, two or more second adapter blocks <NUM> can be coupled to each other, thereby allowing an image created by the block-type art kit <NUM> of the present invention to be more three-dimensional.

As shown in (d) of <FIG>, the second adapter block <NUM> may be used together with the auxiliary adapter block <NUM>. That is, by coupling the auxiliary adapter block <NUM> to the upper end of the second adapter block <NUM>, it is possible to adjust the coupling length of the color block <NUM> to the second adapter block <NUM>.

The second adapter block <NUM> has at the center thereof a second through hole <NUM> vertically penetrating the second adapter block <NUM>. When a pin or the like passes through the through hole 11a of the block frame <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM> of the second adapter block <NUM>, the color block <NUM> or the adapter block <NUM> can be easily separated from the second adapter block <NUM>.

Like the block detachable hole <NUM> of the color block <NUM>, a block detachable hole may be formed at the bottom of the side of the second adapter block <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a plurality of frame coupling protrusions <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface of the block frame <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a lower surface of a block frame <NUM> used in a block-type art kit according to the present invention.

The frame coupling protrusions <NUM> are arranged to be spaced apart in the row and column directions. The frame coupling protrusions <NUM> may be formed regardless of the location of the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The frame coupling protrusions <NUM> may be used to connect different coupling frames.

Accordingly, it is possible to variously form the overall size or shape of an image created using the block-type art kit <NUM> of the present invention.

In the case where the block frame <NUM> includes the frame coupling protrusions <NUM>, the block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a bent connection member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a bent connection member <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The bent connection member <NUM> is composed of a first plate portion <NUM> and a second plate portion <NUM> connected to each other at a right angle. Each of the first plate portion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> has a frame coupling hole <NUM> into which the frame coupling protrusion <NUM> can be inserted.

The bent connection member <NUM> can connect two block frames <NUM> at a right angle. That is, one block frame <NUM> is coupled to the frame coupling hole <NUM> of the first plate portion <NUM>, and another block frame <NUM> is coupled to the frame coupling hole <NUM> of the second plate portion <NUM>, so that the block frames <NUM> can be connected to each other at a right angle. Also, four block frames <NUM> can be combined with each other through four bent connection members <NUM> at right angles to form a box shape. For a firm coupling between adjacent block frames <NUM>, two bent connection members <NUM> may be used to couple the adjacent block frames <NUM> at two positions.

<FIG> illustrates a bent connection member 60B according to another embodiment of the present invention. The bent connection member 60B according to this embodiment not only connects the block frames <NUM> disposed side by side at a right angle, but also connects the block frames <NUM> disposed up and down. That is, only one bent connection member 60B can connect four block frames <NUM>. To this end, in the bent connection member 60B according to this embodiment, two frame coupling holes <NUM> are formed in upper and lower parts of each of the first and second plate portions <NUM> and <NUM> connected to each other at a right angle. Two upper and lower block frames <NUM> can be coupled to the first plate portion <NUM> of the bent connection member 60B, and other two other upper and lower block frames <NUM> can be coupled to the second plate portion <NUM>. This bent connection member 60B can be used to form a larger box shape.

<FIG> illustrates a bent connection member 60C according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The bent connection member 60C according to this embodiment can connect three block frames <NUM> disposed at right angles to each other. That is, it is possible to connect the block frames <NUM> disposed in the x, y, and z directions, respectively. To this end, the bent connection member 60C according to this embodiment includes a third plate portion <NUM> in addition to the first and second plate portions <NUM> and <NUM> connected to each other at a right angle. The third plate portion <NUM> is connected at a right angle to each of the first and second plate portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The frame coupling hole <NUM> is formed in the third plate portion <NUM> as well. One block frame <NUM> can be coupled to each of the first, second, and third plate portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the bent connection member 60C.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a flat connection member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a flat connection member <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The flat connection member <NUM> has a long plate shape as a whole and has a plurality of second frame coupling holes <NUM> into which the frame coupling protrusions <NUM> can be inserted. For example, <FIG> shows a case where the flat connection member <NUM> has two second frame coupling holes <NUM>.

The flat connection member <NUM> can connect two block frames <NUM> on the same plane. That is, one block frame <NUM> is coupled to one second frame coupling hole <NUM> of the flat connection member <NUM>, and another block frame <NUM> is coupled to the other second frame coupling hole <NUM>, so that the block frames <NUM> can be connected to each other on the same plane.

<FIG> illustrates a flat connection member <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the flat connection member <NUM> has second frame coupling holes <NUM> at four portions and a frame fixing hole <NUM> at the center. This flat connection member <NUM> can connect four block frames <NUM> on the same plane by being coupled to the frame coupling protrusions <NUM> of different block frames <NUM> at four portions.

In the flat connection member <NUM> according to this embodiment, the frame fixing hole <NUM> is formed in a cross shape as a whole, and a fixing jaw is formed at each end of the cross shape. As shown in <FIG>, a head 3a of a nail <NUM> can be engaged with the frame fixing hole <NUM>, so that the block frame <NUM> can be fixed to a wall <NUM>. That is, the head 3a of the nail <NUM> can be inserted into a central portion of the frame fixing hole <NUM> and then moved behind the fixing jaw, thereby being combined with the flat connection member <NUM>.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include a corner member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a corner member <NUM> according to the present invention.

The corner member <NUM> has one third frame coupling hole <NUM> into which the frame coupling protrusion <NUM> of the block frame <NUM> can be inserted. The corner member <NUM> may have the same thickness as the flat connection member <NUM>.

In the case where a plurality of block frames <NUM> are connected to each other by the flat connection members <NUM>, the corner member <NUM> is fixed to each corner of an entire plate formed by the block frames <NUM>. Therefore, the entire plate formed by the block frames <NUM> can have the same thickness along the circumference, and the entire plate can be stably fixed to the wall or the like.

The block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention may further include an auxiliary connection member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an auxiliary connection member <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of connecting a plurality of block frames <NUM>, the auxiliary connection member <NUM> is disposed between the flat connection members <NUM>, between the bent connection member <NUM> and the flat connection member <NUM>, or between the flat connection member <NUM> and the corner member <NUM>, and is used to connect both members to each other. The auxiliary connection member <NUM> may have the same thickness as the flat connection member <NUM> and the like.

The auxiliary connection member <NUM> may have a female portion (g) (or a male portion (b)) formed at each of both ends thereof, and each member connected to the auxiliary connection member <NUM> may have a male portion (b) (or a female portion (g)) formed at each of some ends thereof. Therefore, the auxiliary connection member <NUM> and the members connected to the auxiliary connection member <NUM> may be firmly coupled to each other by the engagement of the female portion (g) and the male portion (b). As shown in <FIG>, the auxiliary connection member <NUM> and the members connected thereto may be formed to have corresponding steps to be engaged with each other in the thickness direction, thereby being more stably coupled without twisting each other in the thickness direction.

<FIG> illustrates an auxiliary connection member 90B according to another embodiment of the present invention. The auxiliary connection member 90B according to this embodiment can be used in the case of connecting the block frames <NUM> at a right angle. The auxiliary connection member 90B according to this embodiment includes a first auxiliary plate <NUM> and a second auxiliary plate <NUM> connected to each other at a right angle. This auxiliary connection member 90B is combined at upper and lower portions thereof with the bent connection members <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an exemplary connection of block frames <NUM> using flat connection members <NUM> and so on according to the present invention. For example, <FIG> shows a state in which four block frames <NUM> are connected to each other. The flat connection member <NUM> having two second frame coupling holes <NUM> is disposed at a portion where the two block frames <NUM> come into contact with each other. The flat connection member <NUM> having four second frame coupling holes <NUM> is disposed at a portion where the four block frames <NUM> come into contact with each other. The corner members <NUM> are disposed at corners of the entire plate formed by all the block frames <NUM>. Each auxiliary connection member <NUM> is disposed between the flat connection members <NUM> or between the flat connection member <NUM> and the corner member <NUM>. In the case of combining the block frames <NUM> three-dimensionally, the bent connection member <NUM> may be used instead of the corner member <NUM>.

In addition, a suction plate <NUM> or a magnet <NUM> may be fixed to the second frame coupling hole <NUM> of the flat connection member <NUM> or the third frame coupling hole <NUM> of the corner member <NUM>. Accordingly, the block-type art kit <NUM> according to the present invention can be fixed to a smooth surface such as a glass surface or a refrigerator surface.

Claim 1:
A block-type art kit (<NUM>) comprising:
a block frame (<NUM>) including a plurality of coupling protrusions (<NUM>) arranged at regular intervals in row and column directions on an upper surface thereof; and
a plurality of color blocks (<NUM>) each having a coupling recess (<NUM>) provided from a lower surface thereof such that the coupling protrusion (<NUM>) is inserted into the coupling recess (<NUM>),
wherein the coupling protrusion (<NUM>) has a through hole (11a) formed at a center thereof in a direction penetrating the block frame (<NUM>),
wherein the coupling protrusion (<NUM>) has a rectangular shape on a horizontal cross-section and has an auxiliary coupling groove (11b) on each of four side surfaces of the rectangular-shaped coupling protrusion (<NUM>),
wherein the auxiliary coupling groove (11b) is formed in a long rectangular shape on
the horizontal cross-section of the coupling protrusion (<NUM>) and is extended over an entire height direction of the coupling protrusion (<NUM>),
further comprising a plurality of quarter color blocks (<NUM>) each formed to have a horizontal cross-section of a quarter of the size of the color block (<NUM>), each quarter color block (<NUM>) having a second coupling recess (<NUM>) at one lower corner portion thereof such that one corner portion of the coupling protrusion (<NUM>) is inserted into the second coupling recess (<NUM>), and
wherein the second coupling recess (<NUM>) has an auxiliary coupling protrusion (31a) formed on an inner surface of the second coupling recess (<NUM>) to face and be engaged with the auxiliary coupling groove (11b) of the coupling protrusion (<NUM>).