GB2534550A - A connector for use with building bricks - Google Patents

A connector for use with building bricks Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2534550A
GB2534550A GB1500721.4A GB201500721A GB2534550A GB 2534550 A GB2534550 A GB 2534550A GB 201500721 A GB201500721 A GB 201500721A GB 2534550 A GB2534550 A GB 2534550A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
connector
connector according
apertures
building
flexible sheet
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1500721.4A
Other versions
GB201500721D0 (en
Inventor
John Heayes Richard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1500721.4A priority Critical patent/GB2534550A/en
Publication of GB201500721D0 publication Critical patent/GB201500721D0/en
Publication of GB2534550A publication Critical patent/GB2534550A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • A63H33/088—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with holes
    • 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
    • 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
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
    • 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
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • 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
    • A63H33/12—Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C1/00—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings
    • 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
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • A63H33/086—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

A connector 100 that comprises a flexible sheet of material with apertures 110 located to receive raised portions or studs of a building brick. The flexible sheet may include an image. The connector may be used with building bricks in order to create various structures. For example the connector may be arranged between two structures formed from building bricks to span a void between the structures or the connector may be sandwiched between building bricks. The building bricks or blocks that may be used may include toy building blocks such as Lego (RTM), Duplo (RTM) and Mega Bloks (RTM).

