JPS5815153B2 - block toy - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention not only allows blocks to be combined in various ways, but also allows the blocks to be used to assemble any structure, and also allows the assembled structure to travel. It concerns ProSoak toys.

Conventionally, as a block using a hollow columnar body, a B-shaped block body was formed by joining two hollow semicylindrical members with their side walls, and a cylindrical part was provided protruding from the top surface of each semicylindrical member. There was a block (see Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-80699 (hereinafter referred to as the first publication)), and there was also a block with a side cursor shape based on the semicylindrical member mentioned above (Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-58895). (Refer to Publication No. 2 (hereinafter referred to as Publication No. 2)).

Furthermore, as a block with gears etc. arranged, a fitting hole and a shaft hole are formed in the block body having a circular or cylindrical projection on the top surface, a gear is fitted into the fitting hole, and a shaft is inserted into the shaft hole. There was one in which a gear and a shaft were engaged and pulleys were attached to both ends of the shaft (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 45-32836 (hereinafter referred to as the third publication)).

On the other hand, the inventor of the present invention has a hexagonal shape in which the upper half is the upper half of a regular octagon, the lower half is the lower half of a square, and the height is the hexagonal shape of the above cross-sectional outline. length l of the base of the square
A first method in which the side walls of a hollow hexagonal column equal to
block (see Fig. 1), and a second block (see Fig. 2) which is made by joining and integrating another hollow hexagonal column to the back wall of the first block. As a result, he devised a block toy that could be used to assemble geometrically beautiful structures imitating arbitrary shapes such as airplanes and tanks, and filed an application for
No. 121 - Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-152699).

As a result of intensive research to develop such block toys and provide a completely new and very interesting block toy, the inventor of the present invention simply added the blocks described in the first and second publications to those described in the third publication. Instead of arranging large gears, we used a block like the block of the earlier application mentioned above, which regulates the vertical, horizontal, and height dimensions so that any shape can be compactly formed with a small number of blocks. By arranging gears on both sides of such a block, a structure assembled using the blocks can be run using the gears as wheels, and when the structure is running, the gears meshing with the gears that become the wheels can be moved one after another. It is very interesting to be able to rotate the blocks, and it is also possible to mesh the gears with each other in various connected states of the blocks. This is the invention of an educational block toy and the application is hereby filed.

That is, in the present invention, the maximum height and width of the cross-sectional outline is l.
, the minimum value of the wall thickness between the cross-sectional outer shape and the cross-sectional inner shape is t, the inner cross-sectional shape is a shape that can be fitted with a cylinder with a diameter of 1-2 t, and the side walls are two hollow columns with a height l. a plurality of first blocks in which a cylindrical portion having a diameter g-2t whose height is smaller than the length l and integrally protrudes from the upper surface of each of the hollow columnar bodies; y (
o<y<l), z from the left side (oz<l/2.z~y
) By inserting a shaft through the hollow columnar body and fixing large gears to both ends of the shaft to provide a large end gear block, two large end gear blocks can be created. 1. 2nd
To provide a very educational and very interesting block toy that can be assembled so that gears mesh with each other through the blocks, and can also run the assembled structure using the gears as wheels.

The four inventions of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first block (hereinafter also referred to as a standard block) which is a component of a block toy according to an embodiment of the fourth invention of the present application, and FIG. 2 similarly shows a second block (also referred to as a standard block).
FIG. 3 shows the third block (hereinafter also referred to as the terminating block), and FIG. 4 shows the fourth block (hereinafter also referred to as the connecting block).

Moreover, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a fitted state between the hollow hexagonal column and the cylindrical portion of the first block.

In these figures, 1 is a first block formed by compression molding or injection molding of resin or the like, and this first block 1 is made by joining the side walls 2a of two hollow hexagonal columns 2 together. Molded.

The cross-sectional outline of this hollow hexagonal column 2 is the upper half 2e when the upper half is cut from a regular octagon with a distance l between two opposing sides along a center line 2g passing through the midpoint of the two opposing sides. It has a hexagonal shape, which is the lower half 2f when a square with side length l is cut along a center line 2g passing through the midpoint of two opposing sides.

Therefore, the maximum value of the height of this cross-sectional outline is l, and the maximum value of the width is also l.

In addition, the internal cross-sectional shape of this hollow hexagonal column 2 is a hexagonal shape similar to the above-mentioned cross-sectional external shape, which is smaller by the wall thickness t, and the height of this hollow hexagonal column 2 is the base of the hexagon, that is, the above-mentioned square. It is equal to the length l of one side of .

A columnar portion 3 is integrally provided on the upper surface 2b of each hollow hexagonal column 2 so as to protrude therefrom.

The outer diameter of this cylindrical part 3 is a dimension 1-21 that fits into the inner surface of the hollow hexagonal pillar 2, and the height h of this cylindrical part 3 is greater than the height l of the hollow hexagonal pillar 2. It's getting smaller.

Further, the second block 4 is formed by joining the back wall 2c of the two hollow hexagonal columns 2 of the first block 1 to another hollow hexagonal column 5, respectively, and molding them integrally, and has an abbreviated side surface. The upper half of the other hollow hexagonal pillar 5, that is, the regular octagonal part, is directed toward the cylindrical part 3 of the first block 1.

Note that this may be joined in the opposite direction to the columnar part 3.

Furthermore, the third block 6 is provided with a cylindrical part 7 integrally protruding from the lower surface 2d of each hollow hexagonal pillar 2 of the first block 1, and the outer diameter and height of this cylindrical part 7 are It has the same dimensions 7-2t and height h as the cylindrical portion 3 of the first block 1.

Furthermore, the fourth block 21 has two hollow hexagonal columns 2, 2
A substantially triangular flat plate-shaped joint 22 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the side walls of the two blocks 2 and 2, as shown in FIG.
1 joints 22 can be connected by pins 23.

When both blocks 21 are connected as shown in the figure, the distance in the lateral direction occupied by both joints 22 is l.

FIG. 6 shows a large gear block 12, which is an important component of the block toy of the present invention, which extends from the upper side 9b to the left side 9 of the side square 9 of the first block 1.
A shaft 13 is inserted at a position 2 from c, and large gears 14 with a radius R (>7) are attached to both ends of this shaft 13.

FIG. 1 also shows a central ratio gear block 15, in which a shaft 16 is inserted at a position x from the upper side 9b above the vertical center line 9a of the side square 9 of the first block 1, and the shaft 16 is inserted at both ends of the shaft 16. A small gear 17 with a radius r (kl) is fixed.

FIG. 8 also shows a small end gear block 18, which has a shaft 19 inserted in the same position as the large end gear block 12.
A small gear 20 with a radius r (<l) is fixed to both ends of the gear.

Next, a method for assembling these gear blocks to mesh with each other will be explained.

The dimensions of each part of the first to fourth blocks and the three types of gear blocks are l = 25 mm, x = 5 mm, y - 7 mm (1) z -
5mm, R230mm, and r=15mm.

(1) When the end large gear blocks 12 are to be brought into mesh with each other, five methods shown in FIGS.

Incidentally, the assembly method shown in FIG. 9(f) is also possible, but this is the same as the equation (I-1) in the case of FIG. 9(a) from the top of the relational expression.

(n) When the end large gear block 12 and the end small gear block 18 are to be engaged with each other, five methods shown in FIG. 10 a"e are possible, and the relational expressions in this case are as follows.

(Ill) When the large end gear block 12 and the center ratio gear block 15 are to be engaged with each other, five methods shown in FIGS. 11a to 11e are possible, and the relational expressions in this case are as follows.

In addition, in c, d, and e of the same figure, both gears 14 and 17 overlap each other slightly, but this is within the tolerance range of the 10th factor of radius R and r, and is absorbed by the meshing of gears 14 and 17. It is possible.

By the way, in the above, when the dimensions of each part are set as shown in formula (1), a total of 15 assembly methods are possible.
It has been shown that the above total of 15 relational expressions are almost satisfied, but next, when the values of each x, y, and Z are within the range of the value of the above equation (1), the above relational expression is also satisfied. Each x to see if is satisfied.

