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US20190160390A1 - Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set - Google Patents

Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set Download PDF

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Publication number
US20190160390A1
US20190160390A1 US15/826,040 US201715826040A US2019160390A1 US 20190160390 A1 US20190160390 A1 US 20190160390A1 US 201715826040 A US201715826040 A US 201715826040A US 2019160390 A1 US2019160390 A1 US 2019160390A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
connector
spacing
elements
axial
rod
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/826,040
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English (en)
Inventor
Heather Croston
Cory Ryan Mindler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Basic Fun Inc
Original Assignee
Basic Fun Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Basic Fun Inc filed Critical Basic Fun Inc
Priority to US15/826,040 priority Critical patent/US20190160390A1/en
Assigned to K'NEX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GROUP reassignment K'NEX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GROUP ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CROSTON, HEATHER, MINDLER, CORY RYAN
Assigned to BASIC FUN, INC. reassignment BASIC FUN, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: K'NEX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP GROUP
Assigned to ROYAL BANK OF CANADA reassignment ROYAL BANK OF CANADA SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BASIC FUN, INC.
Priority to PCT/US2018/060646 priority patent/WO2019108378A1/fr
Publication of US20190160390A1 publication Critical patent/US20190160390A1/en
Assigned to CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment CRYSTAL FINANCIAL LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Assignors: BASIC FUN, INC., TBDUM, LLC, TGS ACQUISITION LLC
Assigned to BASIC FUN INC. reassignment BASIC FUN INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Assigned to TBDUM, LLC, BASIC FUN, INC., TGS ACQUISITION LLC reassignment TBDUM, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CRYSTAL FINANCIAL, LLC
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of construction toy sets and more particularly to rod and connector construction toy sets of the type widely marketed under the registered trademark K'NEX.
  • relevant construction toy sets are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,219, 5,199,919, and 5,350,331, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • a typical K'NEX construction toy set is comprised of a series of rods and connectors.
  • the connectors are formed with one or more rod-receiving sockets arranged radially about a hub, with axes of adjacent sockets typically spaced at 45 degree intervals.
  • the sockets are configured to accommodate lateral snap-in assembly of rods into the sockets.
  • a basic type of connector is of flat configuration and is arranged to receive one or more rods disposed in the plane of the flat connector. Three dimensional structures can be assembled through the use of special three-dimensional connectors, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
  • a special spacing connector in which a connector body is formed with spaced apart pair of end members, facing in opposite directions with each end member being provided with connector-engaging projections engageable with a flat connector from either or both sides thereof.
  • Each such spacing connector is adapted to engage with a flat side of a flat connector in a manner to join the connectors, and entire assemblies of which the connectors may form a part, in a laterally spaced apart manner.
  • the end members can be spaced apart different predetermined distances such that the connected subassemblies can be controllably separated.
  • a pair of end members may be rigidly connected in spaced relation by means of a spacing rod of predetermined length, such that, in a set of parts, spacing connectors may be provided in several overall lengths, as a function of the length of the spacing rods incorporated therein.
  • a minimum spacing length of a spacing connector corresponds to the thickness of a basic connector, in which case the two end members of the spacing connector can be joined together as a unitary body, without the use of a spacing rod to join them.
  • a basic K'NEX connector comprises a tubular hub, located at an intersection of the axes of a plurality of radially arrayed sockets, of which there may be as many as eight, spaced apart at angles of 45 degrees.
  • each of the sockets of a standard connector is spaced radially outward from the hub a short distance.
  • an opening of trapezoidal shape is provided between the hub and each of the individual sockets of the connector.
  • each of the oppositely facing end members of a spacing connector is formed with a positioning element, located on a main axis of the spacing connector and of a size and shape to be received in and frictionally gripped by the tubular hub of a standard connector.
  • each end member is provided with at least one, and preferably two, anti-rotation elements spaced radially outward from the positioning element, on opposite sides thereof.
  • the anti-rotation elements are configured to be received in and frictionally engaged with a pair of the trapezoidal openings in the basic connector, such that the spacing connector is firmly gripped by the standard connector and is non-rotatable with respect thereto.
  • K'NEX subassemblies When two laterally spaced K'NEX subassemblies are joined together, one attached to each end of a spacing connector, a new type of three dimensional structure can be formed. Such subassemblies can be connected by a plurality of the spacing connectors appropriate to the size and configuration of the overall structure.
  • the spacing connector may comprise a pair of end members as generally described above which are joined together in a manner such that one end member is rotatable with respect to the other. Accordingly, when two subassemblies are joined by such a spacing connector, one of the subassemblies will be rotatable with respect to the other.
  • FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of a spacing connector embodying principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the spacing connector of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the spacing connector of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of a modified form of spacing connector according to the invention, in which the connector has a minimum effective length.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are top plan and end elevational views respectively of the modified spacing connector of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 7 is an end elevational view showing a standard connector of a K'NEX construction toy set, with a spacing connector according to the invention assembled therewith from the back side.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 9 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing two spacing connectors of the invention assembled with a standard K'NEX connector, from opposite sides thereof.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view as taken generally on line 10 - 10 of FIG. 9 .
  • FIG. 11 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing a pair if standard K'NEX connectors joined by a spacing connector according to the invention, with a second spacing connector joined with one of the standard connectors.
  • FIG. 12 is an orthographic view of a modified form of spacing connector according to the invention, in which opposite ends of the spacing connector are rotatable, one with respect to the other.
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded view illustrating individual components of the spacing connector of FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the spacing connector of FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 15 is a top plan view, partly in section showing details of one of the parts of the spacing connector of FIG. 12
  • the reference numeral 10 designates generally a spacing connector according to the invention, which is comprised of first and second end members 11 , 12 which are rigidly mounted at opposite ends of a spacing rod 13 .
  • the spacing connector 10 is designed and adapted to interface with standard connectors 14 ( FIG. 7 ) of a type typically forming part of a known K'NEX construction toy kit.
  • the representative connector 14 is molded of a suitable plastic material, such as Celcon (Celcon is the registered trademark of Celanese Corporation for certain of its acetal copolymers.) and has a central hub 15 forming a cylindrical opening 16 extending through the connector.
  • a plurality of rod-receiving sockets 17 are arrayed radially about the hub 15 and each socket is disposed on a radial axis 18 passing through the center of the hub.
  • the illustrated connector 14 has eight rod-receiving sockets 17 radially spaced from each other at 45 degrees. Some connectors (not shown) may have fewer than eight sockets, although typically the sockets will be arrayed on an angular spacing of 45 degrees. A variety of such connectors is disclosed in the before-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,331.
  • Each of the sockets 17 of the connector 14 is adapted to receive an end of a standard K'NEX rod 19 , examples of which are disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,331.
  • a typical such rod 19 has a flanged end 20 , an annular groove 21 , a cylindrical gripping portion 22 adjacent to the groove 21 , and a central stem portion 23 , which can be of various predetermined lengths.
  • the connector sockets 17 are formed with opposed transverse ribs 24 , which engage the annular groove 21 of a rod received therein to lock the rod against axial movement.
  • the radially outer portions of the sockets are formed by grooved gripping arms 25 which flex sufficiently to receive a lateral snap-in insertion of a rod into the socket and serve to grip and retain a rod positioned in the socket.
  • a typical standard connector 14 is of a flat configuration, with parallel end faces 29 , 30 .
  • the connector 14 may have a thickness of about one-fourth inch.
  • Each of the end members 11 , 12 of the spacing connector 10 is provided with elements to interface with the flat end faces 29 , 30 of the connector 14 .
  • positioning elements 31 , 32 are in the form of short, generally cylindrical projections provided on the exterior thereof with a plurality (four in the illustrated embodiment) of axially extending ribs 33 .
  • the effective diameter of the ribbed positioning elements 31 , 32 is such that they may be inserted into the hub 15 of a standard connector and be firmly frictionally gripped within the hub, by the surrounding walls thereof, so as to be self-retaining in assembled relation.
  • the end members 11 , 12 also mount at least one, and preferably a pair of anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 .
  • the anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 preferably are positioned on opposite sides of the positioning elements 31 , 32 , as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • the positioning of the anti-rotation elements is such that, when a positioning element 31 , 32 is inserted into the hub 15 of a connector 14 , the anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 are received in an opposed pair of trapezoidal openings 28 in the connector 14 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings.
  • the anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 have a T-shaped cross sectional configuration with the crossbar portion 36 thereof received in the wider side of a trapezoidal opening 28 and preferably extending across the full width of the wider side so as to be frictionally gripped at the sides by the radial spokes 27 .
  • the stem portions 37 of the anti-rotation elements are disposed radially with respect to the axis of the spacing rod 13 and are of a length to extend into contact with the outer wall of the hub 15 . The arrangement is such that the stem portions 37 are frictionally engaged with the hub 15 and also hold the crossbar 36 tightly against the outer wall 26 which forms the wide side of the opening 28 .
  • the anti-rotation elements are thus frictionally engaged with the walls of the openings 28 in which they are inserted.
  • the length of the anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 is approximately equal to the thickness of the connector 14 in order to optimize frictional engagement with the connector.
  • the positioning elements 31 , 32 have an axial length that is approximately one-half the thickness of a connector 14 , and in no event greater than one-half the connector thickness. This enables an opposed pair of spacing connectors 10 to be inserted into the same standard connector 14 , from opposite sides thereof, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 .
  • the anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 can extend for the full width of the connector 14 because the elements 34 , 35 of opposed spacing connectors 10 can be inserted into different openings 28 (see FIG. 10 ), whereas the positioning elements 31 , 32 necessarily are received in the hub 15 from opposite sides and thus cannot extend more than half way.
  • a typical usage of a spacing connector 10 is to assemble a pair of subassemblies in laterally spaced apart relation, as indicated in FIG. 11 , which shows a pair of standard connectors 14 , 14 a joined by a spacing connector 10 . It is understood, of course, that additional structure (not shown) is joined to the connectors 14 , 14 a to form subassemblies comprised of multiple parts. Additionally the spacing connectors may be utilized to form stacked arrangements of subassemblies. In FIG.
