Patent US3681870A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3681870A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Construction toy and a block construction therefor
Assignee: CHILDCRAFT EDUCATION CORP
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Filing: 1971-01-27
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1991-01-27
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a construction toy made up of a plurality of geometric forms or blocks, each form or block having an integrally formed outer circumscribing wall to define a hollow structure. One or more hollow struts extend inwardly of each block or hollow structure between opposed wall portions of the circumscribing integral outer wall to reinforce the hollow structure. The hollow struts are also integrally formed to the outer wall with the opposed ends of the respective struts defining an opening in the adjacent outer wall portions of the hollow structure. A coupler complementing the openings is provided for detachably securing two or more blocks together in side by side relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin Alpert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:43
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/10; A63H33/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A hollow geometric shape comprising an outer circumscribing wall to define a given shape of closed construction, and means defining a hollow reinforcing strut disposed internally of said shape and extending between opposed wall portions of said closed shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A hollow geometric shape comprising an outer circumscribing wall to define a given shape of closed construction, and means defining a hollow reinforcing strut disposed internally of said shape and extending between opposed wall portions of said closed shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hollow geometric shape as defined in claim 1 wherein said hollow strut diverges inwardly from the opposed outer ends toward the center thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hollow geometric shape defined in claim 2 wherein the opposed ends of said hollow strut are defined as an opening formed in the plane of said circumscribing wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hollow geometric shape as defined in claim 1 wherein said circumscribing wall comprises an integral, unitary, continuous wall construction devoid of seams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A geometric shape as defined in claim 1 wherein said circumscribing wall and means defining said strut are integrally formed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A geometric shape as defined in claim 5 formed of a moldable plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A construction toy comprising a plurality of construction forms, each form being defined by a circumscribing outer wall to form a hollow block having at least six sides, means defining an opening in a wall portion of each form, a hollow reinforcing strut extending between opposed wall portions, said strut having its bore in alignment with said opening, and means adapted to be received in the openings of adjacent forms to couple two or more of said hollow blocks together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A construction toy comprising a plurality of construction forms, each form being defined by a circumscribing outer wall to form a hollow block having at least six sides, means defining an opening in a wall portion of each form, a hollow reinforcing strut extending between opposed wall portions, said strut having its bore in alignment with said opening, and means adapted to be received in the openings of adjacent forms to couple two or more of said hollow blocks together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A construction toy as defined in claim 7 wherein said strut tapers inwardly toward the center thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A construction toy as defined in claim 7 wherein said coupling means includes a flexible strap, and means connected to said strap at spaced intervals thereon adapted to be frictionally received in the opening formed in the wall of said blocks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A construction toy comprising: a plurality of relatively large geometric forms, each of said geometric forms being defined by an integrally constructed circumscribing wall to define a closed, hollow, light weight figure, each form having at least one hollow thin wall strut extending inwardly thereof between opposed portions of said integral circumscribing wall, said hollow strut defining an opening formed in the opposed portions of said wall, and means for detachably coupling a plurality of said forms together in side by side relationship.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A construction toy comprising: a plurality of relatively large geometric forms, each of said geometric forms being defined by an integrally constructed circumscribing wall to define a closed, hollow, light weight figure, each form having at least one hollow thin wall strut extending inwardly thereof between opposed portions of said integral circumscribing wall, said hollow strut defining an opening formed in the opposed portions of said wall, and means for detachably coupling a plurality of said forms together in side by side relationship.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
A construction block comprising a hollow polygonical form having a plurality of connected sides wherein the adjacent edges of adjacent sides are integrally connected to define a continuous integrally formed circumscribing wall to define a closed hollow form, a hollow reinforcing strut extended between opposed sides of said form, said strut having its opposed end portions integrally formed to said opposed sides, and said end portions defining an opening in each of said opposed sides.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A construction block comprising a hollow polygonical form having a plurality of connected sides wherein the adjacent edges of adjacent sides are integrally connected to define a continuous integrally formed circumscribing wall to define a closed hollow form, a hollow reinforcing strut extended between opposed sides of said form, said strut having its opposed end portions integrally formed to said opposed sides, and said end portions defining an opening in each of said opposed sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said hollow strut tapers inwardly from the opposed ends to the center thereof and said strut being formed of the same material of said hollow form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 and including a reinforcing sleeve forming a core for said strut.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said sleeve comprises a tubular member having outwardly flared end portions, the flared ends defining the openings formed iN the opposed sides of said form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 and including a plurality of similarly constructed forms, and a coupling means for detachably connecting said forms in side by side relationship.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said coupling means includes a central body portion and opposed axially disposed projecting portions, said projecting portions being adapted to be snuggly received in the opening of said block.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said sleeve is embedded in the material of said strut.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |