TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of toy technology.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the development of society, people in cities are working and living at a fast
pace. Correspondingly, mental stress of people is increased and it is liable to generating
anxiety and other emotions. Therefore, building block toys, such as for decompression,
splice and construction, are more and more popular among people. A person may build
various kinds of shapes according to his/her imagination and creativity through the
combination of building blocks, to release mental stresses caused by living and working.
[0003] In related art, toys of building blocks are made of hard materials, such as wood,
metal or hard plastic materials. Building blocks are separated from each other, which
need to be stacked one by one on a platform by people, in order to build a variety
of shapes. However, the built shape is influenced by gravity. Mutual forces among
the building blocks and corresponding directions of the forces need to be adjusted,
to build a corresponding shape. Besides, the number of the building blocks is relatively
large, and the building blocks may occupy a large space.
US 3, 550, 310 teaches a folding toy having pivotably connected cubic blocks, whereby the blocks
can be rotated about connectors in different directions relative to each other.
SUMMARY
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of aspects of the present disclosure
in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.
This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the
claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0005] The present disclosure relates to a toy.
[0006] According to aspects of the disclosure, the toy comprises:
first cubic blocks, each of the first cubic blocks including:
a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the respective
first cubic block; and
a second recessed space recessed from a second edge of the respective first cubic
block to the first center, the second edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting
the first edge;
second cubic blocks, each of the second cubic blocks including:
a third recessed space recessed from a third edge to a second center of the respective
second cubic block; and
a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge of the respective second cubic
block to the second center, the fourth edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting
the third edge;
connectors, each of the connectors connecting one of the first cubic blocks and one
of the second cubic blocks; and
pivoting shafts, each of the pivoting shafts connecting one of the connectors to one
of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate
around the respective pivoting shaft,
wherein a number of the first cubic blocks is four;
a number of the second cubic blocks is four;
the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks are arranged in a staggered manner,
the respective first cubic block being connected to two of the second cubic blocks
using two of the connectors in the first recessed space and the second recessed space,
and the respective second cubic block being connected to two of the first cubic blocks
using two of the connectors in the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space;
and
two of the pivoting shafts, being perpendicular to each other, are disposed in each
of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks, the respective first cubic
block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts, and the respective
second cubic block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts.
[0007] In some embodiments, a structure of the respective first cubic block is symmetric
with respect to a structure of the respective second cubic block.
[0008] In some embodiments, the first recessed space is a first groove disposed parallel
to the first edge and the second recessed space is a second groove disposed parallel
to the second edge, the first groove being perpendicular to the second groove, the
first pivoting end of the respective connector being connected to the respective first
cubic block in the first groove or the second groove.
[0009] In some embodiments, a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the respective
first cubic block intercept at the first edge; and
the first groove is partially recessed in a direction from the first outer surface
toward the first center to form a first slot, the first groove extending to the second
outer surface perpendicular to the first outer surface.
[0010] In some embodiments, a recessed depth of the first groove from the first outer surface
toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of an edge length of
the respective first cubic block, and a minimum distance between the second outer
surface and an inner wall surface of the first groove is greater than or equal to
one half of the edge length.
[0011] In some embodiments, a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface of the respective
first cubic block intercept at the second edge; and
the second groove is partially recessed in a direction from the third outer surface
toward the first center to form a second slot, the second groove extending to the
fourth outer surface perpendicular to the third outer surface.
[0012] In some embodiments, the third outer surface is perpendicular to the first outer
surface and the second outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is parallel to
the first outer surface and perpendicular to the second outer surface.
[0013] In some embodiments, a recession depth of the second groove from the third outer
surface toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length,
and a minimum distance between the fourth outer surface and an inner wall surface
of the second groove is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
[0014] In some embodiments, each of the connectors includes:
a body portion disposed between a first pivoting end and a second pivoting end;
the first pivoting end, a portion of the first pivoting end being in one of the first
recessed space and the second recessed space of the respective first cubic block;
and
the second pivoting end, a portion of the second pivoting end being in one of the
third recessed space and the fourth recessed space of the respective second cubic
block.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first pivoting end is disposed in the respective first recessed
space, and the second pivoting end is disposed in the third recessed space; and
when the respective connector is rotated to a specific position, an outer surface
of the body portion is flush with corresponding outer surfaces of the respective first
cubic block and the respective second cubic block.
[0016] In some embodiments, the connector comprises the pivoting shaft that protrudes outside
of the body portion, the pivoting shaft connecting the respective first cubic block
with the connector.
[0017] In some embodiments, the pivoting shaft is plugged into the body portion.
[0018] In some embodiments, a cross-section of the pivoting shaft is cross-shaped;
the first recessed space is disposed between a pair of cross grooves in the respective
first cubic block, a cross-section of the respective cross groove being cross-shaped
and matching the cross-section of the pivoting shaft;
the pivoting shaft is assembled through the respective pair of cross grooves to enable
rotation of the respective first cubic block around the pivoting shaft.
[0019] In some embodiments, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises
a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
[0020] In some embodiments, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises
a frosted outer surface.
[0021] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may
have following beneficial effects.
[0022] The folding toy (or the toy) is combined by eight small cubes and connecting members
to form a whole. The folding toy may be rotated around the pivoting shaft from a plurality
of directions and angles. When a player holds the folding toy in his/her hand, he/she
may freely turn over the folding toy following his/her feeling without restriction,
the rotation is flexible and the operation experience is excellent. The folding toys
may be manipulated in the hands of the player, turned and stacked to form a large
cube, or unfolded to form two paralleling rows of rectangular solids, which improves
attentiveness of the player and relieves anxiety of the player. The folding toy has
a small size, which may be moved by the fingertips of the player. The user experience
is good.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of
the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated in and become parts of the specification,
illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
Fig. 1 is a perspective structural view of a folding toy being unfolded in a rectangular
solid shape according to an exemplary embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a perspective structural schematic diagram of a folding toy being folded
in a cubic shape according to an exemplary embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a perspective structural view of a first module according to an exemplary
embodiment; and
Fig. 4 is a perspective structural view of a connecting member according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0025] In the drawings, the components are labeled as follows: first modules 10; first connecting
groove 11; second connecting groove 12; cross grooves 13; first surface 14; second
surface 15; third surface 16; fourth surface 17; deforming grooves 18; second module
20; connecting member 30; body portion 31; first pivoting portion 32; second pivoting
portion 33; pivoting shaft 40.
[0026] The specific aspects of the present disclosure, which have been illustrated by the
accompanying drawings described above, will be described in detail below. These accompanying
drawings and description are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure
in any manner, but to explain the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled
in the art via referencing specific aspects.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Descriptions will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to
the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent
the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set
forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations
consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses
and methods consistent with aspects related to the present disclosure as recited in
the appended claims.
[0028] The terms used herein are merely for describing a particular embodiment, rather than
limiting the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure and the appended
claims, terms in singular forms such as "a", "said" and "the" are intended to also
include plural forms, unless explicitly dictated otherwise. It should also be understood
that the term "and/or" used herein means any one or any possible combination of one
or more associated listed items.
[0029] It should be understood that, although it may describe information with a term first,
second, or third, etc., the information is not limited by these terms. These terms
are merely for distinguishing among information of the same kind. For example, without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information may also be
referred to as second information. Similarly, second information may also be referred
to as first information. Depending on the context, a term "if" as used herein can
be interpreted as "when", "while" or "in response to".
[0030] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the folding toy 100 (or the toy 100) includes first
modules 10 (or first cubic blocks 10) in cubic shapes, second modules 20 (or second
cubic blocks 20) in cubic shapes, and connecting members 30 (or connectors 30) each
having two ends pivotally connected to the first module 10 and the second module 20
respectively. In various embodiments, the folding toy 100 includes four first modules
10, four second modules 20, and eight connecting members 30 (or connectors 30) each
having two ends pivotally connected to the first module 10 and the second module 20
respectively. In some embodiments, the folding toy 100 includes pivoting shafts 40.
[0031] Each of the first module 10 and the second module 20 may rotate around a respective
pivoting shaft 40. In some embodiments, each of the connecting members 30 includes
a respective pivoting shaft 40. In some embodiments, the edge length of the first
module 10 is equal to that of the second module 20. The first modules 10 and the second
modules 20 are arranged in a staggered manner. The connecting members 30 are configured
to connect the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 adjacent to each other to
form two parallel rows. The first modules 10 and the second modules 20 form two parallel
rows, wherein the first row includes two first modules 10 and two second modules 20,
the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are spaced apart from each other, the
second row also includes two first modules 10 and two second modules 20, and the first
modules 10 and the second modules 20 are also spaced apart from each other. The first
modules 10 in the first row are adjacent to the second modules 20 in the second row,
such that the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 in the folding toy 100 are
staggered. In order to improve turning efficiency of the first modules 10 and the
second modules 20, reduce interference portions, and improve appearance, in an embodiment,
edges and corners of the first modules 10 and the second modules 20 are rounded corners.
In some examples, one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks includes
a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
[0032] The first modules 10 and the second modules 20 in the folding toy 100 are arranged
in a staggered manner. Middle positions of two edges of each of the first modules
10 and the second modules 20 are provided with an accommodating space (or a recessed
space) which is formed by recessing the corresponding edge in a direction from two
surfaces where the edge is located toward the center of the module. The two edges
are perpendicular to each other and do not intersect. Two ends of the connecting member
30 are respectively connected to the adjacent first module 10 and second module 20.
The two ends of the connecting member 30 are at least partially accommodated in the
accommodating space of the first module 10 and the second module 20. The connecting
member 30 is located at the middle position of the first module 10 and the second
module 20, such that force-bearing performance is good. The connecting member 30 is
partially accommodated in the accommodating space of the first module 10 or the second
module 20, such that deformation space is large, which is more flexible. Moreover,
when two inner side walls of the accommodating space are perpendicular to each other,
a rotation range of the connecting member 30 may be determined, and meanwhile the
connecting member 30 and the inner side walls may be closely fit, which reduces the
gap between the connecting member 30 and the first module 10 or the second module
20 and reduces the space used for rotating the folding toy 100. Besides, the change
in the gap between the first module 10 and the second module 20, after the folding
toy 100 is deformed, is small.
[0033] Each first module 10 is connected to two adjacent second modules 20, and pivoting
shafts 40 of the two connecting members 30 pivotally connected to each first module
10 are perpendicular to each other. The second modules 20 and the first modules 10
are spaced apart from each other. Correspondingly, each second module 20 is connected
to two adjacent first modules 10, and pivoting shafts 40 of the two connecting members
30 pivotally connected to each second module 20 are perpendicular to each other. The
folding toy 100 may be unfolded to form two parallel rows of rectangular solids constituted
by the first modules 10 and the second modules 20; or may be folded to form a cube
constituted by the first modules 10 and the second modules 20.
[0034] The folding toy 100 is comprised of eight small cubes and eight connecting members
30 combined to form a whole. The folding toy 100 may be rotated around the pivoting
shafts 40 from a plurality of directions and angles. When a player holds the folding
toy 100 in his/her hand, he/she may freely turn over the folding toy 100 following
his/her feeling without restriction, the rotation is flexible, and the operation experience
is excellent. The folding toy 100 may be manipulated in hands of the player, turned
and stacked to form a large cube, or unfolded to form two paralleling rows of rectangular
solids, which improves attentiveness of the player and relieves emotion of the player.
The folding toy 100 has a small size, which may be moved at fingertips of the player.
The user experience is good.
[0035] The first module 10 and the second module 20 may be designed according to an appearance
and a function. Holes, bumps, patterns and the like may be set and adjusted on the
surface thereof to improve appearance. Both the first module 10 and the second module
20 are connected to the connecting member 30. In some embodiments, the first module
10 is configured to rotate around a respective pivoting shaft 40 in the connecting
member 30. In some embodiments, the second module 20 is configured to rotate around
a respective pivoting shaft 40 in the connecting member 30. In an embodiment, the
first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical in structure. The connecting
member 30 is configured to be connected to the first module 10 and the second module
20. The first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical in structure, which
improves the overall uniformity of the folding toy 100 and the appearance is attractive.
In the rotation process of the folding toy 100, the rotation is flexible, and has
an excellent consistency.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrically
disposed, and the first module 10 is taken as an example for description. In an embodiment,
the first module 10 includes a first connecting groove 11 (or a first groove 11) and
a second connecting groove 12 (or a second groove 12) recessed from the surface of
the first module 10. The first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove
12 are perpendicular to each other. The connecting member 30 may be connected to an
interior of the corresponding first connecting groove 11 or second connecting groove
12.
[0037] Each of the first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 may be
respectively connected to one connecting member 30. In an example, each of the first
connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 is configured to rotate inside
the respective connecting member 30. The first connecting groove 11 and the second
connecting groove 12 are set by being recessed on the first module 10 to form the
accommodating space, for respectively accommodating a part of the connecting member
30, to increase the volume of the connecting member 30 and improve strength and rigidity
of the connecting member 30. The connecting member 30 is trapped in the first connecting
groove 11 or the second connecting groove 12, so as to adjust the rotation position
and the fitting position between the first module 10 and the second module 20 and
make the rotation flexible. In an embodiment, the first connecting groove 11 is located
at the middle position of an edge (or a first edge) of the first module 10. By providing
the first connecting groove 11 at the middle position of the edge, it may guarantee,
for example, that the first module 10 is at a symmetrical position, the rotational
position is the same and the stability is good, regardless of the direction in which
the first module 10 is rotated.
[0038] The first connecting groove 11 is formed by a recess downward from the surface of
the first module 10. In an embodiment, the first connecting groove 11 is partially
recessed in a direction from a first surface 14 (or a first outer surface 14) of the
first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 to form a first bayonet (or
a first slot), and the first connecting groove 11 extends to a side to a second surface
15 (or a second outer surface 15) perpendicular to the first surface 14. The first
connecting groove 11 is a rectangular or trapezoidal notch on the first module 10.
The opening of the first connecting groove 11 is located at the first surface 14 and
the second surface 15 perpendicular to each other. The connecting member 30 may be
connected to the first connecting groove 11 and may be perpendicular to the first
surface 14 or the second surface 15 during the rotation. In an example, a pivoting
shaft 40 in the first connecting groove 11 is configured to rotate inside the connecting
member 30.
[0039] The first connecting groove 11 forms two inner wall surfaces on the inner surface
of the first module 10. In an embodiment, a recession depth of the first connecting
groove 11 from the first surface 14 of the first module 10 toward the center of the
first module 10 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first
module 10. A minimum distance between the second surface 15 and an inner wall surface
of the first connecting groove 11 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge
length of the first module 10. In an embodiment, the two inner wall surfaces are perpendicular
to each other.
[0040] The distance between the opening of the first connecting groove 11 and the inner
wall surface of the first connecting groove 11 is greater than or equal to one half
of the edge length of the first module 10, that is, distance between the first surface
14 or the second surface 15 and an inner wall surface of the first connecting groove
11, which is not adjacent to the surface, is greater than or equal to one half of
the edge length of the first module 10, and the rotatable range of the connecting
member 30 is large, such that the first module 10 and the second module 20 may remain
flush with each other after rotation. By adjusting the pivoting position of the connecting
member 30 in the first connecting groove 11, it may conveniently control the rotating
angle and the rotating position of the first module 10 with respect to the connecting
member 30, and the adjustment is convenient.
[0041] The first module 10 has a cubic shape and includes six surfaces, wherein the first
surface 14 and the second surface 15 are perpendicular to each other, a third surface
16 (or a third outer surface 16) is perpendicular to both the first surface 14 and
the second surface 15, and a fourth surface 17 (or a fourth outer surface 17) is parallel
to the first surface 14 and perpendicular to the second surface 15. The first connecting
groove 11 is disposed on the first surface 14 and the second surface 15. In an embodiment,
the second connecting groove 12 is partially recessed in a direction from the third
surface 16 of the first module 10 toward the center of the first module 10 to form
a second bayonet (or a second slot), and the second connecting groove 12 extends to
a side to the fourth surface 17 perpendicular to the third surface 16.
[0042] The first connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are respectively
located on two perpendicular edges, and surfaces, at which the openings of the first
connecting groove 11 and the second connecting groove 12 are located, are different,
such that the first module 10 may rotate around two directions perpendicular to each
other. The first module 10 and the second module 20 that are arranged side by side
may fit together after being rotated by 90 degrees simultaneously.
[0043] Correspondingly, in order to adjust the fitting angle and the position of the first
module 10 and the second module 20, a recession depth of the second connecting groove
12 from the third surface 16 of the first module 10 toward the center of the first
module 10 is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module
10, and a minimum distance between the fourth surface 17 and an inner wall surface
of the second connecting groove 12, which is not adjacent to fourth surface 17, is
greater than or equal to one half of the edge length of the first module 10.
[0044] The distance between the opening of the second connecting groove 12 and the inner
wall surface of the second connecting groove 12 is greater than or equal to one half
of the edge length of the first module 10, that is, distance between the third surface
16 or the fourth surface 17 and an inner wall surface of the second connecting groove
12, which is not adjacent to the surface, is greater than or equal to one half of
the edge length of the first module 10, and the rotatable range of the connecting
member 30 is large, such that the first module 10 and the second module 20 may remain
flush with each other after rotation. By adjusting the pivoting position of the connecting
member 30 in the second connecting groove 12, it may conveniently control the rotating
angle and the rotating position of the first module 10 with respect to the connecting
member 30, and the adjustment is convenient.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the connecting member 30 is configured to pivotally
connect the adjacent first module 10 and second module 20, wherein the connecting
member 30 is a rigid structure. In an embodiment, the connecting member 30 includes
a body portion 31, a first pivoting portion 32 (or a first pivoting end 32) disposed
at one end of the body portion 31 and a second pivoting portion 33 (or a second pivoting
end 33) provided at the other end of the body portion 31. The first pivoting portion
32 is pivotally connected to the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion
33 is pivotally connected to the second module 20.
[0046] The structures of the first module 10 and the second module 20 are symmetrical to
each other. The first pivoting portion 32 is located in the first connecting groove
11 of the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion 33 is located in a corresponding
groove position of the second module 20. The distance between the first module 10
and the second module 20 is adjusted through the length of the connecting member 30.
By adjusting the length of the connecting member 30, the distance between the first
module 10 and the second module 20 is minimized. For example, in an initial state,
the fourth surfaces 17 of the first module 10 and second module 20 juxtaposed at the
ends are fitted to each other. After the first module 10 and the second module 20
are simultaneously rotated by 90 degrees around the connecting member 30, the third
surface 16 of the first module 10 is fitted to the third surface 16 of the second
module 20.
[0047] The connecting members 30 connect the first modules 10 and the second modules 20
in sequence, to make the folding toy 100 to be formed as a whole. By adjusting the
distance between the first module 10 and the second module 20, the folding toy 100
is compact and the appearance after deformation is pleasing. The folding toy 100 may
be turned and bent in various angles, to improve its deformation ability. For example,
when the folding toy 100 is in a rectangular solid state, after it is turned over
from the center of the long side to both flank sides, the two rows of modules, after
being rotated, continue to maintain the rectangular solid state, and the fitting surfaces
of the two rows of modules are changed.
[0048] After the first module 10 and the second module 20 are turned over, the connecting
member 30 is changed with respect to the first module 10 and the second module 20.
In an embodiment, the first pivoting portion 32 is pivotally connected to interior
of the first module 10, and the second pivoting portion 33 is pivotally connected
to interior of the second module 20. When the connecting member 30 is rotated to an
outer surface of the folding toy 100, an outer surface of the body portion 31 is flush
with surfaces of the first module 10 and the second module 20. When the connecting
member 30 is perpendicular to the first surface 14, the outwardly-facing surface of
the connecting member 30 is flush with the second surface 15. When the connecting
member 30 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first module 10 and the connecting
member 30 is perpendicular to the second surface 15, the outwardly-facing surface
of the connecting member 30 is accordingly flush with the first surface 14. The pivoting
shaft 40 of the connecting member 30 is parallel to the edge formed by intersecting
the first surface 14 and the second surface 15. The distance from the pivoting shaft
40 to the first surface 14 is equal to the distance from the pivoting shaft 40 to
the second surface 15.
[0049] The connecting member 30 rotates around the pivoting shaft 40, and the outer surface
of the connecting member 30 after rotating is flush with the surfaces of the first
module 10 and the second module 20. The overall appearance is attractive. Accordingly,
end portions of the first pivoting portion 32 and the second pivoting portion 33 are
provided with circular arc surfaces, such that the connecting member 30 may rotate
around the first module 10 or the second module 20, without interfering with each
other.
[0050] The connecting member 30 is pivotally connected to the first module 10 or the second
module 20, wherein the connecting member 30 further includes protruding pivoting shafts
40 for pivotally connecting the connecting member 30 with the first module 10 or the
second module 20.
[0051] The form of providing the pivoting shafts 40 on the connecting member 30 may include
an integrated form and a combined form.
[0052] The integrated from: the pivoting shaft 40 is a shaft-shaped protrusion protruding
from both sides of the body portion 31 of the connecting member 30, which is accordantly
connected with the first module 10 or the second module 20, such that the connecting
member 30 rotates around the pivoting shaft 40.
[0053] The combined form: the pivoting shaft 40 and the body portion 31 are plug-connected.
In an embodiment, a cross section of the pivoting shaft 40 is cross-shaped, and both
the first module 10 and the second module 20 are provided with cross grooves 13 matched
with the pivoting shaft 40, and the pivoting shaft 40 is assembled to the cross grooves
13, such that the connecting member 30 is connected to the first module 10 or the
second module 20.
