Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POSABLE TOY LINKAGE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial
Number
14/474,276, filed on September 1, 2014 and claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application Serial Number 62/211,822, filed August 30, 2015, priority to each
of the
aforementioned applications is hereby claimed and the disclosures of each of
which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Disclosed are embodiments of the invention that relate to, among
other things,
building block linkage and joint systems and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Linkages for toy building blocks, such as those made by LEGO ,
Duplo ,
Mega Bloks, Built to Rule, K'nex, Kre-0, and others, provide limited degrees
of movement
and positioning in the three dimensional plane for the blocks they connect.
Flexible plastic
cables, string, plastic rods, and plastic tubes have been used to connect
building blocks, as
illustrated and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,433,549, 5,733,168, 6,000,984,
6,213,839,
6,461,215, 6,676,474, 6,843,700, and PCT/DK1991/000373. Other prior art
systems are
Lego Technic Sets 5118, 7471, 8002, 8074, 8412, 8437, 8440, 8444, 8445, 8457,
8479,
8482, 8483, 8485, 8828, 8836, 8839, 8856, and 9748.
[0003] As shown in Fig. 1A, an end P1 is connected to a bendable plastic
rod P2 via
neck P3. Front end Pl, rod P2, and neck P3 are shaped to be received in a
complementary
slot Pll-P13 of the receiver block P10. Thus, a plastic rod P2 with necks P3
and ends P1
disposed on either tellninus of the rod P2 is used to tether blocks to which
receiver block P10
may couple, provided the necks P3 and ends P1 are capable of receipt in the
receiver block
slots P11-P13. In an alternative arrangement shown by Fig. 1B, a receiver
block P10 is
comprised of a jaw P5, a mouth P6, and a tooth P7 that engages a recess/neck
P3 in a plastic
rod P2 received within block P10. In this arrangement, the prior art receiver
block P10 relies
on plastic-on-plastic coupling between tooth P7 and recess P3 to maintain rod
P2 in the block
P10, e.g., a crimping connection.
[0004] All of these linkage systems suffer disadvantages in terms of the
reduction in
strength from repeated use and/or exposure to heat, weakness when loaded in a
direction
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perpendicular to their cross-section, and/or lack of ability to be bent in any
number of
conformations while also substantially maintaining a conformation in three-
dimensional
space, e.g., wilting or buckling in response to loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] By having posability, a linkage may have an unlimited range of
displacement
in three-dimensional space and be able to hold its conformation in loaded
and/or unloaded
configurations. Such a linkage may serve as a universal joint for building
blocks.
[0006] The posable linkage may be coupled to a building block using one or
more of
the following: the building block apertures themselves, a combination of the
building block
apertures and intermediary components within the building block, and/or a
socket or adaptor
disposed within the building block either alone or in combination with other
features of the
building block.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Figures 1A-1B illustrate the prior art and have been previously
described.
[0008] Figures 2 and 15 illustrate exemplary embodiments of exemplary
inventive
building block linkage systems.
[0009] Figures 3A-D, 4A-G, 5, 6A-B, 7A-C, 8-10, 11A-C, 12A-B, 13, 16A-D,
17A-
D, and 18A-D illustrate other exemplary embodiments of blocks and linkages
used in forms
of an exemplary inventive building block systems and assembly methods.
[0010] Figures 14A-D illustrate other exemplary embodiments of adaptors for
exemplary blocks and linkages used in other forms of an exemplary inventive
building block
systems and assembly methods.
[0011] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the
different figures. The drawing figures, elements and other depictions should
be understood
as being interchangeable and may be combined in any like manner in accordance
with the
disclosures and objectives recited herein, and as disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application Serial
Number 14/474,276 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number
62/211,822.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] With respect to Fig. 2, an exemplary linkage 2 may be configured to
fit within
an opening 5 of a receiving exemplary building block 10 (hereinafter referred
to as block or
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brick 10, which may be a Lego-like brick). An exemplary brick 10 may be made
of plastic,
rubber, or metal, but preferably PLA or ABS plastic. An exemplary brick 10 may
be
prismatic, cubic, spherical, conical, pyramidal, or any other form of
polyhedron in shape.
When assembled, the head 1 and tail 0 of an exemplary linkage 2 may be located
within a
cavity 9 of exemplary block 10. In an exemplary embodiment, head 1 of an
exemplary
linkage 2 need not enter the exit 6 of exemplary block 10. The opening 5 and
exit 6 of an
exemplary block 10 may also serve as adaptors for connecting exemplary block
10 to other
building blocks. For example, in an exemplary Lego block 10 opening 5 may be
sized to fit
within the exit 6 of another exemplary building block (not shown). Conversely,
an exit 6 of
an exemplary Lego block 10 may be sized to fit about an opening 5 of another
exemplary
building block. According to these embodiments, the engagement between an
exemplary
linkage 2 and exemplary block 10 may be considered a joint 20.
[0013] In one embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 is made of a metal and is
flexible
yet posable. An example of posability may be that an exemplary linkage 2 can
be bent into
any conformation, without any limit on degrees of freedom of movement, and
substantially
maintain that conformation in three-dimensional space. As another example of
posability, an
exemplary linkage 2 may be configured to dispose at least two blocks 10, which
are adapted
to receive an exemplary linkage 2, in different positions in three-dimensional
space and
substantially maintain those positions over time without the need for any
other movable parts
but the linkage 2. Accordingly, an exemplary linkage 2 may be the exclusive
means of
positioning exemplary building blocks which it interconnects. As such, an
exemplary linkage
2 may allow exemplary building blocks to be translated, rotated, and/or held
in positions with
respect to one another in three-dimensional space. Further alternatively, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may couple a plurality of different block systems together, e.g., a
Lego block to a
K'nex piece.
[0014] In another embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 may have one or more
of the
following exemplary characteristics: (i) a wire-like shape; (ii) made out of
one or more of the
following and/or their combinations and/or galvanized variants: aluminum,
copper, iron, or
brass; (iii) dimensioned so that it can be received within an opening 5 and/or
an exit 6 of an
exemplary block 10; (iv) dimensioned so that it can be received within fabric,
flexible plastic,
or elastomer tubing (see Figs. 16A-D); (v) dimensioned so that its diameter is
within the
range of diameters between those of opening 5 and those of exit 6 of an
exemplary block 10;
(vi) a diameter of approximately 0.123 inches to approximately 0.193 inches;
(vii) be
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approximately 5- to approximately 14-gauge wire; or (viii) be an armature
wire. In an
exemplary embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 is about 0.12574 inches in
diameter and is
made from a flexible aluminum armature wire. While an exemplary linkage 2 may
preferably be circular in cross-section, any number of cross-sections of an
exemplary linkage
2 may be contemplated depending on the exemplary brick with which it couples.
[0015] For example, an exemplary linkage 2 may be configured so that it
and/or its
head 1 or tail 0 may friction-fit within an exemplary block 10 opening 5, exit
6, and/or other
such aperture as described herein, provided the exemplary block 10 material
creating the
cross-section of such opening 5, exit 6, and/or other such aperture does not
go beyond its
modulus of resilience (e.g., the cross-section may be the same as or smaller
than the cross-
section of an exemplary linkage 2, head 1, and/or tail 0). Where multiple
cross-sections are
involved, an average cross-section may be used to determine the applicable
modulus of
resilience. An average cross-section of an exemplary linkage 2 may be the
cross-section at
one end of linkage 2 to the point on linkage 2 just before where the cross-
section remains
substantially un-changed along the length of linkage 2.
[0016] An exemplary linkage 2 may be included in and made out of any other
material or combination of materials that results in properties equivalent to
those achieved by
structures with one or more of the foregoing characteristics and posabilities.
For example, a
metal wire may be included within an elastomer tube so that the combination of
the two,
which together form an exemplary linkage 2, may have the flexibility and
posability of the
underlying metal wire (for example the illustrative embodiments and related
disclosures of
Figs. 16A-D and 17A-D). Those skilled in the material arts may be able to
identify other
materials of which a single exemplary linkage 2 can be made to achieve one or
more of the
foregoing requirements of the metal linkage 2 embodiments, such as, polymers
and plastics,
provided the final composition has posability.
[0017] An exemplary linkage 2 may have a plurality of orientations in three-
dimensional space in which it may position blocks coupled thereto. In the
illustrative
embodiment of Fig. 2, any number of different points in three-dimensional
space, identified
by Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z), may be found about the length of a single
exemplary
linkage 2. For example, point "A" on an exemplary linkage 2 has exemplary
coordinates (0,
0, 0), meaning that this portion of exemplary linkage 2 may serve as an origin
position or
point of comparison. Point "B", which has coordinates (-1, 1, -1), may suggest
that this part
of linkage 2 is located in a plane behind and above Point "A" in three-
dimensional space.
