A large open-ended modular interlocking toy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a large open-ended modular interlocking toy. This toy consists of individual large and rigid, yet lightweight panels. Panels are made boards that connect to each other using an innovative connecting mechanism reliant on panel shape design and the friction attributed to the material of the board. Connected panels can form an unlimited array of large flat or three-dimensional play structures. Users such as children can connect panels together to construct structures without the need for external supports or fasteners. 20 25 20 12 87 23 F eb 2 02 5 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 5 2 0 1 2 8 7 2 3 F e b 2 0 2 5 1 A LARGE OPEN-ENDED MODULAR INTERLOCKING TOY TECHNICAL FIELD [001]. The present invention relates to a modular children's play toy. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive use for reconfigurable fort and other play-structure building using rigid panels with an innovative edge-based connecting mechanism. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002]. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [003]. Modular play equipment and toys for fort and play-structure building is known. These include play couches, magnetic building kits, rod-and-connector and fixed cubby house structures. [004]. However, in practice, equipment such as play couches are bulky and are often unstable for extended play. The present invention provides a lightweight and soft, structurally-sound, interchangeably-used toy that can be dismantled and packed away. [005]. Further, modular play equipment such as magnetic building kits, rod-and-connector kits and cubby houses rely on external devices to provide connection or create fixtures. These include such as magnets, screws and other separate play pieces. The preferred embodiments rely entirely on their own material composition and structure to self-connect, minimising inconvenience and / or harm associated with additional devices. 1 A L A R G E O P E N - E N D E D M O D U L A R I N T E R L O C K I N G T O Y T E C H N I C A L F I E L D [ 0 0 1 ] . T h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n r e l a t e s t o a m o d u l a r c h i l d r e n ' s p l a y t o y . T h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n h a s p a r t i c u l a r , a l t h o u g h n o t e x c l u s i v e u s e f o r r e c o n f i g u r a b l e f o r t a n d o t h e r p l a y - s t r u c t u r e b u i l d i n g u s i n g r i g i d p a n e l s w i t h a n i n n o v a t i v e e d g e - b a s e d c o n n e c t i n g m e c h a n i s m . B A C K G R O U N D O F T H E I N V E N T I O N [ 0 0 2 ] . T h e r e f e r e n c e t o a n y p r i o r a r t i n t h i s s p e c i f i c a t i o n i s n o t , a n d s h o u l d n o t b e t a k e n a s a n a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t o r a n y f o r m o f s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e p r i o r a r t f o r m s p a r t o f t h e c o m m o n g e n e r a l k n o w l e d g e . [ 0 0 3 ] . M o d u l a r p l a y e q u i p m e n t a n d t o y s f o r f o r t a n d p l a y - s t r u c t u r e b u i l d i n g i s k n o w n . T h e s e i n c l u d e p l a y c o u c h e s , m a g n e t i c b u i l d i n g k i t s , r o d - a n d - c o n n e c t o r a n d f i x e d c u b b y h o u s e s t r u c t u r e s . [ 0 0 4 ] .H o w e v e r , i n p r a c t i c e , e q u i p m e n t s u c h a s p l a y c o u c h e s a r e b u l k y a n d a r e o f t e n u n s t a b l e f o r e x t e n d e d p l a y . T h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n p r o v i d e s a l i g h t w e i g h t a n d s o f t , s t r u c t u r a l l y - s o u n d , i n t e r c h a n g e a b l y - u s e d t o y t h a t c a n b e d i s m a n t l e d a n d p a c k e d a w a y . [ 0 0 5 ] .F u r t h e r , m o d u l a r p l a y e q u i p m e n t s u c h a s m a g n e t i c b u i l d i n g k i t s , r o d - a n d - c o n n e c t o r k i t s a n d c u b b y h o u s e s r e l y o n e x t e r n a l d e v i c e s t o p r o v i d e c o n n e c t i o n o r c r e a t e f i x t u r e s . T h e s e i n c l u d e s u c h a s m a g n e t s , s c r e w s a n d o t h e r s e p a r a t e p l a y p i e c e s . T h e p r e f e r r e d e m b o d i m e n t s r e l y e n t i r e l y o n t h e i r o w n m a t e r i a l c o m p o s i t i o n a n d s t r u c t u r e t o s e l f - c o n n e c t , m i n i m i s i n g i n c o n v e n i e n c e a n d / o r h a r m a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a d d i t i o n a l d e v i c e s . 20 25 20 12 87 23 F eb 2 02 5 T E C H N I C A L F I E L D 2 0 2 5 2 0 1 2 8 7 2 3 F e b 2 0 2 5 B A C K G R O U N D O F T H E I N V E N T I O N 1 / 9 FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 101 102 103 104 100 200 201 202 203 204 205 20 25 20 12 87 2 3 Fe b 20 25 1 / 9 2025201287 23 Feb 2025 103 104 FIGURE 2 204 200

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