Cube Based Building Block System

Abstract

A cube (100) has a first hemicube (HI) having a first connector configuration including a post (110) adjacent the vertex (VI) of each of the three faces (A, B, C) and a second hemicube (H2) having a second connector configuration including a channel (105) adjacent the vertex (V2) of each of the three faces (D, E, F). The connector configurations include an array of connectors (105, 110), possibly including an odd number of connectors (105, 110). The channels (105) are flush with and the posts (110) have a same shape of cross sections from the free end to the corresponding planar faces (A, B, C, D, E, F). The channels (105) have polygonal cross sections. The cube (100) is hollow and formed by folding the faces (A, B, C, D, E, F) along pivotably interconnected edges and connecting the remaining faces (A, B, C, D, E, F) by slideable interconnections.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to building blocks and more specifically to interconnectable building blocks.

Building blocks useful for assembling structures that are larger or more complicated than the original block are ubiquitious in real-world construction and as toys used for play. Rectangular blocks, such as bricks or cinder blocks, are stacked and adhered with mortar to construct homes and buildings. Landscaping blocks are stacked (generally unadhered) to form retaining walls and other structures. Toy building blocks can be assembled into countless structures of varying scale and complexity for education or entertainment.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282, issued on Oct. 24, 1961 to Christiansen, describes the basic building brick of the most commercially successful and prolific toy building block system currently known. In fact, despite the age of this patent, the described interconnecting assembly is still the basis for the vast majority of its LEGO™ building bricks (as well as many competitors). Even for blocks that vary in size and shape, this common assembly provides interchangeable connectivity. In general, a rectangular parallelepiped frame having smooth sidewalls encases a planar surface having a pattern of cylindrical projections (posts) extending beyond the frame. On an opposite side, larger cylindrical projections contained within the interior of that frame create uniform spaces between the interior sidewalls of the frame and the projections. The posts of one brick are received within the spaces of another brick thereby creating an interference fit that retains the posts. The patterned nature of this assembly and the uniformity of the posts and spaces allow not only identical building blocks to be connected and stacked, but also blocks having different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses to be stacked and interconnected. In other words, while the size and shape of the frames may vary, the post and space pattern remains uniform across bricks, creating a system of components.

One limitation of all of the above described building blocks is that they are generally limited to assembly and construction in one direction; which, when these elements are used as primarily intended, is vertical stacking. For example, while mortar could be used to adhere vertically unsupported bricks side to side, it is not structurally reliable. With respect to the toy building blocks, they will only interconnect in one direction. That is, the top of one block will only connect to the bottom of another block. There is no ability to directly connect a flat sidewall of one brick to the flat sidewall of another brick; nor could the top of one block connect to the top of another block. In fact, of the 36 possible face to face interfaces between two rectangular blocks, only two will produce an interlocking connection. Constructing more complicated assemblies requires bridging adjacent blocks with other blocks spanning across the top and/or bottom of the adjacent blocks. Alternatively, specialty pieces are available to allow some variation in connectivity. For example, an L shaped component can be used to change the direction subsequent blocks are connected. Other connectors are produced having holes in a sidewall that receive pins and allow other similar blocks to be connected. This is simply an alternative form of bridging using specialty pieces. Thus, a system of widely varied and complex components is required to allow for fairly limited multi-directional interconnectivity. Naturally, this increases the cost and complexity of manufacturing.

There are other types and configurations of building block systems. However, they all have similar limitations. In general, they will allow for connectivity in only one direction and/or one orientation; require one or more disparate components to connect two similar components; or, the resulting connection is deficient. That is, adjacent blocks must be offset in order to connect.

Therefore, a need exists for a system of building blocks with improved connectivity between components that overcomes one or more of the current disadvantages noted above.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a building block system that has a first block having a first set of three faces, with each face of the first set including a first connector configuration. The first block also has a second set of three faces, with each face of the second set including a second connector configuration. The first connector configuration is different from and is configured to interconnect with the second configuration.

In one embodiment, the three faces of the first and second sets include three edges which interconnect at first and second vertexes respectively diagonally opposite to each other. The first connector configuration includes at least one post located in each of the three faces of the first set adjacent the first vertex. The second connector configuration includes at least one channel located in each of the three faces of the second set adjacent the second vertex. The at least one post is configured to slideably interconnect within the at least one channel. In a further aspect, the first and second connector configurations include an array defined by at least two and, possibly, an odd number of rows and at least two and, possibly, an odd number of columns of connectors, with the connectors in each row and each column of the first connection configuration comprising alternating posts and channels. In still a further aspect, the connectors in each row and each column of the second connector configuration of two of the three faces of the second set comprise alternating channels and posts, and with the connectors in each row and each column of the second connector configuration of one of the three faces of the second set being exclusively channels.

In one embodiment, the post has an external diameter having same shaped circular cross sections and each channel has an interior diameter having polygonal cross sections, with the interior diameter greater than the exterior diameter and selected such that a post having a dimension equal to the external diameter would have an interference fit if inserted into the channel. In another embodiment, each post includes a through bore axially aligned with the post.

For one embodiment, the three faces of the first set comprise first, second and third faces, with the three edges of the first set comprising first, second and third edges, with the first and second faces pivotably connected by the first edge, with the second and third faces interconnected by the second edge, with the first and second edges being perpendicular to each other, with the first and third faces interconnected by the third edge, with the first face including a fourth edge opposite to the first edge and a fifth edge opposite to the second edge, with the second face having a sixth edge opposite to the first edge and a seventh edge opposite to the second edge, with the third face having an eighth edge opposite to the second edge and a ninth edge opposite to the third edge. Also, the three faces of the second set comprises fourth, fifth and sixth faces, with the fourth face interconnected to the second face by the sixth edge and interconnected to the third face by the ninth edge, with the three edges of the second set comprising tenth, eleventh and twelfth edges, with the fifth face interconnected to the fourth face by the tenth edge, with the third and fifth faces interconnected by the eighth edge, with the first and fifth faces interconnected by the fourth edge, with the second and sixth faces interconnected by the seventh edge, with the first and sixth faces interconnected at the fifth edge, with the fourth and sixth faces interconnected by the eleventh edge, with the fifth and sixth faces interconnected by the twelfth edge. Five of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a pivotal interconnection and seven of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a slideable interconnection. In certain aspects, the slideable interconnections each comprises a lip extending below and outwardly beyond a corresponding edge of one of the faces being interconnected and slideably received in a trench formed in the corresponding edge of another of the faces being interconnected. Further, the lip of one of the slideable interconnections includes a tab extending outwardly beyond the lip and slideably received in a keyway extending from the trench in the corresponding edge. Additionally, the trench comprises a first flange extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected at the corresponding edge of the other of the faces being interconnected and a second flange extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected spaced inwardly from the first flange at a spacing for slideably receiving the lip. The lip includes cutouts corresponding to the channels adjacent to the corresponding edge.

In another embodiment, the system further includes a second cube identical to the first cube, and any face of the first cube may be coupled with any face of the second cube in two orientations, with each edge of each face coupled aligned.

In one embodiment, a tessellating pattern is formed from exposed adjacent faces when the first cube is coupled with the second cube by the pattern formed first and second connector configurations.

In another embodiment, a building block system also includes second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth cubes each identical to the first cube. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth cubes are connectable together to form a cubic assembly with each face of the cubic assembly having a tessellating pattern created by an alternating pattern of the first and second configuration patterns. In one embodiment, the cubic assembly is a three dimensional tessellation.

In one embodiment, any face of any of the cubes is connectable to any face of any other of the cubes in two orientations.

In another embodiment, any face having the first connector configuration of any of the cubes is connectable with any face having the second connector configuration on any other of the cubes.

One embodiment includes a building block system that has a first cube having six faces, with each face including a connector configuration having an even number of first connecting elements and an even number of second connecting elements. In addition, the connector configuration forms a checkerboard pattern on each face and like connecting elements are paired along each edge of the first cube.

One embodiment includes a building block system having a first cube having six faces, with a first hemicube having a first set of three faces adjoined along a first set of three edges with each of the first set of three faces including a first connector configuration having an odd number of first connecting elements and an even number of second connecting elements. The first connector configuration forms a checkerboard pattern on each of the three faces. The cube also has a second hemicube having second set of three faces adjoined along a second set of three edges, with each face of the second set of three faces including a second connector configuration having an even number of first connecting elements and an odd number of second connecting elements. Like connecting elements are paired, along each edge of the first and second set of three edges and opposite connecting elements are paired along edges between the first and second hemicubes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank for forming a cube.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cube.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a blank for forming a cube.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cube.

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of a cube, with portions broken away.

FIG. 6 is a series of planar views of cubes in varying orientations.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G and 7H are a series of planar views of cubes in varying orientations.

FIG. 8 is an exploded, planar view of base cubes positioned for interconnection and having an axle passing through a row of base cubes.

FIG. 9 is a planar view of an assembly of base cubes with two axles.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G and 10H are planar views of a 3×3 cube in eight orientations.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, 11G and 11H are planar views of 3×3 cube pairings.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of eight base cubes assembled into a 2×2 cube.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a unitary 2×2 cube.

FIG. 14 is a planar view of a blank of a 2×2 cube.

FIG. 15 is a planar view of a blank of a 3×3 cube.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of sixty four base cubes assembled into a 4×4 cube.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of four 3×3 cubes.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a 5×5 cube.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a 5×5 cube.

FIG. 20 is a planar view of a blank of a 5×5 cube.

FIG. 21 is a partial, perspective view of a face of a 3×3 cube, with portions broken away.

FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a face of a 3×3 cube, with portions broken away.

FIG. 22B is a partial, exploded side view of a slideably interconnected edge of a 3×3 cube.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a 4×4 cube.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective of view of an assembly of cubes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments provide cube based building blocks configured so that an exposed face of a given block is connectable with at least three faces of another identical block or a scaled variant. A scaled variant would be a cube of a different size or a rectangular brick (which geometrically would be formed from the base cube). When identical blocks are connected, complete edge to edge alignment is permitted.

A cube 100 has faces A, B and C. A first vertex V1 is the corner formed by the intersection of edges E1, E2 and E3. As used herein, the term hemicube means three complete faces of a cube having common edges intersecting at a given vertex. Thus, hemicube H1 has vertex V1, edges E1, E2, and E3, and faces A, B, and C. For any given cube, there are eight vertices, thus eight potential hemicubes. As used herein, the term opposite hemicube means a hemicube with a vertex that is diagonally opposite from the vertex defining the first hemicube.

Face F is opposite of face A; face E is opposite of face C; and face D is opposite of face B. Edges E4, E5 and E6 intersect at vertex V2. Accordingly, hemicube H2 is defined from vertex V2 to include faces D, E, and F and edges E4, E5, and E6. As vertex V2 is diagonally opposite vertex V1, hemicube H2 is opposite to hemicube H1.