[0054] The cross groove 13 is parallel to the edge of the first module 10. The first module
10 is provided with two sets of cross grooves 13 perpendicular to each other. The
cross groove 13 penetrates through the first module 10. A set of cross grooves 13
are perpendicular to the first connecting groove 11 and penetrate into the first connecting
groove 11. The other set of cross grooves 13 are perpendicular to the second connecting
groove 12 and penetrate into the second connecting groove 12. The pivoting shaft 40
passes through the cross groove 13 and penetrates through one end of the connecting
member 30, to make the connecting member 30 rotate around the pivoting shaft 40. The
pivoting shaft 40 is set in a cross shape, to prevent the pivoting shaft 40 from rotating
around itself, so as to ensure the reliability of rotation of the connecting member
30. In an embodiment, an outer surface of the pivoting shaft 40 is located on a circumscribed
circle, such that the connecting member 30 may rotate around the pivoting shaft 40
flexibly.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in an embodiment, the first module 10 is further provided
with deforming grooves 18. Each of the deforming grooves 18 is parallel to a corresponding
cross groove 13, opened and connected to one end of the cross groove 13 to form a
structure similar to a Chinese character "±". The deforming groove 18 is provided
to absorb the deformation caused by extrusion from the pivoting shaft 40 and the cross
groove 13. In this way, the pivoting shaft 40 and the cross groove 13 are interference
fit, which makes the installation firm and facilitates the assembling.
[0056] The folding toy 100 is a fingertip toy, which may be operated without a platform.
Since the folding toy 100 directly contacts with the hand of a user as a fingertip
toy, the tactile feel of the folding toy 100 is a significant experience effect of
the user. In an embodiment, outer surfaces of both the first module 10 and the second
module 20 are frosted surfaces. When the user rotates the folding toy 100, the finger
skin of the user is in contact with the frosted surface, the tactile feel is good,
the user experience is excellent, and the flexibility of rotation is improved. At
the same time, the folding toy 100 is a fingertip toy that relieves the emotions of
a user. The size of such a folding toy 100 is relatively small, which is suitable
for use in environments such as offices and study rooms. At the same time, different
appearance and user experience may be achieved by adjusting material colors of the
first module 10, the second module 20, the connecting member 30 and the pivoting shaft
40, such as using metal, plastic, wood and the combination thereof.
[0057] For the embodiments regarding apparatuses, since they correspond to the embodiments
regarding methods, they can be referred to the description of the method embodiments
regarding methods. The embodiments regarding apparatuses described above are merely
illustrative. The units described as separate components may be or may not be physically
separate, and the components illustrated as units may be or may not be physical units,
and may be at the same location, or may be distributed to multiple units over the
network. A part of or the whole of the modules can be selected to achieve the objective
of the present disclosure as desired. One skilled in the art can understand and practice
the embodiments.
[0058] The foregoing are only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not
intend to limit the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.
1. A toy, comprising:
first cubic blocks (10), each of the first cubic blocks (10) including:
a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the respective
first cubic block (10); and
a second recessed space recessed from a second edge of the respective first cubic
block (10) to the first center, the second edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting
the first edge;
second cubic blocks (20), each of the second cubic blocks (20) including:
a third recessed space recessed from a third edge to a second center of the respective
second cubic block (20); and
a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge of the respective second cubic
block (20) to the second center, the fourth edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting
the third edge;
connectors (30), each of the connectors (30) connecting one of the first cubic blocks
(10) and one of the second cubic blocks (20); and
pivoting shafts (40), each of the pivoting shafts (40) connecting one of the connectors
(30) to one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) that is
configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft (40),
wherein a number of the first cubic blocks (10) is four;
a number of the second cubic blocks (20) is four;
the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20) are arranged in a staggered
manner, the respective first cubic block (10) being connected to two of the second
cubic blocks (20) using two of the connectors (30) in the first recessed space and
the second recessed space, and the respective second cubic block (20) being connected
to two of the first cubic blocks (10) using two of the connectors (30) in the third
recessed space and the fourth recessed space; and
two of the pivoting shafts (40), being perpendicular to each other, are disposed in
each of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second cubic blocks (20), the respective
first cubic block (10) being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts
(40), and the respective second cubic block (20) being configured to rotate around
two respective pivoting shafts (40).
2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein a structure of the respective first cubic block
(10) is symmetric with respect to a structure of the respective second cubic block
(20).
3. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the first recessed space is a first groove (11)
disposed parallel to the first edge and the second recessed space is a second groove
(12) disposed parallel to the second edge, the first groove (11) being perpendicular
to the second groove (12), a first pivoting end (32) of the respective connector (30)
being connected to the respective first cubic block (10) in the first groove (11)
or the second groove (12).
4. The toy according to claim 3, wherein
a first outer surface (14) and a second outer surface (15) of the respective first
cubic block (10) intercept at the first edge; and
the first groove (11) is partially recessed in a direction from the first outer surface
(14) toward the first center to form a first slot, the first groove (11) extending
to the second outer surface (15) perpendicular to the first outer surface (14).
5. The toy according to claim 4, wherein a recessed depth of the first groove (11) from
the first outer surface (14) toward the first center is greater than or equal to one
half of an edge length of the respective first cubic block (10), and a minimum distance
between the second outer surface (15) and an inner wall surface of the first groove
(11) is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length.
6. The toy according to claim 4, wherein
a third outer surface (16) and a fourth outer surface (17) of the respective first
cubic block (10) intercept at the second edge; and
the second groove (12) is partially recessed in a direction from the third outer surface
(16) toward the first center to form a second slot, the second groove (12) extending
to the fourth outer surface (17) perpendicular to the third outer surface (16).
7. The toy according to claim 6, wherein the third outer surface (16) is perpendicular
to the first outer surface (14) and the second outer surface (15), and the fourth
outer surface (17) is parallel to the first outer surface (14) and perpendicular to
the second outer surface (15).
8. The toy according to claim 6, wherein a recession depth of the second groove (12)
from the third outer surface (16) toward the first center is greater than or equal
to one half of the edge length, and a minimum distance between the fourth outer surface
(17) and an inner wall surface of the second groove (12) is greater than or equal
to one half of the edge length.
9. The toy according to claim 3, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein each of the
connectors (30) includes:
a body portion (31) disposed between the first pivoting end (32) and a second pivoting
end (33);
the first pivoting end (32), a portion of the first pivoting end (32) being in one
of the first recessed space and the second recessed space of the respective first
cubic block (10); and
the second pivoting end (33), a portion of the second pivoting end (33) being in one
of the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space of the respective second
cubic block (20).
