The present invention relates to assembly blocks, and more particularly, to assembly blocks which can freely be coupled into various text arrays and creative shapes by means of insert-coupling or slide-coupling of a first block and a second block which can be manufactured from a lightweight material.
Assembly blocks are known as toy products for encouraging children's curiosity and facilitating childhood brain development. These toy assembly blocks are mostly configured to be interlocked with other blocks and are completed in various shapes according to the interlocking manner or assembled positions.
Since increasing time, efforts and intelligence are required in assembling blocks by complexity of a toy assembly block structure, the degree of difficulty or complexity is determined according to the user's age. Therefore, blocks which are assembled easily and implement a wide variety of styles or patterns can be advantageously used for kids or pre-school aged children to practice assembling of things or to learn the concept of space.
Toy blocks using a plurality of magnets are disclosed in Korean Patent Nos. 10-1047689 and 10-1468130.
In the disclosed toy blocks using a plurality of magnets, however, coupled states of the blocks are maintained solely depending on magnetic forces derived from the magnets. Therefore, in a case where a horizontally elongated block assembly structure or a large-sized assembly structure is to be constructed, the coupled states among the blocks may be randomly released or easily collapsed due to own weights of the blocks, that is, coupling forces between the blocks may be weakened.
In addition, since only coupling forces based on the magnetic forces are applied to joining faces of the blocks engaged with each other, the joining faces of the engaged blocks may be easily slipped to release the coupled states when an external force is applied in a direction parallel to the joining faces.
Moreover, in a case where a block set including a plurality of block units is provided as a commercial product, the block set product may have a noticeably increased weight, making it practically impossible for infants or children to carry the block set product.
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide assembly blocks, which can provide excitement to children in various ways through sliding and click inserting manners while stably coupling the blocks.
In addition, the present invention provides assembly blocks, which can improve a wide range of creativity by permitting the blocks to be assembled in various shapes.
In addition, the present invention provides assembly blocks, which can be manufactured from only plastic materials, which are much lighter than conventional magnetic assembly blocks, thereby providing convenience in carrying the same.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by providing an assembly blocks comprising: a first block configured to have a shape of a panel and having at least one edge provided with a receiving part; a second block configured to have a shape of a panel and having at least one edge to be received in the receiving part of the first block; a first click coupling part configured to protrude or to be recessed on the receiving part; and a second click coupling part formed at a portion of the second block received in the receiving part and configured to be sliding-coupled or insert-coupled to the first click coupling part.
Here, the receiving part may be formed to have a shape of a groove configured such that a central portion of side surface of the edge of the first block is recessed, and the first click coupling part may be formed to have a shape of a rib and configured to be spaced apart from an inner end of the receiving part.
In addition, in case that the second click coupling part is formed at opposite edges of the second block, the second block may be configured such that ends of receiving parts of two neighboring first blocks coupled to the second block come into contact with each other to prevent the second block from being exposed to outside when the second block is coupled to the two neighboring first blocks.
In addition, the second click coupling part may comprise: a click coupling groove formed at at least one edge of the second block, the click coupling groove having smaller thickness than a body part at the side surface of the edge of the first block and being formed to be recessed; and a pair of coupling blades positioned at both sides of the click coupling groove.
In addition, the second block may consist of at least two partial bodies which is divided about a lengthwise extension and comprises a rotation axis by which the partial bodies are pivotably coupled to each other, and the second click coupling part may be formed at lengthwise outer edges of the respective partial bodies.
In addition, click inserting projections may be formed respectively to protrude on facing surfaces of the coupling blades.
In addition, the click inserting projections may be spaced apart from an inner end of the groove to be formed at outer ends of the groove so as to form a mounting part.
In addition, the assembly blocks may further comprise: a guide part formed at one of the edges of the second block on which the second click coupling part is formed, the guide part being recessed to divide the second click coupling part into at least two parts; and a sub-click coupling part protruding on the guide part and configured to be inserted into a click coupling groove of the second click coupling part so as to be insert-coupled to the second click coupling part.
In addition, the sub-click coupling part may be formed on a line extended from the click coupling groove.
In addition, a click inserting part may be formed to protrude on both surfaces of the sub-click coupling part.
In addition, the click inserting part may be formed at an external end of the sub-click coupling part.
In addition, a click inserting groove recessed to receive the click inserting projection and an inserting projection positioned away from the click inserting groove may be formed on an outer surface of the coupling blades.
In addition, the sub-click coupling part may be formed at a central portion of the opposite edges of the body part.
In addition, the second block may be made from a bendable elastic material.
In addition, an inner end of the guide part and an outer end of the second click coupling part insert-coupled to the sub-click coupling part through the guide part may be formed to have curved surfaces which are engaged with each other.
