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(11) | EP 3 305 387 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | DOVE-SHAPED BUILDING BLOCK |
| (57) Disclosed is a dove-shaped building block. A dovetailed recess (11) and a dovetailed
projection (12) are provided on successive side surfaces of a building block (1).
When a plurality of building blocks (1) are connected to each other, the dovetailed
projection (12) of one building block (1) is connected to the dovetailed recess (11)
of another building block (1) to form a three-dimensional structure. |
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a dove-shaped building block, and more particularly to the building block that utilizes a dovetailed recess and a dovetailed projection to engage two block bodies of the building blocks.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Various toys are available in the market for users to practice and improve coordination between hands and eyes. All these toys have different ways of playing and may be combined through diverse ways, making them suitable for practicing and improving the development of creativity.
[0003] Building blocks are one of the toys that have the greatest number of types. They are often in the forms of blocks of different geometric shapes and allow for stacking in different directions. Projections and recesses are formed on/in these building blocks to allow them to joint to each other through mating between the projections and the recesses. One of the most commonly known building blocks is LEGO® blocks, of which the feature is that a single square area is taken as a basic unit based on which expansion is made to a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped having an enlarged surface area or size. Projections (as well as counterpart recesses) are formed on the cube or the rectangular parallelepiped for jointing the blocks in a given (longitudinal) direction. However, structural strength obtained with jointing in a single direction may be poor and collapse or detachment may result. The difficult for assembling a large structure is quite apparent. And, as such, the LEGO® blocks need adjustment of directions for 90, 180, or 270 degrees to complete the assembly of a large-sized or curved structure. In addition, special accessories may be necessary for such an assembly. Further, the LEGO® blocks are designed to achieve a mating engagement between two blocks that is generally over tight, often resulting in difficulty in disassembling the blocks and requiring a large force to achieve so. This may lead to damage to the blocks. It is also known that disassembling tools are available for such disassembling operations.
[0004] Further, the conventional building blocks need to be assembled or disassembled piece by piece. Such a process of assembling or disassembling is generally time and labor consuming. Thus, further improvements are necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a dove-shaped building block that introduces a dovetailed recess and a dovetailed projection to engage two block bodies so as to make the assembly of the dove-shaped building blocks to be more extendable.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a dove-shaped building block that introduces a post located at a top surface of a block body and a cavity located at a bottom surface of another block body to form an engagement pair for making the dove-shaped building block extendable in a longitudinal direction.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dove-shaped building block that has a dovetailed projection of a block body to fit a dovetailed recess of another block body, such that one of the block bodies can be turned in a 90-degree manner so as to have the dovetailed projection thereof to engage a corresponding dovetailed recess of another block body. Thereupon, these two dove-shaped building blocks can be fixedly engaged in a cross manner.
[0008] In the present invention, the dove-shaped building block mainly includes a block body. The block body, shaped as a polygon, has a plurality of side surfaces alternately arranged with a dovetailed recess and a dovetailed projection. Further, a top surface and a bottom surface of the block body include respectively a post and a cavity for pairing the post.
[0009] While in connecting a plurality of the block bodies, different adjustment angles upon the side surfaces can be applied to join the block bodies through the engagement of the dovetailed projection of one block body and the dovetailed recess of another block body. Thereupon, a specific curved three-dimensional configuration of the assembly of the building blocks can be achieved. Further, via the engagement of the post of one block body and the cavity of another block body, longitudinal and angular adjustments upon the assembly of the block bodies can be feasible. Accordingly, by manipulating the longitudinal connections, the transverse connections, the angular connections, the reverse connections and the cross connections upon the building blocks of the present invention, variety of three-dimensional configurations of the stacked dove-shaped building blocks can be firmly obtained. In addition, by introducing parallel inclination surfaces to the upper end and the lower ends of the dovetailed projection of the block body, and further by forming the positioning points with the upper inclination facet of the corresponding dovetailed recess, the stacking of the building blocks in either the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction can present convenience and stability in both assembly and disassembly of the building blocks.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the block body has a post, while the bottom surface of the block body has a cavity corresponding to the post in areas. While in connecting a plurality of block bodies longitudinally, the block bodies can be connected in the longitudinal direction through the engagement of the post of one block body and the cavity of another block body. Thereupon, the plurality of the block bodies can be firmly connected so as to form a desired three-dimensional configuration.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a thickness of the dovetailed projection of the dove-shaped building block is largely equal to the inner space provided by the dovetailed recess, such that the two dove-shaped building blocks can be firmly connected in a cross manner and thereby versatile combinations of the dove-shaped building blocks can be achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
FIG.1 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to the present invention;
FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a regular connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention;
FIG.2A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the regulation connection;
FIG3 is a perspective view showing a rotated connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention;
FIG.3A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the rotated connection;
FIG.4 is a perspective view showing a reversed connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention;
FIG.4A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the reversed connection;
FIG.5 illustrates four embodiments of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention, which are, in sequence from top of the drawing to the bottom thereof, a regular hexagonal block, a regular octagonal block, a regular decagonal block, and a regular dodecagonal block;
FIG.6 is a perspective view illustrating joining connections among decagonal blocks of the present invention that have different heights;
FIG7 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.7A is a partial enlarged view showing the building block of FIG.7;
FIG.7B is a schematic enlarged view of a dashed circle of FIG.7A, illustrating an inclination facet of the building block;
FIG.7C is a schematic view illustrating joining connections of the building blocks of FIG.7;
FIG.7D is a cross-sectional view of FIG7C along line A-A;
FIG.8 is a schematic view illustrating joining connections of the building blocks according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.8A is a cross-sectional view of FIG.8 along line B-B;
FIG8B is a schematic enlarged view of a dashed circle of FIG.8A;
FIG.9 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.9A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a transverse direction;
FIG.9B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a longitudinal direction;
FIG.9C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a cross manner;
FIG.10 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.10A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 10 in a transverse direction;
FIG.10B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 10 in a longitudinal direction;
FIG.10C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 10 in a cross manner;
FIG.11 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.11A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.11 in a transverse direction;
FIG.11B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 11 in a longitudinal direction;
FIG.11C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 11 in a cross manner; and
FIG.12 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0013] 1, 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b', 1c, 1c', 1d∼ building block; 11, 11a, 11a', 11b, 11b'∼ dovetailed recess; 12, 12a, 12b∼ dovetailed projection; 121∼ upper inclination facet; 122∼ lower inclination facet; 13, 13a, 13b∼ side surface; 14, 14a∼ post; 15, 15a∼ open cavity; 16∼ positioning point; 17- through bore; A1∼ angle; B∼ curve; 11c, 11c'∼ arc-like recess; 12c∼ ball-like button; 13c∼ side surface; 14c∼ ball-like button; 15c∼ arc-like recess; 18d∼ through bore.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Refer now to FIG.1 to FIG4A; where FIG.1 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to the present invention, FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a regular connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention, FIG2A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the regulation connection, FIG.3 is a perspective view showing a rotated connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention, FIG.3A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the rotated connection, FIG.4 is a perspective view showing a reversed connection of the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention, and FIG.4A is a perspective view showing the dove-shaped building blocks of the present invention joined through the reversed connection. As shown, the dove-shaped building block includes a block body 1 shaped like a regular polygon configuration having even-numbered sides, for example but not limited to: regular hexagonal configuration, regular octagonal configuration, or other regular polygon configuration having even-numbered sides more than six sides. The invention takes the regular hexagonal configuration as the best embodiment of the block body 1, because the hexagonal configuration is a typical shape for allowing connection of two block bodies without a gap in between. The dove-shaped building block of the invention includes a block body 1 that has a regular hexagonal configuration having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and six side surfaces 13, in which dovetailed recesses 11 and dovetailed projections 12 are alternately formed so that the side surfaces 13 respectively exhibit projecting and recessing configurations. The alternate arrangement adopted here is to have the dovetailed recesses 11 and the dovetailed projections 12 on the side surfaces 13 equal in number to each other. When a number of such building blocks are joined, one of the dovetailed projections 12 of one block body 1 is set in mating engagement with one of the dovetailed recesses 11 of another block body 1 to achieve connection of the block bodies 1 in a transverse direction. The hexagonal configuration or shape provides each side surface with an adjustment angle A1 of 60 degrees (that is, when rotating the block body 1 about a central axial line vertically penetrating through the center of the block body 1, a side surface of the block body 1 will be rotated to another neighboring side surface per 60 degrees of rotation, and there will be 360 degrees in total to rotate that side surface six times to go back its original position) so that rotated connection can be achieved with such a block body 1 for joining with an assembled structure of block bodies of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional configuration having a desired curve B. The block body 1 has a top surface on which a post 14 is formed, and a bottom surface in which an open cavity 15 is formed to correspond in shape and position to the post 14. To join a number of such block bodies 1, the post 14 of one block body 1 may be fit into and in retaining engagement with the cavity 15 of another block body 1 so that the block bodies 1 may be joined in a longitudinal direction, allowing multiple block bodies 1 to be connected together to provide a secured and stable three-dimensional configuration.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS.3 and 3A, six block bodies 1 are connected in a stacked manner, so as to form a two-level three-dimensional configuration, in which the separate block body 1 that is shown in phantom lines can be connected to the assembled structure of the remaining block bodies through mating engagement between the post 14 and the cavity 15. In this example, the block bodies 1 of the assembled structure and the phantom-line block 1 are both hexagonal so that the phantom-line block body 1 can be firstly rotated and then joined to the assembled structure so that the direction in which additional block bodies 1 joined thereto may be changed. Since the angle of a hexagon is (N-2)*180 degrees = 720 degrees, each internal angle thereof is 120 degrees. Considering the sum of internal angles of a triangle, angular adjustment can proceed with 60 degrees for each step. The present invention is not limited to a hexagonal configuration and change to any regular polygon can be made as desired. Taking a regular octagon as an example, then (N-2) * 180 degrees = 1080 degrees and each internal angle is 135 degrees. Considering the sum of internal angles of a triangle, angular adjustment can be conducted with 45 degrees for each step. Further taking a regular dodecagon as an example, then (N-2) * 180 degrees = 1800 degrees and each internal angle is 150 degrees. Considering the sum of internal angles of a triangle, angular adjustment can be conducted with 30 degrees for each step. These examples are provided to illustrate that when the block bodies 1 are joined or connected in a transverse direction for transverse connection, change of the angular positions thereof may be made through rotation so as to achieve versatile variability thereof.
[0016] Referring to FIGS.4 and 4A, six block bodies 1 are connected in a stacked manner, so as to form a two-level three-dimensional configuration. Due to the mutual retaining engagement achievable between the dovetailed recess 11 and the dovetailed projection 12, a phantom-line block body 1 is connectable to an assembled structure of block bodies 1 in a reversed manner. FIG.5 shows examples of the block body in the form of a regular hexagonal block, a regular octagonal block, a regular decagonal block, and a regular dodecagonal block, respectively, to each of which the process of joining and stacking described above is applicable. As shown in FIG.6, various modifications may be taken, wherein for example, the height of the block body 1, the post 14 and the cavity 15, and a through bore 17 may be changed and increased/decreased as desired for practical needs, allowing for more diverse ways of assembling or joining. It can be understood from the above description that the present invention allows for normal transverse and longitudinal connection, rotated connection, and reversed connection, which can be alternately and/or additionally used for joining the building blocks so that versatile variability of the block body 1 according to the present invention may be achieved, and flexibility of assembling the block bodies 1 for building unique three-dimensional structures may also be provided.
[0017] In the first embodiment according to the present invention, as illustrated now in FIGS.7-7D, wherein: FIG.7 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.7A is a partial enlarged view showing the building block of FIG.7; FIG.7B is a schematic enlarged view of a dashed circle of FIG.7A, illustrating an inclination facet of the building block; FIG.7C is a schematic view illustrating joining connections of the building blocks of FIG.7; and FIG.7D is a cross-sectional view of FIG.7C along line A-A. The block body 1 is provided with a through bore 17 formed in a center thereof and extending in an axial direction. The arrangement of the bore 17 allows for connection to be made to a shape-corresponding pillar-like or bar-like coupling section to achieve more diversified ways of connection or joining between the block bodies 1. In addition, one or each of the dovetailed projections 12 of one block body 1 may be provided an upper inclination facet 121 and a lower inclination facet 122 respectively on an upper end and a lower end thereof in the axial direction. The two inclination facets 121, 122 are substantially parallel. In the drawings, an angle of 60 or 90 degrees is taken as an example for illustration, but the present invention is not limited to such angles. Upon such an arrangement, when the block bodies 1 are stacked in a longitudinal direction, the upper inclination facet 121 of a lower block body 1 is closely position-able against the lower inclination facet 122 of an upper block body 1 so that the block bodies 1 exhibit a connected configuration. Namely, as the upper inclination facet 121 of the block body 1 is posed at a 60-degree inclination, then the lower inclination facet 122 would be posed also at a 60-degree inclination, such that the parallel relationship can be maintained. Thereupon, additional block bodies 1 can be closely stacked to the existing assembly of the block bodies 1, from either a lower position or an upper position, via the adherence of the upper inclination facet 121 and the corresponding lower inclination facet 122.
[0018] Refer now to FIGS.8-8B; where FIG8 is a schematic view illustrating joining connections of the building blocks according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG.8A is a cross-sectional view of FIG.8 along line B-B, and FIG.8B is a schematic enlarged view of a dashed circle of FIG.8A. As shown, while in stacking an additional block body 1 to an existing assembly of the block bodies 1 in a longitudinal direction, except for the inclination facets 121, 122 of the block bodies 1 already in the assembly have been closely positioned against each other, the lower end of the dovetailed recess 11 of the incoming block body 1 is to match the corresponding upper inclination facet 121 of the block body 1 of the assembly so as to form a positioning point 16 for preventing the block bodies 1 of the assembly from being separated due to forcing applied thereto in a transverse direction. With the positioning points 16 increase as the number of the block bodies 1 in the assembly involved in the receiving of the incoming block body 1, finally all the upper and lower inclination facets 121, 122 of the block bodies 1, including the incoming block body 1, would come into engage so as to obtain a firm, stable and specific three-dimensional structure.
[0019] Refer now to FIGS.9-9C; where FIG.9 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG.9A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a transverse direction, FIG.9B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a longitudinal direction, and FIG.9C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.9 in a cross manner. In this third embodiment, the dove-shaped building block 1a, as a block body shaped to have a regular hexagonal configuration, has a top surface 100, a bottom surface 101 opposite and parallel to the top surface 100, and six side surfaces 13a connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. Preferably, each of the six side surfaces 13a is substantially perpendicular to the top surface 100 as well as the bottom surface 101. The block body 1a is defined with a predetermined height H1 (i.e. the distance measured from the top surface 100 to the bottom surface 101). For a concise explanation, the six side surfaces 13a are defined individually to be orderly a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, a fifth side surface and a sixth side surface. Each of the first side surface, the third side surface and the fifth side surface is respectively provided with exactly one dovetailed recess 11a located right in a middle portion thereof without any dovetailed projection 12a being provided thereon. On the other hand, each of the second side surface, the fourth side surface and the sixth side surface is respectively provided with exactly one said dovetailed projection 12a located right in a middle portion thereof without any said dovetailed recess 11a being provided thereon. Namely, the dovetailed recesses 11a and the dovetailed projections 12a are individually and orderly constructed to corresponding side surfaces 13a in an alternate manner. In another language, if one side surface 13a has the dovetailed projection 12a, then the neighboring side surface 13a (on either the right or the left hand side) would have the dovetailed recess 11a. Equivalently, if one side surface 13a has the dovetailed recess 11a, then the neighboring side surface 13a (on either the right or the left hand side) would have the dovetailed projection 12a.
