US4030236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy building blocks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-02-04
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1996-02-04
Abstract
Abstract Toy building blocks are formed with a single row of connecting socket and plug elements. At least one of the exterior surfaces of the block is convexedly bowed and provided with a simulated wood grained structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Schnabel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 03:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/06; A63H33/08; A63H33/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A toy building block for interengagement with similarly constructed toy building blocks comprising a unitary plastic member having a first planar contact surface with at least one hole formed therein, a second planar contact surface parallel to said first contact surface with at least one plug extending therefrom, said holes and plugs being in alignment transverse to the plane of said contact surfaces, planar end surfaces extending perpendicular between said contact surfaces, at least one side face extending between said first and second contact surfaces and said end surfaces, said contact surfaces, said end surfaces and said one side face being integral joined along their edges to form an elongated closed rectangular block, said one side face being convexedly formed so as to extend outwardly from a plane containing the edges of said side face connected to said first and second connecting surfaces, and having molded integral thereon a simulating wood graining extending over its entire area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A toy building block for interengagement with similarly constructed toy building blocks comprising a unitary plastic member having a first planar contact surface with at least one hole formed therein, a second planar contact surface parallel to said first contact surface with at least one plug extending therefrom, said holes and plugs being in alignment transverse to the plane of said contact surfaces, planar end surfaces extending perpendicular between said contact surfaces, at least one side face extending between said first and second contact surfaces and said end surfaces, said contact surfaces, said end surfaces and said one side face being integral joined along their edges to form an elongated closed rectangular block, said one side face being convexedly formed so as to extend outwardly from a plane containing the edges of said side face connected to said first and second connecting surfaces, and having molded integral thereon a simulating wood graining extending over its entire area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
The toy block according to claim 1, wherein said toy block has a depth measured perpendicularly from said first side face toward its opposite side, a height measured perpendicularly from said first connecting surface to said second connecting surface and a length measured by the distance between the end surfaces, said first connecting surface having a plurality of equally spaced holes formed therein and said second connecting surface having a plurality of equally spaced plugs extending therefrom, the distance between an end hole and a corresponding end of said first connecting surface as measured along said length being equal to half the distance between the centers of two adjacent holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toy block according to claim 2, including a second side surface molded in a simulating wood graining and being convexedly formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
The toy block according to claim 2, wherein said first connecting surface comprises a first leg portion having a plurality of said holes and a second leg portion at right angles to said first leg portion also having a plurality of said holes, said first and second leg portions having one common hole, and said second connecting surface comprises a first leg portion having a plurality of said plugs in alignment with said plurality of holes formed in said first leg portion of said first connecting surface, and a second leg portion at right angles to said first leg portion of said second connecting surface also having a plurality of said plugs in alignment with said plurality of holes formed in said second leg portion of said first connecting surface, said first and second leg portions of said second connecting surface having a common plug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The toy block according to claim 1, wherein said toy block has a depth measured perpendicularly from said first side surface to said second side surface, a height measured perpendicularly from said first connecting surface to said second connecting surface, and a length measured by the length of one of said first and second connecting surfaces, said height having a greater dimension than either of said depth and said length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The toy block according to claim 1, wherein said toy block is hollow, and said at least one plug extends from said at least one hole in a direction parallel with a perpendicular between said first and second connecting surfaces, said second connecting surface being formed by an end surface of said at least one plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The toy block according to claim 6, wherein said at least one plug comprises a first end surface and a second end surface, said first end surface having said at least one hole formed therein, and said second end surface is spaced from said first end surface beyond the edges of said first and second side surfaces remote from said first connecting surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The toy block according to claim 7, wherein said first side surface comprises a simulated wood board finish, said first side surface being flat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The toy block according to claim 8, wherein said toy block is formed as a plate where the length is greater than the height and the depth, and wherein the depth is greater than the height, said height being measured perpendicularly from said first connecting surface to said second connecting surface, said depth being measured perpendicularly from said first side surface to said second side surface, and said length being measured by the length of one of said first and second connecting surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |