Toy blocks and toy block set

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide toy blocks and a toy block set which can be stacked in various ways even with few varieties of blocks, and which are easy to manufacture. The toy blocks of the present invention are characterized in that: at least one surface 16 of each of said toy blocks is provided with a plurality of grooves including a first grove 11 extending in a first direction along the surface 16, and a second groove 12 extending in a second direction, which differs from the first direction, along the surface 16; the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect with each other; and said grooves have cross-sectional shapes that fit with the shapes of end portions of the toy blocks.

Description

Building blocks and building sets

[0001] The present invention relates to building blocks and building block sets.

[0002] Conventionally, there are building block sets in which children play by stacking and knocking down polyhedral building blocks. Such building block sets have a wide variety of building block shapes, and are configured so that these building block blocks can be stacked in various combinations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, such building block sets have complex shapes to allow for a variety of stacking methods. As the building block shapes become more complex, the manufacturing of the building block blocks also becomes more complex, resulting in reduced productivity. Also known are block toys that can be assembled into various shapes by fitting together recesses and protrusions (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-255162

[0004] However, when it is desired to stack blocks in a desired way, the above-mentioned complex-shaped building blocks and block toys limit the ways in which they can be combined, requiring blocks of specific shapes, and blocks of simple shapes often can only be stacked in simple ways.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide building blocks and a building block set that can be stacked in a variety of ways even with a limited number of types of blocks and that are easy to manufacture.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the building block of the present invention is characterized in that at least one surface is provided with a plurality of grooves, including a first groove extending in a first direction along the surface and a second groove extending along the surface in a second direction different from the first direction, the first groove and the second groove intersect, and the grooves have a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block.

[0007] The building block of the present invention is preferably a hexahedron consisting of six quadrilaterals, with the first groove and the second groove provided on at least one face thereof.

[0008] In the building block of the present invention, the building block is a rectangular hexahedron having square top and bottom surfaces, with the first groove and the second groove provided on at least one surface thereof, the first groove being provided on the side surface of the hexahedron in the center of an edge of the square so as to penetrate the top and bottom surfaces, and the second groove being provided on the side surface of the hexahedron, parallel to the top and bottom surfaces.

[0009] In the building block of the present invention, it is preferable that the first groove and the second groove are V-grooves having a V-shaped cross section, and the V-shaped angle is 90 degrees.

[0010] The building block of the present invention further includes a third groove larger than the first groove, the first groove being provided on adjacent first and second sides of the hexahedron, the third groove being provided on a third side different from the first and second sides, penetrating the upper and lower sides, having a V-shaped cross section with a V-angle of 90 degrees, and it is preferable that the distance between one face of the first groove provided on the first side and one face of the first groove provided on the second side that is parallel to the first face is less than the length of one side of the third groove provided on the third side.

[0011] The building block set of the present invention is a building block set having a building block in which a plurality of V-shaped grooves, including a first V-shaped groove and a second V-shaped groove, are provided on at least one face of a rectangular hexahedron whose top and bottom faces are square, and the first V-shaped groove of the building block is provided on a side face of the hexahedron at the center of an edge of the square so as to penetrate the top and bottom faces, and the second V-shaped groove is provided on a side face of the hexahedron parallel to the top and bottom faces, the first V-shaped groove and the second V-shaped groove intersect, and the V-shaped groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block, The building block set includes a first building block and a second building block, wherein the first building block has the first V-shaped groove provided on four side surfaces of the hexahedron, the second building block has a third V-shaped groove larger than the first V-shaped groove provided on at least one side surface of the hexahedron so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, and the first V-shaped groove is provided on the remaining side surfaces of the hexahedron, and the distance between one surface of the first V-shaped groove provided on the first side surface of the hexahedron and one surface of the first V-shaped groove provided on a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface and parallel to the first V-shaped groove in the first building block is less than the length of one side of the third V-shaped groove in the second building block.