Assume that for the sake of illustration, that contact between any two faces of different cubes will cause them to adhere. Any face of any cube 100 could be connected to any face of another cube 100 and in any orientation. Regardless of the faces and orientation selected, the resultant shape will always be the same (assuming complete face to face alignment; that is, the cubes are not offset from one another). For example, two connected cubes 100 will form a rectangular parallelepiped. Aligning and joining eight cubes 100 will form a larger cube, and each face of that cube will have the identical pattern of 4 squares. Such expansion can occur indefinitely, forming larger rectangular parallelepipeds or cubes.

From a geometric perspective, any cube can be divided into multiple cubes. For a system of building blocks, there will be an originating unit; that is, the smallest cube available for use in the system. As used herein, that originating unit will be referred to as the base cube.

A plurality of cubes 100 is combined to form a larger cube. When so arranged, a tessellation occurs in both 2 and 3 dimensions. That is, a given face B of the larger cube will be formed by the combination of each exposed face B from each individual cube 100. Thus, regardless of how large the resultant cube is, each resultant face will have a perfectly replicating tiled pattern that evenly fills the area (2 dimensional tessellation). However, this pattern also replicates three dimensionally; combined cubes 100 uniformly and completely fill the entire volume of resulting larger cube (3 dimensional tessellation), and each face of resulting larger cube includes a 2 dimensional tessellation. Each exposed face A combines to form resultant face A, and each exposed face C combines to form resultant face C.

Once larger cube is formed as a structure, it can be considered its own building element. Thus, multiple larger cubes can be combined in the same manner as multiple cubes 100 were combined.

As indicated, any face of any cube 100 can couple with any face of another cube 100 and in any orientation to form resultant rectangular parallelepipeds and cubes. However, other more complex shapes and configurations can be formed. A structure is formed by connecting a plurality of cubes 100. A rectangular brick is also illustrated as part of the structure and is included simply to illustrate the concept that a cube based system of building blocks is not limited to cubes as individual building components. The resulting brick is the same size and shape that would result from connecting five cubes 100.

In this embodiment, channels 105 are provided that are sized to receive and frictionally engage a post 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 105 is a through bore extending entirely through a given face of the block 100 and into a hollow interior of the block 100. Channels 105 are flush with faces A, B, C, D, E, F and have polygonal, and particularly, octagonal cross sections parallel to faces A, B, C, D, E, F. Alternatively, the channel 105 may be made deep enough to receive the post 110 without extending all the way through the face. In another embodiment, the block 100 may be solid, without a hollow interior.

In the illustrated embodiment, post 110 has circular cross sections of a constant size parallel to faces A, B, C, D, E, F from the free end thereof to faces A, B, C, D, E, F. Post 110 includes a through bore 112 into a hollow interior of the block 100, with the free end including a chamfer of 45° extending between the through bore 112 and an outer circumference of the post 110. Each post 110 and channel 105 is labeled with the letter representing the particular face. Thus, the post for face F is 110F, and the channel for face A is 105A, and so forth.

According to one embodiment, each face of hemicube H1 must be identical. That is, each face in hemicube H1 must have the same connector, which in this embodiment is channel 105, and each face of hemicube H2 must have the same connector, which in this embodiment is post 110. The connector on hemicube H1 must be the opposite or reciprocal of the connector on hemicube H2.

Faces A, B and C form hemicube H1 and faces D, E, and F form hemicube H2. When the net is “folded” to form a cube, the bottom (as illustrated) edge of face B will connect with the top (as illustrated) edge of face E. When so formed, faces B, C, D and E essentially form a loop and a pattern is defined. That is, every other edge joins faces having like connectors and the intervening edges join faces having opposite connectors. As will be better understood in other embodiments, this pattern will hold for a cube having an odd number of connectors on each face. In this embodiment, each face has one connector (post 110 or channel 105).

Faces A and B are pivotably connected by edge E1, with faces B and C pivotably interconnected by edge E2. Edges E1 and E2 are perpendicular to each other. Faces A and C are slideably interconnected by an edge E3. Face A includes an edge E04 opposite to edge E1 and an edge E05 opposite to edge E3. Face B has an edge E06 opposite to edge E1 and an edge E07 opposite to edge E2. Face C has an edge E08 opposite to edge E2 and an edge E09 opposite to edge E3. Face D is pivotably interconnected to the face B by edge E06 and interconnected to face C by edge E09. Face E is pivotably interconnected to face D by edge E4, with faces C and E interconnected by edge E08. Faces A and E are interconnected by edge E04. Faces B and F are pivotably interconnected by edge E07. Faces A and F are slideably interconnected at edge E05. Faces D and F are slideably interconnected by edge E5. Faces E and F are slideably interconnected by edge E6.

Each slideable interconnection comprises a lip L extending below and outwardly beyond a corresponding edge of one of faces (A, C-F) being interconnected and slideably received in a trench T formed in the corresponding edge of another of faces (A, C-F) being interconnected. The lip L of edge E4 includes a tab M extending outwardly beyond lip L and slideably received in a keyway K extending from trench T in edge E4. Trench T comprises a first flange F1 extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected at the corresponding edge of the other of the faces being interconnected and a second flange F2 extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected spaced inwardly from first flange F1 at a spacing for slideably receiving lip L. Lip L includes cutouts N corresponding to channels 105 adjacent to the corresponding edge.

FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate a sequence of views of block 100 as block 100 is rotated about an imaginary horizontal axis, with each rotation presenting the next adjacent face. Thus, in position 1 shown in FIG. 7A, face A is visible with face D illustrated to the left, face B to the right, face C on the bottom and face E on the top. Faces D and B will remain as the side faces in each rotation. One rotation results in the orientation of position 2 shown in FIG. 7B with face E to the front, and subsequent rotations resulting in the other positions. FIGS. 7B-7H illustrate a similar sequence of rotations but from a different initial orientation. Namely in position 5 of FIG. 7E, face A is to the front, face C is to the left, face E is to the right, face D is up and face B is down. Between FIGS. 7A-7H, every potential planar view of block 100 is presented, though not every combination of specific faces is shown; in other words, different orientations would present the same visual representation but with different face labels. In subsequently describing the orientation of block 100, reference to positions 1-8 will mean reference to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7H.

In order for blocks 100 to be assembled into a tessellation, each block 100 must be oriented in a given way relative to an adjacent block 100. FIG. 8 illustrates 16 blocks 100 that are interconnected to form a 1×4×4 assembly 160. Assembly 160 has a 2 dimensional tessellating tile pattern in the form of a checkerboard. The checkerboard pattern is formed by the front (as illustrated) face of each block 100. FIG. 9 illustrates the assembly 160 with the individual blocks 100 separated but properly oriented. As this forms a grid, each row of blocks 100 is designated R1-R4 while each column is C1-C4. A particular block 100 will be designated by its row number followed by its column number. Thus, the first block 100 in the upper left of the grid is block 100 (1,1) while the block 100 in the lower, right corner is block 100 (4,4).

The initial block 100 (1,1) is oriented in position 1. The initial starting orientation could be any of the possible positions, however, once selected it will determine how adjoining blocks 100 must be connected to form the tessellation. To form a cubic tessellation, each face of each block 100 must properly align so that a resultant (larger) face of the assembly 160 forms the correct pattern. As block 100 (1,1) includes a channel 105 and a post 110 on an its upper face, the next block 100 (1,2) must be the inverse. Thus, block 100 (1,2) has a channel 105 on its upper surface and a post 110 on its front face 126. Block 100 (1,2) could be oriented in either position 3 or position 7 to meet these requirements. As block 100 (1,1) has a channel (not visible) on its face 125 oriented toward the right (as illustrated), block 100 (1,2) must have a post 110 oriented toward its left (as illustrated) in order to engage that channel and interlock. Thus, block 100 (1,2) is oriented in position 3. Block 100 (1,3) is in position 1 and block 100 (1,4) is in position 3. This pattern could repeat indefinitely to define an assembly 160 having any desired number of columns.

In the second row, block 100 (2,1) is in position 6 so that its front face presents post 110, its left face presents a channel (not visible), and post 110 projects from its upper face. Again, these conditions result in the opposite or inverse of how block 100 (1,1) is oriented except for the top and bottom faces. Block 100 (2,2) is in position 8 and this pattern repeats across the remainder of row 2. Row 3 is identical to row 1 and row 4 is identical to row 2. This pattern can repeat indefinitely to create an assembly 160 having any number of rows. It should be appreciated that assembly 160 or any of the assemblies described herein can be formed from coupling a plurality of blocks 100 or can be fabricated as a unitary component.

FIG. 6 illustrates one row beginning with block 100 (1,1) in position 8. To follow the pattern, the adjacent block 100 (1,2) is oriented in position 6 and so forth. Block 100 (1,4) is oriented in position 6. Block 100 (1,5) is oriented in position 5, which fails to follow the pattern. The front face 140 of block 100 (1,4) includes post 110 and the front face 142 of block 100 (1,5) includes channel 105; thus, these two elements are in the correct sequence. The top face 144 of block 100 (1,4) includes a post 110. The top face 146 of block 100 (1,5) also includes a post 110. Thus, a post adjacent a post (on a common plane) fails to follow the pattern and would not allow for the tessellation. That said, the right face 148 of block 100 (1,4) includes a post 110 that would be received by a channel present on left face 150 of block 100 (1,5). Thus, they could in fact be mechanically coupled together and in use, a builder may choose to assemble blocks 100 in any manner desired.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G and 7H illustrate assembly 160 which is a 1×4×4 assembly oriented to interconnect with an assembly and useful in forming the tessellation. Rows 1 and 3 correspond to the pattern described above with respect to FIG. 6, with block 100 (1,1) oriented in position 8 then position 6 and repeating. Row 2 begins with block 100 (2,1) in position 3 and adjacent block 100 (2,2) is in position 1 and repeating. When assembly 160 is completed and set atop the assembly 120 (FIG. 8), all posts 110 and channels 105 on the back of assembly 160 (not shown) and on the front face of the assembly 120 are properly aligned and the assemblies engage one another. What will ultimately become the front face of the assembly 160 (when each block 100 is connected as shown) ends up having an identical pattern to the front face of the assembly 120. The pattern of posts/channels on the top face, the bottom face, the right face, and the left face on the assembly 160 are the inverse of the pattern of posts/channels on the top face, the bottom face, the right face, and the left face of the assembly 120. It will be appreciated that an assembly 120 could be set atop the assembly 160 and the pattern remains correct. To form the cubic tessellation, two assemblies 120 will be combined with two assemblies 160 in an alternating sequence resulting in a 4×4×4 cube.