The calculation results of the above 15 equations are shown when the values of y and z are changed.

First of all, x? When V and Z are the values of formula (1) above, and when x,
FIG. 13 shows the result when only one of y and z is changed from the value of the above equation (1).

In Fig. 13, the calculation results of each formula that fall outside the tolerance range of ±5% for radius R-3Qmm and r = 15mm are underlined, but according to these calculation results, the above 15 It can be seen that the formula is almost satisfied within an error range of ±5% of the radii R and r, a total of 10%.

Also, the above calculation results are for the case where only one of x, y, and z is changed, x = 4 ~ 6 mm, y = 6 ~ 8 mm,
If the values of x, y, and z are freely changed within the range of z=4 to 5 mm, it is conceivable that there will be more cases in which the above equation 15 is not satisfied.

However, as a block toy, it is not necessary to achieve all of the above 15 assembly methods, but only one engagement method for each of the above combinations (I) to (III) of gear blocks. However, it is thought that a very interesting block toy can be constructed.

Therefore, Fig. 14 shows (
1-1) to (Ill-1) are shown below.

In Fig. 14, the calculation results of each formula that fall outside the tolerance range of ±5% for radius R-3Qmm and r = 15mm are underlined, and the amount of deviation from the error range is also ( X p y y z ) = (6 + 6.6) (
Except for the case of formula III-1), the calculation result shows that x = 4 to 5 mm, y: 6 to 8 mm, z: 4 to
It can be seen that in the range of 6 mm, the above three equations are almost satisfied within the tolerance range of ±5% of the radius R and r.

Therefore, the above x and ytz are generally x==0.
16A~0.241 y-0241~0.321(2) z==0.16 l~0.241.

In addition, in the above figure 13.14, R-30mm, r:=15
mm, the calculation results of each formula are ± of these R and r.
I checked to see if it was within the 5% error range, but actually x, y
, z is set to a value within the range of formula (2) above, calculate the values of formula 15 or formula 3 above for the values of x , y , , z, and calculate the calculation results of more formulas. R and r are within ±5% error range of R and r.
Therefore, it is considered that more equations are satisfied than in the case of FIGS. 13 and 14 above.

Also, the error range of ±5% and 10% in total is not a strict value, and as long as it does not deviate too much from this 10% error range, it is necessary to implement an assembly method that matches the relational expression. is not considered to be that difficult.

Next, a method of assembling various horizontal shapes using the block toy of the present invention will be explained.

Fig. 12 shows an example of a train assembled using this block toy, with blocks 12, 4, 1°, 12.21, 6.
L4. are successively connected, and the center small gaff seven 15 is connected above this L-shaped block 4, and the blocks 12 and 4 are connected to the left of the L-shaped block 4, and the block 1 is connected above it.
8, and a block 21 is connected to the left side thereof.

And the two end large gear blocks 12.12 on the right side of the figure.
The assembly method satisfies formula (I-1) in Figure 9a, and the large gear block 1 on the left side of the figure
2 and the central ratio gear block 15 are expressed by the equation (1-
The assembly that satisfies 1) is the one, and the assembly of the same large end gear block 12 and small end gear block 18 is the other, and the assembly that satisfies equation (n-4) in Figure 10d is the other. We are hiring.

Furthermore, in the blocks 12, 4, 15, and 18 located at the ends of the structure imitating a train in FIG. 12, a termination block 6 is inserted into the hollow hexagonal column to close the opening of the hollow hexagonal column. This is preferable from an aesthetic point of view.

Note that this third block 6 is not only used for the end, but also for both ends when the openings of a hollow hexagonal column, such as a standard block, are facing each other, as shown in Fig. 12. Can be used to connect blocks.

On the other hand, the block 21 of Option 4 is used when, on the contrary, the cylindrical parts of standard blocks or the like are facing each other and both blocks are connected.

When a train is configured with blocks as shown in FIG. 12, the train can be run using the large gears 14 of the large gear block 12 in contact with the floor as wheels, and at this time, the large gears 14 serving as the wheels serve as the driving source. As a result, the large gear 14 and small gears 17 and 20 that mesh with this large gear 14 rotate, which is very interesting.

It is also possible to use the L-shaped block 4 to expand the block in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper and arrange the gears in the horizontal plane.In this case, the belt can be placed between the gears in the vertical plane and the gears in the horizontal plane. By applying this, it is possible to drive gears that are in a horizontal plane.

It is also possible to attach a propeller, windmill, merry-go-round, etc. in place of the gear on the opposite side of the gear used for driving or driven gear of each gear block, and rotate these. By attaching a manual handle instead and turning it, you can run structures such as trains or rotate other gears.

Furthermore, a belt may be placed between a gear that is not in contact with the floor and a gear that is in the same plane and does not mesh with this gear to drive the gear. There are many ways to play with it.

Furthermore, the block toy of the present invention has the following effects in addition to these effects.

That is, since the first to fourth blocks and the three types of gear blocks are formed so that the vertical, horizontal, and height dimensions of each hollow hexagonal column are all the same, the gear blocks of (1) to (III) are the same. As you can see from the explanation of how the pieces mesh together, the blocks can be assembled very compactly.

Moreover, when the blocks are assembled in this way, the side or back surfaces of each hollow hexagonal column are continuous with each other to form a wide plane, and the ridgelines of the hollow hexagonal columns are also sequentially continuous, resulting in the overall shape of the assembled hollow hexagonal column. It is geometrically beautiful, including these continuous planes and ridge lines, strongly attracting children's interest, and can also cultivate children's aesthetic sense.

Furthermore, each block is connected to each other by fitting the cylindrical part 3 into the hollow hexagonal pillar 2, so that the outer surface of the cylindrical part 3 and the inner surface of the hollow hexagonal pillar 2 are as shown in FIG. Since there is no surface contact unlike in the case of circular-to-circular fitting, it can be easily inserted and removed, and it is less likely to wear out even if used for a long period of time.

Furthermore, unlike contact at only four points as in the case of fitting a circle and a square, it is possible to maintain a strong fitted state for a long time.

In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional inner and outer shapes are hexagonal in which the upper half is the upper half of a regular octagon and the lower half is the lower half of a square, and the height is the same as the base of the hexagon with the above-mentioned cross-sectional outline. The case where the first to fourth blocks and four types of gear blocks are constructed using a hollow hexagonal column with length l has been explained, but in this case, the upper half of the inner and outer cross-sections is the upper half of a regular octagon. Instead, a hollow column having a circular upper half or generally a regular n-gon shape (n is an even number of 4 or more) may be used.

Furthermore, the internal and external cross-sectional shapes do not have to be composed of a circular shape or a regular n-gon; generally, the maximum height and width of the cross-sectional external shape is l, and the wall thickness between the cross-sectional external shape and the internal cross-sectional shape is The minimum value is t, the cross-sectional inner shape is a shape that can be fitted with a cylinder having a diameter d-2t, and the height is l, and it can be constructed using any hollow column.

In addition, in addition to the first and second blocks, there are three gear blocks: large gear block, small gear block, and gear block.
The fourth invention of the present application, which is equipped with all types of gear blocks, has been described, but this also means that block building blocks can be made without necessarily having all three types of gear blocks, and how many types of gear blocks can be installed. Different block toys can be constructed depending on how the gear blocks are connected, and the number of combinations in which the gear blocks can be meshed with each other changes depending on the block toy, and the range of ways to play with it also changes accordingly.

That is, the first invention of the present application includes two or more large end gear blocks in addition to the first and second blocks, and in this case, the method of meshing the gear blocks with each other is expressed by the relational expression (■ Five methods are possible: -1) to (I-5).

Further, a second invention of the present application is one in which the block of the first invention further includes one or more central small gear blocks, and in this case, the method of meshing the gear blocks with each other is the same as that of the first invention. There are five ways (III-1) to (I
10 methods including II'-5) are possible.

Further, a third invention of the present application is one in which the block of the first invention is further provided with one or more end ratio gear blocks, and in this case, the method of meshing the gear blocks with each other is the same as that of the first invention. In the five cases, (II-1) to (II
-5), 10 methods are possible.

A fourth invention of the present application further includes one or more small center gear blocks and one or more edge ratio gear blocks in addition to the block of the first invention, and in this case, the meshing method is All 15 methods described above are possible.

In the first to fourth inventions described above, there are two or more large gear blocks and one or more small gear blocks because when assembling a vehicle such as a train, the heights of the front and rear wheels must be the same. Therefore, there are two or more large gear blocks.

However, in normal applications, a large number of each of the three types of gear blocks will be provided.

Furthermore, since the first invention of the present application does not have a small gear block, the number of combinations of gear blocks is reduced compared to the fourth invention, but when a structure such as a train is assembled, the gears can be used as wheels. If a large number of large gear blocks are provided, the other gears can be driven and rotated by meshing the gears of the gear blocks with each other. Other effects such as being able to replace the propeller with other things such as a merry-go-round, and being able to run the train by attaching a hand crank to one of the shafts are the same as in the case of the fourth invention. This first invention can also provide an educational and very interesting block toy.

As described above, according to the present invention, a shaft is passed through the end or the center of the side surface of the first block, which is made up of two hollow columns each having a cylindrical portion protruding from the upper surface thereof, and a gear is attached to both ends of the first block. By fixing several types of gear blocks and making these gear blocks mesh with each other via standard blocks or L-shaped blocks, it is possible to assemble any structure, and the gears can also be used as wheels. The structure can be made to travel, and each gear can be rotated by the driving force of the gears that serve as wheels, and there are many other ways to play with it, making it a very interesting block toy. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 4 show a first (standard) block, a second (L-shaped) block, and a third (terminal block) which are the components of a block toy according to an embodiment of the fourth invention of the present application. ) block and the fourth (connecting) block, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the fitted state of the hollow hexagonal column and the cylindrical part of the standard block, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are the above-mentioned implementations. A large gear block, which is a component of the example block toy,
Diagrams showing the center ratio gear block and end ratio gear block, Figure 9 is a diagram showing the state of assembly for mutually meshing two end ratio large gear blocks, and Figure 10 shows the end ratio large gear block. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state of assembly for meshing the large end ratio gear block and the center ratio gear block, FIG. The figure is a partial cross-sectional side view of a structure assembled to imitate a train using the block toy of the above example, and Figure 13 is a view when the X, y, and Z values of the three types of gear blocks described above are changed. R and R according to the above 15 formulas of
A diagram showing the calculation results of +r as a table, Figure 14 is the above x,
(I-1) or 1l when changing the value of yyz
It is a figure which shows the calculation result of R and R+r by 3 formulas of 1-1) as a table. 1...First block, 2...Hollow hexagonal column, 3...Cylindrical portion, 4...Second block, 5... ...Other hollow hexagonal prisms, 9...
... Side square, 9a ... Vertical center line, 9b.
...Top side, 9c...Left side, 12...
... End large gear block, 13 ... Shaft, 14
......Large gear, 15...Center ratio gear block, 16...Shaft, 17...Small gear,
18... End ratio gear block, 19...
・Shaft, 20...Small gear.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 The maximum height and width of the cross-sectional outer shape is l, the minimum wall thickness between the cross-sectional outer shape and the inner cross-sectional shape is t, and the inner cross-sectional shape has a diameter of 1.
- Two hollow columns having a shape that can be fitted with a 2t column and having a height of 1 are integrated by joining their side walls, and a column having a diameter of 1-21 and having a height smaller than the above length l is formed as above. A plurality of first blocks integrally protruding from the upper surface of each hollow columnar body, and a plurality of other hollow columnar bodies joined and integrated to the back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block. y(
o<y<l), z from the left side (o<z<l/2.z~y
), a shaft is inserted through the hollow columnar body, and a plurality of large gear blocks with radius R (>l) are fixed to both ends of the shaft. block toy. 2. The block toy according to claim 1, wherein the values of y, z, and R satisfy the following formula within a tolerance range of 10% of the radius R. 3 The values of y and z above are 0.241 to 0.321, 0.1
61-0241, The block toy according to claim 1. 4 The maximum height and width of the cross-sectional outside shape is l, the minimum wall thickness between the cross-sectional outside shape and the cross-sectional inside shape is t, and the cross-sectional inside shape has a diameter of 1.
- Two hollow cylinders with a height l that can be fitted with a 2t cylinder are joined together by their side walls, and the height is smaller than the above length l. A plurality of first blocks integrally protruding from the upper surface of each hollow columnar body, and a plurality of other hollow columnar bodies joined and integrated to the back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block. y from the upper side of the side square of the hollow columnar body of the first block.
(o<y<d), z from the left side (o<z<l/2.z
A shaft is inserted through the hollow column at the position ~y), and a plurality of large gears with a radius R (>l) are fixed to both ends of the shaft. A block toy comprising one or more end small gear blocks having small gears of radius r (<A) fixed to both ends of a shaft inserted in the same position as the block. 5. The block toy according to claim 4, wherein the value of 'J s Z y Rt r satisfies the following two equations within an allowable error range of the radius R and the factor of 10 of r. 6 The values of y and z above are 0.241 to 0.321, 0.1
61 to 0.241, the block toy according to claim 4. 7 The maximum height and width of the cross-sectional outside shape is l, the minimum wall thickness between the cross-sectional outside shape and the cross-sectional inside shape is t, and the cross-sectional inside shape has a diameter of 1.
- Two hollow cylinders with a height of 1 and having a shape that can fit into a 2t cylinder are joined together by their side walls, and a cylinder part with a diameter of 1-2t and a height smaller than the above length l is formed as above. A plurality of first blocks integrally protruding from the upper surface of each hollow columnar body, and a plurality of other hollow columnar bodies joined and integrated to the back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block. y from the upper side of the side square of the hollow columnar body of the first block.
(o<y<d), z from the left side (o<z<l/2.z
A plurality of end-closed large gear blocks in which a shaft is inserted through the rain hollow column at the position 4y) and large gears with a radius R (>l) are fixed to both ends of the shaft, and the first block From the vertical center line of the side square of the hollow hexagonal prism to the upper side of the upper limb square
<x<l'. A shaft is inserted through the hollow columnar body at the position, and one or more central ratio gear blocks are fixed to both ends of the shaft with a small gear having a radius r (<l). block toy. 8. The block toy according to claim 1, wherein the values of X, y, Z, R, and r satisfy the following two equations within a tolerance range of 10% for radius R and r. . 9 The values of x, y, and z above are 0.161-0.247. 0241-0.321.0.1.6A'-0.241, The block toy according to claim 1. 10 The maximum height and width of the cross-sectional outside shape is l, the minimum wall thickness between the cross-sectional outside shape and the cross-sectional inside shape is t, and the cross-sectional inside shape is the diameter d.
- Two hollow cylinders having a shape that can fit with the cylinder of 21 and a height of 1 are joined together by their side walls, and a cylinder part with a diameter of 1 to 2t and a height smaller than the above length l is attached to each of the above cylinders. A plurality of first blocks integrally protruding from the upper surface of the hollow columnar body, and a plurality of integrated hollow columnar bodies joined to the back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block. y from the upper side of the side square of the hollow columnar body of the second block and the first block.
(o<y<A), z from the left side (o<z<l/2.z
A plurality of large end gear blocks having a shaft inserted through the hollow columnar body at the position of ~y) and large gears with a radius R (>l) fixed to both ends of the shaft, and the first block From the vertical center line of the side square of the hollow columnar body to the upper side of the upper limb square x (o
<y;<71), one or more central ratio gear blocks having a shaft inserted through the rain hollow columnar body and having small gears with a radius r (<l) fixed to both ends of the shaft, and the above-mentioned A radius r (<l) is attached to both ends of the shaft inserted in the same position as the odd-sized gear block.
1. A block toy comprising one or more small gear blocks near the end to which small gears are fixed. 11. The block toy according to claim 10, wherein the values of X, J, Z, R, and r satisfy the following three equations within a 10% tolerance range for radius R and r. . 12 The values of X, y, and z above are 0.161 to 0.241°0
．． 10. The block toy according to claim 10, characterized in that the particle diameter is 24 to 0.327, and 0.161 to 0.241.