Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
Polyhedral Toy
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a polyhedral toy, on at least one face
of
which an extension is provided as an interlock protrusion, and in at least
another
face of which an interlock hole is formed; more particularly, the invention
relates to
a polyhedral toy system in which a plurality of polyhedral toys are connected
with
each other by making interlocked coupling between their interlock protrusions
and
interlock holes to build a desired structure shaped in three dimensions, as
with
building blocks.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as one exarnple of such polyhedral toys, a set of
assembly blocks including first, second and third block elements is well known
(Japanese Unexamined Pat. App. Pub. No. H05-277262).
[0003] The first and second block elements have equal-sized cubic shapes, with
an equal-sized cylindrical protrusion being formed on each of three faces of
the first
block element, a flat surface being formed on two other, contiguous faces, and
a
angular hole corresponding to the protrusion being formed on the remaining
face.
[0004] Then a cylindrical protrusion of the same dimensions as those of the
first
block element is formed on one face of the second block element, with a round
hole
corresponding to the protrusion being formed on two of its other faces, a flat
surface being formed on two other, contiguous faces, and an angular hole
corresponding to the protrusion being formed on the remaining face.
[0005] Furthermore, the third block element has a hexahedral shape, and
consecutive two faces of the third block element are formed to be square same
in
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size as that of the first and second block elements, a cylindrical protrusion
same in
size as that of above described protrusion is formed on one of the two faces,
and
on another, a rectangular hole corresponding to the protrusion is formed, and
additionally two faces adjacent to the two consecutive faces are formed
parallel to
each other, and the last two faces are formed perpendicular to the two square
faces.
[0006] As just described, in such the set of assembly blocks, all the
protrusions
of these block elements are same in size and the rectangular hole of each
block
element and the round hole of the second block element correspond to the
protrusions, so that the protrusion of each block element and the round or
rectangular hole of another block elenient interlocks to connect the block
elements
freely with each other, and thus connecting three types of block elements with
each
other in this manner makes it possible to freely build a desired planar or
three-dimensional shape.
[0007] It should be understood that keeping good connecting relationship
between the block elements requires preventing the protrusion and hole wear
caused by the repeated engagement and disengagement. For this reason, hard
plastic is employed traditionally as the material for the block elements.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Pat. App. Pub. No. H05-277262.
Disclosure of Invention
Problem Invention is to Solve
[0008] The polyhedral toys described above are conventionally provided to
infants or very young children, and are often assembled into a miniaturized
model
of a ship, car, building, or other structures, most of which are of just the
size that
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children can hold in their hands to play with, such that the size of the
individual
pieces is extremely small.
[0009] For children as play participants, however, a structure assembled using
such polyhedral toys does not necessarily have to be just as large as can be
held in
the hands to play with; rather, a structure slightly smaller or, conversely,
larger, than
actual size would further stir the imagiriation with a sense of reality to
make the play
with such toys more interesting.
[0010] For example, if the polyhedral toys can be used to build a house large
enough for play participants to enter irito and a ship and car in which they
get, the
play participants experience the fun of using toys to build an assembled
structure
and of going into and out the assembled house and getting into the ship and
car,
with a sense of reality.
[0011] In this case, it is necessary to make the assembling work seem less
difficult for infants who are likely to get bored to prevent them from losing
interest in
the assembling play. This can be achieved by increasing the size of a
polyhedral
toy unit to a certain extent, but if hard plastic is employed in the
traditional way to
increase the size, the single piece gains in weight to cause unwieldiness and
to
raise a problem that the infants are prone to be injured by the corners of the
toy.
[0012] As a means for solving these problems, making the polyhedral toy of an
elastic material is conceivable, though in the conventional interlocked
coupling
mechanism between the protrusion and hole, the protrusion and hole elastically
deform to destabilize the coupling state between them, so that they are likely
to be
decoupled and thus the problem that maintaining connected state of the
assembled structure is prevented is caused adversely.
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[0013] Furthermore, from a perspective of usability, a decrease in weight of
the
polyhedral toy unit is required.
[0014] The present invention is made in view of the fact explained in the
foregoing and for the purpose of providing a polyhedral toy from which a fun
with a
sense of reality is experienced, and furthermore that prevents injury, because
of
lightweight.
