US3998003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Construction toy device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-12-22
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Granted: 1976-12-21
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Expires: 1995-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to an educational toy device adapted to the building of three dimensional constructions, which constructions, as a principal sub-component, are based upon the configuration of an equilateral triangle. The device is characterized by a plurality of strut members of equal length and a plurality of linking members arranged to receive the ends of the strut members, the linking members being essentially spherical and formed of an elastomeric, yieldable, high friction material. The linking members include a plurality of radially extending sockets so constructed and arranged as to permit the end portions of struts to be supported therein while allowing the struts to be moved angularly relatively to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Sheldon Rosenbaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:58
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/10; A63H33/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A construction toy device for the formation of three dimensional configurations based upon interlocked equilateral triangles comprising at least six elongated, rigid strut members of equal length and a plurality of elastic linking members adapted to receive and frictionally retain end portions of said strut members, said linking members being of generally spherical shape and including a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, radially directed frictional support sockets extending from the surface at least part way toward the center thereof, and sized yieldingly and frictionally to retain end portions of said struts while permitting a degree of angular bodily movement of said struts, said sockets including and being located as follows: a. a first series of six said sockets lying on the equator of said sphere, the sockets of said first series being equally spaced apart along said equator an angular distance of about 60°; b. second and third series of six sockets each, the sockets of said second and said third series being arrayed between said equator and the North and South poles of said sphere, respectively, the sockets of said second and third series lying on small circles of said sphere, the planes of said small circles being parallel to said equator, said sockets of said second and third series being equally spaced apart on their respective small circles, each socket of said second and third series being angularly offset at an angle of about 60° from two adjacent sockets of said first series.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A construction toy device for the formation of three dimensional configurations based upon interlocked equilateral triangles comprising at least six elongated, rigid strut members of equal length and a plurality of elastic linking members adapted to receive and frictionally retain end portions of said strut members, said linking members being of generally spherical shape and including a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, radially directed frictional support sockets extending from the surface at least part way toward the center thereof, and sized yieldingly and frictionally to retain end portions of said struts while permitting a degree of angular bodily movement of said struts, said sockets including and being located as follows: a. a first series of six said sockets lying on the equator of said sphere, the sockets of said first series being equally spaced apart along said equator an angular distance of about 60°; b. second and third series of six sockets each, the sockets of said second and said third series being arrayed between said equator and the North and South poles of said sphere, respectively, the sockets of said second and third series lying on small circles of said sphere, the planes of said small circles being parallel to said equator, said sockets of said second and third series being equally spaced apart on their respective small circles, each socket of said second and third series being angularly offset at an angle of about 60° from two adjacent sockets of said first series.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A toy device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said linking members include, in addition a polar said socket at each of said North and South poles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A toy device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said linking member includes a fourth series comprising six said sockets, each socket of said fourth series being located on said equator half way betwen each adjacent pair of sockets of said first series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A toy device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the surface of said sphere includes indicia means for enabling the said polar sockets and the sockets of said fourth series to be distinguished from the sockets of said first, second and third series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A toy device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said linking members comprise a cellular material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A toy device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said linking members comprise sponge rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A construction toy device for the formation of three dimensional configurations based on interlocked equilateral triangles, said device including at least six elongated struts and at least four linking members, said linking members being characterized by being comprised of sponge rubber spheres having formed therein a plurality of radially directed friction support sockets adapted yieldingly to receive and frictionally to retain end portions of said struts while permitting a degree of angular movement of said struts relative to said linking members, responsive to deformation of said linking members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A construction toy device for the formation of three dimensional configurations based on interlocked equilateral triangles, said device including at least six elongated struts and at least four linking members, said linking members being characterized by being comprised of sponge rubber spheres having formed therein a plurality of radially directed friction support sockets adapted yieldingly to receive and frictionally to retain end portions of said struts while permitting a degree of angular movement of said struts relative to said linking members, responsive to deformation of said linking members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said support sockets are located relative to said linking members in such manner as to provide a plurality of groups of sockets, the sockets of each group being angularly related to each other by 60°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2709318A
Cited
US3355820A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-06-21 | 1980-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-21 | 1984-06-21 | 1984-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-06-21 | 1988-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |