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WO2008100619A1 - Systèmes pour construire des structures de sable - Google Patents

Systèmes pour construire des structures de sable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008100619A1
WO2008100619A1 PCT/US2008/002109 US2008002109W WO2008100619A1 WO 2008100619 A1 WO2008100619 A1 WO 2008100619A1 US 2008002109 W US2008002109 W US 2008002109W WO 2008100619 A1 WO2008100619 A1 WO 2008100619A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mold
mold blocks
outer casing
sand
blocks
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/002109
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English (en)
Inventor
Gerald Taufield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/675,288 external-priority patent/US20080197265A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/734,032 external-priority patent/US20080254706A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/967,522 external-priority patent/US20080251687A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2008100619A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008100619A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased 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
    • A63H33/32—Moulds, shapes, spades, or the like, for playing with sand

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems for constructing structures and, more particularly, to systems utilizing a plurality of outer casings or mold blocks that are assembled together and may be retained in the assembled position by an external support and are filled with a sand material to create a unique structure.
  • the present invention relates to systems for producing structures that can be used by one having minimum skill in building structures and yet produce a structure having a good appearance in a relatively short period of time.
  • the invention will be described with respect to mold blocks and the construction of sand structures, however, it will be seen that the present invention is applicable to other materials, including, but not limited to, edible materials, latex, snow, wax and the like.
  • the tools necessary to produce a sand structure can include at least one outer casing that can be placed on the ground and filled with sand to create a particular shaped sand structure.
  • the outer casing there may be one or more void blocks that can be positioned at or near the lower edge or edges of one or more outer casings as a outer casing is being filled with sand, thereby, creating one or more voids in the ultimate sand structure.
  • the void or voids also allow the user to create a wider variety of sand structures and still be able to remove the outer casing when the structure is complete.
  • the second outer casing is then packed with sand such that the eventual sand structure is in the shape of a combination of the at least two outer casings.
  • the lower edge of an upper outer casing can be aligned or affixed to the upper edge of the next lower outer casing and, with more than two outer casings, additional outer casings can be affixed together and progressively filled with sand such that when all of the outer casings have been
  • the mold blocks have inner surfaces and outer surfaces and where the configuration or shape of the inner surfaces of the plurality of mold blocks combines to produce a desired shape of sand structure.
  • the mold blocks are individually shaped and, in constructing a sand structure, the mold blocks are assembled or arranged together such that their combined inner surfaces create an internal cavity in the desired shape.
  • the mold blocks are then maintained in the arranged position by means of an external support that holds and stabilizes the mold blocks so that sand can be introduced into the internal cavity surrounded by the various inner surfaces of the mold blocks.
  • the external support can be removed and thereafter the mold blocks are free to be removed, by a careful outward movement, so as to leave only the sand structure that is then in the shape of the combined inner surfaces of the mold blocks.
  • the external support may be a casing that abuts against the outer surfaces of the mold blocks and in another exemplary embodiment, the external support may be a plurality of substantially vertical upstanding rails that contact the outer surface of the mold blocks and hold them in their arranged orientation.
  • the mold blocks may be held together by straps or buckles spanning adjacent mold blocks.
  • the plurality of vertically spaced apart internal cavities can be filed with sand sequentially up to the uppermost tier where a cap or other covering mold block can be used to create the upper tier of the sand structure.
  • the mold blocks are removed by moving each mold block outwardly starting with the upper tier and working downwardly until only the sand structure remains.
  • the mold blocks can be interlocked together to assist in the alignment and stability of the individual mold blocks forming the composite mold for creation of the sand structure.
  • the mold blocks may also have openings, indentation or other grasping means to facilitate gripping the mold blocks to enable that user to readily pull the mold blocks outwardly in the removal thereof.
  • an exemplary external support that surrounds a tier or level of mold blocks to retain that tier of mold blocks in their assembled condition can have an outwardly extending flange at the lower perimeter edge thereof.
  • the flange of the external support facilitates pushing the external support downwardly along the exterior of the assembled tier of mold blocks to retain the mold blocks in a fixed position for packing the sand into the mold block system.
  • the presence of the flange also facilitates the removal of the external support prior to when the mold blocks are removed to reveal the sand structure.
  • the flange on the external support or tension band may encircle the entire perimeter of the mold blocks making up a tier or the flange can extend only partially therearound.
  • the individual mold blocks may be constructed such that the mold blocks themselves are substantially hollow wherein the mold blocks can be used as previously stated to create a sand structure, but, being substantially hollow, the mold blocks can be stacked or nested together to provide a compact package for shipping, storage and the like.
  • the mold blocks are constrained to lateral movement so that the removal of the individual mold blocks of a tier can be removed laterally outwardly so as to minimally disrupt the sand structure thereby created, functioning as a guide for proper removal of mold blocks away from a completed sand structure.
  • the mold blocks have interchangeable face plates so that different sand structures can be created by changing the face plates.
  • different faces can be used with the same mold blocks to add versatility to the overall system by simply interchanging one or more face plates with other interchangeable face plates.
  • the interchangeable face plates can be sold along with a system for constructing said structures or sold separately.
  • All of the components needed to carry out the construction of a sand structure in the manner heretofore described can be conveniently provided to the user in a package and which may also include one or more weapons such as toy bombs, toy guns and toy cannons that can be used by a child in damaging or destroying the sand structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • weapons such as toy bombs, toy guns and toy cannons that can be used by a child in damaging or destroying the sand structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a outer casing constructed in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of outer casings with one stacked atop of the other;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of outer casings and illustrating three outer casings stacked together;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of outer casings stacked together in the completed stage of constructing a sand structure
  • FIGS. 5 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary system for affixing one outer casing to another outer casing
  • FIGS. 6 and 6A are exploded views illustrating an alternate system to that of Fig. 5 to align one outer casing to another outer casing;
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizing a void block
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the Fig 7 embodiment with a void block located within a outer casing
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the Fig 7 embodiment with the outer casing removed but with the void block in place in the sand structure;
  • FIGS. 10 and 1OA is a perspective view and a side view of the Fig 8 embodiment with the void block removed from the sand structure;
  • FIGS. HA, HB and HC are schematic views of various weapons that can be used with the present invention.
  • FIG. 12A, 12B and 12C are schematic views illustrating users playing a game using the weapons of Figs 11 A- 11 C;
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded view illustrating mold blocks of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the mold blocks of Fig. 13 in an assembled, arranged orientation
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks of Fig, 14 and illustrating an external support usable therewith;
  • FIG. 16A and 16B are a side view of the external support of Fig.15 a perspective view of the present invention assembled with the external support; respectively;
  • FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the system of Figs 13-16B of the present invention in its assembled form and filled with sand;
  • FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the present invention of Figs. 13-17 illustrating the removal of the external support
  • FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the present invention of Figs. 13-18 illustrating the removal of the mold blocks from a sand structure
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary multi-tiered embodiment of present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the Fig. 20 embodiment illustrating the assembling of an external support to the mold blocks;
  • FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the Fig. 20 embodiment illustrating the multi- tiered embodiment with external supports assembled thereto;
  • FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the Fig. 20 embodiment illustrating the removal of the external supports
  • FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the Fig. 20 embodiment illustrating the removal of the mold blocks
  • FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a sand structure constructed in accordance with the Fig. 20 embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 26B and 26C are respectively views of an exemplary embodiment having a top cap including a schematic view of a multi-tiered embodiment for use with a top cap, a top view of the Fig 14A structure and a side view of a top cap;
  • FIGS. 27 A, 27B and 27C are perspective views, respectively, of exemplary single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a rectangular cross section;
  • FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a square cross section;
  • FIGS. 29 A, 29B and 29C are perspective views, respectively, of single, double and three tiered embodiments of the present invention having a circular cross section;
  • FIG. 30 is a schematic view of an assemblage of mold blocks of the present invention and illustrating an interlocking feature and an outer surface configured to facilitate a user gripping a mold block;
  • FIG. 31 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an interlocking feature useable with the present invention.
  • FIG. 32 is a schematic view illustrating the removal of a mold block using the outer surface configuration of Fig. 30;
  • FIG. 33 is a schematic view of an alternative external support that can be used with the present invention.
  • FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a further alternative external support that can be used with the present invention.
  • FIG 35 is a schematic view of an exemplary multi-tier embodiment of the invention with external supports having flanges used to facilitate the installation and removal of the external supports;
  • FIG. 36 is a perspective view of exemplary, partially assembled mold blocks having interlocking features
  • FIG. 37 is a perspective view of exemplary unassembled mold block tiers having vertical interlocking features
  • FIG. 38 is a perspective view of exemplary mold blocks of the present invention nested together;
  • FIG. 39A is an exploded view of an exemplary mold block having an interchangeable face plate and FIG 39B is an assembled view of the FIG. 39A embodiment;
  • FIG. 4OA is a top view of an exemplary mold block having an interchangeable face plate and FIG 4OB is an assembled view of the FIG. 4OA embodiment;
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary mold block 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the outer casing 20 is adapted to rest on the ground in order to carry out the present invention and the ground will normally be a beach where unlimited sand is available, however, the invention could be employed at other sites, such as a sand box at a playground or yard.
  • the outer casing 20 is configured to construct a pyramidal shaped structure, however, as will be seen, many other shapes and sizes of sand structures can be constructed in accordance with this invention.
  • the outer casing 20 comprises a rim 22 having an upper edge 24 and a lower edge 26, the latter of course, resting on the ground with an open area 28 formed within the rim 22. Due to the particular shape of the Fig. 1 embodiment i.e. a pyramid, the perimeter of the upper edge 24 is smaller than the perimeter of the lower edge 26 such that the rim 22 slopes outwardly in the downward direction.
  • the outer casing 20 can be made of a metal, ceramic, plastic or any other suitable material having sufficient strength to carry out the purpose of this invention.
  • Rim 22 can be a one piece construction or may be a plurality of individual components that are affixed together to make up the rim 22 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the outer casing 20 is placed on the ground and filled with sand, preferable wet sand having a consistency to form sand structures.
  • the outer casing 20 may have a lower flange that flares out from the lower edge 26 to prevent the outer casing 20 from digging in the sand.
  • one object 30 placed with a outer casing 20 and the object 30 can be of a wide variety of shapes.
  • a player can make a game out of trying to locate the object or objects within a single tier or multiple tiers of the sand structure.
  • An object may also be a hollow object so as to form a tunnel with the ultimate sand structure is completed and the object can be completely concealed within the sand or may extend outwardly to the inner edge of the outer casing 20 so that a tunnel can be seen when the outer casing 20 is removed as will be later illustrated.
  • the object 30 can be located in any one or more of the tiers of a multiple tiered sand structure constructed using the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 a perspective view of the outer casing 20 of Fig. 1 having a further or second outer casing 32 resting atop of the outer casing 20.
  • the lower edge 34 of the outer casing 32 is resting upon and generally contiguous to the upper edge 24 of the outer casing 20.
  • that lower edge 34 of the second outer casing 32 is aligned with the upper edge 24 of the outer casing 20 in a manner that will be later explained. Since the upper edge 36 of the second outer casing 32 is open, again, the wet sand can be packed into the open area 38 to fill up that open area 38 up to the level of the upper edge 36.
  • an object 40 can be inserted into the second tier of the sand structure being constructed by filling the second outer casing 32 and/or some device can be added that forms a tunnel, secret room or the like.
  • the second outer casing 32 being configured to form a pyramid, has the perimeter of its upper edge 36 smaller than the perimeter of its lower edge 34 and the rim 42 is generally formed at the same angle with respect to the horizontal as the angle of the rim 22 of the outer casing 20.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a perspective view of a still further, third outer casing 44 positioned atop of the second outer casing 32 and, again, the lower edge 46 of the rim 48 of the third outer casing 44 rests on, is supported by and is generally contiguous to the upper edge 36 of the second outer casing 32.
  • the upper edge 50 of the third outer casing 44 has a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of its lower edge 46 and an open area 52 is formed therein to be filled by the user with wet sand up to the upper edge 50 of the third outer casing 44.
  • Fig. 4 there is shown a perspective view of the completed assembly of all of the outer casings needed to construct a completed pyramid shaped sand structure, the top sand mold 56 having been positioned in place atop of the third outer casing 44.
  • the top outer casing also has a lower edge 58 that is contiguous with and preferable affixed to the upper edge 50 of the third outer casing 44 and having a closed peak 60 and thus can be filled with sand and then inverted to be placed atop of the third outer casing 44.
  • the upper tier of the formed sand structure has a flat upper surface, the uppermost outer casing need not be closed as it is in Fig. 4.
  • all of the outer casings have been stacked in order to combine the individually packed tiers to produce the final shape of the pyramidal sand structure.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a system that can be used to align together two adjacent outer casings and, in the exemplary embodiment, the alignment system can be used to affix together any or all of the outer casings described in Figs 1-4.
  • Fig. 5 shows a cutaway segment of an upper outer casing 64 and a lower outer casing 66, each having an inside surface 65 and an outside surface 67.
  • the upper outer casing 64 has a recess 68 with an elongated protrusion 70 that extends along, or at least partially along, the lower edge 72 of the upper outer casing 64.
  • FIG. 6 there is an exploded view of an alternative alignment system to that of Fig. 5.
  • a cutaway segment of an upper outer casing 80 and a lower outer casing 82 each having an inside surface 81 and an outside surface 83.
  • the upper outer casing 80 has a recess 84 forming a downwardly directed flange 86 that extends along, or at least partially along, the lower edge 88 of the upper outer casing 80.
  • the respective edges flanges 86, 92 are brought in contact with each other, in the direction of the arrows B, to frictionally engage the upper outer casing 80 to the lower outer casing 82.
  • FIG. 6A there is a still further alignment system for the upper and lower outer casings 85, 87 having inside surfaces 89 and outside surfaces 91 and wherein the upper outer casing 85 extends downwardly with an offset forming a downwardly directed flange 93 that extends over the outside surface 91 of the lower outer casing 87.
  • FIG. 7 there is a further feature of the present invention.
  • the perimeter of the upper edge of the outer casing is smaller than the perimeter of the lower edge of the outer casing, it is relatively easy to remove the tiered outer casings vertically upwardly, however, there are instances wherein the perimeters may be the same or where it is desired to have a sand structure wherein the lower portions or perimeters of the sand structure are smaller than or undercut with respect to the upper portions or perimeters.
  • void blocks that can be placed into a outer casing along the inside wall thereof to create a void in the sand structure.
  • FIG. 7 there is a perspective view of an outer casing 94 having sides 96 that are relatively vertical and thus there is a void block 98 that can be inserted into the outer casing 94 and positioned at a lower edge 100 thereof in accordance with the arrow C.
  • the cross section of the void block 98 is triangular, however, other cross sectionals shapes could be utilized consistent with the intent of the present invention.
  • the void block 98 can be placed in any one or more of the tiers and there may be multiple void blocks located in a single tier such as where the void blocks operate in tandem or form differing voids in that single tier.
  • FIG. 8 taken also with Fig. 7, the void block 98 is shown in the desired position at the lower edge of the outer casing 94.
  • the outer casing 94 is filled with sand, there is a void that is created in the sand structure in the shape of the void block 98.
  • FIG. 10 and 1OA there is an exploded view and a side view, respectively, of the sand structure 102 where the void block 98 has been removed by removing it laterally in the direction of the arrows E, leaving a void 104 in the shape of the void block 98.
  • a void block can, therefore be formed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to create a desired sand structure.
  • a plurality of outer casings can be provided to a purchaser in a single package such that the package of the tools would include at least one of the outer casings along with one or more void blocks that can be used with the outer casings in that package to create a particular shape of sand structure.
  • the user can purchase a particular package containing the necessary outer casings and void blocks that the user can employ in accordance with the method of the present invention to construct, for example, a castle, a pyramid, a building, a battleship or other sand structure desired by the purchaser along with a weapon or weapons that can be used by a user or other child to destroy the structure constructed by the use of the outer casings and void blocks.
  • the package also contains instructions to the purchaser as to how to use the outer casing and void blocks contained within the package to construct the particular sand structure illustrated on the package as well as the outer casings, void blocks, discovery objects and weapons.
  • a weapon As a part of a game that can be played with the sand structures of Figs. 1 IA-11C there can be provided to the user a weapon and that weapon can include those illustrated in Figs. 1 IA-C, that is, toy simulated bombs 224, a toy gun 226 or a toy cannon 228 and one or all of those weapons can be supplied to the user to carry out the game along with any number of other weapons that would be enjoyable for use by a child in destroying a sand structure.
  • FIGs. 12A-12C schematic views of a user 230 using each of the weapons illustrated in Figs 1 IA-11C, to destroy the submarine 214, the ship 218 and the castle 222.
  • the particular package can be sold to the user containing all of the necessary tools to carry out the game in constructing a sand structure as well as the weapons that can cause the destruction of that sand structure.
  • Fig. 13 there is shown an exploded view of a plurality of mold blocks 310 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
  • the mold blocks 310 each have an inner surface 312, an outer surface 314, top surface 316, side surfaces 317 and bottom surface 318.
  • the inner surfaces 312 of each of the mold blocks 310 are specially designed so as to cooperate with other mold blocks 310 such that all of the inner surfaces combine together to form a particular sand structure, while the side surfaces generally abut against an adjacent mold block 310.
  • the mold blocks 310 are placed on a relatively flat surface and are arranged together by moving the mold blocks 310 in the direction of the arrows A to form an arrangement of mold blocks having a contiguous inner surface.
  • the bottom surfaces 318 are larger in area than the top surfaces 316, such that the outer surfaces 314 taper inwardly in the upward direction. The purpose of the tapering will later become apparent.
  • the mold blocks 310 are adapted to rest on the ground in order to carry out the present invention and the ground will normally be a beach where unlimited sand is available, however, the invention could be employed at other sites, such as a sand box at a playground or yard.
  • Fig. 14 there is shown a perspective view of the mold blocks 310 that have been arranged by converging the mold blocks 310 in the direction of the arrows B so as to create an internal cavity 320 that is formed or shaped in the configuration of the particular sand structure to be constructed. As such, all of the inner surfaces 312 form an internal contiguous inner perimeter that is used in forming the eventual sand structure.
  • FIG. 15 there is a perspective view of the assembled mold blocks 310 as shown in Fig. 14 with the addition of an external support that is used to retain the mold blocks 310 in this arranged orientation.
  • the external support for example, is an outer casing 322 that is placed by the user over the mold blocks 310 so as to surround the outer perimeter made up of all of the contiguous outer surfaces 314 of the assembled mold blocks 310. Due to the aforedescribed taper of the outer casing 322 and the outer surfaces 314, the outer casing 322 can be readily slid over the mold blocks 310 to hold the mold blocks 310 firmly in their assembled condition.
  • the outer casing 322 can completely or at least partially surround the mold blocks 310 and may be made of any material having sufficient strength to retain the mold blocks 310 in their assembled positions including but not limited to metal, ceramic, plastic or any other suitable material.
  • the outer casing 322 can be seen to have tapering inwardly tapering sides 324 defining an opening 326.
  • the outer casing 322 is designed to fit snugly over the assembled mold blocks 310 by being moved in the direction of the arrows C.
  • FIG 16A there is shown a side view illustrating the inwardly tapering sides 324 of the outer casing 322 and, in Fig. 16B, the outer casing 322 has been positioned surrounding the mold blocks 310 to retain the mold blocks 310 in their assembled positions.
  • Fig.17 the assembled mold blocks of Fig. 16 can be seen and wherein the internal cavity 320 has been filled with sand that is packed for forming the sand structure 328.
  • FIG. 18 there is shown a perspective view of the present invention where the outer casing 322 has been removed by raising it upwardly and away from its position surrounding the mold blocks 310 generally in the direction of the arrows D. At this point, the mold blocks 310 are capable of being removed by sliding them directly outwardly and away from the sand structure 328 contained within the internal cavity 320 such as in the direction of the arrows E.
  • FIG. 19 there is a perspective view of a sand structure 328 that remains after the removal of the mold blocks 310 and, as can be seen, the overall configuration of the sand structure 328 is determined by the combined inner surfaces 312 of the mold blocks 310.
  • FIG. 20 there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment having multiple tiers of mold blocks.
  • the lower tier of mold blocks 310 using the same designation numbers as with Figs. 19 and an upper tier comprising upper tier mold blocks 330, each having an inner surface 332, an outer surface 334, a top surface 336 and a bottom surface 338.
  • the upper tier mold blocks 330 are placed atop of the mold blocks 310 by movement generally in the direction of the arrows F to create a mold for a second tier for a sand structure to be formed.
  • the outer casing 322 of the lower tier remains in place surrounding the mold blocks 310.
  • the upper tier mold blocks 330 are positioned in place creating an upper internal cavity 340 which is also to be packed with sand for forming the sand structure 328 atop of the lower tier 344 of the sand structure 328 and, as with the prior embodiment, the shape of the cavity 340, and, of course, also the sand structure, is determined by the collective and contiguous inner surfaces 332 of the upper tier mold blocks 330.
  • An external support is also provided for the upper tier mold blocks 330 in the form of an upper outer casing 340 that is positioned over the upper tier mold blocks 330 by movement in the direction of the arrows G in the same manner as described with respect to the assembling of the lower tier.
  • the outer surfaces 334 of the upper tier mold blocks 330 and the sides 342 of the upper outer casing 340 can be tapered inwardly in the upper direction.
  • FIG. 22 there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention wherein the upper outer casing 340 has been affixed to the upper tier by surrounding the upper tier mold blocks 330 and the upper tier 346 of the sand structure 328 has been packed with sand.
  • a system for aligning together the adjacent outer casings can be the same or similar to that described with respect to Figs. 5, 6 and 6A hereof.
  • FIG. 23 there is a perspective view of the multi-tier embodiment of the invention and wherein the outer casing 322 and the upper outer casing 340 have been removed generally in the direction of the arrows H, thereby leaving only the mold blocks 310 and the upper tier mold blocks 330 surrounding the sand structure 328.
  • the outer casing 322 and upper outer casing 340 can be removed one at a time or removed together.
  • Fig. 24 there is shown a perspective view illustrating the removal of the mold blocks 310 and the upper tier mold blocks 330 to reveal the two tiered sand structure 328 i.e. the lower tier 344 and the upper tier 346.
  • the mold blocks 310 are pulled away along the path of the arrows J and the upper tier mold blocks 330 along the path of the arrows K.
  • the lower tier 344 of the sand structure 328 has the shape of the contiguous inner surfaces 312 of the mold blocks 310 while the upper tier 346 has the shape of the contiguous inner surfaces 332 of the upper tier mold blocks 330 and that the two tiers have different shapes.
  • a sand structure 328 having different shapes for the lower tier 344 and the upper tier 346.
  • the multi- tier embodiment there may be two or more tiers used in constructing the sand structure and each may or may not have different inner surface configurations lending considerable versatility in the use of the present invention for constructing desired shapes of sand structures.
  • Figs. 26A, 26B and 26C there can be seen, respectively, a cross sectional view of a multi-tier embodiment, a top view of the Fig. 26A embodiment and a perspective view of a covering for use with the Fig, 26A embodiment, hi this embodiment, the top has a rounded top or "skull cap" instead of the flat top surface as shown in the prior embodiments.
  • Fig. 26A there are three tiers; a lower tier 348, intermediate tier 350 and an upper tier 352.
  • FIG. 26B there is a cap 360 that is adapted to be filled with sand and then inverted and placed into the inwardly tapered opening 354 in order to create a curved top to the sand structure and any excess sand runs down into the recessed annulus 358.
  • FIGs. 28A-C, 27A-C and 29A-C there are illustrated, various examples of some arrangements or assemblies of mold blocks that can be used to create sand structures using the present invention.
  • Figs 27A, 27B and 27C there is shown, respectively, a single tier 360, two tier 362 and a three tier 364 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 366, 368 and 370, respectively, formed in the shape of rectangles;
  • Figs 28A, 28B and 28C there is shown, respectively, a single tier 372, two tier 374 and a three tier 376 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 378, 380, 382, respectively, formed in the shape of squares and in Figs.
  • 29A, 29B and 29C there is shown, respectively, a single tier 384 two tier 386 and a three tier 388 sets of mold blocks having their outer surfaces 390, 392 and 394, respectively, formed in a circular shape. While Figs. 27A-C, 28A-C and 29A-C illustrate up to three tiers, it can be seen that there may be more than three tiers used in the construction of a sand structure and the tiers may have different outer shapes, for example, octagonal, hexagonal or other geometric shapes.
  • Fig. 30 there is a perspective view of a multi-tier embodiment of the present invention and wherein there are interlocking devices that provide an interlock of respective tiers of the arranged mold blocks 396 of adjacent tiers.
  • the interlocking devices are comprised of guide pegs 398 that extend downwardly so as to interfit within guide notches 400 formed on the next lower tier.
  • the interlocking feature may be in some or all of the mold blocks 396.
  • a surface configuration formed in one or more of the mold blocks 396 to facilitate a user getting a good grip on the particular mold block 396 to pull it out from the assembly of mold blocks 396 in freeing up the eventual sand structure as previously explained.
  • the surface configuration can be, for example, an opening 402 in a mold block 396 and which can be grasped by the user in removing a mold block 396.
  • FIG. 31 there is an enlarged view of one interlocking mechanism that can be used with the present invention as described with respect to Fig. 30.
  • a guide peg 408 extends downwardly from the upper mold block 404 and interfits into the guide notch 409 formed in the lower mold block 406, thereby interlocking the upper mold block 404 with the lower mold block 406.
  • FIG. 32 there is an example of the use of a surface configuration, such as opening 410, to remove a mold block 412 from a plurality of mold blocks 414 in the direction of the arrows M to reveal the sand structure 416.
  • a surface configuration such as opening 410
  • the upper tier of mold blocks are initially removed and thereafter the user continues downwardly in removing the further mold blocks until all of the mold blocks are removed, leaving the sand structure.
  • Fig. 33 there is shown a multi-tiered embodiment having mold blocks 444 arranged together.
  • the straps 446 may include buckles or other devices that connect the straps together and the straps 446 may be located between any two or more mold blocks 444.
  • the external supports for the mold blocks 448 comprise a plurality of rails 450 that are generally vertically oriented and which bear against the surfaces 452 of the mold blocks 448 to retain those mold blocks 448 in the assembled orientation.
  • a plurality of mold blocks can be provided to a purchaser in a single package such that the package of the sand structure constructing components would include a plurality of the mold blocks along with an external support with
  • the user can purchase a particular package containing the necessary mold blocks and external supports that the user can employ in accordance with the method of the present invention to construct a sand structure, along with a weapon or weapons that can be used by a user or other child to destroy the structure constructed by the use of the mold blocks and external supports.
  • the package also contains instructions to the purchaser as to how to use the mold blocks contained within the package to construct the particular sand structure illustrated on the package as well as any other components necessary to carry out that construction.
  • the particular package can be sold to the user containing all of the necessary tools and components to carry out the game in constructing a sand structure as well as the weapons that can cause the destruction of that sand structure, hi addition, the package can contain discovery objects that can be packed into and thus concealed in the sand as it is packed into an internal cavity formed by the internal surfaces of an assemble of mold blocks so that the objects can be discovered by a child within the sand structure thereby formed.
  • FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment having multiple tiers of mold blocks, including an upper tier 468, a middle tier 470 and a lower tier 472 comprised of mold blocks 474.
  • the mold blocks 474 that make up the upper, middle and lower tiers 468, 470 and 472 are retained by an upper casing 476, a middle casing 478 and a lower casing 480 and which hold the mold blocks 474 in position as the sand is serially packed into the cavity between the mold blocks 474.
  • each of the casings 476, 478 and 480 has an outwardly extending flange 482, 484 and 486 along the lower edge of the outer perimeter of each of the casings.
  • the flanges 482, 484 and 486 facilitates pushing the casings downwardly to fit around the mold blocks 474 and to remove the casings 476, 478, 480 before the mold blocks 474 are removed to reveal the sand structure.
  • the flange may encircle the entire perimeter of the casing enclosing a tier of mold blocks or can extend only partially therearound.
  • each of the individual mold blocks 474 can have a different profile of mold and thus create a different impression on the sand as it is packed into the cavity formed by the plurality of different mold blocks.
  • a puzzle can be devised therein that would be different, or solved, by the particular placing of a mold block at a specific position along a tier and with respect to different tiers. Accordingly, the puzzles could be to make up a particular sand structure depending on the location that the user places a mold block and that the user must place the individual mold blocks in the correct location oriented with other mold blocks in order to achieve the desired structure.
  • Fig. 36 there is shown a perspective view of a typical tier 488 having mold blocks 490, 492, 494 and 496 that are illustrated in a partially unassembled condition.
  • the mold blocks 490 As typical of all of the mold blocks, there is a top surface 498, a bottom surface 500 and side surfaces 502 and 504.
  • the mold block 490 is hollow, that is, there is an open space 508 in the area facing outwardly from the internal surface 506.
  • the open space 508 enables multiple mold blocks to be nested together - compactly for shipment or storage and reduces the size of the overall package for sale thereof.
  • interlocking system between the side surfaces of adjacent mold blocks.
  • interlocking system there is a keyway 510 formed in the side surface 504 of the mold block 500 and a corresponding and dimensionally interlocking key 512 formed on the side surface 514 of the mold block 496.
  • key 512 enters into and interlocks with the keyway 510. That relationship is provided in a similar manner with respect to all of the mold blocks 490, 492, 494 and 496.
  • the purpose of the interlocking is to align all of the mold blocks of a particular tier so that the internal mold is formed in a consistent manner and also to require the removal of each mold block to a lateral sliding motion outwardly in the disassembly of the system of molding a sand structure that is the movement of the mold blocks during their removal is constrained so as to require pulling the mold blocks laterally outwardly and which minimizes the risk of damage to the sand structure.
  • That interlocking system providing for the constrained lateral movement is also facilitated by an interlocking system between tiers themselves, that is, vertically and, as can be seen in Fig. 36, there is a key 516 formed in the top surface 498 of the mold block 490 that interlocks with a corresponding keyway (not shown in Fig.36) in a mold block of the next higher tier of mold blocks.
  • FIG. 37 there is shown a rear view of an upper mold block 518 a middle mold block 520 and a lower mold block 522 as illustrative of typical vertically aligned mold blocks of multiple tiers, there obviously being three more sets of mold blocks to complete this particular mold block system.
  • a key 524 formed in the upper surface 526 of the lower mold block 522 and which interfits into a keyway 528 formed in the lower surface 530 of the middle mold block 520.
  • a key 532 formed in the upper surface 534 of the middle mold block 520 that interfits into a keyway 536 formed in the lower surface 538 of the upper mold block 518.
  • the vertical interlocking of mold blocks of vertical contacting tiers stabilizes and aids in the alignment of the construction of the present system as well as aids in removal of mold blocks in a direction laterally outwardly as the mold block assembly is disassembled since the orientation of the key and keyway interlocking occurs along a line that extends generally radially outwardly from the geometric center of the mold block tiers where the sand structure is located.
  • FIG. 38 there is a perspective view of an exemplary upper mold block 538, a middle mold block 540 and a lower mold block 542 that are illustrated in their nested
  • the upper mold block 538 fits into the open space of the middle mold block 540 and which, in turn fits into the open space of the lower mold block 542 (note the open spaces illustrated in Fig. 37).
  • the upper mold block 538 is designed to be a bit narrower than the middle mold block 540 and which, in turn, is designed to be a bit narrower than the lower mold block 542.
  • the key 544 of the middle mold block 540 is narrower than the key 546 of the lower mold block 542 to aid in the nesting of the mold blocks together. The same can be true of a system with horizontal keys and keyways on each level.
  • a typical mold block system of twelve mold blocks can be reduced to four stacks of three blocks, for example, and the stacks are relatively compact for storage, shipment, packaging and sale.
  • the open spaces in the mold blocks can be used as a handle to pull the mold blocks away from the sand structure.
  • the mold blocks themselves can be constructed of injected molded plastic.
  • FIGs. 39A and 39B there is respective perspective views of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the mold block 548 is constructed of two components, that is, there is a base block 550 and a replaceable face plate 552.
  • the mold block 548 of Figs 39A and 39B can be any of the mold blocks of a mold block system since the feature of interchangeable face plates is applicable to any or all of the mold blocks used in creating a sand structure.
  • the base block 550 can have a key 554 that aligns with a key 556 on the replaceable face plate and the keys 554, 556 and keyways (not shown in Figs. 39A and 39B) are used in the manner described with respect to Figs 36 and 37.
  • the replaceable face plate 552 is removable attached to the base block 550 and that means of attachment can be by a sliding the removable face plate 552 into a receptacle formed by flanges 558, 560 so that the removable face plate552 can be readily removed and
  • the face plate 552 can be snapped onto the base block 550.
  • the interior surface 562 of the removable face plate 552 normally has the particular mold that is desired to be used to shape the sand that is poured into a completed mold block system and, therefore, by making the face plate 552 replaceable, different faces can be used with a base block 550 to change the exterior design of the completed sand structure.
  • FIGs 4OA and 4OB there is shown top views of the mold block 548 of Figs 39A and 39B, both unassembled and assembled, and illustrating the location and extent of the flanges 558, 560 that hold the replaceable face plate 552 to the base block 550.

Landscapes

  • Moulds, Cores, Or Mandrels (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes servant à construire des structures de sable. Le système comprend une pluralité de blocs moulés (310) qui peuvent être assemblés ensemble de telle sorte leurs surfaces internes (312) se combinent pour former une cavité interne (320) sous la forme d'une structure de sable souhaitée. Un support externe (322) peut également être utilisé pour retenir les blocs moulés (310) dans leur position assemblée. Du sable est emballé dans la cavité interne (320) formée par les surfaces internes collectives (312) des blocs moulés (310) pour former la structure de sable. Une pluralité de traverses (344, 346) de blocs moulés assemblés peut être utilisée pour construire des structures de sable complexes et un mécanisme (402) peut être utilisé pour aider l'utilisateur à attraper un bloc moulé (310) pour faciliter le retrait du bloc moulé (310) pour découvrir la structure de sable terminée et des interverrouillages (408, 409) de blocs moulés adjacents peuvent être également utilisés ensemble. Une fois remplis, les blocs moulés (310) sont enlevés, en créant ainsi la structure de sable. Un boîtier contient tous les blocs moulés (310) et les supports moulés (322) nécessaires à la construction de diverses structures de sables et peut comporter des armes (224, 226, 228) utilisées pour détruire une structure de sable terminée lors d'un jeu.
PCT/US2008/002109 2007-02-15 2008-02-16 Systèmes pour construire des structures de sable Ceased WO2008100619A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/675,288 US20080197265A1 (en) 2007-02-15 2007-02-15 Systems for Constructing Sand Structures
US11/675,288 2007-02-15
US11/734,032 2007-04-11
US11/734,032 US20080254706A1 (en) 2007-04-11 2007-04-11 Systems for Constructing Sand Structures
US11/967,522 US20080251687A1 (en) 2007-04-11 2007-12-31 Systems for constructing sand structures
US11/967,522 2007-12-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008100619A1 true WO2008100619A1 (fr) 2008-08-21

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/002109 Ceased WO2008100619A1 (fr) 2007-02-15 2008-02-16 Systèmes pour construire des structures de sable

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WO (1) WO2008100619A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD788856S1 (en) 2015-12-22 2017-06-06 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand mold toy
USD810205S1 (en) 2016-12-20 2018-02-13 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand mold toy
US10010804B1 (en) 2015-12-22 2018-07-03 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand molding toy

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1610121A (en) * 1925-04-21 1926-12-07 Frank T Dickinson Toy sand mold
US3861640A (en) * 1973-05-21 1975-01-21 Ideal Toy Corp Interchangeable mold assembly
US4041670A (en) * 1974-04-17 1977-08-16 Kaplan Richard D Building blocks
US4905957A (en) * 1988-12-19 1990-03-06 Stockwell Aubrey E Ice mold apparatus
US5460561A (en) * 1993-12-16 1995-10-24 Lennart Dahlgren Toy kit of stackable geometric shape pieces to form a structure
US6149485A (en) * 1999-12-28 2000-11-21 Christiansen; Lyle J. Collapsible building block for erecting toy buildings that fall down flat
US6607418B2 (en) * 2000-11-07 2003-08-19 Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. Discovery toy and method of use

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1610121A (en) * 1925-04-21 1926-12-07 Frank T Dickinson Toy sand mold
US3861640A (en) * 1973-05-21 1975-01-21 Ideal Toy Corp Interchangeable mold assembly
US4041670A (en) * 1974-04-17 1977-08-16 Kaplan Richard D Building blocks
US4905957A (en) * 1988-12-19 1990-03-06 Stockwell Aubrey E Ice mold apparatus
US5460561A (en) * 1993-12-16 1995-10-24 Lennart Dahlgren Toy kit of stackable geometric shape pieces to form a structure
US6149485A (en) * 1999-12-28 2000-11-21 Christiansen; Lyle J. Collapsible building block for erecting toy buildings that fall down flat
US6607418B2 (en) * 2000-11-07 2003-08-19 Playcore Wisconsin, Inc. Discovery toy and method of use

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD788856S1 (en) 2015-12-22 2017-06-06 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand mold toy
US10010804B1 (en) 2015-12-22 2018-07-03 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand molding toy
USD810205S1 (en) 2016-12-20 2018-02-13 Kurt Jung Adjustable sand mold toy

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