10. The toy according to claim 9, wherein
the first pivoting end (32) is disposed in the respective first recessed space, and
the second pivoting end (33) is disposed in the third recessed space; and
when the respective connector (30) is rotated to a specific position, an outer surface
of the body portion (31) is flush with corresponding outer surfaces of the respective
first cubic block (10) and the respective second cubic block (20).
11. The toy according to claim 9, wherein the connector (30) comprises the pivoting shaft
(40) that protrudes outside of the body portion (31), the pivoting shaft (40) connecting
the respective first cubic block (10) with the connector (30).
12. The toy according to claim 11, wherein the pivoting shaft (40) is plugged into the
body portion (31).
13. The toy according to claim 11, wherein
a cross-section of the pivoting shaft (40) is cross-shaped;
the first recessed space is disposed between a pair of cross grooves (13) in the respective
first cubic block (10), a cross-section of the respective cross groove (13) being
cross-shaped and matching the cross-section of the pivoting shaft (40);
the pivoting shaft (40) is assembled through the respective pair of cross grooves
(13) to enable rotation of the respective first cubic block (10) around the pivoting
shaft (40).
14. The toy according to claim 1, wherein one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second
cubic blocks (20) comprises a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner.
15. The toy according to claim 1, wherein one of the first cubic blocks (10) and the second
cubic blocks (20) comprises a frosted outer surface.
1. Spielzeug, umfassend:
erste würfelförmige Blöcke (10), wobei jeder der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10)
Folgendes aufweist:
eine erste Vertiefung, die von einer ersten Kante zu einem ersten Mittelpunkt des
jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Blocks (10) reicht; und
eine zweite Vertiefung, di von einer zweiten Kante des jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen
Blocks (10) zum ersten Mittelpunkt reicht, wobei die zweite Kante senkrecht zur ersten
Kante ausgerichtet ist und sich nicht mit dieser schneidet;
zweite würfelförmige Blöcke (20), wobei jeder der zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20)
Folgendes aufweist:
eine dritte Vertiefung, die von einer dritten Kante zu einem zweiten Mittelpunkt des
jeweiligen zweiten würfelförmigen Blocks (20) reicht; und
eine vierte Vertiefung, die von einer vierten Kante des jeweiligen zweiten würfelförmigen
Blocks (20) zum zweiten Mittelpunkt reicht, wobei die vierte Kante senkrecht zur dritten
Kante ausgerichtet ist und sich nicht mit dieser schneidet;
Verbindungsstücke (30), wobei jedes der Verbindungsstücke (30) einen der ersten würfelförmigen
Blöcke (10) und einen der zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) verbindet; und
drehbare Achsen (40), wobei jede der drehbaren Achsen (40) eines der Verbindungsstücke
(30) mit einem der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) und der zweiten würfelförmigen
Blöcken (20) verbindet, der so konfiguriert ist, dass er sich um die jeweilige drehbare
Achse (40) dreht,
wobei eine Anzahl der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) gleich vier ist; eine Anzahl
der zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) gleich vier ist;
die ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) und die zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) in
einer versetzten Weise angeordnet sind, wobei der jeweilige erste würfelförmige Block
(10) mit zwei der zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) unter Verwendung von zwei der
Verbindungsstücke (30) in der ersten Vertiefung und der zweiten Vertiefung verbunden
ist, und der jeweilige zweite würfelförmige Block (20) mit zwei der ersten würfelförmigen
Blöcke (10) unter Verwendung von zwei der Verbindungsstücke (30) in der dritten Vertiefung
und der vierten Vertiefung verbunden ist; und
zwei der drehbaren Achsen (40), die senkrecht zueinander ausgerichtet sind, in jedem
der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) und der zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) angeordnet
sind, wobei der jeweilige erste würfelförmige Block (10) so konfiguriert ist, dass
er sich um zwei jeweilige drehbare Achsen (40) dreht, und der jeweilige zweite würfelförmige
Block (20) so konfiguriert ist, dass er sich um zwei jeweilige drehbare Achsen (40)
dreht.
2. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei eine Struktur des jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen
Blocks (10) symmetrisch zu einer Struktur des jeweiligen zweiten würfelförmigen Blocks
(20) angeordnet ist.
3. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 2, wobei die erste Vertiefung eine erste Nut (11) ist, die
parallel zur ersten Kante angeordnet ist, und die zweite Vertiefung eine zweite Nut
(12) ist, die parallel zur zweiten Kante angeordnet ist, wobei die erste Nut (11)
senkrecht zur zweiten Nut (12) verläuft, wobei ein erstes drehbares Ende (32) des
jeweiligen Verbindungsstücks (30) mit dem jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Block (10)
in der ersten Nut (11) oder der zweiten Nut (12) verbunden ist.
4. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 3, wobei
sich eine erste Außenfläche (14) und eine zweite Außenfläche (15) des jeweiligen ersten
würfelförmigen Blocks (10) an der ersten Kante schneiden; und
die erste Nut (11) in einer Richtung von der ersten Außenfläche (14) zum ersten Mittelpunkt
hin teilweise vertieft ist, um einen ersten Schlitz zu bilden, wobei die erste Nut
(11) zur zweiten Außenfläche (15) senkrecht zur ersten Außenfläche (14) verläuft.
5. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 4, wobei eine Tiefe der ersten Nut (11) von der ersten Außenfläche
(14) zum ersten Mittelpunkt hin größer oder gleich einer Hälfte einer Kantenlänge
des jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Blocks (10) ist, und ein Mindestabstand zwischen
der zweiten Außenfläche (15) und einer Innenwandfläche der ersten Nut (11) größer
oder gleich einer Hälfte der Kantenlänge ist.
6. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 4, wobei
sich eine dritte Außenfläche (16) und eine vierte Außenfläche (17) des jeweiligen
ersten würfelförmigen Blocks (10) an der zweiten Kante schneiden; und
die zweite Nut (12) in einer Richtung von der dritten Außenfläche (16) zum ersten
Mittelpunkt hin teilweise vertieft ist, um einen zweiten Schlitz zu bilden, wobei
die zweite Nut (12) zur vierten Außenfläche (17) senkrecht zur dritten Außenfläche
(16) verläuft.
7. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 6, wobei die dritte Außenfläche (16) senkrecht zu der ersten
Außenfläche (14) und der zweiten Außenfläche (15) und die vierte Außenfläche (17)
parallel zu der ersten Außenfläche (14) und senkrecht zu der zweiten Außenfläche (15)
ausgerichtet ist.
8. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 6, wobei eine Tiefe der zweiten Nut (12) von der dritten Außenfläche
(16) zum ersten Mittelpunkt hin größer oder gleich der Hälfte der Kantenlänge ist
und ein Mindestabstand zwischen der vierten Außenfläche (17) und einer inneren Wandfläche
der zweiten Nut (12) größer oder gleich der Hälfte der Kantenlänge ist.
9. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 3 oder ein davon abhängiger Anspruch, wobei jedes der Verbindungsstücke
(30) Folgendes umfasst:
einen Gebildeabschnitt (31), der zwischen dem ersten drehbaren Ende (32) und einem
zweiten drehbaren Ende (33) angeordnet ist;
das drehbare Ende (32), wobei sich ein Abschnitt des ersten drehbaren Endes (32) in
einer der ersten Vertieftungen und der zweiten Vertiefungen des jeweiligen ersten
würfelförmigen Blocks (10) befindet; und
das zweite drehbare Ende (33), wobei sich ein Abschnitt des zweiten drehbaren Endes
(33) in einer der dritten Vertiefungen und der vierten Vertiefungen des jeweiligen
zweiten würfelförmigen Blocks (20) befindet.
10. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 9, wobei
das erste drehbare Ende (32) in der jeweiligen ersten Vertiefung und das zweite drehbare
Ende (33) in der dritten Vertiefung angeordnet ist; und
wenn das jeweilige Verbindungsstück (30) in eine bestimmte Position gedreht wird,
eine Außenfläche des Gebildeabschnitts (31) bündig mit entsprechenden Außenflächen
des jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Blocks (10) und des jeweiligen zweiten würfelförmigen
Blocks (20) ist.
11. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 9, wobei das Verbindungsstück (30) die drehbare Achse (40)
umfasst, die aus dem Gebildeabschnitt (31) herausragt, wobei die drehbare Achse (40)
den jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Block (10) mit dem Verbindungsstück (30) verbindet.
12. Das Spielzeug nach Anspruch 11, wobei die drehbare Achse (40) in den Gebildeabschnitt
(31) eingesteckt ist.
13. Das Spielzeug nach Anspruch 11, wobei
ein Querschnitt der drehbaren Achse (40) kreuzförmig ist;
die erste Vertiefung zwischen einem Paar von Quernuten (13) in dem jeweiligen ersten
würfelförmigen Block (10) angeordnet ist, wobei ein Querschnitt der jeweiligen Quernut
(13) kreuzförmig ist und dem Querschnitt der drehbaren Achse (40) entspricht;
wobei die drehbare Achse (40) durch das jeweilige Paar von Quernuten (13) montiert
ist, um die Drehung des jeweiligen ersten würfelförmigen Blocks (10) um die drehbare
Achse (40) zu ermöglichen.
14. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei einer der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) und der
zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) eine abgerundete Kante und/oder eine abgerundete
Ecke aufweist.
15. Spielzeug nach Anspruch 1, wobei einer der ersten würfelförmigen Blöcke (10) und der
zweiten würfelförmigen Blöcke (20) eine mattierte Außenfläche aufweist.
1. Jouet, comprenant :
des premiers blocs cubiques (10), chacun des premiers blocs cubiques (10) incluant
:
un premier espace évidé qui est évidé depuis un premier bord vers un premier centre
du premier bloc cubique (10) respectif ; et
un deuxième espace évidé qui est évidé depuis un deuxième bord du premier bloc cubique
(10) respectif vers le premier centre, le deuxième bord étant perpendiculaire au premier
bord et n'interceptant pas celui-ci ;
des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20), chacun des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) incluant
:
un troisième espace évidé qui est évidé depuis un troisième bord vers un deuxième
centre du deuxième bloc cubique (20) respectif ; et
un quatrième espace évidé qui est évidé depuis un quatrième bord du deuxième bloc
cubique (20) respectif vers le deuxième centre, le quatrième bord étant perpendiculaire
au troisième bord et n'interceptant pas celui-ci ;
des raccords (30), chacun des raccords (30) raccordant l'un des premiers blocs cubiques
(10) et l'un des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) ; et
des arbres pivotants (40), chacun des arbres pivotants (40) raccordant l'un des raccords
(30) à l'un des premiers blocs cubiques (10) et des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20)
qui est configuré pour tourner autour de l'arbre pivotant (40) respectif,
dans lequel un nombre des premiers blocs cubiques (10) est de quatre ;
un nombre des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) est de quatre ;
les premiers blocs cubiques (10) et les deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) sont agencés
d'une manière décalée, le premier bloc cubique (10) respectif étant raccordé à deux
des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) à l'aide de deux des raccords (30) dans le premier
espace évidé et le deuxième espace évidé, et le deuxième bloc cubique (20) respectif
étant raccordé à deux des premiers blocs cubiques (10) à l'aide de deux des raccords
(30) dans le troisième espace évidé et le quatrième espace évidé ; et
deux des arbres pivotants (40), étant perpendiculaires entre eux, sont disposés dans
chacun des premiers blocs cubiques (10) et des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20), le premier
bloc cubique (10) respectif étant configuré pour tourner autour de deux arbres pivotants
(40) respectifs, et le deuxième bloc cubique (20) respectif étant configuré pour tourner
autour de deux arbres pivotants (40) respectifs.
