Block toy

Abstract

To provide a block toy using a flexible bag body that is easily connectable to another block toy unit while being resistant to external forces.SOLUTION: A block toy 10 comprises a flexible bag body 12 constructed from a flexible sheet material, and a plurality of filling bodies 16 having shape-retaining properties, which are arranged in an internal space 14 of the bag body 12. The bag body 12 has a protrusion 18 on its outer shape that allows connection with a recessed portion of another block toy unit via fitting engagement. The filling bodies 16 include filling bodies arranged in the protrusion 18. The filling bodies 16 arranged in the protrusion 18 support external forces applied to the bag body 12 at the protrusion 18 via the sheet material constituting the bag body 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a block play equipment using a flexible bag body. [Background technology]

[0002] Block play equipment is made up of larger blocks than handheld toys, and multiple blocks are connected to form a large structure (play equipment) that allows children to experience play by climbing on or entering the structure. Conventional block play equipment that uses a flexible bag is described in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2. The block play equipment described in these documents has a bag made of a flexible sheet material such as PVC film, and is used by inflating the bag by injecting air into the internal space of the bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 109346 / Showa 47 (Unexamined Utility Model Application No. 65388 / Showa 49) [Patent Document 2] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 5-61319 (Utility Model Application No. 7-24400) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In play blocks using flexible bags, when connecting the blocks by fitting their convex and concave portions (notches, through holes, depressions, etc.), the force of pushing the convex portion into the concave portion causes the convex portion to be crushed due to its flexibility, making it difficult to connect them. Also, in play blocks using flexible bags, there is a risk that the bag may break if a large external force is applied, such as when a child stands on it.

[0005] This invention focuses on these problems and provides a block toy that uses a flexible bag body, making it easy to connect to other block toy pieces and less likely to break when subjected to external forces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The block play equipment of this invention comprises a flexible bag body made of a flexible sheet material and a plurality of shape-retaining fillers disposed within the interior space of the bag body, the bag body having protrusions on its exterior that allow it to be connected by fitting with recesses (notches, through-holes, depressions, etc.) of other block play equipment pieces, the plurality of fillers including fillers disposed in the protrusions, the fillers disposed in the protrusions being disposed so as to support, via the sheet material constituting the bag body, external forces that the bag body receives at the protrusions. This makes it easier to connect the block play equipment pieces together because, when the protrusions and recesses are fitted together, the protrusions are supported by the fillers disposed in the interior space and are less likely to be crushed, making it easier to connect the block play equipment pieces together. Furthermore, when the bag body receives an external force at the protrusions, the fillers disposed in the protrusions support the external force, making the bag less likely to break.

[0007] In the block play equipment of this invention, the bag may further have recesses (notches, through holes, depressions, etc.) on its outer surface that enable connection by fitting with protrusions of other block play equipment, and the plurality of fillers may include fillers arranged around the recesses, and the fillers arranged around the recesses may be arranged to support, via the sheet material that constitutes the bag, an external force that the bag receives around the recesses. In this way, when the bag receives an external force around the recesses, the fillers arranged around the recesses support the external force, making the bag less likely to break.

[0008] In the block play equipment of the present invention, the plurality of fillers may be arranged to fill the internal space of the bag body, so that when the bag body is subjected to an external force, the fillers arranged to fill the internal space of the bag body will support the external force, making the bag body less likely to break.

[0009] In the block play equipment of the present invention, the plurality of infills may include infills that elastically deform when subjected to the external force, thereby cushioning impacts and allowing children to play safely.

[0010] In the block play equipment of this invention, the elastically deformable filling body includes a hollow body (e.g., hollow rubber body) that expands when filled with a fluid or fluid material (gas such as air, liquid such as water, or an aggregate of unsolidified powder or granules), and the bag has an opening that connects the internal space to the external space of the bag, and the opening can be large enough to accommodate the hollow filling body in a deflated state from the external space through the opening into the internal space. For example, with the filling body in a deflated state, the nozzle at the end of the hose of an air pump can be inserted into the valve of the filling body to connect the filling body to the hose, and the filling body can be inserted into the internal space of the bag through the opening and moved to a predetermined position. Once the filling body reaches the predetermined position, air can be injected into the filling body from the air pump to inflate it to a predetermined size, thereby placing the filling body in the predetermined position. By performing this operation sequentially for each filling body, multiple filling bodies can be sequentially placed in the internal space of the bag. The opening can be closed with a plug as needed.

