Patent US4728310A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4728310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy construction device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-01-23
•
Granted: 1988-03-01
•
Expires: 2006-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A structure for assembling a toy is disclosed wherein a flat plate contains modular units defined by parallel and perpendicularly spaced ribs. Connection elements have pins extending from both faces and are frictionally fitted into the modular units to join the plates and construct toy structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Costante Valtolina
- 👤 Marco Velati
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:40
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/10; A63H33/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A toy construction device comprising, in combination: a flat plate having two sets of resilient ribs arranged on each side of said plate, a first set of ribs being arranged parallel with one another, having an equal pitch therebetween and spaced substantially across the entire plate, a second set of ribs also being arranged parallel to each other, having an equal pitch therebetween and spaced substantially across the entire plate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of said first set of ribs, both first and second sets of ribs being integrally formed on said plate and defining a plurality of modular units wherein one set of ribs has a greater height than said other set of ribs; and a connection element for frictionally fitting in said modular units for connecting a plurality of said plates, said connection element comprising a connection plate having oppositely disposed faces, orthogonally disposed incisions on at least one face of said connection plate and each face having rigid pins extending perpendicularly therefrom for a frictional fit within said modualr units, wherein said flat plates are connected together by inserting said pins of the connection element into said modular units of the flat plates to be connected and said ribs defining said modular units are elastically deformed by said pins and said set of ribs having the greater height are disposed in said incisions when said pins are secured in said modular units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A toy construction device comprising, in combination: a flat plate having two sets of resilient ribs arranged on each side of said plate, a first set of ribs being arranged parallel with one another, having an equal pitch therebetween and spaced substantially across the entire plate, a second set of ribs also being arranged parallel to each other, having an equal pitch therebetween and spaced substantially across the entire plate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of said first set of ribs, both first and second sets of ribs being integrally formed on said plate and defining a plurality of modular units wherein one set of ribs has a greater height than said other set of ribs; and a connection element for frictionally fitting in said modular units for connecting a plurality of said plates, said connection element comprising a connection plate having oppositely disposed faces, orthogonally disposed incisions on at least one face of said connection plate and each face having rigid pins extending perpendicularly therefrom for a frictional fit within said modualr units, wherein said flat plates are connected together by inserting said pins of the connection element into said modular units of the flat plates to be connected and said ribs defining said modular units are elastically deformed by said pins and said set of ribs having the greater height are disposed in said incisions when said pins are secured in said modular units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A toy construction device as recited in claim 1, wherein said connection plate is square shaped and has two pins extending from opposite corners of each said face, said corners being the same on each said face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A toy construction device as recited in claim 1, wherein said connection plate is rectangularly shaped by having two square portions interconnected, each said square portion having two pins extending from opposite corners of each said face, said corners being different on opposite faces of the same square portion.
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) | 1991-03-01 | 1991-08-31 | 1992-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-01 | 1995-08-31 | 1996-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-01 | 1999-08-31 | 2000-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |