Toy block

Abstract

To provide a toy block capable of providing a spherical traveling road toy for a play of a young child.SOLUTION: A rail-shaped block 2 includes: a main body 21 in which a spherical object traveling path 21e is provided in an upper portion from one end portion to the other end portion; a pair of movable components 22 which are respectively disposed in one end portion and the other end portion of the main body 21, in which a guide groove 21e whose base end is continuous with a spherical object traveling path 22e of the main body 21 and whose tip end is open is provided in an upper portion, and in which a fitting portion 22h to which another toy block is coupled is provided in an upper portion; and a pair of hinge structures 23 which respectively couple the pair of movable components 22 to the end portions of the main body 21 so as to be rotatable around an axis AX intersecting a direction in which the spherical object traveling path 21e extends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy block. [Background technology]

[0002] The ball track toy disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be created by a user by assembling multiple types of toy blocks. The multiple types of toy blocks include rail-shaped blocks for creating ramps and non-ramp paths, and column-shaped blocks that can be removably connected to both ends of the rail-shaped blocks. The column-shaped blocks have a U-shaped groove that penetrates their height. The rail-shaped blocks have different shapes at both ends. Specifically, one end of the rail-shaped block is configured to close the U-shaped groove when connected to the column-shaped block, thereby allowing a ball to rest on the rail-shaped block without falling off the column-shaped block. The other end of the rail-shaped block is configured to open the U-shaped groove when connected to the column-shaped block, thereby allowing a ball to fall off the column-shaped block. Because of this configuration, the direction in which a ball travels on the rail-shaped block is limited to one end to the other. Therefore, when assembling a ball track toy from multiple types of toy blocks, a user must consider the orientation of the rail-shaped blocks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2023-136663 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The spherical track toy, which is made by assembling multiple types of toy blocks, is also intended primarily for young children (defined in the Child Welfare Act as children from the age of one until they start elementary school).

[0005] However, the assembly of the spherical track toy disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires consideration of the orientation of the rail-shaped blocks, making it difficult for even young children (for example, around 1.5 years old) to assemble properly. In other words, the spherical track toy disclosed in Patent Document 1 is difficult for young children to play with.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a toy block that allows a ball track toy to be played with by young children. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a toy block for combining with other toy blocks to form a ball track toy, the toy block comprising: a main body having a ball track provided on the upper part from one end to the other end; a pair of movable parts arranged at the one end and the other end of the main body, each having a guide groove at the upper part that is continuous with the ball track of the main body at its base end and open at its tip, and a connecting portion at the lower part for connecting to the other toy block; and a pair of hinge structures that respectively connect the pair of movable parts to the ends of the main body so that they can rotate about an axis that intersects the direction in which the ball track at the end extends.

[0008] Movable parts, each having a guide groove continuous with the ball track, are connected to both ends of the main body via a hinge structure. The hinge structure allows the movable parts to rotate relative to the ends of the main body around an axis intersecting the direction in which the ball track extends. In other words, each of the pair of movable parts can be freely bent relative to the ends of the main body. Therefore, by connecting each of the pair of movable parts to different toy blocks, the shape of the ball track—i.e., whether or not the ball track is inclined, the direction of the inclination, and the angle of the inclination—are automatically determined depending on the height positions of the toy blocks. Therefore, a user assembling a ball track toy does not need to be particularly aware of the shape of the ball track when connecting the movable parts to other toy blocks. Furthermore, a user assembling a ball track toy does not need to consider the orientation of the main body when connecting the movable parts to other toy blocks. As described above, the toy blocks of the present invention enable ball track toys to be played with by young children. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The toy blocks according to the present invention make it possible for a ball track toy to be used by young children. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a spherical running track toy including rail-shaped blocks according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pillar block as seen from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pillar block as seen from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rail-shaped block according to the first embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rail-shaped block according to the first embodiment, as viewed from below. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rail-shaped block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4. [Figure 8]8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4; [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 4; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the posture of a rail-shaped block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the posture of the rail-shaped block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rail-shaped block according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rail-shaped block according to a second embodiment, as viewed from below. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 12. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 12. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] (First embodiment) The spherical track toy 1 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of four rail-shaped blocks 2A to 2D, which are an example of toy blocks according to an embodiment of the present invention, and ten pillar-shaped blocks 3, which are an example of other toy blocks.