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Point "C", which has coordinates (1.5, -0.5, 1), may suggest that this part of
an exemplary
linkage 2 is in a plane ahead of and under point "A." Thus, an exemplary
linkage 2 may be
configured so that the positioning of the blocks coupled thereto in the three-
dimensional
space is substantially maintained. Because of its flexibility, an exemplary
linkage 2 may also
be configured so that its parts have different positions in three-dimensional
space as bricks
are displaced from one position to another. Further orientation arrangements
capable with an
exemplary linkage 2 may also be understood with reference to Figs. 11C, 15,
17B-D, and
their related, interrelated, and interchangeable disclosures.
[0018] With reference to Figs. 3A-D, head 1 may be considered the portion
of an
exemplary linkage 2 that may be used to join an exemplary linkage 2 to
exemplary bricks 10,
although tail 0 may have the same or similar purpose for the same or different
bricks 10.
Thus, head 1 has no restrictive beginning point, but may comprise one end of
an exemplary
linkage 2. Likewise, tail 0 has no restrictive beginning point, but may
comprise the other end
of an exemplary linkage 2 opposite head 1. An exemplary linkage 2 may be shown
in Fig. 3A
as having a head 1 comprised of a conical or spherical terminus 11 and one or
more threads
or windings 12. While shaped in this fashion, terminus 11 may be flat,
concave, or any other
surface. In another exemplary embodiment illustrated by Figs. 3B and 3C, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may have a head 1 comprised of bumps or curved recesses 3 about the
linkage's
circumference and/or perimeter. In yet another exemplary embodiment
illustrated by Fig. 3D,
an exemplary linkage 2 may have a head 1 comprised of one or more discs 3a
separated by
one or more recesses 3. Such contours may be made by 3D printing, laser
machining, laser
sintering, CNC machining, lathes, molding, extrusions, taps, and/or dies.
[0019] The illustrative embodiment of Fig. 4A, an exemplary linkage 2 may
have a
head 1 comprised of round surfaces 3. An exemplary linkage 2 in Fig. 4A may be
received
within exemplary brick 10 through opening 5. In this illustrative embodiment,
exemplary
brick 10 may be hollow inside so that it may have a cavity 9 with inner
surface 8 and an outer
surface 7. Disposed within cavity 9 of exemplary brick 10 may be an exemplary
socket 15.
An exemplary socket 15 may be such that it does not inhibit the use of opening
5 or exit 6 to
allow exemplary brick 10 to combine with other building blocks.
[0020] As shown in Fig. 4A, an exemplary socket 15 may comprise a channel
16 into
which an exemplary linkage 2 may be received. Channel 16 may be sized and
shaped to
complement head 1 of linkage 2 when received within an exemplary socket 15.
Alternatively, channel 16 may be sized and shaped so that head 1 of linkage 2
friction-fits
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within an exemplary socket 15. For example, as shown in Fig. 4B, when inserted
into
exemplary brick 10 containing an exemplary socket 15, spherical surfaces 3
compress walls
of cylindrical channel 16 while walls of channel 16 press against spherical
surfaces 3. In this
manner, channel 16 may be molded so that compression surfaces 15a hold or
brace the head 1
of linkage 2 so as to maintain its reception in an exemplary socket 15 and
thereby retention in
exemplary brick 10. According to another exemplary embodiment, channel 16 may
be sized
and shaped for bracing an exemplary linkage 2 but allow passage of other
exemplary building
blocks known to those skilled in the art, e.g., as may be illustrated in Figs.
5 and 14D.
[0021] With reference to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 4C, another
exemplary
socket 15 within exemplary brick 10 may have a contoured channel 16 having one
or more
grips 17 for gripping or bracing an exemplary linkage 2, which may have a head
1
comprising disks 3a and recesses 3. An exemplary contoured channel 16 may have
the same
characteristics, such as being complementary to the shape of head 1 or be
slightly smaller to
create a friction-fit by way of compression surfaces 15a, or channel 16 may
not be
complementary to linkage 2 and/or head 1 so as to create more gripping,
hugging, and/or
bracing surfaces within channel 16.
[0022] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 4D, an
exemplary
joint 20 may comprise an exemplary linkage 2 with a head 1 comprised of
alternating discs
3a separated by recesses 3 braced by grips 17 in an exemplary socket 15. The
elasticity of
grips 17 may allow them to permit entry of head 1 of linkage 2 when inserted
into the socket
15 while substantially resisting departure of head 1 from an exemplary socket
15 if linkage 2
experiences forces tending to displace it from an exemplary socket 15, e.g.,
tension forces. In
an alternative embodiment illustrated with respect to Figs. 4F and 4G, grips
17 may be
modified to allow easier displacement from an exemplary socket 15 (e.g.,
sloped grips 17a)
and/or discs 3a may be modified to allow head 1 of an exemplary linkage 2 to
more easily
displace from gripping socket (e.g., bowl discs 3b).
[0023] Further illustrated in the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 4F may
be an
exemplary socket 15 having wings 15a. Exemplary wings 15a may be configured to
be
received within an exemplary crevice 8a within exemplary brick 10. While wings
15a may
be shown as single extensions from the circumference of a circular socket 15,
they may also
be shaped to spiral about the outer surface of an exemplary socket 15 so that
when met with
complementary spiral crevice 8a, such a socket 15 may be screwed into
exemplary brick 10.
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Accordingly, an exemplary interaction between crevice 8a and wings 15a may
further
increase the bracing capability of an exemplary socket 15 in an exemplary
joint 20.
[0024] With respect to a through-hole crevice 8a, reception of an exemplary
socket 15
within an exemplary brick 10 with such a through-hole 7a, such as may be
illustrated with
respect to Fig. 4E, may possess the added advantage of being released from
exemplary brick
by inserting a pin or pencil point into through-hole 7a to depress wing 15
located in the
through-hole crevice 8a. In so doing, an exemplary socket 15 may be released
from cavity 9.
[0025] With reference to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, an
exemplary linkage
2 may be comprised of a head 1 for reception within a channel 16 as well as
intermediary ribs
3c/3d extending from its own surface structures, which may be the same as or
different from
those on head 1 and proximal or distal to the same, for reception in a
separate channel 16a of
a separate socket 15 in a separate exemplary brick 10. A first exemplary brick
101 may be
coupled to head 1 of an exemplary linkage 2 by way of an exemplary socket 15
such that
linkage 2 does not pass from exemplary brick 101 opening 5 to exit 6 via
channel 16.
Grooves 3c and extensions 3d may also friction fit a second exemplary brick
102 by way of a
second through-socket 151 whose through channel 16a allows full passage of an
exemplary
linkage 2 from opening 5 to exit 6 of the exemplary brick 102. Alternatively,
one or more
exemplary bricks 103 may comprise channels 16b that slidingly or frictionally
engage the
non-contoured surface of an exemplary linkage 2. Alternatively, exemplary
bricks 103 may
also slidingly or frictionally engage both contoured and non-contoured
surfaces of an
exemplary linkage 2. While exemplary brick 103 may be illustrated as a small
exemplary
brick, e.g., a lx 1 Lego plate, exemplary brick 103 may be any size and shape
with a channel
16b through its surfaces.
[0026] An exemplary multi-surface linkage 2 may be able to interact with
numerous
exemplary bricks 10õ (where n is any integer) to provide building points for
other exemplary
blocks, e.g., exemplary building blocks 100, on its posable surface. In other
words,
exemplary bricks 102 may be anchored by surface structures intermediary of
linkage 2's head
1 and tail 0, e.g., exemplary block 103. While such exemplary bricks have been
shown
having a through socket 151 other forms of exemplary bricks 102 and 103, with
and without
an exemplary socket 15 that permit full passage of an exemplary linkage 2
there through, are
also suitable. Thus, an exemplary linkage 2 may act as the foundation for
building numerous
block structures on its flexible surfaces and may serve as a universal
scaffolding for
exemplary building block assemblies 100.
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[0027] With reference to the illustrative embodiments of Figs. 6A-B, an
exemplary
brick 10 may contain an exemplary socket 15 comprising a channel 16 having
spiral threads
18 for complementary screw-threads 12 corresponding to head 1, tail 0, and/or
terminus 11 of
an exemplary screw linkage 2. As illustrated in these illustrative embodiments
and may be
used in others, an exemplary socket 15 may possess rounded surfaces 15c to
reduce material
usage and cost of fabrication. Alternatively, rounded surface 15c may take the
form of a
funnel-like structure adjacent an opening 5 or exit 6 to facilitate reception
of an exemplary
linkage 2 within the channel 16. An exemplary socket 15 may also be porous or
sponge-like
in material composition.
[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 6B, threads 18 may be complementary to such
screw
threads 12 to allow for a robust connection between screw linkage 2 and
exemplary screw
socket 15. Alternatively, an exemplary screw linkage 2 with threads 12 may be
used with
sockets 15 without threads 18 and rely on the modulus of resilience of an
exemplary socket
15 to brace such screw linkage 2 threads. One advantage of using an exemplary
screw socket
15 in the aforementioned embodiments may be to establish a greater amount of
surface
contacts between screw linkage 2 and its thread surfaces 12 and an exemplary
socket 15. For
an exemplary linkage 2 with a screw head 1 with threads 12 and a recess 3
distal of the
threads 12, one may provide an exemplary socket 15 having a grip 17 proximal
to the entry of
the channel 16 and screw threads 18 distal from the entry so that the
exemplary screw linkage
2 may both screw into an exemplary socket 15 and be restrained from movement
by grip 17.
[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 7A, an exemplary brick 10 may be solid except
for
opening 5 in which a channel 16 with threaded wall 18 may be found and an exit
6 for receipt
of an adjoining exemplary brick 10. Exemplary screw linkage 2 may then screw
into
exemplary brick 10 as shown in Fig. 7B. According to the illustrative
embodiment of Fig.
7B, an exemplary screw linkage 2 may be received within screw channel 16 and
screwed into
threaded wall 18 using its threads 12 extending from the head 1 and/or tail 0
of screw linkage
2. For example, screw channel 16 may be located adjacent to threads 18 found
on opening 5
and/or exit 6. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary brick 10 with screw
channel 16 may
be capable of assembly to other bricks (not shown) using the geometries of
opening 5 and
exit 6 even though it may have a screw channel 16 embedded therein or threads
18 on the
inside of opening 5 and/or exit 6. This is the same for the other embodiments
having a screw
channel 16 in a socket 15. Screw channel 16 may be made by boring out an
exemplary brick
and using a tap and die to create the threads 18 of the channel for an
exemplary screw
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linkage 2. Alternatively, a lathe may be utilized. Further alternatively,
exemplary brick 10
containing a screw channel may be made using 3D printing technologies known to
those
skilled in the art. The extension of threads beyond screw channel 16 to
opening 5 and/or exit
6 may be provided for in any of the other disclosed embodiments involving
screw linkages 2.
[0030] Other exemplary screw bricks 10 may be illustrated by way of Figs.
7C and
Figs. 8-10. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 8, an exemplary screw brick
10 may have a
plurality of screw channels 16 of various sizes, threading, and orientations.
As illustrated,
exemplary screw brick 10 of Fig. 8 may comprise one type of screw channel 16p
and 16q,
and another type of screw channel 16r in various sides of exemplary brick 10.
While
exemplary brick 10 may be illustrated as rectilinear, there is no requirement
that exemplary
brick 10 need be so. When an exemplary brick 10 may comprise one or more screw
channel
16s about a spherical surface, such an exemplary brick 10 may allow for
multiple screw
linkages 2 disposed in various planes in three-dimensional space at one time,
e.g., Fig. 9. An
exemplary brick 10 may have one or more angled screw channels 16s/16t within
its surfaces,
including in corners or on other points of the exemplary brick 10 surface. In
other exemplary
embodiments, a plurality of screw channels 16 may be disposed on an exemplary
brick 10 so
that they are both oriented with respect to one another and exemplary brick 10
at non-
orthogonal positions.
[0031] An illustrative exemplary hybrid block 50 may be composed using 3D
printing
or other formation methods known to those skilled in the art. As illustrated
in Fig. 10, an
exemplary hybrid building block 50 may comprise an exemplary socket 15 located
in a cavity
9 between a screw channel 18 and opening 5. Accordingly, such an exemplary
hybrid block
50 may allow an exemplary screw linkage 2 having threads 12 and recesses 3
about its length
to have a plurality of coupling regions within exemplary block 50. In the
illustrative
embodiment of Fig. 10, an exemplary linkage 2 may screw into exemplary block
50 while
also being gripped by grips 17 of an exemplary socket 15. As illustrated, an
exemplary
socket 15 may act as a diaphragm or friction washer for an exemplary building
block system
joint 20. Any variety and order of linkage recesses 3, threads 12, and
surfaces 3a-g, as
described elsewhere, may be used up and down an exemplary linkage 2. As such,
exemplary
hybrid block 50 may have numerous sockets 15 and receiving cavities 9, with
and without
contours, e.g., threads 18, and in any order to accommodate a particular
exemplary linkage 2
and/or add to retention of such linkage 2.
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[0032] With reference to the illustrative embodiments of Figs. 11A-C, an
exemplary
clamshell-type brick 30 (hereinafter referred to as "brick 30") may comprise a
plurality of
exemplary brick portions, for example, 10a and lOb, with inner surfaces 8a and
8b,
respectively, coupled via flexible portion 31. According to other illustrative
embodiments,
flexible portion 31 may be configured to allow exemplary brick 30 to open and
close like a
clam shell so that, when closed, substantially no gaps exist in one or more of
outer surface 7,
inner surfaces 8a and 8b, opening 5, or exit 6. An exemplary clam brick 30 may
contain a
groove 34 in outer surface 7 of its halves 10a/b for receiving a brace 35
therein. As
illustrated in Fig. 11C, a brace 35, which may preferably be made of an
elastomer, such as
rubber, is shown as being wrapped tightly about exemplary brick 30 while an
exemplary
linkage 2 is free to move outside of exemplary brick 30.
[0033] As another exemplary embodiment of the posability and universal
orientation
of an exemplary linkage 2 may be further illustrated in Fig. 11C. As
illustrated in Fig. 11C,
an exemplary linkage 2 may exit an exemplary brick 30 at point "A." An
exemplary linkage
2 may be undulated at point "B" so that it enters point (0.5, 0.5, -0.5),
which means that as
this part of linkage 2 ascends and proceeds to the right, it also goes behind
point "A." Point
"C," at coordinates (1, 2, -0.75), illustrates that an exemplary linkage 2 may
be further bent
behind point "B" while gravitating upwardly and further ahead of point "A" in
the horizontal
plane. Further illustrating the universal positioning of an exemplary linkage
2, point "D"
located at the terminus 11 of tail 0 (which is shown with spiraling threads 12
thereon) may
have coordinates (-2, 4, 1) thereby showing that the tail 0 of an exemplary
linkage 2 may be
bent behind its origin point and brought forward of the origin, even though it
began with
bending behind the origin (as in points "B" and "C"). As described, an
exemplary linkage 2
would be configured to maintain bricks coupled to either of its ends in this
configuration in
three-dimensional space. Alternatively, an exemplary linkage 2, by virtue of
its flexibility,
may be configured to change these illustrated coordinates when displacing
bricks coupled to
its ends.
[0034] With reference to Figs. 12A-B and Fig. 13, an exemplary porous brick
60 may
be one possessing multiple cavities/apertures in its construction. With
respect to the
exemplary porous brick 60 illustrated in Fig. 12A, such exemplary brick 60 may
have one or
more openings 5 extending from its outer surface 7, a first cavity 9 leading
to one or more
exits 6 and additional cavities 9a, and one or more inner surfaces 8 which may
have one or
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more crevices 8a. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary porous brick 60 may be
an
Erling Lego-like brick.
[0035] In another embodiment in accordance with the illustrative features
of Fig.
12B, an exemplary porous brick 60 may receive within its inner surface 8 an
exemplary
socket 15 adapted to fit within one of its cavities 9 so as to close off exit
6. An exemplary
socket 15 may have one or more wings 15a configured to be received within a
crevice 8a in
one of the cavities 9 of exemplary porous brick 60. An exemplary fitting of an
exemplary
socket 15 within exemplary porous brick 60 may provide a channel 16 through
opening 5 for
reception of an exemplary linkage 2 therein. An exemplary channel 16 may be a
contoured
channel 16 which may contain one or more grips 17. While a contoured channel
16 may be
shown, any other channels 16 (e.g., screw channels) may be contemplated as
well as
contoured openings 5 and/or exits 6 of such exemplary bricks 60 as per other
embodiments.
