(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to stackable blocks and, more particularly, to a collection of connectable blocks that are made of a foam material and that can be stacked and/or connected to form a variety of shapes.
(2) Description of Related Art
Stackable blocks have long been known in the art. As an improvement over simple stackable blocks, Lego™ blocks were conceived that are connectable using male and female corresponding parts. Lego™ blocks are produced by the Lego Company, located at DK-7190 Billund, Denmark. Such connectable blocks have long been used to create a variety of miniature configurations. A problem with existing blocks is that they are small and do not allow a user to easily build large creations. Another problem with existing blocks is that should a user decide to position a sticker or otherwise adhesive backed material to the blocks, they will likely stick permanently and cannot be easily removed.
Thus, a continuing need exists for large, connectable blocks that allow a user to easily attach and detach adhesive backed items.
The present invention relates to connectable blocks. The invention includes a kit that comprises a plurality of connectable blocks. Each block includes a frame with a plurality of surfaces. Each frame also has a male part and a corresponding female part such that the male part on a first connectable block is formed to mate with a female part on another connectable block. Additionally, at least one surface of the frame of each block is textured to include a plurality of protrusions, with the protrusions providing contact points along a plane that lies upon the surface.
In another aspect, an adhesive-backed material (e.g., sticker) is included for detachably attaching with the frame of at least one connectable block, whereby a user can detachably attach and remove the adhesive-backed material to and from the frame.
In yet another aspect, the frame is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of expanded polypropylene foam and expanded polystyrene foam.
Additionally, an adhesive backing is formed on at least one surface of the frame, whereby a user can attach the connectable block with another object.
In another aspect, the male parts and corresponding female parts are Z-shaped.
In yet another aspect, the present invention also includes a wall mount having male and female parts that are formed to connect with the corresponding male and female parts of the connectable blocks.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the connectable blocks described herein. The methods comprising a plurality of acts of forming and connecting the various parts described below.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
The present invention relates to stackable blocks and, more particularly, to a collection of connectable blocks that are made of a foam material and that can be stacked and/or connected to form a variety of shapes. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
(1) Description
The present invention relates to connectable blocks 100. The top-side perspective, bottom-side perspective, top-orthogonal and bottom-orthogonal views of a connectable block are shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Unlike existing and traditional stackable blocks, which are small and have smooth sides, the blocks 100 of the present invention are large and include surfaces 106 which are textured. The blocks 100 are made of any suitably durable and rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. The blocks 100 can be formed in multiple colors and can be made of shiny or glittery materials. As shown in
Additionally, the blocks 100 can be formed in different shapes and connect with each other to form different-shaped toys. For example, as shown in
As mentioned above, an adhesive-backed material 108 (such as a sticker) can be provided with the blocks to be detachably attached with the blocks to increase the aesthetic look of the blocks and enhance the image of the shape formed by the connected blocks. As shown in
Additionally, the connectable blocks 100 can be formed to include a side with a surface that has an adhesive backing 802 formed on the surface. Thus, using the adhesive backing 802, the blocks can connect with another object 800, such as a wall, and the user can build shapes with the blocks off of that object. Such blocks can be attached to a wall (or stacked up) and extend out horizontally, as shown in
Further and as shown in
In summary, the present invention relates to connectable blocks 100 with male 102 and female 104 parts that allow for connection of the blocks 100. In some aspects, the blocks 100 include a textured surface to reduce the number of contact points between the blocks 100 and a detachably attachable adhesive-backed material. Additionally, the blocks 100 can be formed in a variety of shapes such that when connected, they collectively form different-shaped toys. Finally, in some aspects, the blocks 100 include male 102 and female 104 parts that provide support in both the horizontal 902 and vertical 904 directions.
The present application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,579, filed on Nov. 15, 2006, titled, “Connectable blocks.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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60859579 | Nov 2006 | US |