[0020] In this third embodiment, when the two block bodies 1a, 1a' are connected in the transverse (i.e., horizontal) direction (as shown in FIG.9A), the dovetailed projection 12a of one of the block body 1a engages the corresponding dovetailed recess 11a' of another block body 1a' in the transverse direction in such a manner that, the top surfaces of the block bodies 1a, 1a' of these two building blocks are lying on the same plane. Further, the top surface 100 of the block body 1a has a post 14a located at a center thereof, while the bottom surface 101 of the same block body 1a has a cavity 15a located at a center thereof with an area corresponding to the area of the respective post 14a. When a plurality of the block bodies 1a are connected in the longitudinal (i.e., vertical) direction (as shown in FIG.9B), then the post 14a of the lower block body 1a would engage the cavity 15a of the upper block body 1a, such that these two block bodies 1a can be stacked together in the longitudinal direction.
[0021] In addition, the maximum thickness d1 of the dovetailed projection 12a on the corresponding side surface 13a can be equal to the height H1 of the major portion of the block body 1a (i.e. d1=H1). Also, the profile of the dovetailed projection 12a is substantially fit to the inner space provided by the dovetailed recess 11a. Namely, the maximum thickness d1 of the dovetailed projection 12a is about equal to the maximum width w1 of the dovetailed projection 12a (that is, the outer end-surface of the dovetailed projection 12a is shaped like a square; d1=w1), and the d1 is also equal to the maximum width W1 of the inner space provided by the dovetailed recess 11a (i.e. d1=w1=W1). Thus, as shown in FIG.9C, the block body 1a can be turned in a 90-degree manner so as to have the dovetailed projection 12a to engage the corresponding dovetailed recess 11a of another said block body 1a' in a 90-degree cross manner (i.e. a 90-degree adjustment angle). Namely, the two top surfaces of these two block bodies 1a, 1a' would present a perpendicular plane pair (i.e. two planes in a 90-degree cross manner). Nevertheless, even under the engagement in a 90-degree cross manner, the dovetailed projection 12a of one block body 1a can still firmly engage the dovetailed recess 11a' of another block body 1a'. Namely, in this third embodiment, the dovetailed projection 12a protruding evenly in a gradually increasing manner from a generation rectangle on the side surface 13a of the block body 1a out to finally formed as a dovetail. Which means, the maximum width W1 of the inner space provided by the dovetailed recess 11a will be the width of the inner surface 110 of the dovetailed recess 11a; in addition, the maximum width w1 of the dovetailed projection 12a will be the width of the outer end-surface 120 of the dovetailed projection 12a; and moreover, the maximum thickness d1 of the dovetailed projection 12a will be the height of the outer end-surface 120 of the dovetailed projection 12a. Because the maximum width w1 is equal to the maximum thickness d1, therefore, it is clearly noted that, the shape of the outer end-surface 120 of the dovetailed projection 12a is definitely a square in this embodiment. Through the mating between the dovetailed projection 12a and the corresponding dovetailed recess 11a, the extension of the assembly of the block bodies 1a, 1a' can be possible; particularly in a 90-degree cross manner. Thereupon, variety of the assembly of the building blocks can be true.
[0022] Refer now to FIGS.10-10C; where FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.10A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.10 in a transverse direction, FIG.10B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.10 in a longitudinal direction, and FIG.10C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG. 10 in a cross manner. The fourth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block as shown in FIGS.10-10C is largely similar to the third embodiment thereof as shown in FIGS.9-9C, and thus details for the same elements or structures will be omitted herein.
[0023] In the present invention, the major difference between the fourth and the third embodiments of the dove-shaped building block is that the main portion of the block body of the fourth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block 1b has a height H2 larger than the thickness d2 of the dovetailed projection 12b (i.e. H2>d2). Also, the dovetailed projection 12b is approximately located in a middle portion or a center of the corresponding side surface 13b in viewing the height and the width of the side surface 13b. Namely, the fourth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block 1b has a height H2 larger than the height H1 of the third embodiment of the dove-shaped building block 1a (i.e. H2 > HI). In this embodiment, when two of the block bodies 1b, 1b' connect in the transverse direction as shown in FIG.10A, the dovetailed projection 12b of one block body 1b is engaged into the corresponding dovetailed recess 11b of another block body 1b' in the transverse direction. Also, since the height H2 of the block body 1b is larger than the thickness d2 of the dovetailed projection 12b (i.e. H2>d2), thus the dovetailed projection 12b would be fit completely into the dovetailed recess 11b and spaces would exist beyond the top surface and the bottom surface of the dovetailed projection 12b in the dovetailed recess 11b.
[0024] As a plurality of block bodies 1b are connected in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.10B, the post 14b of one block body 1b is engaged with the corresponding cavity 15b of the neighboring block body 1b in the longitudinal direction, such that the plurality of the block bodies 1b can be stacked in the longitudinal direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10C, one block body 1b can be turned by 90 degrees to have the dovetailed projection 12b thereof to engage the corresponding dovetailed recess 11b' of another block body 1b' so as to pose these two block bodies 1b, 1b' in a 90-degree cross connection state. Namely, at this state, the two top surfaces of these two engaged block bodies 1b, 1b' are perpendicular to each other. Thereupon, variety in stacking the building blocks can be achieved.
[0025] Refer now to FIGS. 11-11C; where FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.11A shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.11 in a transverse direction, FIG.11B shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.11 in a longitudinal direction, and FIG.11C shows schematically a connection of two building blocks of FIG.11 in a cross manner.
[0026] Since the fifth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block as shown in FIGS.11-11C is largely similar to the third embodiment thereof as shown in FIGS.9-9C, thus details for the same elements or structures will be omitted herein. In the present invention, the major difference between the fifth and the third embodiments of the dove-shaped building block is that the fifth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block has a block body 1c formed as a regular hexagonal configuration totally different to the aforesaid configurations. The block body 1c has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and six side surfaces 13c connecting and being parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface. Each of the six side surfaces 13c is orderly to include an arc-like recess 11c or a ball-like button 12c. With the arc-like recess 11c and the ball-like button 12c individually set to the side surfaces 13c in an alternate manner, the side surfaces 13c of the building block is then formed to have a bumpy surface. In this embodiment, the volume of ball-like button 12c is just fit into the arc-like recess 11c. Namely, when one side surface 13c includes one ball-like button 12c, then the neighboring side surface 13c (either right or left) would definitely include the arc-like recess 11c, and vice versa.
[0027] In addition, a ball-like button 14c is constructed on the top surface of the block body 1c, while a corresponding arc-like recess 15c is constructed on the bottom surface of the block body 1c. When the two block bodies 1c, 1c' are connected transversely as shown in FIG.11C, the ball-like button 12c of one block body 1c is fit into the corresponding arc-like recess 11c' of another block body 1c' in the transverse direction. On the other hand, as a plurality of block bodies 1c are connected in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.11B, then the ball-like button 14c of the lower block body 1c would fit into the arc-like recess 15c of the upper block body 1c, such that these block bodies 1c can be stacked in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG.11C, the block body 1c can be turned by 90 degrees so as to have its ball-like button 12c to angularly engage the arc-like recess 11c' of another horizontal block body 1c'. Thus, these two block bodies 1c, 1c' can be fixedly connected in a 90-degree cross manner, and thereby variety in three-dimensional configuration for stacking the building blocks can be achieved.
[0028] Referring now to FIG.12, a perspective view showing a dove-shaped building block according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Since the sixth embodiment of the dove-shaped building block as shown in FIG.12 is largely similar to the third embodiment thereof as shown in FIGS.9-9C, and thus details for the same elements or structures will be omitted herein. In the present invention, the major difference between the sixth and the third embodiments of the dove-shaped building block is that, in this sixth embodiment, the dove-shaped building block 1d further includes a through bore 18d located at a center of the block body 1d and penetrating from the top surface to the bottom surface of the block body 1d. In the present invention, the cross section of the through bore 18d can be shaped as one of a circle, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or any polygon the like. In this sixth embodiment, the through bore 18d of the block body 1d is preferably embodied as a regular hexagonal bore. With this regular hexagonal bore as the through bore 18d, the posts 14a of two block bodies 1a of FIG.9 can be fit into the through bore 18d of the block body 1d from the top and the bottom ends of the block body 1d, so as to form a longitudinal combination of the block bodies. Namely, one block body 1d is sandwiched by two block bodies 1a. Further, strip-like or column-like polygonal connection members can be introduced to penetrate the connected through bores 18d of the stacked block bodies 1d, so as to make the connection of the block bodies 1a, 1d more versatile.
[0029] In summary, the dove-shaped building block in accordance with the present invention mainly includes the block body 1 having a plurality of the side surfaces 13. The dovetailed recess 11 and the dovetailed projection 12 are alternately and individually arranged to the side surfaces 13. While in connecting a plurality of the block bodies 1, different adjustment angles upon the side surfaces 12 can be applied to join the block bodies 1 through the engagement of one dovetailed projection 12 of one block body 1 and the dovetailed recess 11 of another block body 1. Thereupon, a specific curved three-dimensional configuration of the assembly of the building blocks can be achieved by manipulating the longitudinal connections, the transverse connections, the angular connections, the reverse connections and the cross connections of the block bodies. Thus, variety of three-dimensional configurations of the stacked dove-shaped building blocks can be obtained.
1. A dove-shaped building block, comprising:
a block body that has a regular polygon configuration having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces vertically connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; the number of the side surfaces of the block body is even and not less than six; each one of said side surfaces being alternately provided with either one dovetailed recess or one dovetailed projection; that is, when one said side surface is provided with one said dovetailed projection, then the other two said side surfaces neighboring that one said side surface will definitely be provided with one said dovetailed recess; in addition, when one said side surface is provided with one said dovetailed recess, then the other two said side surfaces neighboring that one said side surface will definitely be provided with one said dovetailed projection;
wherein, when assembling a plurality of said block bodies, one of the dovetailed projections of one of the block bodies is received in and retained by one of the dovetailed recesses of the other one of the block bodies in such a manner that, the assembled block bodies are connected in a horizontal manner.
2. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein the block body has a
regular hexagonal configuration and has six said side surfaces.
3. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 2, wherein the dovetailed projection
includes an upper inclination facet, a lower inclination facet and a positioning point;
the upper inclination facet being formed on an upper end of the outer surface of the
dovetailed projection, the lower inclination facet being formed on a lower end of
the outer surface of the dovetailed projection; the upper inclination facet and the
lower inclination facet being substantially parallel; whereby, when a plurality of
the block bodies are assembled in a longitudinal direction, the upper inclination
facet of a lower said block body and the lower inclination facet of an upper said
building block are positioned against each other, the dovetailed recess defining,
in combination with the upper inclination facet, at least one positioning point that
achieves firm connection of the block bodies in both transverse and longitudinal directions.
4. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein the block body further
includes a post formed on the top surface thereof and a cavity formed in the bottom
surface thereof, the post having a surface area receivable in and engageable with
a surface area of the cavity; wherein, when a plurality of the block bodies are assembled
in a longitudinal direction, the post of a lower said block body can be engaged with
the cavity of an upper said block body, such that the block bodies are stacked together
in the longitudinal direction.
5. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 4, wherein the post and the cavity
are regular hexagons.
6. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein heights of said block
bodies are different.
7. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the dovetailed
projection is equal to a height of the block body, in addition, a profile of the dovetailed
projection is substantially fit to the inner space provided by the dovetailed recess;
therefore, one said block body can be turned in a 90-degree manner so as to have the
dovetailed projection to engage the corresponding dovetailed recess of another said
block body in a 90-degree cross manner.
8. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein a height of the block
body is larger than the thickness of the dovetailed projection, and the dovetailed
projection is located at a middle portion of the corresponding side surface.
9. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, further including a through bore
located at a center of the block body and penetrating from the top surface to the
bottom surface.
10. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 9, wherein the through bore is a
regular hexagonal bore.
Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT
1. A dove-shaped building block, comprising:
a block body that has a regular polygon configuration having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces vertically connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; the number of the side surfaces of the block body is even and not less than six; each one of said side surfaces being alternately provided with either one dovetailed recess or one dovetailed projection; that is, when one said side surface is provided with one said dovetailed projection, then the other two said side surfaces neighboring that one said side surface will definitely be provided with one said dovetailed recess; in addition, when one said side surface is provided with one said dovetailed recess, then the other two said side surfaces neighboring that one said side surface will definitely be provided with one said dovetailed projection;
wherein, when assembling a plurality of said block bodies, one of the dovetailed projections of one of the block bodies is received in and retained by one of the dovetailed recesses of the other one of the block bodies in such a manner that, the assembled block bodies are connected in a horizontal manner;
wherein, a thickness of an outer end-surface of the dovetailed projection not only is approximately equal to a width of the outer end-surface of the dovetailed projection, but also is approximately equal to a width of an inner surface of the dovetailed recess; that is, said outer end-surface of the dovetailed projection is shaped like a square; therefore, when assembling a plurality of said block bodies, one said block body can be turned in a 90-degree manner so as to have its dovetailed projection to vertically engage the corresponding dovetailed recess of another one said block body in a 90-degree cross manner.
2. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein the block body has a
regular hexagonal configuration and has six said side surfaces.
3. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 2, wherein the dovetailed projection
includes an upper inclination facet, a lower inclination facet and a positioning point;
the upper inclination facet being formed on an upper end of the outer surface of the
dovetailed projection, the lower inclination facet being formed on a lower end of
the outer surface of the dovetailed projection; the upper inclination facet and the
lower inclination facet being substantially parallel; whereby, when a plurality of
the block bodies are assembled in a longitudinal direction, the upper inclination
facet of a lower said block body and the lower inclination facet of an upper said
building block are positioned against each other, the dovetailed recess defining,
in combination with the upper inclination facet, at least one positioning point that
achieves firm connection of the block bodies in both transverse and longitudinal directions.
4. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein the block body further
includes a post formed on the top surface thereof and a cavity formed in the bottom
surface thereof, the post having a surface area receivable in and engageable with
a surface area of the cavity; wherein, when a plurality of the block bodies are assembled
in a longitudinal direction, the post of a lower said block body can be engaged with
the cavity of an upper said block body, such that the block bodies are stacked together
in the longitudinal direction.
5. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 4, wherein the post and the cavity
are regular hexagons.
6. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein heights of said block
bodies are different.
7. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
dovetailed projection is equal to a height of the block body.
8. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, wherein a height of the block
body is larger than the thickness of the dovetailed projection, and the dovetailed
projection is located at a middle portion of the corresponding side surface.
9. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 1, further including a through bore
located at a center of the block body and penetrating from the top surface to the
bottom surface.
10. The dove-shaped building block according to claim 9, wherein the through bore is a
regular hexagonal bore.