  • FIG. 11 showing two laterally spaced subassemblies represented by the standard connectors 14 , 14 a , there is shown a second spacing connector 10 a , which is inserted into the connector 14 a and allows a third subassembly (not shown) to be attached to the opposite end (not shown) of the second spacing connector 10 .
  • a second spacing connector 10 a which is inserted into the connector 14 a and allows a third subassembly (not shown) to be attached to the opposite end (not shown) of the second spacing connector 10 .
  • many layers of subassemblies may be joined in stacked relation.
  • connected subassemblies may be, and typically would be, joined by a plurality of spacing connectors.
  • more than two layers of subassemblies are to be stacked, as reflected in FIG.
  • the spacing connectors 10 may be provided in any length, as a function of the length of the spacing rods 13 .
  • rod elements are provided in several lengths according to a specific sequence in which a rod of length L 1 , when joined to a connector, may function as one side of a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is formed by a rod of the next greater length L 2 .
  • the spacing rods 13 may be provided in graduated sizes such that the spacing connectors can be compatible with existing geometric relationships of the K'NEX toy sets. As is evident if FIGS.
  • the spacing rods 13 may have an X-shaped cross section, corresponding to the cross sections of standard K'NEX rods. Accordingly, where desired, the spacing rods 13 may be engaged crosswise within the socket of a standard K'NEX connector, providing yet another way in which structural assembles may be extended.
  • the spacing connector 40 of minimum length, preferably of a length approximating the thickness of a standard connector 14 .
  • the spacing connector 40 like the spacing connector 10 , is a unitary molding of a suitable plastic material, such as Celcon.
  • the connector 40 comprises a body 41 , one side 42 of which forms a first end member and the other side 43 of which forms a second end member.
  • the end members 42 , 43 have the same purpose and function as the end members 11 , 12 of the first-described spacing connector 10 .
  • Positioning elements 44 , 45 extend axially from the respective end members 42 , 43 for a distance corresponding to approximately one-half, but more than one-half the thickness of a standard connector 14 .
  • the positioning elements 44 , 45 are configured the same as the positioning elements 31 , 32 , with axial ribs 46 arranged to frictionally engage with the hub 15 of a standard connector. Pairs of anti-rotation elements 47 , 48 , extend from the respective end members 42 , 43 . As with the previously described spacing connector 10 , the anti-rotation elements 47 , 48 may be of a T-shaped configuration, of a size and shape to engage frictionally with trapezoidal openings 28 in a standard connector 14 .
  • FIGS. 12-15 there is shown a minimum length spacing connector, similar to that of FIGS. 4-6 , in which the respective end members 51 , 52 are rotatable with respect to each other.
  • the arrangement is such that two subassemblies can be joined in laterally spaced relation, with one of the subassemblies being rotatable with respect to the other.
  • Each of the end members 51 , 52 is formed with an opposed pair of anti-rotation elements 53 , 54 of T-shaped configuration corresponding to the previously described anti-rotation elements 34 , 35 and 47 , 47 and sized and shaped to be frictionally engaged with openings 28 of a standard connector 14 .
  • One of the end members in this instance the end member 52 , is provided with a centrally located and axially extending positioning element 55 .
  • the positioning element 55 is provided with axial ribs and is adapted for frictionally engaged reception within a hub 15 of a standard connector 14 .
  • the positioning element has an axial length, projecting beyond the outer end surface 56 of the end member 52 , of approximately one-half the thickness of a standard connector, and in no case more than one-half such thickness, in order to allow for spacing connectors be inserted from both sides of the same connector, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 .
  • the end member 52 of the spacing connector 50 is formed with a second axial projection 57 , extending from the opposite side from the positioning element 55 .
  • the axial projection 57 is cylindrical in form and is provided with an annular retaining rib 58 in its middle portion. Additionally, the axial projection 57 is bifurcated by an axially extending slot 59 which extends from the outer end 60 of the projection 57 to a point near its base 61 .
  • the slot 59 enables the two sides of the projection 57 to be resiliently compressed laterally to accommodate assembly of the respective end members 51 , 52 as described below.
  • the end member 51 is provided with a central opening 62 to receive the axial projection 57 .
  • the diameter of the opening 62 is less than the outer diameter of the annular rib 58 but slightly greater than the diameter of the axial projection 57 .
  • the opening 62 has a recess 63 of enlarged diameter, of a size to freely receive the annular retaining rib 58 .
  • the inner face 64 of the end member 51 is provided with a circular rib 65 ( FIG. 15 ) which closely surrounds the opening 62 .
  • the circular rib is arranged to bear on the inner face 66 of the end member 52 to localize and minimize frictional contact between the two end members.
  • the slotted axial projection 57 extends beyond the outer face 67 of the end member 51 a distance approximately equal to but not more than one-half the thickness of a connector 14 , and the extending portion serves the same function as the positioning element 55 .
  • the at-rest diameter of the slotted projection 57 is somewhat greater than the internal diameter of the hub 15 of the connector 14 . Accordingly, when the projection 57 is inserted into a hub 15 , the opposite sides of the projection 57 are compressed toward each other to establish a frictional engagement between the hub and the projection.
  • the extent of the compression of the slotted projection 57 is, however, less than the height of the annular retaining rib 58 , such that the two parts of the spacing connector 50 remain secured in their assembled relation after partial compression of the axial projection upon its insertion into a connector hub 15 .
  • the spacing connector of the invention significantly expands the types of structures that can be assembled with a K'NEX construction toy set by enabling a spacing connector to be inserted into a standard connector from one or both sides thereof. This allows structures to be easily stacked, either vertically or horizontally, in a completely different manner than has been possible heretofore.

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US15/826,040 2017-11-29 2017-11-29 Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set Abandoned US20190160390A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/826,040 US20190160390A1 (en) 2017-11-29 2017-11-29 Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set
PCT/US2018/060646 WO2019108378A1 (fr) 2017-11-29 2018-11-13 Raccord d'espacement pour ensemble de construction de jouet

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US15/826,040 US20190160390A1 (en) 2017-11-29 2017-11-29 Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set

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US15/826,040 Abandoned US20190160390A1 (en) 2017-11-29 2017-11-29 Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set

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US (1) US20190160390A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2019108378A1 (fr)

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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USD944898S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-03-01 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951367S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951364S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951365S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951366S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD957540S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-07-12 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD957542S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-07-12 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD961005S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-08-16 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD961687S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-08-23 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963063S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963062S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963059S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963064S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963060S1 (en) * 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963065S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD981504S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2023-03-21 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD992060S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2023-07-11 Lego A/S Toy building element
US20240149184A1 (en) * 2022-05-19 2024-05-09 Full Sun LLC Toy construction kits and related methods

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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD944898S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-03-01 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951367S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951364S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951365S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD951366S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-05-10 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD957540S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-07-12 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD957542S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-07-12 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD961005S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-08-16 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD961687S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-08-23 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963063S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963062S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963059S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963064S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963060S1 (en) * 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD963065S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2022-09-06 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD981504S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2023-03-21 Lego A/S Toy building element
USD992060S1 (en) 2020-01-21 2023-07-11 Lego A/S Toy building element
US20240149184A1 (en) * 2022-05-19 2024-05-09 Full Sun LLC Toy construction kits and related methods

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