Patent Application
20240408507
The invention relates to a modular toy, being a combination of beads, fuse beads and others, and one or more base plates, possibly in combination with building blocks and/or other toys that have the purpose of forming a building structure.
One of the disadvantages of the current building blocks and fusible beads is that they remain very narrow in their field since there is no interaction between both toys. Thus, they have a reasonably restrictive effect on creativity.
There are known drawbacks with the so-called fusible beads for which no or only limited solutions have yet been developed. For example, the base plate currently being worked on does not allow the beads to be clamped sufficiently on the pegs so that they can leave their place and come loose very easily, and this with the slightest movement of the base plate. The result is that the design of beads is often at least partially broken before the whole is fused using an ironing movement. An additional disadvantage of the fuse beads is that they are aimed at 2D figures and that it is challenging to form 3D figures. In addition, the result of the ironed part is anything but beautiful, so that the opposite flat is used as the front. The disadvantage of this is that it's then shown in a mirror image. Also, the pixels are always round and hollow, which is a limiting factor on the creativity that can be employed.
The variants of these so-called fuse beads are still very limited to this day and do not have suitable alternatives.
In addition, with building blocks such as LEGO, the caps must always be round in shape so that the result of the design in LEGO is always the same. With beads, it is possible to create more refined structures and more detailed ornaments, while LEGO (and similar products) allow very little creativity and finer detail.
Building blocks such as LEGO blocks make it impossible to form fine pixels and therefore, making it impossible to create beautiful figures with reasonably high resolutions. Furthermore, the rigidity of the blocks means that a minimum size is necessary and offers no possibility to fuse the blocks into each other. An additional disadvantage is that once the blocks have been arranged in a plane, it is almost impossible to remove one or more blocks if they are not located on the side without breaking off part of the design or structure. In addition, the blocks themselves do not feel pleasant.
Another form of building blocks on the market are the click bricks under the brand name CLICS.
With the CLICS, the following disadvantages are that these are only rough building blocks. They allow to make a considerable construction in a short period, but the versions are limited by the structure and non-existent for the smaller constructions allowing for more detailed work.
An additional problem with the present fuse beads is that it is very difficult to use biological plastic products because of their melt applications.
The present invention aims to solve the above drawbacks for the different kinds of toys. On the one hand, the concept of the fuse beads is being rethought so that the application possibilities are drastically expanded, mainly to 3D applications.
To achieve this, the beads are connected to the pegs of the baseplate by a fixating interaction, via pressure as the beads clamp themselves onto the pegs, which have essentially the same width or slightly wider (or at least in a number of dimensions) as the openings of the beads. This means that the beads no longer have to be melted to form figures on a stable version, but can simply be pressed onto the peg and the pegboard, and afterwards removed again, which was impossible up till now. However, the method allows that, in specific configurations, the beads can still be connected to each other by ironing these beads, if desired.
In a context where 3D figures are made, intermediate pieces are provided so that the beads can be mechanically connected to each other. There are also special beads with extra caps to attach the beads in this way.
An additional part of the invention is the combination of existing building blocks with a device that makes it possible also to provide beads on these building blocks.
These building blocks can be building blocks known in the market as LEGO or CLICS, but are not limited to this type of building blocks.
The device also makes it possible for the building blocks to be mutually combined. For example, a base plate can be provided with a LEGO arrangement combined with a beads arrangement. Additionally, a CLICS block can be provided with a LEGO arrangement to connect the CLICS-Block with LEGO blocks. This also means that a combination of a CLICS-block, a plate with LEGO device and a beads device can be created.
In the first aspect, the pegs that hold the beads are reworked to a version in which the base plates are provided with pegs can clamp the beads. The beads are mounted onto the pegs so that they do not detach from the peg without a predetermined amount of force applied, even if the base plates are turned over, shaken with, or extra layers are built on it. Various shapes are provided for this. In some, these pegs may be built up in different layers so that the user can first form the figure and, after approval, clamp the beads on the base plates.