In addition, the second click coupling part positioned at lengthwise opposite ends of the second block may be formed to have a width gradually decreasing toward an exterior side.
As described above, the assembly blocks according to the present invention can provide excitement to children in various ways by means of insert-coupling or slide-coupling of blocks while stably coupling the blocks.
In addition, the assembly blocks according to the present invention can improve a wide range of creativity by permitting the blocks to be assembled in various shapes.
In addition, since the assembly blocks according to the present invention are manufactured using only plastic materials, they are noticeably lighter than conventional magnetic assembly blocks, thereby conveniently carrying the assembly block set.
Before describing the present invention, it is noted that a first embodiment of the present invention will first be representatively described using the same reference numeral for the same functional element and descriptions of other embodiments will focus on differences between the first embodiment and other embodiments.
Hereinafter, assembly blocks according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The first block 10 is made from a plastic material, such as polycarbonate (PC) consists of a panel-shaped body having a certain thickness, and has a receiving part 11 formed in at least one edge thereof. The first block illustrated in the present embodiment has a body shaped of a substantially tetragonal panel and the receiving part 11 has external ends opened at four edges thereof.
Letters, numbers or figures of various shapes may be printed or adhered in form of a predetermined sticker to at least one of both surfaces of the panel.
A protruding or recessed first click coupling part 12 is formed at the receiving part 11. The first click coupling part 12 illustrated in the present embodiment protrudes in form of a rib extending in a lengthwise direction of the receiving part 11. Here, the first click coupling part 12 is formed to be spaced by a predetermined distance apart from the internal end of the receiving part 11. Accordingly, second click coupling parts 21′ of the second block 20, which will later be described, may guarantee coupling stability during insert-coupling and may serve as guide parts during slide-coupling.
In addition, the first click coupling part 12 may have a preset length, but is preferably formed to have a length enough to prevent interference between a second block 20 insert-coupled to one first click coupling part 12 and a second block 20 insert-coupled to a neighboring first click coupling part 12.
Referring to
The body part 20′ illustrated in the present embodiment is provided as a panel having a length in one direction larger than a length in the other direction.
The second click coupling part 21′, including a click coupling groove 21 and coupling blades 22, is formed at at least one edge of the body part 20′. The second click coupling part 21′ illustrated in the present embodiment is formed at each of four edges of the body part 20′.
The click coupling groove 21 has a smaller thickness than the body part 20′ at the edge side of the body part 20′ and is recessed, and coupling blades 22 are positioned at opposite sides of the click coupling groove 21.
Here, click inserting projections 23 are formed to protrude on facing surfaces of the coupling blades 22, respectively. The click inserting projections 23 are spaced apart from an internal end of the groove to be formed at an external end of the groove, and a mounting part 24 having a smaller height than the click inserting projections 23 is formed between the internal end and the click inserting projections 23.
In addition, a click inserting groove 25 which is positioned at an interior region of the body part 20′ and which is recessed, is formed on an outer surface of each of the coupling blades 22, and an inserting projection 26 positioned outside the click inserting groove 25 is formed on an outer surface of each of the coupling blades 22.
Here, the inserting projection 26 is formed to have an inclined surface to stably guide a coupling operation during insert-coupling.
That is to say, when the second click coupling part 21′ is received in the receiving part 11 of the first block 10 to then be insert-coupled to the first click coupling part 12, the coupling blades 22 may be resiliently compressed toward the click coupling groove 21 and restored to then be insert-coupled to the first click coupling part 12 with a “clicking” sound.
In addition, the second block 20 may be formed to have a lengthwise or widthwise length equivalent to, shorter or longer than a length of an edge of the first block 10
Here, when two neighboring first blocks 10 are coupled to each other by one second block 20, the second block 20 may be provided to have a widthwise length such that end portions of the receiving part 11 of the respective first block 10 coupled to the second block 20 are contacted to each other so as to prevent the second block 20 from being exposed to the outside.
In the illustrated embodiment, in order to prevent the second block 20 from being exposed to the outside when the second block 20 is coupled to the two first blocks 10, the widthwise length of the second block 20 is approximately two times a depth of the receiving part 11 of the first block 10.
In this way, when the first blocks 10 are coupled through the second block 20, only the letters, numerals or figures printed on the outer surface of the first block 10 may be displayed without exposing the second block 20 to the outside.
That is to say, as distances among the letters, numerals or figures represented on the outer surface of the first block 10 are minimized, Korean letter puzzle, Chinese letter puzzle, picture puzzle, etc. can be played by assembling of the blocks.
