Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLAY TOY IN THE FORM OF INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS AND METHOD FOR
LOCKING INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCKS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention refers to a toy, more specifically a set of
interchangeable blocks
with a locking method enabled by an additional device, allowing to set up
varied ludic
scenarios by the different shapes in which the blocks are presented, intended
for the
field of toys, motor skills development toys, planning and building skills
development
toys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
The first reference to toys in block format goes back to year 1693. There are
wood
models with different shapes that were stacked in order to form something. In
order to
improve the experience and increase stability and length of exposure, some
models
feature fitting devices between modules or blocks.
A solution can be understood by patent application US349646, issued
21/09/1886,
entitled BLOCK, which claimed, a rectangular block with grooves on the top,
which
conform to multiple squares, adapted and designed to receive lower edges from
other
corresponding blocks.
This solution came to be staggered and produced in many different forms in the
product
of the manufacturer INTERLEGO, with numerous patents dating, as from the
middle of
the 20th century.
A different form of interlocking is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3822499, issued
July 9, 1974,
entitled TOY BUILDING BLOCK SUITABLE FOR A PAD, RAFT OR THE LIKE which claimed
a
plurality of semi rigid blocks to form a floating cushion or raft, each block
being cube-
shaped, and may have truncated corners. The faces are provided with a hole to
receive
detachable elements with cylindrical body with spherical heads, allowing it to
be
attached to another block, with the head inserted in its hole.
The national patent application, PI9402723-4, published on 04/02/1996,
entitled TOY,
claimed a toy made of rectangular blocks, each equipped with ditch, on its
bottom,
symmetrical to spike at the top to coupling adjacent blocks.
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The relevance of the abovennentioned models lies in the stacking form and
lateral
predisposition. The model discussed in US349646, like the overwhelming
majority of
existing blocks, has a face provided with a protruding device and a face with
a
symmetrical recess or that allows it to receive and interlock the
aforementioned
protruding device. Document US3822499 on its turn, requires a certain coupling
ability
between the components, in that, when the detachable member is inserted in the
first
block, by compression of the ball head into the bore, the free, opposing head,
upon
compression of an adjacent block, may press the head into the block to which
the other
head has been interlocked. Although the body is solid and the mentioned hole
has a
limited depth, in view of the structural conformation of the block in semi-
rigid material,
it may cause failure of the head to be coupled with the corresponding hole.
Another drawback of the listed models, except for PI9402723-4, as well as most
interchangeable block toy models, is that the improved locking requires a
greater effort
and technique of the child, incurring in frustration that can trigger
momentary and, even
continuous stress, if successive attempts fail.
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
Taking into account the known elements, the inventor has developed the present
toy,
object of this patent application, hereinafter referred to as LUDIC TOY
INTERCHANGEABLE BUILDING BLOCKS WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCK LOCKING
METHOD, which comprehends blocks made from polymeric material, based on the
quadrangular geometry of a cube with rounded edges, featuring at the common
edge
of two adjacent sides, centered perpendicularly to mentioned sides, one or
more narrow
slots, with a perfect fit to hold 1/4 of the locking device, whose thickness
is equal to or
greater than the width of the aforementioned slot. The block may have the
shape of a
cube, extended to form a cobblestone, or additional shapes, such as that of a
scalene
triangle, a triangle whose longest side is bulged, a trapezoid, a half cube or
a cube with
a cavity. The toy includes disk-shaped locking devices, also offered as a half
disc or a
polygon (quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, among others). The
method
of interaction with the toy consists of the juxtaposition of two or more
blocks, aligning
at least one slot of each block, coupling a locking device and, if desired,
juxtaposing other
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blocks, moving one of its slots towards the exposed portion of the locking
device, which
has the function of providing the immobilization and alignment between
adjacent
blocks, dispensing accurate technique for the engagement and undocking of the
parts.
Blocks and locking devices may be made from polymeric material of varying
densities,
featuring smooth or textured surfaces to improve the grip while handling them,
with
different colors for each of the elements, patterns or colors.
The benefits of this toy in interchangeable block format with flattened
locking device
are many: it develops strength in both fingers and hands, improving hand-eye
coordination, without requiring too much effort; encourages the child to make
friends
and cooperate; encourages interaction; fosters imagination and creativity as
the child
designs and assembles new block sets; intellectually, the child develops
mental potential
as well as his vocabulary, as it describes shapes, sizes, colors and
positions; by grouping
elements, the child develops mathematical skills, adding or subtracting;
sharpens his
perception of the disposition and alignment of blocks; expands his experience
with
gravity, balance and geometry learned by handling the toy blocks.
