Construction Craft with Connectable Base Plates

Abstract

A toy construction craft utilizing construction elements including modular building blocks comprises a base plate usable with a template that directs the user to create a scene and/or usable with a base joiner that enables multiple base plates to be removably connected to form a larger playing surface. The base plate comprises a flat base and an outer flange. The flat base includes a substantially planar building surface configured with forward-facing coupling studs for being interconnected with toy building elements having complementary coupling means, and the flat base includes rearward-facing protrusions that can interface with the template and/or with the base joiner. Additional optional accessories and specialized blocks are also provided, including one or more graphic segments and a frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 649,202 that was filed on Jul. 13, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,2272,352), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 202,882 filed on Aug. 9, 2015, which are both incorporated herein in their entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to toy construction crafts, and, more particularly, to an assembling system and method comprising a base plate for receiving building blocks, a template that includes guidance indicia to aid in placement of the building blocks to achieve a three-dimensional image, and attachable accessories including a base joiner for attaching multiple base plates.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Toy construction crafts have an artistic and educational appeal as well as presenting an intellectual challenge. One type of construction craft is a three-dimensional (3-D) puzzle that utilizes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The frame secures the base plate, discrete template, and graphic segment in place to allow the completed artistic composition to be built. Upon completion, an optional hanger also allows the user to conveniently hang the construction craft.

[0015]This construction craft provides unique integrated construction elements with a new method of assembly that utilizes more imagination and ingenuity than traditional two or three-dimensional puzzles and that, when completed, provides a more aesthetically pleasing artistic creation than traditional building block assemblages. Therefore, the educational and entertainment value are increased over conventionally provided puzzles and construction crafts.

[0016]Advantages of the construction craft include the dimensionality of the complex finished art, the interesting mixed-media combinations of graphics with building blocks and other building elements, and the interesting yet straightforward method of assembly. The method of combining the colored images of the graphic segments with building elements is unique and enables the overall created artwork to be a smaller size than it could otherwise be without losing image details, which would occur if a constructed composition were to be built entirely of building blocks giving a bitmap effect. Optional building elements include flat platform-topped blocks that can receive flat-bottomed ornamental platform elements to add yet another artistic medium, adding to the creative aspect of the invention.

[0017]Additional advantages are provided by the base joiner, which allows multiple base plates to be connected to increase the playing surface. The connected base plates can also be disconnected to minimize storage space and shipping costs.

[0018]An object of the present invention is to provide a craft that enhances currently available construction crafts that utilize base plates and modular building blocks, thereby increasing interest, educational, and entertainment value.

Problems solved by technology

Toy construction crafts have an artistic and educational appeal as well as presenting an intellectual challenge.

Additionally, the playing surface area is limited in a construction craft that uses a base plate, due to the limitation of the size of the base plate front surface.

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