Means for Resolving the Problems
[0015] The present invention for resolving the problems involves an polyhedral
toy that is an elastic polyhedron, on at least one face of which an extension
is
provided as an interlock protrusion, and in at least another one face of which
an
interlock hole is formed, the polyhedral toy characterized in that the
interlock
protrusion and interlock hole has geometries enabling reciprocally
interlocking
connection, the interlock protrusion has a constricted portion reduced in
diameter,
between a protrusion top portion and a base face, in addition, and an opening
portion of the interlock hole is reduced in diameter, compared with the inside
of the
interlock hole.
[0016] With the polyhedral toy, having above configuration, of the present
invention, the interlock protrusion of a first polyhedral toy and interlock
hole of a
second polyhedral toy are interlocked to connect the both polyhedral toys, and
in
such a manner, interlocking connections of a plurality of polyhedral toys
enables
are made to build a structure having a desired three-dimensional shape.
[0017] When the interlock protrusiori is inserted into the interlock hole, a
interlock protrusion top portion whose diameter is larger than that of the
constricted
portion elastically constricts to deform, and meanwhile the opening portion of
the
interlock hole elastically deforms (including enlarged deformation), to enable
the
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insertion of the interlock protrusion into the interlock hole, so that the
interlock
protrusion and interlock hole are interlocked.
[0018] Once the interlock protrusion is inserted into the interlock hole in
this way,
the larger-diameter portion of the interlock protrusion and the opening
portion of
the interlock hole return from the deformation state to their original state
to end in a
state in which the opening portion of the interlock hole engages with the
constricted
portion of the interlock protrusion. And, such an engagement between the
opening
portion and constricted portion prevents the interlock protrusion from
disengaging
from the interlock hole to maintain the connection state between the assembled
polyhedral toys, so that the three-dimensional shape of the built structure is
favorably kept, even if the polyhedral toys are made of an elastic material.
[0019] In addition, because the polyhedral toys are made of the elastic
material,
even if they are increased in size, play participants are able to build a
structure
slightly smaller, and to the contrary larger, than that in hull-size without
being hurt,
so that the play participants can enjoy more interesting play with a sense of
more
convincing reality.
[0020] It should be understood that the polyhedrons may be made of elastic
porous material as typified by a sponge. In such a configuration, even if the
polyhedral toys are made larger, an increase in their weight is prevented to
allow
infants to handle the toys without difficulties.
[0021] Additionally, the surface of the interlock protrusion or interlock hole
may
be covered with a hard film. In this case, the hard film prevents the
interlock
protrusion or interlock hole in the interlock relationship from elastically
deforming to
make the interlock protrusion less likely to disengage from the interlock
hole, so
that the three-dimensional shape of the built structure is maintained
favorably.
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[0022] Also feasible is a configuration in which a constricted portion-side
outer
peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion and the opening portion-side
inner
peripheral surface of the interlock hole at least partly engages with each
other,
when the interlock protrusion and interlock hole interlock to be coupled, and
the
constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion
is
formed so that a span of the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface
becomes longer continuously from the constricted portion side toward the top
portion side, while the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface of the
interlock
hole is formed so that a diameter of the opening portion-side inner peripheral
surface becomes longer continuously from the opening portion side toward the
bottom portion side, and so that the diameter of a part engaged with the
constricted
portion-side outer peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion is smaller
than the
span of the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface.
[0023] In such a configuration, wheri the interlock protrusion is inserted
into the
interlock hole, the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface abuts on
the
opening portion, and the interlock protrusion is pulled into the interlock
hole by the
elastic force of the interlock protrusion and interlock hole, so that more
simple and
more secure interlocking connection between the polyhedral toys can be made,
because the span of the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface of
the
interlock protrusion is smaller than the diameter of the opening portion.
Additionally, after the interlock protrusion is inserted into the interlock
hole, the
constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion
is
engaged with the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface of the
interlock
hole, and a force of pulling the interlock protrusion into the interlock hole
is
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generated by the elastic force of the interlock protrusion and interlock hole,
so that
even if a lot of polyhedral toys are assembled, they are prevented from
breaking.
[0024] Moreover, the constricted portion of the interlock protrusion may be
formed at a joint between the interlock protrusion and the base face. This
allows
the engagement between the constricted portion of the interlock protrusion and
the
opening portion of the interlock hole, with the interlock protrusion
completely fitted
into the interlock hole, and with the interlock protrusion-having surface
abutting on
the interlock hole-having surface, to make the interlocked connection state
stable
and non-wobbly.
