CA1214638A - Toy construction system having reusable structural fasteners and insertion tool therefor - Google Patents
Toy construction system having reusable structural fasteners and insertion tool thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1214638A CA1214638A CA000420871A CA420871A CA1214638A CA 1214638 A CA1214638 A CA 1214638A CA 000420871 A CA000420871 A CA 000420871A CA 420871 A CA420871 A CA 420871A CA 1214638 A CA1214638 A CA 1214638A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fastener
- holes
- jaws
- steps
- shoulder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
- F16B21/06—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
- F16B21/08—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part
- F16B21/086—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
- A63H33/101—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements with clip or snap mechanism
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
- A63H33/102—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements using elastic deformation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B31/00—Hand tools for applying fasteners
- B25B31/005—Hand tools for applying fasteners for temporarily connecting sheets before or during assembly operations
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Dowels (AREA)
Abstract
S P E C I F I C A T I O N
TITLE: TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING
REUSABLE STRUCTURAL FASTENERS
AND INSERTION TOOL THEREFOR
INVENTOR: ROBERT L. BRASS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A child's toy construction system, similar in purpose and use to "Erector" sets, is provided having reusable structural fasteners, instead of nuts and bolts. It has a fastener insertion and removal tool which holds and controls the fasten-ers and provides a realistic tool-like feeling.
The system includes planar plates and bars to be joined.
together to create different structures. They are joined by use of structural fasteners which are inserted through aligned holes in the plates and bars.
The fasteners are formed of molded plastic units generally cylindrical in form, having a head at one end (to be grasped and held by the insertion and removal tool) and two elastic, inwardly-distendable prongs or tines at the opposite end. The outer surface of the tines has gripping "steps" positioned and dimensioned so as to enable the fastener to receive and hold either two or three plates. The outer diameter of the fasteners along the prong portion (not including the steps) is approximately equal to the size of the holes in the plates and bars being joined.
Accordingly, the fasteners may be inserted into and removed from the holes by pressure which flexes the prongs inwardly so that the prongs and their steps may be extended into or removed from the holes. An insertion tool is provided having means to grip the fastener head and conformingly hold the fastener by means of jaws so that the fastener may be inserted and removed from the holes.
TITLE: TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING
REUSABLE STRUCTURAL FASTENERS
AND INSERTION TOOL THEREFOR
INVENTOR: ROBERT L. BRASS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A child's toy construction system, similar in purpose and use to "Erector" sets, is provided having reusable structural fasteners, instead of nuts and bolts. It has a fastener insertion and removal tool which holds and controls the fasten-ers and provides a realistic tool-like feeling.
The system includes planar plates and bars to be joined.
together to create different structures. They are joined by use of structural fasteners which are inserted through aligned holes in the plates and bars.
The fasteners are formed of molded plastic units generally cylindrical in form, having a head at one end (to be grasped and held by the insertion and removal tool) and two elastic, inwardly-distendable prongs or tines at the opposite end. The outer surface of the tines has gripping "steps" positioned and dimensioned so as to enable the fastener to receive and hold either two or three plates. The outer diameter of the fasteners along the prong portion (not including the steps) is approximately equal to the size of the holes in the plates and bars being joined.
Accordingly, the fasteners may be inserted into and removed from the holes by pressure which flexes the prongs inwardly so that the prongs and their steps may be extended into or removed from the holes. An insertion tool is provided having means to grip the fastener head and conformingly hold the fastener by means of jaws so that the fastener may be inserted and removed from the holes.
Description
i3~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Creative toys which allow a child to construct various items, such as boxes, small houses, bridges, and the like ilave been in existence for many years. Perhaps one of the oldest and most popular has been the so called "Erector" set which includes a series of plates and bars with holes in them which may be joined together with nuts and bolts. Other systems use such things as wooden pegs to join the units together.
Prior art patents showing various construction toys include Sherman U.S. Patent 1,860,627; Gilbert U.S~ Patent 1,996,722;
Tooms U.S. Patent 2,426,326; Fischman U.S. Patent 2,826,000;
and Onanian U~S. Patent 3,195,266.
My own prior inventions, as shown in my U.S. Patents 4,057,886, 4,104,952 and 4,110,932, show another toy construc-tion system utilizing distensible rubber "rivets".
The present invention is an improvement upon the prior art in that it is simple and economical to make, easy to use, and safe in use. It does, however, require that the plates and bars be of uniform thickness and have joinder holes o~ si~lilar diameter.
-3- ~ j:
121~ti3~
SUMMA~Y OF THE INV~NTION
The present construction system of my invention is one in which a child may join planar structural members~ such as bars and plates together, to construct various objects.
The bars and plates being joined are of uniform thickness and have one or more holes in them of uniform size. The plates or bars are joined by use of reusable structural fasteners with a shank having a pair of extended prongs or tines at one end with gripping or locking "steps" on their outer surface and sufficient flexibility to bend inwardly to allow insertion into the holes.
The outer surface of the two prongs in the fastencr is generally cylindrical with a diameter approximating that of the holes in the plates. The outer surface includes steps so spaced from one another and from an upper shoulder on the fastener as to conform to and lock the plates togetherO The steps normally are positioned a distance from the shoulder on the fastener equal to the thickness of two plates and to the thickness of three plates, The former steps are smaller than the latter ones. The Eastener includes a head above the shoulder of a shape and size that conforms to, and can be gripped by, a pair of jaws on an insertion tool. These jaws allow it to be firmly held.
The insertion and removal tool includes a pair oE jaws with cammed outer surfaces and surrounded by a slidable sleeve mounted in the tool handIe. Sliding the sleeve (with its inner cammed surface) outwardly over the jaws serves to press them :121~638 together so that they can grip the head of the fastener. The tool holder includes a control or operating lever to move the sleeve axially over the jaws and a spring to press the sleeve away from the jaws in opposition to the movement of the control lever.
When two or three plates are to be joined together, their holes are held in alignment by the child. He places the head of the fastener within the jaws of the insertion tool and presses the operating lever. This moves the sleeve outwardly over the jaws to close them about the fastener's head. , The prong end of the fastener is then pressed into the holes.
Since the steps have angular surfaces, this pressure serves to press the prongs inwardly allowing the steps to pass through the holeO When the fastener is all the way in, the prongs snap outwardly, and the appropriate s-teps lock it in position within the plates. At the same time, axial pressure on the end of the sleeve surrounding the jaws, caused by pushing it against the surface of the plate, moves the sleeve back from the jaws and so releases the insertion tool. The fasteners can be removed by gripping their heads with the tool and pulling on them.
DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled structure made according to the toy construction system of my invention. It shows a series of plates and bars being held together by the fasteners.
_5_ ts,l-i~i38 FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the structure of FIGURE 1 giving further details of the assemb]y.
¦ FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener itself. It shows its general cylindrical shape, itS
head, shoulder, flexible prongs, and the latching steps on the prongs.
FIGUP~E 4 is a perspective side view, partiall~ broken away, of the fastener used in this invention.
FIGURE 5 is a cross-section transversely of the fastener showing the reduction in width of the prongs, trans-verse of the prongs, which permits their insertion into the holes of the plates and bars~
FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are partial sectional views showing ¦insertion of the fastener into tlle aligned holes of two-plate ¦and a three-plate systemsO
¦ FIGU~E 9 is a perspective view of the insertion tool.
¦ FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the ¦insertion tool as it grips the head of the fastenerO
~ FIGURE 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the ¦insertion tool, taken on line 11-11 of FIGUR~ 9.
¦ FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view, taken on ¦line 12-12 of FIGUP~E 11, showing the jaws of the insertion tool about the head of the fastener and grasping it.
FIGURE 13 is a t:ransverse sectional view of the insertion tool, taken on line 13-13 of FIGURE 11 showing details f the operatin~ lever ~1463~3 ~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVE~ITION
The Assembly Portions of an assembled structure, as it may have been put together by a child, are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2~
The toy construction system 1 is made up of a series of planar plates 2 and bars 3 of predetermined, uniform thicknessO
Each of the plates and bars lncludes a series of holes 4 of uniform size therein.
The plates and bars are joined together with a unique type of reusable fastener 5 (note especially FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8). The fastener 5 has a generally cylindrical configu- ¦
rationO Fastener 5 includes a head 8, a locking shoulder 10 with a face 11, and shank portion defining a pair of resilient prongs or tines 12. There is a space 14 between head 8 and shoulder 10 which defines an openin~ to receive the jaws of an insertion and removal tool. The space in this opening is defined by the head and shoulder and is so dimensioned and shaped as to conform to the size and shape of the jaws of an insertion and removal tool (see below) so that the fastener may be held securely.
Details of fastener 5 can best be seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. The diameter "D" of the generally cylindrical prong section (FIGURE 4) is approximately the diameter of the holes 4 in the plates 2 and bars 3. Diameter "D" is slightly less than the diameter of face 11 of shoulder 1~. Prongs 12 have two pairs of gripping or latching steps on their outer surfaces, first or inner steps 18 and second or outer steps 20. Steps 18 ar~ at a distance Lrom face 1 e~ual to t~ice the tbickness ot ., ~~ 38 one plate or bar 2 or 3, i.e., equal to the thickness of two plates. Step 18 is shown at such distance from face 11 of locking shoulder 10 by the arrow in FIGURE 4 and 7 identified as "2X". Both steps have bevelled surfaces. Steps 20 are removed from face ll by distance equal to the thickness of three plates or bars, and is identified by the arrow "3X"
in FIGURES 4 and 8.
When fastener 5 is holding two plates or bars together the plates are locked between face 11 and the pair of steps 18; when holding three plates or bars, between face ll and the pair of steps 20.
Steps 20 have a greater diameter than steps 18, which in turn have a greater diameter than the outer diameter "D" of prongs 12. The steps have angular surfaces to permit ready insertion and withdrawal, but are sufficiently sharp to hold the plates and bars together and sufficiently shallow to permit removal. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, the side edges of prongs 12 are bevelled at 25 to reduce their diameter (since the fastener prongs do not flex in a direction parallel to the slot 23 between the prongs).
