[0001] The present invention relates to a constructional toy component having at least one
contact face releasably mating with the contact face of another component.
[0002] It is known to provide toys and sporting apparatus which use separable fastening
materials of the type which comprise two members, each provided with some form of
inter-engagable elements. These devices or fastening elements are often sold under
Trade Marks VELCRO and CRIC-CRAC. The construction of such fastening elements sold
under the Trade Mark VELCRO is described in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,717,437 and
3,009,325. Further, various uses for such materials have been described and claimed
in many patent specifications. For example, the materials have been used in a golf
swing training device such as described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,401,941
and in a target game such as, for example, U.S. Patent Specification Nos. 3,032,345
and 3,857,566. Indeed, another target game which is essentially a form of bloodless
bullfighting is described and claimed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,370,853.
These have all essentially been new uses of these materials which were originally
proposed for fastening clothing parts together.
[0003] Constructional toys are being used more and more extensively and have become more
and more popular with children and parents for many reasons. Generally speaking, they
are often instructive improving the manual and visual dexterity of children while
at the same time providing them with continuous amusement. Unfortunately, one of the
problems with most constructional toys is that they require a certain amount of manual
dexterity from the children and very often cannot be used by very young children.
Indeed, many of the constructions of toys proposed are difficult to use so that they
can only be used by older children with relatively good co-ordination. For example,
one of the most popular of childrens constructional toys is that sold under the Trade
Mark LEGO which essentially consists of interlocking members which require some dexterity,
strength and skill to put together. In an effort to overcome this and to provide something
more interesting than the conventional plain building block which has essentially
no interlock between individual blocks many other proposals have been made. None of
these have been entirely satisfactory since the tighter the grip of the components
the harder it is for the child to use them.
[0004] In this specification the term "constructional toy component" or "component" refers
to, for example, building blocks of regular and irregular shapes such as cubes, spheres,
tetraherons, prisms, pyramids, polyhedrons, cylinders and composite figures such as
are generally used, but also, among others, the parts of model people and animals,
for example, the arms, legs, features such as lips, eyes, ears, hair, tails etc.,
clothing for them or components such as hats and guns and boots and additionally other
constructional toy parts including wheels, axles, struts, container bodies and the
like, in other words, any component that can be used to manufacture any object.
[0005] The term "contact face" as herein used refers to a face of any of the said components
which will be abutted against the face of another component to join the two together.
[0006] The present invention has as its object among others of providing an improved constructional
toy component and in particular to providing an improved constructional toy for use
with such components.
[0007] These and other objects of the invention are achieved in that a plurality of filaments
protrude outwardly from each contact face to engage filaments on another contact face,
the filaments having complimentary inter-engaging portions. The advantage of such
a constructional toy component is that the strength of contact and hence the pulling
force required to separate the two parts is largely dependent on the pressure exerted
in the joining the parts together. Since the pressure exerted generally varies with
the age of the user the structural toy component can be used by a wide variety of
age groups and indeed, for example, can be used by disabled children.
[0008] In one embodiment of the invention the inter-engaging portions are of hook-like construction.
This construction is a particularly suitable construction in that when the embodiment
is moulded all in one piece the hook can be relatively easily formed and further the
hooks can be used to join the components or mount them on any fabric of loop-construction
such, for example, as a looped pile carpet.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention the inter-engaging portions are formed from
a thickened portion on the extremity of each filament. The particular advantage of
this construction in addition to being of itself a particularly efficient construction
is that on separating of the parts there tends to be a rather audible noise. Thus,
for example, when the filaments are made from a fabric sold under the Trade Mark CRIC-CRAC
which is of this general construction the noise is particularly audible, hence the
Trade Mark. Audible noises are particularly pleasing to children and children generally
tend to make and like to make noise when playing.
[0010] A still further embodiment of the invention provides that one inter-engaging portion
is a male inter-engaging portion of hook-like construction and a complimentary inter-engaging
portion is a female inter-engaging portion of loop-like construction. Generally speaking
the advantage of having separable male inter-engaging and female inter-engaging portions
on the filaments is that one can provide a variety of uses and one can also ensure
that certain parts cannot be connected together. There are many applications where
it is desirable to ensure that one part cannot be connected to another part. At the
same time any component having a contact surface with a male inter-engaging portion
of hook-like construction can still be mounted and secured on any looped fabric. The
combination of hook-like construction and loop-like construction is particularly suitable
and advantageous.
[0011] The invention further provides that one inter-engaging portion is a male inter-engaging
portion formed from a thickened portion on the extremity of the filament and a complimentary
inter-engaging portion is a female inter-engaging portion of loop-like construction.
The advantage of this particular construction is that it allows for versatility between
the components and further allows the male inter-engaging portion to attach to any
fabric of loop construction and at the same time when the male inter-engaging portion
is separated from a female inter-engaging portion there is a relatively high audible
noise. As remarked above this is particularly desired by children.
[0012] In accordance with the invention it is particularly suitable that all the filaments
on a contact face have either male or female inter-engaging portions. The advantage
of this is that if a child attempts to join two contact faces all of which contain
female inter-engaging portions it will be generally impossible to join them together.
However, when the child attempts to join two faces having male inter-engaging portions
it may or may not be possible to join them together. The advantage of this is that
a child of necessity must learn to identify the various contact faces and thus ensure
that the correct faces are joined together.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention the filaments on a contact face are so arranged
as to form separate alternate areas of filaments all having male or female engaging
portions. There are certain advantages in that if two contact faces are aligned correctly
so that all the filaments in contact will inter-engage then the components will be
tightly secured together. If, however, the overlap between filaments that will inter-engage
is slight then the parts are less tightly connected together. Again this increases
the childs discrimination.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the filaments having male inter-engaging
portions are of a different colour to the filaments having female inter-engaging portions.
The advantage of different colours will be readily apparent in that it allows children
to understand and recognise colours, introduces them to colour coding and indeed,
introduces them to many major concepts in science and technology, such as, for example,
the whole question of North/South relationships, such as used in magnetism and electricity
and they will quickly appreciate it that like parts repel and unlike parts attract.
Further, when the colour coding is used with some of the embodiments described above,
the child will quickly realise why parts have been incorrectly orientated.
[0015] The invention further envisages the provision of male and female inter-engaging portions
randomly arranged on each contact face. The advantage of this is that the parts will
always join together and it is not necesary to provide any alignment between two components.
[0016] It has been found that ideally the contact faces may have mounted thereon a separable
fastening material. The advantage of this is that in addition to being soft and easy
for the children to handle it has a further advantage of ease of construction. Particularly
suitable materials which are on the commercial market include those sold under the
Trade Marks VELCRO, CRIC-CRAC and MAGIC TAPE among others.
[0017] It has been found that when the component is of a plastic material that the filaments
may be integrally moulded therewith. This avoids the disadvantage of having to apply
some form of fastening material to the components after manufacture.
[0018] The invention further provides embodiments in which each contact face is indented
for reception of the filaments, the depth of said indentations being less than the
length of a filament. The advantage of this is that it increases the stability of
the parts contacted together in that the portions that are not indented will, of necessity,
mate thus further increasing the rigidity of the mating components.
[0019] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some
preferred embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building block according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a plan view of one contact face of the block of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is the plan view of the contact face of another block according to the invention,
adapted for releasably engaging the contact face illustrated in Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 is a plan view of a contact face of a further building block,
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a contact face of a still further building block, adapted
for releasably engaging the contact face of the building block of Fig. 4,
Figs. 6(a) to (e) inclusive are plan views of still further contact faces of building
blocks, similar to the blocks of Figs. 1 to 5,
Figs. 7(a) to (d) are side diagrammatic enlarged views of two mating contact faces,
and
Figs. 8(a) to (e) are exploded side views of constructional toys according to the
invention.
[0020] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, there is provided
a constructional toy, in this case a building block in the form of a cube, indicated
generally by the reference numeral 1,having at least one and in this case two contact
faces 2 and 3. A plurality of filaments are mounted on each contact face 2 and 3.
Each filament has complimentary inter-engaging portions, in this case those on the
contact face 2 have male inter-engaging portions 4 of hook-like construction and those
on the contact face 3 have female inter-engaging portions 5 of loop-like construction.
For clarity the filaments are not separately identified. In the particular embodiment
the filaments are each formed from a strip of Velcro tape secured to the cube 1. Of
necessity the filaments are shown diagrammatically in the drawings.
[0021] Referring now to Fig. 3 there is shown another building cube, indicated generally
by the reference numeral 6, parts similar to those described with reference to Figs.
1 and 2 are identified by the same reference numerals. To join the cube 1 and the
cube 6 it is merely necessary to offer up the two faces 2 and 3 together and on pressing
the cubes 1 and 6 together the male inter-engaging portions 4 engage the female inter-engaging
portions 5. The cubes 1 and 6 may be easily separated by pulling. It will be immediately
apparent that if the construction of building blocks is as illustrated in Figs. 1
to 3 it will be necessary to ensure that in each case a contact face having a male
inter-engaging portion is pushed against a contact face having a female inter-engaging
portion. Also all contact faces will generally be fully or partially covered with
filaments.
[0022] Thus, referring to Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated alternative arrangements of
building blocks, namely, cubes 7 and 8 of which contact faces 9 and 10 are shown.
In this embodiment there are alternate areas on each contact face 9 or 10 on which
there are strips of Velcro with male inter-engaging portions 4 and female inter-engaging
portions 5 with uncovered strips 12 therebetween. The uncovered strips 12 are raised
slightly relative to the remainder of the contact faces 9 and 10 which are indented
for reception of the filaments. The depth of said indentations is less than the length
of a filament.
[0023] This provides additional stability. This could also be provided in other embodiments
by raised stud-like projections for engagement with corresponding studs on another
contact face. The cubes 7 and 8 can be more easily joined together as the male and
female inter-engaging portions must at least partly coincide. Thus, it is not necessary
to ensure correct orientation as with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3.
[0024] Referring to Figs. 6(a) to (e) there is illustrated various arrangements by which
the contact faces of the building cube may be covered with Velcro. Alternate areas
are used to form concentric bands or rings such as shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) or
alternate rectangular areas such as shown in Fig. 6(c). While in Fig. 6(d) the male
and female inter-engaging portions are on each contact face and are alternately arranged.
Fig. 6(e) shows the male and female inter-engaging portions randomly arranged.
[0025] It will be appareciated that depending on the arrangement of the male and female
inter-engaging portions it may be necessary to orientate some of the cubes correctly
together or they will not adhere. This may be advisable, for example, with certain
forms of construction of toy where it is desired to ensure that the parts are aligned
together correctly. It will be appreciated that, for example, in the construction
such as shown in Fig. 6(d) or more particularly 6(e) this cannot happen as it will
be appreciated that there can be up to 40 of the filaments per inch run thus 1,600
male and female inter-engaging members per square inch.
[0026] Referring to Figs. 7(a) there is illustrated in side view two inter-engaging portions
15 each of hook-like construction while Fig. 7(b) shows two inter-engaging portions
which are formed from a thickened portion 16 on the extremity of a filament 18. Fig.
7(c) illustrates a filament having a male inter-engaging portion 19 of hook-like construction
engaging a female inter-engaging portion 20 of loop construction. In Figs. 7(a) to
7(c) it will be readily appreciated from the drawing how the filaments inter-engage.
Fig. 7(d) illustrates a filament 21 having a thickened end portion 22 which is engaged
with a female inter-engaging portion 23 of loop construction. The filament 21 has
substantially the same construction as the filament 18, the distortion arising on
inter-engagement.
