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US3717948A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal unit for toy blocks

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-22
•
Granted: 1973-02-27
•
Expires: 1991-02-22
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Abstract

Abstract A universal block unit for interengagement with conventional toy blocks comprising a panel having normally offset rims along the longitudinal edges. The rims are provided with elements conforming to those of the toy blocks and interlocking therewith. The universal block has a height equal to a multiple of the toy blocks and a length equal to a multiple of the distance between the centers of the interlocking elements.

Inventors

  • 👤 W Schnabel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 12:54
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/06; A63H33/08; A63H33/088

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 207 words
A universal block unit for interengagement with three dimensional structural toy blocks which have at least two rows of correspondingly uniformly spaced first and second interlocking elements on a pair of opposed surfaces respectively, said first interlocking elements comprising receptacles and said second interlocking elements comprising pins conforming to and axially aligned with said receptacles, said universal block comprising, a flat panel having a length equal to a multiple of the distance between the centers of two adjacent interlocking elements and a height equal to a multiple of the height of said toy blocks, said panel having formed along each of its opposed longitudinal edges a transverse integral surface extending perpendicular to one of the frontal faces of said panel, each transverse surface having a width equal to the distance between the centers of said interlocking elements, and a single row of first interlocking elements formed on one of said transverse surfaces and a single row of second interlocking elements formed on the other of said transverse surfaces, said interlocking elements on each of the transverse surfaces being offset from the adjacent edges of said transverse surfaces by one-half the distance between the centers of adjacent elements to mate with the interlocking elements on said toy block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 207 words
A universal block unit for interengagement with three dimensional structural toy blocks which have at least two rows of correspondingly uniformly spaced first and second interlocking elements on a pair of opposed surfaces respectively, said first interlocking elements comprising receptacles and said second interlocking elements comprising pins conforming to and axially aligned with said receptacles, said universal block comprising, a flat panel having a length equal to a multiple of the distance between the centers of two adjacent interlocking elements and a height equal to a multiple of the height of said toy blocks, said panel having formed along each of its opposed longitudinal edges a transverse integral surface extending perpendicular to one of the frontal faces of said panel, each transverse surface having a width equal to the distance between the centers of said interlocking elements, and a single row of first interlocking elements formed on one of said transverse surfaces and a single row of second interlocking elements formed on the other of said transverse surfaces, said interlocking elements on each of the transverse surfaces being offset from the adjacent edges of said transverse surfaces by one-half the distance between the centers of adjacent elements to mate with the interlocking elements on said toy block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The universal block unit according to Claim 1, wherein the frontal face of said panel is contoured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The universal block unit according to claim 1 wherein the transverse surface provided with the receptacles has a thickness at least corresponding to the height of the pins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The universal block unit according to claim 3, wherein the receptacles are through-bores extending through the transverse surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 166 words
A toy comprising a plurality of three dimensional structural toy blocks, each having at least two rows of uniformly spaced interlocking elements on a pair of opposed surfaces, said interlocking elements on one surface comprising receptacles and said interlocking elements on the other surface comprising mating pins, and a plurality of universal block units for interengagement therewith, each of said universal block units comprising a flat panel having integrally formed, along each its opposed longitudinal edges, side walls perpendicular to one frontal face of said panel, each of said sides having respectively a single row of interlocking elements of one type adapted to conformingly mate with the interlocking elements of said toy blocks, each of said universal block units having a predetermined height and a length selectively predetermined as a multiple of the distance between the centers of the interlocking elements and the interlocking elements being arranged offset from the peripheral edges of said surface by one-half the distance between the centers of the interlocking elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 166 words
A toy comprising a plurality of three dimensional structural toy blocks, each having at least two rows of uniformly spaced interlocking elements on a pair of opposed surfaces, said interlocking elements on one surface comprising receptacles and said interlocking elements on the other surface comprising mating pins, and a plurality of universal block units for interengagement therewith, each of said universal block units comprising a flat panel having integrally formed, along each its opposed longitudinal edges, side walls perpendicular to one frontal face of said panel, each of said sides having respectively a single row of interlocking elements of one type adapted to conformingly mate with the interlocking elements of said toy blocks, each of said universal block units having a predetermined height and a length selectively predetermined as a multiple of the distance between the centers of the interlocking elements and the interlocking elements being arranged offset from the peripheral edges of said surface by one-half the distance between the centers of the interlocking elements.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1207504A Cited
US3162973A Cited
US3481068A Cited
US3546807A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-02-27 1976-08-28 1977-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-02-27 1980-08-28 1981-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-02-27 1984-08-28 1985-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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