In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished as follows: In the first position on the peg, the bead can be placed without exerting a minimal pressure force, as the opening of the beads is larger than the peg diameter, allowing the bead to simply be placed over the peg in said first position. In a second position, the bead on the peg is pressed a little more firmly, whereby the bead remains on the peg when moved but can still be removed fairly easily. In this second position, the dimensions of the openings of the beads and the cross-section of the pegs may substantially match, or the peg may be slightly smaller than the opening of the bead (but with a smaller margin than in the first position). Alternatively, the peg may be slightly wider than the opening, with the margin being limited to at most 2.5%, but preferably lower than 1.0% or even 0.5%. In the third position, the bead can be pressed down until they reach the base of the base plate and so remain firmly in place. This is accomplished by a mismatch in dimensions, where the pegs are in fact, too wide for the beads, creating a clamping fixation of the bead on the peg and vice versa when pushed into this position.
Also, the longitudinal peg may exist in various shapes such as squares, triangles, or other shapes, which may or may not be polygonal.
A version is possible in which the basic shape of the narrow cap is round and over which the bead can be clamped. However, the preference goes to a form where the contact between the pin and the bead is via a point load. For example, in an embodiment in which the basic shape of the peg is square, and the inner shape of the bead has a round shape, the contact between the peg and the bead takes place using a point load.
In the embodiment where the bead's position is essential, it may be appropriate that the inner shape of the bead is also square, or another shape, in combination with a square shape of the peg. This prevents the peg from rotating around its central axis.
In the two-step version, the pegs have different diameters in the longitudinal direction in order to install the pegs stepwise. During the first step, the bead is placed on the peg to form the design,. Here the bead is placed until, for example, halfway the peg. After the design has been approved during the second step, the beads can be pressed down until the base of the base plate.
In the three-step version, the bead is placed on the peg in the first step to create the drawing, in which case the bead is placed up to, for example, a third in height on the peg. For example, during the second after the design has been approved, the beads can be further pressed over the second part of the peg. In this phase, corrections can still be made, but the beads are already held slightly in a way that they cannot just detach from the peg, which can already be accomplished by providing a substantially exact fit between bead and peg. A certain pulling force or traction must already be applied to take the beads off the peg, but this force is still limited so that it is also quite easy for a child to perform this action. In a third step, the bead can be pressed down until it is pressed against the base plate. The beads will no longer detach if the base plates are turned over or manipulated in any other way. A certain amount of pulling force or traction must also be applied to release the beads from the base plates.
In addition, versions with more than three stages are also possible, in which the bead can be applied to the peg step by step and by using a little more force each time.
In a second aspect, the base plates themselves are adapted to a version in which the base plates, which themselves are provided with pegs, can be used in different ways.
In the version where the base plates are flexible like a kind of sheet, the beads can be attached to a permanent base so that they do not need any longer to be attached by means of melting them with an iron. This plate or sheet can then be made quite large, and the user can cut the plate or sheet accordingly to the desired shape. This also makes it possible to provide large sheets of the flexible base plate that can be rolled up during transport.
In the embodiment where the base plates are not flexible, they can also be used as permanent base plates. The backside of this base plate can be provided with a specific shape cut-out design making it compatible with building blocks such as the well-known LEGO and/or CLICS. In principle, this would also be possible with the flexible base plates.
A version is also possible in which the base plates, both flexible and non-flexible, are provided with pegs on both sides. As a result, beads can be provided on both sides of the base plates so that, for example, spherical creations and designs can be made.
The main aim of the invention is to create designs with the beads that form a solid creation or structure without having to melt the beads into each other by ironing them together at the top layer, as is now the case.
However, an additional object of the invention is still to provide a way in which it is possible to iron the beads together but by using the base plates as described in the present invention. With the base plates used in the current application, the fuse beads are placed loosely on the plate to ensure that the beads still easily come off the base plates after ironing. In some cases, this could still be more difficult, for instance, when pressed down to the ‘third position’ or deepest step. In this case, use can be made of a so-called intermediate release plate. This intermediate release plate is provided with an exact amount of slots as there are pegs on the base plate. The intermediate release plate is then placed on the base place in such a way that the pegs of the base plate fit exactly through the slots of the intermediate base plate. The beads can then be applied. Because the intermediate release plate is in between the beads and the base plate, the beads can be applied to the pegs but not pressed all the way to the end against the base plates. This way, the beads get less clamped but still tight enough not to come loose from the base plate too easily. After the beads have been melted together, they can be pulled off and removed from the base plate by pulling on the intermediate release plate and not on the figure consisting of the fused beads. This is to avoid exerting too much pulling force on the figure so that it can be pulled apart, as in some cases, the newly created link between separate beads (by melting them together) is not strong enough to withstand the pulling actions at all points. Once a tear occurs, this easily expands, thus destroying the figure and design.
The base plates can be both flexible or firm. In the embodiment in which it is flexible, the advantage is that it is foldable and thus can also be rolled up. This makes it possible to provide larger surfaces or sheets such as 500 mm×500 mm or even bigger rolls of 1000 mm×2000 mm. Furthermore, the user can cut out the designs or required surfaces at his own discretion.
According to one version, the base plates can additionally be provided with openings in the plate, between the securing pegs. This gives the user the option to push the beads back out from the back if desired.
In a third aspect, the base plates can be provided with different kinds of beads in all their shapes and variants.
For example, basic beads such as these can already be used today as fuse beads. The standard beads have dimensions in the order of 5 mm height, 5 mm outer diameter, and 2.5 mm inner diameter.
These standard beads can be used in this invention but are extended in this invention with different variants. For example, the shape of the bead at the top can be flat and filled with a square shape, giving the figure being formed a more pixelated appearance.
A variant of these are beads with a capped top, a round top, a top in which figures are integrated, or even numbers and letters. The beads themselves can have different shapes and sizes depending on the shape and/or the desired result.
For example, the beads can have a shape on the outside in the longitudinal direction, whereby they fit into each other so that these beads can no longer move relative to each other. But it can also be polygonal so that the beads connect to each other so that there is no more space between the beads and they are visually sealed. The shape of the beads in the longitudinal direction can also be constructed so that a part of the bead is adapted in the sense that a widening is provided where necessary to obtain the necessary result. For example, the base of the bead can have a round shape in the base and a square shape at the top, where, for example, a figure is provided. Such as letters, numbers, or symbols.
The beads can also be provided with extra accessories that may or may not be built into the bead. For example, an item can be provided that looks like a jewel that has already been incorporated into the bead. This creates a drawing on the surface that looks like a jewel that you can put together piece by piece.
In addition, the beads can be provided with an extra peg at the top, making the beads stackable. This makes 3D figures possible without the need to perform an operation that involves connecting the beads in a way with a further separate component.
The hollow inside part of the beads can also have different designs. With the standard beads that are currently used, the hollow part is round in shape. However, in embodiments where the position of the bead in relation to the base plates and/or other beads is important, the hollow part of the bead can also be a polygon such as a square or other shape that allows a certain positioning in combination with the adapted shape of the pegs on the base plates themselves.
The beads can also be of different sizes to give an extra dimension to the 3D configurations.
Also, combinations can be made of different beads, whereby different figures can be formed. For example, an L shape can be formed with three or more beads, with the top layer forming an L and the bottom consisting of 3 beads that are arranged next to each other.
In this way, countless combinations can be formed, and pieces are created that can be used as a puzzle.
Pieces, where at least two beads are linked together, can also be used to link plates together.
The beads can also be made in different lengths. For example, the current and most common beads that are currently used have a length of 5 mm. By providing beads with a half length, in this case, 2.5 mm, smoother shapes can be formed. By extension, other lengths can be provided, such as ⅓ lengths, ½ lengths, 1.5×, 2× the lengths, etc., without limitation in possible lengths. As a result, many and more detailed drawings can be formed in 3D.
To allow the user to apply beads faster and more efficiently to the peg plate, the beads can also be connected to each other. For example, if the diameter of the beads is 4.9 mm and the axis distance is 5 mm, this means that on the base plate the beads are 0.2 mm apart. These can then be connected with a connecting piece. This piece would then be, e.g., 0.2 mm long and, e.g., 0.3 mm in diameter and provide a simple linkage (optionally flexible) between two or more beads. This allows the user to use the beads while they are still connected or separate them quite easily by cutting or simply pulling them apart if needed. This provides for a number of larger ‘bead blocks’ that can be reduced in size depending on the intended use.
Beads can also be provided in which stones are integrated to resemble jewelry and can be inserted directly into the beads. As a result, the top of the beads has the appearance of a jewel such as a diamond so that a very beautiful drawing can be formed.
The beads can also be provided with a top that has the shape of a peg, making it possible to click and stack the beads together. This offers the possibility to work with a set of beads in 3D.
The closed beads can also be provided with openings through which a string or related item fits. This allows necklaces to be formed with different beads-especially the embodiment where the beads are equipped with extra pegs so they can click together.
The beads themselves can be made in different sizes, depending on the applications. For example, the beads can be made very small in a mini version, but also larger, for example, for the smaller children. These can then be executed in maxi form.
In a fourth aspect, the beads can be linked together by using an intermediate piece. This intermediate piece can then be fitted with pegs on both sides that are compatible with the beads you wish to connect. This way, the peg of this intermediate piece can be matched to the beads that they have to connect to.
Preferably, the thickness of the base plates of the intermediate pieces is adjusted to the beads. The implementation of the beads that are provided with an extra peg to attach another bead to it is preferably longer so that a mix can be used of beads provided with an extra peg and intermediate pieces.
For example, if the difference in length between the bead with and without an extra peg is 1 mm, the thickness of the base plates of the intermediate piece is preferably also 1 mm.
The intermediate piece itself can take many shapes and sizes. For example, there can be an intermediate piece for 1, 2, 3, 4, and many more beads to connect.
These adjacent beads can also link or diagonally located beads.
The shape of the intermediate pieces can be elaborated so that they can connect, for example, four beads in a square shape. But also in a longitudinal direction, in shape, or any other type of derived form.
This version also makes it possible to connect different base plates to each other via the combined beads.
Holes can also be provided in the pegs in the intermediate pieces, making it possible to link beads together in the basic version and provide a chain. In this configuration, the intermediate pieces can also be provided with, for example, stones, creating the illusion of a real jewelry necklace.
In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of a base plate is made in which a combination is made of pegs for the beads on one side and specific shape cut-outs to make them compatible with other types of building blocks.
An example of such building blocks are the LEGO building blocks. These have round studs on the front. The backside of these blocks are equipped with internal projections (usually tube-shaped) or a LEGO arrangement in general for the attachment of multiple pieces.
The implementation of this invention is already described in patent no. U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282A, amongst others.
In the embodiment where the LEGO building blocks are mentioned and referred to, one side of the base plates can be provided with pegs onto which the beads fit, and the base plates can be provided on the other side with a coupling arrangement suitable for connection to LEGO building blocks, preferably corresponding to the features of said blocks. The base plates without the pegs can, for example, have a height of, for example, +/−3.2 mm for the flat versions as LEGO now carries them out.
In another embodiment, the base plates without the pegs can, for example, have a height of, for example, +/−9.6 mm for the block versions as LEGO now carries them out. For example, lateral pegs can also be provided with this version. This allows the beads to be placed in the vertical and horizontal position on the same LEGO block.
