CONSTRUCTION TOY SET

Abstract

A toy construction set. The toy construction set includes at least a plurality of hubs and a plurality of connectors. The plurality of hubs may each include a plurality of segments joined together to form a shape. Each of the plurality of segments includes a plurality of connection points. The plurality of connectors each include a first clip and a second clip. The first clips and the second clips are configured to releasably connect to the connection points of the plurality of segments of the plurality of hubs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to a construction toy set.

Toy construction sets on the market may not allow users to create complex objects. For example, some construction sets do not allow users to build objects laterally.

As can be seen, there is a need for a toy construction set that allows the user to build complex and sturdy objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a toy construction set comprises: a plurality of hubs each comprising a plurality of segments joined together to form a shape, wherein each of the plurality of segments comprise a plurality of connection points; and a plurality of first connectors each comprising a first clip and a second end clip, wherein the first clips and the second clips are configured to releasably connect to the connection points of the plurality of segments.

In another aspect of the present invention, a toy construction set comprises: a plurality of hubs each comprising a plurality of segments joined together to form a polygon, wherein the plurality of segments each have a cylindrical shape comprising a plurality of connection points; and a plurality of first connectors each comprising a shaft having a first end comprising a first clip and a second end comprising a second clip, wherein each of the first clips and the second clips comprise a notch defining a C-shape, wherein the first clips and the second clips are configured to releasably connect to the connections points of the plurality of segments.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention assembled together;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hub of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first connector of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second connector of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a face plate of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third connector of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hub of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a face plate of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention assembled together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a toy construction set including hubs, connectors and other attachments. The present invention provides a creative media for its users and encourages users to use creative thinking, develop problem solving skills and create models or objects. The present invention allows the user to construct shapes and objects using a set of connecting parts. The parts can be connected in many different shapes and geometries. The user can create objects as they desire. Further, the present invention may include continuous facades that make the completed object aesthetically pleasing.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, the present invention includes a toy construction set. The toy construction set 10 includes at least a plurality of hubs 12 and a plurality of connectors 17. The plurality of hubs 12 may each include a plurality of segments 15 joined together to form a shape. Each of the plurality of segments 15 includes a plurality of connection points 13. The plurality of connectors 17 each include a first clip 19 and a second clip 19. The first clips 19 and the second clips 19 are configured to releasably connect to the connection points 13 of the plurality of segments 15.

The toy construction set 10 may include different types of hubs 12. Different types of hubs 12 may form different shapes. The segments 15 may join together to form a two dimensional polygon shape, a single dimensional line, a circle, an eclipse or a three dimensional cuboid. For example, the hub 12 may include a square shape, a rectangle shape, a triangle shape, a circular shape, a spherical shape, an ellipse shape, an ellipsoid shape, a cuboid shape, a line shape, an adjoining line shape and the like.

In certain embodiments, each of the segments 15 may have a cylindrical shape forming the connection points 13. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of segments 15 include a plurality of spacers 16 evenly spaced apart. The connection points 13 are disposed in between the plurality of spacers 16. In such embodiments, the connection points 13 may each include a slot formed in between the spacers 16 and a cylinder disposed within the slot. The clips 19 may snugly fit within the slot and snap onto the cylinder. Each of the plurality of hubs 12 may further include a plurality of corner spacers 14 attaching the plurality of segments 15 together.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the present invention may include a second hub 30. The second hub 30 may include segments 15 connected together by corner spaces 32. Further, the second hub 30 may include spacers 34 that are wider than the spacers 16 of a first type of hub 12. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the present invention may include a third hub 40. The third hub 40 may include a plurality of segments 15 connected together by rounded corner spacers 42. The rounded corner spacers 42 form a circular or oval shaped hub 40.

The connectors 17 of the present invention are configured to connect the hubs 12 together. The connectors 17 may be linear, circular, triangular, square shaped, and the like. The connectors 17 include at least two or more clips 19. In certain embodiments, the connectors 17 include a shaft 18 having clips 19 disposed at opposing ends. Further, the connectors 17 may include a shaft 18 having clips 19 disposed at opposing ends and a centrally disposed clip 19.

Alternatively, the connectors 17 may include more than one clip 19 at each opposing end of the shaft 18 and more than one clip 19 centrally disposed on the shaft 18.

In certain embodiments, the clips 19 may each include a notch defining a C-shape. The C-shaped notch is sized to snap onto the cylinder shaped connection points 13 of the hubs 12. In certain embodiments, the shaft 18 of the clips 19 may include a cylinder shape having the same diameter as the connection points 13. Therefore, connectors 17 may connect with one another by a clip 19 of one connector 17 snapping onto a shaft 18 of another connector 17. Since the connection points of the clips 19 and the hubs 12 may be rounded, the connectors 17 may rotate about a longitudinal axis of the segments 15. In certain embodiments, the clips 19 may include beveled or angled ends at an entrance of the notch to guide the connection point 13 into the clips 19.