FIG. 8 illustrates the same set of blocks 100 oriented to form assembly 160 (when the blocks 100 are connected). In addition, a shaft 200 is illustrated passing through the blocks 100 of row 4 beginning with block 100 (4,1) through block 100 (4,4). In one embodiment, each block 100 has a hollow interior and the channels 105 and channels 112 of post 110 form through bores into the interior of the block 100. With each post 110 and each channel 105 centered on their respective faces of the block 100, there will be axial alignment of all through bores. Shaft 200 may be in the form of a rod, wire, tube, or other linear element.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another assembly 210 of blocks 100 forming a generally U shaped structure. A shaft 212 passes through the blocks 100 of row 2 and a shaft 214 passes through the blocks 100 of row 4.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a 2×2 cube 300 formed by coupling 8 individual blocks 100. Block 302 is oriented in position 2, block 304 is in position 4, block 306 is in position 5, block 308 is in position 7, block 310 is in position 7, block 312 is in position 5, and block 314 is in position 4. As this is a perspective view, face B is designated as the front face 320 for purposes of defining the position.

As previously described, each block 100 is formed of two hemicubes H1, H2. While geometrically speaking, any vertex and the three faces associated with the edges associated with that vertex form a hemicube; however, as used herein hemicube for base block 100 means a geometric hemicube wherein the 3 faces are identical (in configuration, not necessarily orientation as will be explained). Thus, with block 100, hemicube H1 include the three faces having a channel 105 whereas hemicube H2 includes the three faces having a post 110.

Several defining patterns are visible in cube 300. Each block 100 is oriented so that a complete hemicube (H1 or H2) is exposed. Block 302 exposes its complete hemicube H2 (i.e., all three faces with posts 110) are exposed and form a portion of the surface of cube 300) while block 304 exposes the complete hemicube H1. In 2×2 cube 300, every other block presents a hemicube H1 or H2 and all diagonally opposite corners (i.e., diagonal passing through the center of the cube 300) have opposite hemicubes exposed. In the base block 100, faces in hemicube H1 are distinct in that they are the opposite of the faces in hemicube H1. In the 2×2 cube 300, the resultant faces have identical patterns, which in this embodiment is a 2×2 checkerboard. This will be a common pattern as the combination cubes become larger; those having an even number of base cubes 100 will end up having identical resulting faces. The distinction for larger cubes with an odd number of base cubes 100 will be explained further below, but in short, it results in a different pattern for each of the two hemicubes (H1, H2) of the resultant cube.

Another characteristic is the pattern of what is referred to as the edge to edge pairing. Top face A and front face B join at 90 degrees to one another along edge E1. For block 302, there is a post 310 on each side of the edge E1 and for block 304 there is a channel 305 on each side of the edge E1; this will be referred to a post to post and channel to channel. Regardless of the number of base blocks 100 forming a larger cube, so long as that number is even, there will be a uniform post to post and channel to channel pairing for every base block 100 along every edge of the cube. Stated another way, every face of cube 300 is an identical 2×2 checkerboard, however each face is oriented such that there is a matching of connectors along every edge.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a 2×2 cube 350. While cube 350 is configured identically to cube 300, cube 350 is a unitary block whereas cube 300 is an assembly of smaller blocks 100. Cube 350 may be constructed in a variety of way and may be a generally solid structure or may have a hollow interior. While cube 350 is not formed from individual blocks 100, it has the same configuration and scalability as if it had been so formed. That is, each face has a 2×2 checkerboard arrangement formed by alternating connectors 352 of posts 110 and channels 105. There is post to post and channel to channel alignment between faces along each edge. Connecter 352 is meant to generally indicate a given connector portion that would correspond to what is represented by one face of a base block 100, and includes either option. That is, connector 352 may be either a post 110 or a channel 105 in the embodiments described thus far. Alternate connectors will be described with respect to other embodiments. Connector 352 alignment along a given edge will referred to as the same (e.g., post to post) or opposite (e.g., post to channel).

FIG. 14 is a blank of the 2×2 cube 350 with faces A-F presented in 2 dimensions. Vertices V1 and V2 are identified as are hemicubes H1 and H2. As previously stated, with an even number of connectors 352 on each face, each face is identical, though not identically oriented. The net of cube 350 clearly illustrates that the same connectors are aligned for each edge. For example, the channel 105 aligns with the channel 105 and the post 110 aligns with the post 110 along edge E1.

FIG. 17 is a 3×3 cube 500, illustrated in this embodiment as a unitary component. It will be appreciated, that the same configuration could be achieved by coupling 27 base blocks 100. Each face B, C, F has 9 connector positions with two potential configuration patterns possible. The first configuration is 5 posts 516 and 4 channels 514 and the second configuration is the inverse with 5 channels 514 and 4 posts 516. Face F illustrates the first configuration while faces B and C illustrate the second configuration. As better illustrated in other figures, each hemicube has faces having the identical configuration. Thus, faces B and C are part of hemicube H1 while face F is part of hemicube H2. While faces of the same configuration can be mechanically coupled, they cannot form a proper connection. That is, in order to mechanically connect faces with the same configuration, they must be offset by one row; thus, the tessellation is interrupted.

The edge to edge connector pattern will alternate as the cube 500 is rotated about a given axis. Where faces having the same configuration pattern come together at an edge, the same connectors will align. Where an edge joins faces with different configurations, the connectors will be opposites along that edge. Face F abuts face B along edge E3. Face F has the first configuration and face B has the second configuration. Accordingly, post 516 is adjacent channel 514; channel 514 is adjacent post 516; and post 516 is adjacent channel 514.

Face B abuts face C along edge E1. Channel 514 is adjacent channel 514; post 516 is a adjacent post 516; and channel 504 is adjacent channel 514. That is, since faces B and C are both of the second configuration, their respective connectors will be the same along an edge.