FIGURES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE OBJECT OF THE PATENT APPLICATION
Hereinafter, the object of this patent application will be described in
detail, including
joint numerical references to the following description, without any
restriction to the
proportions and materials to be used in its industrial manufacturing, where:
Figures 1 and 2, respectively, show the top and bottom perspective of a multi-
geometric
block assembly with coupled locking devices, so as to allow for a better
understanding
of how blocks interact, as well of the locking method itself;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 2;
Figures 4 and 5 are orthogonal, respectively, front and bottom views of an
assembly of
several blocks of different geometries;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a block, in the shape of a cube;
Figure 9 is a top perspective view of a block, in cobblestone format;
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Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with
triangular
profile;
Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with a
triangular
profile and a larger bulged face;
Figures 14 and 15 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with
rectangular
profile;
Figures 16 and 17 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with
trapezoidal
profile;
Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block with
half-cube
profile;
Figures 20 and 21 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block, in
the shape of
a cube with a portal-shaped cavity;
Figures 22 and 21 are perspective views, of opposite angles, of a block, in
the shape of
a cube with a portal-shaped cavity;
Figure 23 is a perspective view of the disk-shaped locking device;
Figures 24 and 25 are orthogonal, respectively, front and profile views of the
disk-
shaped locking device;
Figure 26 is a perspective view of the locking device, in its half-moon or
half-disc variant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the above figures, the LUDIC TOY INTERCHANGEABLE BUILDING BLOCKS
WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCK LOCKING METHOD, the main object of this patent
application, comprises blocks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) shaped to form a
basic geometry
- see Figure 8, of the cube block (1) with rounded edges (9); the said blocks
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7 and 8) at the common edge of two adjacent sides (A and B and / or B and C
and / or
A and C and / or A and D and / or A and E and / or F and B and / or F and C
and / or F and
D and / or F and E), centrally, perpendicularly to the aforementioned sides,
are provided
with at least one narrow and rounded (101) slot (10), the axis (102) of its
radius being
centered at the intersection of the sides; the geometry of the slot (10)
conforms to a
portion (111) which is equivalent to at least 374 - see Figure 24- of the
locking device (11)
or half of the locking device (12), with a thickness equal to or greater than
the width of
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the aforementioned slot (10). The said bock, in addition to its basic cube (1)
form,
presents variants of the cobblestone block (2), which features twice the width
of the
cube block (1); the scalene block (3), with a scalene triangle profile, from
the angular
cut, at 45 degrees, of a cube block (1); the bulged triangular block (4), from
the angular
5 cut on, at 45 degrees of the cube block (1), with a large rounded side
(41); Rectangle
triangle block (5), from the angular cut of half the cube block (1); a
trapezoidal block (6),
constructed from the cube block (1) with angular cut, from the upper end to
the median
portion (M) of the cube block (1); half cube block (7) is obtained from the
parallel cut
with any of the sides, in the medial portion (M), of half the cube block (1);
and the portal
block (8) consists of the geometry of the cube block (1), provided with a
cavity (81).
A preferred construction form of the blocks (1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6,7 or 8)
comprises: 12 (twelve)
slots (10) in the cube block (1); 12 (twelve) slots (10) in the cobblestone
block (2); 5 (five)
slots (10) in the scalene block (3); 5 (five) slots (10) in the bulged
triangular block (4); 1
(one) slot (10) in the rectangular triangle block (5); 6 (six) slots (10) in
the trapezoidal
block (6); 4 (four) slots (10) in the half cube block (7) and 8 (eight) slots
(10) in the portal
block (8). A variant - not shown - of the cobblestone block (2), provides 16
(sixteen) slots
(10).
The block locking method (1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and! or 4 and / or 5 and /
or 6 and!
or 7 and / or 8) comprises the juxtaposition of at least two blocks, the
alignment of at
least one slot (10) on each block, the coupling of a locking device (11) or a
half locking
device (12) and, if desired, juxtaposing other blocks by moving one of its
slots towards
the exposed portion of the locking device (11 or 12). The locking device (11)
allows the
locking of up to 4 (four) adjacent blocks (1 and! or 2 and! or 3 and! or 4 and
/ or 5 and
/ or 6 and / or 7 and / or 8) or, by using the locking device (12), the
locking of up to 2
adjacent blocks is achieved (1 and / or 2 and / or 3 and / or 4 and / or 5 and
/ or 6 and!
or 7 and / or 8). Each block (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) or locking device (11
or 12) may have
a smooth or textured surface for improved grip while handling, with elements
featuring
different colors, patterns or blended colors. Other shapes, based on the basic
geometry
- see Figure 8 ¨ of the cube block (1), including or not one or more slots (s)
(10) may
have, for example, a profile with corrugations, repeated triangles, slots,
arcs, a passing
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hole to the opposite face, openings, pyramidal geometry, cylindrical geometry.
The
locking device (11 or 12) can be replaced by a device with a polygonal shape
(pentagonal,
hexagonal, octagonal), for example, whole or divided in half, with a perfect
fit to the
geometry of the slot (10). The preferred shape of the slot geometry comprises
a straight
angle, which accommodates the locking device in its various polygonal shapes
(pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal).