A method of using the assembly blocks according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
First, referring to
In addition, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Using the method described above, combinations of letters or numerals having various shapes may also be assembled.
Meanwhile, the first block 10 and the second block 20 may be coupled to each other by a modified example of the insert-coupling method, that is, a slidably insert-coupling method. Referring to
Referring to
Next, assembled states of second blocks of the assembly blocks according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, as shown in
Here, click inserting projections 23B formed on inner surfaces of the coupling blades 22B of the second click coupling part 21B′ and inserting projections 26B formed on outer surfaces of the coupling blades 22B may pass click inserting projections 23A of the second click coupling part 21A′ to then be mounted in mounting parts 24A formed therein, thereby achieving insert-coupling of the second click coupling parts.
That is to say, while the insert-coupling may be achieved such that the inserting projections 26B of the second block 20B comes into contact with the click inserting projections 23A of the second block 20A and then passes the click inserting projections 23A, and the click inserting projections 23B of the second block 20B comes in contact with the click inserting projections 23A of the second block 20A and then passes the click inserting projections 23A, so that the click inserting projections 23B and the inserting projections 26B of the second block 20B are mounted in the mounting parts 24A, whereby the insert-coupling is achieved with a “clicking” sound. With the “clicking” sound, it can be determined that the insert-coupling has been completed.
Meanwhile, as shown in
Next, assembly blocks according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a configuration of a second block is modified. However, a first block has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment and a detailed description will not be given.
Referring to
Since the body part 20′ and the second click coupling parts 21′ are formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed descriptions thereof will not be given.
Here, since the second block 20a is formed to have a length equivalent to one edge of the first block 10, lengthwise opposite ends can be formed so as to have a width which gradually decreases outwardly. In the present embodiment, shorter side edges are configured to have arc shape (curved line).
That is to say, since the second blocks 20a is formed to have a width gradually decreasing toward the end, interference may not occur between two neighboring second blocks 20a which are insert-coupled into the first block 10 in such a manner that the ends of the two second blocks 20a are brought into contact with each other.
The guide parts 30 and the sub-click coupling parts 40 are formed at lengthwise opposite sides where the second click coupling parts 21′ are formed, respectively.
The guide parts 30 are formed to be recessed at lengthwise opposite sides where the second click coupling parts 21′ are formed, so as to divide the second click coupling parts 21′ into multiple parts. Each of the guide parts 30 illustrated in the present embodiment is formed at a central portion of the second click coupling parts 21′ formed at the lengthwise opposite edges so as to divide each of the second click coupling parts 21′ into two parts.
The sub-click coupling part 40 is formed to protrude on the guide parts 30 and has a thickness enough to be inserted and coupled into the second click coupling parts 21′. Here, the sub-click coupling parts 40 are preferably formed to extend from the click coupling grooves 21 of the second click coupling parts 21′. In such a manner, when the second click coupling part 21′ of one of two different assembly blocks and the sub-click coupling part 40 of the other assembly block are coupled to each other, two second blocks may constantly have the same thickness.
In addition, click inserting parts 41 are formed to protrude on both side surfaces of the sub-click coupling part 40. The click inserting parts 41 are formed at external ends of the sub-click coupling part 40, thereby allowing the click inserting parts 41 to be insert-coupled to the second click coupling parts 21′ with a “clicking” sound.
In addition, an internal end of the guide part 30 and an external end of the second click coupling part 21′ inserted into the guide part 30 to then be insert-coupled to the sub-click coupling part 40 are formed to have curved faces engaged with each other. Accordingly, the main-click coupling part 20 can be rotated by a predetermined angle about the sub-click coupling part 40, thereby allowing a user to assemble the blocks in a variety of creative manners.
Next, assembled states of the assembly blocks according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Referring first to
After one edge of the second block 20a is coupled to the first block 10, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
Meanwhile, as shown in
Next, insert-coupling between second blocks of the assembly blocks according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Referring first to
In addition, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
Meanwhile, as shown in
Next, assembly blocks according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment of the present invention, a second block is configured to be rotatable.
Referring to
Here, the left partial body 51a and the right partial body 51b may be configured to allow the rotation axis to be inserted therebetween.
In addition, second click coupling parts 21′ are formed only at lengthwise outer edges of the respective partial bodies 51a and 51b. When necessary, the second click coupling parts 21′ may also be formed at widthwise ends of the respective partial bodies 51a and 51b.
As shown in
Next, assembly blocks according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Referring to
While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The assembly blocks according to the present invention can be produced by a general injection-molding process.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10-2016-0082654 | Jun 2016 | KR | national |
10-2016-0121583 | Sep 2016 | KR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/KR2017/005650 | 5/30/2017 | WO |