The outer end of prongs 12 include outer bevelled insertion surfaces 22 and, near them, inner bevelled insertion surfaces 24. These permit easy insertion of prongs 12 of fastener 5 into holes 4 and also serve as a bearing surface to force the prongs 12 inwardly as they are inserted into holes 4 and press against the sides of those holes. Surface 21, surface 26 between steps 20 and 18, and surface 28 between steps 18 and face 11 of locking shoulder 10 are coaxial surfaces.
Coaxial surface 28 has a diameter approximating the diameter of holes 4 and surface 26 has a slightly larger diameter.
l;~i463~3 It has been found that the following dimensions for the fastener are useful when the plates and bars have a thick-ness of 060'i and the holes 4 have a diameter of .190": total length of fastener .528"; slot 14 .050"; diameter of locking shoulder .~10"; axial length of surface 28 .120"; axial distance between face 11 and step 20 .180"' diameter "D"
.187"; diameter of step 18 .200"; diameter of step 20 .214".
The inner faces of steps 18 and 20 are 45 from the axis;
bevelled face 22 is 30 Erom the axis. If desired, bars and plates may be of fractional thicknesses which, together, equal the uniform thickness.
The Insertion Tool The insertion and removal tool 32 is bes~ shown in FIGURES 9 through 13~ As seen by the observer, tool 32 includes a casing 34, an operating lever 36, an axially movably sleeve 38 and a pair of opposing jaws 40. In use, jaws 40 are positioned about the head 8 of a fastener 5 (FIGURE 10), and sleeve 38 is moved axially over the jaws, by pressing lever 36, causing jaws to close to fit about head 8. It should be noted the jaws 40 have outer bevelled surfaces and that the size and shape of jaws 40 are complementary with space 14 so that, when closed about head 8, the jaws Eit tightly within space 14 between locking shoulder 10 and head 8. T'nis permits the fastener to be held securely while being inserted into, or ¦removed from, the holes 4.
The jaws 40 are made of resilient plastic material ¦and are normally open. As shown in FIGURES 11 and 13, jaws 40 have an inner structure consisting of a shaft 4~ which leads to a supporting base portion 44 which is securely positioned within slot 32 in casing 34 by guides 47 and overlapping ra~l 35.
I
1 1, Il .
3~
Base 44 has a forwardly projecting pin 46 positioned against the inner surface of the cap 31 secured to the forward end of casing 34. Base 44 and pin 46 prevent axial movement of j~ws 40 relative to casing 34.
Sleeve 38 has a transverse pin 39 across the lower porion of its inner end which is operatively engaged on each side with slot 37 on the forward lower end of lever 36 to form a linkage. A spring 48 is around sleeve 38 within casing 34 and presses between the lower portion of operating lever 3~
and cap 31, thus tending to force sleeve 38 inwardly to expose jaws 40.
Operating lever 36 includes a locking notch 50 engagable with a locking detent 52 on flexible locking arm 54 ~(mo~mted within casing 34). Lever 36 is pivotted on pins 58 fitting within the pivot bearing 56 in the upper portion of cap 31~
OPERATION
Operation of this toy construction system can be summarized as follows:
The head 8 of a fastener 5 is placed within jaws 40.
Operating lever 36 is pressed downwardly and locks in its downward position by engagement of locking notch 50 with detent 52. At the same time, through the linkage 37 and 39, sleeve 38 moves outwardly about jaws 40. Its outer end 41 presses the jaws inwardly into space 14 and around head 8~ The unit is so dimensioned that sleeve 38 moves outwardly to a position slightly beyond face 11 of locking shoulder 10. It is also so dimensioned that,when it surrounds the jaws 40 and presses them inwardly, the jaws are fully engaged about head 8.
63~
Either two or three plates or bars (2 and 3) are then picked up, and one of the holes in each of them is aligned with the hole in another (see FIGURES 6, 7 and 8).
With fastener 5 held by jaws 40, the fastener is pressed into hole 4. Bevelled surface 22 enables fastener 5 to enter the hole easilyO If two plates are being joined, as in FIGURES 6 and 7, fastener 5 is pressed inwardly until face 11 of locking shoulder 10 is against the surface of one plate 2.
While the fastener is being pressed axially, prongs 12 will be flexed inwardly permitting the passage of steps 18 and 20 ~hrough the holeO ~ihen the fastener is fully inserted, prongs 12 ¦will flex outwardly to their normal position an~, because of ¦the dimensioning, step 18 will have just passed through hole 4 and spring outwardly, thus locking the plates or bars (2 and 3) between shoulder face 11 and step 180 FIGU~E 8 shows fastener 5 being used to secure three plates or bars together. In this instance the fastener can only be inserted to the point where the second or outer step 20 pressed against the lower surface of the plates. The three plates or bars are then locked between face 11 of shoulder 10 and step 20~ It will be noted (FIGUR~ 8) that the prongs 12 do not fully extend to their normal position when fastener 5 is used to secure 3 plates or barsO This is because inner step 18 is pressing against the inside of hole 4. For this reason, the outer diameter of step 20 has been made greater than the outer diameter of step 18.
When the fastener has been positioned within the holes 4 in the plates and fully inserted, the surface of plate 2 nearest head 8 is pressed against the outer end 41 of sleeve 38.
6~B
This pushes sleeve 38 and so, through the linkage of 37 and 39 releases operating lever 36 (which has been held down through the inner engagement of detent 52 and locking notch 50).
Jaws 40 are made of a slightly flexible and elastic plastic material having a normally open position. Consequently, when the sleeve is pushed back from the jaws they will open, releasing tool 32 from fastener 5. Another fastener may then be inserted and the process repeated while a toy is constructed~
It should be noted that bevelled surface 22 and inner surface 21 on the fastener allow a child to first insert the tool-held fastener into the hole in one plate and so support the plate on the fastener. He may then press the fastener into the hole in a second plate to join the two pieces.
To remove a fastener, the process is reversed. Jaws 40 are placed about head 8 and operating lever 36 pressed inwardly~ This serves to press sleeve 38 outwardly around the jaws and so engage head 8 of fastener 5. Fastener 5 may then be removed from hole 4. If one desires to remove the fastener from tool 32 without inserting the fastener in a hole, this may be done by pressing operating lever 36 inwardly all th~
way and quickly releasing it so thnt it slips by detent 52 and sleeve 3 a 1l 0 ve~ lnwa rdly, releesi~ the jaws 40.
I 1,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Creative toys which allow a child to construct various items, such as boxes, small houses, bridges, and the like ilave been in existence for many years. Perhaps one of the oldest and most popular has been the so called "Erector" set which includes a series of plates and bars with holes in them which may be joined together with nuts and bolts. Other systems use such things as wooden pegs to join the units together.
Prior art patents showing various construction toys include Sherman U.S. Patent 1,860,627; Gilbert U.S~ Patent 1,996,722;
Tooms U.S. Patent 2,426,326; Fischman U.S. Patent 2,826,000;
and Onanian U~S. Patent 3,195,266.
My own prior inventions, as shown in my U.S. Patents 4,057,886, 4,104,952 and 4,110,932, show another toy construc-tion system utilizing distensible rubber "rivets".
The present invention is an improvement upon the prior art in that it is simple and economical to make, easy to use, and safe in use. It does, however, require that the plates and bars be of uniform thickness and have joinder holes o~ si~lilar diameter.
-3- ~ j:
121~ti3~
SUMMA~Y OF THE INV~NTION
The present construction system of my invention is one in which a child may join planar structural members~ such as bars and plates together, to construct various objects.
The bars and plates being joined are of uniform thickness and have one or more holes in them of uniform size. The plates or bars are joined by use of reusable structural fasteners with a shank having a pair of extended prongs or tines at one end with gripping or locking "steps" on their outer surface and sufficient flexibility to bend inwardly to allow insertion into the holes.
The outer surface of the two prongs in the fastencr is generally cylindrical with a diameter approximating that of the holes in the plates. The outer surface includes steps so spaced from one another and from an upper shoulder on the fastener as to conform to and lock the plates togetherO The steps normally are positioned a distance from the shoulder on the fastener equal to the thickness of two plates and to the thickness of three plates, The former steps are smaller than the latter ones. The Eastener includes a head above the shoulder of a shape and size that conforms to, and can be gripped by, a pair of jaws on an insertion tool. These jaws allow it to be firmly held.
The insertion and removal tool includes a pair oE jaws with cammed outer surfaces and surrounded by a slidable sleeve mounted in the tool handIe. Sliding the sleeve (with its inner cammed surface) outwardly over the jaws serves to press them :121~638 together so that they can grip the head of the fastener. The tool holder includes a control or operating lever to move the sleeve axially over the jaws and a spring to press the sleeve away from the jaws in opposition to the movement of the control lever.
When two or three plates are to be joined together, their holes are held in alignment by the child. He places the head of the fastener within the jaws of the insertion tool and presses the operating lever. This moves the sleeve outwardly over the jaws to close them about the fastener's head. , The prong end of the fastener is then pressed into the holes.
Since the steps have angular surfaces, this pressure serves to press the prongs inwardly allowing the steps to pass through the holeO When the fastener is all the way in, the prongs snap outwardly, and the appropriate s-teps lock it in position within the plates. At the same time, axial pressure on the end of the sleeve surrounding the jaws, caused by pushing it against the surface of the plate, moves the sleeve back from the jaws and so releases the insertion tool. The fasteners can be removed by gripping their heads with the tool and pulling on them.
DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled structure made according to the toy construction system of my invention. It shows a series of plates and bars being held together by the fasteners.
_5_ ts,l-i~i38 FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the structure of FIGURE 1 giving further details of the assemb]y.
¦ FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener itself. It shows its general cylindrical shape, itS
head, shoulder, flexible prongs, and the latching steps on the prongs.
FIGUP~E 4 is a perspective side view, partiall~ broken away, of the fastener used in this invention.
FIGURE 5 is a cross-section transversely of the fastener showing the reduction in width of the prongs, trans-verse of the prongs, which permits their insertion into the holes of the plates and bars~
FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are partial sectional views showing ¦insertion of the fastener into tlle aligned holes of two-plate ¦and a three-plate systemsO
¦ FIGU~E 9 is a perspective view of the insertion tool.