[0013] 2 and 3, the pillar-shaped block 3 has an integral resin structure and is rigid enough to prevent at least substantial deformation. The pillar-shaped block 3 has a generally square top wall 3a and four side walls 3b extending from the top wall 3a. The pillar-shaped block 3 is open on the side opposite the top wall 3a. Four cylindrical protrusions 3c are provided on the upper surface of the top wall 3a. The four cylindrical protrusions 3c are arranged in a matrix of two rows and two columns with equal pitch in a plan view. A cylindrical portion 3d is provided on the lower surface of the top wall 3a. Furthermore, the lower surface of the top wall 3a is provided with four flat partitions 3e extending from the cylindrical portions 3d to the side walls 3b. Each partition 3e is provided with two ribs 3f. The lower part of the pillar-shaped block 3 is provided with four fitting portions 3g, each having a shape complementary to the cylindrical protrusion 3a, and these fitting portions 3g are formed by the inner surfaces of two adjacent side wall portions 3b, the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3d, two adjacent partition portions 3e, and two ribs 3f. The cylindrical protrusions 3a frictionally fit into the fitting portions 3g, allowing one pillar-shaped block 3 to be removably connected to another pillar-shaped block 3 when stacked on top of another pillar-shaped block 3. Specifically, when one pillar-shaped block 3 is stacked on top of another pillar-shaped block 3, the latter's cylindrical protrusion 3c fits between the two ribs 3f of the former's fitting portion 3g and the cylindrical portion 3d.

[0014] In the example of the spherical running track toy 1 shown in Figure 1, the leftmost pillar 4A in the figure is formed by stacking and joining four pillar blocks 3. Also, the second and rightmost pillars 4B and 4E from the left in the figure are formed by stacking and joining two pillar blocks 3. Furthermore, the third and fourth pillars 4C and 4D from the left in the figure are formed by a single pillar block 3.

[0015] In one example of a ball running path toy 1 shown in Figure 1, adjacent pillars 4A to 4E are connected to each other by rail-shaped blocks 2A to 2D to form a running path along which a ball B (see Figure 7) runs from the left end to the right end in the figure.

[0016] The rail-shaped blocks 2A to 2D will be described below. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the four rail-shaped blocks 2A to 2D, one of these will simply be referred to as a rail block 2.

[0017] Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the rail-shaped block 2 comprises a generally straight main body 21, a pair of movable parts 22 respectively arranged at one end and the other end of the main body 21 in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of hinge structures 23 which rotatably connect the main body 21 and each of the movable parts 22.

[0018] 4 to 7, main body 21 is a one-piece resin structure having sufficient rigidity to prevent at least substantial deformation. Main body 21 includes a top wall 21a having a generally rectangular or elongated shape as a whole, a pair of end walls 21b extending from both longitudinal ends of top wall 21a, and a pair of side walls 21c extending from both widthwise ends of top wall 21a. A lattice-like rib structure 21d is provided on the underside of top wall 21a.

[0019] 4, 6, and 7, a ball running path 21e, which is a linear, flat surface with a constant width, is provided on the upper surface of the main body 21, penetrating from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. The width of the ball running path 21e is defined by the inner surfaces 21g of a pair of bulging portions 21f provided on both ends of the upper surface of the main body 21 in the width direction. Each bulging portion 21f is linear in a plan view and is provided from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main body 21. In addition, a pair of plate-shaped lateral wall portions 21h are provided on the upper surface of the main body 21, protruding upward from the outermost widthwise sides of each bulging portion 21f, from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main body 21.

[0020] 4 to 6 and 8, movable part 22 has an integral resin structure and is rigid enough to prevent at least substantial deformation. Movable part 22 includes top wall 22a, base end wall 22b extending from the main body 21 side of top wall 22a, i.e., the base end side, tip end wall 22c extending from the side of top wall 22a opposite to main body 21, i.e., the tip end side, and a pair of side wall 22d extending from both ends in the width direction of top wall 22a.

[0021] 4, 6, and 8, the upper surface of top wall portion 22a is configured as a downwardly convex curved surface, thereby providing guide groove 22e on the upper surface of top wall portion 22a. The end of guide groove 22e on the main body 21 side, i.e., the base end, is continuous with sphere running path 21e of main body 21, while the end opposite the base end, i.e., the tip end, is open.

[0022] 5, a flat partition portion 22f is provided at the center of the width direction on the underside of the top wall portion 22a, extending between the base end wall portion 22b and the tip wall portion 22c. Ribs 22g are provided on the inner surfaces of the base end wall portion 22b, the tip wall portion 22c, the side wall portion 22d, and both surfaces of the partition portion 22f. Two fitting portions 22h, each with a shape complementary to the cylindrical protrusions 3a of the pillar-shaped block 3, are provided at the bottom of the movable part 22 by four ribs 22g. The cylindrical protrusions 3a of the pillar-shaped block 3 frictionally fit into the fitting portions 3g, allowing the movable part 22 of the rail-shaped block 2 and the pillar-shaped block 3 to be removably coupled together when stacked on each other.

