Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
THE SOLID PUZZLE BLOCK
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a solid puzzle block,
and more particularly, to a solid puzzle block capable of
side-connecting, cross-connecting, and connecting in a
variety of ways.
Background art
Solid puzzle blocks come in many varieties and are
generally used for developing intelligence and curiosity in
babies. Because they lack connectors, solid puzzle blocks
may be combined into a desired shape only by placing them
side-by-side or stacking them one on top of another.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of separated puzzle blocks
of the prior art, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of
connected puzzle blocks of the prior art. FIGS.,1 and 2 will
hereinafter be explained..
Puzzle blocks (A) of the prior art were developed to
offer a 3-dimensional alternative ~to 2-dimensional picture
puzzles. Regarding the structure and principles of such
puzzle blocks, puzzle blocks come in a variety of polyhedral
forms, where each surface of a polyhedron is painted in
various colors, or contain letters, characters, or various
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
images.
In order to connect the puzzle blocks (A), surfaces of
individual puzzle blocks (A) may be mutually connected to
form a solid conglomerate of multiple blocks. Also, images
on the surfaces may be used: for example, a letter on each
puzzle block (A) may be joined to other letters on other
puzzle blocks (A) to form a word.
In the case of such puzzle blocks (A), each puzzle
block (A) lacks a connecting unit, and may only be stacked to
create a desired shape. Accordingly, there is a limit to the
types of shapes that may be formed, and puzzle blocks (A)
forming shapes may easily be dislodged from one another; so
that a completed form is difficult to preserve intact for
display purposes.
For these reasons, puzzle blocks (A) are enjoyed by
babies, and are too simple to satisfy the needs of youths.
Also, a set of puzzle blocks (A) often consists of about 100
differently shaped blocks to form a variety of shapes,
' thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of die-casting.
Disclosure
Technical Problem
An object of the present invention is to provide a
solid puzzle block capable of side-connecting or cross-
connecting to another block in a unitary or eccentric manner,
2
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
in order to produce a variety of shapes and reduce its
manufacturing cost.
Technical Solution
In order to achieve these objects, the polyhedral solid
puzzle block of the present invention includes: a main body
opened toward its top portion; a cap opened toward its bottom
portion to be coupled to the main body; a connecting groove
formed in the center of a side of the main body and the cap,
and open from the top to the bottom for allowing a solid
puzzle block to be connected perpendicularly thereto; and a
connecting peg and a connecting hole formed on each end of
the side of the main body to allow another solid puzzle block
to be fastened thereto.
Advantageous Effects
The solid puzzle block of the present invention may be
side-connected to another block by means of the connecting
peg and connecting hole, and firmly cross-connected to
another block in a variety of ways by means of an embossed
connecting groove and contacting portion. The solid puzzle
block has a built-in light or sound-emitting device that
operates when blocks are cross-connected, inducing amusement
and curiosity and appealing to all age groups. Furthermore,
?5 due to its simple structure, manufacturing cost is also
3
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
reduced.
Description of Drav,~ings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of separated puzzle blocks
of the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of connected puzzle blocks
of the prior art;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the side-
connecting process of the solid puzzle block of the present
0 invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cross-
connecting process of the solid puzzle block of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing both side and
5 cross-connections of the solid puzzle block of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the
interior structure of the solid puzzle block of the present
invention;
.0 FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an interior
portion of the solid puzzle block of the present invention
with a connector installed thereon;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a side-connecting
process using an I-connecting block of another embodiment of
5 the present invention;
4
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a solid puzzle block
side-connection using a fixed pin of yet another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a solid puzzle
block cross-connecting process using an insertion guide and
an insertion groove of a further embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a solid puzzle
block cross-connecting process using a connecting groove and
a slide groove of a still further embodiment of the present
invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to
accompanying drawings.
The solid puzzle block 1 of the present invention may
be embodied in many forms; however, for simplicity's sake, a
triangular plate-shaped block will be exemplified.