¦ FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the ¦insertion tool as it grips the head of the fastenerO
~ FIGURE 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the ¦insertion tool, taken on line 11-11 of FIGUR~ 9.
¦ FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view, taken on ¦line 12-12 of FIGUP~E 11, showing the jaws of the insertion tool about the head of the fastener and grasping it.
FIGURE 13 is a t:ransverse sectional view of the insertion tool, taken on line 13-13 of FIGURE 11 showing details f the operatin~ lever ~1463~3 ~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVE~ITION
The Assembly Portions of an assembled structure, as it may have been put together by a child, are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2~
The toy construction system 1 is made up of a series of planar plates 2 and bars 3 of predetermined, uniform thicknessO
Each of the plates and bars lncludes a series of holes 4 of uniform size therein.
The plates and bars are joined together with a unique type of reusable fastener 5 (note especially FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8). The fastener 5 has a generally cylindrical configu- ¦
rationO Fastener 5 includes a head 8, a locking shoulder 10 with a face 11, and shank portion defining a pair of resilient prongs or tines 12. There is a space 14 between head 8 and shoulder 10 which defines an openin~ to receive the jaws of an insertion and removal tool. The space in this opening is defined by the head and shoulder and is so dimensioned and shaped as to conform to the size and shape of the jaws of an insertion and removal tool (see below) so that the fastener may be held securely.
Details of fastener 5 can best be seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. The diameter "D" of the generally cylindrical prong section (FIGURE 4) is approximately the diameter of the holes 4 in the plates 2 and bars 3. Diameter "D" is slightly less than the diameter of face 11 of shoulder 1~. Prongs 12 have two pairs of gripping or latching steps on their outer surfaces, first or inner steps 18 and second or outer steps 20. Steps 18 ar~ at a distance Lrom face 1 e~ual to t~ice the tbickness ot ., ~~ 38 one plate or bar 2 or 3, i.e., equal to the thickness of two plates. Step 18 is shown at such distance from face 11 of locking shoulder 10 by the arrow in FIGURE 4 and 7 identified as "2X". Both steps have bevelled surfaces. Steps 20 are removed from face ll by distance equal to the thickness of three plates or bars, and is identified by the arrow "3X"
in FIGURES 4 and 8.
When fastener 5 is holding two plates or bars together the plates are locked between face 11 and the pair of steps 18; when holding three plates or bars, between face ll and the pair of steps 20.
Steps 20 have a greater diameter than steps 18, which in turn have a greater diameter than the outer diameter "D" of prongs 12. The steps have angular surfaces to permit ready insertion and withdrawal, but are sufficiently sharp to hold the plates and bars together and sufficiently shallow to permit removal. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, the side edges of prongs 12 are bevelled at 25 to reduce their diameter (since the fastener prongs do not flex in a direction parallel to the slot 23 between the prongs).
The outer end of prongs 12 include outer bevelled insertion surfaces 22 and, near them, inner bevelled insertion surfaces 24. These permit easy insertion of prongs 12 of fastener 5 into holes 4 and also serve as a bearing surface to force the prongs 12 inwardly as they are inserted into holes 4 and press against the sides of those holes. Surface 21, surface 26 between steps 20 and 18, and surface 28 between steps 18 and face 11 of locking shoulder 10 are coaxial surfaces.
Coaxial surface 28 has a diameter approximating the diameter of holes 4 and surface 26 has a slightly larger diameter.
l;~i463~3 It has been found that the following dimensions for the fastener are useful when the plates and bars have a thick-ness of 060'i and the holes 4 have a diameter of .190": total length of fastener .528"; slot 14 .050"; diameter of locking shoulder .~10"; axial length of surface 28 .120"; axial distance between face 11 and step 20 .180"' diameter "D"
.187"; diameter of step 18 .200"; diameter of step 20 .214".
The inner faces of steps 18 and 20 are 45 from the axis;
bevelled face 22 is 30 Erom the axis. If desired, bars and plates may be of fractional thicknesses which, together, equal the uniform thickness.
The Insertion Tool The insertion and removal tool 32 is bes~ shown in FIGURES 9 through 13~ As seen by the observer, tool 32 includes a casing 34, an operating lever 36, an axially movably sleeve 38 and a pair of opposing jaws 40. In use, jaws 40 are positioned about the head 8 of a fastener 5 (FIGURE 10), and sleeve 38 is moved axially over the jaws, by pressing lever 36, causing jaws to close to fit about head 8. It should be noted the jaws 40 have outer bevelled surfaces and that the size and shape of jaws 40 are complementary with space 14 so that, when closed about head 8, the jaws Eit tightly within space 14 between locking shoulder 10 and head 8. T'nis permits the fastener to be held securely while being inserted into, or ¦removed from, the holes 4.
The jaws 40 are made of resilient plastic material ¦and are normally open. As shown in FIGURES 11 and 13, jaws 40 have an inner structure consisting of a shaft 4~ which leads to a supporting base portion 44 which is securely positioned within slot 32 in casing 34 by guides 47 and overlapping ra~l 35.
I
1 1, Il .