[0027] Referring to Fig. 8(a) there is illustrated a construction of excavator in an exploded
view. It will be readily appreciated how the various parts may be joined together.
[0028] Similarly, Fig. 8(b) shows a model train and Figs. 8(c), (d) and (e) show exploded
views of a model horse and two men which may be constructed as shown. The model of
Fig. 8(e) requires special parts while those of Figs. 8(c) and 8(d) do not.
[0029] While the embodiments above have been described with reference to the use of the
fabric sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO it will be appreciated that similar fabrics
such as that sold under the Trade Mark CRIC-CRAC, MAGIC TAPE and the like may be used.
Strictly speaking, it is not necessary to supply a special material to provide female
inter-engaging portions with many of the commercially sold tapes as any knitted loop
fabric may be used. Alternatively, it is envisaged that when the constructional toy
components are manufactured from a plastics material that the filaments may be integrally
moulded or formed therewith.
[0030] The advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from reading the
specification and while attention is drawn to the following specific advantages of
the invention they are not by any means the only advantages.
[0031] It will be appreciated that when a constructional toy component, for example, a building
brick is so manufactured that the filaments having male inter-engaging portions are
of a different colour to the filaments having female inter-engaging portions that
this will further allow children to engage in colour matching and additionally it
will help to show the principles of positive and negative joining, such as, for example,
with the use of magnets. A further advantage of the present invention when, for example,
building blocks are covered with fabric is that there will be some protection for
young children as the bricks will be softer than conventional building blocks and
therefore, less likely to damage the child. Additionally, since the pressure exerted
between any two components will, to a certain extent determine the strength at which
the components are joined this will, when the pressure is less, facilitate the dis-assembly
of a component. In some ways this is one of the major advantages of the invention,
in that the components, if joined together by young children will not then be impossible
for the same young child to pull apart. This unfortunately is not the case with many
well known toys, where if the child is lucky enough to join the two components together
he or she then finds it almost impossible to dis-assemble them. Additionally, when
many of the commercial separable fabrics are used there is a quite definite audible
sound when the two components are pulled apart. This is pleasing to children. Another
advantage of the invention is that where a contact face has a plurality of male inter-engaging
portions of hook-like construction that they will generally attach to a carpet or
floor covering of the loop type or indeed, they will attach to any fabric of looped
construction.
1. A constructional toy component having at least one contact face for releasably
mating with the contact face of another component characterised in that a plurality
of filaments protrude outwardly from each contact face (2,3) to engage filaments on
another contact face (2,3), the filaments having complimentary inter-engaging portions
(4,5).
2. A component as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that one inter-engaging portion
is a male inter-engaging portion (19) of hook-like construction and a complimentary
inter-engaging portion is a female inter-engaging portion (20), of loop-like construction.
3. A component as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that one inter-engaging portion
is a male inter-engaging portion formed from a thickened portion (22) on the extremity
of the filament (21) and a complimentary inter-engaging portion is a female inter-engaging
portion (23) of loop-like, construction.
4. A component as claimed in claims 2 or 3 characterised in that all the filaments
on a contact face have either male (4) or female (5) inter-engaging portions.
5. A component as claimed in claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the filaments on
a contact face are so arranged as to form separate alternate areas of filaments all
having male or female inter-engaging portions (4,5).
6. A component as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 characterised in that the filaments
having male inter-engaging portions (4) are of different colour to the filaments having
female inter-engaging portions (5).
7. A component as claimed in claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the male and female
inter-engaging portions (4,5) are randomly arranged on each contact face (2,3).
8. A component as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the contact
faces (2,3) have mounted thereon a separable fastening material.
9. A component as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the separable fastening
material is a fabric sold under the Trade Mark VELCRO.
10. A component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the component
(1) is of plastics material and the filaments are integrally moulded therewith.
11. A component as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that each contact
face (2,3) is indented for reception of the filaments, the depth of said indentation
being less than the length of a filament.
12. A toy incorporating a component as claimed in any preceding claim.