TARGET BUILDING TOY

Abstract

A building block system may include different types of blocks. One type of block may include male and female attachment points. The male and female attachment points may have complementary shapes and sizes to enable easy interconnection. The blocks may be manufactured from a foam material, such that when male and female attachment points of different blocks are joined, a connection suitable for a degree of structural integrity is attained. A cavity may be formed in the center of each block for the placement of coins, pebbles, or other objects to add weight to the overall assembly. The building block system may also include cap pieces, in which a pair of cap pieces may be inserted into female attachment point(s) on a block, and a graphic card made of a thin material, such as cardstock, may be inserted therein.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the disclosed embodiments relate to building block toys. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to building blocks capable of interconnection.

BACKGROUND

Existing toy building blocks capable of interconnection generally include structures that fit tightly together, for example, rigid plastic components with male and female connection elements that provide a snap-fit when two mating pieces are pressed together to form creative structures or assemblies. Due to this relatively strong connection, disassembly of connected pieces may require more effort than used for the actual connection.

Users of such assemblies may desire to keep the completed assemblies well after the end of play, even permanently. As such, these structures are intended for a degree of structural integrity to prevent the structure from being accidentally toppled over during construction of an intended assembly, as is common problem with non-interconnecting building block styles, such as wooden blocks.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are various embodiments of a building block system including different types of building blocks and other pieces. One type of block may be generally square-shaped, although other shapes are envisioned, and include male and female attachment points. The male and female attachment points may have complementary shapes and sizes to enable easy interconnection. The arrangement of the male and female attachment points on the blocks may enable interconnection of blocks along different axes and in different orientations.

The blocks may be manufactured from expanded polypropylene foam, or other similar material, that is relatively lightweight, yielding, and compressible, such that when male and female attachment points of different blocks are joined, a connection suitable for a degree of structural integrity is attained, but not so much as to make disassembly or destruction of an assembly of the blocks difficult.

A cavity may be formed in the center of each block for the placement of coins, pebbles, or other objects to add weight to the overall assembly. Adding weight gives the overall assembly increased stability against external forces such as wind or projectiles.

The building block system may also include cap pieces including male attachments points having a length about half that of a female attachment point on a block, such that when two cap pieces are pressed together along their flat surfaces, the combined length of the male attachment points approximate that of the block's female attachment point. Once the combined cap pieces are connected to the block, a graphic card made of thin cardstock or other material may be inserted into a gap between the flat surfaces of the cap pieces.

The blocks and pieces may be combined in a number of ways including in assemblies representative of real-life objects, such as airplanes, castles, spaceships, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building block according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing a bottom portion of the block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a front of the block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two blocks prior to a vertical connection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the two blocks of FIG. 7 in a connected configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of two blocks prior to a horizontal connection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the two blocks of FIG. 9 in a connected configuration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two blocks prior to a vertical connection according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the two blocks of FIG. 11 in a connected configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two blocks at the initiation of a vertical connection operation according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a cap block according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the cap block of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view an uncompleted assembly including structural and cap blocks according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the completed assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 17 and a card stock target according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 17 with the card stock target secured in the assembly.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a robot assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a spaceship assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a castle assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a building block according to another embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of a cap block according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, a toy building block kit includes different types of blocks that can be interconnected along multiple axes to create a variety of assemblies, for example, airplanes, robots, castles, and spaceships. The design of the blocks as well as the material used in manufacture provide a degree of structural integrity, but also allow for relatively easy disassembly or destruction.

Graphic card(s) made from card stock or other lightweight materials, e.g., plastic, may be inserted or otherwise mounted on the assembled structure to serve as targets in play for toy projectiles, such as foam darts shot from a toy gun. Depending on the accuracy and force of the projectile, the assembly may topple. Alternatively, the assembly may be intentionally knocked over bodily, for example, in “giant monster”-style play, while minimizing the risk of potential injury to a user as the material of the blocks may be lightweight and yielding and the connections between pieces relatively weak.

FIGS. 1-6 show different views of one type of block according to an embodiment. A block 10 may be constructed from a foam material, such as expanded polypropylene foam, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyethylene foam, etc. The foam material may have a density similar to known foam rollers used for physical therapy. The foam material may provide the blocks with a grippy surface texture that allows for easy stacking of blocks without the blocks sliding off of each other, as compared to known smooth, glossy plastic building blocks.

The block 10 may be generally cube shaped, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, the block 10 may be about 2 inches on a side.

In describing the structure(s) of the various embodiments, relative terms such as “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top” and “bottom” are merely used for explanatory purposes, and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

The block 10 may include different protrusions and notches to form male and female attachment points to enable connection with other blocks. FIGS. 1 and 3 show different perspective views of the block 10, which includes a front wall 12, a back wall 14 (see FIG. 7), a right wall 16, and a left wall 18 (see FIG. 7). Notches 19 formed at each corner of the top of the block 10 form male attachment points 1, on the front wall 12, and the rear wall 14. Notches in the top and bottom portions of the right wall 16 and left wall 18 form top and bottom female attachment points 2 and 3, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the interior of the block 10 may include an inner wall 22 in the vicinity of the bottom attachment points 3 whereas the top is open, forming a cavity 4. Coins, pebbles, or other objects may be placed in the cavity 4 to weigh down the block, making it more stable and more challenging to knock over during play.