[0036] With reference to Fig. 13, an exemplary porous brick 60 alone or in
combination with an exemplary socket 15 may be connected to an exemplary brick
assembly
100 in which its cavity 9 where an exemplary linkage 2 may be received is
closed off by
surrounding exemplary bricks in the exemplary brick assembly 100. Exemplary
brick
assembly 100 may be comprised of one or more bricks compatible with exemplary
porous
brick 60 and receptive to its attachment and/or connection. As shown in the
illustrative
embodiment of Fig. 13, an exemplary linkage 2 may be received through opening
5 of
exemplary porous brick 60, which houses an exemplary socket 15 within its
cavity 9, and is
juxtaposed by exemplary brick assembly 100 such that an exemplary socket 15 is
substantially confined within exemplary porous brick 60.
[0037] In the illustrative embodiments of Figs. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, yet
other
mechanisms of linkage systems may be disclosed. For example, Fig. 14A shows an
exemplary brick 70 with a passage 5/6 through its thickness for reception of
parts much
larger in diameter than exemplary linkage 2. Such exemplary bricks 70 may be
found in
Lego Technic sets or other non-Lego building block systems, e.g., K'nex.
Exemplary
bricks 70 may have surface contours 7a, e.g., an indentation in surface 7,
that surround or are
adjacent to their passages 5/6.
[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 14B, an exemplary linkage 2 with a tail 0
may be placed
within the cavity 9 of the exemplary brick 70 connected by passage 5/6. An
adaptor socket
19 may possess an exemplary channel 16 configured as other disclosed channels
of sockets
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15. An exemplary adaptor socket 19 may possess one or more anchors 19a
substantially
complementary to surface contours 7a of exemplary brick 70. Exemplary anchors
19a may
take the form of lips, rims, or pegs, but may be any other structures that may
serve to hold
adaptor socket 19 within exemplary brick 70, either on surface contours 7a of
exemplary
brick 70 or crevices 8a in exemplary brick 70 (see Fig. 14C). Exemplary
surface contours 7a
and crevices 8a may be utilized within exemplary brick 70 to allow for
friction fitting of
adaptor socket 19 within the exemplary brick 70 cavity 9.
[0039] In an exemplary adapted brick 70 system illustrated by Fig. 14C, an
exemplary linkage 2 may have its tail 0 within channel 16 of adaptor socket
19. One or more
crevices 8a within cavity 9 of exemplary brick 70 may receive one or more
adaptor surface
contours 19b. Adaptor socket 19 may have a solid portion that resists further
displacement of
an exemplary linkage 2 into channel 16. Alternatively, channel 16 of adaptor
socket 19 may
allow for complete passage of an exemplary linkage 2 there through, as
illustrated by Fig.
14D.
[0040] An example of an exemplary linkage 2 posability may be illustrated
in Fig. 15.
According to this illustrative embodiment, Fig. 15 may show the positioning of
exemplary
blocks 10 and 50 in three-dimensional space. As shown by the coordinates of
points "A" and
"B" of exemplary blocks 10 and 50, respectively, an exemplary linkage 2 may
position the
exemplary blocks and their adjoining assemblies 100 and 200, respectively, in
different
positions in three-dimensional space. These exemplary blocks may be further
moved with
respect to one another by virtue of the flexibility of an exemplary linkage 2.
Exemplary
linkage 2 may be disposed in various parts of three-dimensional space, as may
be illustrated
by Fig. 15, with reference to the coordinates of points "C" and "D" on
sections of an
exemplary linkage 2. According to this illustrative embodiment, the posability
of an
exemplary linkage 2 may substantially maintain the parts of an exemplary
linkage 2 in their
illustrated conformation, e.g., coordinates "C" and "D." Further, the
posability of an
exemplary linkage 2 may substantially maintain exemplary blocks 10 and 50 (or
other
exemplary blocks 30/40/60/70) and their respective adjoining assemblies 100
and 200,
respectively, at their coordinates "A" and "B," respectively, over a span of
time.
[0041] Those skilled in the art may understand various other methods and
ways to
secure an exemplary linkage 2 to an exemplary brick 10/30/40/50/60/70 using
other
techniques. Exemplary bricks 10/30/40/50/60/70 that may open or "lock" an
exemplary head
1 of an exemplary linkage 2 may take various forms and variations, depending
on the needs
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of the construction. They may involve exemplary bricks 10/30/40/50/60/70 with
doors,
clasps, or other moveable parts that allow an exemplary head 1 of an exemplary
linkage 2 to
enter and then resist exiting the exemplary brick 10/30/40/50/60/70. For all
exemplary
embodiments, whether illustrated, described, or understood from combination
from the
disclosures herein, exemplary bricks 10/30/40/50/60/70, brace 35, and/or
sockets 15/19 may
be printed using 3D printers known to those skilled in the art, and disclosed
in U.S. Patent
Application No. 14/474,276. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary socket 15
may be
3D printed within exemplary brick 10 while exemplary brick 10 is being formed.
Alternatively, exemplary brick 10 may be 3D printed and socket 15 may be
simultaneously
3D printed within exemplary brick 10 (e.g., an exemplary hybrid brick 50). 3D
printing
fabrication of an exemplary brick 10 and socket 15 subsystem may be
particularly suited for
mass production of such constructs and reduce the need for physical assembly
of the two
structures post-fabrication.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary posable linkage 2 may be
fabricated to comply with the June 2010 United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission
Laboratory Test Manual for Toy Testing, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety. In one embodiment, exemplary posable linkage 2 will satisfy one or
more of
subsections of section 9.2 and all of section 18, in particular, section 9.2.4
Sharp Point Test,
9.2.5 Sharp Edge Test, and 9.3.6 Flexure Test of the June 2010 United States
Consumer
Product Safety Commission Laboratory Test Manual for Toy Testing.
[0043] As further illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of Figs. 16A-D,
an
exemplary linkage 2 may contain a component 2A of diameter Dm and a coating or
cover 2B
of thickness Tc. The cover or coating 2B may be one or more of the covers,
coatings, and/or
tubings described herein and may be removable or permanently attached to
component 2A.
Component 2A may be made of a flexible metal. Alternatively, component 2A may
be made
of any other material or combination of materials that in conjunction with
coating 2B has
posability. An exemplar linkage 2 comprised of component 2A and coating 2B may
have a
diameter D, although an exemplary linkage 2 without a coating 2B may have the
same or
similar diameter D.
[0044] An exemplary coating 2B may be an elastomer selected from the group
comprising poly-isoprenes (e.g., rubber, natural rubber), polyethylenes,
polystyrenes,
polyurethane, buna-N, butyl, SBR, neoprene, silicone, polybutadiene, and other
flexible
elastomers known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, an exemplary
elastomer may be
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colored to match one or more exemplary bricks 10/30-70 to which an exemplary
posable
linkage 2 may couple and/or interconnect. Additionally, coating 2B may have
structures
formed on it to allow connection between the outer-most surface of linkage 2
and other Lego-
like bricks. Those skilled in the art would understand the use of plasticizers
to improve
flexibility and ductility of an exemplary coating 2B.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 may be
particularly
dimensioned to friction-fit within the circular opening 5 used on Erling Lego
blocks 60, and
others with such opening (block 10/30/40/50/70), and still be maneuvered and
posed in three-
dimensional space while substantially maintaining their conformation, e.g.,
have posability.
According to such an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 may have a
Dm of
about 0.0625 inches and a Tc of about 0.03125 inches. In another exemplary
embodiment, an
exemplary linkage 2 may have sufficient size to friction-fit within the
cylindrical opening 5
used in Lego Technic block systems and/or Lego Erling blocks, and still be
maneuvered
and posed in three-dimensional space while substantially maintaining their
conformation,
e.g., have posability. According to such an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary
linkage 2
may have a Dm of about 0.0125 inches and a Tc of about 0.00074 inches. In yet
another
exemplary embodiment, as may be further discussed with respect to Fig. 16D, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may have a coating 2B with a Tc that is of such size and elasticity
so as to deflect
when entering an opening 5 and/or 6 of an exemplary building block, such as
block 10/30-70,
and yet exert a force against the inner surfaces 8 of the opening 5/6 of that
block that is no
greater than the modulus of resilience of the structure making up the opening
5 and/or 6 of
the block 10/30-70, see Fig. 16D. In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated
by Fig. 16A, a
posable linkage 2 with a D of approximately 0.1257 inches may have a 907A or
907C
aluminum armature wire component 2A having a Dm of approximately 0.06285 inch
and
which may be coated with an elastomer 2B substantially about its length having
a Tc of
approximately 0.031925 inches. More particularly, such an elastomer 2B may be
a type of
rubber.
