US4253268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Playtoy building block set
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-12
•
Granted: 1981-03-03
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Expires: 1999-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A play building block toy set has flat plate elements of semi-elastic plastic material that interlock with pressure inserted ball socket joints. The flat plates may have various geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, etc. with each side the same length and having identical mating ball and joint locking elements. Along each block side mid-spaced between the center and two corners are respectively a ball and a socket. The ball is placed in a semi-circular cutout and is fastened by a stem to the plate. The socket is formed with a skull cap type cutout and rim members that elastically receive and hold the ball when forced or twisted thereinto. To achieve an insertion angle of 270°, the ball center and the socket center are on the bottom plane of the plate. The socket has two thickened rims extending below the plate. Means are provided for mounting shafts through holes in the plates.
Inventors
- 👤 August A. Mayr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:50
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/06; A63H33/065; A63H33/042; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Toy building element sets comprising a plurality of building blocks in the form of generally planar square plates of semi-elastic plastic material with each side having similar mating snap locking elements therein of the ball and socket elastic pressure engagement type, said plates having a planar upper surface with the ball and socket elements having their center located on the edge of the plates and terminating at the lower planar surface of the plates so that the ball and socket elements extend upwardly from the lower planar surface of the plates, a further set of ball and socket elements located along the centerline of said plates, and said ball and socket elements of each side including structures permitting two adjacent interlocked plates to be disposed at angles to each other over a range of 0° to 270°.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Toy building element sets comprising a plurality of building blocks in the form of generally planar square plates of semi-elastic plastic material with each side having similar mating snap locking elements therein of the ball and socket elastic pressure engagement type, said plates having a planar upper surface with the ball and socket elements having their center located on the edge of the plates and terminating at the lower planar surface of the plates so that the ball and socket elements extend upwardly from the lower planar surface of the plates, a further set of ball and socket elements located along the centerline of said plates, and said ball and socket elements of each side including structures permitting two adjacent interlocked plates to be disposed at angles to each other over a range of 0° to 270°.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 1 with said elements wherein the socket has a skull cap type cutout for receiving the ball in mating position terminating in a set of two springable elastic rim members extending downwardly from the plate to admit and retain the ball by elastically spreading when the ball is forced into the socket by pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Building element sets as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the blocks have on each edge one ball member and one socket member respectively located on opposite sides of the center of the edge midway between that center and the adjacent corners of the block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Building element sets as defined in claims 1 or 2 including at least one opening through at least one plate with a rotatable axle mounted therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 4 wherein the plate has an axle supporting bushing integrally formed therein to extend about the opening on one side of the plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 4 wherein the axle comprises a semi-elastic plastic material with thickened slitted opposite ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 5 wherein the axle is held in said opening by a retaining member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 7 wherein the retaining member comprises a spring clip ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 7 wherein the axle is a metallic shaft having longitudinally extending ribs thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 1 wherein the socket structure comprises a circular cut-out extending through said plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 10 wherein the socket comprises rim members extending beyond the plate on opposite sides of the cut-out, and the ball extends from said plates on a shaft and is surrounded by a semi-circular cutout which is positioned to permit the rim members to take different positions therein when the socket is snapped about the ball.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Building element sets as defined in claim 1 wherein the socket comprises two opposed thickened rim members positioned on either side of a line passing through the edge of the plates.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-09-01 | 1985-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-02 | 1988-09-01 | 1989-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-02 | 1992-09-01 | 1993-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |