US3787996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy blocks having panelled construction
Assignee: CBS Broadcasting Inc
•
Filing: 1972-08-15
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A construction toy which includes a plurality of similarly contoured molded plastic blocks that can be arranged in inverted triangles and other top heavy constructions. Each block comprises an outer shell of generally cubical shape with each of the end opposing surfaces having a pair of crossed V-shaped notches of right angular shape, the notches extending completely across the block so that the side surfaces of the shell are hourglassshaped. Four triangular panels extend from the side edges of the shell and intersect at the center thereof, the exposed edges of the panels being oriented and dimensioned to lie in the planes defining the crossed V-shaped notches at both ends of the block. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, four elongated rectangular panels extend from the neck portions of the hourglass-shaped side surfaces of the shell and intersect the center of the shell. The invention particularly lends itself to being injection molded in a single-cavity mold.
Inventors
- 👤 J Smith
- 👤 S Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:19
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A toy building block which is suitable as a member of a set of substantially identical blocks for constructional play, comprising: an outer shell of generally cubical shape with each of two end opposing surfaces thereof having a pair of crossed V-shaped notches of essentially right angular shape, each of said notches extending completely across the shell so that the side surfaces of the shell are hourglass-shaped, the elongated vertices of said notches intersecting orthogonally; and four generally trianguLar panels each extending from one of the four parallel edges of said shell to the center thereof so as to meet at said center, the exposed edges of said panels being oriented and dimensioned to lie in the planes defining the crossed V-shaped notches at both ends of said shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A toy building block which is suitable as a member of a set of substantially identical blocks for constructional play, comprising: an outer shell of generally cubical shape with each of two end opposing surfaces thereof having a pair of crossed V-shaped notches of essentially right angular shape, each of said notches extending completely across the shell so that the side surfaces of the shell are hourglass-shaped, the elongated vertices of said notches intersecting orthogonally; and four generally trianguLar panels each extending from one of the four parallel edges of said shell to the center thereof so as to meet at said center, the exposed edges of said panels being oriented and dimensioned to lie in the planes defining the crossed V-shaped notches at both ends of said shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The building block as defined by claim 1 further comprising four elongated rectangular panels extending from the neck portions of the hourglass-shaped side surfaces of said shell and intersecting at the center thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The building block as defined by claim 1 further comprising eight generally triangular members forming walls on the notched surfaces at only one end of said shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The building block as defined by claim 2 further comprising eight generally triangular members forming walls on the notched surfaces at only one end of said shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The building block as defined by claim 1 wherein said block is completely formed of a single piece of plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The building block as defined by claim 2 wherein said block is completely formed of a single piece of plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The building block as defined by claim 3 wherein said block is completely formed of a single piece of plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The building block as defined by claim 4 wherein said block is completely formed of a single piece of plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The building block as defined by claim 1 wherein said block is completely formed of injection molded plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The building block as defined by claim 4 wherein said block is completely formed of injection molded plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A set of toy building blocks comprising a plurality of blocks as defined in accordance with claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A set of toy building blocks which comprises a plurality of blocks as defined in accordance with claim 4.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A set of building blocks which comprises a plurality of blocks as defined in accordance with claim 8.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3550310A
Cited
US3708910A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |