BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the toy industry it is desirable to engage children with toys that are both fun and beneficial. It is common to design toys that are educational and that encourage creativity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,630 shows a typical log building toy. It shows a variety of log shapes as well as some specialty pieces. The idea of a log building toy is fine, but in this example limited primarily to building a cabin like structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,490 discloses a panel building system.
As can be seen there is a need for a log building toy that allows for a greater range of play construction projects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a timber log based building system including a plurality of logs having different lengths and a square cross section. At least one connector having an opening sized to slide over an end of a stack of at least two logs and thereby clamp the two logs together. The two logs can include notches that allow a third log to be clamped in place by the connector, this arrangement allows for building toys with long reach arms.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a partial building piece;
FIG. 2 shows a specialty connector;
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an assembly of log building members;
FIG. 4 shows the system of FIG. 3 assembled;
FIG. 5 shows a flat panel piece;
FIG. 6 shows a loop pile fastener;
FIG. 7 shows the loop pile fastener of FIG. 6 formed into a loop;
FIG. 8 shows a plurality of flat panels assembled;
FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of an assembly of components;
FIG. 10 shows the assembly of FIG. 9 assembled;
FIG. 11 shows a view of a roof end assembly;
FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 shows a cabin assembly;
FIG. 14 shows a vehicle assembly;
FIG. 15 shows a bridge assembly;
FIG. 16 shows a crane assembly;
FIG. 17 shows a partial crane assembly;
FIG. 18 shows a partial crane assembly;
FIG. 19 shows a container bag; and
FIG. 20 shows an alternative connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE
FIG. 1 shows a sample building log 100. The log 100 has several notches 102 that allow for logs 100 and other building components to temporarily fit together. The log has a square cross section 104 and can have several notches 102 along the length of the log 100.
FIG. 2 shows a special connector 200. FIGS. 3 and 4 show how the special connector 200 can be used to connect three logs 100a, b, c. The connector 200 includes an opening 202 that is large enough to fit over two logs as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to hold the logs together. The connector 200 includes notches 204 that allow for connection of logs 100 and other building components to the exterior of the connector 200. The connector 200 can include dowels 210 that run through the connector 200, the purpose of the dowels 210 is to prevent the wooden connector 200 from splitting and breaking. The dowels 210 will run perpendicular to the wood grain.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a set 300 of logs 100a, 100b, 100c and connector 200. FIG. 3 shows that the two logs 100a and 100b have notches that align to form an opening that will clamp over the log 100c and as can be seen in FIG. 3 when the connector 200 slides over the ends of logs 100a and 100b they are clamped in place and will hold log 100c in the notch opening. The connector 200 can slide along the length of the log stack 100a, b in a direction parallel to the length. This arrangement allows for a building system to have a long reach because any length log can be held by a connector 200 and/or the stack 100a, b. Without the connector 200 the log 100c would have enough torque to open up the connection between the logs 100a and 100b and the assembly would fall apart. Arrows in FIG. 3 show how the parts 100a, b, c and connector 200 of the set 300 come together. FIG. 4 shows the set 300 assembled.
FIG. 5 shows a panel piece 500 for use with the building system. The panel can be used as a multi-panel set or roof (FIG. 8) or as a bridge deck (FIG. 9) or for any other large flat section. FIG. 5 shows that the panel 500 has cooperating tabs 502 and notches 504 that aid in fitting the panels 500 together. Each tab 502 includes a slot 510 sized to accept a connector such as loop pile fastener 600.
FIG. 6 shows a loop pile fastener 600. The fastener 600 has a section 602 with loop and a second section 604 with pile to form the fastener. FIG. 7 shows how the fastener 600 can be formed into a loop to hold pieces together. FIGS. 8, 10 and 13 show examples of how the loop pile fastener 600 is used to safely hold panels and pieces together. The fastener 600 is safe and easy for children to use.
FIG. 8 shows how panels 800a and 800b can be fastened together using the fastener 600 to form a larger composite panel 802
FIGS. 9 and 10 show a wheel assembly 900. As shown in FIG. 9 the wheel assembly includes a wheel 902 with an axle 904 and a connector 910. The connector 910 is similar to the connector 200 in that it is sized to accept a stack of two logs 912 and will clamp those logs 912 together. The connector 910 provides a way for a child to add wheels 902 to a toy. FIG. 10 shows a toy assembly with wheels 902. The connector 910 includes an opening 920 that aligns with the slots 922 when the logs 912 are placed in the connector as shown in FIG. 10. A fastener 600 locks the logs 912 into the connector 910. The fastener 600 can be something as simple as a strip of loop pile fastener 600 a dowel or threaded fastener for example. The connector 910 could be aluminum or clear plastic for example.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show a roof end assembly 1100. FIG. 11 shows an assembly built from 4 individual pieces 1102. The pieces 1102 include slots 1104 that are used to hold the assembly 1100 together. Each piece 1102 includes notches 1106. FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the assembly 1100 that shows wafers 1110 that cooperate with the slots 1104 to hold the assembly 1100 together. The wafers 1110 lightly press fit into the slots 1104 such that the friction of the wafer against the walls of the slot 1104 will hold the assembly 1100 together.
FIG. 13 shows an example toy assembly 1300. In this case the toy assembly 1300 is a cabin that includes a roof 1302 made from panels 800a and the roof uses triangular pieces 1102 to create the gable section of the roof 1100. The roof 1102 and gables are supported on a generally rectangular log cabin frame 1310 that is made from a plurality of different length logs 100. The frame 1310 includes openings for doors 1320 and windows.
FIG. 14 shows a wheeled toy 1400 made from the log system. The vehicle 1400 includes 4 wheel systems 900. The wheeled toy 1400 shows that a longer connector 200a can be made. The connector 200a connects 6 log ends together. Any size connector is possible. The vehicle 1400 includes a frame 1410 held together by the connectors 200, 200a and 900.
FIG. 15 shows a bridge system 1500. FIG. 15 shows how panels 500 and 800a can fit together and be supported to create a bridge. The bridge 1500 includes connectors 200 to join logs and to create a footing 1502 for the bridge 1500.
FIG. 16 shows a crane system 1600. The wheeled crane 1600 shows how connectors 200 allow the user to build up in a way not possible with previous log toys. A single tall log 100t forms a tower for the crane 1600. The tower log 100t is supported by the crane frame 1604 which is clamped together by connectors 200. The crane 1600 includes a long reach arm base 1620 supported on the tower log 100t and a single log 1130 again reaches out from the long reach base. The crane 1600 can include specialty pulley assemblies 1610a, b, c that would allow a child to actually use the crane to lift other toys.
FIG. 17 shows a partial assembly 1700 view of the crane 1600. The crane 1600 includes a special rotatable base 1702. Special connector 200a can cooperate with wafers 1704 to connect special connector 200a and log assembly 1710 to the crane 1600. FIG. 18 shows the next step of the assembly.
FIG. 19 shows a toy containment carrier 1900. The container 1900 can include wheel assemblies 900 that attach to the outside of the container 1900 so that it can be wheeled around. The container 1900 can include a fabric bag 1904 with an opening 1906 across the top so that the log components of the system can be stored inside the bag 1904. The container 1900 includes a log frame 1908 that might include a central log 100t that serves as the main support. Hook and loop straps 1910 can serve to attach the bag 1904 to the frame 1908. The toy container 1900 is shown with 4 wheels, it could also be built with just 2 wheels. The bag 1904 can include a strap handle (not shown) that would make it easier to pull like a wagon.
FIG. 20 shows an alternative connector 2000 where the connector 200 has a ‘u’ shape. The connector 2000 will hook on over stacks of logs and act as a stop or support. The connector 2000 is similar to the connector 200 but instead of having a central opening it has a slot 2002.
The log system shown in FIG. 1 through 20 is based on a scale for example 1 inch. On the one inch scale the cross section of the log in FIG. 1 is 1 inch by 1 inch. The connector 200 is 1 inch thick and has an opening 202 that is 1 inch by 2 inches. The notch 204 is 1 inch by 1 inch. The stack of logs 612 is 1 inch by 2 inch. The outside dimensions of the connector 200 are 1 inch thick by 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall. The scale is described in terms of inches but could be based on any unit. The logs 100, connectors 200 will typically be made from wood, plywood, plastic or aluminum.
Patent Grant
8105127