The solid puzzle block 1 has a main body 10 open at its
top and a cap 30 open at its bottom and coupled to the main
body 10.
A connecting groove 13 and 33 is respectively formed at
the center of each side surface 11 and 31 of the main body 10
and cap 30 to open from top to bottom, so that a connecting
5
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
groove 13 and 33 of another solid puzzle block 1 may be
attached thereto, attaching the two blocks perpendicularly to
one another.
At each end of the side surface 11 of the main body 10
are formed a connecting peg 14 and a connecting hole 15
disposed at a position opposite to the connecting peg 14, in
order to side-connect two solid puzzle blocks 1 along the
same plane.
An operating unit 21 for emitting light or sound via a
voltage from the outside is built inside the main body 10 and
the cap 30.
The solid puzzle block 1 includes a connector 17 that
is connected to the operating unit 21 through a wire, and
around which an insulator 17-1 is fitted. When two
connectors 17 of two different solid puzzle blocks 1 are
coupled by perpendicularly connecting the two solid puzzle
blocks 1, and the operating unit 21 of one solid puzzle block
is powered on, the operating unit 21 of the other solid
puzzle block is consequently powered on.
In order to install the connector 17, a receiving
groove 18 and 38 is formed on the end surface 16 and 36
extending from the left side to the right side of the
connecting groove 13 and 33 formed on the main body 10 and
the cap 30.
A plurality of supports 20 is formed a predetermined
6
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
distance from the receiving groove 18 and 38. The insulator
17-1 of the connector 17 rests between the receiving groove
18 and 38 and supports 20 of the main body 10, so that the
front of the connector 17 is disposed on the receiving groove
18 and 38 formed on the main body 10 and does not move back
and forth, due to the connector 17 being firmly secured.
A tab hole 19 is defined on top of the support 20, and
a screw hole 39 is bored on the cap 30 opposite the tab hole
19 in order to couple the main body 10 and the cap 30 via a
screw 22, so that the front of the connector 17 is pressed by
the matching receiving groove 18 and 38 to be firmly secured.
On the contacting portion 42 formed on the left and
right surfaces of the connecting groove 13 and 33, the upper
surface 40 around the screw hole 39, and the lower surface 41
on the opposite side of the block are embossings 12, to
provide frictional surfaces for increasing the ability to
' couple two solid puzzle blocks 1 perpendicularly.
Different colors or relief images may be applied to the
upper surface 40, lower surface 41, and side surfaces 11 and
31 of the solid puzzle blocks. That is, relief images can be
formed on the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41, whose
indented areas may be filled with colorful fillers or have
detachable images inserted therein for a wide range of
possibilities.
Due to a connecting peg 14 of one solid puzzle block
7
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
inserting into a connecting hole 15 of another solid puzzle
block 1, the two blocks may be coupled so that their
respective upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41 are aligned on
common planes.
The connecting peg 14 and the connecting hole 15 are
manufactured to be transition fitted. This type of
connection is called side-connecting.
By turning solid puzzle blocks 90° from one another and
coupling their connecting grooves 13 and 33 together, their
respective upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41 become mutually
perpendicularly disposed.
Here, the left and right sides of the connecting groove
13 and 33 of one solid puzzle block 1 contact the contacting
portions 42 of another solid puzzle block 1.
The embossing 12 on the left and right surfaces of the
connecting groove 13 and 33 and the contacting portions 42
increase friction, thereby providing a firm coupling. This
type of connection is called cross-connecting.
When cross-connecting is implemented, the respective
connectors 17 contact one another; and when power is supplied
through one connector 17, the respective operating units 21
for emitting light or sound are connected. Here, of course,
power is supplied to a free connector 17 that is not coupled
to another connector 17.