[0011] In the block play equipment of this invention, the elastically deformable filling body may include a hollow filling body that expands when a fluid is injected, the hollow filling body and the bag body have a joint area where they are joined together, and a valve that allows the fluid to be injected from the external space of the bag body into the hollow filling body is disposed in the joint area. In this way, the filling body can be expanded by injecting fluid from the external space into the filling body through the valve disposed in the joint area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a block play equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the block play equipment of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is a view taken along the arrow B in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] 2 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the opening of the bag body of the block play equipment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 3B, showing a state in which the plug is open. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bag, showing a procedure for placing balls constituting a filler in the internal space of the bag in the block play equipment of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bag, showing another procedure for placing balls constituting a filler in the internal space of the bag in the block play equipment of FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a plan view showing a combined block play equipment structure formed by connecting a plurality of the block play equipment pieces shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a block play equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a combined block play equipment structure formed by connecting a plurality of the block play equipment pieces shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. [Figure 9A] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a block play equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a view taken along arrow E in FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9B is a view taken along the arrow F in FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a part of a block play equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows GG in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] FIG. 10C is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken at the same position as in FIG. 10B, showing an example of the configuration of a valve in the block play equipment of FIGS. 10A and 10B. [Figure 12] FIG. 10C is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken at the same position as in FIG. 10B, showing another example of the configuration of the valve in the block play equipment of FIGS. 10A and 10B. [Figure 13] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as in FIG. 10B, showing a modified example of the block play equipment according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a block play equipment according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, which has a structure for preventing the connected block play equipment from slipping out, and shows the steps for connecting two pieces of block play equipment and then providing the structure to prevent them from slipping out. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a block play equipment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a block play equipment 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the block play equipment 10, and FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along arrows A, B, and CC, respectively, of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 1, the block play equipment 10 includes a bag 12 and a plurality of fillers 16 housed within the interior space 14 of the bag 12 to fill the interior space 14. The fillers 16 are shape-retaining. That is, the fillers 16 are non-fluid, meaning they can maintain a certain shape without the application of external force. Therefore, a material that does not retain its shape by itself, such as a fluid or an aggregate of unsolidified powder or granular material (a fluid substance itself), does not qualify as a filler 16. On the other hand, a fluid substance placed in a bag or other container, or impregnated into a non-fluid object, would qualify as a filler 16. In this example, the plurality of fillers 16 are composed of 14 balls. The space outside the ball 16 in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 is filled with an appropriate amount of air (neither too little nor too much) to allow the bag 12 to maintain its predetermined shape and not burst even if a child stands on it. The block play equipment 10 is large, for example, with overall dimensions of approximately 50 cm in length and width and approximately 7 cm in thickness. The bag 12 is made of a flexible sheet material such as PVC film and is bag-shaped. The bag 12 can be colorless and transparent, colored and transparent, or colored and opaque. It can also be decorated with a pattern. The exterior of the bag 12 is formed with protrusions 18 and recesses 20 (20A, 20B) that enable it to be connected to other block play equipment by fitting them together. Here, the recess 20A is a notch, and the recess 20B is a through-hole that penetrates the block play equipment 10 in the thickness direction. The recess 20 can also be formed as a depression (a hole that does not penetrate through). Ball 16 is a flexible ball with a diameter of approximately 10 cm, and is made of a lightweight hollow rubber ball (a rubber ball made from natural or synthetic rubber), a hollow resin ball, a solid (non-hollow) foam resin ball, or the like. Here, ball 16 is made of a hollow rubber ball. Internal space 14 of bag 12, including protrusion 18, forms a communicating passage with a cross section (see FIG. 2D) large enough to fit just one ball 16 (approximately the same size as the diameter of ball 16).The multiple balls 16 contained in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 are arranged in a line along the communication path of the internal space 14 (see Figure 1, etc.). One ball 16 is also contained in the internal space 14 at each of the protrusions 18. A valve 23 for injecting air into the internal space 14 of the bag 12 is provided at an appropriate location in the bag 12. For example, a typical air plug with a check valve, such as those found on swim rings, beach balls, etc., can be used as the valve 23. An opening 24 is formed at an appropriate location in the bag 12, connecting the internal space 14 of the bag 12 to the external space 22 of the bag 12. The opening 24 is provided so that a deflated ball 16 can be placed from the external space 22 through the opening 24 into the internal space 14. The opening 24 is openably and closably closed by a plug 26.

