Wall block for attaching building blocks to a wall and plug-in system

Abstract

Wall block for fastening modular plug-in building blocks with - a base with a surface having at least two holes and an edge surrounding the surface and - a top section with a groove, wherein the groove is suitable to accommodate the circumferential edge of the base, wherein the top section has a periodic connection matrix on a side facing away from the base for plugging in building blocks.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a wall block for attaching plug-in building blocks to a wall. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug-in system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modular building blocks, such as Duplo and Lego, are indispensable in today's children's rooms. However, after assembling a playset, it's often difficult to store the toys in a way that avoids tripping over them, breaking the connections between the blocks, or damaging the toys themselves. Storage space on shelves and display cabinets is often limited, especially in children's rooms.

[0003] These problems highlight the need for further solutions that allow toys assembled from plug-in bricks to be stored in a space-saving manner and protected from damage.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a wall block and a plug-in system with which the toys consisting of plug-in building blocks can be detachably connected to a wall.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a wall block having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the wall block emerge from dependent claims 2 to 6. Furthermore, this object is achieved according to the invention by a plug-in system according to claim 7.

[0006] The wall block according to the invention consists of a base and an attachment that can be pushed onto the base. The base has a base surface with at least two holes through which screws can be screwed, for example, into dowels in a wall. The base surface has a circumferential edge, whereby when the base rests on a wall, there is a gap of a few mm to cm between the edge and the wall. This can be achieved either by a special shape of the base, for example by having a protruding collar surrounding the base surface, or by attaching spacers or clamping discs between the base surface and the wall. The attachment has a groove that matches the edge. The groove is on the back of the attachment and is preferably arranged such that the attachment can be pushed onto the edge of the base in exactly one direction up to a stop point.This can be achieved, for example, by a groove running around three sides of a rectangular attachment. On the side facing away from the wall, the attachment features a periodic connection matrix for attaching plug-in modules.

[0007] Modular plug-in building blocks, such as those in the series mentioned above, are based on a modular design principle that enables repeatable, stable, yet detachable connections. This principle is realized by a periodically arranged connection matrix on the surfaces of the building blocks, which forms the geometric basis for the interlocking of the building blocks. The connection matrix usually consists of a multitude of raised and recessed structural elements arranged in a regular grid. A typical example is an arrangement of cylindrical studs on the top side of one building block that interact with corresponding recessed receiving elements on the bottom side of another building block. This periodic arrangement provides precise positioning options along defined axes (x and y directions), ensuring exact alignment of the building blocks.The mechanical connection is achieved through a combination of positive and non-positive coupling of the connecting elements. When the building blocks are stacked, the studs slide into the corresponding recesses. Flexible materials or slight elastic deformation of the building blocks support the creation of a strong, yet detachable connection. The precision of the connection matrix ensures that the building blocks can be connected together stably and repeatably without additional fastening effort. Different manufacturers use specific dimensions and spacing for the studs and recesses to ensure the compatibility of their building blocks within their own system. These proprietary geometries define the specific periodicity and dimension of the connection matrix and ensure that a manufacturer's building blocks can be assembled consistently.The modular and periodic structure allows the blocks to be connected in virtually unlimited combinations. This not only enables creative construction but also allows for easy disassembly and reuse. The precise alignment and stability of the connections make the blocks a universally applicable construction tool for a variety of applications, from toys to technical models.

[0008] By using the periodic connection matrix that matches the respective system, a seamless integration of the wall block attachments into the respective system is ensured. On the one hand, this makes it possible to build the attachment directly into a model consisting of interlocking bricks and thus slide the assembled model directly onto the base on the wall. Alternatively, it is just as possible to leave the attachment pushed onto the base and connect assembled models to the attachment using the periodic connection matrix and display them on the wall. This allows for easy redecoration of the rooms and offers a great deal of variety. It is also possible to continue building directly on the wall using the interlocking bricks. This promotes creativity and spatial awareness and is therefore particularly valuable from an educational perspective.

[0009] In all these applications, the advantage of the wall block according to the invention is immediately apparent: the base with its unsightly screws is invisible, and the finished models, toys, and / or figures appear to hang in mid-air. Thanks to the invisible screws, the wall blocks make a great impression on the viewer, even when unbuilt.

[0010] In an advantageous development of the invention, the top of the wall block has the periodic connection matrix along at least one edge, in particular along the top side. This makes it possible, for example, to build in a further spatial direction along the wall.

[0011] In a further advantageous development of the invention, the wall block attachment has the periodic connection matrix along two sides in addition to the side facing away from the wall. Generally, it is also possible to arrange the periodic connection matrix along three or more sides.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the periodic connection matrix is ​​formed by studs arranged in a grid. Further preferably, the wall blocks are 31.8 mm x 31.8 mm x 12.6 mm in size and have four equidistantly distributed studs over a length of 31.8 mm. Thus, 16 studs can be accommodated on the side facing away from the wall on a wall block attachment. Alternatively, the wall block can be 63.6 mm x 31.8 mm x 12.6 mm in size with the same density of four studs per 31.8 mm. This enables easy integration with known modular plug-in modules.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention, a plug-in system consisting of a plurality of wall blocks, a wall and plug-in building blocks is also provided, wherein the wall blocks are each connected to the wall via at least two screws and the plug-in building blocks can be plugged onto the wall blocks.

[0014] Further advantages, special features and expedient developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following representation of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0015] From the illustrations shows: Fig. 1 a front view of a first embodiment of the wall block according to the invention; Fig. 2 a rear view of the first embodiment of the wall block according to the invention; Fig. 3 a side view of an attachment of a second embodiment of the wall block according to the invention; Fig. 4 an isometric view of a third embodiment of the wall block according to the invention; Fig. 5 a front view of a plug-in system according to the invention; and Fig. 6 a side view of a plug-in system according to the invention.

[0016] All wall blocks 1, 1', 1" shown below are 31.8 mm x 31.8 mm x 12.6 mm in size, with preferably exactly four studs 7 arranged over a length of 31.8 mm. This should not be interpreted as restrictive, without prejudice to alternative periodic connection matrices 6 and sizes for the wall blocks 1, 1', 1".

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a wall block 1 for attaching modular plug-in building blocks 8. The front of the base 2 and the attachment 4 is shown in a disassembled view. The base 2 has two holes 2L in a base area 2G through which screws 9 can be screwed into a wall 11 located behind the base 2. The holes 2L are preferably shaped such that a screw head is received in them with a form-fitting fit and does not protrude beyond the base area 2G when the base 2 is attached to the wall 11. The base 2 and the attachment 4 can be made, for example, from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate) and / or POM (polyoxymethylene), but other materials familiar to those skilled in the art are also suitable. On the side facing away from the wall 11, the attachment has 16 studs 7 arranged in a grid-like manner, which represent a periodic connection matrix 6.

[0018] As shown in the rear view in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the attachment 4 has a groove 5 on the side facing the wall 11, into which the edge 3 of the base surface 2G of the base 2 can be inserted. In this embodiment, the groove 5 encloses the edge 3 in the inserted state along three sides in a form-fitting manner.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an attachment 4 of a wall block 1' according to the invention. The attachment 4 is distinguished from the Fig. 1 and Fig. The attachment 4 shown in Figure 2 is distinguished by the fact that, in addition to the periodic connection matrix 6 on the front side, it also has the periodic connection matrix 6 on the top side. Here, too, it is formed by equidistantly distributed studs 7.

[0020] The Fig. The embodiment of the wall block 1" shown in Fig. 4, however, is characterized by the fact that its attachment 4, in addition to the side facing away from the wall 11, has the periodic connection matrix 6 formed by studs 7 along two sides (top and left). This allows the plug-in modules 8 to be plugged in from above and from the side of the attachment 4. Fig. The wall block 1" shown in Figure 4 is also being assembled in a straight line, i.e., the base 2 is already screwed to the wall 11 (not shown separately here) and the attachment 4 is pushed laterally onto the edge 3 of the base area 2G. It is of course possible to rotate the attachment 4 and, for example, push it onto the base 2 from above.

[0021] In Fig. 5 shows a plug-in system 10 consisting of a plurality of wall blocks 1, 1', 1". In this case, both wall blocks 1" with two additional sides equipped with the periodic connection matrix ( Fig. 4) as well as a wall block 1' with only one side additionally equipped with the periodic connection matrix 6 ( Fig. 3). For example, several wall blocks 1, 1', 1" can be attached to a wall 11 next to one another in such a way that they form a closed collar on which the plug-in building blocks 8 can be built.

[0022] The one in Fig. The cross-section shown in Figure 6 shows how the wall block 1 can be connected to the wall. In the exemplary wall block 1 shown here, spacer rings 9A are arranged behind the base surface 2G so that the groove 5 of the attachment 4 can engage positively in the gap between the edge 3 of the base surface 2G and the wall 11. The screws 9 are screwed, for example, into dowels embedded in the wall 11.

[0023] To install the Fig.To facilitate the assembly of the plug-in system 10 shown in Figure 5 with multiple wall bricks, it is proposed to use a drilling template for precisely drilling holes. Preferably, the bases are arranged relative to one another using the drilling template so that plugging on the attachments results in a seamless sequence of the attachments. The required holes for different sizes and arrangements of two bricks each (height and width / "on top of each other and next to each other") can be marked on such a template, for example, by different colors (outlines and hole borders). If more bricks are connected to form a surface, one template can be repositioned each time, i.e. each wall brick is preferably arranged in relation to a neighboring wall brick.

[0024] The embodiments shown here are merely examples of the present invention and should therefore not be considered limiting. Alternative embodiments contemplated by those skilled in the art are equally encompassed within the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols: 1, 1', 1" wall stone 2 Base 2G floor space 2L holes 3 edge 4 Essay 5 grooves 6 Periodic connection matrix 7 studs 8 plug-in modules 9 Screw 9A spacer ring 10 plug-in system 11 Wall

Claims

[1] Wall block for fixing modular plug-in blocks with - a base with a base surface with at least two holes and an edge surrounding the base surface and - an attachment with a groove, the groove being suitable for receiving the peripheral edge of the base, the attachment having a periodic connection matrix for plugging in plug-in modules on a side facing away from the base. [2] Wall block according to claim 1, characterized by that the attachment additionally has the periodic connection matrix along at least one edge, in particular along the upper side. [3] Wall block according to claim 1, characterized by that the essay additionally has the periodic connection matrix along two sides. [4] Wall stone according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the periodic connection matrix is ​​formed by knobs arranged in a grid. [5] Wall stone according to the previous claim, characterized by that the wall stone is 31.8 mm x 31.8 mm x 12.6 mm in size, with preferably exactly four studs arranged over a length of 31.8 mm. [6] Wall block according to claim 4, characterized by that the wall stone is 63.6 mm x 31.8 mm x 12.6 mm in size, with preferably exactly four studs arranged over a length of 31.8 mm. [7] Plug-in system consisting of a plurality of wall blocks, a wall and plug-in building blocks, wherein the wall blocks are each connected to the wall by at least two screws and the plug-in building blocks can be plugged onto the wall blocks.

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