DE102023000196A1 - Toy building blocks set - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a toy construction element set (100) for playfully creating a toy (1), comprising a plurality of construction elements that can be connected to one another, wherein a surface (11, 11a, 11b) of a first construction element (10, 10a, 10b) has a surface roughness, wherein the surface roughness results in adhesion, in particular mechanical adhesion, and the adhesion is set such that a surface of a second construction element (20) can be connected to the surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the first construction element (10, 10a, 10b) on the basis of corresponding surface properties of the two construction elements (10, 10a, 10b, 20).

Description

The present invention relates to a toy construction element set for playfully creating a toy. The invention also relates to a construction element for a toy construction element set and to a toy.

State of the art

Toys are developed for children or adults to stimulate their imagination and develop their skills. Building block collections with different building blocks from which a toy can be assembled are known from the state of the art. The disadvantage of this is that the building blocks made of different materials can only be connected using special fasteners such as hooks, screws, clamps, pegs, barbs or even Velcro fasteners. These technically complex and sometimes complicated fasteners make it difficult for children to use the various components to make a child-friendly toy and play with it in a simple and creative way. Furthermore, for reasons of stability, heavy or hard components can often be used for the toy, which make playing with the assembled toy much more difficult and can also increase the risk of injury for children.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an enrichment, improvement or alternative to the prior art.

Disclosure of the invention

The above object is achieved by a toy construction element set with the features of claim 1, by a construction element with the features of claim 10 and by a toy with the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the toy according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the construction element according to the invention and the toy according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to each other.

The subject matter of the invention is a toy construction element set for playfully creating a toy, comprising a plurality of components that can be connected to one another, wherein a surface of a first component has a surface roughness, wherein the surface roughness results in adhesion, in particular mechanical adhesion, and the adhesion is adjusted such that a surface of a second component can be connected to the surface of the first component on the basis of corresponding surface properties of the two components.

This has the advantage that it is significantly easier to combine different building elements in a playful and creatively unlimited way. The surface roughness of a building element advantageously enables different building elements to be connected more easily to form any toy. This also has the advantage that the use of the toy building element set can uniquely and significantly increase the sensory learning and gaming experience for the children playing. In other words, this enables the assembly of a toy to advantageously promote the fine motor skills and spatial thinking of a child or adult, since the individual building elements, which are different in their nature, have to be put together to make the toy. Once assembled, the toy can advantageously be played with by children or adults and stimulate their imagination by inventing adventures with it or holding competitions with it.

Surface roughness or roughness is defined as an unevenness of a surface height. Surface roughness is a term from surface physics. A quantitative characterization of surface roughness is made possible by different calculation methods, each of which takes into account different characteristics of the surface. Surface roughness can be adjusted or influenced, for example, by polishing, rolling, grinding, lapping, honing, pickling, sandblasting, etching or vapor deposition.

As is well known, various roughness specifications are used, which are usually given in micrometers (µm): the mean roughness value, the so-called root mean square roughness and the average roughness depth. The roughness on the surface is standardized in ISO 25178.

Surface properties can include a functional property such as surface adhesion or a decorative property such as color, or a combination of the two.

In the context of the invention, corresponding surface properties of two components are understood to mean that there is a corresponding functional relationship between the two surfaces of the components, preferably that a surface adhesion of one component and/or an adhesion force of one component acting on another component corresponds to a surface roughness of the other component. Adhesion or adhesion force is the physical state of an interface layer or surface of an object that forms between two solid materials and/or malleable materials and/or liquids that come into contact. The state is characterized by molecular or physical interactions in this interface layer or surface of the object that cause mechanical cohesion. If the surface is sufficiently rough, the materials can be mechanically clamped together, i.e. a so-called form fit. Therefore, it is sometimes referred to as mechanical adhesion, which results from the aforementioned physical-mechanical forces.

It is also advantageous if the two components each have a different material. In a further possibility, it can therefore be provided that the first component consists of a solid material and the second component consists of a moldable material.

This means that the creativity and fine motor skills of children can be significantly improved when creating toys through play by using different materials for the building elements. The use of different materials, such as elastic and/or malleable materials as well as solid materials, advantageously supports the effect of the adhesive force between the materials.

• - ein spezifisches Gewicht von ca. 0,2 g/cm3 bis ca. 1,1 g/cm3,
• - eine Oberflächenhaftung oder Adhäsion von ca. 0,2 mJ bis ca. 3,5 mJ, vorzugsweise von 0,23 mJ bis 3,15 mJ,
• - eine Adhäsionskraft von ca. 20 g bis ca. 90 g, vorzugsweise von 25 g bis 86 g, und
• - eine Elastizität von ca. 70 g/mm bis ca. 185 g/mm, vorzugsweise von 74 g/mm bis 181 g/mm.

Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is optionally possible for the moldable material to be a modeling clay, wherein the modeling clay consists of various substances and textures and comprises at least one or more of the following properties and/or surface properties at a temperature of 18° to 32° Celsius:

• - a specific gravity of approx. 0.2 g/cm3 to approx. 1.1 g/cm3,
• - a surface adhesion of approximately 0.2 mJ to approximately 3.5 mJ, preferably 0.23 mJ to 3.15 mJ,
• - an adhesion force of approximately 20 g to approximately 90 g, preferably from 25 g to 86 g, and
• - an elasticity of approx. 70 g/mm to approx. 185 g/mm, preferably from 74 g/mm to 181 g/mm.

This has the advantage that by using a moldable and/or elastic material, the connection with another component can be improved based on a surface property, for example surface adhesion or adhesion, because the surface property corresponds to a surface roughness of another component. Furthermore, determining the density of the modeling clay makes it possible to produce a toy that can float or fly by combining it with the other components.

Surface stickiness is defined as the stickiness of a surface, and thus the work or force required as adhesion force to overcome the attractive forces between two surfaces in contact. This force can be detected and measured by measuring the resistance when a measuring probe is pulled out of a material or object during a first compression.

Elasticity, also known as springiness, is a measure of how far a material returns to a target deformation after being compressed.

Preferably, the solid material can be a plastic, light metal, wood or cardboard and the moldable material can be a modeling clay, modelling clay or plasticine.

The use of the aforementioned solid materials advantageously enables a child to play with the assembled toy due to its very low weight. Furthermore, the use of plastic, light metal, wood or cardboard has the advantage that the required surface roughness can be provided more efficiently and easily. Clay, modelling clay or plasticine are easily mouldable masses similar to clay or wax. They can be differentiated according to their area of application, such as for playing, modelling or repairing, according to the type of hardening and according to the respective basic materials. The use of such mouldable materials advantageously makes it possible to create even more flexible forms of building elements when combining and playing, which would not be possible with a building element made of solid material. This also has the advantage of creating an additional and/or different geometric shape for a necessary building element for the toy.

It may also be possible for the first component to have at least one flat surface and for the size of the at least one flat shaped surface is designed such that the surface of the first component has a surface roughness to ensure an adhesive connection with the second component.

This has the advantage that the flexibility in terms of the dimensioning of a building element for a toy building element set and the production of any toy can be significantly improved without limiting the playful design of different materials for children. Furthermore, this enables a combination of building elements to be produced in a wide variety of shapes and surface areas, which can improve playful learning.

A further advantage within the scope of the invention can be achieved if the at least one flat-shaped surface of the first component has a continuously closed surface or has at least one opening for establishing a further connection with the second component.

This enables the surface roughness of the continuously closed surface of a component to advantageously cause an adhesion which is sufficient or sufficient to adhere to or hold together with a surface of another component on the basis of the adhesive forces acting. Furthermore, the at least one opening in the flatly shaped surface of the component advantageously additionally enables a further improvement in the connection between the two components. This can be made possible by directly connecting the surfaces of the material of the second component to itself on the basis of a penetration through the at least one opening of the surface of the first component.

Furthermore, it may optionally be possible for the at least one opening in the flat surface of the component to have an elongated or circular shape. An elongated opening can, for example, have a largely straight or wave-shaped course. A circular opening can, for example, be an oval or symmetrically round opening.

It may optionally also be possible for the flat-shaped surface to have a rectangular or square shape, wherein at least one corner of the flat-shaped surface can be rounded.

It can be further advantageous if the first component has a thickness of at least 1 mm.

This has the advantage that a building element can be made much lighter in terms of weight in order to ensure that the building elements combined to form a toy, such as a toy airplane, can be played with.

• - einen Verbindungsstecker für das Verbinden von Bauelementen,
• - ein Zusatzbauelement, wobei das Zusatzbauelement eine Materialstärke von mindestens 2 mm aufweist,
• - ein stangenförmiges Bauelement aus Kunststoff, insbesondere eine Stange
• - ein Rad,
• - ein Segel,
• - ein Tragwerk für ein Spielzeugflugzeug.

Advantageously, within the scope of the invention, it can be provided that the set comprises at least one further component from the following components:

• - a connector for connecting components,
• - an additional component, the additional component having a material thickness of at least 2 mm,
• - a rod-shaped component made of plastic, in particular a rod
• - a wheel,
• - a sail,
• - a wing for a toy airplane.

This has the advantage that a variety of different combination options can be provided from these available building elements to produce a toy in order to improve playful learning and combination.

Optionally, a connector plug can have a fastening element, wherein the fastening element is arranged such that a further component, for example a wheel or a rod-shaped component, can be detachably connected thereto.

It is further optionally possible for a connector to have at least one further fastening element with a slot-like opening in order to connect at least one further component with the same horizontal and/or vertical orientation as a first component and/or at a right angle to the first component.

Optionally, it is conceivable that an additional component has a flat shaped surface for receiving a second component, in particular a second component made of moldable material.

The invention also relates to a component for a toy component set according to the invention, wherein a surface of the component has a surface roughness, wherein adhesion results from the surface roughness, and the adhesion is set in such a way that a surface of a second component can be connected to the surface of the component on the basis of corresponding surface properties of the two components. The component according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as were explained in detail with reference to the toy component set according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a toy comprising one or more components of a toy component set according to the invention. The toy according to the invention has the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to the toy component set according to the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features, even in different embodiments.

• 1 ein Beispiel für ein erfindungsgemäßes Spielzeug-Bauelemente-Set,
• 2 ein Beispiel für eine Verwendung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spielzeug-Bauelemente-Sets, und
• 3 ein weiteres Beispiel für eine Verwendung eines erfindungsgemäßen Spielzeug-Bauelemente-Sets.

Show it:

• 1 an example of a toy construction element set according to the invention,
• 2 an example of a use of a toy construction set according to the invention, and
• 3 another example of a use of a toy construction set according to the invention.

1 shows an example of a toy construction element set 100 according to the invention, for playfully creating a toy 1. In this example, the set 100 comprises different construction elements 10, 10a, 10b, 20, 30a, 30b, 30c, 31, 32, 33.

A component 10, 10a, 10b has at least one flat surface 11, 11a, 11b, which can be arranged on a bottom side and/or a top side of the component 10, 10a, 10b. According to the 1 Each surface 11, 11a, 11b of the component 10, 10a, 10b can optionally have a plurality of elongated openings 15 so that, for example, a shaped modeling compound 20 can adhesively bond to itself by means of the openings 15. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the component 10, 10a, 10b has no openings 15, ie a continuous flat shaped surface in order to produce an adhesive bond with the modeling compound based on the surface roughness.

A component 20 according to 1 consists of modeling clay or modeling clay, which can consist of different colors and textures.

In 1 a further additional component 31 is shown, which can be used in combination with other components 10, 10a, 10b, 20, 32, 33, 35 to produce a toy 1. The additional component 31 can optionally be designed as already described for the component 10, 10a, 10b with or without one or more openings 15. The additional component 31 can have a material thickness of at least 2 mm, preferably of at least 4 mm.

1 further shows a connecting plug 30a, 30b, 30c for connecting components. Various types of connecting plugs 30a, 30b, 30c can be provided.

A connector plug 30a according to 1 , for example a so-called carrier plate connector 30a, can be provided as a connector plug for connecting flat-shaped components such as a carrier element 10, 10a, 10b or a carrier plate 10, 10a, 10b. The 1 The connector plug 30a shown has a square surface which has a slot-like recess as a fastening element 35 on each of its four side surfaces arranged at right angles. The slot-like recess is adapted such that, for example, a narrow side of the carrier element 10 can be fastened to it.

According to 1 another type of connector plug 30b is shown, which serves as a so-called corner additional component 30b. The plug 30b can have two fastening elements 35 arranged at right angles to one another. Each fastening element 35 has a slot-like recess for receiving a component 10, 10a, 10b. The slot-like opening of each fastening element 35 also has a circular extension in the middle of the longitudinal extension of the slot-like opening, which serves, for example, to receive a rod-shaped component 32 or another component with a suitable connecting device.

Furthermore, 1 a connector plug 30c is shown, which, like the connector plug 30b, can have two fastening elements 35 arranged at right angles to each other. In addition, the connector plug 30c has a further fastening element 35a, which is adapted that a wheel axle 33a of a wheel 33 can be connected to the connector 30c.

Furthermore, 1 a wheel 33 is shown which has a wheel axle 33a in the middle of its axis of rotation. The wheel axle 35a is firmly connected to the inside of the wheel at one end and has a cylindrically shaped taper of the wheel axle 33a at its end remote from the inside of the wheel. The diameter of the cylindrical taper of the wheel axle is dimensioned such that the wheel axle can be held firmly by the circular extension of the fastening element 35.

In 1 a rod-shaped component 32 is also shown, which can serve as a mast or a rod or an axle, for example. At one end, the rod-shaped component 32 has a cylindrical taper, which has the same function as the cylindrical taper of the wheel axle 33a.

2 shows an example of a use of a toy construction element set 100 according to the invention for a toy car 1.

• - ein Bauelement 10, welches als Trägerelement ausgestaltet ist, um beispielsweise ein zweites Bauelement 20 aus Knetmasse aufzunehmen
• - ein weiteres Bauelement 20, welches aus Knetmasse besteht, und die Karosserie des Autos 1 bildet,
• - zwei Verzierungselemente 25 als Augen ausgestaltet, welche an der Knetmasse angeordnet sind,
• - vier Räder 33,
• - vier Verbindungsstecker 30c, umfassend Befestigungselemente 35, 35a.

The toy car 1 or car 1 for short comprises various components 10, 20, 30c, 33, 35, 35a with which the car 1 can be assembled. The corresponding set 100 according to the 2 includes the following components:

• - a component 10 which is designed as a carrier element to accommodate, for example, a second component 20 made of modeling clay
• - another component 20, which consists of modeling clay and forms the body of the car 1,
• - two decorative elements 25 designed as eyes, which are arranged on the modeling clay,
• - four wheels 33,
• - four connectors 30c, comprising fastening elements 35, 35a.

The connector 30c has a fastening element 35a which is arranged on the connector 30b in such a way that a wheel 33 can be detachably connected thereto. Furthermore, each of the four in 2 illustrated connector 30c at least one further fastening element 35 with a slot-like opening in order to form a connection with the component 10, ie for example with a flat-shaped plate 10.

3 shows another example of the use of a toy construction element set 100 according to the invention for a toy airplane 1.

• - ein Bauelement 10b, welches als Trägerelement 10b ausgestaltet ist, um ein zweites Bauelement aus Knetmasse aufzunehmen,
• - ein Tragwerk 34 mit Flügeln,
• - zwei Verbindungsstecker 30c mit jeweiligen Befestigungselementen 35 zur Verbindung des Tragwerks 34 und des Trägerelements 10b.

The toy airplane 1 or airplane 1 for short comprises various components 10b, 30c, 34 with which the airplane 1 can be assembled. The corresponding set 100 according to the 3 includes the following components:

• - a component 10b, which is designed as a carrier element 10b to accommodate a second component made of modeling clay,
• - a supporting structure 34 with wings,
• - two connecting plugs 30c with respective fastening elements 35 for connecting the supporting structure 34 and the carrier element 10b.

3 shows a connector 30c, which has a fastening element 35, which is arranged on the connector 30c so that the supporting structure 34 with wings can be detachably connected thereto. Furthermore, 3 that a further connector 30c can be used for a connection to a component 10b.

Furthermore, further uses of the toy construction element set 100 according to the invention for other toys 1 such as a train, a motorcycle, a sailboat or other toys are conceivable.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically expedient, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

List of reference symbols

1

toy

10, 10a, 10b

First component

11, 11a, 11b

Surface of a (first) component

15

opening

20

Second component

25

Decorative element

30a,30b,30c

Connector plug

31

Additional component

32

Rod-shaped component

33

wheel

33a

Wheel axle

34

Structure

35

Fastener

35a

additional fastening element

100

Toy building blocks set

Claims (11)

Toy building element set (100) for playfully creating a toy (1), comprising a plurality of components that can be connected to one another, characterized in that a surface (11, 11a, 11b) of a first component (10, 10a, 10b) has a surface roughness, wherein the surface roughness results in adhesion, in particular mechanical adhesion, and the adhesion is set such that a surface of a second component (20) can be connected to the surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the first component (10, 10a, 10b) on the basis of corresponding surface roughnesses of the two components (10, 10a, 10b, 20). Toy building elements set (100) by Claim 1 , characterized in that the two components (10, 10a, 10b, 20) each have a different material. Toy building elements set (100) by Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first component (10, 10a, 10b) consists of a solid material and the second component (20) consists of a moldable material. Toy building elements set (100) by Claim 3 , characterized in that the moldable material is a modeling clay, the modeling clay consisting of different substances and textures and having at least one or more of the following properties and/or surface properties at an ambient temperature of 18° to 32° Celsius: - a specific gravity of approx. 0.2 g/cm3 to approx. 1.1 g/cm3, - a surface adhesion or adhesion of approx. 0.2 mJ to approx. 3.2 mJ, - an adhesion force of approx. 25 g to approx. 88 g, and - an elasticity of 70 g/mm to 185 g/mm. Toy building elements set (100) by Claim 3 , characterized in that the solid material is a plastic, light metal, wood or cardboard and the moldable material is a modelling clay, modeling clay or plasticine. Toy building element set (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first building element (10, 10a, 10b) has at least one flat-shaped surface (11, 11a, 11b) and the size of the at least one flat-shaped surface (11, 11a, 11b) is designed such that the surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the first building element (10, 10a, 10b) has a surface roughness in order to ensure an adhesive connection with the second building element (20). Toy building elements set (100) by Claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one flat-shaped surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the first component (10, 10a, 10b) has a continuously closed surface (11, 11a, 11b) or has at least one opening (15) for producing a further connection to the second component (20). Toy building element set (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first building element (10, 10a, 10b) has a thickness of at least 1 mm. Toy building element set (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set comprises at least one further building element from the following building elements: - a connecting plug (30a, 30b, 30c) for connecting building elements, - an additional building element (31), wherein the additional building element (31) has a material thickness of at least 2 mm, - a rod-shaped building element (32) made of plastic, in particular a rod, - a wheel (33), - a sail, - a supporting structure (34) for a toy airplane (1). Component for a toy construction element set (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that a surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the component (10, 10a, 10b) has a surface roughness, wherein the surface roughness results in adhesion, and the adhesion is adjusted such that a surface of a second component (20) can be connected to the surface (11, 11a, 11b) of the component (10, 10a, 10b) on the basis of corresponding surface properties of the two components (10, 10a, 10b, 20). Toy (1) comprising one or more components of a toy component set (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 .

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