[0014] The configuration around the opening 24 is shown enlarged in Figures 3A to 3C. Figure 3A is a plan view with the plug 26 closed, and Figures 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views taken along the arrow DD in Figure 3A, with Figure 3B showing the plug 26 in an open state and Figure 3C showing the plug 26 in an open state. A circular opening 24 is formed in the top surface (thickness direction surface, see Figure 1) of the bag body 12. The opening 24 is sized so that the ball 16, when deflated, can be accommodated in the internal space 14 through the opening 24 from the external space 22. An openable plug 26 is joined to the top surface of the bag body 12 by adhesive, welding, or the like, surrounding the opening 24. When the plug 26 is closed, the internal space 14 is sealed from the external space 22, and when the plug 26 is opened, the internal space 14 is connected to the external space 22. For example, the plug 26 may be a plug with an opening of approximately 2 cm to 3 cm in diameter, which is used as a drain plug for large vinyl swimming pools.

[0015] The structure of stopper 26 shown in Figures 3A to 3C will be described. Stopper 26 is constructed entirely as a single-piece molded product made of soft resin. Stopper 26 has a structure in which base portion 26a and lid portion 26b are connected by hinge portion 26c. Lid portion 26b is provided with tab 26d for manual opening and closing. An opening 26e is formed in the center of base portion 26a. Opening 26e has approximately the same diameter as opening 24 of bag body 12 and communicates with opening 24. A ring-shaped protrusion 26f is formed on the upper surface of base portion 26a and protrudes upward, surrounding opening 26e. A ring-shaped groove 26g is formed on the lower surface of lid portion 26b, into which ring-shaped protrusion 26f is detachably fitted. When lid portion 26b is pushed toward base portion 26a, ring-shaped protrusion 26f fits into ring-shaped groove 26g, closing opening 26e and sealing internal space 14 from external space 22 (state in FIG. 3B). When tab 26d is pinched with fingers and pulled up from this state, ring-shaped protrusion 26f is pulled out of ring-shaped groove 26g, opening opening 26e and connecting internal space 14 to external space 22 (state in FIG. 3C).

[0016] The procedure for manufacturing the block play equipment 10 shown in Fig. 1 will now be described. Fig. 4 shows the procedure for inserting the ball 16 into the internal space 14 of the bag 12 through the plug 26 after the bag 12 has been manufactured. Each step will now be described. ●Process (i) With the ball 16 in a deflated state, the nozzle 28 (air needle) at the tip of the hose 27 of the air pump is inserted into the air injection valve 16a (navel of the ball) of the ball 16, and the ball 16 is inserted and stored in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 through the opening 26e of the stopper 26 and the opening 24 of the bag 12. ●Process (ii) The air pump is driven to inject air into the ball 16, and the ball 16 is inflated to a predetermined size (for example, a diameter of 10 cm). ●Process (iii) Once the ball 16 has inflated to a predetermined size, the nozzle 28 of the air pump is pulled out from the ball 16. The ball 16 is moved to a predetermined position in the internal space 14 by tilting and rolling the bag 12 or by manually pushing the ball 16 from outside the bag 12. Step (iv) (not shown) The above steps (i) to (iii) are repeated in order for each ball 16 to be accommodated in the bag body 12, thereby filling the internal space 14 with the balls 16. When the internal space 14 is filled with 14 balls 16, the internal space 14 is filled to the brim with the balls 16. When the internal space 14 is filled to the brim with the balls 16, the plug 26 is closed. Step (v) (not shown) An appropriate amount of air (not too little, not too much) is injected into the internal space 14 through the valve 23 (see FIG. 1, etc.) of the bag body to inflate the bag body 12 (creating a positive pressure in the internal space 14) so that the bag body 12 maintains its predetermined shape and will not burst when a child stands on it. After the injection, the valve 23 is closed. This completes the block play equipment 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] Another procedure for manufacturing the block play equipment 10 of Figure 1 will be described with reference to Figure 5. In this procedure, the ball 16 is moved in a deflated state to a predetermined position in the internal space 14, and then inflated after being moved. With the method of Figure 4, if the ball 16 is inflated too much, it presses against the inner surface of the bag 12, making it difficult to move, and therefore the ball 16 cannot be inflated too much. However, with the method of Figure 5, the ball 16 is inflated after being moved, so the ball 16 can be inflated to a large size. Each step of Figure 5 will be described. ●Process (i) With the ball 16 in a deflated state, the nozzle 28 at the tip of the hose 27 of the air pump is inserted into the air injection valve 16a of the ball 16, and the ball 16 is inserted and housed in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 through the opening 26e of the plug 26 and the opening 24 of the bag 12. ●Process (ii) The hose 27 is fed into the internal space 14 from the opening 24 to move the ball body 16 to a predetermined position in the internal space 14. ●Process (iii) Once the ball 16 has been moved to a predetermined position, the air pump is driven to inject air into the ball 16, thereby inflating the ball 16. ●Process (iv) When the ball 16 is inflated to a predetermined size, the hose 27 is pulled from the external space 22 and the nozzle 28 of the air pump is pulled out from the ball 16. Step (v) (not shown) The above steps (i) to (iv) are repeated for each ball 16 to be accommodated in the bag 12, thereby filling the internal space 14 with the balls 16. After filling the internal space 14 with all 14 balls 16, the steps are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0018] Figure 6 shows an example of how the block play equipment 10 is used. This figure shows a block play equipment combination structure 32 made up of four identically shaped block play equipment 10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4). The block play equipment 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 are connected together in a flat manner by fitting their convex portions 18 into concave portions 20A (cutouts). The block play equipment 10-3 and 10-4 are connected together at right angles by inserting and fitting the convex portion 18 of the block play equipment 10-4 into the concave portion 20B (through-hole) of the block play equipment 10-3, and fitting another convex portion 18 of the block play equipment 10-4 into the concave portion 20A (cutout) of the block play equipment 10-3. Because the balls 16 are accommodated in the internal spaces 14 at the protrusions 18, when the protrusions 18 are pushed into the recesses 20A, 20B to fit together, the external force that the protrusions 18 receive from the recesses 20A, 20B can be supported by the balls 16 inside the protrusions 18 via the sheet material of the bags 12 that make up the protrusions 18. This makes the protrusions 18 less likely to be crushed, and the protrusions 18 can be easily pushed into the recesses 20A, 20B to fit together. Even if the block play equipment combination 32 is placed on the floor and a child stands on it, the balls 16 support the child's weight, preventing the bag 12 from bursting. Even if a child falls on the block play equipment combination 32, the balls 16 elastically deform to cushion the impact, ensuring safety.

[0019] Second Embodiment Figure 7 shows a plan view of the appearance of a block play equipment 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This block play equipment 30 has a planar shape configured in a grid pattern, but is otherwise configured identically to the block play equipment 10 according to the first embodiment. In the block play equipment 30, parts corresponding to those in the block play equipment 10 are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in the block play equipment 10, and their explanation will be omitted. Sixteen balls 16 are stored in the internal space 14 of the block play equipment 30.

[0020] Figure 8 shows an example of a mixed use of the block play equipment 10 of embodiment 1 and the block play equipment 30 of embodiment 2. Here, a block play equipment combination structure 34 is shown, which combines two block play equipment 30 and one block play equipment 10. The three block play equipment 10, 30, 30 are interconnected by detachably fitting together the convex portions 18 and concave portions 20.

[0021] Third Embodiment Although the block play equipment 10 and 30 of the first and second embodiments are configured such that air is injected into the bag 12 to inflate it to a certain extent (creating a positive pressure in the internal space 14), they can also be configured such that air is sucked out of the bag 12 (creating a negative pressure in the internal space 14). A block play equipment 10' according to a third embodiment, which is similar to the block play equipment 10 of the first embodiment, is shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the block play equipment 10', and FIGS. 9B and 9C are views as viewed from the arrows E and F in FIG. 9A, respectively. In the block play equipment 10', parts corresponding to those of the block play equipment 10 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in the block play equipment 10, and their description will be omitted. The block play equipment 10' is configured such that air is sucked out of the internal space 14 through the valve 23 of the bag 12 of the block play equipment 10 of the first embodiment, creating a negative pressure in the internal space 14, thereby deflating the bag 12 and making it adhere tightly to the surface of the ball 16. The block play equipment 10' maintains its predetermined shape by the negative pressure in the internal space 14 causing the bag 12 to adhere tightly to the surface of the ball 16. The block play equipment 30 of the second embodiment can also be configured in a similar manner (referred to as block play equipment 30') by deflating the bag 12 and adhering it tightly to the surface of the ball 16. As with the block play equipment 10 and 30 of the first and second embodiments, the block play equipment 10' and 30' can be used by connecting multiple units together by detachably fitting the convex portions 18 and concave portions 20 together.