FIG. 17 illustrates cube 500 adjacent an identically oriented 3×3 cube 530. If the two cubes 500, 530 were moved together in the direction of the arrow, face 500B (second configuration) would mechanically engage with face 530F (first configuration). This would not be a proper coupling as it would bring faces 500C and 530C together (both being the second configuration) and channel 514 would be adjacent channel 536; post 516 would be adjacent post 534 and channel 520 would be adjacent channel 532. Therefore, while the face formed by the combination of 500F and 530B would have the proper pattern; the face resulting from 500C and 530C would not have the proper pattern.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, cube 500 has been rotated 90 degrees about axis 540 while cube 530 remains in the same orientation as shown in FIG. 17. As shown, face 530F is now on top and 530E is visible. Face 530B is positioned in the same manner as in FIG. 17, as rotating a given face about an axis perpendicular to that face will result in the same configuration; that is, the connector pattern (in both configurations) is symmetrical. Now when cube 500 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow. Face 500F (first configuration) abuts face 530C (second configuration) and the resulting combined face continues the pattern.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G and 10H are front elevational views of cube 500 as it progresses through a serious of rotations in the direction of the arrow. In position 1, face B is to the front, face A is to the left, face F is to the right, face E is on top and face C is on the bottom. One 90 degrees rotation results in position 2 with face E to the front; position 3 has face D to the front; and position 4 has face C to the front. Another rotation in the same direction would return to position 1. Position 5 also begins with face B to the front but the cube has also been rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise about an axis perpendicular to the page (as compared to position 1). Position 6 has face F to the front; position 7 has face D to the front; and position 8 has face A to the front. FIGS. 10A-10H illustrate every possible orientation. With any given face position facing forward, the cube 500 can be orientated to achieve any of the illustrated positions. For example, while position 5 is illustrated with face B facing front, the same overall orientation can be achieved with face C facing to the front. Rotating the cube as illustrated in position 4 (face C to the front) 180 degrees counterclockwise about an axis perpendicular to the page, results in position 1.

To have full face to full face mechanical engagement, a face with the first configuration must engage a face with the second configuration. With a cube having an even number of connectors, any face can properly connect with any other face in two of its four potential orientations. With a cube having an odd number of connectors, any face of one configuration can properly connect with any face of the opposite configuration, but there is only one orientation of the cube for that face that will be proper. FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11F, 11G and 11H illustrate the proper position pairings. Notably, they work in either direction. For example, the first pairing has the cube of position 1 to the left of the cube in position 3. It would be a proper pairing to reverse them and have the position 1 cube to the right of position 3 cube. The pattern would repeat indefinitely to properly join as many cubes as desired. FIGS. 11A-11H illustrate right left pairings; however, the positioning for top bottom pairings is similar. For example, coupling with the bottom (as illustrated) of the cube illustrating position 1 would be the same as the right left coupling illustrated for position 5. In other words, the left side of the cube shown in position 7 would properly couple with the bottom of the cube shown in position 1. Thus, rotating FIGS. 11A-11H in their entireties by 90 degrees illustrates the top to bottom pairings.

FIG. 23 illustrates a variant 4×4 cube 610. Variant cube 610 has a face B devoid of posts; thus, only containing channels 105. This allows a mechanical connection with any face of any other cube (though not all connections will be proper) having posts. Other variant cubes may be provided having more than one and up to all 6 faces devoid of posts 110 and only containing channels 105. Selecting the sizing of the posts and/or the channels as well as their spacing to correspond with other building block systems, such as for example, LEGO™, will allow for a mechanical connection between blocks from different systems. In some embodiments, such interconnection between blocks from different systems may only be achieved when using cubes having a face devoid of posts. That is, that pattern formed by only having channels 105 of, for example, face B will receive the post configuration from an alternative building block system but blocks in that system will not receive the posts 110 from other cubes. Alternatively, posts 110 and channels 105 may be sized and spaced to allow for complete interconnectivity with blocks from another system.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a 5×5 cube 620 and FIG. 20 is the blank of cube 620. The pattern follows the rules previously discussed for cubes with an odd number of connectors 352. Faces A, B, and C have a first configuration with each face having 12 posts 110 and faces D, E, and F have a second configuration with each face having 13 posts 110. The patterns in both configurations are symmetrical. The edges (defining vertex 1) connecting faces A, B, and C have like connectors as will the edges (defining vertex 2) connecting faces D, E, and F. Faces A, B, and C form hemicube H1 while face D, E, and F form hemicube H2. Any edge between different hemicubes H1, H2 will have opposite connectors (e.g., the edge between faces C and D in FIG. 19). Any face with the first configuration may properly be joined to any face of the second configuration in one orientation of the cube 620. Only hemicube H1 is visible in FIG. 18 while only hemicube H2 is visible in FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 illustrates the scaling of cubes according to embodiments of the present invention. Base cube 100 showing hemicube H2 is disposed above another base cube 100 showing hemicube H1. A 2×2 cube 350 is above a 3×3 cube 500 which is above a 4×4 cube 600 which is above a 5×5 cube 620, with cubes 350, 500, 600, and 620 coupled together to form a cube stack 622. With respect to blocks 350, 500, and 600, the cube stack 622 has the C faces aligned in a common plane and aligned along common left edge 630. As each cube is reduced in size, there is an offset of one row per iteration in the alignment of the B faces. From a planar view all faces of the cube stack 622 will have the proper checkerboard pattern for blocks 350, 500, and 600. That is, while the cube stack 622 is not a complete cubic tessellation, the area of each face that does contain connectors has those connectors in the checkerboard pattern. Block 620 is illustrated with face E facing forward. Face F properly aligns with the C faces of the other blocks, however face E is not properly aligned with face 600B. Block 620 could be rotated to be in proper alignment but was illustrated in this orientation to show the contrast when improper positioning occurs.

The present invention includes embodiments of cube based building blocks having a configuration that allows tessellation in 3 dimensions. Whether provided as base blocks 100, base blocks 100 coupled together into larger assemblies, or larger unitary components having patterns defined by the rules set out in the description, the present building block system is unique in that it allows any desired face of a given block to be coupled with any other cube in the system and further, that any given face may be properly coupled with at least half of the faces of any other identical cube. That is, in cubes having an odd number of connectors, any given face can properly couple with three faces of an identical cube and for cubes having an even number of connectors, any given face of one cube can be properly coupled with any face of an identical cube.

Any method of fabricating the blocks described herein may be utilized. They may be formed from any desired material and may be formed as a solid object, stamped, molded, or printed. It is anticipated that injection molding is the most economical manufacturing process.

While the connectors have been described as posts 110 having channels 112, wherein the posts 110 engage with channels 105 on an opposing face, other connector configurations may be utilized. In one variation, the posts 110 are solid; that is, they do not include channel 112. The connectors can be cross shaped channels and corresponding cross shaped posts.

In use, a system of building blocks ranging from base block 100 to cubes or rectangular blocks of varying sizes would be provided. The user could build any desired structure or could be provided with instructions to build specific structures. In addition, the cube may be viewed as a puzzle; assembling them through a series of proper connections to form a tessellation.

By producing the cubes and blocks with posts 110 and channels 105 having specific sizes and spacing, they may be utilized with and connected to other commercially available toy building block systems. While these commercially available products would not have the same benefits and features of the present invention and would not have the full range of interconnectability, mechanical compatibility expands the overall number of available components.

While any desired component can be placed within any appropriate sized cube, there is an advantage to using cubes with odd numbered connectors. That is, for a given face to face connection there is only one proper orientation. Thus, were electrical or mechanical components within the cube require a specific cube to cube coupling, the use of cubes with an odd number of connectors can help avoid improper connections.

In the specification and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended terms and should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” These terms encompass the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As well, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, “characterized by” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications and patents specifically mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes including describing and disclosing the chemicals, instruments, statistical analyses and methodologies which are reported in the publications which might be used in connection with the invention. All references cited in this specification are to be taken as indicative of the level of skill in the art. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited throughout the specification, including those in the background, are incorporated herein in their entirety. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to specific embodiments of the invention described specifically herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A building block system comprising: a block having a first set of three faces and a second set of three faces, with the first and second sets being diagonally opposite to each other, with each of the first and second sets including one of a first connector configuration and a second connector configuration, wherein the first connector configuration is different from and is configured to interconnect with the second connector configuration, wherein the three faces of the first and second sets include three edges which interconnect at first and second vertexes respectively diagonally opposite to each other, with the first and second connector configurations including an array defined by at least two rows and at least two columns of connectors, with the connectors in each row and each column of the first connection configuration comprising alternating posts and channels, with the posts configured to slideably interconnect within the channels, wherein the at least two rows comprise an odd number of rows and the at least two columns comprise an odd number of columns, wherein each post has circular cross sections, wherein each channel has polygonal cross sections, wherein the three faces of the first and second sets are three planar faces extending between the three edges, wherein each channel is flush with a corresponding planar face, wherein each post has a free end spaced from a corresponding planar face and has cross sections parallel to the corresponding planar face of a same shape from the free end to the corresponding planar face, wherein the three faces of the first set comprise first, second and third faces, with the three edges of the first set comprising first, second and third edges, with the first and second faces pivotably connected by the first edge, with the second and third faces interconnected by the second edge, with the first and second edges being perpendicular to each other, with the first and third faces interconnected by the third edge, with the first face including a fourth edge opposite to the first edge and a fifth edge opposite to the second edge, with the second face having a sixth edge opposite to the first edge and a seventh edge opposite to the second edge, with the third face having an eighth edge opposite to the second edge and a ninth edge opposite to the third edge, wherein the three faces of the second set comprises fourth, fifth and sixth faces, with the fourth face interconnected to the second face by the sixth edge and interconnected to the third face by the ninth edge, with the three edges of the second set comprising tenth, eleventh and twelfth edges, with the fifth face interconnected to the fourth face by the tenth edge, with the third and fifth faces interconnected by the eighth edge, with the first and fifth faces interconnected by the fourth edge, with the second and sixth faces interconnected by the seventh edge, with the first and sixth faces interconnected at the fifth edge, with the fourth and sixth faces interconnected by the eleventh edge, with the fifth and sixth faces interconnected by the twelfth edge, and wherein five of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a pivotal interconnection and seven of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a slideable interconnection.

2. A building block system comprising: a block having a first set of three faces and a second set of three faces, with the first and second sets being diagonally opposite to each other, with each of the first and second sets including one of a first connector configuration and a second connector configuration, wherein the first connector configuration is different from and is configured to interconnect with the second connector configuration, wherein the three faces of the first and second sets include three edges which interconnect at first and second vertexes respectively diagonally opposite to each other, with the first connector configuration including at least one post, with the second connector configuration including at least one channel, with the at least one post configured to slideably interconnect within the at least one channel, wherein the three faces of the first and second sets are three planar faces extending between the three edges, wherein each channel is flush with a corresponding planar face, and wherein each post has a free end spaced from a corresponding planar face and has cross sections parallel to the corresponding planar face of a same shape from the free end to the corresponding planar face.

3. The building block system of claim 2, wherein the first and second connector configurations include an array defined by at least two rows and at least two columns of connectors, with the connectors in each row and each column of the first connection configuration comprising alternating posts and channels, with the posts configured to slideably interconnect within the channels.