[0046] In a first embodiment, 2*Tc + Dm may be the diameter of an exemplary
opening 5/6 in a Lego-like block. In a second embodiment, 2*Tc + Dm is
slightly greater
than the diameter of an exemplary opening 5/6 in a Lego-like block. In a third
embodiment,
2*Tc + Dm is equal to the diameter of the cylindrical opening 5 in an Erling
Lego block 60.
In a fifth embodiment, 2*Tc + Dm is equal to or slightly greater than the
diameter of the
circular opening 5 in an Erling Lego block 60. Where 2*Tc + Dm is greater than
the
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diameter of the aperture into which linkage 2 head 1 or tail 0 is inserted, an
exemplary
linkage 2 with such Tc and Dm may utilize its elastomeric qualities or take
advantage of the
modulus of resilience of the exemplary block opening 5/6. An elastomeric
coating 2B may
be utilized due to its ability to deform in response to contact forces and
thereby allow a user
to insert a linkage 2 comprising a component 2A with such a coating into a
Lego-like block
opening while maintaining friction-like contact, reduced wear on the block
opening, non-
contact with metal, and/or minimal manufacturing costs. Further and
alternatively, an
elastomeric coating 2B may allow linkage 2 to have a D greater than the
diameter of block
opening 5 and/or 6 because such a coating 2B can deform while being inserted
into the same.
[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 16B, an
exemplary linkage 2 may comprise a component 2A of length Lm and a coating 2B
of length
Lc. In an exemplary embodiment, Lc is about the same length as an exemplary
metal
component 2A. In another exemplary embodiment, Lc is between about 85-95% of
the
length of metal component 2A so that the coating covers all but a length of
the ends of the
metal component 2A that are sufficient to couple the linkage 2 of this
exemplary embodiment
in an exemplary block 10/30-70, e.g., LT. In yet another exemplary embodiment,
Lc is
whatever length necessary to leave about 0.090-0.150 inches of the end of a
metal component
2A exposed on either side or both sides of linkage 2, e.g., an LT = 0.090-
0.150. In another
exemplary embodiment, coating 2B may envelop metal component 2A on all sides,
as may be
shown in Fig. 16C by an exemplary face coating 2C. In another exemplary
embodiment,
where a Lego brick 10/50/60/70 is used for receiving an exemplary linkage 2 of
length Lc,
the length Lc may be no greater than about 110-115% the length of Lm so that
the linkage
does not interfere with other structures trying to fit within Lego brick 10
(e.g., other Lego
bricks 10, other exemplary linkages 2). In an exemplary embodiment where LT is
the length
of component 2A on which contours 3a-e, and 3g may be found, such contours 3a-
d, and 3g
may be disposed such that enough contours 3a-e, and 3g can frictionally engage
opening 5/6
of an exemplary block 10/30-70 or the exemplary opening 16 of an exemplary
socket 15. Lc
may be a function of LM, Tc, Dm, D, LT, and combinations thereof. In this
context, "function
of' refers to any known mathematical operation or series of operations
involving one or more
of Lm, Tc, Dm, D, LT, and operations involving the same.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment all lengths Lm and Lc may be based on the
number of studs and/or Lego Drawing Units ("LDU") of exemplary Lego blocks 10,
e.g., two
stud lengths, three stud lengths, four stud lengths, etc., as would be
understood by a person of
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ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, length Lc and/or Lm may
be between
about 4 and about 8 LDU in length as measured from the forward-most end of the
linkage 2.
In this exemplary embodiment, length Lc and/or Lm may avoid interference
between linkage
2 and other structures traveling through an exemplary block 10. In yet another
exemplary
embodiment, length Lc and/or Lm may be between about 2 and about 16 LDUs in
length as
measured from the forward-most end of an exemplary linkage 2, e.g., section
2C/D or the
head/tail 1/0 made up of only component 2A. In still other exemplary
embodiments, length
Lc and/or Lm may have the same LDU lengths as the smallest and/or longest Lego
blocks
known to those skilled in the art. LT may be a length of metal component 2A
sufficient to
allow for a UNF Fine Thread #0, 7 threads, 0.010 inch chamfer and a 0.0125
inch thread
relief zone between coating 2B and the most proximal thread 12.
[0049] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated by Fig. 16B, an
exemplary posable
linkage 2 may comprise a component 2A of length Lm with contoured ends 3a-d/g
and/or
thread ends 12 and terminus 11 opposite head/tail 1/0. In this illustrative
embodiment, a
coating 2B may substantially cover a metal component 2A over a distance Lc and
leave
exposed a length LT for contouring 3 or threading 12. Where Lm is a length of
component 2A
with threading, the types of thread ends 12 and lengths (Lm, Lc, and LT) that
may be used for
an exemplary linkage 2 may be shown in Table 1 (the value of LT and the
threading
type/number of threads may correspond to one or more of the length and/or
threading of
channel 16, 16a-b and channel threads 18 of an exemplary brick or block 10/30-
70 and/or the
length and threading of channels and threads in socket 15/151, including the
spacing and
length of use of socket structures 15a, 17, and/or 17a):
[0050] TABLE 1
Threading
Exemplary Illustrative
Lm Lc LT Type/number
Embodiments
of threads
I 0.625 inches 0.400 inches 0.100 inches UNF #0
II 1.250 inches 1.000 inches 0.100 inches UNF #0
III 2.500 inches 2.200 inches 0.100 inches UNF #0
IV 1.000 inches 0.700 inches 0.150 inches 8 threads
V 4.000 inches 3.750 inches 0.120 inches 7 threads
VI 8.000 inches 6.000 inches 0.550 inches 12 threads
VII 1.250 inches 0.700 inches 0.250 inches 10 threads
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VIII 0.500 inches 0.300 inches 0.100 inches 6 threads
IX 3.000 inches 2.500 inches 0.250 inches UNF #0
X 2/3 inches 1/3 inches 1/6 inches UNF #0
[0051] In the illustrative exemplary embodiments of Figs. 16B-C, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may have threaded sections 12 that are further from the axis of the
linkage 2, e.g.,
they are located outside the diameter of component 2A, with or without coating
2B. While
threaded sections 12 may be illustrated in Fig. 16B, contoured sections 3a-e/g
may also be
used in place, or used as per the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 16C, such
that one or more
of their individual heights or the average height of all such contours, extend
beyond the non-
threaded/non-contoured diameter of component 2A, DmnT. In an exemplary
embodiment, a
threaded section 12 may have a height HT that makes the threaded section 12
have the same
or slightly larger D compared to the central cross-section of linkage 2 (e.g.,
linkage 2 with
and without coating 2B). In an exemplary embodiment, the height of threaded
section 12,
HT, may be about 0.0625 inches from an axis running perpendicular to the cross-
section of
linkage 2. In an exemplary embodiment, threaded sections 12 may result from
thread rolling
or other such cold rolling machining processes as are known to those skilled
in the art. In an
exemplary embodiment, the ratio of (HT + DmnT) to D is between about 0.80 to
about 1.64. In
an alternative exemplary embodiment, the ratio of HT to DmnT is between about
0.05 to about
0.20. Where an exemplary linkage 2 has a plurality of contours 3a-e/g, DMnT
may be
calculated by taking the average cross-section as previously described, and HT
may be
calculated by taking the average of the peaks and troughs of each of the
plurality of contours
3a-e/g as compared to the DmnT, where all peaks and troughs above DmnT to have
positive
values and all peaks and troughs below DmnT to have negative values.
[0052] In the illustrative exemplary embodiment of Fig. 16C, an exemplary
linkage 2
of diameter D may have a coating 2B over substantially its entire length Lm so
that Lc may
represent the operative length of linkage 2. Those skilled in the art may
appreciate that Fig.
16C may illustrate embodiments of an exemplary linkage 2 having a metal
component 2A
covered in a flexible tube 2B. Alternatively, Fig. 16C may illustrate various
surface features
of an exemplary linkage 2, but it should be understood any of the illustrated
features may be
found in isolation of other features or over different distances, depths, and
have different
shapes, angles, dimensions, configurations, and properties. For example, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may have a coating 2B, wherein the coating 2B may have threads 12 at
both head 1
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and tail 0 of the linkage 2. Alternatively, coating 2B of an exemplary linkage
2 may have
only contours 3a-e/g and no threads along its length L. Any of the surface
geometries
illustrated by and/or described with respect to Fig. 16C may apply equally to
exemplary
linkage coatings, such as coating 2B, of any other figures, including, but not
limited to, Figs.