As shown in FIGS. 7-13, the blocks 10 may be connected on different axes and in different orientations. The dimensions of the attachment points 1, 2, and 3 may be such that a slight amount of force may be required to connect two blocks. The yielding nature of the foam material of the blocks enables the mating pieces to contract slightly, thereby providing a degree of structural integrity, but not so much as to make disassembly difficult.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a vertical connection operation between two blocks according to an embodiment. In this configuration, a second block 20 is inverted and the male attachment points 1′ of the second block 20 are inserted into the female attachment points 2 on the block 10 as the male attachment points 1 of block 10 fit into female attachment points 2′ of block 20, as shown in FIG. 8. The two blocks may be assembled to create a larger block assembly 22 that has no male connection protruding areas. Two such larger block assemblies 22 may be easily stacked, without interconnection. This may enable quick and easy building, and because these larger block assemblies are just stacked on one another, instead of being interconnected, the stacks of blocks are easier to knock over or otherwise disassemble.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a horizontal connection operation between two blocks according to an embodiment. In this configuration, a second block 20 is inverted and the male attachment points 1′ of the second block 20 are inserted into the female attachment points 2 and 3 on the block 10, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a vertical connection operation between two blocks according to another embodiment. In this configuration, a second block 20 is not inverted, but rather in the same orientation as block 10, and the male attachment points 1 of the block 10 are inserted into the female attachment points 3′ on the second block 20, as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative method for connecting blocks 10 and 20, in which the second block 20 is rotated into position to form the assembly shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a cap piece 30 which may be connected to a block according to an embodiment. The cap piece 30 includes two male attachment points 5, a flat side 6, and a flat, angled top portion 9.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, two cap pieces 30 may be pressed together on their respective flat sides 6 and the combined male portions 5 inserted into the female attachment points 3′ of the second block 20 in the assembly shown in FIG. 8.

The toy building block kit may also include graphic card(s) 7 to serve as targets in play for toy projectiles, such as foam darts. The target 7 can be of a variety of sizes and shapes and have various designs printed on either or both sides. The targets 7 may be made from a cardstock material which may be die-cut, and be of a various of thicknesses. The targets may also be made of other materials, such as thin plastic, metal, etc.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a target 7 being inserted into the gap between the flat sides 6 of the cap portions 30 in the assembly shown in FIG. 17.

The toy building block kit enables versatile and creative play. What a user creates is up to their imagination. Kits may be also provided with sufficient pieces for specific projects. FIGS. 20-22 show possible assemblies including a robot 40, spaceship 50, and castle 60, although a variety of designs are possible.

The preceding description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make, implement, or use the claims.

Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the claims. For example FIG. 23 shows an alternative configuration for the cavity 4 in which the inner walls are vertical as opposed to that shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 24 shows an alternative configuration of the cap piece 30 with a solid flat side 6 as opposed to that shown in FIG. 15.

Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects illustrated herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A building block system comprising: a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a foam material and including a first side wall including a first male attachment point adjacent a top of the block,a second side wall adjacent the first side wall and including a first female attachment point adjacent the top of the block and a second female attachment point adjacent a bottom of the block,a third side wall adjacent the second side wall and opposite the first side wall and including a second male attachment point adjacent the top of the block,a fourth side wall adjacent the third side wall and opposite the second side wall and including a third female attachment point adjacent the top of the block and a fourth female attachment point adjacent the bottom of the block, anda cavity formed between interior surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls.

2. The building block system of claim 1, wherein the female attachment points have a length corresponding to a length of the male attachment points, and further comprising: a plurality of cap pieces, each cap piece comprising the foam material and including a male attachment point having a length corresponding to half of a length of the female attachment points.

3. The building block system of claim 1, further comprising a flat graphic card piece.

4. The building block system of claim 3, wherein the graphic card piece comprises a cardstock material.

5. The building block system of claim 3, wherein the graphic card piece comprises a plastic material.

6. The building block system of claim 1, wherein the foam material comprises an expanded polypropylene foam.

7. The building block system of claim 1, wherein the side walls have a height, and wherein the male attachment points and female attachment points each have a height corresponding to a range of between 20% and 30% of the height of the side walls.

8. The building block system of claim 1, wherein the side walls have a height and a thickness, and wherein the thickness corresponds to a range of between 20% and 30% of the height of the side walls.

9. The building block system of claim 2, further comprising a number of blocks and cap pieces corresponding to an assembly representative of a real life object.

10. The building block system of claim 9, wherein the real life object comprises a vehicle.

11. The building block system of claim 9, wherein the real life object comprises an architectural structure.

12. A building block assembly comprising: a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a foam material and including a first side wall including a first male attachment point adjacent a top of the block,a second side wall adjacent the first side wall and including a first female attachment point adjacent the top of the block and a second female attachment point adjacent a bottom of the block,a third side wall adjacent the second side wall and opposite the first side wall and including a second male attachment point adjacent the top of the block,a fourth side wall adjacent the third side wall and opposite the second side wall and including a third female attachment point adjacent the top of the block and a fourth female attachment point adjacent a bottom of the block, wherein the female attachment points have a length corresponding to a length of the male attachment points, anda cavity formed between interior surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls;a plurality of cap pieces, each cap piece comprising the foam material and including a flat side and a male attachment point having a length corresponding to half of a length of the female attachment points of the block, two of said cap pieces positioned together with the flat surfaces in contact and the combined male attachment points positioned in one of the female attachment points of one of said blocks; anda graphic card inserted between the flat surfaces of said two cap pieces.