Stapelbaustein
The building block design with adjustable spacers addresses the complexity and damage issues of existing systems by allowing versatile column construction with a single block type, ensuring stability and safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SALLER MAXIMILIAN
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Introduction
[0001] The invention relates to a building block. In particular, the invention relates to a stackable building block. State of the art and disadvantages
[0002] Interlocking building blocks are a well-known piece of technology. These blocks, usually made of plastic, have geometric features that allow for a positive and non-positive connection to other blocks of the same system. This means that, without special tools, buildings for toy figures can be constructed or railway tracks for toy trains can be designed. The interlocking effect is achieved through a combination of geometry (positive locking) and a slight overlap (non-positive locking).
[0003] It is also possible to design track layouts for toy trains that are spaced from the ground, for example by placing suitable columns under the corresponding track sections. In the simplest case, the track section has a horizontal section at the beginning and end, as shown, for example, in publication US 2015 / 0283472A1. However, when designing longer, non-level track sections, the problem arises that the upwardly or downwardly inclined track segments require support, but these do not run parallel to the ground, and therefore also not parallel to the top of a column intended to create a horizontally oriented track section that is spaced from the ground. Only by providing a column with a top surface adapted to the incline of the track section can a stable connection between the column and the inclined track section be ensured.
[0004] A disadvantage of this solution, however, is that to cover a sufficiently large number of installation situations, either a series of columns of varying heights and with different top inclinations are required, or—if the selection of different columns is limited—only certain heights and inclinations can be reliably provided. While dividing a column into several stackable modules can solve the problem of varying heights, a final, additional module with the appropriate top inclination is still necessary.
[0005] For example, columns with joints are also known from US Patent 5,456,410 A, allowing them to be adapted to different angles of inclination of the rail sections to a certain extent. However, these columns are somewhat more complex in design and therefore in manufacture, and can also be more easily damaged or even destroyed, for example, by being accidentally stepped on. Problem of the invention and solution
[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0007] The invention is intended to provide a building block that allows the production of columns with different heights and inclinations, while also offering a high level of safety against unintentional damage.
[0008] The problem is solved by a building block according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent subclaims, the following description, and the figures. Description
[0009] First, the terminal block according to the invention is described. This is followed by a brief description of its use.
[0010] The building block is used to create columns from stacks of multiple identical building blocks, for example to create a support structure for a sloping track made of toy railway tracks.
[0011] The building block has a top and a parallel bottom, with both the top and bottom designed to interlock with another such building block. Specifically, the top and bottom have studs or corresponding recesses that allow them to be stacked securely, as is the case with well-known systems such as LEGO®, DUPLO®, or HUBELINO®.
[0012] The building block according to the invention is characterized in that (i) a “spacer” projecting vertically above the top or bottom surface is arranged on or in one side surface, or (ii) on or in two, then opposite, side surfaces of the building block (if applicable).
[0013] In a first position, the spacer(s) collide with the spacer(s) of a second, identical building block, which is stacked on (or under) the building block according to the invention. This results in an angle of inclination between the top of the first building block and the bottom of the second building block (or the bottom of the first building block and the top of the second building block). The spacers ensure that the two building blocks can no longer be stacked flush against each other, but rather are spaced apart where the spacers meet. In this way, the column has an arc-shaped, inclined form that can be adapted to the inclination of the track it is intended to support.Since the achievable inclination per pair of building blocks is essentially geometrically fixed, larger inclinations can be created by simply stacking further building blocks of the type according to the invention, as the inclinations are simply added from step to step.
[0014] According to the invention, in a second position, preferably rotated 90° and / or 180° about the vertical axis, the spacer(s) of the first clamping block are offset from the spacer(s) of the second clamping block in a collision-free manner, so that the top surface of the first clamping block and the bottom surface of the second clamping block are parallel to each other in this assembly position. In simplified terms, the spacer of a subsequent clamping block is "rotated away" so that it no longer collides with the spacer(s) of the preceding clamping block. Consequently, a pair of identical clamping blocks assembled in this way exhibits no inclination; the resulting column is essentially vertical or runs in a straight line. Such a column can therefore be used, in particular, to support horizontally extending rail sections spaced from a substrate.
[0015] Furthermore, with three or more building blocks, both mounting positions can be combined as needed to provide suitable shapes and inclinations.
[0016] The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.
[0017] The invention allows the production of columns with varying heights and inclinations, while simultaneously offering a high degree of protection against accidental damage, since a building block according to the invention is very compact and contains no moving parts. Furthermore, only a single type of building block needs to be kept in stock, which can cover a wide range of heights and inclinations.
[0018] Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the spacer's tip extends beyond the top surface of the building block. It should be noted that the top surface refers to the area on which another building block, connected to the first and positioned above it, rests. Any studs or other protrusions are therefore not considered part of the top surface, but also extend beyond it.
[0020] Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the block to protrude towards the underside. However, in that case, the building block could no longer be placed flat on a surface with its underside facing down.