The present invention may further include different types of connectors 17. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the present invention may include a second connector 20. The second connector 20 may include a shaft 21 that is longer than the shaft 18 of a first connector 17. The second connector 20 may also include the first clip 19 and the second clip 19 disposed at opposing ends of the shaft 21. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the present invention may further include a third connector 26. The third connector 26 does not include a shaft 21. Instead, the third connector 26 includes a body having a first notch 27 and a second notch 27. The first and second notch 27 may define the C-shape and are configured to releasably connect to the connection points 13 of the plurality of segments. In certain embodiments, beveled or angled ends are formed at the entrance of the notches 27 to guide the connection points 13 into the notches 27.

The toy construction set 10 may further include attachments, such as a plurality of plates 22, wheels, roofs, and the like. Each of the plates 22 may include an inner surface 23 and an outer surface. The inner surface 23 and outer surface may be substantially flat. A pair of clips 24 are protruding from opposing sides of the inner surface of the plates 22. The clips 24 are configured to releasably connect to the connection points 13 of the plurality of segments 15. In certain embodiments, the clips 24 may each include a notch defining a C-shape. The C-shaped notch is sized to snap onto the cylinder shaped connections points 13 of the segments 15. In certain embodiments, the clips 24 may include beveled or angled ends at an entrance of the notch to guide the connection points 15 into the clips 19.

The present invention may include different types of plates 22. The plates 22 may be different sizes and shapes. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a second plate 36 may be smaller than a first plate 22 of FIG. 5. Since the second plate 36 is smaller than the first plate 22, the plate 36 may only include one clip 24 protruding from the inner surface 23.

The hubs 12, connectors 17 and plates 22 may be made of a metals, woods or polymers, such as plastic. In certain embodiments, each of the elements listed above may be made by injection molding, 3d printing and the like. In such embodiments, the each of the elements are monolithic.

The connectors 17 and hubs 12 form the core of the desired structure. The user can arrange connectors 17 and hubs 12 however they may fit. Hubs 12 and connectors 17 can be alternated and connected as desired to create structures. As mentioned above, the connectors 17 come in various lengths. The shorter connector 17 allow two hubs 12 to connect adjacently to each other. Connectors 17 of varying lengths can be used to connect hubs at a distance from each other. For example, a square hub 12 can have four connectors, one connector in the mid-point of each segment 15. These can connect to another square hub 12 in the same way at the other end of the connectors 17, creating a simple cube-like shape. A longer connector 20 going from the top left to bottom right of the cube makes the object rigid. A more complex example may include several hubs and connectors connected together to form truss like shapes. Furthermore, the plates 22 can be attached any way the user desires. The plates 22 may connect to the exterior of the object to form a continuous facade. Plates 22 can be specialized such that the end result is a specific object, like a model building.

The present invention may be used as a creative building system where users can assemble the components as they desire. The components can be used for instruction for topics which they demonstrate their principles, such as geometry because of the angles of the structure. Alternatively, the present invention may be used for educating or prototyping in engineering because of the ability to assemble the hubs 12 and connectors 17 into truss-like structures, models of buildings, bridges and other structures. Likewise, a user can model out much larger structures such as a building. The components can be assembled to create simple objects, or they can be assembled to create very large objects, such as an adult size desk, chair, a monitor stand and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toy construction set comprising: a plurality of hubs each comprising a plurality of segments joined together to form a shape, wherein each of the plurality of segments comprise a plurality of connection points; anda plurality of first connectors each comprising a first clip and a second end clip, whereinthe first clips and the second clips are configured to releasably connect to the connection points of the plurality of segments.

2. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein each of plurality of connectors comprise a shaft having a first end comprising the first clip and a second end comprising the second clip.

3. The toy construction set of claim 2, wherein the shaft of each of the plurality of connectors comprises a diameter equal to a diameter of the connection points.

4. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein each of the connection points comprise a cylindrical shape, wherein each of the first clips and the second clips comprise a notch defining a C-shape.

5. The toy construction set of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segments comprise a plurality of spacers evenly spaced apart, wherein the connection points are disposed in between the plurality of spacers.

6. The toy construction set of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of hubs comprises a plurality of corner spacers attaching the plurality of segments together.

7. The toy construction set of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second connectors each comprising a shaft having a first end comprising a first clip and a second end comprising a second clip, wherein the shaft of the plurality of second connectors comprises a greater length than the shaft of the plurality of first connectors.

8. The toy construction set of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of plates each comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one clip is protruding from the inner surface, the at least one clip configured to releasably connect to the connection points of the plurality of segments.

9. The toy construction set of claim 8, wherein the at least one clip is a pair of clips each extending from an opposing side of the inner surface.

10. A toy construction set comprising: a plurality of hubs each comprising a plurality of segments joined together to form a polygon, wherein the plurality of segments each have a cylindrical shape comprising a plurality of connection points; anda plurality of first connectors each comprising a shaft having a first end comprising a first clip and a second end comprising a second clip, wherein each of the first clips and the second clips comprise a notch defining a C-shape, whereinthe first clips and the second clips are configured to releasably connect to the connections points of the plurality of segments.

11. The toy construction set of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of segments comprise a plurality of spacers evenly spaced apart, wherein the connection points are disposed in between the plurality of spacers.

12. The toy construction set of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of hubs comprises a plurality of corner spacers attaching the plurality of segments together.