3A-D, 16A-B, 5, 11C, and 15.
[0053] As further illustrated by Fig. 16C, an exemplary component 2A may
have a
major diameter Dm and a minor diameter D. For an exemplary component 2A with a
minor
diameter Dm, Dm may be dimensioned to engage one or more internal contours 3f
of
coating/tube 2B. An exemplary contour 3f may allow for better adherence of
coating/tube 2B
to component 2A, may allow for greater resistance to tearing, wearing,
disengagement with,
or over-stretching of coating/tube 2B, e.g., in response to flexing or
movement of component
2A. As further illustrated in Fig. 16C, coating contours 3e may be among any
of the coatings
3a-d/f/g/h described herein, including combinations and patterns of the same.
[0054] As further illustrated in Fig. 16C, an exemplary face coating 2C may
be at the
head 1 and/or tail 0 of an exemplary linkage 2. An exemplary face coating 2C
may have the
same or lesser friction than coating/tube 2B. An exemplary face coating 2C/2D
may provide
a soft zone or flexible buffer region for an exemplary metal component 2A to
allow such a
linkage 2 to satisfy any of the tests found in section 18 of the June 2010
United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission Laboratory Test Manual for Toy Testing, in
particular
all subsections of section 9.2 and 18, in particular, section 9.2.4 Sharp
Point Test, 9.2.5 Sharp
Edge Test, and 9.3.6 Flexure Test. While a face coating 2C/2D may be used to
satisfy the
aforementioned tests, as disclosed herein, an entirely metal linkage 2 or a
linkage 2
comprising flexible coatings substantially along its length but with exposed
metal faces
and/or ends may also be configured to satisfy such tests. In an exemplary
embodiment, face
coating 2C/2D may have a maximum amount of material at a height of 0.5D and/or
0.5Dm.
In another exemplary embodiment, face coating 2C/2D may have one or more
peaks, valleys,
and/or protrusions of various cross sections, e.g., circular, rectilinear.
[0055] In one embodiment, coating 2B may have a thickness Tci measured from
an
outside contour 3a-e/g and/or thread 12 to an inside contour 3f. In another
embodiment,
coating 2B may have a thickness Tc2 measured from a non-contoured surface of
the coating
2B to the most radially proximal surface of component 2A. In this embodiment,
an area of
surface of coating 2B may be considered "non-contoured" if the surfaces within
the square
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area maintain the same perpendicular distance from the axis of component 2A.
In another
embodiment, coating 2B may have a thickness To measured from a contoured
surface 3e of
coating 2B to the most-radially proximal surface of component 2A. In another
embodiment,
coating 2B may have a face coating 2C of thickness Tc4 measured from the outer
surface of
face coating 2C to the closest surface of component 2A. In yet another
embodiment, coating
2B may have a face coating 2D of thickness Tc5 measured from the furthest end
of linkage 2
to the furthest end of component 2A.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, Tci, Tc2, and Tc3 are substantially
equal. In
another exemplary embodiment, one or more of Tci, Tc12, or Tc3 is no greater
than about 0.01
inches to about 0.05 inches, such as, for example, 0.031925 inches. In yet
another exemplary
embodiment, Tc2 is always less than Tci. Alternatively, in another exemplary
embodiment,
Tc3 is substantially equal to Tci. In yet another exemplary embodiment, Tc3
may be any of
the values for exemplary threads 12 in Table 1. In another exemplary
embodiment, Tc4 is
substantially equal to Tc5. Alternatively, Tc4 may be greater than, less than,
a fraction of, or a
multiple of Tc5. In another exemplary embodiment, Lc does not necessarily
equal Lm + Tc4.
In such an exemplary embodiment, coating 2B may have a coating surface located
at Lm ¨
Tc4, in particular, when the ends of component 2A have their own contours 3f
at their axial
extrema.
[0057] According to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 16D, flexible coating
2B has
a first height Xi, which may be the radial height from the center of linkage
2, the thickness
Tc, or other measurement with a defined reference point. As coupled via
opening 5, an
exemplary linkage 2 may have a junction contour 3h formed in its coating 2B
and which may
be at a height X2. X2 may be slightly less than the height Xi of coating 2B.
The portion of
linkage 2 that may be coupled within an exemplary block 10/30-70 may have a
coating 2B
that is at a height X3, which is at least less than the height Xi, and may, in
certain
embodiments, be less than the height X2. In an exemplary embodiment the ratio
X2/X1 may
be between about 0.925 and about 0.999. In another exemplary embodiment the
ratio X3/X1
may be between about 0.8725 and about 0.9999. In an exemplary embodiment,
X3/X1 may
be between about 0.95 and about 0.90 for both a resilient and flexible coating
2B that may
exert friction forces on the inside of opening 5 of an exemplary block 10/30-
70.
[0058] According to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 16D, the portion of
an
exemplary head/tail 1/0 of an exemplary linkage 2 that contacts the opening 5
of block 10/30-
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70 may be a length LK. In an exemplary embodiment LK may be less than the
depth of
opening 5 of block 10 measured from the outermost edge of opening 5 to cavity
8 of an
exemplary block 10, e.g., 1/4 of the depth, 1/2 of the depth, or 3/4 of the
depth. Alternatively, LK
may be such that a free length of an exemplary linkage 2 within an exemplary
block 10,
denoted LF, does not interfere with other structures trying to fit within Lego
brick 10 (e.g.,
other Lego bricks 10, other exemplary linkages 2). Further alternatively, LK
may be based on
the number of studs and/or LDU of exemplary Lego blocks 10, e.g., two stud
lengths, three
stud lengths, four stud lengths, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, length LK
may be between
about 1 and about 3 LDU in length as measured from the forward-most end of
opening S. In
an exemplary embodiment, length LF may be between about 1 and about 2 LDU in
length as
measured from the boundary of an exemplary cavity 9 and an exemplary opening 5
of an
exemplary block 10/30-70. Alternatively, LF may be measured from the surface
within an
exemplary block 10/30-70 that either (i) lies in a plane that is orthogonal to
opening 5, or (ii)
whose central axis is orthogonal to the central axis of opening S.
[0059] With further reference to Fig. 16D, an exemplary linkage 2 may be
coupled to
an exemplary block 10/30-70 via opening 5 or any other disclosed aperture by
compressing
an exemplary elastomeric coating 2B from a height of Xi (outside of opening
5), to a height
X2 (on the border outside or inside of opening 5), to a height of X3 (inside
of opening 5). In
alternative embodiments, coating 2B may regain some, all, or none of its
original height Xi
once inside cavity 8 of the aforementioned exemplary block, wherein that
cavity height is X4.
An exemplary internal coating 2B height X4 may be the height at any point on
coating 2B
along LF. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio X4/X1 may be between about
0.975 and
about 0.999. An exemplary coating 2B may have a juncture 2J with component 2A
that may
contain one or more adhesives, welds, stitches, and/or impregnated material
into component
2A, or combinations of the same. Alternatively, where coating 2B may be a
tube, juncture 2J
may be a substantially non-permanent junction between component 2A and coating
2B.
[0060] Another exemplary embodiment of posability may be seen with respect
to
Figs. 17A-C. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 17A, an exemplary linkage
2 having a
component 2A, which may be made out of a flexible metal, and a coating 2B,
such as, for
example, an elastomer or flexible plastic coating, may be coupled to an
exemplary block or
blocks 10/30-70 via an opening S. Block or blocks 10/30-70 may be further
coupled, either
removably or integrally with block or blocks 100/200, which may be the same as
blocks
10/30-70, a block described herein, or any conventional block in the prior
art.
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[0061] At the juncture between linkage 2 and opening 5, an exemplary metal
component 2A of an exemplary linkage 2 may be found along a distance LK
circumscribed by
opening 5 and a distance LF beyond the walls of opening 5 and/or found in an
exemplary
cavity 9 of an exemplary block or blocks 10/30-70. As previously described,
component 2A,
which may be made of a flexible metal, may be located only along length LK
while a coating
thickness 2C may be found along a length LF. Alternatively, component 2A may
be located
along LK and LF. The ratio R of LF to LK may be less than about 1.0, and in an
alternative
embodiment is no more than about 0.75. In another embodiment, LF may be a
length that is
about equal to the thickness Tc4 of linkage section 2C. In another embodiment,
LF may be a
length that is about equal to the thickness To of linkage section 2D. The
person of ordinary
skill in the art, by reviewing the interrelated embodiments of Figs. 16A-D and
17A-D, will
understand numerous interrelationships between Lc, Lm, LF, LK, Tc4, and/or To
that may be
understood from the disclosures herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the person
skilled in
the art would understand the benefits of maintaining some length of component
2A within
opening 5 of block or blocks 10/30-70 to increase friction and/or contact
forces between
coating 2B and the surface(s) of opening 5 of block or blocks 10/30-70.