[0012] In the building block set of the present invention, it is preferable that the hexahedrons forming the first building block and the second building block have the same size.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide building blocks and building block sets that can be stacked in a variety of ways even with a limited number of types of blocks and that are easy to manufacture.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a first building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with (A) a view of the top surface thereof viewed vertically, (B) a view of the front side surface thereof viewed horizontally, and (C) a view of the right side surface thereof viewed horizontally. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first building block according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a second building block according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with (A) a view of the top surface thereof viewed vertically, (B) a view of the front side surface thereof viewed horizontally, and (C) a view of the right side surface thereof viewed horizontally. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second building block according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of an assembled state of the first and second building blocks included in a building block set according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of an assembled state of the first and second building blocks included in a building block set according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an assembled state of the first building block included in a building block set according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing yet another example of an assembled state of the first and second building blocks included in a building block set according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a view of a building block according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side surface is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side surface is viewed horizontally. Fig. 13 is a view of a building block according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) the top surface is viewed vertically, (B) the front side surface is viewed horizontally, and (C) the right side surface is viewed horizontally. Fig. 14 is a view illustrating variations in the shape of the building blocks of the present invention.

[0015] The building blocks and building block sets of the present invention will be described using examples. However, the present invention is not limited to or restricted by the following examples. The drawings referred to below are schematic, and the dimensional ratios of objects depicted in the drawings may differ from the dimensional ratios of real objects. The dimensional ratios of objects may also differ between drawings. In addition, for the sake of clarity, some ridges of chamfered portions may be omitted.

[0016] The building block of the present invention has a plurality of grooves on at least one surface, including a first groove extending in a first direction along the surface and a second groove extending along the surface in a second direction different from the first direction. The first groove and the second groove intersect. The grooves have a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of the end of the building block. The shape of the end of the building block refers to the shape of the corners, sides, etc. of the building block.

[0017] (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a building block according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a first building block according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with (A) a vertical view of the top surface, (B) a horizontal view of the front side (the surface on the lower side in FIG. 1A), and (C) a horizontal view of the right side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first building block. The building block 10 (first building block) of this embodiment is a rectangular hexahedron with square top and bottom surfaces 15A, 15B, and is provided with a first groove 11 and a second groove 12. The first groove 11 is provided in the side surface 16 of the hexahedron, at the center of the edge of the square (15A, 15B), so as to penetrate the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. The second groove 12 is provided in the center of the side surface 16 of the hexahedron, parallel to the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. Here, the descriptions of the top, bottom, and side surfaces of the hexahedron are provided for convenience in identifying the positions of the grooves in the building blocks and do not indicate vertical or horizontal positions in space. In this embodiment, the first groove 11 is provided in the center of each of the four sides of the square, penetrating the top and bottom surfaces, and the second groove 12 is provided in the center of each side surface, parallel to the top and bottom surfaces. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be provided on all sides as long as they are provided on at least one side surface, or on two or more side surfaces. The first groove 11 may be provided at a position offset to one end of a side other than the center of the square, and may not be perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The second groove 12 may be provided at a position offset to either the top or bottom surface other than the center of the side surface, and may not be parallel to the top and bottom surfaces. Furthermore, as long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the groove may be cut in the middle (in the middle of the V-shaped slope), for example.

[0018] The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may have any shape and size that allows the ends (e.g., corners, sides) of the building blocks to come into contact with each other when assembled. However, the cross-sectional shape of the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 preferably matches the shape of the end of the building blocks, and the cross-sectional shape is preferably a V-shaped groove. "Matching the shape of the end of the building blocks" refers to a cross-sectional shape that is approximately the same as the angle between one face of the building blocks and the adjacent face (e.g., the angle between the top face 15A and the side face, or the angle between the side face and the adjacent face, in the case of the first building blocks). The V-shaped groove preferably has a 90-degree V-angle. A V-shaped groove with a 90-degree V-angle allows for surface contact when one end (e.g., a corner or side) of the rectangular hexahedron is inserted (placed) into the groove, thereby stabilizing the stack. Furthermore, the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 preferably have the same V-groove depth, but one of them may be deeper than the other. In the present invention, the rectangular hexahedron is exemplified as one with chamfered corners and edges, but the corners and edges may be angular and not chamfered. The V-shape may match the shape of the end of the building block. If the end of the building block is chamfered, it may match the chamfered surface (e.g., rounded). Even if the end of the building block is chamfered, it may also be in a form that creates a gap equivalent to the chamfered surface (e.g., angular). Here, the term "V-shape" includes forms in which the end and turn-back point (the deepest part of the groove) are not angular but are rounded, such as chamfered. In this case, the angle of the V-shape refers to the angle between the two straight lines (surfaces) that make up the V-shape at the imaginary point (line) where they intersect when extended.