Description

A connector for use with building bricks
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for use with building bricks, more specifically but not exclusively, the invention relates to a connector for use with toy building bricks.
Background
Building bricks traditionally have interlocking portions so as to be able to connect one brick to another brick so that a plurality of bricks can be arranged to build a structure such as a building or object such as a vehicle or person.
Typically the building bricks are of similar shapes and sizes and often of identical shapes and sizes so as to allow a structure to be built. Therefore the way in which a structure is built may be seen to be is limited and the bricks must be placed together in a particular structure.
One example of a toy building brick is one which has apertures located on surface arranged to receive raised portions on another surface of the building brick.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a connector adapted to be connected to a building brick, the connector comprising a flexible sheet of material with apertures located to receive raised portions of the building brick.
The building bricks typically comprise toy building bricks such as Lego (Trade Mark), Duplo (Trade Mark) or Mega Blocks (Trade Mark) building bricks.
In this way the connector provides a surface that is attached to and extends from a building brick or plurality of co-joined building bricks so as to provide a structure.
The connector is used with building bricks in order to create various structures. Typically the connector is arranged between two upright structures formed of building bricks so as to span a void between the two structures. For example the connector may be used with toy building bricks to provide part of a structure such as a path, track, bridge, roof, road, wall or floor.
In some embodiments the connector may be connected to one structure only so that it acts and behaves as a cantilever or springboard.
The connector is flexible so that it may be bent, folded or flexed to form 15 different shapes such as arches, pitches or valleys.
Preferably the connector is formed from a synthetic plastics material such as Polyethylene (PE) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) so as to lightweight, suitable for repeated use by children and durable.
In preferred embodiments the connector is quadrilateral, typically substantially rectangular or square so as to have four straight edges.
In some embodiments the connector may be any other shape wherein the 25 connecting edges have linear holes but do not need to parallel to each other. For example a hexagonal, octagonal or any other multi-sided shape connector may be provided.
Preferably the connector has first and second opposed ends wherein at least one end includes at least one aperture dimensioned to be received over a raised portion provided on a building brick. In this way the aperture can be placed over the raised portion in order to locate the connector on the building brick. Furthermore a second building brick can be received onto the raised portion that extends through the aperture therefore enabling continued building atop the connector. Therefore the connector is a compatible element with building brick assembly.
Ideally each opposed end includes at least one aperture therefore enabling each end to be connected to a building brick or plurality of building bricks. Having apertures at each end also enables the connector, when formed as a flexible sheet, to be rolled to form a tunnel, tube or shute whereby the apertures at each end are aligned and can be jointly connected to the same raised portions.
Preferably each connector has a plurality of identical apertures provided in an arrangement that corresponds to raised portions on a building brick. In this way the connector can be readily aligned with the raised portions on the building brick(s). Furthermore once the connector is aligned on more than one raised portion it is prevented from twisting during use and therefore remains in a fixed position.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the connector includes a row of apertures arranged on at least one edge of the flexible sheet to corresponding with a row of raised portions or studs provided on a building brick. In an alternative embodiment, apertures may be arranged along an arcuate path or as an array.
Typically the apertures are circular in a form. Ideally all the apertures have the same size, that is same diameter when the apertures are circular. In some embodiments the connector may include apertures of different diameters so as to be suitable on more than one type of building brick. For example two opposed edges may have apertures of a first diameter for Lego (Trade Mark) building bricks, and the other two opposed edges may have apertures with second different diameters suitable for Duplo (Trade Mark) building bricks, thereby permitting connection between different types of building brick.
In some embodiments the connector may include a fold line to permit folding of the flexible sheet. The fold line permits the flexible sheet to be folded along a predefined line to form a corner, bevelled or angled section.
The fold line may be adjacent one or more apertures so that the connector is folded close to where it is attached to the building blocks or bricks.
In some embodiments the fold line may be positioned so that the flexible 10 sheet is arranged to fold perpendicular to a line of connection with the bricks so that the flexible connector sheet is adjacent a wall of building bricks thereby providing a protective layer over the building bricks.
In a yet further embodiment apertures are located on a central portion of the flexible connector sheet, as opposed to or in addition to an edge of the flexible connector sheet. This provides an additional or an alternative location for attachment of items to the flexible connector sheet to raised portions of building bricks.
It is appreciated that apertures may be located on any part of the connector so as to be attached to raised portions of building bricks at plural locations.
In some embodiments the connector may have a grid or array of apertures across a substantial proportion of the surface of the connector.
In some embodiments the connector is transparent or may include transparent sections. In this way a user can see through some or all of the connector. Optionally the flexible sheet includes an image thereon or optionally different images on opposite sides of the sheet.
The image may be a scene or theme so as to enhance the structure being created. For example the image may include but is not limited to: a water feature such as a river, flames, a road, railway, a roof, a stage or a landscape.
In some embodiments the image may include a particular character or location, for example to include a mythical or cartoon character, a super hero, an iconic or fantasy location or building. In yet further embodiments the connector may be personalised to include a user selected image or text, such as a user's name or an image of a person, a pet or user specific, such as the user's house or friend.
In some embodiments the image is created using lenticular printing. In this 10 way the image presents a three dimensional appearance.
Advantageously in some embodiments the edges of the connector may be thinner so as to ensure the building bricks can still be stacked closely together. In this way there is lesser spacing between the toy building bricks that sandwich the connector therefore ensuring each brick is located securely either side of the connector. The central portion of the flexible sheet is therefore thicker than the edges. This provides improved strength and durability.
Preferably a connector edge has a thickness of between 0.2mm and 0.3mm, and preferably 0.25mm so as to allow stacking of building bricks atop the connector whereby recesses of a building block and raised portions of each building brick are engaged so as to be securely connected one to another either side of a connector.
In some embodiments the thickness of the connector edges may be up to 0.5mm.
In this way the connectors can be readily used with standard building bricks 30 such as Lego (RTM).
It is appreciated that thickness of the connector corresponds to the building brick being used wherein larger building bricks may be capable of accepting larger thickness connectors without compromising the connection between building bricks connected either side of the connector. Therefore various thicknesses of connector may be provided so as to correspond with different size, type and/or brand of building bricks.
In further embodiments the connector may include at least one light capable of illumination during use. In this way some or all of the connector may be lit. For example the connector may depict a night scene and windows of buildings may be lit.
Typically the at least one light may be a light emitting diode (LED) or the sheet may be formed from a light emitting polymer (LEP).
In other embodiments the connector may include a controller, which may be 15 on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller, which is ideally, includes a microprocessor connected to a battery. Preferably the microprocessor is embedded in the connectors. For example, the microprocessor may be sandwiched been two layers of connector, that are bonded together so as to protect the microprocessor and in order to support a matrix of light sources. 20 The microprocessor may be provided to display moving or animated images in or on the sheet. Alternatively the microprocessor may be provided to control lighting, for example to generate moving images or light displays or sequences of flashing lights.
Ideally the battery can be accessed so as to be replaced when it is depleted. Typically the battery may be provided in a recess having a displaceable cover, flap or plug so as to enable access to the battery when required.
In some embodiment the, or each, connector(s) may be arranged perpendicular to a building brick so as to be located between two adjacent rows of raised portions. Typically two or more connectors may be arranged adjacent one another so as to fit tightly between the two rows of raised portions. In this way the, or each, connector is/are fixed between two rows of raised portions without using the apertures. The connectors can therefore be arranged upright to provide a wall or can be flexed so as to create an arch. Building bricks may be arranged on raised portions, not in contact with the connector, so as to continue creation of a structure.
One other way to connect connectors is by joining two of them together, then bending them so that they 'snap' in between upstanding pips, lugs or protrusions that are formed on a base plate of Lego (Trade Mark) bricks. In this arrangement the radius of curvature is such that it accepts smaller bricks to each of the outside edge thereby preventing to form springing flat. Using this arrangement it is possible to quickly build arches. curves, roofs which could be used to build a toy aquarium, a forest, discotheque, without the need for any right angle brick pieces. The flexibility and sprung nature of the connector allows this as well as a myriad other combinations of bricks and connectors, thereby promoting imaginative play and design.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only and with reference to the Figures in which:
Brief Description of Figures
Figure 1 shows a square connector; Figure 2 shows a rectangular connector; Figure 3 shows a rectangular connector with central apertures; and Figure 4 shows a selection of connectors with various images.
Detailed Description of Figures
Figures 1 to 4 show a selection of different connectors.
Figure 1 shows a square connector 100 with a row of six apertures 110 arranged along one edge 105 of the connector 100.
The connector 100 is planar and of equal thickness across the flexible sheet.
The connector 100 has rounded corners so as to have no sharp edges exposed to a user.
The connector 100 has a fold line 120 parallel to the row of apertures 110.
The connector is 47.8mm by 47.8mm. The aperture diameter is 2.5mm. Connector 100 is transparent although other images and/or textures may be printed or formed thereon.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the connecter 100. The connector is rectangular having a row of six apertures 110 at each short end of the connector 100.
The connector 100 is 47.8mm by 95.8mm. The apertures have a diameter of 2.5mm. The connector 100 is transparent.
The connector 100 has a fold line 120 parallel to each row of apertures 110.
Figure 3 shows a large connector 100 having a row of six apertures 110 arranged at each short end of the connector.
Four additional apertures 110A are arranged on a central portion of the connector 100.
The connector 100 is 47.8mm by 119.8mm. The aperture diameters are 2.5mm.
The connector 100 has a fold line 120 parallel to each row of apertures 110.
Figure 4 shows a selection of connectors each having different images. The images show: a bridge, a waterfall, flames, vines, a spider and web, a sleep 5 pod, a display, a laser matrix, a stage backdrop and a toxic spill.
The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. For example images may be applied as holograms or they may be able to be lit. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
For example, lines of apertures or holes may be staggered with apertures or holes offset as the centres of apertures or holes do not all have to be collinear. Furthermore although reference has been made to specific thicknesses of film, variation to the thickness may be made in order to provide a more flexible connector (that is with a thinner) film or sheet; or a more rigid connector (that is with a thicker) film or sheet. For example variation in thickness is such that the connector is not too thick, otherwise blocks will not lock together, so typically the thickness 250 microns and this might allow sheets to be doubled to 500 microns. Such thicknesses allow for free forms to be made by the user, rather than being restricted to traditional regular shapes and patterns.
Other variation may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