[0021] In one embodiment, one or both spacers are arranged centrally on one or the two opposite sides, respectively. In a top view, the building block is then a mirror image. With two spacers arranged centrally, a second building block placed on top of the first can "tilt" in either direction until its lower edge rests on the top of the first building block. This is not the case with only one spacer.
[0022] In another and preferred embodiment, the two spacers of a building block are offset in the same direction away from a central plane that coincides with the vertical axis. This results in an asymmetrical appearance in a top view. Due to the off-center, laterally offset arrangement of the spacers, another building block placed on the surface "tips" only in one direction; one edge remains spaced apart by the spacer(s), while the other, opposite edge rests on the top surface of the building block below.
[0023] Preferably, the spacer(s) are arranged offset outwards from the outer side of the respective side wall. In particular, the spacer(s) are mounted on this side wall. A spacer is preferably a flat (partial) body with a thickness sufficient to easily absorb the forces acting on the column's clamping blocks when the track is used, for example, 0.5 to 3 mm. The width of a spacer is preferably less than half the width of the side of the clamping block on which the spacer is located.
[0024] The advantage of this embodiment lies particularly in the fact that a clamping block according to the invention remains compatible with known clamping blocks of the same system; for example, a conventional clamping block of the same basic shape can be located on or below a clamping block according to the invention. A further advantage lies in the ability to force-fit the spacer(s) with the side surface(s) of a clamping block located above them, which further increases the stability of a column constructed from such clamping blocks.
[0025] Alternatively, it is also conceivable to arrange it "in" the side wall, so that it does not protrude laterally. In this case, it is clear that a side wall offset by 90° or 180 degrees must have a corresponding recess at the point where the projection then "dips in" without causing a tilt.
[0026] In one embodiment, the tip of a spacer, viewed in the direction of the central plane as defined above, is angled upwards and / or rounded. A rounded tip is particularly advantageous because it provides a slightly larger contact surface between spacers of adjacent building blocks.
[0027] It is also possible to design the spacer at the tip as a slope that matches the contour of the underside of an additional, inclined building block placed above it. This allows for an even greater surface contact area.
[0028] In another embodiment, the end of the spacer opposite the tip (the lower end) is designed as a recess, which is angled and / or rounded at the top. It is clear that the angle or radius should be larger than that of the tip so that the tip fits well into the end of a building block positioned above it.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the building block has a rectangular and, more preferably, a square base. The advantage of a square base lies in the additional possibility of a 90° rotation during assembly, since all side walls have the same width. This is always possible when the spacers are placed on top of the side walls; if the spacers are recessed into the side walls, the corresponding side walls offset by 90° must also have a recess. In the case of a rectangular base, a column can only be built from building blocks rotated at 0° and 180° relative to each other.
[0030] However, a cylindrical base shape with only one side (surface) and preferably only a single spacer is also conceivable. In this case, there is exactly one position in which the spacers of successive building blocks collide with each other, and a plurality of positions rotated around this vertical axis in which the spacers (in a top view) lie "next to each other" and do not touch.
[0031] In one embodiment, the height of the portion of the spacer extending above the top surface is less than or equal to the height of the side surface of the building block, possibly plus the depth of any recess measured from the underside, which provides an additional "buffer." This means that when three building blocks are placed flat against each other, it must be ensured that the spacers of the bottommost block do not collide with those of the block two blocks above it. If they were too long, they would abut the lower end(s) of the spacer(s) of the block two blocks above it.
[0032] This rule applies particularly when the building blocks are to be positioned one above the other, rotated 180°. If a 90° rotation is also possible, the height of the overhang, minus the setback, can theoretically be three times the height of the side face of the building block; however, such an overhang height does not result in a practical angle; it is clear, though, that in such cases the overhang height can also be somewhat greater.
[0033] Preferably, the height of the portion of the spacer projecting above the top surface, less any recess depth measured from the underside, is between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm, and most preferably 3 mm ± 1 mm. These values are particularly preferred when the height of the building block is 9.5 mm. Otherwise, it is preferred that the specified values be proportional to the ratio of the actual height of the building block.
[0034] The angle of inclination is preferably in the range of 1° to 20°, and particularly preferably from 3° to 12°. An angle of inclination of 8° ± 3° has proven to be most advantageous.
[0035] The use of the building block according to the invention is as follows: To construct a slanted column, a number of interlocking building blocks are stacked on top of each other in such a way that the spacers of at least two consecutive blocks touch each other, thus creating an angle of inclination. In this way, columns of varying heights and angles of inclination can be produced.
[0036] To create a straight column, a number of building blocks are stacked on top of each other in such a way that the spacers of adjacent blocks are offset from each other, so that all bottom and top surfaces of adjacent blocks are parallel to each other. Thus, a straight column is obtained.
[0037] It is clear that both assembly options can easily be combined to provide columns with additional heights and angles of inclination. Character description
[0038] The invention is explained below using figures as examples. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a building block according to the invention from an oblique angle above; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the same building block from a low angle; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a tilted stack of building blocks; Fig. 4 A perspective view of a straight stack of building blocks.
[0039] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a building block 1 according to the invention from an oblique angle above.
[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the back of the same building block from a low angle.
[0041] The interlocking block 1 has a square base shape and a top surface 2 and a parallel bottom surface 3. These two surfaces are designed to interlock with another such interlocking block (not shown); for this purpose, the top surface has two studs 4 (only one of which is labeled) that can be pressed into a recess 5 in the bottom surface 3, thus providing an interlocking connection.
[0042] On two opposite side surfaces 6A, 6B, vertical spacers 7A, 7B are arranged, projecting above the top surface 2. The tip of each spacer 7A, 7B projects above the top surface 2. Furthermore, the two spacers 7A, 7B are oriented in the same direction (in Fig. 1 to the left) from a point coinciding with the vertical axis, only in Fig. The spacers 7A and 7B are offset from the center plane E shown in diagram 1. Furthermore, they are placed on the respective side walls 6A and 6B.
[0043] The tip of each spacer 7A, 7B, viewed from the midplane E, is angled upwards and rounded. Similarly, the end of the spacer 7A, 7B opposite the tip is designed as a recess, angled upwards and rounded in the center. The recess is thus roughly adapted to the shape of the tip, although in this case it is somewhat wider and flatter, ensuring that the tip always fits securely into the recess when identical building blocks with colliding spacers are stacked on top of each other.
[0044] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the height h of the part of the spacer 7A, 7B projecting above the top surface 2 is less than the height H of the side surface 6A, 6B, plus a depth t of the recess measured from the bottom surface 3. This ensures that a straight column can be produced from a stack of three or more building blocks 1, in which the spacers 7A, 7B do not touch each other.
[0045] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, several identical building blocks 1 can be stacked on top of each other in a first position such that an angle of inclination W results between the top 2 of a first building block 1 and the bottom 3 (reference symbols for the top and bottom not shown) of a second building block 1 positioned above it. The angle of inclination W arises because the spacers 7A, 7B of a lower building block 1 collide with the spacers 7A, 7B of the second building block above it. The top and bottom 2', 3' of the entire column also form an overall angle (not shown) to each other, which results from the sum of the individual angles of inclination W. In this case, the overall angle is twice the angle of inclination W.
[0046] In contrast, in a second, in Fig.In the position shown, consecutive building blocks 1 are rotated 180° around their vertical axis. This means that the spacers 7A, 7B of a first building block 1 are offset from the spacers 7A, 7B of an adjacent second building block 1 without collision, so that the top surface 2 of the first building block 1 and the bottom surface 3 of the second building block 1 (reference symbols for the top and bottom surfaces not shown) are parallel to each other. This creates a straight column whose top and bottom surfaces 2', 3' are also parallel to each other. Reference symbol list 1 building block 2.2' Top 3.3' bottom 4 studs 5 recesses 6A, 6B Side surface 7A, 7B spacers W angle of inclination E Middle level h,H height t depth QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] US 5 456 410 A
[0005]
Claims
Interlocking block (1) for producing columns from stacks of a plurality of the same interlocking block (1), the interlocking block (1) having a top surface (2) and a bottom surface (3) running parallel thereto, wherein the top surface and bottom surface (2, 3) are arranged to clamp together with another such interlocking block (1), characterized in that on or in a side surface (6A;6B), or on or in two opposite side faces (6A, 6B) of the building block (1) a spacer (7A, 7B) is arranged, each projecting vertically beyond the top or bottom face (2, 3), which collides with a further, identical building block (1) stacked on the building block (1) in a first position with the spacer(s) (7A, 7B) of this second building block (1), so that an angle of inclination (W) results between the top (2) of the first building block (1) and the bottom (3) of the second building block (1), and in a second position, preferably rotated by 90° and / or 180° about the vertical axis, is or are offset without collision with the spacer(s) (7A, 7B) of this second building block (1), so that the top (2) of the first building block (1) and the bottom (3) of the second building block (1) run parallel to each other.; Interlocking building block (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spacer (7A, 7B) extends with its tip beyond the top surface (2). Interlocking building block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two spacers (7A, 7B) are arranged centrally on said opposing side surfaces (6A, 6B). Interlocking building block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two spacers (7A, 7B) are offset in the same direction from a median plane (E) coinciding with the vertical axis. A building block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer(s) (7A, 7B) are arranged offset to the outside of the respective side wall (6A, 6B) or are placed on this side wall (6A, 6B). Interlocking building block (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the tip of a spacer (7A, 7B), viewed in the direction of the median plane (E) as defined in claim 4, is angled upwards and / or rounded. Interlocking building block (1) according to claim 6, wherein the end of the spacer (7A, 7B) opposite the tip is designed as a recess which is angled and / or rounded upwards. Interlocking building block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the same has a rectangular or square basic shape. Interlocking block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the height (h) of the part of the spacer (7A, 7B) projecting above the top (2) is less than or equal to a height (H) of the side surface (6A, 6B) of the interlocking block (1), optionally plus a depth (t) of any recess measured from the bottom (3). Interlocking block (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the height (h) of the part of the spacer (7A, 7B) projecting above the top (2), less a depth (t) of any recess measured from the bottom (3), is between 1 mm and 10 mm, or wherein the angle of inclination (W) has a value of 8° ± 3°.