[0023] 4 to 6 and 9, hinge structures 23 are provided at one end and the other end of main body 21. Each hinge structure 23 includes a pair of short cylindrical projections 23a projecting in the width direction from the end of main body 21 and a pair of bearing holes 23b each having a circular cross-section and formed at the end of side wall 22d of movable part 22 facing main body 21, i.e., the base end. Protrusions 23a are inserted into bearing holes 23b and supported in a rotatable manner. Therefore, each of the pair of movable parts 22 can rotate relative to the end of main body 21 by hinge structure 23 around axis AX extending horizontally at the end of main body 21 and perpendicular to the direction in which ball track 21e extends. In other words, each of the pair of movable parts 22 can be bent upward or downward relative to the end of main body 21, and the bending angle is not particularly limited. For example, in Figure 10, the left movable part 22 is bent upward and the right movable part 22 is bent downward relative to the main body 21, while in Figure 11, the left movable part 22 is bent downward and the right movable part is bent upward relative to the main body 21, and the bending angle of each movable part 22 relative to the main body 21 is smaller in Figure 11 than in Figure 10.

[0024] The ball running path toy 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be assembled by, for example, stacking and connecting pillar-shaped blocks 3 to create the aforementioned pillars 4A, 4B, and 4E (pillars 4C and 4D are each composed of a single pillar-shaped block 3), and then connecting adjacent pillars 4A-4B with rail-shaped blocks 2A-2D, respectively. In this case, by stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at one end of rail-shaped block 2A to the top pillar-shaped block 3 of pillar 4A and stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at the other end to the upper pillar-shaped block 3 of pillar 4B, a ball running path 21e with a downward slope equivalent to the height of two pillar-shaped blocks 3 is obtained. Furthermore, by stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at one end of rail-shaped block 2D to the pillar-shaped block 3 constituting pillar 4D and stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at the other end to the upper pillar-shaped block of pillar 4E, a ball running path 21e with an upward slope equivalent to the height of one pillar-shaped block 3 is obtained. Furthermore, by stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at one end of the rail-shaped block 4C to the columnar block 3 that constitutes the columnar body 4C, and stacking and connecting the movable part 23 at the other end to the columnar block 3 that constitutes the columnar body 4D, a horizontal or non-inclined ball running path 21e is obtained.

[0025] In this way, by connecting a pair of movable parts 22 provided on the rail-shaped block 4 to different pillar-shaped blocks 3, the form of the ball runway 21e, i.e., whether or not there is an incline, the direction of the incline, and the incline angle, are automatically determined according to the height positions of the pillar-shaped blocks 3, and a user assembling the ball runway toy 1 does not need to be particularly aware of the form of the ball runway 21e when connecting the movable parts 22 of the rail-shaped block 2 to the pillar-shaped block 3. Furthermore, a user assembling the ball runway toy 1 does not need to consider the orientation of the main body 21 when connecting the movable parts 22 of the rail-shaped block 2 to the pillar-shaped block 3. As described above, the rail-shaped block 2 of this embodiment makes it possible for the ball runway toy 1 to be played with by young children.

[0026] A sphere B traveling from the upstream side onto the rail-shaped block 2 of this embodiment first travels along the guide groove 22c of the movable part 22 at one end of the rail-shaped block 2 from the tip end to the base end of the movable part 22, and then enters the sphere travel path 21e of the main body 21. After passing through the sphere travel path 21e, the sphere B travels along the guide groove 22c of the movable part 22 at the other end from the base end side to the tip end side, and then exits downstream.

[0027] 7, in this embodiment, the width of the ball running path 21e of the main body 21 (which is formed of a flat surface as described above) is set so that the ball B can be placed on it. Specifically, the spacing between the inner surfaces 21g of the pair of bulging portions 21f is set so that the ball B can be placed on the ball running path 21e without simultaneously contacting both of the inner surfaces 21g of the pair of bulging portions 21f. Therefore, the running of the ball B on the ball running path 21e can include both the rolling (spinning) of the ball B itself and the sliding of the ball B against the surfaces that form the ball running path 21e. The width of the guide groove 22e of the movable part 22 is also set so that the ball B can be placed on it, similar to the ball running path 21e. Therefore, the running of the ball B on the guide groove 21e can include both the rolling and sliding of the ball B.