Effects of the Invention
[0025] As described above, according to the polyhedral toys of the present
invention, play participants are able to build a structure slightly smaller,
and to the
contrary larger, than that in full-size without being hurt, even if the
polyhedral toys
are made larger to a certain extent, because they are composed of an elastic
material, so that the play participants enjoy more interesting play with a
sense of
more convincing reality.
[0026] Furthermore, forming the constricted portion between the interlock
protrusion top portion and base face, and shaping the opening portion of the
interlock hole so as to be reduced in diameter, compared with the inside of
the
interlock hole, bring a state in which the opening portion of the interlock
hole
engages with the constricted portion of the interlock protrusion, when the
interlock
protrusion is inserted into the interlock hole. As a result, the interlock
protrusion is
unlikely to disengage from the interlock hole and thus the connection
relationship
between the assembled polyhedral toys is maintained favorably to keep the
three-dimensional shape of the built structure well.
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[0027] Additionally, if the polyhedrai toys are composed of elastic porous
material, the weigh of the toys is controlled to allow the infants to handle
them
without difficulties, and if the surface of the interlock protrusion or
interlock hole is
covered with the hard film, the interlock protrusion is unlikely to disengage
from the
interlock hole, so that the three-dimensional shape of the built structure is
kept
more favorably.
[0028] Moreover, a configuration in which the constricted portion-side outer
peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion and the opening portion-side
inner
peripheral surface of the interlock hole at least partly engage with each
other, the
constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion
is
formed so that the span becomes larger toward the top portion, and on the
other
hand the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface of the interlock hole
is
formed so that the diameter becomes larger toward the bottom portion and so
that
the diameter of a part engaged with the constricted portion-side outer
peripheral
surface becomes smaller than the span of the constricted portion-side outer
peripheral surface allows the interlock protrusion is pulled into the
interlock hole by
the engaging relationship between the constricted portion-side outer
peripheral
surface of the interlock protrusion and the opening portion of the interlock
hole to
engage and connect the polyhedral toys with each other more simply and more
securely, when they are fitted to and connected with each other, and such a
configuration prevents the interlock protrusion from being disengaged from the
interlock hole by the pulling force caused by the engaging relationship
between the
constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface of the interlock protrusion
and the
opening portion-side inner peripheral surface of the interlock hole to keep
the
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assembled polyhedral toys from breaking down even if a lot of toys are
assembled,
after the interlock protrusion is fitted into the interlock hole.
[0029] In addition, if the constricted portion of the interlock protrusion is
formed
at the joint of the interlock protrusion, the engagement between the
constricted
portion of the interlock protrusion and the opening portion of the interlock
hoie
enables the interlock protrusion to fit to the interlock hole completely,
resulting in a
state in which the surface provided with the interlock protrusion abuts on
that
provided with the interlock hole, so that the connecting relationship between
the
polyhedral toys is stabilized without wobbly.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0030] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving a
first
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in A-A direction in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an interlocked coupling
relationship between the interlock protrusion and interlock hole.
Fig. 4 is a side view in B direction in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrated a state in which a plurality of
polyhedral toys involving this embodiment is connected.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving second
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view in C-C direction in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving a third
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view in D-D direction in Fig. 8.
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Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view in E-E direction in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving a fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view in F-F direction in Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a polyhedral toy involving a sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view in G-G direction in Fig. 14.
Legend
[0031] 1: Polyhedral toy; 2: Surface (base face); 3: Interlock protrusion; 4:
Protrusion top portion; 5: Constricted portion; 6: Constricted portion-side
outer
peripheral surface; 7: Interlock hole; 8: Opening portion; 9: Opening portion-
side
inner peripheral surface.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0032] A specific embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view
illustrating a polyhedral toy involving one embodiment of the present
invention, and
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in A-A direction in Fig. 1. Additionally,
Fig. 3 is a
cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an interlock protrusion and
an
interlock hole interlock and couple with each other, Fig. 4 is a side view in
B
direction in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which
several polyhedral toys involving this embodiment are connected.
[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. :?, a polyhedral toy 1 of this
embodiment is
made of, for example, elastic polyurethane sponge, and is shaped into a cube.