4. The building block system of claim 3, with the connectors in each row and each column of the second connector configurations of two of the three faces of the second set comprising alternating channels and posts, and with the connectors in each row and each column of the second connector configuration of one of the three faces of the second sets being exclusively channels.

5. The building block system of claim 3, wherein the at least two rows comprise an odd number of rows and the at least two columns comprise an odd number of columns.

6. The building block system of claim 5, wherein the at least one post is located in an initial row of the at least two rows and an initial column of the at least two columns in each of the three faces of the first set; and wherein the at least one channel is located in an initial row of the at least two rows and an initial column of the at least two columns in each of the three faces of the second set.

7. The building block system of claim 5, wherein each post has circular cross sections; and wherein each channel has polygonal cross sections.

8. The building block system of claim 7, wherein the polygonal cross-sections are octagonal cross sections.

9. The building block system of claim 5, wherein the three faces of the first set comprise first, second and third faces, with the three edges of the first set comprising first, second and third edges, with the first and second faces pivotably connected by the first edge, with the second and third faces interconnected by the second edge, with the first and second edges being perpendicular to each other, with the first and third faces interconnected by the third edge, with the first face including a fourth edge opposite to the first edge and a fifth edge opposite to the second edge, with the second face having a sixth edge opposite to the first edge and a seventh edge opposite to the second edge, with the third face having an eighth edge opposite to the second edge and a ninth edge opposite to the third edge, wherein the three faces of the second set comprises fourth, fifth and sixth faces, with the fourth face interconnected to the second face by the sixth edge and interconnected to the third face by the ninth edge, with the three edges of the second set comprising tenth, eleventh and twelfth edges, with the fifth face interconnected to the fourth face by the tenth edge, with the third and fifth faces interconnected by the eighth edge, with the first and fifth faces interconnected by the fourth edge, with the second and sixth faces interconnected by the seventh edge, with the first and sixth faces interconnected at the fifth edge, with the fourth and sixth faces interconnected by the eleventh edge, with the fifth and sixth faces interconnected by the twelfth edge, and wherein five of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a pivotal interconnection and seven of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a slideable interconnection.

10. The building block system of claim 9, wherein each slideable interconnection comprises a lip extending below and outwardly beyond a corresponding edge of one of the faces being interconnected and slideably received in a trench formed in the corresponding edge of another of the faces being interconnected.

11. The building block system of claim 10, wherein the lip of one of the slideable interconnections includes a tab extending outwardly beyond the lip and slideably received in a keyway extending from the trench.

12. The building block system of claim 10, wherein the trench comprises a first flange extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected at the corresponding edge of the other of the faces being interconnected and a second flange extending inwardly from the other of the faces being interconnected spaced inwardly from the first flange at a spacing for slideably receiving the lip.

13. The building block system of claim 10, wherein the lip includes cutouts corresponding to the channels adjacent to the corresponding edge.

14. A building block system comprising: a block having a first set of three faces and a second set of three faces, with the first and second sets being diagonally opposite to each other, with at least one face of each of the first and second sets including one of a first connector configuration and a second connector configuration, wherein the first connector configuration is different from and is configured to interconnect with the second connector configuration, with the first and second connector configurations including an array defined by an odd number of rows and an odd number of columns of connectors, with the connectors in each row and each column of the first connection configuration comprising alternating posts and channels, with the posts configured to slideably interconnect within the channels.

15. A connector configuration comprising: a building block system including first and second blocks each having multiple faces interconnected at edges; a post extending from a first face of the multiple faces of the first block to a free end, with the post having circular cross sections of a constant size from adjacent the free end to the first face; and a channel defined by a through bore extending entirely through a second face of the multiple faces of the second block and having polygonal cross sections, with the post having an external diameter at the first face and the channel having an interior diameter, and with the external diameter of the post at the first face having an interference fit in the interior diameter of the channel when inserted therein with each polygonal section including adjacent sides at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

16. The connector configuration of claim 15, wherein the polygonal cross sections are octagonal.

17. A building block system comprising: a block having a first set of three faces and a second set of three faces, with the first and second sets being diagonally opposite to each other, with at least one face of each of the first and second sets including one of a first connector configuration and a second connector configuration, wherein the first connector configuration is different from and is configured to interconnect with the second connector configuration, wherein the three faces of the first set comprise first, second and third faces, with the three edges of the first set comprising first, second and third edges, with the first and second faces pivotably connected by the first edge, with the second and third faces interconnected by the second edge, with the first and second edges being perpendicular to each other, with the first and third faces interconnected by the third edge, with the first face including a fourth edge opposite to the first edge and a fifth edge opposite to the second edge, with the second face having a sixth edge opposite to the first edge and a seventh edge opposite to the second edge, with the third face having an eighth edge opposite to the second edge and a ninth edge opposite to the third edge, wherein the three faces of the second set comprises fourth, fifth and sixth faces, with the fourth face interconnected to the second face by the sixth edge and interconnected to the third face by the ninth edge, with the three edges of the second set comprising tenth, eleventh and twelfth edges, with the fifth face interconnected to the fourth face by the tenth edge, with the third and fifth faces interconnected by the eighth edge, with the first and fifth faces interconnected by the fourth edge, with the second and sixth faces interconnected by the seventh edge, with the first and sixth faces interconnected at the fifth edge, with the fourth and sixth faces interconnected by the eleventh edge, with the fifth and sixth faces interconnected by the twelfth edge, and wherein five of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a pivotal interconnection and seven of the first through the twelfth edges are formed by a slideable interconnection.