[0022] Fourth Embodiment In the block play equipment 10, 30, and 10' of Embodiments 1 to 3, an opening 24 is provided in the bag 12, and the deflated ball 16 is inserted through the opening 24 into the interior space 14 of the bag 12, and air is injected into the ball 16 through the opening 24. Alternatively, the block play equipment can be constructed by first joining the ball 16 to a sheet material constituting the bag 12 in a certain region (the joining region), assembling the bag 12 so that the ball 16 joined to the sheet material is taken into the interior space 14 of the bag 12, and then injecting air into the ball 16 from the exterior space 22 through the joining region after assembly. With this configuration, even if the air in the ball 16 deflates over many years of use, it is possible to re-inflate the ball 16 while it is still contained in the bag 12. FIG. 10A is a plan view of a portion of a block play equipment 36 constructed in this manner, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 10A. The overall shape of the block play equipment 36 can be similar to that of the block play equipment 10, 30, and 10' of the first to third embodiments. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the ball 16 on the left side is shown before or during inflation, while the ball 16 on the right side is shown fully inflated. In the fourth embodiment, parts corresponding to those in the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in the first to third embodiments, and their description will be omitted. Each ball 16 is housed in the internal space 14 of the bag 12. The outer circumferential surface (surface) of each ball 16 and the inner circumferential surface of the bag 12 are airtightly joined together in a partial area by gluing, welding, or the like, thereby forming a circular joint area 38. A valve 40 is located in the center of the joint area 38, allowing air to be injected into the ball 16 from the external space 22 of the bag 12. When injecting air into the balls 16, the openings 24 (Fig. 1) are left open so that the air in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 can be released into the external space 22 as the balls 16 inflate. Once air has been injected into each ball 16, the openings 24 are closed and air is injected into the internal space 14 of the bag 12 through the valves 23 (Fig. 1) of the bag 12 to inflate the bag 12 (creating a positive pressure in the internal space 14). After injection, the valves 23 are closed. This completes the block play equipment 36.

[0023] An example configuration of the valve 40 in the block play equipment 36 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is shown in FIG. 11. This valve 40A is composed of an air plug with a check valve. The bag 12 and the ball 16 are airtightly joined at a circular joining area 38 by gluing, welding, or the like. A circular hole 42 is formed in the center of the joining area 38, penetrating the joining area 38. A base 40Aa of the valve 40A is airtightly joined to the top surface of the bag 12 by gluing, welding, or the like, surrounding the hole 42. With the valve 40A configured as described above, air can be injected into the ball 16 through the hole 42 by inserting the nozzle of an air pump into the air inlet 40Ab of the valve 40A from the exterior space 22 and inflating the ball 16. Once the ball 16 has inflated to a predetermined size, the nozzle of the air pump is pulled out of the air inlet 40Ab, the air inlet 40Ab is closed with the plug 40Ac, and the plug 40Ac is then pressed down with a finger from above to push the body 40Ad into the ball 16 through the hole 42. This makes the top surface of the bag 12 flat.

[0024] Another example of the valve 40 used in the block play equipment 36 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is shown in FIG. 12. This valve 40B utilizes the valve 16a (the navel of the ball) of the ball 16. A circular hole 12a is formed in the bag 12. The ball 16 is airtightly bonded to the inner surface of the bag 12 by gluing, welding, or the like, with the valve 16a facing the hole 12a of the bag 12. This forms a circular bonded area 38 centered on the hole 12a. With the valve 40B configured as described above, the ball 16 can be inflated by inserting the nozzle (air needle) of an air pump from the exterior space 22 into the air injection hole 16b of the valve 16a and injecting air into the ball 16. Once the ball 16 has inflated to a predetermined size, the inflated state can be maintained by withdrawing the nozzle of the air pump from the air injection hole 16b.

[0025] 10A and 10B, a valve 40 is provided for each ball 16, but it is also possible to provide one valve 40 for multiple balls 16. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIG. 13. Here, two balls 16, 16 are connected to interconnect the internal spaces of the balls 16, 16, and a circular joint area 38 is formed by airtightly joining the outer circumferential surface of one of the balls 16 and the inner circumferential surface of the bag body 12 in a partial area by adhesive bonding, welding, or the like. A valve 40 is located in the center of the joint area 38, allowing air to be injected into the balls 16 from the external space 22 of the bag body 12. By adopting such a configuration, the number of valves 40 can be reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation of inflating the balls 16.

[0026] Fifth Embodiment By adopting the air injection structure of the fourth embodiment, which allows air to be injected into the balls 16 from the external space 22 after the block play set 36 is assembled, it is possible to create a structure that prevents the connected block play set from slipping out. A block play set 44 configured in this manner is shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, parts corresponding to those of the first to fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as those used in the first to fourth embodiments, and their description will be omitted. The block play set 44 has the block play set having the external shape of FIG. 2A , but with the right-side protrusion 18 extended to form a protrusion 18', which houses two balls 16 (16-1, 16-2). The total of 15 balls 16 housed in the internal space 14 of the bag 12 are each airtightly joined to the bag 12 at the joining regions 38. A valve 40 is located in the center of each joining region 38, allowing air to be injected into the balls 16 from the external space 22 of the bag 12. It should be noted that the valve 23, opening 24, and stopper 26 (see FIG. 2A) of the bag are not shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 also shows a block play set 46 that is detachably connected to the block play set 44. The block play set 46 has a bag 12 with a recess 20B (through hole) formed in the center of its surface, and eight balls 16 are stored in the internal space 14 of the bag 12.

[0027] Each step of the procedure for connecting the block play equipment 44, 46 shown in FIG. 14 and preventing them from slipping off will be described. ●Process (i) The recessed portion 20B of the block play equipment 46 is made to face the tip of the protruding portion 18' of the block play equipment 44. ●Process (ii) While inserting the protrusion 18' into the recess 20B of the block play set 46, the block play set 46 is pushed down to the base of the protrusion 18'. At this time, the ball 16-1 near the tip of the protrusion 18' is positioned in a position protruding from the recess 20B. ●Process (iii) An air pump nozzle is inserted into the valve 40 of the ball 16-1 from the exterior space 22, and additional air is injected into the ball 16-1. This causes the ball 16-1 to inflate more than the other balls 16. As a result, the ball 16-1 functions as a retainer, preventing the block plaything 46 from slipping out of the protrusion 18'. Using this connecting structure with a retainer, various forms such as dolls, robots, animals, dinosaurs, monsters, and buildings can be assembled without the connecting structure coming off easily.

[0028] Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, spherical balls 16 are used as fillers, but the shape of the fillers is not limited to spheres. For example, the fillers can be formed into regular polyhedrons such as cubes, polyhedrons, cylindrical bodies such as cylinders and prisms, or other shapes. Block play equipment 48 in FIG. 15 is an example of a block play equipment having the external shape of FIG. 2A , in which a mixture of spherical balls 16 and approximately cylindrical bodies 50 are housed as fillers in internal space 14 of bag body 12.

[0029] Other Embodiments The block play equipment 10' of embodiment 3 (FIGS. 9A-9B) has a structure in which the internal space 14 of the bag body 12 is negatively pressurized, as compared to the block play equipment 10 of embodiment 1 (FIG. 1). However, the block play equipment 30 of embodiment 2 (FIG. 7), the block play equipment 36 of embodiment 4 (FIGS. 10A, 10B, 13), the block play equipment 44, 46 of embodiment 5 (FIG. 14), and the block play equipment 48 of embodiment 6 (FIG. 15) can also have a structure in which the internal space 14 of the bag body 12 is negatively pressurized, as in embodiment 3. Furthermore, while the internal space 14 of the bag body 12 in each of the above embodiments is positively or negatively pressurized, the internal space 14 can also be atmospheric pressure. In this case, the bag body 12 does not need to be sealed. 10A and 10B , air can be injected into the balls 16 while they are still in the bag 12. This inflates the balls 16 until they press against each other and push the bag 12 apart. In other words, the bag 12 is filled to the brim with balls 16. In this way, even though the bag 12 itself is not sealed, the entire sheet material that makes up the bag 12 is taut. As a result, the block play equipment can be maintained in its desired shape.