[0019] Second Embodiment Figures 3 and 4 show a building block according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a second building block according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with (A) a vertical view of the top surface, (B) a horizontal view of the front side (the surface on the lower side in Figure 3A), and (C) a horizontal view of the right side. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second building block. Similar to the first building block 10, the building block 20 (second building block) of this embodiment has a rectangular hexahedron with square top and bottom surfaces 15A, 15B, and a first groove 11 and a second groove 12, each V-shaped in cross section and with a 90-degree V-angle, on one side (third side 16C) of the building block 20. A third groove 23 is further provided on one side (third side 16C) of the building block 20, penetrating both the top surface 15A and the bottom surface 15B. The third groove 23 has a V-shaped cross section with a 90-degree V-angle and is deeper (larger) than the first groove 11. In this embodiment, the first groove 11 is provided in the center of each of the three sides of the square, penetrating the top and bottom surfaces. The second groove 12 is provided parallel to the top and bottom surfaces in the center of the side where the first groove 11 is provided. The third groove 23 is provided in the center of one side of the square where the first groove 11 is not provided, penetrating the top and bottom surfaces. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. The first groove 11 and the third groove 23 may be provided at a position offset to one end of a side other than the center of the square, and may not be perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The second groove 12 may be provided at a position offset to either the top or bottom surface, not in the center of the side, and may not be parallel to the top and bottom surfaces. Furthermore, as long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the groove may be cut in the middle (in the middle of the V-shaped slope), for example.

[0020] In this embodiment, the third groove 23 is a V-shaped groove with a V-shaped cross section at a 90-degree angle. However, the third groove 23 is not limited to this. It is sufficient for the shape and size of the third groove 23 to allow the edges (e.g., corners and sides) of the building blocks to come into contact with the groove when assembled. It is preferable for the cross section to match the shape of the edges of the building blocks. A V-shaped groove with a 90-degree V-angle allows for surface contact when any edge (e.g., corner or side) of a rectangular hexahedron is inserted (placed) into the groove, thereby stabilizing the stack. The V-shape may be any shape that matches the shape of the edges of the building blocks. If the edges of the building blocks are chamfered, the V-shape may be rounded to match the chamfered edges. Even if the edges of the building blocks are chamfered, the V-shape may be angular to create a gap corresponding to the chamfered edges.

[0021] When the first groove 11 is provided on the first side surface 16A and the second side surface 16B adjacent to each other of the hexahedron, and the third groove 23 is provided on the third side surface 16C (a side surface different from the first side surface 16A and the second side surface 16B), the size of the groove is preferably as follows: That is, one surface F of the first groove 11 provided on the first side surface 16A is Ａ and one surface F of the first groove 11 provided on the second side surface 16B, which is parallel to the one surface. Ｂ It is preferable that the distance D between the grooves is the same as the length L of one side of the third groove 23 provided on the third side surface 16C. It is also preferable that the length L of one side of the third groove 23 is the same as the thickness of the building block (the distance between the top and bottom surfaces).

[0022] In this embodiment, three of the four sides of the square (15A, 15B) have notches for the first grooves 11, and the remaining side has a large notch for the third groove 23, but this is not limited to this. As long as the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 are provided on at least one side of the building block and the third groove 23 is provided on the other side, the number of sides on which the first grooves 11 and the second grooves 12 are provided may be the same as or different from the number of sides on which the third grooves 23 are provided. Furthermore, the sides on which the first grooves 11 and the second grooves 12 are provided and the sides on which the third grooves 23 are provided may alternate, or one may be continuous with an adjacent side.

[0023] [Building Block Set] The building block set of the present invention is a building block set that can be expressed in various shapes by fitting, stacking, or arranging blocks using the cutouts (cutouts made by the first groove 11 and third groove 23 that penetrate the top and bottom surfaces) visible when viewed from the front (Figs. 1(A) and 3(A)) and the grooves (second groove 12) provided on the sides (Figs. 1(B), (C) and 3(B)).