3~
Base 44 has a forwardly projecting pin 46 positioned against the inner surface of the cap 31 secured to the forward end of casing 34. Base 44 and pin 46 prevent axial movement of j~ws 40 relative to casing 34.
Sleeve 38 has a transverse pin 39 across the lower porion of its inner end which is operatively engaged on each side with slot 37 on the forward lower end of lever 36 to form a linkage. A spring 48 is around sleeve 38 within casing 34 and presses between the lower portion of operating lever 3~
and cap 31, thus tending to force sleeve 38 inwardly to expose jaws 40.
Operating lever 36 includes a locking notch 50 engagable with a locking detent 52 on flexible locking arm 54 ~(mo~mted within casing 34). Lever 36 is pivotted on pins 58 fitting within the pivot bearing 56 in the upper portion of cap 31~
OPERATION
Operation of this toy construction system can be summarized as follows:
The head 8 of a fastener 5 is placed within jaws 40.
Operating lever 36 is pressed downwardly and locks in its downward position by engagement of locking notch 50 with detent 52. At the same time, through the linkage 37 and 39, sleeve 38 moves outwardly about jaws 40. Its outer end 41 presses the jaws inwardly into space 14 and around head 8~ The unit is so dimensioned that sleeve 38 moves outwardly to a position slightly beyond face 11 of locking shoulder 10. It is also so dimensioned that,when it surrounds the jaws 40 and presses them inwardly, the jaws are fully engaged about head 8.
63~
Either two or three plates or bars (2 and 3) are then picked up, and one of the holes in each of them is aligned with the hole in another (see FIGURES 6, 7 and 8).
With fastener 5 held by jaws 40, the fastener is pressed into hole 4. Bevelled surface 22 enables fastener 5 to enter the hole easilyO If two plates are being joined, as in FIGURES 6 and 7, fastener 5 is pressed inwardly until face 11 of locking shoulder 10 is against the surface of one plate 2.
While the fastener is being pressed axially, prongs 12 will be flexed inwardly permitting the passage of steps 18 and 20 ~hrough the holeO ~ihen the fastener is fully inserted, prongs 12 ¦will flex outwardly to their normal position an~, because of ¦the dimensioning, step 18 will have just passed through hole 4 and spring outwardly, thus locking the plates or bars (2 and 3) between shoulder face 11 and step 180 FIGU~E 8 shows fastener 5 being used to secure three plates or bars together. In this instance the fastener can only be inserted to the point where the second or outer step 20 pressed against the lower surface of the plates. The three plates or bars are then locked between face 11 of shoulder 10 and step 20~ It will be noted (FIGUR~ 8) that the prongs 12 do not fully extend to their normal position when fastener 5 is used to secure 3 plates or barsO This is because inner step 18 is pressing against the inside of hole 4. For this reason, the outer diameter of step 20 has been made greater than the outer diameter of step 18.
When the fastener has been positioned within the holes 4 in the plates and fully inserted, the surface of plate 2 nearest head 8 is pressed against the outer end 41 of sleeve 38.
6~B
This pushes sleeve 38 and so, through the linkage of 37 and 39 releases operating lever 36 (which has been held down through the inner engagement of detent 52 and locking notch 50).
Jaws 40 are made of a slightly flexible and elastic plastic material having a normally open position. Consequently, when the sleeve is pushed back from the jaws they will open, releasing tool 32 from fastener 5. Another fastener may then be inserted and the process repeated while a toy is constructed~
It should be noted that bevelled surface 22 and inner surface 21 on the fastener allow a child to first insert the tool-held fastener into the hole in one plate and so support the plate on the fastener. He may then press the fastener into the hole in a second plate to join the two pieces.
To remove a fastener, the process is reversed. Jaws 40 are placed about head 8 and operating lever 36 pressed inwardly~ This serves to press sleeve 38 outwardly around the jaws and so engage head 8 of fastener 5. Fastener 5 may then be removed from hole 4. If one desires to remove the fastener from tool 32 without inserting the fastener in a hole, this may be done by pressing operating lever 36 inwardly all th~
way and quickly releasing it so thnt it slips by detent 52 and sleeve 3 a 1l 0 ve~ lnwa rdly, releesi~ the jaws 40.
I 1,
Claims (13)
1. In a toy construction system of the type including planar structural members having preformed alignable holes through which fasteners may be fitted to join the structural members together, said members having a uniform thickness and said holes being of uniform diameter, the improvement including:
reusable fasteners of generally cylindrical configuration having a shank portion, an adjacent shoulder, and a head spaced from said shoulder, said shank portion defining axially extending prongs and being of a diameter approximating that of said holes, at least one pair of latching steps on opposite outer surfaces of said prongs, said steps being at an axial distance from said shoulder equaling a multiple of said uniform thickness of said structural members, said pair of steps defining an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said holes, the outer end of said shank portion being bevelled to permit insertion of said prongs into one of said holes, an insertion tool for inserting and removing said fastener from said holes in said structural members, said tool including resilient normally-open, closable jaws dimensioned for complemen-tary fit between said head and said shoulder for holding said fastener member, a sleeve axially slidable about said jaws for forcing said jaws closed about said head, and means for moving said sleeve axially about said jaws to actuate same, whereby said fastener may be pressed into aligned holes of said structural members to secure them together between said latching steps and said shoulder, and said fastener may be withdrawn from said holes.