In another embodiment, the base plates can be supplemented with additional blocks to be placed upright on another LEGO plate.
Additional building blocks can also be provided with a stud on at least three sides according to the LEGO principle to connect the different base plates at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees so that a cube can be formed.
These additional building clocks can also comprise designs that use the hinge principle, whereby the different base plates can assume any arbitrary angle with respect to each other. The description in which LEGO is mentioned also means all other possible building blocks that are related to it and are therefore based on the same principle.
In a sixth aspect, the blocks can be provided with hinge elements that snap together to interconnect them at almost any angle.
An example of such building blocks that use a building block combined with hinge points is CLICS. Its operation is described in Patent No. EP98900253A.
In the embodiment where the securing pegs for the beads are integrated into the CLICS blocks, the securing pegs are provided at the top of the block. In this case, the possibility that the top plate assumes different dimensions is desirable. For example, the top plate can have the same size as the original building blocks but can also be enlarged to the edge where the hinge device ends. Any intermediate size and configuration may or may not be asymmetrical. It is always preferable that the edge ends at the outer edge of the mounted bead.
In the embodiment where the securing pegs are not integrated into the CLICS blocks, the CLICS blocks can be provided with a device that makes it possible to click on base plates that are provided with securing pegs at the top of the base plates and a clamping device on the underside of these base plates.
One possibility is that the CLICS blocks are provided with the so-called LEGO studs on the top. The base plates can then be fitted on this, which are provided with the securing pegs at the top for the beads and the LEGO tubes or a LEGO arrangement in general at the bottom. These base plates can be fitted on the CLICS blocks. Different sizes of choice and applications can then be clicked on the CLICS blocks.
This version also allows different standard LEGO blocks to be mounted on the CLICS blocks and vice versa.
Additional aspects are the following.
Since the present invention offers the possibility to click the beads together, they no longer have to be melted by ironing them together, as is currently the case. This allows the use of organic products that cannot be used otherwise.
Combining the securing pegs for the beads on one side and a clamping device for building blocks on the other side of the base plates makes it possible to mix various other applications such as building blocks based on the LEGO and CLICS principles, but also other types of building blocks, to be used interchangeably.
By producing the base plates at least partially transparent, it is possible to work with projection. For example, the base plates can be lifted at the back, and a drawing can be put under the base plate or in front of the light source that is then projected onto the base plates. This allows the user to copy these drawings from the front.
Using translucent base plates, light effects can be created in combination with beads that are partly transparent and/or possibly colored.
In an arrangement where a cube is formed by, for example, using the CLICS and/or LEGO techniques, a light can be placed centrally and so light up the cube.
The internal box can be supplied with power via a power cable from which the cube can also be hung and a pull cable that hangs from the cube to control the light internally.
This can also be done by an internal electronic circuit with replaceable batteries and remote control to operate the circuit without any wires or cables.
In an arrangement where a cube is preformed, the cube can be provided with a light source inside and pegs on the outside. The user can use the cube as a 3D base plate to create the designs.
By working in 3D with different layers, shapes such as a sphere can be created.
In the embodiment where the top of the beads is provided with drawings, which is certainly possible with the versions with a flat head, a puzzle version is possible. Especially the version in which different beads are combined into one piece makes this possible because they can easily be provided with figures that may or may not be printed on the beads.
A possible variant of ironing the beads together is that they are joined together by glue or using a hairdryer instead of an iron to melt them together. Ultrasonic techniques can even be used to melt the beads together.
An additional possibility is that the beads are clamped around the pegs. By giving the beads a shrinkage characteristic when they are heated, the beads can fix themselves around the pegs when they are heated.
To easily remove the beads from the base plates, especially if they are firmly pressed, one can use specially designed forceps or pliers devices.
In a further aspect, the invention relates to a pegboard and a plurality of beads, wherein the pegboard comprises a base plate, provided with a plurality of pegs on at least one side of the base plate, wherein the pegs are provided in a regular pattern, preferably in a matrix pattern of rows and columns. The pegs have a stepped structure of at least two, preferably three steps, wherein the diameter of the steps decreases from the base plate to the distal end of the pegs. The beads have an opening at least partially mountable over the pegs, wherein the opening has a depth at least equal to the height of the pegs, and wherein the opening of the pegs is dimensioned to fully encompass the step at the distal end of the pegs, and wherein the opening of the pegs is dimensioned to not be able to fully encompass the step closest to the base plate.
Preferably, the minimal diameter of the opening is at least 0.5%, preferably at least 1.0%, more preferably at least 2.5% or 5.0%, larger than the maximal diameter of the step at the distal end of the peg, and the minimal diameter of the opening is at least 1.0%, preferably at least 2.5%, more preferably at least 5.0% or 7.5 or even 10.0%, smaller than the maximal diameter of the step closest to the base plate.
Experience showed that with many currently available materials (low-density polyethylene for instance), the beads are able to deform when shifted over the ‘too wide’ step closest to the base plate. However, the elasticity with which they deform, can also lower the tension created due to the deformation. In order to ensure that the beads stay on the pegs, enough tension must be ensured, requiring an absolutely minimal mismatch between the dimensions of the bead step and peg of 1.0%. However, more advantageous results were achieved by the dimensions of the opening of the bead being smaller than the step of the peg closest to the base plate, with at least 2.5%, or even better, at least 5.0%, or even 10% and 15%. The applicant has found that this still remains in the range of a largely elastic deformation of the beads, but would limit this to a difference of at most 50%, preferably 40%, or even 30% and 20% to avoid too much tension and possible breakage.
The above notions of course apply to other implementations of the beads (stacking beads) and pegs in the invention (for instance, on the intermediate pieces).
In a further embodiment, the invention relates to pegboard and beads, wherein the pegboard comprises a base plate, provided with a plurality of pegs on at least one side of the base plate, wherein the pegs are provided in a regular pattern, preferably in a matrix pattern of rows and columns, and wherein the pegboard is provided with one or more connectors or connector zones at the backside. The beads have an opening at least partially mountable over the pegs. The invention further comprises one or both of:
One or more double connection means, each double connection means comprising at least two attachment elements, wherein the connector or connector zones and the attachment elements are configured for removable attachment to each other, thereby allowing the pegboard to be connected to another pegboard according to any one of the preceding claims via the double connection means, said one or more double connection means preferably provided with a hinge or rotational element between the attachment elements;
And/or two or more single connection means, the single connection means comprising at one attachment element, wherein the connector or connector zones and the attachment elements are configured for removable attachment to each other, and the single connection means comprising an inter-means connector configured to removably attach two single connection means via the inter-means connector, thereby allowing the pegboard to be connected to another pegboard according to any one of the preceding claims via two single connection means, preferably wherein said single connection means are hingedly or rotatably attached via the inter-means connectors.
The connection means (single or double) serve to either on their own connect multiple base plates, via an appropriate and undoable interaction between a connector or connector zone on the base plate (in some cases on the edges instead of on the backside thereof) and attachment elements on the connection means. This connector/connector zone may be configured similar to the backside of a LEGO block (internal cavity with upstanding projections) with the attachment means similar to the topside of a LEGO block (studs provided on a flat base), although of course, other options exist, such as a snap-fit lock, a clamp, etc.
Preferably, the attachment elements of said double connection means are oriented in different directions with respect to each other, preferably at an angle of about 90°.
Preferably, said pegboard comprises at least two beveled edges at the backside thereof, preferably beveled with an angle of about 45° with respect to the base plate, wherein on one of said beveled edges a male edge arrangement is provided comprising one or more protrusions along said beveled edge, and wherein on another of said beveled edges a female edge arrangement is provided comprising one or more recesses along said other beveled edge, wherein the recesses and the protrusions are positioned to align and dimensioned to connect in a clamping engagement.
