Hinged joint for building blocks

Abstract

To provide a joint for assembly block capable of assembling a three-dimensional work of art having a hinge operation part such as a door.SOLUTION: A joint 25 with a hinge function for assembly block which joints block plates 11 by inserting plugs 22 in each direction in sockets of the block plates 11 is composed of a pair of division members 1 in the same shape provided with the plugs 22 respectively. In the division members 1, side extension parts 24 extend from one side of base parts of the plugs 22, and bearing parts 2 are provided on the other side. A connection shaft 3 protruding from the bearing parts 2 and a bearing hole 4 formed on the side extension parts 24 match in shaft line, and shaft grooves 5 carved in the side extension parts 24 go through to the bearing hole 4. The pair of division members 1 are directed in the direction in which the side extension parts 24 and the connection shaft 3 are on opposite side. The connection shaft 3 of one of the division members 1 is inserted in the bearing hole 4 of the other division member 1, and the pair of division members 1 are freely rotatably combined around the shaft line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a joint of an assembly block capable of assembling a three-dimensional solid having movable parts.

Background Art

[0002] Based on the invention described in Patent Document 1 below, the applicant provides a plastic assembly block [trade name: LaQ (registered trademark)] composed of a block plate 11 having a square and an equilateral triangle planar shape and a combination of joints 21 connecting the block plates 11. Such assembly blocks are already widely distributed (for the actual shape, refer to Patent Documents 2 to 4 below).

[0003] On each side of the periphery of the block plate 11, a receiving port 12 recessed on the front and back sides is formed, and a protruding strip 13 is provided in the receiving port 12. In the joint 21, at least two plugs 22 project in at least two directions, and a carved groove 23 is provided on the inner surface of the plug 22. In addition, between the bases of the plugs 22, a prismatic side extension 24 extending to both sides projects.

[0004] When connecting such block plates 11, when the plug 22 of the joint 21 is inserted into the receiving port 12 of the block plate 11, the outer edge of the plug 22 abuts against the step on the back side of the receiving port 12, the protruding strip 13 engages with the carved groove 23, and the side extension 24 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the block plate 11, so that the connected state is stabilized.

[0005] There are multiple types of joints 21 according to the connection mode. As shown in the figure, in addition to the basic type in which the plugs 22 project in two directions on the same plane, there are those in which the plugs 22 project in two orthogonal directions, those in which the plugs 22 project in three orthogonal directions, those in which the plugs 22 project in two directions at an angle of 120°, and those in which the distance between the proximal ends of the plugs 22 is large, etc. are prepared. By connecting the square and equilateral triangle block plates 11 through these joints 21, three-dimensional solids of various shapes such as animals and vehicles can be assembled.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3221637 [Patent Document 2] Design Registration No. 929785 Gazette [Patent Document 3] Design Registration No. 929786 Gazette [Patent Document 4] Design Registration No. 929787 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, using only the basic parts of the assembly blocks described above, it is not possible to assemble a model with movable parts, such as a car door, in which case the door cannot be opened and closed relative to the car body.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a joint for assembly blocks that can assemble three-dimensional works having hinge-like mechanisms for opening and closing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, this invention provides a hinge-function joint for assembly blocks, which connects the block plates by inserting plugs in each direction into the receiving openings of the block plates, It consists of a pair of divided members of the same shape, each equipped with the aforementioned plug, The divided member has a side extension extending from one side of the base of the plug, and a pivot support on the other side, with a spacing between the side extension and the pivot support corresponding to the pivot support, the axis of the connecting shaft protruding from the pivot support and the bearing hole formed in the side extension coincide, and the shaft insertion groove engraved on the side extension from the opposite side of the plug communicates with the bearing hole. The pair of divided members are oriented so that their side extensions and connecting shafts are opposite to each other, with the pivot of one divided member fitted between the side extension and pivot of the other divided member, and the connecting shaft of one divided member is inserted into the bearing hole via the shaft insertion groove while elastically deforming the side extension of the other divided member, so that the pair of divided members are rotatably connected around their axis.

[0010] Furthermore, the base of the plug of the divided member is provided with a restricting surface that limits the range of rotation between the pair of divided members to a predetermined range.

[0011] Furthermore, the side extension portion of the divided member has a chamfered relief surface cut out from the outer surface on both sides of the opening of the shaft insertion groove. When the pair of divided members rotate relative to each other around their axis, interference between the outer surface of the block plate connected to one of the divided members and the lateral extension of the other divided member is avoided by the relief surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] By using the joint according to this invention, the plugs of a pair of rotatably connected divided members are inserted into the receiving ports of the respective block plates to be connected, allowing the connected block plates to rotate around the axis of the pair of divided members. This makes it possible to assemble a variety of three-dimensional works that have hinge-like mechanisms for opening and closing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Overall perspective view showing a hinged joint for assembly blocks according to this invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1 above. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 2 above. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the separated state of the pair of divided members shown above. [Figure 5]Perspective view showing the connection state of the block plates by the hinge function joint as described above [Figure 6] Plan view showing the rotation process of the above block plates [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the state where the above block plates rotate to form a right angle [Figure 8] Perspective view showing a vehicle work using the hinge function joint as described above [Figure 9] Partially enlarged perspective view showing the state where the door of the above vehicle is opened [Figure 10] Perspective view showing the basic parts of the assembly block

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The hinge function joint 25 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a plastic one that is a kind of joint 21 as a component of the above-described assembly block, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is composed of a pair of split members 1 having the same shape. Each split member 1 is provided with a plug 22, and a carved groove 23 is provided on the inner surface of the plug 22.

[0016] [[ID=三十一]]And the split member 1 has a side extension 24 extending on one side of the base of the plug 22, has a shaft support portion 2 on the other side, and has an interval corresponding to the shaft support portion 2 between the side extension 24 and the shaft support portion 2. The connecting shaft 3 protruding from the shaft support portion 2 and the bearing hole 4 formed in the side extension 24 have the same axis. The inner diameter of the bearing hole 4 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connecting shaft 3.

[0017] On the side extension 24, a shaft insertion groove 5 communicating from the opposite side of the plug 22 to the bearing hole 4 is engraved. The shaft insertion groove 5 becomes narrower so that the width of the portion facing the bearing hole 4 is constricted, and its minimum width is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting shaft 3.

[0018] Restricting surfaces 6 are formed on both sides of the base of the plug 22 to restrict the rotational range of the pair of divided members 1 to a predetermined range. The restricting surfaces 6 on both sides are inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the outer surface of the plug 22, extending toward the pivot support 2.

[0019] The side extension portion 24 of the divided member 1 has chamfered relief surfaces 7 cut out from the outer surfaces on both sides of the opening of the shaft insertion groove 5.

[0020] The pivot portion 2 of the divided member 1 is cylindrical, and a recessed receiving curved surface 8 is formed at the base of the plug 22 in the portion between the side extension 24 and the pivot portion 2. The receiving curved surface 8 is a curved surface on which the outer diameter surfaces of the pivot portions 2 of the paired divided members 1 slide.

[0021] When assembling this hinged joint 25, the pair of divided members 1 are oriented so that the side extensions 24 and the connecting shaft 3 are on opposite sides, and the pivot 2 of the other divided member 1 is fitted between the side extension 24 and pivot 2 of one divided member 1.

[0022] At this time, when the connecting shaft 3 of one divided member 1 is inserted into the bearing hole 4 via the shaft insertion groove 5 while elastically deforming the side extension 24 of the other divided member 1, the pair of divided members 1 are connected so as to be rotatable around their axis.

[0023] Then, as shown in Figure 5, in order to connect the block plates 11 together, the plugs 22 of the pair of dividing members 1 are inserted into the receiving openings 12 of the block plates 11. As a result, the protrusions 13 engage with the grooves 23, and the flat end faces of the side extensions 24 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the block plate 11, stabilizing the connection between the block plate 11 and the hinge-equipped joint 25.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of connected block plates 11 can be rotated relative to each other around the axis of the hinged joint 25.

[0025] When the pair of divided members 1 rotate relative to each other around their axis, interference between the outer surface of the block plate 11 connected to one of the divided members 1 and the side extension 24 of the other divided member 1 is avoided by the relief surface 7.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, the rotational range of the pair of divided members 1 is limited by 90° in both directions with respect to the insertion direction of the plug 22 into the block plate 11, due to the contact between the restricting surfaces 6 of the pair of divided members 1.

[0027] By using the hinge-equipped joint 25 described above, the plugs 22 of the pair of rotatably connected divided members 1 are inserted into the receiving ports 12 of the respective block plates 11 to be connected. This allows the connected block plates 11 to rotate around the axis of the pair of divided members 1, making it possible to assemble, for example, a car with doors that can be opened and closed relative to the body, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0028] Furthermore, this hinged joint 25 is a type of joint 21 used in existing building blocks and can be connected to the basic block plate 11. Therefore, existing building block users can further expand the variety of creations they can build by purchasing this hinged joint 25 as an additional part. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1 divided member 2 axis branch 3 Connecting shaft 4 bearing holes 5 Shaft groove 6. Regulatory aspects 7 Missing surface 8 Receiving surface 11 Block boards 12 socket 13 protrusion 21 joints 22 plugs 23 Groove 24 Side extension 25 Hinged joint

Claims

1. A hinge-type joint (25) for assembly blocks, which connects the block plates (11) by inserting plugs (22) in each direction into the receiving openings (12) of the block plates (11), is made of plastic. It consists only of a pair of identically shaped divided members (1) each equipped with the aforementioned plug (22), The divided member (1) has a semicircular plug (22) with a groove (23) on its inner surface that engages with a projection (13) provided in the receiving opening (12) of the block plate (11). A side extension (24) extends from one side of the base of the plug (22), and a shaft support (2) is provided on the other side. There is a gap between the side extension (24) and the shaft support (2) corresponding to the axial length of the shaft support (2). The axis of the connecting shaft (3) protruding from the shaft support (2) coincides with the axis of the bearing hole (4) formed in the side extension (24), and a shaft insertion groove (5) engraved in the side extension (24) from the opposite side of the plug (22) communicates with the bearing hole (4). The plug (22), the side extension (24), the shaft support (2), and the connecting shaft (3) are formed integrally. The hinge-function joint for assembly blocks is characterized in that the pair of divided members (1) are oriented so that their side extensions (24) and connecting shafts (3) are opposite to each other, the pivot portion (2) of the other divided member (1) is fitted between the side extension (24) and pivot portion (2) of one divided member (1), and the connecting shaft (3) of one divided member (1) is inserted into the bearing hole (4) via the pivot groove (5) while elastically deforming the side extension (24) of the other divided member (1), thereby connecting the pair of divided members (1) so that they can rotate around their axis.

2. The hinge-function joint for assembly blocks according to claim 1, characterized in that a restricting surface (6) is formed at the base of the plug (22) of the divided member (1) to restrict the rotation range of the pair of divided members (1) to a predetermined range.

3. The side extension portion (24) of the divided member (1) has a chamfered relief surface (7) cut out from the outer surface on both sides of the opening of the shaft insertion groove (5). The hinge-function joint for assembly blocks according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the pair of dividing members (1) rotate relative to each other around an axis, interference between the outer surface of the block plate (11) connected to one of the dividing members (1) and the side extension (24) of the other dividing member (1) is avoided by the relief surface (7).

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