  1. Claims 1. A connector is adapted to be connected to a building brick comprising: a flexible sheet of material with apertures located to receive raised portions of the building brick.
  2. 2. A connector according to claim 1 having first and second opposed ends wherein at least one end includes at least one aperture dimensioned to be received over a raised portion provided on a building brick.
  3. 3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein each opposed end includes at least one aperture.
  4. 4. A connector according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein a plurality of identical apertures is provided in an arrangement that corresponds to raised portions on a building brick.
  5. 5. A connector according to claim 4 having a row of apertures arranged on at least one edge of the flexible sheet.
  6. 6. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the connector includes a fold line to permit folding of the flexible sheet.
  7. 7. A connector according to claim 6 wherein the folding line is adjacent one or more apertures.
  8. 8. A connector according to any preceding claim including apertures on a central portion of the flexible sheet.
  9. 9. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the flexible sheet includes an image.
  10. 10.A connector according to claim 9 wherein the image is created using lenticular printing.
  11. 11.A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the body is at least 0.2mm.
  12. 12.A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the body is thinner at an edge section so as to create lesser spacing between the toy building bricks that sandwich the connector.
  13. 13.A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the flexible sheet is transparent.
  14. 14.A connector according to any preceding claim including a printed circuit board.
  15. 15.A connector according to any preceding claim including at least one light.
  16. 16.A connector as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.
GB1500721.4A 2015-01-16 2015-01-16 A connector for use with building bricks Withdrawn GB2534550A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1500721.4A GB2534550A (en) 2015-01-16 2015-01-16 A connector for use with building bricks

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1500721.4A GB2534550A (en) 2015-01-16 2015-01-16 A connector for use with building bricks

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201500721D0 GB201500721D0 (en) 2015-03-04
GB2534550A true GB2534550A (en) 2016-08-03

Family

ID=52630681

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1500721.4A Withdrawn GB2534550A (en) 2015-01-16 2015-01-16 A connector for use with building bricks

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2534550A (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1139315A (en) * 1965-06-19 1969-01-08 Lego System As Methods and components for making structures comprising electrical circuits
US3895456A (en) * 1970-11-16 1975-07-22 Carlo Fabre Composition assembly comprising constructional elements of plastic material for making free scheme compositions
EP0259874A2 (en) * 1986-09-12 1988-03-16 A/S Modulex A coupling plate having a plurality of electric coupling points, a method of producing such a plate and a use of the coupling plate as a planning board
EP0621062A2 (en) * 1993-04-22 1994-10-26 MESSERSCHMITT, Enno Game sheet
WO1999013953A1 (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-03-25 Lego A/S A thermoformed toy building plate
EP2025379A1 (en) * 2006-05-24 2009-02-18 Yoshiritsu Kabushiki Kaisha Knockdown block
WO2012052021A1 (en) * 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S A toy building set

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1139315A (en) * 1965-06-19 1969-01-08 Lego System As Methods and components for making structures comprising electrical circuits
US3895456A (en) * 1970-11-16 1975-07-22 Carlo Fabre Composition assembly comprising constructional elements of plastic material for making free scheme compositions
EP0259874A2 (en) * 1986-09-12 1988-03-16 A/S Modulex A coupling plate having a plurality of electric coupling points, a method of producing such a plate and a use of the coupling plate as a planning board
EP0621062A2 (en) * 1993-04-22 1994-10-26 MESSERSCHMITT, Enno Game sheet
WO1999013953A1 (en) * 1997-09-18 1999-03-25 Lego A/S A thermoformed toy building plate
EP2025379A1 (en) * 2006-05-24 2009-02-18 Yoshiritsu Kabushiki Kaisha Knockdown block
WO2012052021A1 (en) * 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S A toy building set

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