[0024] The building block set of this embodiment is made up of a plurality of building blocks, including at least one of the first building block 10 and the second building block 20. When the building blocks constituting the building block set are the first building block 10 or the second building block 20, it is preferable that the hexahedrons forming the building blocks are the same size (the lengths of the sides of the top and bottom surfaces of each building block and the thickness of the building block are the same). For example, if the rectangular hexahedrons forming the building blocks have a thickness of 1 / 2 the length of one side, such as a square top and bottom surface with a side length of 40 mm and a thickness of 20 mm, then two building blocks will form a cube when stacked together. Furthermore, if the length L of one side of the third groove 23 and the distance D between the grooves are approximately the same as the thickness of the building blocks, the protrusions (portions of distance D) formed by two adjacent first grooves 11 can be fitted into the holes formed when two second building blocks 20 are assembled so that their third grooves 23 face each other. Thus, in the building block set of the present invention, if the thicknesses of the first building block and the second building block are approximately the same as the length L or the distance D, various assembly methods become possible, which is preferable.

[0025] For the building blocks shown in Figures 1 to 4, if the squares on the top and bottom surfaces have sides of 40 mm and a thickness of 20 mm, and the width (length of one side of the square) of the first groove 11 is 11.72 mm, the V-angle is 90 degrees, and the width (length of one side of the square) of the third groove 23 is 28.28 mm and the V-angle is 90 degrees, then the distance D between the grooves and the length L of one side of the third groove 23 can both be 20 mm. The side length of the square can be set arbitrarily, but for educational toys and rehabilitation purposes, a size of approximately 30 mm to 80 mm is preferable. Considering that the blocks will be given to small children, a size that is too small is not desirable, but for other uses or purposes, a size outside the above range is acceptable.

[0026] 5 to 8 show examples of assembling the building block set of the present invention. In these examples, the building blocks are formed from rectangular parallelepipeds with square top and bottom faces and the same thickness, and the thickness is 1 / 2 the length of one side of the square.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using six first building blocks 10 and two second building blocks 20. First, two second building blocks 20 are placed as bases, with the hexahedral side having the first groove 11 and second groove 12 facing upward. A hexahedral corner of the first building block 10A is placed on top of the second building block 20 so that it touches the second groove 12 on the upper side. In FIG. 5, the two first building blocks 10A are placed with the second building block 20 serving as the base so that their top surfaces are rotated 90 degrees relative to each other. However, by placing the corner of the building block 10A in the first groove 11, the two first building blocks 10A can be stacked even when their top surfaces are facing the same direction. Next, two first building blocks 10A are placed on top of two second building blocks 20, and another first building block 10B is assembled between them. First, the two first building blocks 10A are positioned so that their laterally protruding corners face each other. Then, with the top and bottom surfaces (15A, 15B) facing up and down, the first building block 10B is held in place by fitting the laterally protruding corners of the two first building blocks 10A into the second grooves 12 on its side. Instead of the assembly method shown in Figure 5, the first building block 10B can also be held in place by orienting its top and bottom surfaces in the same direction as the first building blocks 10A on either side, with its first grooves 11 facing the first building blocks 10A on either side, and fitting the corners of the left and right building blocks 10A into the first grooves 11 of the first building block 10B. Although the following assembly steps are omitted, variations are possible by changing the orientation and angle of each assembly step, allowing for a variety of stacking methods.

[0028] Next, the first building block 10C is placed so that the first grooves 11 of the first building block 10C contact the upwardly protruding corners of the two first building blocks 10A. Then, the first building block 10D is assembled so that it spans between the two first building blocks 10C. The top and bottom surfaces of the first building block 10D are oriented in the same direction as the first building blocks 10C on either side, and the first grooves 11 of the first building block 10C are fitted into the corners of the first building block 10D to hold it in place.

[0029] In this way, the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 intersect, and the grooves have a cross-sectional shape (notch) that matches the shape of the end of other building blocks. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, it is possible to assemble blocks in a number of unique ways that utilize the grooves and notches, which was difficult with conventional building blocks.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an example of an assembly using two first building blocks 10 and four second building blocks 20. The two lower building blocks are placed upright with one side of the hexahedron facing downwards, and another building block is stacked on top of each of these two building blocks. One building block 10 is placed on top of the lower building block 20 with one side of the hexahedron facing downwards, rotated 90 degrees, and the other building block 20 is placed so that the corners of the hexahedron are in contact with the second grooves 12 on the upper side of the lower building block 10. Two second building blocks 20 are assembled between the two building blocks placed on the lower building blocks, forming an arch shape, with the corners of the hexahedrons of the adjacent building blocks fitting into and contacting the third grooves 23 of each building block.