On
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the three consecutive faces of the polyhedral toy 1, four spherical interlock
protrusions 3 are provided extendingly, and on another three consecutive
faces,
four interlock holes 7 are formed.
[0034] The interlock protrusions 3 are spherically formed, and a constricted
portion 5 reduced in diameter is formed at a joint between the protrusion top
4 and
the surface of the cube (base face). The interlock holes 7 are formed into a
concaved sphere so that the interlock protrusions 3 fit into the interlock
holes 7
perfectly, and have shapes in which ari opening portion 8 is reduced in
diameter,
compared with the inside of the interlock holes 7.
[0035] Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 3, in a situation in which the
interlock
protrusions 3 are fitted into the interlock holes 7, the constricted portion 5
of the
interlock protrusions 3 is engaged with the opening portion 8 of the interlock
holes
7, and a constricted portion 5-side outer peripheral surface 6 of the
interlock
protrusions 3 is engaged with the opening portion 8-side inner peripheral
surface 9
of the interlock holes 7. The constricted portion-side outer peripheral
surface 6 of
the interlock protrusions 3 is formed so that the span of the constricted
portion-side
outer peripheral surface becomes grater continuously (smoothly) from the
constricted position 5 toward a protrusion top 4, while the opening portion-
side
inner peripheral surface 9 of the interlock holes 7 is formed so that a
diameter of
the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface becomes grater continuously
(smoothly) from the opening portion 8 toward the bottom portion, and so that a
diameter of a part engaged with the constricted portion-side outer peripheral
surface 6 of the interlock protrusions 3 is smaller than the span of the
constricted
portion-side outer peripheral surface 6.
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[0036] Additionally, as illustrated in Fig. 4, on each cube face where the
interlock
protrusions 3 and interlock holes 7 are provided, with two of them as one row,
they
are disposed in two rows, and are arranged so that the spacing between the
centerlines of each row, and the spacing between the rows are equidistant (2 x
a),
and are arranged so that the distance to the centerlines from the two edges on
the
adjacent-most sides is this same distance (a).
[0037] Thus, in the polyhedral toy 1 of this embodiment, as configured above,
the protrusions 3 of a first polyhedral toy 1 and the interlock holes 7 of a
second
polyhedral toy I are interlocked to connect both of the polyhedral toys 1, and
likewise a plurality of polyhedral toys 1 are interlocked and connected to
build a
structure having a desired three-dimensional shape.
[0038] And, if the polyhedral toy 1 is made larger to a certain extent, a
house into
which play participants can enter, and a ship and car into which they get can
be
built.
[0039] It is to be noted that Fig. 5 illustrates, as an example of connecting
relationship, a state in which three polyhedral toys 1 are connected, tough
the
number of the connected ones.
[0040] Meanwhile, when the interlock protrusions 3 are inserted into the
interlock holes 7, a protrusion top portion whose diameter is larger than that
of the
constricted protrusion 5 of the interlock protrusions 3 elastically shrinks to
deform,
and opening portion 8 of the interlock holes 7 elastically deforms (including
enlarged deformation), to enable the insertion of the interlock protrusions 3
into the
interlock holes7, because the polyhedral toy 1 is made of urethane sponge
having
elasticity, so that the interlock protrusions 3 and interlock holes 7 are
interlocked.
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[0041] Once the interlock protrusions 3 are inserted into the interlock holes
7 in
this manner, the larger-diameter portion of the interlock protrusions 3 and
opening
portion 8 of the interlock holes 7 return from deformation state to their
former
states, and the interlock protrusions 3 are fitted completely into the
interlock holes
7, to end in a state in which opening portion 8 of the interlock holes 7
engages with
the constricted portion of the interlock protrusions 3 as well as the
constricted
portion-side outer peripheral surface 6 of the interlock protrusions 3 engages
with
the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface of the interlock holes 7,
with a
surface having the interlock protrusions 3 abutting on a surface having the
interlock
holes 7.
[0042] Thus, the engagements between the opening portion 8 and constricted
portion 5 and between the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface
and the
opening portion-side inner peripheral surface prevent the interlock
protrusions 3
from disengaging from the interlock holes 7, and ensure stabled interlocked
coupling state without wobbly, to maintain connection relationship between the
assembled polyhedral toys 1, so that the three-dimensional shape of the built
structure is kept favorably, even if the polyhedral toys 1 are made of elastic
material, as this embodiment.