[0030] In the first embodiment (FIG. 1), the second embodiment (FIG. 7), and the third embodiment (FIG. 9A), the valve 23 and the stopper 26 of the bag body are arranged on the top surface (surface in the thickness direction) of the block play equipment, but instead, the valve 23 and the stopper 26 can be arranged on the side surface (surface perpendicular to the thickness direction) of the block play equipment. Similarly, in the fourth embodiment (FIG. 10A), the modified example of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 13), and the fifth embodiment (FIG. 14), the valve 40 is arranged on the top surface of the block play equipment, but instead, the valve 40 can be arranged on the side surface of the block play equipment. When the valve 23 and the stopper 26, and the valve 40 are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 20 on the side surface of the block play equipment, the valve 23 and the stopper 26 are less likely to hit the user, making it safer to use.

[0031] In each of the above embodiments, the filler is configured to be elastically deformable, but it can also be configured to be non-elastically deformable (hard, for example, a hollow ball made of hard resin). However, elastic deformation is preferable for safety reasons. It is also possible to mix elastically deformable and non-elastically deformable fillers within the bag. In each of the above embodiments, all of the convex parts contain fillers, but convex parts that do not contain fillers may also be included. In each of the above embodiments, the internal space of the bag is filled with fillers, but it is also possible for there to be parts of the internal space of the bag that are not filled with fillers. In each of the above embodiments, air is used as the fluid to fill the filler, but other gases or liquids can also be used instead of air. However, gas can be used to make the block play equipment lighter than liquid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4)...block play equipment, 10'...block play equipment, 12...bag body, 12a...hole in bag body, 14...internal space in bag body, 16, 16-1, 16-2...ball body (filler body), 16a...valve in ball body (navel of ball), 16b...air injection hole, 18, 18'...protrusion, 20...recess, 20A...recess (notch), 20B...recess (through hole), 22...external space in bag body, 23...valve in bag body, 24...opening of bag body, 26...stopper, 26a...base portion, 26b...lid portion, 26c...head 26a...tab, 26b...opening of stopper, 26c...ring-shaped protrusion, 26d...ring-shaped groove, 27...hose of air pump, 28...nozzle (air needle) of air pump, 30...play block, 32...combined structure of play block, 34...combined structure of play block, 36...play block, 38...joint area, 40, 40A, 40B...valve, 40Aa...base, 40Ab...air inlet, 40Ac...stopper, 40Ad...body, 42...hole, 44, 46, 48...play block, 50...approximately cylindrical body (filler).

Claims

1. a flexible bag body made of a flexible sheet material; A plurality of shape-retaining fillers are disposed in the internal space of the bag, The bag has a protrusion on the outer surface of the bag that allows it to be connected by fitting into a recess of another block plaything. The plurality of fillers include fillers placed in the convex portions, and the fillers placed in the convex portions are arranged so as to support the external force that the bag body receives at the convex portions via the sheet material that constitutes the bag body.

2. The bag further has a recess on the outer surface of the bag that allows it to be connected by fitting with a protrusion of another block plaything. The block play equipment described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fillers include fillers arranged around the recess, and the fillers arranged around the recess are arranged so as to support the external force that the bag body receives around the recess through the sheet material that constitutes the bag body.

3. 2. The play block equipment according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fillers are arranged so as to fill the internal space of the bag body.

4. 3. The block play equipment according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of fillers are arranged so as to fill the internal space of the bag body.

5. 5. The block play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fillers include fillers that are elastically deformed when subjected to the external force.

6. The elastically deformable filling body includes a hollow filling body that expands when a fluid is injected into it, The bag has an opening that connects the internal space to an external space of the bag, The opening has a size that allows the hollow body filler to be accommodated in the interior space from the exterior space through the opening in a deflated state. The block play equipment according to claim 5.

7. The elastically deformable filling body includes a hollow filling body that expands when a fluid is injected into it, the filling body formed of the hollow body and the bag body have a joining region where they are joined to each other, A valve is disposed in the joining region, which allows the fluid to be injected from the outer space of the bag body into the filling body formed by the hollow body. The block play equipment according to claim 5.

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