JPS5815155B2 - L-type gear block for block toys - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention is a geared block used in a block toy that allows blocks to be combined in various ways and allows the blocks to be used to assemble any structure. This invention relates to an L-shaped gear block that allows objects to travel and allows various types of power to be transmitted in the structure.

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)).

In contrast, the inventor of the present invention did not simply arrange gears as described in the third publication on the blocks described in the first and second publications, but by regulating the dimensions of length, width, and height, and using a small number of blocks. By using a block that can be compactly formed into any shape and arranging gears on both sides of such a block, a structure assembled using the block can be run using the gears as wheels, Moreover, it is very interesting to be able to rotate the gears that are meshed with the gears that become the wheels one after another as it runs, and furthermore, the gears can be meshed with each other in various connected states of the blocks, which is a great way for children to He invented a block toy that is very educational for children by making them think about various ways of interlocking the blocks, and has already filed an application for it (Japanese Patent Application No. 139161-1981).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-64080-, 55-139162
No. - JP-A-57-64078-155-1391
No. 63 - Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-64079 -).

The inventor of the present invention develops the ideas in these applications, invents a new block, and files the invention herein.

That is, the present invention provides an L-shaped gear block formed by inserting a shaft through the first hollow columnar body or the second hollow columnar body of the second block and attaching gears to both ends of the shaft. This is what we provide.

The two 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 including an L-shaped gear block according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 similarly shows a second block (
FIG. 3 shows the third block, and FIG. 4 shows the fourth 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, and its lower half is the lower half 2f when a square with one 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.

Further, the internal cross-sectional shape of the hollow hexagonal pillar 2 has a hexagonal shape similar to the above-mentioned cross-sectional external shape, which is smaller by the inner thickness t, and the height of the hollow hexagonal pillar 2 is the base of the hexagon, that is, the 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 portion 3 is 1-2t, which fits into the inner surface of the hollow hexagonal column 2, and the height h of this cylindrical portion 3 is greater than the height l of the hollow hexagonal column 2. It's getting smaller.

In addition, the second block 4 is formed by joining the back wall 2C of the two hollow hexagonal columns 2 of the first block 1 with another hollow hexagonal column 5, respectively, and molding them integrally, and has a side profile shape. 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 1-2t and height h as the cylindrical portion 3 of the first block 1 described above.

Furthermore, the fourth block 31 has two hollow hexagonal columns 2.2
A substantially triangular flat plate-shaped joint 32 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the side walls of the blocks 3 and 3, which are integrally joined together, and this fourth block 31 is connected to both blocks 3 and 3 as shown in FIG.
1 joint 32 can be connected by a pin 33.

When both blocks 31 are connected as shown in the figure, the lateral distance occupied by both joints 32 is l.

FIG. 6 shows a central large gear block 8 which is a component of the block toy.
A shaft 10 is inserted through the hollow hexagonal column 2 at a position of <l/2), and large gears 11 with a radius R (,M) are attached to both ends of the shaft 10.

FIG. 7 also shows a central small gear block 12, which has a radius r instead of the large gear 11 of the central large gear block 8.
It is equipped with a small gear 14 (<l).

FIG. 8 shows an L-shaped cylinder 1 according to an embodiment of the first invention of the present application.
A large gear block 15 is shown, which corresponds to the vertical center line 9 of the side square 9 of the first hollow hexagonal column 2 of the second block 4.
A shaft 16 is inserted through the hollow hexagonal column 2 at a position x from the upper side 9b on top a, and a radius R (>l) is attached to both ends of this shaft 16.
It is equipped with a large gear 17.

FIG. 9 also shows an L-shaped cylinder 1 small gear block 18, in which a small gear 19 with radius r (<A') is attached in place of the large gear 11 of the above-mentioned first large gear block 15. .

Further, FIG. 10 shows an L according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present application.
A large gear block 20 of the mold cylinder 1 is shown, which is a hollow hexagonal column located at a position X from the upper side 9b on the vertical center line 9a of the side square 9 of the second hollow hexagonal column 5 of the second block 4. 5
A shaft 21 is inserted through the shaft 21, and a radius R (
> A large gear 22 is installed.

Furthermore, FIG. 11 shows the L-shaped cylinder 2 small gear block 23,
This is a second large gear block 20 of the above-described type in which a small gear 24 with a radius r (<l) is attached in place of the large gear 22.

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

The dimensions of each part of the above-mentioned 4th block and 6 types of gear blocks 8.12.15.18.20.23 are 1 = 25 mm, x = 5 mm, R = 30 mm, r = 15 m.
Let rn (1).

(I) When the large central gear blocks 8 are to be meshed with each other, three types of assembly methods shown in FIG. 12 a, b, and c are possible.

That is, in the same figure a, the cylindrical part 3 of the central large gear block 8 on the upper left of the figure is inserted into the standard block 1, the cylindrical part 3 of the standard block 1 is inserted into the L-shaped block 4, and the L-shaped block 4 is inserted.
The cylindrical part 3 of another central large gear block 8 is inserted into the side hexagonal pillar 5.

At this time, between the dimensions of each part The relationship is established.

In the case of the same figure, the upper central large gear block 8 is followed in order by type block 4, L type block 4, standard block 1, L type block 4, standard block 1, % center large gear block 8.
The relational expression in this case is as follows.

In the case of C in the same figure, from the upper block 8, blocks 4, 4
, -1, and 8, and the relational expression in this case is as follows.

In the case of C in the same figure, both blocks 8.
Although there is a slight gap between the large gears 11 and 11 of the gears 8 and 8, this gap is within the error range of about 10% of the radius R allowed by the meshing of both gears 8 and 8, so there is no problem in practice.

In addition, the center large gear block 8 and the L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 1
5, and when the L-shaped first large gear blocks 15 are engaged with each other, one or both of the center gear blocks 8 are simply connected to the L-shaped cylinder 1 in FIGS. 12a, b, and c.
It is sufficient to replace it with the large gear block 15, and this can be easily realized.

Also, when the L-shaped second large gear blocks 20 are to be meshed with each other, it is sufficient to replace both of the centering gear blocks 8 shown in FIGS. 12a, b, and c with the L-shaped cylindrical two-large gear blocks 20. In this case, the story is a little complicated because on the upper surface of the second hollow hexagonal column 5 of the L-shaped cylinder two-large gear block 20, there is not a columnar section 3, but a first hollow hexagonal column 2 having a columnar section 3. It is.

However, in this case as well, if the standard block 1 and the L-shaped block 4 or the third block 6 for interconnecting the two large gear blocks are appropriately arranged, the above Cl-1
) 7 (I-2L (I-3) It is possible to obtain a meshing state between the two large gear blocks 20 and 20 that satisfies the positional relationship expressed by the formula (I-3).
, c as shown in Fig. 13 a, b, and c.

Further, when the L-shaped two-large cylinder gear block 20 and the center method gear block 8 or the L-shaped cylinder one-large gear block 15 are to be engaged with each other, FIGS. 12a and 12b are used.

It is sufficient to replace only one side of the center method gear block 8 of C with the L-shaped cylinder two-large gear block 20, or further replace the other center method gear block 8 with the L-shaped cylinder one-large gear block 15. This is easier than the case where the second large gear blocks 20 of the above type are engaged with each other, and
Since it can be easily understood from the figure and FIG. 13, the explanation will be omitted.

(If) When the center method gear block 8 and the center ratio gear block 15 are to be meshed, the method shown in FIG. 14a is possible, and the relational expression in this case is as follows.

It should be noted that the assembly method shown in the figure is also possible, but this is the same from the top of the relational expression as the above equation of the figure a.

Also, center method gear block 8, L-shaped box 1 small gear block 1
8. Or L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 15 and central ratio gear block 12, or L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 15 and L-shaped temperature 2
When meshing with the small gear block 18, the fourteenth
In the figure, the center ratio gear block 8 is replaced with the L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 15, or the center ratio gear block 12 is replaced with the L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 15.
It is only necessary to replace the mold box 1 with the small gear block 18, and this can be easily realized.

When the one-way type second large gear block 20 and the L-shaped temperature two small gear block 23 are to be meshed, the center method gear block 8 in FIG. 14 is replaced with the L-shaped cylinder two large gear block 20,
Center ratio gear block 12 to L type temperature 2 small gear block 23
In this case, the above (I
), the first hollow hexagonal column 2 is located on the upper surface of the second hollow hexagonal column 5 of the L-shaped two-cylinder large gear block 20 or the L-shaped two-temperature small gear block 23. So it's a bit troublesome.

However, in this case as well, if the standard block 1 and the L-shaped block 4 or the third block 6 that interconnect both gear blocks 20 and 23 are appropriately arranged, the above (II-1
) It is possible to obtain a meshing state of the double-sided second gear blocks 20 and 23 that satisfies the positional relationship expressed by the equation, for example, as shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b for FIGS. 14a and 14b. Become.

In addition, when meshing the L-shaped cylinder 2 large gear block 20 with the center ratio gear block 12 or the L-shaped box 1 small gear block 18, or when meshing the center ratio gear block 8 or the L-shaped cylinder 1 large gear block 15, When meshing with the second small gear block 23, the center gear block 8 shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b is used.
Alternatively, each center ratio gear block 12 may be replaced with a required gear block, and in this case, it can be realized more easily than when the above-mentioned type second large gear block 20 and L-type temperature two small gear block 23 are meshed. Figure 14 and 1st
Since it can be easily understood from FIG. 5, the explanation will be omitted.

By the way, we have shown above that the above assembly method is possible when the dimensions of each part of the block are set as shown in equation (1), and that the above four relational equations are approximately satisfied.
Calculation results of the above 4 equations when changing the value of x in order to check whether the above relational expression is still satisfied when the value of x is within the range before and after the value of equation (1) above. the first γ
As shown in the figure.

From this calculation result, the value of x is x =
If it is within the range of 4 to 6 mvt, the above formula 4 will be able to absorb radius R and r ±5% by gear meshing,
It can be seen that most of the results are satisfied within the allowable error range of about 10% in total.

Next, methods for assembling various models using the block toy of the present invention will be explained.

Figure 16 shows an example of assembling a train using this toy block, and the assembly of the central small gear block 12 at the right end of the figure and the L-shaped second large gear block 20 is an assembly that satisfies formula (It-1). The second L-shaped building is located directly to the left.
The large gear blocks 20 are assembled according to the equation (I-2) shown in FIG. The assembly method that satisfies 1) is adopted.

When a train is configured with blocks as shown in FIG. 16, the train can be run using the large gear 11 of the central large gear block 8 in contact with the floor and the large gear 22 of the L-shaped second large gaff 7 as wheels. , at this time, the large gears 11 and 22, which become the wheels, act as a driving source to drive these large gears 11.
．． The small gear 14, the large gear 20, and the small gear 14 meshing with the 22 rotate, which is very interesting.

It is also possible to use the L-shaped block 4 to deploy 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. Instead, by attaching a hand-cranked bundle 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 this embodiment has the following effects in addition to these effects.

That is, in the first to fourth blocks and the six types of gear blocks, the vertical, horizontal, and height dimensions of each hollow hexagonal column are all the same, which can be seen from the explanation of the method of meshing the gear Glocks with each other. As such, 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 six types of gear blocks are constructed using a hollow hexagonal column having a length equal to 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 fit into a cylinder with a diameter of 1-2 t, and the height is 1. It can be constructed using any hollow column.

In the above embodiment, the position of the shaft inserted into the first hollow hexagonal column 2 or the second hollow hexagonal column 5 of the L-shaped block 4 is the vertical center line 9a of the side square 9 of the hollow hexagonal column. Up,
Although the position is x (0<x<A'/2) from the upper side 9b, the present invention is not limited to those in which a shaft is inserted through such a position and a gear is attached, but is generally applied to an L-shaped block. The shaft may be inserted into any position of the square side surface of the first or second hollow columnar body constituting the structure.

However, in this case, considering the radius of the shaft and the wall thickness of the hollow column, it is not possible to insert the shaft too close to the edge of the side square, and this shaft cannot be inserted into other blocks inserted into the hollow column. It is necessary to avoid interference with the cylindrical part of the

If the position where the shaft is inserted is different from that of the above embodiment, the way the gear blocks mesh with each other will also be different from that of the above embodiment, but even in such a case, the position of each part of the block will be different. By carefully selecting the dimensions, various types of gear blocks can be assembled and meshed in various ways.

As described above, according to the present invention, the second hollow column is joined to the back wall of the first block, which is made up of two first hollow columns each having a cylindrical portion protruding from its upper surface. A shaft is inserted through the first or second hollow column, and a large gear or a small gear is attached to both ends of this shaft to form an L-shaped gear block. Moreover, since these gear blocks are configured so that they can mesh with each other via standard blocks or L-shaped blocks, it is possible to assemble any structure by using these L-shaped blocks as components of a block toy. It is a very interesting block that can be played with in a variety of ways, such as being able to run the structure using the gears as wheels, and in doing so, each gear can be rotated by the driving force of the gear that becomes the wheel. It has the effect of a toy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show a first (standard) block, a second (standard) block, which are other components of a block toy having blocks according to an embodiment of the first and second inventions of the present application. L
Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the fitted state of the hollow hexagonal column and the cylindrical part of the standard block, Fig. 6 and 1
The figure shows a thick center gear block and a center ratio gear block, which are other components of the block toy, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show one large L-shaped cylinder, which is an embodiment of the first invention of the present application. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a gear block and a L-shaped cylinder 1 small gear block, and FIGS. 10 and 11 show a L-shaped cylinder 2 large gear block and an L-shaped cylinder 2 small gear block, which are embodiments of the second invention of the present application. Figure 12 shows the state in which the two central large gear blocks are assembled to mesh with each other, and Figure 13 shows the state in which the two L-shaped second large gear blocks are assembled to mesh with each other. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the state of assembly for meshing the large center gear block and the center ratio gear block, and Figure 15 is a diagram showing the state of assembly for meshing the large center gear block and the center ratio gear block. Fig. 16 is a side view of a structure assembled to imitate a train using the block toys of the above embodiments, and Fig. 17 shows the six types of gear blocks described above. R and R according to formulas (I-1) to (T-3L(II-1) when changing the value of x
It is a figure which shows the calculation result of +r as a table. 1...First block, 2...First hollow hexagonal column (hollow columnar body), 3...Cylindrical part,
4...Second block, 5...Second hollow hexagonal column, 8...Center large gear block, 9
...Square side, 9a...Vertical center line,
9b...Top side, 10...Axis, 11...
...Large gear, 12...Center ratio gear block, 14...Small gear, 15...L-shaped tube 1
Large gear block, 16... shaft, 11...
・Large gear, 18... L-shaped cylinder 1 small gear block,
19...Small gear, 20...:...L-shaped cylinder 2 large gear block, 21...Shaft, 22...
Large gear, 23... L-shaped cylinder 2 Small gear block, 2
4...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 cylinders with a height of 1 and having a shape 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 first block integrally protrudes from the upper surface of each hollow columnar body, and a back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block (hereinafter referred to as the first hollow columnar body). Hollow columns (hereinafter referred to as second hollow columns) are joined and integrated to form a second block, and this second block has an arbitrary square side surface of the first hollow column. A gear block for a block toy, characterized in that a shaft is inserted through a hollow columnar body at a position shown in FIG. 2. Claim 1, characterized in that the shaft is inserted through the hollow columnar body at a certain position on the vertical center line of the square side surface of the first hollow columnar body.
Type gear block for block toys described in section. 3. The gear block for block toys according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gear is a large gear with a radius R (>l). 4. A gear block for a block toy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gear is a small gear with a radius r (<l). 5 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 is the diameter A.
- Two hollow cylinders having a shape that can fit with the cylinder 21 and a height l are joined together by their side walls, and a cylinder part with a diameter d-2t whose height is smaller than the above length l is formed as above. A first block integrally protrudes from the upper surface of each hollow columnar body, and a back wall of each hollow columnar body of the first block (hereinafter referred to as the first hollow columnar body). Hollow columns (hereinafter referred to as second hollow columns) are joined and integrated to form a second block, and this second block has an arbitrary square side surface of the second hollow column. A gear block for a block toy, characterized in that the gear block is formed by penetrating a hollow column at the position of the shaft and attaching gears to both ends of the shaft. 6. Claim 5, characterized in that the shaft is inserted through the hollow columnar body at a certain position on the vertical center line of the square side surface of the second hollow columnar body.
Type gear block for block toys described in section. 7. The gear block for block toys according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the gear is a large gear with a radius R (>l). 8. A gear block for a block toy according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the gear is a small gear with a radius r (<l).