[0031] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using five first building blocks 10. The second grooves 12 of each building block are used to fit into and contact one corner of the top or bottom of another building block, creating an arch-like assembly. The building blocks can be assembled not only by stacking them, but also diagonally, thanks to the second grooves 12.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of assembly using one first building block 10 and two second building blocks 20. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 can be assembled by combining two second building blocks 20 vertically with their third grooves 23 facing each other and then fitting the protruding portion of the first building block 10 (the portion with the distance D) into the hole formed by the two third grooves 23. Here, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 and the distance D between the grooves are approximately equal to the thickness of the building block. Having such a predetermined thickness allows the building blocks to be assembled not only by simply stacking them, but also in a unique way, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0033] The building block set of the present invention is assembled by allowing the grooves and corners of the building blocks to touch rather than being completely fixed in place. This requires careful assembly while considering balance. Although the set is simple, there are many ways to assemble it, so it never gets boring and gives a sense of accomplishment.

[0034] The building block set of the present invention can be assembled in the following manner. For example, when placing another building block on a building block placed so that the hexahedral side having the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 faces upward, the upper surfaces of the lower and upper blocks are facing the same direction, and the second groove 12 on the upper side of the lower building block is placed in contact with the second groove 12 of the upper block. This allows the upper building block to be stacked on top of the lower building block, not directly on top of the lower building block, but offset by the distance of the second groove. Furthermore, for example, if a building block is placed so that the hexahedral side having the third groove 23 faces upward, the upper surface and one side of another building block can be placed in contact with the side of the third groove 23, allowing the blocks to be stacked at an angle. Furthermore, by utilizing each groove to place blocks in any position, the sides can be offset vertically or horizontally.

[0035] (Third Embodiment) Figure 9 shows a building block according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The shape of the building block is not limited to square top and bottom surfaces. The building block 30 of this embodiment has a rectangular top surface 35A and bottom surface 35B, each of which is the same size as two square faces of the first or second building block, and each side of the top and bottom surfaces is longer than the thickness of the building block. The building block 30 has a first groove 11 and a second groove 12, but the groove configuration is not limited to this embodiment. A third groove 23 may be provided instead of the first groove 11, or the position and number of grooves may be changed. The building block 30 of the third embodiment may be included as part of the above-mentioned building block set that includes the first building block and the second building block.

[0036] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 10 shows a building block according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The building block 40 of this embodiment has a rectangular top surface 45A and bottom surface 45B formed by cutting the square surface of the first or second building block in half. A building block shaped as shown in Figure 10 can be used as a pillar-like part by fitting it into a hole formed when two second building blocks 20 are combined so that their third grooves 23 face each other. The building block 40 of the fourth embodiment may be included as part of the above-mentioned building block set that includes the first and second building blocks.

[0037] Fifth Embodiment FIG. 11 shows a building block according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The building block 50 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the first building block 10, except that a groove (fourth groove 54) similar to the groove (second groove 12) formed on the side of the building block is formed on the hexahedral upper surface 55A. The fourth groove 54 may be formed on one or both of the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B. Forming the fourth groove 54 on the upper surface and / or the lower surface enables unique assembly methods utilizing this groove. When forming the fourth groove 54 on both the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B, it is preferable to form the fourth groove 54 in different directions on the upper surface 55A and the lower surface 55B, considering the strength of the building block. The building block 50 of the fifth embodiment may be included as part of the above-mentioned building block set that includes the first building block and the second building block.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the building blocks are described as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape with grooves. However, the building blocks of the present invention are not limited to these shapes. They may be cubic (regular hexahedron) or other polyhedral shapes not limited to six sides. The building blocks may have any shape, as long as at least one side has a plurality of grooves, including a first groove and a second groove, the first groove and the second groove intersect, and the cross-sectional shape of these grooves matches the shape of the end of other building blocks. The inclusion of grooves of this type allows for various stacking methods that are not possible with conventional building blocks. Shapes other than rectangular parallelepipeds include not only three-dimensional shapes consisting of flat surfaces, such as triangular prisms and triangular pyramids, but also three-dimensional shapes including curved surfaces, such as spheres, ellipsoids, and cones. In this case, the grooves of the above type may be provided on any of the flat or curved surfaces. In the case of a three-dimensional shape including curved surfaces, if the first groove and the second groove can be maintained facing vertically upward using other building blocks as a base, it is possible to stack other blocks in the groove.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the second groove penetrates the entire side of the hexahedron from one side to the opposite side, from end to end of the side, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the second groove only needs to be formed at a portion where it intersects with the first groove. In this case, it is preferable that the second groove be formed to have a length equal to or greater than the length of the first groove (the thickness of the building block).

[0040] In the above embodiment, the first groove 11 provided on the first side surface 16A has a first surface F Ａ and one surface F of the first groove 11 provided on the second side surface 16B, which is parallel to the one surface. Ｂ In the above embodiment, the distance D between the grooves is the same as the length L of one side of the third groove 23 provided on the third side surface 16C, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the distance D between the grooves may be shorter than the length L of one side of the third groove.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 is the same as the thickness of the building block (the distance between the top and bottom surfaces), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the length L of one side of the third groove 23 may be longer than the thickness of the building block. Alternatively, the length of one of the two sides of the third groove 23 may be the same as the thickness of the building block, and the length of the other side may be different from the thickness of the building block.

[0042] (Sixth embodiment) Figure 12 shows a building block according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows (A) a vertical view of the top surface of a building block according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, (B) a horizontal view of the front side, and (C) a horizontal view of the right side. The building block 60 of this embodiment is a cubic-shaped building block, and has two intersecting grooves on each face, which correspond to the first groove and the second groove. The building block 60 of the sixth embodiment may be included as part of the above-mentioned building block set that includes the first building block and the second building block.

[0043] Seventh Embodiment Figure 13 shows a building block according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 shows (A) a vertical view of the top surface of a building block according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, (B) a horizontal view of the front side, and (C) a horizontal view of the right side. The building block 70 according to this embodiment is a cubic building block, and has a groove corresponding to the third groove on one side (the right side in Figure 13) and two intersecting grooves corresponding to the first and second grooves on the other side. The building block 70 according to the seventh embodiment may be included as part of the above-mentioned building block set including the first and second building blocks.

[0044] FIG. 14 illustrates variations in the shape of the grooves (edges) of the building blocks of the present invention. FIGS. 14(A)-(C) show two building blocks with first and second grooves combined together, viewed from the direction of FIG. 1(A). FIGS. 14(D)-(F) show a building block with first, second, and third grooves combined with a building block with first and second grooves, viewed from the direction of FIG. 1(A) (FIG. 3(A)). Side views are omitted, but each building block has a second groove that intersects with the first groove on its side. As shown in these examples, even if the groove shape is not V-shaped, such as with rounded corners (FIGS. 14(A), (B), (D), and (E)) or a stepped shape (FIGS. 14(C) and (F)), it is possible to stack building blocks using the groove as long as the cross-sectional shape matches the shape of the edge of another building block.

[0045] The width of the V-shape cut out by the first groove 11 provided on the side of the building block of the present invention (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be shorter than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the first groove 11 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). In contrast, the width of the V-shape cut out by the second groove 12 (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the second groove 12 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). Furthermore, the width of the V-shape cut out by the third groove 23 (the distance between the start and end points of the V-shape) may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the third groove 23 (the length of the side surface remaining in the direction connecting the start and end points of the V-shape). It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to this, and the width of the V-shape cut out by the first groove 11 may be longer than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out by the first groove 11, whereas the width of the V-shape cut out by the second groove 12 and the width of the V-shape cut out by the third groove 23 may be shorter than the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out. Also, although an example has been described in which the relationship in magnitude between the width of the V-shape cut out by the groove and the length of the side surface remaining after being cut out is the same for the second groove 12 and the third groove 23, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relationship may be the same for the first groove 11 and the second groove 12, or the relationship may be the same for the first groove 11 and the third groove 23, or all of the first to third grooves may have the same relationship. Furthermore, as long as the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 and the second groove 12 are provided on one side surface, the other side surfaces may have only the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 provided on one side surface and only the second groove 12 provided on the other side surface, or may have no grooves provided on either side. This is not limiting, and it is also possible for only the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 to be provided on one side surface and only the second groove 12 to be provided on the other side surface (a surface that does not have a side surface that has both the first groove 11 or the third groove 23 and the second groove 12). Furthermore, the side surface on which the third groove 23 is provided may not have the second groove 12 provided.

[0046] The building blocks of the present invention can be produced by resin molding, but are preferably made of wood such as cypress, beech, maple, oak, walnut, or cork. Wooden blocks can sometimes be difficult to balance due to differences in slipperiness and roughness at the contact points between blocks caused by the grain and texture direction. This makes them suitable not only for educational toys but also for adults to enjoy. Furthermore, wood offers a pleasant feel and fragrance. While various methods for producing the building blocks of the present invention are possible, carving them out rather than gluing them together is preferred, as this avoids the use of adhesives (organic solvents).

[0047] The building blocks and building block sets of the present invention can be used, for example, as educational toys, toys for finger rehabilitation, and toys for dementia prevention. As educational toys, the various stacking and assembly methods are expected to foster dexterity, concentration, imagination, creativity, spatial awareness, problem-solving ability, and self-esteem. They can also be used as ornaments or large objects whose shapes can be freely changed. Furthermore, building block sets may include building block shapes other than those illustrated in Figures 1 to 14, as long as they include building block shapes defined by the present invention.

[0048] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 20, 30, 40, 50 Building block 11 First groove 12 Second groove 15A, 35A, 45A, 55A Top surface of hexahedron 15B, 35B, 45B, 55B Bottom surface of hexahedron 16 Side of hexahedron 16A First side 16B Second side 16C Third side 23 Third groove 54 Fourth groove 60, 70 Building block (cubic shape) L Length of one side of third groove D Distance between grooves

Claims

1. A building block having a plurality of grooves on at least one surface thereof, including a first groove extending in a first direction along said surface and a second groove extending along said surface in a second direction different from the first direction, said first groove and said second groove intersect, and said grooves have a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of an end of the building block.

2. The building block according to claim 1, wherein said building block is a hexahedron consisting of six quadrilaterals, and said first groove and said second groove are provided on at least one face of said hexahedron.

3. The building block according to claim 2, wherein the building block is a rectangular hexahedron having square top and bottom surfaces, with the first groove and the second groove provided on at least one surface thereof, the first groove being provided on the side surface of the hexahedron in the center of an edge of the square, penetrating the top and bottom surfaces, and the second groove being provided on the side surface of the hexahedron, parallel to the top and bottom surfaces.

4. The building block according to claim 3, wherein the first groove and the second groove are V-grooves having a V-shaped cross section, the V-shape forming an angle of 90 degrees.

5. A building block as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a third groove larger than the first groove, the first groove being provided on adjacent first and second side faces of the hexahedron, the third groove being a V-shaped groove provided on a third side face different from the first and second side faces, penetrating the top and bottom faces, the V-shaped groove having a V-shaped cross section with an angle of 90 degrees, and the distance between one face of the first groove provided on the first side face and one face of the first groove provided on the second side face which is parallel to the first face is less than or equal to the length of one side of the third groove provided on the third side face.

6. A building block set having a building block having a plurality of V-shaped grooves, including a first V-shaped groove and a second V-shaped groove, on at least one face of a rectangular hexahedron having square top and bottom faces, wherein the first V-shaped groove of the building block is provided at the center of an edge of the square on a side of the hexahedron, penetrating the top and bottom faces, and the second V-shaped groove is provided on the side of the hexahedron parallel to the top and bottom faces, the first V-shaped groove and the second V-shaped groove intersect, and the V-shaped groove has a cross-sectional shape that matches the shape of an end of the building block, the building block set includes a first building block and a second building block, and the first building block has the first V-shaped groove provided on four side faces of the hexahedron, a third V-groove larger than the first V-groove is provided on at least one side of the hexahedron so as to penetrate the top and bottom surfaces of the second building block, and the first V-groove is provided on the remaining side surfaces of the hexahedron; and in the first building block, a distance between one face of the first V-groove provided on the first side surface of the hexahedron and one face of the first V-groove provided on a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface and parallel to the first face is less than or equal to the length of one side of the third V-groove of the second building block.

7. The building block set according to claim 6, wherein the hexahedrons forming said first building block and said second building block are of the same size.

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