Description of the generality of the invention, designation that these are exemplary and not limited to these examples, and explanation of the terminologies.
As indicated in
The material of the base plate 1 can be ABS but also other different types of thermoplastic elastomers and polyurethanes, polyethylene (PE), and other types of plastics. This means that the base plate 1 can be executed very smoothly, but also hard and all variants in hardness between very soft and very hard. In the most common embodiments, the pegs 2 on the base plate 1 and plate 76 themselves will be of the same type of material, but there may also be embodiments in which the composition and/or hardness of the material of the pegs 2 and plate 76 are different.
In this embodiment, the peg is provided with a conical cap 68 so that the bead 3 can be placed over the peg 2 more easily.
When using the beads 3 in combination with the base plate 1, it may be advisable to work in different phases when applying the beads 3. In
When the beads 3 are applied to the base plate 5 under pressure and the user nevertheless wishes to iron these beads 3 together, it can be very difficult to remove the beads 3 from the base plate 5 without damaging the design or creation. In
To create a maximum 3D effect, the base plate 7 can be provided with pegs 4 on two sides. In
In addition to the standard beads3, the base plate can also be provided with all kinds and types of variants so that you can work in 3D, form additional figures, visually form other pixels, and so on. In
Another possible variant are beads with multi-shaped exteriors such as an octagon 26 supplemented with full caps such as a square or a cap with a jewel-like appearance 27.
Another variant is a 15,16 bead whose end is rounded. These can be made in different lengths to create beautiful visual effects, especially in 3D.
A variant of the previous is that the end of the bead is provided with square-shaped blocks 17,18, which can vary in height in order to be able to work in 3D here too.
As a variant of the previous, the blocks on the beads 19,20,21,22 can also be provided with additional figures, which may or may not be arbitrary in shape, in different sizes, heights, and curvatures. Thus, by combining these versions of beads, additional figures can be created in 3D.
Another possibility is that caps 23 are provided for plugging on the existing beads. These caps can contain all kinds of shapes, such as a letter. For example, the peg 72 on the cap 23 can be round, but other shapes are also possible, such as a square shape 73.
The beads 24, 25 themselves can be provided with a round cap 72 or square cap 73 to connect this bead 24, 25 to another bead. The length of these beads is preferably the same as the standard bead 3 plus the thickness of the support plate 74 of the intermediate piece. This allows 3D drawings to be made with the combination of standard beads 3, beads with narrow caps 24, 25, and intermediate piece 35
Another variant is that the beads 28, 29 are used as puzzle pieces. For example, in
The variants shown in the drawings are provided with a common cap 77. It is also possible that beads 3 are simply connected into one whole without caps 77. The outside of the beads 3 can have a different shape than round, and they can even be different from one another.
An additional variant is that on the one hand, a bead 31 is provided with protrusions parts, and on the other hand, another bead 30 is provided with recesses, whereby these two pieces fit into each other when the beads 30, 31 are placed on the base plate 1. This allows the beads to 30,31 can be positioned relative to each other and even hook into each other.
The securing pegs 2 can have different shapes. For example, it can be made in a cross shape 32, in a cross shape with chamfered head 33 or a cross shape with chamfered head and concavity 34. However, the shapes are not limited to these shapes. For example, these can have variants in round shapes, polygons such as a square, and even combinations. This may or may not be supplemented with chamfered heads and/or multi-stage in diameter.
The securing pegs 3 in square shape can thus, for instance, be combined with a square shape 75 in the bead, so that this bead is correctly positioned.
As shown in
The piece pieces 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 can also connect multiple sets of beads. For example, there can be an intermediate piece 35 that can connect two sets of beads at an angle, intermediate piece 36 that can connect three sets of beads, intermediate piece 37 that can connect four sets of beads, intermediate piece 38 that can connect two sets of beads next to each other, etc.
The caps that can connect the different beads can have different shapes. In the example, caps with square caps 71 are shown.
A preferred embodiment of the intermediate piece 78, 79 is provided with recesses 8, making it possible to divide the intermediate piece into smaller parts. In the case of a hard plastic version, this can be done by breaking the different pieces, causing it to split on the part provided with the recess8. With a softer plastic version, this can be done by cutting or cutting the different pieces on the part that has the recess 8. is provided with the recess 8. The double intermediate piece 78 has one recess 8, so that the double piece 78 can be divided into two separate intermediate pieces. The quadruple intermediate piece 79 is provided with three recesses 8, so that the quadruple piece 79 can be divided into four separate intermediate pieces, but also e.g. into two double pieces.
Of course, such a system is not limited to double or quadruple pieces, but can be an intermediate piece of an x number of single intermediate pieces that are connected and provided with a recess 8, resulting in a countless number of variants of the connected intermediate pieces.
To make pronounced 3D configurations, it is useful to be able to place the base plate 43 at a certain angle with respect to each other. For example, if it is desired to form a cube, the base plate 43 must be able to be placed at an angle of 90°, and this in different arrangements. For example, in
A variant of the double or triple connecting blocks 44 are multiple connecting blocks 45, so that the different base plates can be more firmly connected to each other. In the example, a block is provided with LEGO studs 46 only on the long sides, but these can also be provided on short sides.
In order to quickly and easily provide 3D shapes as a basis for the beads, there are other systems of building blocks, such as the so-called CLICS building blocks.
The base plate 53 can be clicked on the CLICS building blocks 52 that are provided with the LEGO studs 46, which are provided with LEGO tubes as shown in
To be able to provide the standard CLICS blocks with a base plate with pegs, these base plate 54 can be provided with a device to click these base plate 54 on the known and standard CLICS block.
The base plate 54 are provided with a clamping device 56 to fix it to the CLICS block and a support system 55 to align the base plate 54, as shown in
To remove the beads from the base plate 57, the base plate can be provided with openings 59, making it possible to push the bead 3 upwards with the help of a stick along the bottom and thus work it free from the peg 2.
The base plate 57 can also be fitted with extra Intermediate clamps 58. These can be useful if the standard beads 3 differ too much in inner diameter, and it is also advisable to clamp the beads from the outside. This version is shown in
The corner pieces can also be combined with each other as shown in
In the arrangement with which a cube is formed, a box can be provided centrally in which, for example, lighting is accommodated. Thus, for example, by providing at least one opening centrally in the box and blocks and as an extension thereof in the base plate, the power cable and/or the suspension system can hereby be provided, for example.
The materials of all the pieces described above can all vary between very soft and hard plastic or even rubber derivatives.
In the embodiments in which the base plate is at least partially translucent, use can be made of projection techniques. For example, a drawing is applied to the back of the base plate, and light is directed onto it, preferably via a controlled light source.
There are the following options for pressing the beads onto the pegs without this having a restrictive effect on the operation and variants thereof.
With the three steps pegs, the beads are applied in 3 different steps and therefore applied with three different pressures, with the following options:
With the 2 step pegs, the beads are applied in 2 different steps and therefore applied with 2 different pressures, with the following options:
Preferably, the pressure on the beads to secure them to the last stage is a minimum of 200 gr and a maximum of 500 gr.
There are the following options for clamping the beads over the pegs without this having a restrictive effect on the operation and variants thereof.
The square shape pegs:
The diagonal distance between the corners is 5% longer than the internal round diameter of the beads that fit over it. This with a tolerance of 20%
The diagonal distance between the corners is 10% longer than the internal round diameter of the beads that fit over it. This with a tolerance of 20%
The diagonal distance between the corners is 15% longer than the internal round diameter of the beads that fit over it, this with a tolerance of 20%.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/077291 | 10/4/2021 | WO |