reusable fasteners of generally cylindrical configuration having a shank portion, an adjacent shoulder, and a head spaced from said shoulder, said shank portion defining axially extending prongs and being of a diameter approximating that of said holes, at least one pair of latching steps on opposite outer surfaces of said prongs, said steps being at an axial distance from said shoulder equaling a multiple of said uniform thickness of said structural members, said pair of steps defining an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said holes, the outer end of said shank portion being bevelled to permit insertion of said prongs into one of said holes, an insertion tool for inserting and removing said fastener from said holes in said structural members, said tool including resilient normally-open, closable jaws dimensioned for complemen-tary fit between said head and said shoulder for holding said fastener member, a sleeve axially slidable about said jaws for forcing said jaws closed about said head, and means for moving said sleeve axially about said jaws to actuate same, whereby said fastener may be pressed into aligned holes of said structural members to secure them together between said latching steps and said shoulder, and said fastener may be withdrawn from said holes.
2. In a toy construction system of the type set forth in Claim the improvement in which said fastener has a plurality of pairs of latching steps, each pair being displaced a different multiplicity of said thickness of said structural members from said shoulder, whereby said fastener may be used to secure together different numbers of said structural members.
3. In a toy construction system of the type set forth as in Claims 2 or 3, the improvement in which said steps have angular surfaces permitting more ready insertion and removal of said fasteners into and from said holes, the angles of said surfaces being sufficiently sharp to effect securing of said structural members when said fasteners are in place and sufficiently shallow to permit extraction.
4. In a toy construction system of the type set forth as in Claim 1, the improvement in which the steps include two pairs of steps, one pair of which is spaced on said prongs a distance equal to two thicknesses of said structural members and the second set of which is spaced a distance from said shoulder equal to three thicknesses of said structural members, whereby said fastener may be used to secure together either two or three of said structural members.
5. A toy fastener for use in a toy construction system, said system including a plurality of planar structural members to be joined together and detached from one another, said members being of pre-determined, uniform thickness and having joinder holes therein of uniform diameter, said fastener being of generally cylindrical configuration and adapted to be held by the jaws of an insertion tool, including an axially-aligned shank portion, a shoulder, and a head, said shank portion being integral with and proximate to said shoulder, and said shoulder being integral with said head and defining a jaw-receiving space therebetween, said shank portion defining a plurality of resilient prongs having an outer diameter adjacent said shoulder approximately the diameter of said holes, latching steps on the outer surface of said prongs, said steps being positioned on said prongs at distances which are multiples of said uniform thickness, said jaw-receiving spaces having a configuration complementary to said jaws for receiving same whereby said fastener may be securely held by said insertion tool, whereby said fastener may be used to secure said structural members together.
6. A toy fastener as set forth in Claim 5 in which said steps are in opposing pairs on said prongs and each said pair is displaced a different multiplicity of said pre-determined thickness from said shoulder.
7. A toy fastener as set forth in Claim 6 in which there are two said pairs of steps, one pair of which is spaced on said prongs a distance equal to two thicknesses of said structural members and the second set or which is spaced a distance from said shoulder equal to three thicknesses of said structural members, whereby said fastener may be used to secure together either two or three of said structural members.
8. A toy fastener as set forth in Claim 6 or 7 in which the outer diameters of said steps farthest removed from said shoulder are greater than the outer diameters of said steps nearer said shoulder, whereby said outer steps may latch when said inner steps are within said holes.
9. A toy fastener as set forth in Claim 5 in which there are two said prongs and said prongs are bevelled at the outer ends thereof for insertion into said holes.
10. A toy fastener as set forth in Claim 5 in which said steps have angular surfaces permitting more ready insertion and removal of said fasteners into said holes, the angles of said surfaces being sufficiently steep to effect securing of said structural members when said fasteners are in place, but suffi-ciently shallow to permit removal.
11. A toy insertion and removal tool for use in a toy construc-tion system for joining planar structural members having holes therein by use of pronged fasteners including latching steps on the outer surface thereof, said pronged fasteners including a shoulder portion and a head portion, said insertion and removal tool including a pair of opposing jaws of a size and configuration for fit about said head and complementary fit between said head and said shoulder, said jaws being made of resilient plastic material and having a longitudinal shaft extending to a base support, said jaws having bevelled outer surfaces.
a casing for said tool to receive and fixably hold said base support, an axially slidable sleeve operatively associated with said casing and said jaws and so dimensioned as to permit said jaws to resiliently open when said casing does not extend about said jaws themselves and to force the jaws closed about said head when said sleeve is axially positioned about said jaws, and spring-pressed means within said casing for moving said sleeve axially.
a casing for said tool to receive and fixably hold said base support, an axially slidable sleeve operatively associated with said casing and said jaws and so dimensioned as to permit said jaws to resiliently open when said casing does not extend about said jaws themselves and to force the jaws closed about said head when said sleeve is axially positioned about said jaws, and spring-pressed means within said casing for moving said sleeve axially.
12. A toy insertion and removal tool as set forth in Claim 11 in which said spring-pressed means include an operating lever linked to said sleeve to move said sleeve about said jaws.
13. A toy insertion and removal tool as set forth in Claim 12 including retractable locking means operatively associated with said lever and adapted to hold said lever in a position extending said sleeve about said jaws, said locking means being releasable through axial pressure on said sleeve.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US34832782A | 1982-02-12 | 1982-02-12 | |
| US348,327 | 1982-02-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1214638A true CA1214638A (en) | 1986-12-02 |
Family
ID=23367518
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000420871A Expired CA1214638A (en) | 1982-02-12 | 1983-02-03 | Toy construction system having reusable structural fasteners and insertion tool therefor |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1214638A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3305518A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2521445A1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB2114650B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1166927B (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5383326A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1995-01-24 | Premark Feg Corporation | Sheet material gripping system |
| DK171783B1 (en) * | 1994-11-14 | 1997-05-26 | Lego As | Overload-proof building element for structural building kits |
| EP0911070A3 (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 2000-08-02 | Happy Clown GmbH | Toy building kit and connecting element thereof |
| WO2000057979A1 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2000-10-05 | Revell-Monogram Llc | Connector and toy system |
| FR2895270B1 (en) * | 2005-12-28 | 2008-02-22 | Meccano Sa | ASSEMBLY SET FOR YOUNG CHILDREN |
| CN102498300A (en) * | 2009-07-31 | 2012-06-13 | 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 | Method for disassembling an arrangement |
| USD744817S1 (en) * | 2012-04-24 | 2015-12-08 | Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd | Joint for connection |
| USD747958S1 (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2016-01-26 | Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Joint for connection |
| USD744324S1 (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2015-12-01 | Adamant Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Joint for connection |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2468286A (en) * | 1946-04-23 | 1949-04-26 | Western Electric Co | Tool for assembling compressible grommets in openings |
| GB821902A (en) * | 1957-07-10 | 1959-10-14 | Alfred Plummer | Stud-fastening |
| DE1787995U (en) * | 1958-02-25 | 1959-04-30 | Emil Roeoesli | SCREWDRIVER. |
| DK54077A (en) * | 1976-02-23 | 1977-08-24 | Gen Mills Fun Group Inc | TOY BUILDING SYSTEM WITH REVEALABLE AND PLAYABLE COLLECTORS |
-
1983
- 1983-02-03 CA CA000420871A patent/CA1214638A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-02-10 IT IT19513/83A patent/IT1166927B/en active
- 1983-02-10 GB GB08303690A patent/GB2114650B/en not_active Expired
- 1983-02-11 FR FR8302190A patent/FR2521445A1/en active Granted
- 1983-02-14 DE DE3305518A patent/DE3305518A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1985
- 1985-09-02 GB GB08521755A patent/GB2162786A/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8521755D0 (en) | 1985-10-09 |
| GB2162786A (en) | 1986-02-12 |
| GB2114650B (en) | 1986-07-16 |
| FR2521445B3 (en) | 1985-03-01 |
| IT1166927B (en) | 1987-05-06 |
| GB8303690D0 (en) | 1983-03-16 |
| DE3305518A1 (en) | 1983-08-25 |
| GB2114650A (en) | 1983-08-24 |
| IT8319513A0 (en) | 1983-02-10 |
| FR2521445A1 (en) | 1983-08-19 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6616479B1 (en) | Retention device for separable connection | |
| CA1214638A (en) | Toy construction system having reusable structural fasteners and insertion tool therefor | |
| US6345946B1 (en) | Fastener | |
| EP2256355B1 (en) | Connector for Jungle Gym and Jungle Gym Using Same | |
| US4057886A (en) | Toy construction system having reusable distensible joining members | |
| US4104952A (en) | Toy construction system having reusable distensible joining members | |
| US5454140A (en) | Cord locking device | |
| US20040235344A1 (en) | Cable connector holders and methods for connecting and disconnecting a plurality of cable connectors | |
| DE10124537A1 (en) | Cordless power tool employs rechargeable battery container section forming unit with handle and push button release for facilitating battery extraction | |
| CN101662968A (en) | Hair fastener with door bolt deduction structure | |
| JPS6343755B2 (en) | ||
| CN211632015U (en) | Magnetic fastener | |
| EP3339150A1 (en) | Magnetic coupling device | |
| CA1303603C (en) | Staple remover | |
| CN114055387B (en) | Connecting tool | |
| US4110932A (en) | Toy construction system having reusable distensible joining members | |
| US5000637A (en) | Fastening device with circumferential ribs and method for manufacturing the same | |
| DE3804812A1 (en) | DRY SHAVER WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CUTTING HEAD | |
| US4784370A (en) | Staple removing device and associated method | |
| US20030088951A1 (en) | Paper binding fastener | |
| US4776567A (en) | Staple removing method | |
| US4242939A (en) | Blind fastener | |
| US5184385A (en) | Retainer pin remover | |
| GB2137716A (en) | Releasable connector | |
| CN209679504U (en) | Novel building block component pincers pull out device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |