Toy building elements and toy building set
By incorporating coupling posts, receiving parts, radial flexible fins, and locking posts into the toy building elements, the issues of stability and ease of disassembly of the toy building elements are solved, achieving a robust yet releasable coupling effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 富尔维奥·蒙特维多
- Filing Date
- 2021-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing toy building blocks are not coupled stably enough, making them prone to breakage or difficult to disassemble during use, especially when it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the structure.
The toy building element is made of plastic and is designed with coupling posts and receiving parts. Reliable coupling is achieved through the cooperation of radial flexible winglets and locking posts. The locking posts prevent the element from separating after being inserted into the cavity, and the winglets remain flexible in the locked state to allow for releasable coupling.
It achieves a strong and durable releasable coupling between toy building components, ensuring structural stability while maintaining ease of disassembly.
Smart Images
Figure CN115666746B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian patent application No. 102020000007156, filed on April 3, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This invention relates to a toy building element for modular building games.
[0004] The present invention also relates to a toy building kit comprising a plurality of toy building elements that are releasably coupled to each other. Background Technology
[0005] A toy building kit is known to include multiple toy building elements that are coupled, i.e., can be coupled to each other in a releasable manner.
[0006] Typically, each kit includes various types of toy building elements of different shapes and sizes, configured to be coupled together with each other, with the aim of creating a modular toy structure that is precisely formed by combining the individual toy building elements according to a predefined or random scheme.
[0007] Typically, toy building elements are made of plastic material and have a basic prismatic shape, most commonly a parallelepiped with a rectangular base. Each toy building element includes one or more coupling pillars arranged on a first surface of the toy building element, and a corresponding cavity obtained on a second surface opposite the first surface and configured to receive the coupling pillar of another toy building element according to interference coupling.
[0008] In this way, releasable coupling is achieved between the individual toy building elements, which can be decoupled by applying a simple pulling force.
[0009] However, the applicant has observed that in some cases, this coupling has proven too unstable; for example, in cases where the toy structure falls from the user's hands and breaks into pieces, or in situations where disassembling the complete structure is avoided. The latter case is, for example, cases with collectible structures that are very laborious to create and typically need to remain intact once completed.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need to provide toy building elements that can couple with each other in a robust yet releasable manner. Summary of the Invention
[0011] The object of this invention is to provide a toy building element that is highly reliable, cost-effective, and meets the requirements described above for known types of toy building elements.
[0012] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the toy building elements described in this application. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a toy building element implemented according to the first embodiment of the present invention (several parts have been removed for clarity).
[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional side view of the toy's building components (several parts have been removed for clarity).
[0015] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The two toy building elements are shown in a partially sectional side view (several parts have been removed for clarity) under two different operating conditions.
[0016] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A partial sectional side view is shown (several parts have been removed for clarity). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The two toy building elements are coupled to each other and interact with the locking element under two different operating conditions.
[0017] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of multiple toy building elements coupled to each other according to the alternative mode provided by the present invention (multiple parts have been removed for clarity).
[0018] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional side view of a toy building element implemented according to a second embodiment of the present invention (several parts have been removed for clarity).
[0019] Figures 9 to 11 A partial sectional side view (with several components removed for clarity) shows two toy building elements according to a third embodiment of the invention, which are coupled to each other and interact with a locking element under three different operating conditions. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Referring to the attached diagram, the toy building kit used for modular building games is represented as a whole by the number 1.
[0021] Kit 1 includes multiple toy building blocks 2, one of which is such as Figure 1 As shown.
[0022] In particular, the toy building elements 2 can be releasably coupled to each other in order to create a modular toy structure (not shown) that can be precisely formed by combining multiple toy building elements 2 according to a predefined or random scheme.
[0023] Preferably, kit 1 includes multiple types of toy building elements 2, which differ from each other in shape and size. However, for the sake of brevity, a single preferred form and type of toy building element 2 will be described and illustrated below.
[0024] Preferably, the toy building element 2 is made of plastic material.
[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each toy building element 2 includes a base 3 having a basic prism form; and one or more coupling pillars 4 supported by the base 3, specifically fixed to the base 3, and configured to releasably couple the toy building element 2 to another toy building element 2.
[0026] According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, each toy building element 2 includes a coupling post 4, and the base 3 is defined by a parallelepiped box-shaped body with a rectangular base and an opening at the side with the larger surface area of the two rectangular faces.
[0027] Specifically, each of the coupling columns 4 has a longitudinal axis A and is fixed at the inner bottom surface 5 of the base 3, which is arranged on the side facing the opening and opposite to the opening.
[0028] In practice, the base 3 has the shape of a rectangular box with an opening "at the top" and contains a coupling post 4 inside which is fixed to the bottom surface 5 of the box.
[0029] More specifically, the coupling pillars 4 of each toy building element 2 extend orthogonally from their respective bottom surfaces 5 along their respective axes A, and are arranged in a manner that their respective axes A are parallel to each other.
[0030] In the following text, we will refer to the individual toy building element 2 of kit 1. However, the features described and shown apply to each toy building element 2 of kit 1.
[0031] Each coupling post 4 includes a coupling portion 6 and a receiving portion 7, the receiving portion 7 being configured to receive the coupling portion 6 of another toy building element 2 coupling post 4 in order to establish the aforementioned releasable coupling between the toy building elements 2.
[0032] More specifically, the receiving portion 7 of each coupling post 4 is fixed to the base 3, particularly to the bottom surface 5 of the base 3.
[0033] In particular, the receiving portion 7 is radially non-deformable, that is, it is radially non-deformable when subjected to stresses typically applied during the use of the toy building element 2.
[0034] In other words, when the receiving part 7 is coupled with the associated coupling part 6, the receiving part 7 is also radially non-deformable.
[0035] Each coupling portion 6 is fixed to the corresponding receiving portion 7; in particular, each coupling portion 6 extends integrally from the corresponding receiving portion 7 along its respective axis A in a seamless manner.
[0036] Preferably, each receiving portion 7 extends integrally from the bottom surface 5, such that the base 3 and the coupling post 4 are made of a single seamless piece.
[0037] Conveniently, each coupling post 4 internally defines a through-hole 13, particularly a through-hole 13 coaxial with the associated axis A, which is configured, according to the mode explained below, to removably receive a locking post 14 suitable for locking each toy building element 2 to another toy building element 2 coupled thereto.
[0038] More specifically, the cavity 13 of each coupling post 4 defines a through hole over the entire axial length of the coupling post 4, and is defined in a first portion by a receiving portion 7 and in a second portion by a coupling portion 6.
[0039] Conveniently, each coupling portion 6 includes at least a radially flexible portion of a receiving portion 7 for engaging / disengaging the coupling post 4 of another toy building element 2.
[0040] Specifically, each cavity 13 has a widened portion arranged at the associated receiving portion 7 and defines at least one seat 8, particularly a radial seat 8, which is adapted to receive at least a portion of the radial flexible portion.
[0041] More specifically, the radially flexible portion includes at least one axial flap 11, which is shaped to define at least a portion of an associated cavity 13 and is adapted to be radially bent to engage / disengage a corresponding seat 8 of a receiving portion 7 of a coupling post 4 of another toy building element 2.
[0042] For this purpose, the wing 11 includes at least one engaging element 10, which is configured to radially engage such a seat 8 during the step of coupling the toy building element 2 carrying such a wing 11 (and thus such engaging element 10) to another toy building element 2 carrying a corresponding seat 8.
[0043] Specifically, the wing 11 is defined by a sheet-like protrusion that extends axially from the associated receiving portion 7 at its first fixed end and carries a corresponding engaging element 10 at its second free end (axially opposite to the first end).
[0044] As described above, each radially flexible portion, i.e. each flap 11, extends integrally from the corresponding receiving portion 7 as a seamless piece.
[0045] According to the preferred and non-limiting embodiments described herein, each radially flexible portion includes two opposing flaps 11 arranged on opposite sides of the associated cavity 13 and adapted to engage, via their engagement means 10, a corresponding seat 8 of the receiving portion 7 of the coupling post 4 of another toy building element 2, thereby causing interlocking between the coupling portion 6 and the corresponding receiving portion 7, thereby causing the aforementioned releasable coupling between the toy building elements 2.
[0046] As described above, each receiving portion 7 is axially hollow and also includes an opening 12 coaxial with the associated axis A, and the opening 12 is configured to receive the free end of the coupling portion 6 of the coupling post 4 of another toy building element 2; thus, the opening 12 is configured to engage with at least a portion of the wing 11.
[0047] Specifically, opening 12 defines an axial opening into cavity 13 and through bottom surface 5, thereby defining a through hole through bottom surface 5.
[0048] During use, during the coupling of the first toy building element 2 and the second toy building element 2, the coupling portion 6 of the coupling post 4 of the first toy building element 2 engages the receiving portion 7 of the coupling post 4 of the second toy building element 2 through the relevant opening 12.
[0049] More accurately, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, for each pair of coupling pillars 4 coupled to each other, the radial flexible portion engages the opening 12, and thus the free end of the wing 11 engages the opening 12.
[0050] Conveniently, the cross-section of the opening 12 is smaller than the maximum radial extension of the free end of the blade 11, that is, smaller than the maximum radial distance between the outer surface of the coupling element 10 and the relevant axis A.
[0051] Due to this construction, once the blades 11 are engaged in the opening 12, they bend and are pushed by the inner wall of the opening 12 toward the corresponding axis A until they reach the seat 8.
[0052] At this point, after passing through the inner wall of the opening 12, the wing 11 bends outward again, thus engaging the radial engagement seat 8 of the engagement element 10.
[0053] More precisely, each coupling portion 6 of the coupling post 4 of the first toy building element 2 is configured to engage with the corresponding receiving portion 7 of the coupling post 4 of the second toy building element 2, without engaging with the radially flexible portion (i.e., with the winglet 11) of the coupling portion 6 of the coupling post 4 of the second toy building element 2. Figure 5 and 6 This allows the radially flexible portion to remain radially deformable (i.e., allows the wing 11 to remain radially deformable) so that each coupling portion 6 can be disengaged from the corresponding receiving portion 7 by applying a certain tension between the first and second toy building elements 2.
[0054] More specifically, after coupling portion 6 is coupled to the associated coupling portion 7, the winglet 11 also remains radially deformable, i.e., radially flexible, because each coupling post 4 is shaped such that after the aforementioned coupling, coupling portion 6 does not interact with the winglet 11. Therefore, the winglet 11 is not "locked" in terms of its radial flexibility.
[0055] Therefore, interlocking or engaging coupling is achieved between each coupling portion 6 of the first toy building element 2 and the corresponding receiving portion 7 of the second toy building element 2, and thus a releasable coupling between the first toy building element 2 and the second toy building element 2 is achieved.
[0056] In the preferred and non-limiting examples described and illustrated herein, the engagement element 10 is defined by a rounded end protrusion.
[0057] Each pair of toy building elements 2 coupled in this way can be easily separated by applying a certain pulling force, which causes the flaps 11 to slide axially in the opposite direction to the coupling direction, i.e., away from the corresponding seats 8. This causes them to bend inward again due to sliding on the inner wall of the opening 12 until the flaps 11 leave through the opening 12.
[0058] According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the winglets 11 are at equally spaced angles around their respective axes A.
[0059] Therefore, in the case where each coupling section 6 includes, for example, three blades 11 (not shown), these blades are arranged at 120° intervals around the corresponding axis A.
[0060] According to an important aspect of the invention, each radially flexible portion is configured to engage with one of the locking posts 14 of the engagement cavity 13 such that its radial bending is restricted by the locking post 14, thereby preventing the coupling portion 6 from disengaging from the receiving portion 7 of the coupling post 4 of the other toy building element 2.
[0061] More precisely, at least one wing 11 is configured to engage with the aforementioned locking post 14 of the engagement associated cavity 13.
[0062] In the example described, when the locking post 14 is inserted into the relevant cavity 13, the radial bending of the flap 11 toward the corresponding axis A is restricted, and in particular, prevented, by the presence of the locking post 14.
[0063] Therefore, once each locking post 14 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 13, the flap 11 cannot be radially deformed. In other words, the locking post 14 engaging the cavity 13 does not allow the flap 11 to bend radially, thus preventing one element 2 from being released from the other element 2 coupled with it. As a result, a stable and unreleasable coupling is established as long as the post 14 is not withdrawn from the cavity 13.
[0064] Appropriately, the cross-section of each locking pin 14 is slightly smaller than the cross-section of the cavity 13 so as to engage the cavity 13 with minimal gap. Thus, once the locking pin 14 has been inserted into the corresponding cavity 13, the corresponding flaps 11 defining the cavity will encounter an obstacle (locking pin 14) that prevents them from bending toward the relevant axis A.
[0065] Since each cavity 13 extends along the entire axial length of the corresponding coupling post 4, thereby defining an axial through-hole of the coupling post 4, which extends axially from the opening 12 to an axial opening opposite the opening 12 and is defined at least partially by the free end of the flap 11, when two or more toy building elements 2 are coupled to each other to establish a structure, the cavities 13 of each coupling post 4, which are coaxially coupled to each other, define a single through-hole of the structure coaxial with the axis A of these coupling posts 4.
[0066] According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the flaps 11 of each coupling post 4 are parallel to each other and parallel to the corresponding axis A. Therefore, each cavity 13 has a substantially constant cross-section at least at the associated coupling portion 6. In particular, according to the preferred and non-limiting example described herein, each cavity 13 has a substantially circular cross-section.
[0067] Conveniently, the aforementioned single through hole is configured to engage via a single locking pin 14.
[0068] The above structure is as follows Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown. Because the presence of the locking pin 14 inserted in the cavity 13 prevents the flap 11 from bending, the toy building element 2 will not be separated as long as the locking pin 14 is not pulled out of the cavity 13.
[0069] This method achieves a strong, durable, yet releasable coupling between the toy's building elements 2.
[0070] Preferably, once the toy building elements 2 are coupled to each other, locking posts 14 are inserted into each cavity 13 to provide a stable and secure coupling.
[0071] In an alternative embodiment not shown, only some cavities 13 of each toy building element 2 engage with locking posts 14.
[0072] according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the preferred embodiment shown, kit 1 also includes one or more toy locking elements 2a, each toy locking element 2a being releasably coupled to one or more toy building elements 2 and specifically carrying one or more locking posts 14 adapted to engage the corresponding cavity 13.
[0073] In detail, each toy locking element 2a is basically the same as the toy building element 2 of the type described above, except that it carries the locking post 14 instead of the coupling element 4.
[0074] More specifically, each toy locking element 2a includes a base 3, with a locking post 14 fixed to the bottom surface 5 of the base 3.
[0075] More specifically, the locking posts 14 extend integrally from the bottom surface 5 along the longitudinal axis B as a single seamless component.
[0076] More precisely, the locking pins 14 of each toy locking element 2a are arranged so that their respective axes B are parallel to each other.
[0077] In this configuration, the locking pins 14 have a length such that they engage with a predetermined number of cavities 13 of the toy building elements 2 that are coupled to each other.
[0078] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the preferred and non-limiting examples shown, the column is configured to engage the cavities 13 of two toy building elements 2 that are coupled to each other.
[0079] In practice, when two toy building elements 2 are coupled to each other according to the above pattern, the toy locking element 2a is coupled to the toy building element 2 in such a way that the associated locking post 14 coaxially engages the corresponding cavity 13.
[0080] In this way, multiple structural modules that can be combined with each other can be realized, each structural module being defined by a toy locking element 2a and a certain number of toy building elements 2 as a whole.
[0081] Figure 7 An alternative embodiment of kit 1 is shown, wherein different toy building elements 2 are coupled to each other via their respective coupling portions 6 and receiving portions 7 of other toy building elements, as described above.
[0082] Once coupling is achieved, the cavity 13 of the coaxial coupling pillars 4 defines a corresponding through hole that is coaxial with the axis A of the coupling pillar and extends over the entire length of the structure.
[0083] In this example, a single locking post 14 is also provided for each through hole defined by the engagement of cavities 13 that are coaxial with each other, the length of the locking post 14 being adapted to engage the through hole over the entire length of the structure.
[0084] However, according to this example, the locking posts 14 are independent of each other, i.e., not supported by any element (fixed to any element), such as Figure 5 and 6 The situation is shown below.
[0085] For example, the locking post 14 according to this embodiment can be formed from a wire element initially wound in a coil, and the wire element can be cut to a desired length corresponding to the axial length of the through hole to be engaged.
[0086] According to this construction, the structure can be easily disassembled at any point without sequentially disassembling the toy building elements 2. In fact, to disassemble the structure at any point, it is sufficient to remove the locking post 14 from the corresponding cavity 13 and separate the toy building elements 2 at the desired point on the structure.
[0087] refer to Figure 8 In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the toy building element is represented by the numeral 2'.
[0088] Since toy building element 2' is similar in structure and function to the toy building element 2 already described, only the distinguishing features related to toy building element 2 will be explained below, while keeping the same reference numerals for similar or corresponding parts as far as possible.
[0089] Specifically, the toy building element 2' differs from the toy building element 2 in that it includes one or more coupling posts 4 and one or more locking posts 14.
[0090] Specifically, for each toy building element 2', these locking posts 14 are arranged such that their respective axis B is parallel to the axis A of the coupling post 4 carried by the toy building element 2'.
[0091] According to the above description, in addition to one or more toy building elements 2, 2', kit 1 also includes multiple locking posts 14, whether by toy locking element 2a ( Figure 5 and 6 Is it supported (fixed to the toy locking element 2a) or not supported by it? Figure 7 The plurality of locking pins 14 are configured to be inserted into the corresponding cavities 13.
[0092] refer to Figures 9 to 11 According to another embodiment of the invention, the toy building element is represented by 2''.
[0093] Since toy building element 2'' is similar in structure and function to toy building element 2 already described, the distinguishing features relative to toy building element 2 will be explained below, while keeping the same reference numerals for similar or corresponding parts as far as possible.
[0094] In particular, the difference between toy building element 2'' and toy building element 2 is that the wing 11 is configured to bend radially outward by inserting such a locking post 14 into the relevant cavity 13 to engage the corresponding seat 8 via the relevant engagement element 10, and to releasably couple the coupling portion 6 carrying the wing 11 to the receiving portion 7 carrying the seat 8.
[0095] For this purpose, the wing 11 defines a narrow portion 15 of the associated cavity 13, the cross-section of which is smaller than the cross-section of the locking post 14, so that when the locking post 14 engages the narrow portion 15, it causes the wing 11 to bend outward radially.
[0096] More precisely, for each coupling post 4, the narrow portion 15 is defined by a segment of the coupling portion 6 having a truncated cone shape, i.e., having a variable cross-section along axis A.
[0097] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the wing 11 converges toward the corresponding axis A at least in its axial portion.
[0098] Conveniently, each narrow portion 15 is arranged at the free end of the relatively coupled portion 6, i.e., at the associated engaging element 10. Figure 9 and 10 ).
[0099] Thus, when the locking post 14 engages the narrow portion 15, it causes the flap 11 to bend outward. Figure 11 ).
[0100] Therefore, when the relevant toy building elements 2 are coupled to each other (the relevant coupling part 6 of one engages the corresponding receiving part 7 of the other), this outward bending of the wing 11 results in the interlocking of the engaging element 10 with the corresponding seat 8.
[0101] This method achieves a strong, durable, yet releasable coupling between the toy's building elements 2.
[0102] The advantages achieved by the present invention become apparent from the examination of the features of the toy building elements 2, 2', 2'' implemented according to the present invention and the features of the kit 1 implemented therethereby.
[0103] In particular, due to the presence of cavities 13 (each cavity is configured to engage with locking pins 14) and due to the unique construction of the winglets 11 (each winglet is configured to engage with locking pins 14 inserted into the relevant cavity 13), a strong and durable yet releasable coupling can be established between the toy building elements 2, 2' constituting kit 1.
[0104] Therefore, a certain degree of structural robustness is ensured without depriving users of the possibility of easy disassembly.
[0105] Obviously, the toy building elements 2, 2', 2'' described and shown herein, and therefore kit 1, can be modified and altered without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.
[0106] In particular, the locking post 14 may not be part of the kit 1 according to the invention. In this case, any post element that fits the object and is not part of the kit 1 may be used to insert into each cavity 13.
[0107] In addition, each coupling post 4 may include a radially flexible portion and a non-flexible portion defining the blade 11.
Claims
1. A toy building element (2, 2', 2'') for modular building games; The toy building element (2, 2', 2'') includes one or more hollow coupling posts (4) for releasably coupling the toy building element (2, 2', 2'') to another toy building element (2, 2', 2''); Each coupling post (4) extends along its respective longitudinal axis (A) and defines a cavity (13) therein, the cavity (13) being configured to removably receive a locking post (14) adapted to lock the toy building element (2, 2', 2'') to another toy building element (2, 2', 2'') coupled thereto; Each coupling post (4) includes a coupling portion (6) and a radially non-deformable receiving portion (7) for receiving the coupling portion (6) of the coupling post (4) of another toy building element (2, 2', 2''). The coupling portion (6) includes at least a radially flexible portion for receiving the coupling post (4) of another toy building element (2, 2', 2'') for engaging / disengaging. in, The coupling portion (6) of the coupling post (4) of one toy building element (2, 2', 2'') is configured to engage the receiving portion (7) of the coupling post (4) of another toy building element (2, 2', 2''), without engaging with the radially flexible portion of the coupling portion (6) of the coupling post (4) of the other toy building element (2, 2', 2''), such that the radially flexible portion of the coupling portion (6) of the coupling post (4) of the one toy building element (2, 2', 2'') remains radially deformable. This allows the coupling portion (6) of one toy building element (2, 2', 2'') to disengage from the receiving portion (7) of the other toy building element (2, 2', 2''); the radially flexible portion is configured to engage with one of the locking posts (14) that engage the cavity (13), such that its radial bending is restricted by the locking post (14), thereby preventing the coupling portion (6) from disengaging from the receiving portion (7) of the coupling post (4) of the other toy building element (2, 2', 2'').
2. The toy building element according to claim 1, wherein, Each cavity (13) has a widened portion disposed at the associated receiving portion (7) and defines at least one seat (8) adapted to accommodate at least a portion of the radially flexible portion.
3. The toy building element according to claim 2, wherein, The radially flexible portion includes at least one axial flap (11) shaped to at least define a portion of the associated cavity (13) and adapted to be radially bent to engage / disengage a corresponding seat (8) of a receiving portion (7) of a coupling post (4) of another toy building element (2, 2', 2''), and the axial flap (11) is configured to engage with a locking post (14) of the associated cavity (13).
4. The toy building element according to claim 3, wherein, The radially flexible portion includes at least two opposing flaps (11) arranged on opposite sides of the opposing cavity (13) and adapted to engage the corresponding seat (8) of the receiving portion (7) of the coupling post (4) of another toy building element (2, 2', 2'').
5. The toy building element (2') according to any one of the preceding claims includes one or more coupling posts (4) and one or more locking posts (14).
6. The toy building element according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a plurality of said coupling posts (4), said coupling posts (4) being fixed at their receiving portions (7) to the base (3) of said toy building element (2, 2', 2'') and arranged such that their respective longitudinal axes (A) are parallel to each other.
7. The toy building element (2'') according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The flap (11) is configured to bend radially outward by inserting one of the locking pins (14) into the associated cavity (13) to engage the seat (8) and to releasably couple the coupling portion (6) carrying the flap (11) to the receiving portion (7) carrying the seat (8).
8. The toy building element (2'') according to claim 6, wherein, The wing (11) defines a narrow portion (15) of the cavity (13), the cross-section of which is smaller than the cross-section of the locking post (14), such that when the locking post (14) engages the narrow portion (15), it causes the wing (11) to bend outward radially.
9. A toy building kit (1) comprising a plurality of toy building elements (2, 2', 2'') as claimed in claim 1, and one or two of the following: - One or more toy locking elements (2a), each toy locking element (2a) being releasably coupled to one or more of the toy building elements (2) and specifically carrying one or more of the locking posts (14); - One or more of the locking pins (14) are configured to be inserted into the corresponding cavity (13).