[0043] Furthermore, when the interlock protrusions 3 is inserted into the
interlock holes 7, and the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6
of the
interlock protrusions 3 abuts on the opening portion 8 of the interlock holes
7, the
interlock protrusions 3 are pulled into the interlock holes 7 by the elastic
force of the
interlock protrusions 3 and the interlock holes 7 to enable simple and secure
interlocking connection between the polyhedral toys 1, because the span of the
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constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6 is smaller than the
diameter of
the opening portions 8 of the interlock holes 7.
[0044] Moreover, after the interlock protrusions 3 are inserted into the
interlock
holes 7, the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6 of the
interlock
protrusions 3 and the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface 9 of the
interlock holes 7 engage with each other to generate a force of pulling the
interlock
protrusions 3 into the interlock holes 7, so that the interlock protrusions 3
are
prevented from disengaging from the interlock holes 7 more securely, and thus
the
disadvantage that assembling a lot of polyhedral toys 1 results in their break-
up is
eliminated.
[0045] Additionally, making the polyhedral toys 1 of elastic urethane sponge
allows infants to handle them without difficulty, and prevents the infants
from being
injured, because the polyhedral toys are light weigh even if made larger to a
certain
extent, so that a structure slightly smaller, and to the contrary larger, than
that in
full-size, such as a house large enough for the play participants to enter and
a ship
and car into which they are able to get can be build, and more interesting
play with
a sense of more convincing reality.
[0046] While one embodiment of the present invention has been explained in the
foregoing, specific modes by which the present invention can be adopted are
not in
any way limited to the above example.
[0047] For example, in above example, the surface of the interlock protrusions
3
or the interlock holes 7 may be covered with a hard film such as resin. In
this way,
the hard film prevents the interlock protrusions 3 and interlock holes 7 in
interlock
relationship from deforming, so that the interlock protrusions 3 are less
likely to
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disengage from the interlock holes 7, and thus the three-dimensional shape of
the
built structure is maintained more favorably, compared with above example.
[0048] Additionally, in above example, urethane sponge is employed, but it is
not
limited to the urethane sponge, for example, if having elasticity, not only
sponge
made up of other material but also rubber material such as natural rubber and
synthetic rubber may be used.
[0049] Furthermore, the basic shape of the polyhedral toys 1 is not limited to
a
sphere in above example. If polyhedral, the polyhedral toys 1 may be in any
shapes including pyramid, and the face to which interlock protrusions 3 and
interlock holes 7are provided, the number and position of them are not limited
to
above example.
[0050] Furthermore, the shapes of the interlock protrusions 3 and interlock
holes
7 are not limited to the above example. If they are shaped to be able to
interlock
and couple with each other, the interlock protrusions 3 have a constricted
portion
reduced in diameter between the protrusion top and the base face, and the
opening portion 8 of the interlock holes 7 is reduced in diameter, compared
with the
inside of the interlock holes 7, the interlock protrusions 3 and interlock
holes 7 may
be in any shapes, so they can be shaped as illustrates in Fig. 6 through Fig.
13.
[0051] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 illustrate interlock protrusions 3a and interlock
holes 7a
through which a cross section is oval. A constricted portion 5a is formed at a
joint of
the interlock protrusions 3a, and an opening portion 8a of the interlock holes
7a is
reduced in diameter. Furthermore, in a situation in which the interlock
protrusions
3a are fitted into the interlock holes 7a, the constricted portion 5a of the
interlock
protrusions 3a engages with the opening portion 8a of the interlock holes 7a,
and
the constricted portion 5-side outer peripheral surface 6a the interlock
protrusions
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3a engages with the opening portion 8a-side inner peripheral surface 9a of the
interlock holes 7a. The constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6a
of the
interlock protrusions 3a is formed so that a span of the constricted portion-
side
outer peripheral surface 6a becomes larger from the constricted portion 5a
toward
the top portion, while the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface 9a of
the
interlock holes 7a is formed so that a diarneter of the opening portion-side
inner
peripheral surface 9a becomes greater from the opening portion 8a toward the
bottom portion, and so that the diameter of a part engaged with the
constricted
portion-side outer peripheral surface 6a of the interlock protrusions 3a is
smaller
than the span of the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6a.
[0052] Moreover, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate interlock protrusions 3b and
interlock
holes 7b, both of which are shaped to be conically trapezoidal. A constricted
portion 5b is formed at a joint of the interlock protrusions 3b, and the
opening
portion 8b of the interlock holes 7b is reduced in diameter. Furthermore, in a
situation in which the interlock protrusions 3b is fitted into the interlock
holes 7b, the
constricted portion 5b of the interlock protrusions 3b engages with the
opening
portion 8b of the interlock holes 7b, and an outer peripheral surface 6b of
the
interlock protrusions 3b engages with an inner peripheral surface 9b of the
interlock holes 7b. The outer peripheral surface 6b of the interlock
protrusions 3b is
formed so that the span of the outer peripheral surface 6b becomes greater
from
the constricted portion 5b toward the top portion, while the inner peripheral
surface
9b of the interlock holes 7b is formed so that the diameter of the inner
peripheral
surface 9b becomes greater from the opening portion 8b toward the bottom
portion, and so that the diameter of a part engaged with the outer peripheral
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surface 6b of the interlock protrusions 3b is smaller than the span of the
outer
peripheral surface 6b.
[0053] Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 illustrate spherical interlock protrusions 3c and
hoies
7c. A constricted portion 5c having a straight part is formed at a joint of
the interlock
protrusions 3c, and the opening portion 8C of the interlock holes 7 has a
cylindrical
face, and is reduced in diameter, compared with the inside of the interlock
holes 7.
Furthermore, in a situation in which the interlock protrusions 3c are fitted
into the
interlock holes 7c, the constricted portion 5c of the interlock protrusions 3c
engages with the opening portion 8c of the interlock holes 7c, and the
constricted
potions 5c-side outer peripheral surface 6c of the interlock protrusions 3c
engages
with the opening portion 8c-side inner peripheral surface 9c of the interlock
holes
7c. The constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6c of the interlock
protrusions 3c is formed so that the span of the constricted portion-side
outer
peripheral surface 6c becomes greater from the constricted portion 5c toward
the
protrusion top, while the opening portion-side inner peripheral surface 9c of
the
interlock holes 7c is formed so that the diameter of the opening portion-side
inner
peripheral surface 9c becomes greater from the opening portion 8c toward the
bottom portion, and so that the diameter of a part engaged with the
constricted
portion-side outer peripheral surface 6c of the interlock protrusions3c is
smaller
than the span of the constricted portion-side outer peripheral surface 6c.
[0054] Additionally, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 illustrate conically trapezoidal
interlock
protrusions 3d and interlock holes 7d. A circular and groove-like constricted
portion
5d is formed at a joint of the interlock protrusions 3d, and an opening
portion 8d has
a cylindrical surface, and is reduced in diameter, compared with the inside of
the
interlock holes 7d. Furthermore, in a situatiori in which the interlock
protrusions 3d
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are fitted into the interlock holes 7d, the constricted portion 5d of the
interlock
protrusions 3d engages with the opening portion 8d of the interlock holes 7d,
and
an outer peripheral surface 6d of the interlock protrusions 3d excluding that
of the
constricted portion 5d engages with an inner peripheral surface 9d of the
interlock
hole 7d excluding that of the opening portion 8d. The outer peripheral surface
6d of
the interlock protrusions 3d is formed so that the span of the outer
peripheral
surface 6d becomes greater from the constricted portion 5d toward the
protrusion
top portion, and the inner peripheral surface 9d of the interlock holes 7d is
formed
so that the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 9d becomes greater from
the
opening portion 8d toward the bottom portion, and so that the diameter of a
part
engaged with the outer peripheral surface 6d of the interlock protrusions 3d
is
smaller than the span of the outer peripheral surface 6d.
[0055] Moreover, in above examples although the four interlock protrusions 3
or
four interlock holes 7 are formed on each face, the number of the interlock
protrusions 3 and interlock holes 7 is not limited to these examples. For
example,
as illustrated in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, a single spherical interlock protrusion
3 may be
formed on the center of the consecutive three faces of a total of 6 faces, and
a
single spherical interlock hole 7 may be formed on the center of another three
conductive faces.
Industrial Applicability
[0056] As described above, the present invention is suitable for polyhedral
toys
that are interlocked and connected with each other to build a structure
slightly
smaller, and to the contrary grater, than that in full-size.