Accordingly, the above solid puzzle block 1 can form
8
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
simple shapes of regular puzzle blocks and a wide variety of
more complex three-dimensional formations. Also, its
surfaces can have various colors and images thereon, so that
when a plurality of blocks are assembled, each color and
image collaborates with its connected counterparts to produce
a wide assortment of puzzles. Through cross-connecting,
light is emitted, or sound is emitted through speakers,
arousing curiosity and interest in a user.
Therefore, all ages can enjoy the inventive block,
which can be used for decorative purposes, where connected
images can be displayed over long periods of time. Also,
because the blocks are uniformly shaped, their manufacturing
cost is reduced, allowing users to enjoy a low-cost, but very
difficult solid block puzzle. In addition, because the
blocks are the same shape, should a user lose blocks from a
set, she or he can replace them at a low cost.
The solid puzzle block of the present invention can
come in a wide assortment of sets, which do not require a
large number of blocks per set to be satisfactorily enjoyed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of
the present invention using ~a T-connection grobve 51 formed
on the side surfaces 11 and 31, which forms an I-shape when
two T-connecting grooves 51 of different solid puzzle blocks
1 are positioned in an adjoining manner, instead of using a
connecting peg 14 and connecting hole 15.
9
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
By inserting an I-connecting block 52 into respective
adjoining T-connection grooves 51 of two solid puzzle blocks
1, a solid side-connection is made. To make a cross-
connection, the I-connecting block 52 is omitted, and two
respective T-connection grooves 51 of two blocks are mutually
inserted at a 90° angle.
FIG. 9 shows another connecting embodiment of the
present invention with a pin hole 62 formed in a cross
section 61-1 at the end of the connecting groove 61 of the
side surface 11, and a fixing pin 63 that is inserted in a
pin hole 62 of two solid puzzle blocks 1, forming a firm
side-connection. The fixing pin 63 can also be used to
establish a firm cross-connection. In the latter case, in
order to operate a light or sound-emitting operating unit 21,
a wire or connector 17 for enabling the operation of the
operating unit 21 is passes through the fixing pin 63.
FIG. 10 shows yet another cross-connecting embodiment
of the present invention with an insertion guide 72 extending
horizontally along the lengths of the left and right surfaces
of the connecting groove 71 formed on a side surface 11 of
the solid puzzle block 1. An insertion groove 75 is formed
at a right angle on the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41 to
run parallel to the insertion guide 72.
Accordingly, when cross-connecting two solid puzzle
blocks 1, each insertion guide 72 of a connecting groove 71
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
on one block fits over the insertion grooves 75 formed on the
upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41 of the other block.
In this case, the insertion guide 72 is formed to fit
snugly into the insertion groove 75 for a firm coupling.
FIG. 11 shows a further cross-connecting embodiment of
the inventive solid puzzle block 1 with one of its several
side surfaces 11 having a connecting groove 81 formed thereon
opening from the top to the bottom, and the remaining side
surfaces 11 and 31 each having a slide groove 82 oppositely
formed on the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41.
Accordingly, the left and right surfaces of the
connecting groove 81 meet the slide grooves 82, forming a
perpendicular cross-connection.
The width (B) of the connecting groove 81 is formed
slightly smaller than the thickness (C) of the sliding groove
82, so that the two pieces can easily be assembled and
disassembled by a person.
Width (B) is formed so that only one of either the
upper surface 40 or the lower surface 41 has a slide groove
82 formed thereon, in order to create a tighter cross
connection.
A connector 17 is installed at the portion on the side
surface 11 that perpendicularly meets with the slide groove
82, and is installed at the end surface 83 between the left
and right sides of the connecting groove 81; thereby allowing
CA 02560040 2006-09-14
WO 2005/115574 PCT/KR2005/001509
the operating unit 21 to operate by cross-connection.
Furthermore, the operating unit 21 can operate by side-
connecting respective side surfaces 11 and 31 of two blocks.
Industrial Applicability
The solid puzzle block of the present invention, having
the ability to firmly connect to one another and the same,
unitary shape, not only constructs a wide assortment of
shapes, but also uses an operating unit that emits light or
sound.
12
