WO2025053206A1 - Toy blocks and toy block set - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide toy blocks and a toy block set which can be stacked in various ways even with few varieties of blocks, and which are easy to manufacture. The toy blocks of the present invention are characterized in that: at least one surface 16 of each of said toy blocks is provided with a plurality of grooves including a first grove 11 extending in a first direction along the surface 16, and a second groove 12 extending in a second direction, which differs from the first direction, along the surface 16; the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect with each other; and said grooves have cross-sectional shapes that fit with the shapes of end portions of the toy blocks.

Description

Building blocks and building sets

The present invention relates to building blocks and building block sets.

　Conventionally, there are building block sets that allow children to play by stacking and knocking down polyhedral building blocks. Such building block sets have many different types of building block with different shapes, and are configured so that these building block blocks can be stacked in various combinations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, such building block has a complex shape to allow for a variety of stacking methods. When the building block shape becomes complex, the manufacturing of the building block also becomes complex, and productivity decreases. Also, there are known block toys that can be played with by assembling various shapes by fitting together concave and convex parts (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-255162 A Special Publication No. 9-504711

However, when it is desired to stack the blocks in a desired way, the above-mentioned complex shaped building blocks and building block toys limit the ways in which they can be combined, requiring blocks of specific shapes, while blocks of simple shapes often can only be stacked in a simple way.

The present invention aims to provide building blocks and a building block set that can be stacked in a variety of ways even with a limited number of types of blocks, and that are easy to manufacture.

In order to achieve the above object, the building block of the present invention is characterized in that at least one surface is provided with a plurality of grooves, including a first groove extending in a first direction along the surface and a second groove extending along the surface in a second direction different from the first direction, the first groove intersects with the second groove, and the groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block.

The building block of the present invention is preferably a hexahedron consisting of six quadrilaterals, with the first groove and the second groove provided on at least one face of the hexahedron.

In the building block of the present invention, the building block is a rectangular hexahedron having square upper and lower faces, and the first groove and the second groove are provided on at least one face of the building block,
the first groove is provided in a side surface of the hexahedron at a center portion of a side of the square so as to penetrate through the upper surface and the lower surface,
The second groove is preferably provided on a side surface of the hexahedron parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface.

In the building block of the present invention, the first groove and the second groove are V-grooves having a V-shaped cross section, and the angle of the V is preferably 90 degrees.

The building block of the present invention further includes a third groove larger than the first groove, the first groove being provided on adjacent first and second sides of the hexahedron, the third groove being provided on a third side different from the first and second sides, penetrating the top and bottom surfaces, the cross-sectional shape being a V-shaped groove with a V-angle of 90 degrees, and it is preferable that the distance between one surface of the first groove provided on the first side and one surface of the first groove provided on the second side that is parallel to the first surface is less than or equal to the length of one side of the third groove provided on the third side.

The building block set of the present invention is a building block set having a building block having a plurality of V-shaped grooves, including a first V-shaped groove and a second V-shaped groove, on at least one face of a rectangular hexahedron having square upper and lower faces, the first V-shaped groove of the building block being provided at the center of an edge of the square on the side of the hexahedron so as to penetrate the upper and lower faces, the second V-shaped groove being provided on the side of the hexahedron parallel to the upper and lower faces, the first V-shaped groove and the second V-shaped groove intersect, and the V-shaped groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of an end of the building block,
The building block set includes a first building block and a second building block, the first building block having the first V-groove provided on four side surfaces of the hexahedron, the second building block having a third V-groove larger than the first V-groove provided on at least one side surface of the hexahedron so as to penetrate the upper surface and the lower surface, and the first V-groove provided on the remaining side surfaces of the hexahedron, and the distance between one surface of the first V-groove provided on the first side surface of the hexahedron in the first building block and one surface of the first V-groove provided on a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface and parallel to the first surface is less than or equal to the length of one side of the third V-groove of the second building block.

In the building block set of the present invention, it is preferable that the hexahedrons forming the first building block and the second building block are the same size.

The present invention provides building blocks and building block sets that can be stacked in a variety of ways even with a limited number of different blocks, and are easy to manufacture.

FIG. 1 shows a first building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side is viewed horizontally. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first building block according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a second building block according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side is viewed horizontally. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second building block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the first building block and the second building block of the building block set according to the embodiment of the present invention are assembled. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the first building block and the second building block of the building block set according to the embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a first building block included in the building block set according to the embodiment of the present invention, in an assembled state. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing yet another example of the first building block and the second building block of the building block set according to the embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows a building block according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side is viewed horizontally. Figure 13 shows a building block according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side is viewed horizontally. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing examples of variations in the shape of the building blocks of the present invention.

The building blocks and building block sets of the present invention will be described using examples. However, the present invention is not limited or restricted to the following examples. The drawings referred to below are schematic, and the dimensional ratios of objects depicted in the drawings may differ from the dimensional ratios of real objects. The dimensional ratios of objects may also differ between drawings. In addition, for the sake of making the drawings easier to read, some of the ridges of chamfered parts may be omitted for convenience.

The building block of the present invention has a plurality of grooves on at least one surface, including a first groove extending in a first direction along the surface, and a second groove extending along the surface in a second direction different from the first direction. The first groove and the second groove intersect. The groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block. The shape of the end of the building block refers to the shape of the corners, sides, etc. of the building block.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 show a building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a first building block according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side surface (the surface on the lower side in FIG. 1(A)) is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side surface is viewed horizontally. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first building block. The building block 10 (first building block) of this embodiment is a rectangular hexahedron having a square top surface 15A and a square bottom surface 15B, in which a first groove 11 and a second groove 12 are provided. The first groove 11 is provided in the side surface 16 of the hexahedron at the center of the side of the square (15A, 15B) so as to penetrate the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. The second groove 12 is provided in the center of the side surface 16 of the hexahedron, parallel to the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. Here, the description of the upper surface, lower surface, and side surface of the hexahedron is provided for convenience in order to specify the position of the groove of the building block, and does not indicate the position of the top and bottom in space. In this embodiment, the first groove 11 is provided in the center of each of the four sides of the square so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, and the second groove 12 is provided in the center of each side surface parallel to the upper and lower surfaces, but is not limited to this embodiment. The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be provided on all sides as long as they are provided on at least one side surface, or may be provided on two or more side surfaces. The first groove 11 may be provided at a position biased to one end of a side that is not the center of the square, and may not be perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces. The second groove 12 may be provided at a position biased to either the upper surface or the lower surface that is not the center of the side surface, and may not be parallel to the upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, as long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the groove may be cut halfway (halfway along the V-shaped slope), for example.

The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may have any shape and size that allows the ends (e.g., corners, sides) of the building blocks to come into contact with each other and be assembled, but it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape matches the shape of the end of the building block, and that the cross-sectional shape is a V-shaped groove. "Matching the shape of the end of the building block" means that the cross-sectional shape has approximately the same angle as the angle between any face of the building block and the face adjacent to that face (for example, the angle between the top face 15A and the side face in the case of the first building block, or the angle between the side face and another side face adjacent to that face). The V-shaped angle of the V-shaped groove is preferably 90 degrees. If the V-shaped groove has a V-shaped angle of 90 degrees, when any end (e.g., corners, sides) of the rectangular hexahedron is inserted (placed), a part will be in surface contact, making it possible to stabilize the stacking. In addition, the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 preferably have the same V-groove depth, but one of them may be deeper than the other. In the present invention, the rectangular hexahedron is exemplified as one in which the corners and sides are chamfered, but the corners and sides may be angular without being chamfered. The shape of the V-shape may match the shape of the end of the building block, and if the end of the building block is chamfered, it may be in a form that matches the chamfered surface (such as a rounded form), or even if the end of the building block is chamfered, it may be in a form that creates a gap by the chamfered amount (such as a cornered form). Here, the "V-shape" includes a form in which the end and the folded part of the groove (the deepest part of the groove) are not angular, but are chamfered, or are rounded. In this case, the angle of the V-shape refers to the angle formed by both straight lines (surfaces) at a virtual point (line) where the straight lines (surfaces) constituting the V-shape intersect when the two straight lines (surfaces) are extended.

Second Embodiment
3 and 4 show a building block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a second building block according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side surface (the surface on the lower side in FIG. 3(A)) is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side surface is viewed horizontally. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second building block. The building block 20 (second building block) of this embodiment, like the first building block 10, has a first groove 11 and a second groove 12, which are V-shaped grooves with a V-shaped cross section and have a V-shaped angle of 90 degrees, on the side surface of a rectangular hexahedron having a square top surface 15A and a square bottom surface 15B. A third groove 23 is further provided on one side surface (third side surface 16C) of the building block 20 so as to penetrate the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. The third groove 23 is a V-groove with a V-shaped cross section with an angle of 90 degrees, and is deeper (larger) than the first groove 11. In this embodiment, the first groove 11 is provided in the center of each of the three sides of the square so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, the second groove 12 is provided in the center of the side where the first groove 11 is provided, parallel to the upper and lower surfaces, and the third groove 23 is provided in the center of one side of the square where the first groove 11 is not formed so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, but is not limited to this embodiment. The first groove 11 and the third groove 23 may be provided at a position biased to one end of a side other than the center of the square, and may not be perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces. The second groove 12 may be provided at a position biased to either the upper or lower surface other than the center of the side, and may not be parallel to the upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, as long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the groove may be cut halfway (halfway along the V-shaped slope), for example.

In this embodiment, the third groove 23 has a V-shaped cross section with a V-shaped groove with a V-angle of 90 degrees. However, the third groove 23 is not limited to this, and may have any shape and size that allows the end of the building block (e.g., corner, side) to come into contact with the building block and be assembled, and preferably has a cross section that matches the shape of the end of the building block. If the V-shaped groove has a V-shaped angle of 90 degrees, when any end of the rectangular hexahedron (e.g., corner, side) is inserted (placed), a portion that comes into surface contact is formed, so that the building block can be stabilized when stacked. The V-shape may be any shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block, and if the end of the building block is chamfered, it may be a shape that matches the chamfered surface (e.g., a rounded shape), or even if the end of the building block is chamfered, it may be a shape that creates a gap by the chamfered amount (e.g., a corner shape).

In the case where the first groove 11 is provided on the first side 16A and the second side 16B adjacent to each other of the hexahedron, and the third groove 23 is provided on the third side 16C (a side different from the first side 16A and the second side 16B), the size of the groove is preferably as follows. That is, it is preferable that the distance D between one face F 1 _A of the first groove 11 provided on the first side 16A and one face F 1 _B of the first groove 11 provided on the second side 16B, which is a face parallel to the first face, is set to be the same as the length L of one side of the third groove 23 provided on the third side 16C. In addition, it is preferable that the length L of one side of the third groove 23 is set to be the same as the thickness of the building block (the distance between the upper and lower faces).

In this embodiment, three of the four sides of the square (15A, 15B) are provided with notches for the first groove 11, and the remaining side is provided with a large notch for the third groove 23, but this is not limited to this. As long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 are provided on at least one side of the building block, and the third groove 23 is provided on the other side, the number of sides on which the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 are provided may be the same as or different from the number of sides on which the third groove 23 is provided. In addition, the side on which the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 are provided and the side on which the third groove 23 is provided may alternate, or one may be continuous with an adjacent side.

[Building block set]
The building block set of the present invention is a building block set that can be expressed in a variety of shapes by fitting, stacking, or arranging the blocks using the cutouts (cutouts caused by first groove 11 and third groove 23 that penetrate the top and bottom surfaces) visible when viewed from the front (Figures 1(A) and 3(A)) and the groove (second groove 12) provided on the side (Figures 1(B), (C), and 3(B)).

The building block set of this embodiment is made up of a plurality of building blocks, and includes at least one of the first building block 10 and the second building block 20. When the building block set is made up of the first building block 10 or the second building block 20, it is preferable that the hexahedrons forming the building blocks are the same size (the lengths of the sides of the top and bottom faces of each building block and the thickness of the building block are the same). For example, if the rectangular hexahedrons forming the building blocks have a square top and bottom face with a side length of 40 mm and a thickness of 20 mm, that is, a thickness that is 1/2 the length of one side, then two building blocks will form a cube when stacked together. Furthermore, if the length L of one side of the third groove 23 and the distance D between the grooves are approximately the same as the thickness of the building block, the protrusions (distance D) formed by the two adjacent first grooves 11 can be fitted into the holes formed when the two second building blocks 20 are assembled with the third grooves 23 facing each other. In this way, in the building block set of the present invention, if the thicknesses of the first building block and the second building block are approximately the same as the length L or the distance D, various assembly methods are possible, which is preferable.

For a building block shaped as shown in Figures 1 to 4, if the length of one side of the square on the top and bottom faces is 40 mm and the thickness is 20 mm, then if the width (length of one side of the square) of the first groove 11 is 11.72 mm, the V-angle is 90 degrees, and the width (length of one side of the square) of the third groove 23 is 28.28 mm and the V-angle is 90 degrees, then the distance D between the grooves and the length L of one side of the third groove 23 can both be 20 mm. The length of one side of the square can be set at will, but if it is used as an educational toy or for rehabilitation purposes, it is preferably about 30 mm to 80 mm. If it is given to small children, it is not preferable for it to be too small, but if it is used for other purposes or purposes, it may be outside the above range.

Figures 5 to 8 show examples of assembly using the building block set of the present invention. In these assembly examples, building blocks are used that are formed from rectangular parallelepipeds with square top and bottom faces and the thickness is 1/2 the length of one side of the square.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using six first building blocks 10 and two second building blocks 20. First, two second building blocks 20 are placed as a base with the side having the hexagonal first groove 11 and second groove 12 facing up. The hexagonal corners of the first building block 10A are placed on top of the second building block 20 so that they are in contact with the second groove 12 on the upper side. In Figure 5, the two first building blocks 10A are placed on the second building block 20 as the base so that the top surfaces of the building blocks are rotated 90 degrees, but by placing the corners of the building blocks 10A in the first groove 11, they can be stacked even when the top surfaces of the building blocks are facing the same direction. Next, two first building blocks 10A are placed on top of two second building blocks 20, and another first building block 10B is assembled to span between them. First, the two first building blocks 10A are arranged so that their corners protruding in the horizontal direction face each other. Then, the first building block 10B is held by fitting the corners protruding in the horizontal direction of the two first building blocks 10A into the second grooves 12 on the side of the first building block 10B with the top and bottom surfaces (15A, 15B) facing up and down. Instead of the assembly method of FIG. 5, the first building block 10B can also be held by orienting the top and bottom surfaces in the same direction as the first building blocks 10A on the left and right, and by orienting the first grooves 11 toward the first building blocks 10A on the left and right, and fitting the corners of the left and right building blocks 10A into the first grooves 11 of the first building block 10B to hold them. Although we will not go into detail on the assembly steps below, it is possible to vary the direction and angle of each assembly step as described above. This allows for a variety of stacking methods.

Next, the first building block 10C is placed so that the first groove 11 of the first building block 10C contacts the upwardly protruding corners of the two first building blocks 10A. The first building block 10D is then assembled so that it spans between the two first building blocks 10C. The top and bottom surfaces of the first building block 10D are oriented in the same direction as the first building blocks 10C on either side, and the first groove 11 of the first building block 10C is fitted into the corners of the building block 10D to hold it in place.

In this way, the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, and the groove has a cross-sectional shape (notch) that matches the shape of the end of the other building blocks. This makes it possible to use grooves and notches in multiple unique assembly methods, as shown in Figure 5, that were difficult to achieve with conventional building blocks.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using two first building blocks 10 and four second building blocks 20. The two lower building blocks are placed upright with one side of the hexahedron facing down, and another building block is stacked on top of each of these two building blocks. One of the building blocks 10 is placed on the lower building block 20 with one side of the hexahedron facing down, rotated 90 degrees, and the other is placed on the lower building block 20 with the corner of the hexahedron touching the second groove 12 on the upper side of the lower building block 10. Between the two building blocks placed on the lower building block, two second building blocks 20 are assembled in an arch shape by fitting the corner of the hexahedron of the adjacent building block into and contacting the third groove 23 of each building block.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using five first building blocks 10. The second grooves 12 of each building block are used to fit and contact a corner of one side of the top or bottom surface of another building block, forming an arch shape. Because the building blocks have the second grooves 12, they can be assembled not only by stacking them, but also diagonally.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using one first building block 10 and two second building blocks 20. The embodiment of Figure 8 can be assembled by combining two second building blocks 20 with their third grooves 23 facing each other and standing them vertically, and fitting the protruding portion of the first building block 10 (the portion with distance D) into the hole formed by the two third grooves 23. Here, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 and the distance D between the grooves are approximately the same as the thickness of the building block. By having such a predetermined thickness, the building blocks can be assembled not only by simply stacking them, but also in a unique way as shown in Figure 8.

The building block set of the present invention is assembled by allowing the grooves and corners of the building blocks to come into contact, rather than being completely fixed in place. This requires careful assembly while considering balance. Also, although the structure is simple, there are many ways to assemble it, so you won't get bored and you will get a great sense of accomplishment.

The building block set of the present invention can also be assembled in the following manner. For example, when placing another building block on a building block that has been set up so that the side having the first and second grooves 11 and 12 of the hexahedron faces upward, the upper surfaces of the lower and upper building blocks face the same direction, and the second groove 12 of the upper side of the lower building block is placed in contact with the second groove 12 of the upper building block. This allows the upper building block to be stacked on the lower building block not directly above, but offset by the distance of the position of the second groove. Furthermore, for example, if the upper surface and one side of another building block are placed in contact with a building block set up so that the side having the third groove 23 of the hexahedron faces upward, the building blocks can be stacked at an angle. Also, by using each groove to place the building blocks in any position, the sides can be offset vertically or horizontally.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 9 shows a building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The shape of the building block is not limited to those with square upper and lower faces. The building block 30 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape with an upper face 35A and a lower face 35B that are the same size as two square faces of the first building block or the second building block, and the length of one side of the upper face and the lower face is longer than the thickness of the building block. The building block 30 has a first groove 11 and a second groove 12, but the form of the groove is not limited to this embodiment. A third groove 23 may be appropriately provided instead of the first groove 11, or the position where the groove is formed or the number of grooves may be changed. The building block 30 of the third embodiment may be included as a part of the building block set described above that includes the first building block and the second building block.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 10 shows a building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The building block 40 of this embodiment is a building block having an upper surface 45A and a lower surface 45B in a rectangular shape obtained by cutting the square surface of the first building block or the second building block in half. The building block 40 in the shape of FIG. 10 can be used as a pillar-like part by fitting it into a hole formed when two second building blocks 20 are combined so that the third grooves 23 face each other. The building block 40 of the fourth embodiment may be included as a part of the building block set including the first building block and the second building block.

Fifth Embodiment
FIG. 11 shows a building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The building block 50 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the first building block 10, except that a groove (fourth groove 54) similar to the groove (second groove 12) formed on the side of the building block is formed on the upper surface 55A of the hexahedron. The fourth groove 54 may be formed on one of the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B, or on both surfaces. By forming the fourth groove 54 on the upper surface and/or the lower surface, a characteristic assembly method using this groove is also possible. In addition, when the fourth groove 54 is formed on both the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B, it is preferable that the fourth groove 54 is formed in different directions on the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B, taking into consideration the strength of the building block. The building block 50 according to the fifth embodiment may be included as a part of the building block set described above, which includes the first building block and the second building block.

In the above embodiment, the building block is described as being rectangular parallelepiped-shaped with grooves, but the building block of the present invention is not limited to these shapes, and may be a cube (regular hexahedron) or a polyhedron not limited to six sides. The building block can be any shape as long as at least one side has a plurality of grooves including a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove intersect, and these grooves have a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of another building block. If the above-mentioned grooves are provided, various stacking methods that are not possible with conventional building blocks are possible. Shapes other than rectangular parallelepiped shapes are not limited to three-dimensional shapes consisting of flat surfaces such as triangular prisms and triangular pyramids, but may also be three-dimensional shapes including curved surfaces such as spheres, ellipsoids, and cones, and in this case, the grooves of the above-mentioned forms may be provided on any flat surface or curved surface. In the case of a three-dimensional shape that includes curved surfaces, if the first and second grooves can be kept facing vertically upwards using other building blocks as a base, it will be possible to stack other blocks in the grooves.

In the above embodiment, the second groove penetrates the entire side of the hexahedron from one side to the opposing side, from one end to the other of the side, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, it is sufficient that the second groove is formed at least in the portion that intersects with the first groove. In that case, it is preferable that the second groove is formed to have a length equal to or greater than the length of the first groove (the thickness of the building block).

In the above embodiment, the distance D between the first groove 11 on the first side 16A and the first groove 11 on the second side 16B, which is parallel to the first groove 11 on the first side _16A , is the same as the length L of one side of the third groove 23 on the third side 16C. _However , the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the distance D between the grooves may be shorter than the length L of one side of the third groove.

In the above embodiment, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 is the same as the thickness of the building block (the distance between the top and bottom surfaces), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 may be set to be longer than the thickness of the building block. Alternatively, the length of one of the two sides of the third groove 23 may be the same as the thickness of the building block, and the length of the other side may be different from the thickness of the building block.

Sixth Embodiment
Fig. 12 shows a building block according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 shows (A) a vertical view of the top surface of the building block according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, (B) a horizontal view of the front side surface, and (C) a horizontal view of the right side surface. The building block 60 according to this embodiment is a cubic building block, and has two intersecting grooves corresponding to the first groove and the second groove on each side. The building block 60 according to the sixth embodiment may be included as part of the building block set described above that includes the first building block and the second building block.

Seventh embodiment
Fig. 13 shows a building block according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 shows (A) a vertical view of the top surface of the building block according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, (B) a horizontal view of the front side surface, and (C) a horizontal view of the right side surface. The building block 70 of this embodiment is a cubic building block, and has a groove corresponding to the third groove on one surface (the right side surface in Fig. 13), and has two intersecting grooves corresponding to the first groove and the second groove on the other surface. The building block 70 of the seventh embodiment may be included as part of the building block set described above that includes the first building block and the second building block.

Figure 14 illustrates variations in the shape of the grooves (ends) of the building blocks of the present invention. Figures 14 (A) to (C) are views of two building blocks having a first groove and a second groove, when combined together, as viewed from the direction of Figure 1 (A). Figures 14 (D) to (F) are views of a building block having a first groove, a second groove and a third groove, when combined with a building block having a first groove and a second groove, when viewed from the direction of Figure 1 (A) (Figure 3 (A)). Although views from the side are omitted, all building blocks have a second groove that intersects with the first groove on the side. As these examples show, even if the groove is not V-shaped, such as having rounded corners (Figures 14 (A), (B), (D), and (E)) or a stepped shape (Figures 14 (C) and (F)), as long as it has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the ends of other building blocks, it is possible to stack building blocks using the groove.

The width of the V-shape cut out by the first groove 11 provided on the side of the building block of the present invention (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be shorter than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the first groove 11 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). In contrast, the width of the V-shape cut out by the second groove 12 (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the second groove 12 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). In addition, the width of the V-shape cut out by the third groove 23 (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the third groove 23 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the V-shape width cut out by the first groove 11 may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the first groove 11, whereas the V-shape width cut out by the second groove 12 and the V-shape width cut out by the third groove 23 may be shorter than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out. Also, an example has been described in which the relationship in magnitude between the V-shape width cut out by the groove and the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out is the same for the second groove 12 and the third groove 23, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may have the same relationship, the first groove 11 and the third groove 23 may have the same relationship, or all of the first to third grooves may have the same relationship. Also, as long as the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 and the second groove 12 are provided on one side, the other side may have only the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 on one side and only the second groove 12 on the other side, or may have no grooves. However, this is not limited to this, and it may be that only the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 is provided on one side and only the second groove 12 is provided on the other side (a side that does not have a side on which the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 and the second groove 12 are provided). Also, the side on which the third groove 23 is provided may not have the second groove 12.

The building blocks of the present invention can be made by resin molding, but are preferably made of wood such as cypress, beech, maple, oak, walnut, or cork. When made of wood, the contact points between the building blocks may or may not be able to maintain balance due to differences in slipperiness and roughness caused by the direction of the grain and structure, making them not only educational toys but also enjoyable for adults. They also have the pleasant feel and scent that only wood can provide. There are various possible methods for manufacturing the building blocks of the present invention, but it is preferable to make them by carving rather than gluing, as this avoids the use of adhesives (organic solvents).

The building blocks and building block sets of the present invention can be used, for example, as educational toys, toys for finger rehabilitation, and toys for dementia prevention. As educational toys, they can be stacked and assembled in a variety of ways, and are expected to improve dexterity, concentration, imagination, creativity, spatial awareness, problem-solving ability, and self-esteem. They can also be used as ornaments or giant objects whose shapes can be freely changed. Furthermore, building block sets may include building block shapes that are not exemplified in Figures 1 to 14, as long as they include building block blocks of a shape defined by the present invention.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 20, 30, 40, 50 Building block 11 First groove 12 Second groove 15A, 35A, 45A, 55A Hexahedron upper surface 15B, 35B, 45B, 55B Hexahedron lower surface 16 Hexahedron side surface 16A First side surface 16B Second side surface 16C Third side surface 23 Third groove 54 Fourth groove 60, 70 Building block (cubic shape)
L: length of one side of the third groove D: distance between grooves

Claims (7)

At least one surface of the building block is provided with a plurality of grooves, including a first groove extending in a first direction along the surface, and a second groove extending in a second direction along the surface and different from the first direction;
the first groove and the second groove intersect,
The groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of an end of the building block. The building block according to claim 1, wherein the building block is a hexahedron consisting of six quadrilaterals, and the first groove and the second groove are provided on at least one face of the building block. The building block is a rectangular hexahedron having square upper and lower faces, and the first groove and the second groove are provided on at least one face of the building block,
the first groove is provided in a side surface of the hexahedron at a center portion of a side of the square so as to penetrate through the upper surface and the lower surface,
3. The building block according to claim 2, wherein the second groove is provided on a side surface of the hexahedron parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface. The building block according to claim 3, wherein the first groove and the second groove are V-grooves having a V-shaped cross section, and the V-shape angle is 90 degrees. Further, a third groove is larger than the first groove,
the first groove is provided in adjacent first and second side surfaces of the hexahedron,
the third groove is a V-groove that is provided on a third side surface different from the first side surface and the second side surface, so as to penetrate through the upper surface and the lower surface, has a V-shaped cross section with an angle of 90 degrees,
5. The building block of claim 4, wherein the distance between one face of the first groove provided on the first side surface and one face of the first groove provided on the second side surface that is parallel to the first face is less than or equal to the length of one side of the third groove provided on the third side surface. A building block set having a building block having a plurality of V-grooves including a first V-groove and a second V-groove on at least one face of a rectangular hexahedron having square upper and lower faces,
The first V-groove of the building block is provided on the side surface of the hexahedron at the center of the side of the square so as to penetrate the upper surface and the lower surface, and the second V-groove is provided on the side surface of the hexahedron parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface,
the first V-groove and the second V-groove intersect,
The V-shaped groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block,
The building block set includes a first building block and a second building block,
The first building block has the first V-groove provided on four side surfaces of the hexahedron,
The second building block has a third V-groove, which is larger than the first V-groove, provided on at least one side surface of the hexahedron so as to penetrate the upper surface and the lower surface, and the first V-groove is provided on the remaining side surface of the hexahedron;
A building block set, in which in the first building block, the distance between one face of the first V-shaped groove provided on a first side surface of the hexahedron and one face of the first V-shaped groove provided on a second side surface parallel to the first side surface and adjacent to the first side surface is less than the length of one side of the third V-shaped groove of the second building block. The building block set according to claim 6, wherein the hexahedrons forming the first building block and the second building block are the same size.

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