[0028] (Second embodiment) 12 to 17 show a rail-shaped block 2, which is a toy block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, points that are not specifically mentioned in the following description are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0029] 14, the sphere running path 21e provided on the main body 21 of the rail-shaped block 2 of this embodiment is configured by a pair of side wall portions 21h facing each other in the width direction. Specifically, the distance between the pair of side wall portions 21h is set so that the sphere B is supported in a suspended state by placing the opposing ends of the sphere B thereon.

[0030] 12 and 15, the main body 21 has transition portions 22j at both ends. A downwardly convex guide groove 22i is provided on the upper surface of the transition portion 22j. The guide groove 22i has a downward slope toward the movable part 22. The width of the guide groove 22i is set so that the sphere B can be placed on the guide groove 22i.

[0031] 12, 13 and 17, the protrusion 23a of the hinge structure 23 is provided on the transition portion 22j.

[0032] A sphere B traveling from the upstream side onto the rail-shaped block 2 of this embodiment first travels along the guide groove 22c of the movable part 22 at one end of the rail-shaped block 2 from the tip to the base end of the movable part 22, and then enters the guide groove 22i provided in one transition section 22j of the main body 21. The travel of the sphere B on the guide groove 22i can include both rolling and sliding.

[0033] Next, the ball B enters the ball running path 21e of the main body 21 through the guide groove 22i of the transition section 22j. In the ball running path 21e of the first embodiment (see, for example, FIG. 7), the running of the ball B can include both rolling and sliding. In contrast, the ball running path 21e of the present embodiment is configured with a pair of side wall portions 21h that support the ball B in a suspended state, so the running of the ball B on the ball running path 21e is essentially only by the rolling (spinning) of the ball B. Therefore, the number of rotations of the ball B when running on the ball conveying path 21e in this embodiment is significantly higher than in the first embodiment. By using both the rail-shaped blocks 3 of the first embodiment and the rail-shaped blocks 3 of this embodiment in one ball running path toy 1, it is possible to add variety to the running patterns of the ball B.

[0034] The ball B drops from the ball running path 21e into the guide groove 22i of the transition portion 22j, and then travels downstream via the guide groove 22e of the movable portion 22 at the other end.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the ball running path 21e may be partially or completely curved in a plan view, and may have a non-linear shape such as a serpentine shape. Furthermore, the hinge structure 23 may have a bearing hole 23b in the main body 21 and a protrusion 23a in the movable part 22. The bearing hole 23b may not be a through hole, but may be a blind hole. The rail-shaped block 2 can be used in combination with toy blocks other than the pillar-shaped block 3, as long as they can be removably connected. For example, the ball running path toy 1 may be an assembly of the rail-shaped block 2, the pillar-shaped block 3, and other toy blocks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Spherical track toy 2, 2A~2D Rail-shaped blocks (toy blocks) 3. Pillar blocks (other toy blocks) 3a Top wall 3b Side wall part 3c Cylindrical protrusion 3d cylindrical part 3e Partition 3F Rib 3g mating part 4A~4E Column 21 Main Unit 21a Top wall 21b End wall 21c Side wall part 21d rib structure 21e Spherical Track 21f bulge 21g inner surface 21h Side wall part 22 Moving parts 22a Top wall 22b Proximal wall 22c Tip wall 22d Side wall part 22e Guide groove 22nd floor partition 22g rib 22h Mating part 22i guide groove 22j transition section 23 Hinge structure 23a protrusion 23b Bearing hole

Claims

1. A toy block for combining with other toy blocks to form a ball track toy, a main body having a sphere running path formed on the top from one end to the other end; a pair of movable parts respectively disposed at the one end and the other end of the main body, each having a guide groove at its upper portion, the guide groove having a base end connected to the ball running path of the main body and an open tip end, and a connecting portion at its lower portion for connecting the other toy block; a pair of hinge structures that respectively connect the pair of movable parts to the end portions of the main body so as to be rotatable around axes that intersect with the direction in which the ball running path at the end portions extends; A toy block comprising:

2. The hinge structure comprises: a protrusion provided on one of the end of the body and the movable part; a bearing hole provided on one of the end of the body and the movable part, into which the protrusion is rotatably inserted; The toy block of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The toy block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ball running path of the main body is formed by a surface on which the ball is placed.

4. 3. The toy block according to claim 1, wherein the ball running path of the main body is formed of a pair of walls that support the ball in a suspended state by placing opposing ends of the ball on the walls.

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