2. Jouet selon la revendication 1, dans lequel une structure du premier bloc cubique
(10) respectif est symétrique par rapport à une structure du deuxième bloc cubique
(20) respectif.
3. Jouet selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le premier espace évidé est une première
rainure (11) disposée parallèlement au premier bord et le deuxième espace évidé est
une deuxième rainure (12) disposée parallèlement au deuxième bord, la première rainure
(11) étant perpendiculaire à la deuxième rainure (12), une première extrémité pivotante
(32) du raccord (30) respectif étant raccordée au premier bloc cubique (10) respectif
dans la première rainure (11) ou la deuxième rainure (12).
4. Jouet selon la revendication 3, dans lequel
une première surface extérieure (14) et une deuxième surface extérieure (15) du premier
bloc cubique (10) respectif s'interceptent au niveau du premier bord ; et
la première rainure (11) est partiellement évidée dans une direction allant de la
première surface extérieure (14) vers le premier centre pour former une première fente,
la première rainure (11) s'étendant jusqu'à la deuxième surface extérieure (15) perpendiculaire
à la première surface extérieure (14).
5. Jouet selon la revendication 4, dans lequel une profondeur évidée de la première rainure
(11) depuis la première surface extérieure (14) vers le premier centre est supérieure
ou égale à une moitié d'une longueur de bord du premier bloc cubique (10) respectif,
et une distance minimale entre la deuxième surface extérieure (15) et une surface
de paroi intérieure de la première rainure (11) est supérieure ou égale à une moitié
de la longueur de bord.
6. Jouet selon la revendication 4, dans lequel
une troisième surface extérieure (16) et une quatrième surface extérieure (17) du
premier bloc cubique (10) respectif s'interceptent au niveau du deuxième bord ; et
la deuxième rainure (12) est partiellement évidée dans une direction allant de la
troisième surface extérieure (16) vers le premier centre pour former une deuxième
fente, la deuxième rainure (12) s'étendant jusqu'à la quatrième surface extérieure
(17) perpendiculaire à la troisième surface extérieure (16).
7. Jouet selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la troisième surface extérieure (16) est
perpendiculaire à la première surface extérieure (14) et à la deuxième surface extérieure
(15), et la quatrième surface extérieure (17) est parallèle à la première surface
extérieure (14) et perpendiculaire à la deuxième surface extérieure (15).
8. Jouet selon la revendication 6, dans lequel une profondeur évidée de la deuxième rainure
(12) depuis la troisième surface extérieure (16) vers le premier centre est supérieure
ou égale à une moitié de la longueur de bord, et une distance minimale entre la quatrième
surface extérieure (17) et une surface de paroi intérieure de la deuxième rainure
(12) est supérieure ou égale à une moitié de la longueur de bord.
9. Jouet selon la revendication 3, ou l'une quelconque des revendications qui en dépend,
dans lequel chacun des raccords (30) inclut :
une partie corps (31) disposée entre la première extrémité pivotante (32) et une deuxième
extrémité pivotante (33) ;
la première extrémité pivotante (32), une partie de la première extrémité pivotante
(32) étant dans l'un du premier espace évidé et du deuxième espace évidé du premier
bloc cubique (10) respectif ; et
la deuxième extrémité pivotante (33), une partie de la deuxième extrémité pivotante
(33) étant dans l'un du troisième espace évidé et du quatrième espace évidé du deuxième
bloc cubique (20) respectif.
10. Jouet selon la revendication 9, dans lequel
la première extrémité pivotante (32) est disposée dans le premier espace évidé respectif,
et la deuxième extrémité pivotante (33) est disposée dans le troisième espace évidé
; et
quand le raccord (30) respectif est mis en rotation jusqu'à une position spécifique,
une surface extérieure de la partie corps (31) est dans l'alignement de surfaces extérieures
correspondantes du premier bloc cubique (10) respectif et du deuxième bloc cubique
(20) respectif.
11. Jouet selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le raccord (30) comprend l'arbre pivotant
(40) qui fait saillie à l'extérieur de la partie corps (31), l'arbre pivotant (40)
raccordant le premier bloc cubique (10) respectif au raccord (30).
12. Jouet selon la revendication 11, dans lequel l'arbre pivotant (40) est enfoncé dans
la partie corps (31).
13. Jouet selon la revendication 11, dans lequel
une coupe transversale de l'arbre pivotant (40) a la forme d'une croix ;
le premier espace évidé est disposé entre une paire de rainures en croix (13) dans
le premier bloc cubique (10) respectif, une coupe transversale de la rainure en croix
(13) respective étant en forme de croix et correspondant à la coupe transversale de
l'arbre pivotant (40) ;
l'arbre pivotant (40) est assemblé par le biais de la paire respective de rainures
en croix (13) pour permettre la rotation du premier bloc cubique (10) respectif autour
de l'arbre pivotant (40).
14. Jouet selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'un des premiers blocs cubiques (10)
et des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) comprend un bord arrondi et/ou un coin arrondi.
15. Jouet selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'un des premiers blocs cubiques (10)
et des deuxièmes blocs cubiques (20) comprend une surface extérieure dépolie.