[0062] With further reference to the illustrative embodiments of Figs. 17A-
D, an
exemplary linkage 2 may be coupled to exemplary block(s) or brick(s) 10/30-70,
such as, for
example Lego blocks, Lego-like blocks, hybrid blocks, 3D printed blocks,
which may
themselves be connected to or be integral with blocks/bricks 100/200. An
exemplary linkage
2 may enter opening 5 of block(s) and/or brick(s) 10/30-70 along the x-axis.
The plane
tangent to the surface of block(s) and/or brick(s) that intersects an
exemplary linkage 2 may
be perpendicular to the central-most axis of component 2A. At this juncture,
the x-, y-, and
z-axes for the intersection of the central-most axis of linkage 2 with
block(s) and/or brick(s)
10/30-70, which together form joint 20, may be said to have their origins
located there.
However, persons of skill in the art may determine other locations along an
exemplary
linkage 2 and/or components 2A and 2B, or exemplary block(s) and/or brick(s)
10/30-70 that
may serve as origins for the x-, y-, and z-axes, see, e.g., Fig, 2 and Fig.
15.
[0063] Referring to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 17A, a component 2A
of an
exemplary linkage 2 may extend from opening 5 substantially along the x-axis
while coating
2B may or may not extend from opening 5 substantially along the x-axis due to
different
contours 3/3a-h in coating 2B, intermittent application of coating 2B on
component 2A,
and/or other configurations of coating 2B. However, in another exemplary
embodiment,
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coating 2B may extend substantially along the same axes as component 2A,
although it may
not completely cover component 2A of an exemplary linkage 2. Furthermore,
while coating
2B may extend along substantially the same axes as component 2A (e.g., the x-
axis), an
exemplary coating 2B may or may not extend from the same points as component
2A (e.g.,
only component 2A may be found along length LF, while component 2B only begins
to exist
along length LK, as may be the case for an exemplary linkage illustratively
disclosed in Fig.
16B).
[0064] Referring to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 17B, in use, an
exemplary
linkage 2 may be bent upon application of a user force, e.g., a positioning
force that results
from a user moving either the linkage 2 and/or a brick or block 10/30-
70/100/200 coupled to
the linkage 2, and is not one that results exclusively from gravity acting on
the linkage 2
and/or the brick or block 10/30-70/100/200 coupled thereto). Such a
positioning force may
cause an exemplary linkage 2 to have a pose or conformation p. In an exemplary
embodiment, p may comprise an "elbow" bend (which may be at a substantially
right angle)
or other arc-like bend. In an exemplary joint 20, there is minimal to no
curvature p along
length LK, although at least some curvature p may be present along an
exemplary linkage 2
(with or without coating 2B) at the outside facing end of opening 5 and/or at
position X2 An
exemplary curvature p may be one or more curved portions of an exemplary
linkage 2, and
not necessarily just the portion of exemplary linkage 2 at opening 5.
[0065] Referring to the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 17C, an exemplary
linkage 2
may extend from exemplary block(s) or brick(s) 10/30-70 along the x-axis and
then be bent
by a user in the y- and/or z-directions so as to have a pose or conformation
p. As also
illustratively shown, a portion of component 2A and the component 2's
thickness Tc4 of end
covering 2C may together cover a distance of length LF. The distance LK
illustrated may only
relate to a portion of linkage 2 whose head 1 may be too long to fit within
opening 5 of the
particular block(s) or bricks(s). However, an exemplary linkage 2 may be
configured so that
the friction forces from opening 5 resulting from compression of a flexible
covering 2B
against a metal component 2A each serves to securely anchor exemplary linkage
2 within
opening S.
[0066] As illustrated in Fig. 17C, an exemplary linkage 2 may be bent by a
user force
into one or more conformations in positive and negative x-, y- and/or z-axis
directions, as has
been previously described. In any one of the exemplary conformations,
including those
illustratively disclosed with respect to Figs. 17C-D, an exemplary linkage 2
may substantially
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maintain its pose p over a period of time. In an exemplary embodiment, p may
have an
origin at opening 5 (as shown from the origin of the x-, y-, and z-axes) and
may triangulate
with the endpoint of component 2A of an exemplary linkage 2 that is part of
length LK inside
brick/block 10/30-70 (point Q), the outer-most edge of opening 5 that is
parallel to the y/z
axes (point R), and all points along the length of p (shown in dashed and
dotted line in Figs.
17C-D) (point(s) S).
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of posability, a posability triangle
("T") may
have angles a, 0, and y between lengths QS and RS, RS and RQ, and RQ and QS,
respectively. In an exemplary embodiment a is always an acute angle between QS
and RS,
while 0 and y may be any angle between RS and RQ and RQ and QS, respectively.
In another
exemplary embodiment, only when portions of an exemplary linkage 2 in p
overlap
themselves may 0 and y be substantially 90 degrees. For certain lengths of
exemplary linkage
2, only 0 may be substantially 90 degrees for one triangle T among all
triangles T for a given
p. For certain lengths of exemplary linkage 2, 0 and y may be substantially 90
degrees for a
plurality of triangles T among all triangles T for a given p.
[0068] In another exemplary embodiment, triangle T may have coordinates on
the x-,
y-, and z-axes. In another exemplary embodiment, triangle T may have
coordinates on the x-,
and only one of the y-, and z-axes. In another exemplary embodiment, QR may be
the x-axis
length of triangle T or Tx, which may be substantially equal to the length of
component 2A
along length LK. In yet another exemplary embodiment, QR and/or Tx lies
substantially on
the central axis of component 2A. In yet another exemplary embodiment, QR
and/or Tx lies
substantially on the central axis of an exemplary linkage 2.
[0069] An exemplary pos ability of an exemplary linkage 2 may be contingent
on the
section modulus of plasticity and/or the area moment of inertia. In an
exemplary
embodiment, an exemplary linkage 2 may be configured so that its section
modulus of
plasticity (Z) may be defined by Equation 1:
Equation 1: 7 = (DM-AVG + 2TC-AVG )3
P 6
[0070] Where DM-AVG may be the average of all Dm and Dm for component 2A
about
Lm plus LT (to the extent component 2A has such contoured ends) and TGAvG may
be the
average of all TG1, TC2, TC3, TC4, and To for covering 2B about Lc.
Preferably, a posable
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linkage 2 with component 2A and 2B may have a zp less than about 1.4000.
Further
preferably, posable linkage 2 may have a Z, less than about 0.58333.
[0071] In another exemplary embodiment of posability, an
exemplary linkage 2 may
be configured so that the area moment of inertia ("I") for component 2A ("IM")
is less than or
equal to that for covering 2B ("Ic"). In one embodiment, the smaller the area
moment of
inertia for an exemplary linkage 2, the greater the posability of the
exemplary linkage 2. In
an exemplary embodiment, the ratio of Ic/IM for an exemplary posable linkage 2
may be
greater than about 1 but less than about 50. In an alternative embodiment of
posability,
may be less than about 4.9 x lein4 and preferably, less than or equal to about
7.4 x 10-7 in4.
In accordance with these and other exemplary embodiments, Ic for an exemplary
linkage 2
may be less than about 2.821 x l0 in4.
[0072] As a result of being inserted into an exemplary block
10/30-70 via opening 5,
an exemplary linkage 2 may have a coating 2B that may exert the following
restoring force
(FR) against opening 5 of one or more of the exemplary blocks and/or their
hybrids described
by, for example, Equation 2:
Equation 2: FR = AE [(X2-X1)/Xi]
[0073] Where A is the area of an exemplary coating 2B within
length LK. An
exemplary A is equal to the product of the coating 2B thickness Tc, length LK,
and the
product of the number pi (it) and linkage 2 diameter D. Alternatively, A may
be equal to the
product. of ED , length LK, and 70. Further alternatively, FR and
A may be. the
derivative of the force and/or area over length LK. In a further alternative
embodiment, A
may be derived from any other formulae known to those skilled in the art for
determining the
area of coating 2B within length LK. E is the modulus of elasticity of an
exemplary coating
2B. The restoring force FR may represent the force exerted by the compressed
portions of
coating 2B on the inside surface of an exemplary opening 5.
[0074] As a result of being inserted into an exemplary block
10/30-70 via opening 5,
the exemplary length LK of an exemplary linkage 2 head/tail 1/0 may be held
therein at least
by a friction force FF exerted against the coating 2B according to, for
example, Equation 3:
Equation 3: FF (FR)(11)
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[0075] Where FR is the restoration force for a deflected coating 2B and ft
is the
coefficient of friction for the opening 5 of an exemplary block 10/30-70.
Thus, the
dimensioning of an exemplary coating 2B vis-à-vis opening 5 may allow for
greater frictional
forces to retain an exemplary linkage 2 within an exemplary block 10/30-70.
The friction
forces FF may be increased by the rigid attachment of coating 2B to an
exemplary metal
component 2A. In embodiments where blocks 10/30-70 are made of plastic, such
as ABS or
PLA plastic, an exemplary linkage 2 with a metal wire component 2A having a
coating 2B
adhered thereto may take greater advantage of the restoring forces FR
generated as a result of
coating 2B deflecting in response to insertion within such blocks 10/30-70.
Application of
Equation 3 may be made to determine the friction force of coating 2B (FF,c)
generated by the
resistance forces of the opening 5 of the exemplary block 10/30-70 on coating
2B, where ft is
that for the material of coating 2B. Use of an exemplary coating 2B in
conjunction with
component 2A may make for a more robust retention of an exemplary linkage 2
within the
opening 5 of an exemplary block 10/30-70 and blocks incorporating the same.
[0076] In a further exemplary embodiment, as illustratively shown in Figs.
18A-D, an
exemplary linkage 2 of the type disclosed may be an integrated linkage 2E that
may be
integrally formed with a Lego-like block or brick 80 and/or be a welded
linkage 2F that may
be mechanically/chemically attached to a block/brick 90. Block/brick 80/90 may
be a form
of any block or brick 10/30-70, coupled or integrally formed with one of
blocks 100/200,
and/or may be a form of any other block or brick disclosed or known to those
skilled in the
art. In an exemplary embodiment, the material comprising linkage 2E may be
formed first
and then integrated with the mold or fabrication tooling while making block 80
so that
linkage 2E can be embedded within block 80 as it is formed and/or be
"captured" by the
material making up block 80 so as to form one component. An exemplary linkage
2E may be
pre-treated to couple to a block 80 by increasing the surface area on the
integration end of the
linkage 2E, e.g., increasing grooves, gnarling, contouring, cold rolling, and
other surface area
increases known to those skilled in the art. An exemplary integration end of
linkage 2E may
be one or more of the head 1 or tail 0 sections of disclosed linkages 2.
[0077] In an alternative embodiment, Figs. 18A and 18C illustrate an
exemplary weld
linkage 2F that may be adhered to or otherwise held by Lego-like block or
brick 90 by way of
glues, pressure welding, vibration welding, sintering, soldering, or plastic
welding. The
adhesion location for linkage 2F to Lego-like brick 90 may be at joinder
section 92, which
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may be intermittent or substantially continuous along the length of linkage 2F
bounded by
Lego-like brick 90. In exemplary embodiments, linkages 2E and 2F, Lego-like
blocks 80 and
90, component 2A, and coating 2B may be interchanged with, interrelated to,
combined with,
used as an alternative to, and/or modified by any of the disclosures of toy
linkages and related
systems herein.
[0078] An exemplary integrated linkage 2E may be embedded in block 80 as
shown
in Fig. 18B. An exemplary integrated linkage 2E may have an overall diameter D
that may
be substantially the same as or less than the thickness of block 80, TBK.
Alternatively, an
exemplary linkage 2E may have a component 2A of diameter Dm that is integrated
with block
80. According to this exemplary embodiment, component 2A may have one section
that may
be integrated with block 80 and a remainder section that is not integrated
with block 80, the
"free" section, that may be component 2A in isolation, component 2A with
covering 2B, and
any form of other linkage 2 forms, components, coverings, and
interrelationships disclosed.
For example, an exemplary linkage 2E may be integrated with block 80 over a
length
equivalent to length (i) LK, GO LK LF, and/or (iii) LT. Alternatively, an
exemplary linkage
2E may have a threads 12 or contours 3a-h at its head 1 to allow for better
integration with
block 80. In another embodiment, block 80 may be a more elaborate form of face
covering
2C/D applied to a coated linkage 2.
[0079] An exemplary welded linkage 2F may be coupled to block 90 as shown
in Fig.
18C. An exemplary welded linkage 2E may have an overall diameter D that may be
substantially the same as, greater than, or less than the thickness of block
90, TBK. In an
exemplary embodiment, block 90 may have a repository 0 in its surface for a
welded linkage
2F such that a portion of linkage 2F diameter D intersects block 90 thickness
TBK. In another
exemplary embodiment, block 90 joinder sections 92 may be formed so that the
diameter D
of linkage 2F may be interconnected with a surface T or in the thickness TBK
of block 90. An
exemplary diameter D of linkage 2F or surface T of block 90 may be treated to
increase its
surface area to permit an exemplary joinder 92 between both. While joinder 92
may be
shown filling in the entire area between diameter D and block 90 surface T,
this may not
necessarily be the case, and air gaps, channels, and cavities may be present
without affecting
the goal. As previously described, joinder 92 may be comprised of a bonding
agent or glue, a
melted plastic or epoxy, a solder, a stitch, a staple, a vibration weld,
pressure weld, sintered
edge, and/or other weld form known to those skilled in the art. In an
exemplary embodiment
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where linkage 2F may be a coated linkage having a cover 2B of thickness Tc,
the thickness
Tc may be smaller at joinder sections 92 than elsewhere on linkage 2F to
account for
chemical/mechanical augmentations to allow coupling of linkage 2F to brick 90.
Alternatively, an uncoated section of linkage 2F having threads 12 and/or
contours 3a-h may
also interact with joinder section 92 and may be the sole section on linkage
2F to couple with
block 90. In accordance with this embodiment, the smaller diameter Dm may be
used to weld
linkage 2F to block 90 while the larger diameter D may exist outside of the
junction zone
formed by joinder 92 and surface T. An exemplary surface T may be equal to
approximately
0.465 *D or approximately 1.500*Tc.
[0080] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 18D, an exemplary integrated
Lego-like
block 80/90 may also have a user force applied to its integrated linkage 2E or
weld linkage
2F so as to cause either linkage to maintain a pose p in the x-, y-, and z-
plane. The origin of
the pose p may be found at the junction of the axis of an exemplary linkage
2E/2F and the
orthogonal surface of Lego-like block 80/90. If Lego-like block 80/90 does not
have an
orthogonal surface, then the plane tangent to the first surface which contacts
linkage 2E/2F
may be suitable as a plane for the origin point, although persons skilled in
the art may choose
other suitable origin points. The p of an exemplary integrated linkage 2E or
weld linkage 2F
may the same or similar to that of an exemplary linkage 2 with the exception
that block 80/90
necessarily will be involved in the pose. In other words, blocks 80/90, like
an elaborate face
coating 2C/2D are one with the linkage 2E/2F. In an exemplary embodiment, IM <
Ic for
integrated linkage 2E or weld linkage 2F. According to this exemplary
embodiment, the ratio
of Ic/Im for an exemplary posable integrated linkage 2E or posable weld
linkage 2F may be
greater than about 1 but less than about 55.
[0081] While exemplary linkages 2 may be illustrated in cross-section and
in full by
Figs. 16A-D, Figs. 17A-D, and Figs. 18A-D, those skilled in the art will
readily understand
these illustrations may apply to sections, subsections, ends, or combinations
of the same for
an exemplary linkage 2 in whole or in part from various vantage points and in
any of the
other interrelated embodiments described.
[0082] Many further variations and modifications may suggest themselves to
those
skilled in art upon making reference to above disclosure and foregoing
interrelated and
interchangeable illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example
only, and are
not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the interrelated embodiments of
the invention
described herein. While many of the exemplary bricks 10/30-90 have been
disclosed, these
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exemplary bricks may be integrated components with other exemplary building
blocks and
need not exist in isolation. Thus, it is contemplated that the exemplary
bricks 10/30-90 and
their various surface structures and dimensions may be utilized in conjunction
with and as
integrated parts of presently available building block systems in addition to
functioning on
their own.
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