US4758195A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastomeric foam building units
Assignee: 3 W DESIGNERS Inc 7 HIGHLAND STREET AUBURN NY 13021-2005 A CORP OF NY
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Filing: 1986-09-08
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Granted: 1988-07-19
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Expires: 2006-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Elastomeric foam blocks are provided for constructing toys and models with a means of attachment of one block to another block in the form of flexible protuberances and cellular receptacles present on all surfaces, so that when one or more blocks are engaged, a clinging force is generated. Furthermore, either independently of, or in collaboration with the above, another means of connecting said blocks is provided by inserting simple pins into the matrix of said foam in any direction and without preformed perforations. The pins are held in place in the perforations created by the insertion of the pins into the foam by the elastomeric forces inherent in the polymeric structure of the foam, and the perforations snap shut upon the removal of the pins, thus allowing the building units to be reused again to construct more toys and models.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher T. Walsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:00
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A single element toy construction block system comprising a plurality of individual, elastomeric reslient construction blocks of substantially identical composition, each block having a three dimensional configuration formed of an elastomeric foam composition, and including means for connecting said block to one or more other blocks of similar construction, said means comprising a plurality of integrally formed flexible protuberances and springy self-closing cellular receptacles present on all surfaces of all said blocks, said protuberances penetrating into said cellular receptacles clinging thereto when one or more surfaces of the blocks are forceably placed in contact with one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A single element toy construction block system comprising a plurality of individual, elastomeric reslient construction blocks of substantially identical composition, each block having a three dimensional configuration formed of an elastomeric foam composition, and including means for connecting said block to one or more other blocks of similar construction, said means comprising a plurality of integrally formed flexible protuberances and springy self-closing cellular receptacles present on all surfaces of all said blocks, said protuberances penetrating into said cellular receptacles clinging thereto when one or more surfaces of the blocks are forceably placed in contact with one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam composition is selected from the group consisting essentially of esters, ethers, polyols, silicones and vinyls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam composition has a density value of about 0.5 to about 10.0 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam has a cell size range from about 20 to about 80 cells per linear inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam composition has an elongation in the range of about 200% to about 400%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 where in said foam has an Angle of Repose value of about 30 to about 50 degrees on plate glass or 404 grade stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A single element toy construction block system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said blocks is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A single element toy construction as defined claim 1 wherein each of said block is formed in a substantially triangular shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A single element toy construction block construction as defined claim 1 wherein each of said blocks is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
A kit toy comprising a plurality of blocks, each block of flexible uncoverd elastomeric foam composition having a three dimensional configuation and including pin means by which said block can be attached to another block of similar elastomeric foam construction, said pin means being insertable with said foam block in any direction, and without preformed perforations; said pin means held in place in resilient walled perforations created by the insertion of the pins into the foam by elastomeric forces inherent in the structure of the foam, said foam having a composition such that said perforations snap shut upon the removal of said pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
A kit toy comprising a plurality of blocks, each block of flexible uncoverd elastomeric foam composition having a three dimensional configuation and including pin means by which said block can be attached to another block of similar elastomeric foam construction, said pin means being insertable with said foam block in any direction, and without preformed perforations; said pin means held in place in resilient walled perforations created by the insertion of the pins into the foam by elastomeric forces inherent in the structure of the foam, said foam having a composition such that said perforations snap shut upon the removal of said pins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said foam comprises polymers selected from the group consisting essentially of esters, ethers, polyols, silicones and vinyls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said foam composition has a density value of about 0.50 to about 10.0 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10, wherein said foam composition has a cell size value of about 20 to about 80 cells per linear inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10, wherein said foam composition has an elongation value of about in the range of 200% to 400%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said foam composition has an Angle of Repose of about 30 to about 50 degrees on plate glass or 404 grade stainless steel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said block is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said block is formed in a substantially triangular shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said block is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
A toy block as defined in claim 10 wherein said pins are tubular connectors which range from 3.0 inches to 15.0 inches long and have a cross-sectional diameter ranging from 1/16th of an inch to 5/16ths of an inch, and a wall thickness range from 1/64th of an inch to 1/16th of an inch, and wherein said pins are made of plastic.
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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) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |