Polyhedral toy

Abstract

Provided is a polyhedral toy that is rich in play patterns, has unpredictable morphological changes, and thereby makes it possible to enhance the puzzle aspect of the toy. Provided is a polyhedral toy constituted of 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons, wherein: each of the polyhedrons is constituted of a first portion and a second portion; the first portion has a quadrangular pyramid shape including one side surface of a triangular prism shape and one of the bases of the triangular prism shape; the second portion has a triangular pyramid shape including the other of the bases of the triangular prism shape; in the first portion, the other-base-side edge of the triangular prism shape included in the one side surface of the triangular prism shape is connected to the edge of the other base included in the second portion; and in plan view in which quadrilateral faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first portions of the polyhedrons are placed on the same plane, the polyhedrons each have a quadrilateral face of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first portion connected to quadrilateral faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first portions of two other polyhedrons.

Description

polyhedral toys

[0001] The present invention relates to a polyhedron toy that can be transformed from a prismatic shape into various other shapes.

[0002] A polyhedral toy consisting of two toy bodies that can be mated with each other in a male-female manner and that can be transformed between a star-shaped polyhedron and a cube has been known, and its configuration and manufacturing method are disclosed in Patent Document 1. If the two toy bodies are toy bodies A and B, each of toy bodies A and B is made up of eight polyhedral units.

[0003] There are two main patterns for playing this game. One pattern is as follows: Starting with the form shown in Figure 1 of Patent Document 1, toy body A is initially formed. From this state, toy body A is unfolded around parting line 14 (see Figure 1), and a stellate polyhedron toy body B appears from within. This stellate polyhedron toy body B is removed from toy body A and separated. After separation, toy body A is unfolded to complete the stellate polyhedron. The other pattern is as follows: In the initial form of toy body A, the colors of the squares that make up toy body A appear on its cubic surface. From this state, toy body A is unfolded around a parting line that intersects with parting line 14, and toy body A is transformed into a cubic toy body B so that the colors of the squares that make up toy body B appear. In other words, the method of playing with the polyhedral toy in Patent Document 1 involves inverting the surface of the cube of toy body A or toy body B to transform it into a cube of a different color, or alternately transforming the cube of toy body A or toy body B into a star-shaped polyhedron.

[0004] However, there were limitations to the play patterns of the game in which toy body A or toy body B was transformed into a color-changing cube, or into a cube and a stellate polyhedron alternately.Furthermore, the game was based on the pairing of toy body A and toy body B, and the play methods using toy body A and toy body B alone were also limited.

[0005] Special Publication No. 63-36272

[0006] As described above, conventional polyhedral toys have limited play patterns. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a polyhedral toy that offers more play patterns than conventional toys and whose shape changes are unpredictable, thereby enhancing the puzzle element. Another aim is to provide a polyhedral toy that allows players to enjoy the changes in shape even with a single polyhedral toy and has the expandability to enrich the content of play.

[0007] The present invention provides a polyhedron toy consisting of 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons, each of which is composed of a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has a quadrangular pyramid shape with one side surface of the triangular prism and one base surface of the triangular prism, the second part has a triangular pyramid shape with the other base surface of the triangular prism, and the side of the one side surface of the triangular prism of the first part facing the other base surface is connected to the side of the other base surface of the second part, and when the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first parts of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, in a planar view, the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first part of each polyhedron are connected to the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first parts of the other two polyhedrons.

[0008] In the present invention, the 12 polyhedrons can be composed of four polyhedrons in which the side of a quadrangular pyramid shape in the first portion that is opposite to the side to which the second portion is connected is connected to a quadrangular pyramid shape in the first portion of another polyhedron, and eight polyhedrons in which the side of a quadrangular pyramid shape in the first portion that is opposite to the side to which the second portion is connected is not connected to a quadrangular pyramid shape in the first portion of another polyhedron.

[0009] In the present invention, the twelve polyhedrons may be connected via one connecting member.

[0010] In this case, the twelve polyhedrons may be connected to one another at intervals via the single connecting member.

[0011] Furthermore, in this case, the width of the connecting portion of the connecting member that connects the polyhedrons may be shorter than the dimension of the side of the base of the polyhedron.

[0012] Furthermore, in this case, the width dimension of the connecting member can be in the range of 50 to 80% of the dimension of the side of the base of the polyhedron.

[0013] In the present invention, each of the 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons can have a regular triangular prism shape.

[0014] In the present invention, when the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, the bottom face of the second part of each polyhedron can face the bottom face of the second part of another polyhedron in a plan view.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a polyhedral toy that has a wide variety of play patterns and whose shape changes are unpredictable, thereby enhancing the puzzle element.

[0016] A perspective view of a polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first part of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane. A plan view of a polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first part of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane. A front view of a polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first part of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane. A diagram showing the plane on which the quadrangular faces of the polyhedron toy are placed in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first part of each polyhedron are placed, i.e., a bottom view of the polyhedron toy. 5 shows a state in which the first and second parts of the two polyhedrons in FIG. 5 have been released from their connection. (A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the first parts that constitute the first parts of the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 in this embodiment. (A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the first parts that constitute the first parts of the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 in this embodiment. (A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the first parts that constitute the first parts of the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 in this embodiment. Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a main body part, a cover member, and a connecting member housed in a second part which constitute the first part. Plan view of a connecting member. Schematic diagram showing an assembly mode of a toy. Schematic diagram showing an assembly mode of a toy. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern. Perspective view showing an example of a deformation pattern.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, common components will be designated by common terms, will be illustrated in substantially the same manner in each drawing, and detailed descriptions will be omitted, and will be indicated by the same reference numerals as necessary.

[0018] The polyhedron toy (hereinafter also referred to simply as the toy) 1 of this embodiment has 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons U (U1 to U12), and each polyhedron U is composed of a first part V (V1 to V12) and a second part W (W1 to W12). Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portions of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portions of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, Fig. 3 is a front view of the polyhedron toy in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portions of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the plane on which the quadrangular faces of the polyhedron toy are placed in a state where the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portions of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, i.e., a bottom view of the polyhedron toy, Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of two polyhedrons in Figs. 1 to 4 where the triangular prism-shaped bottom faces are in contact with each other, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the state where the first and second portions of the two polyhedrons in Fig. 5 are released from their connection.

[0019] Each of the triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons U has three side surfaces Ua (U1a to U12a), Ub (U1b to U12b), and Uc (U1c to U12c) and two base surfaces Ud (U1d to U12d) and Ue (U1e to U12e).

[0020] The first portion V has a quadrangular pyramid shape having one side surface Ua of the triangular prism shape of the polyhedron U and one bottom surface Ud of the triangular prism shape of the polyhedron U. More specifically, the first portion V in this embodiment further includes a surface Vb (V1b to V12b) that constitutes a part of the side surface Ub of the triangular prism shape, a surface Vc (V1c to V12c) that constitutes a part of the side surface Uc of the triangular prism shape, and a surface Vd (V1d to V12d) that is surrounded by the side surface Ua, the surface Vb, and the surface Vc. In this embodiment, the bottom surface Ud has an equilateral triangle shape, and each of the polyhedrons U has a regular triangular prism shape.

[0021] The second portion W (W1-W12) has a triangular pyramid shape with the other base Ue of the triangular prism shape, and constitutes the remainder of the triangular prism shape. More specifically, the second portion W in this embodiment further includes a face Wb (W1b-W12b) that constitutes the remainder of the side surface Ub of the triangular prism shape, a face Wc (W1c-W12c) that constitutes the remainder of the side surface Uc of the triangular prism shape, and a face Wd (W1d-W12d) that is surrounded by the face Wb, the face Wc, and the bottom face Ue. In this embodiment, the bottom faces Ud and Ue have an equilateral triangular prism shape, and the polyhedron U each has a regular triangular prism shape. Also in this embodiment, the face Wd has the same size as the face Vd.

[0022] In the first part V, the side Uf (U1f to U12f) of one side Ua of the triangular prism shape on the side of the other bottom surface Ue of the triangular prism shape is connected to the side We (W1e to W12e) of the other bottom surface Ue of the second part W.

[0023] In the state shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first part V and the second part W are combined to form a triangular prism shape, and the surface Vd of the first part V and the surface Wd of the second part W overlap each other.

[0024] The quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first portion V of the polyhedron U are connected to the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first portions V of the other two polyhedrons U. The connections of the polyhedrons U1 to U12 with the other two polyhedrons in this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0025] In the first polyhedron U1, the side U1g, which faces the side U1f to which the second portion W1 is connected, of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V1 is connected to the side U12g of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V12 of the twelfth polyhedron U12. In addition, in the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V1 of the first polyhedron U1, the side U1h, of the two sides U1h and U1i that do not face the side U1f to which the second portion W1 is connected, is connected to the side U2i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V2 of the second polyhedron U2.

[0026] In the second polyhedron U2, the side U2g opposite the side U2f to which the second portion W2 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the second polyhedron U2, the side U2h and side U2i opposite the side U2f to which the second portion W2 is connected are connected to the first portion V2. Of these two sides U2h and U2i, side 2i is connected to side U1h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V1 of the first polyhedron U1. Side 2h is also connected to side U3i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V3 of the third polyhedron U3.

[0027] The third polyhedron U3 has a quadrangular pyramidal surface in the first portion V3, and an edge U3g opposite to the edge U3f to which the second portion W3 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. Of the two edges U3h and U3i that do not face the edge U3f to which the second portion W3 is connected, edge 3i is connected to edge U2h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V2 of the second polyhedron U2. Edge 3h is also connected to edge U4i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V4 of the fourth polyhedron U4.

[0028] In the fourth polyhedron U4, the side U4g opposite the side U4f to which the second portion W4 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the fourth polyhedron U4, the side U4h and side U4i opposite the side U4f to which the second portion W4 is connected are connected to the first portion V4. Of these two sides U4h and U4i, side 4i is connected to side U3h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V3 of the third polyhedron U3. Side 4h is also connected to side U5i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V5 of the fifth polyhedron U5.

[0029] The fifth polyhedron U5 has a quadrangular pyramidal surface in the first portion V5, and an edge U5g opposite to the edge U5f to which the second portion W5 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. Of the two edges U5h and U5i that do not face the edge U5f to which the second portion W5 is connected, the fifth polyhedron U5 has a quadrangular pyramidal surface in the first portion V5. Edge 5i is connected to edge U4h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V4 of the fourth polyhedron U4. Edge 5h is also connected to edge U6i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V6 of the sixth polyhedron U6.

[0030] The sixth polyhedron U6 has a quadrangular pyramidal surface in the first portion V6, and an edge U6g opposite to the edge U6f to which the second portion W6 is connected is connected to an edge U7g of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V7 of the seventh polyhedron U7. Furthermore, the sixth polyhedron U6 has two edges U6h and U6i that do not oppose the edge U6f to which the second portion W6 is connected, and the edge U6i is connected to an edge U5h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V5 of the fifth polyhedron U5.

[0031] In the seventh polyhedron U1, the side U7g, which faces the side U7f to which the second portion W7 is connected, of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V7 is connected to the side U6g of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V6 of the sixth polyhedron U6. In addition, in the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V7 of the seventh polyhedron U1, the side U7h and U7i, which do not face the side U7f to which the second portion W7 is connected, are connected to the side U8i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V8 of the eighth polyhedron U8.

[0032] In the eighth polyhedron U2, the side U8g opposite the side U8f to which the second portion W8 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the eighth polyhedron U8, the side U8h and U8i opposite the side U8f to which the second portion W8 is connected are connected to the first portion V8. Of these two sides U8h and U8i, side 8i is connected to side U7h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V7 of the seventh polyhedron U7. Side 8h is also connected to side U9i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V9 of the ninth polyhedron U9.

[0033] In the ninth polyhedron U9, the side U9g opposite the side U9f to which the second portion W9 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the ninth polyhedron U9, the side U9h and side U9i opposite the side U9f to which the second portion W9 is connected are connected to the first portion V9. Of the two sides U9h and U9i that do not face the side U9f to which the second portion W9 is connected, side 9i is connected to side U8h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V8 of the eighth polyhedron U8. Side 9h is also connected to side U10i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V10 of the tenth polyhedron U10.

[0034] In the tenth polyhedron U10, the side U10g, which faces the side U10f to which the second portion W10 is connected, of the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portion V10 is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the tenth polyhedron U10, the side U10h and U10i, which do not face the side U10f to which the second portion W10 is connected, of the two sides U10h and U10i of the quadrangular pyramidal faces of the first portion V10, side 10i is connected to side U9h of the quadrangular pyramidal face of the first portion V9 of the ninth polyhedron U9. Side 10h is also connected to side U11i of the quadrangular pyramidal face of the first portion V11 of the eleventh polyhedron U11.

[0035] In the eleventh polyhedron U11, the side U11g opposite the side U11f to which the second portion W11 is connected is not connected to any other polyhedron. In the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V11 of the eleventh polyhedron U11, the two sides U11h and U11i that do not face the side U11f to which the second portion W11 is connected are connected. Side 11i is connected to side U10h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V10 of the tenth polyhedron U10. Side 11h is also connected to side U12i of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V12 of the twelfth polyhedron U12.

[0036] In the twelfth polyhedron U12, the side U12g, which faces the side U12f to which the second portion W12 is connected, of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V12 is connected to the side U1g of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V1 of the first polyhedron U1. In addition, in the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V12 of the twelfth polyhedron U12, the side U12i, of the two sides U12h and U12i that do not face the side U12f to which the second portion W12 is connected, is connected to the side U11h of the quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V11 of the eleventh polyhedron U11.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the 12 polyhedrons U1 to U12 are composed of four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12, each of which has a quadrangular pyramidal surface that is opposite to the side to which the second portion W is connected, and is connected to a quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V of another polyhedron; and eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11, each of which has a quadrangular pyramidal surface that is opposite to the side to which the second portion W is connected, and is not connected to a quadrangular pyramidal surface of the first portion V of another polyhedron.

[0038] Next, the specific configuration of each polyhedron U1 to U12 in this embodiment will be described using the first polyhedron U1 and the second polyhedron U2 as examples. Note that among the configurations of each polyhedron, those components that are common to the configuration of polyhedron U1 and / or polyhedron U2 will be given the same names and symbols as polyhedron U1 and / or polyhedron U2, and their description will be omitted.

[0039] Figures 7(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the first portion that constitute the first portion of the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 in this embodiment. Figures 8(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the first portion that constitute the first portion of the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 in this embodiment. Figures 9(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of the main body, lid member, and connecting member housed in the second portion that constitute the second portion in this embodiment. The second portion has a common configuration for the 12 polyhedrons U1 to U12.

[0040] 7A to 7C, in the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12, the first portion V has a main body 31 having side faces Ua, Vb, Vc, and Vd that form four triangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape, and a lid 32 that is attached to the main body 31 so as to close an opening 31a surrounded by the bottom edges of the four triangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape and that forms part of the bottom face Ud. In this embodiment, both the main body 31 and the lid 32 are made of synthetic resin.

[0041] In the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 of this embodiment, the four triangular faces of the main body 31 are formed by folding back the ends of the base Ud of the quadrangular pyramid shape toward the end of the opposing triangular face on the base Ud side of the quadrangular pyramid shape to form folded back portions 31b. In the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 of this embodiment, the folded back portions 31b are formed only in both end regions of the end of the quadrangular pyramid shape on the base Ud side in the extension direction, and no folded back portion 31b is formed in the central region of the end of the triangular face in the extension direction. That is, in this embodiment, each of the four triangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape has a recess 31c sandwiched between the folded back portions 31b in the central region of the end of the end on the base Ud side in the extension direction. In this embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of each recess 31c is 60% of the dimension between both ends of the triangular surface on the side of the base Ud where the recess 31c is provided, and may be 50 to 80% of the dimension between both ends of the triangular surface on the side of the base Ud where the recess 31c is provided.

[0042] In the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 of this embodiment, the lid portion 32 is shaped to completely cover the opening 31a of the main body 31. In particular, the lid portion 32 of this embodiment is shaped to completely cover the bottom surface Ud side of the recess 31c, with a slight gap between the lid portion 32 and the recess 31c. Furthermore, the lid portion 32 of this embodiment is configured so that the folded portion 31b and the lid portion 32 are substantially flush with each other when the lid portion 32 is attached to the main body 31. In this way, in the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 of this embodiment, the folded portion 31b and the lid portion 32 form the bottom surface Ud of the polyhedron U.

[0043] As shown in Figures 8A to 8C, in the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 of this embodiment, the four triangular faces of the main body 31 have their ends on the side of the base Ud of the quadrangular pyramid shape folded back toward the end of the opposing triangular face on the side of the base Ud of the quadrangular pyramid shape, forming folded portions 31b. In the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 of this embodiment, the faces Vb, Vc, and Vd have folded portions 31b only at both end regions in the extension direction of the end on the side of the base Ud of the quadrangular pyramid shape, and no folded portion 31b is formed in the central region in the extension direction of the end of the triangular face. That is, in this embodiment, the faces Vb, Vc, and Vd each have a recess 31c sandwiched between the folded portions 31b formed in the central region in the extension direction of the end on the side of the base Ud. In this embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of each recess 31c is 60% of the dimension between both ends of the triangular surface on the side of the base Ud where the recess 31c is provided. The longitudinal dimension of each recess 31c can be 50 to 80% of the dimension between both ends of the triangular surface on the side of the base Ud where the recess 31c is provided. In the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 of this embodiment, the side surface Ua has a folded portion 31b formed over the entire end on the side of the base Ud of the quadrangular pyramid shape. The configuration of the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 can be the same as the configuration of the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12.

[0044] In the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 of this embodiment, the lid portion 32 is shaped to completely cover the opening 31a of the main body portion 31. In particular, the lid portion 32 of this embodiment is shaped to completely cover the bottom surface Ud side of the recess 31c, with a slight gap between the recess 31c and the lid portion 32. Furthermore, the lid portion 32 of this embodiment is configured so that the folded portion 31b and the lid portion 32 are substantially flush with each other when the lid portion 32 is attached to the main body portion 31. In this way, in the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 of this embodiment, the folded portion 31b and the lid portion 32 form the bottom surface Ud of the polyhedron U.

[0045] In the twelve polyhedrons U1 to U12 of this embodiment, a cylindrical portion 31d is molded inside the main body 31, extending from the apex of the quadrangular pyramid toward the opening 31a. The lid 32 is formed with a columnar portion 32a that fits into the hollow portion 31e of the cylindrical portion 31d. Therefore, in this embodiment, fitting the columnar portion 32a into the cylindrical portion 31d closes the opening 31a, thereby forming the quadrangular pyramid-shaped first portions V1 to V12. In particular, in this embodiment, the cross section of the hollow portion 31e is hexagonal, and the cross section of the columnar portion 32a is circular. By making the cross-sectional shapes of the hollow portion 31e and the columnar portion 32a different, the columnar portion 32a can be easily inserted into the hollow portion 31e.

[0046] In particular, in the twelve polyhedrons U1 to U12 of this embodiment, a stopper 31f is formed inside the main body 31 near the end on the bottom surface Ud side of the quadrangular pyramid shape. In this embodiment, the stopper 31f is formed in a ring shape along the entire end near the end on the bottom surface Ud side of the quadrangular pyramid shape. By forming such a stopper 31f, it is possible to prevent the cover 32 from being excessively biased against the main body 31 and damaging the main body when the columnar portion 32a is inserted into the hollow portion 31e.

[0047] The 12 polyhedrons U1 to U12 of this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by preparing male and female molds for the main body portion 31 and the lid portion 32, and injecting thermoplastic resin into each mold using an injection molding machine or the like.

[0048] 9A to 9C, the second portion W has a main body 41 having faces Wb, Wc, and Wd that form three triangular faces of the triangular pyramid shape, and a lid 42 that is attached to the main body 41 so as to close an opening 41a surrounded by the bottom edges of the three triangular faces of the triangular pyramid shape and that forms a part of the bottom surface Ue. In this embodiment, both the main body 41 and the lid 42 are made of synthetic resin.

[0049] In this embodiment, the three triangular faces of the main body 41 are formed by folding back the ends of the triangular pyramids on the bottom Ue side toward the ends of the other triangular faces on the bottom Ue side, forming folded portions 41b. In this embodiment, the faces Wd have folded portions 41b only at both end regions in the extension direction of the ends on the bottom Ue side of the triangular pyramids, and no folded portions 41b are formed in the central region in the extension direction of the ends of the triangular faces. That is, in this embodiment, the faces Wd each have recesses 41c sandwiched between the folded portions 41b in the central region in the extension direction of the ends on the bottom W1d side. In this embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of each recess 41c is 60% of the dimension between both end portions on the bottom Ue side of the triangular faces in which the recess 41c is provided. The longitudinal dimension of each recess 41c can be 50 to 80% of the dimension between both end portions on the bottom Ue side of the triangular faces in which the recess 41c is provided. In this embodiment, the faces Wb and Wc have folded portions 41b formed over the entire ends on the bottom face Ue side of the triangular pyramid shape.

[0050] In this embodiment, the lid portion 42 has a shape that completely covers the opening 41a of the main body portion 41. In particular, the lid portion 42 of this embodiment has a shape that completely covers the bottom surface Ue side of the recessed portion 41c, with a slight gap between the lid portion 42 and the recessed portion 41c. Furthermore, the lid portion 42 of this embodiment is configured so that the folded portion 41b and the lid portion 42 are substantially flush with each other when the lid portion 42 is attached to the main body portion 41. In this manner, in this embodiment, the folded portion 41b and the lid portion 42 form the bottom surface Ue of the second portions W1 to W12.

[0051] In this embodiment, a cylindrical portion 41d is molded inside the main body 41, extending from the apex of the triangular pyramid toward the opening 41a. The lid 42 is formed with a columnar portion 42a that fits into the hollow portion 41e of the cylindrical portion 41d. Therefore, in this embodiment, fitting the columnar portion 42a into the cylindrical portion 41d closes the opening 41a, thereby forming the triangular pyramid-shaped second portions W1 to W12. In particular, in this embodiment, the cross section of the hollow portion 41e is hexagonal, and the cross section of the columnar portion 42a is circular. By making the cross-sectional shapes of the hollow portion 41e and the columnar portion 42a different, the columnar portion 42a can be easily inserted into the hollow portion 41e.

[0052] In particular, in the twelve polyhedrons U1 to U12 of this embodiment, a stopper 41f is formed inside the main body 41 near the end on the bottom surface W1d side of the triangular pyramid shape. In this embodiment, the stopper 41f is formed in a ring shape along the entire end near the end on the bottom surface Ue side of the triangular pyramid shape. By forming such a stopper 41f, it is possible to prevent the cover 42 from being excessively pressed against the main body 41 and damaging the main body when the columnar portion 42a is inserted into the hollow portion 41e.

[0053] The twelve second parts W1 to W12 of this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by preparing male and female molds for the main body portion 41 and the lid portion 42, and injecting thermoplastic resin into each mold using an injection molding machine or the like.

[0054] Next, a specific connection structure of each of the polyhedrons U1 to U12 will be described. The toy 1 of this embodiment is provided with a connecting member S, and each of the polyhedrons U1 to U12 is connected to other polyhedrons via the connecting member S. In other words, in the toy 1 of this embodiment, the polyhedrons are indirectly connected to each other.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a connecting member. As shown in FIG. 10 , the connecting member S of this embodiment is composed of a single sheet having an annular shape. More specifically, the connecting member S of this embodiment has 12 quadrangular portions SV (SV1 to SV12) and 12 triangular portions SW (SW1 to SW12) connected to the quadrangular portions SV, respectively. Each quadrangular portion SV has a first connecting portion SC1 connecting the quadrangular portions SV to each other and a second connecting portion SC2 connecting the quadrangular portion SV to the triangular portion SW. In this embodiment, the 12 quadrangular portions SV (SV1 to SV12), the 12 triangular portions SW (SW1 to SW12), the first connecting portion SC1, and the second connecting portion SC2 are integrally formed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the twelve quadrangular portions SV1 to SV12 have the same shape as one another. In this embodiment, the twelve triangular portions SW1 to SW12 have the same shape as one another. In this embodiment, the plurality of first connection portions SC1 have the same shape as one another. In this embodiment, the plurality of second connection portions SC2 have the same shape as one another.

[0057] In the connecting member S of this embodiment, the 12 quadrangular portions SV (SV1 to SV12) are configured to correspond to the first portions V1 to V12 of the 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons U1 to U12, respectively. Therefore, the quadrangular portions SV1, SV6, SV7, and SV12 corresponding to the first portions V1, V6, V7, and V12 of the four polyhedrons U1, U6, U7, and U12 have the first connection portion SC1 on the side opposite to the side on which the second connection portion SC2 is provided. Furthermore, the quadrangular portions SV2 to SV5 and SV8 to SV11 corresponding to the first portions V2 to V5 and V8 to V11 of the eight polyhedrons U2 to U5 and U8 to U11 do not have the first connection portion SC1 on the side opposite to the side on which the second connection portion SC2 is provided.

[0058] In particular, in this embodiment, the longitudinal dimensions of the first connection portion SC1 and the second connection portion SC2 are substantially the same as the longitudinal dimensions of the recesses 31 c and 41 c. In this embodiment, a through hole H is formed in each of the first connection portion SC1 and the second connection portion SC2.

[0059] The connecting member 41 in this embodiment is made of polystyrene. Such a sheet-like connecting member 41 can be manufactured, for example, by punching a polystyrene sheet into the shape of the connecting member.

[0060] Next, an example of how to assemble the toy 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. First, the cylindrical portion 31d of the main body portion 31 and the cylindrical portion 41d of the main body portion 41 are inserted into the through-hole H of the connecting member S. After insertion, the columnar portion 32a of the lid portion 32 is fitted into the hollow portion 31e of the cylindrical portion 31d, and the columnar portion 42a of the lid portion 42 is fitted into the hollow portion 41e of the cylindrical portion 41d, so that the connecting member S is sandwiched between the lid portion 32 and the recessed portion 31c, and between the lid portion 42 and the recessed portion 41c, thereby forming a first polyhedron.

[0061] In this embodiment, the polyhedrons U1 to U12 are indirectly connected to other polyhedrons via connecting members S. Therefore, since the two connected polyhedrons are connected with a gap between them, when one polyhedron is rotated relative to the other polyhedron, the other polyhedron does not come into contact with the first polyhedron, which can hinder the rotation operation and prevent the polyhedron from being damaged during the rotation operation.

[0062] In particular, in this embodiment, the width dimension of the connecting member S at the portion connecting the polyhedrons is substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension of the recesses 31c and 41c, so the two connected polyhedrons can be displaced so that their bases twist relative to each other. This allows for smooth rotation and a wide range of movement for the connected polyhedrons, resulting in a wide variety of deformations.

[0063] The following is an example of a method of playing with the toy 1. The toy 1 of this embodiment can be transformed from a state in which the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part of each polyhedron shown in Fig. 1 are placed on the same plane, into various shapes, for example, as shown in Figs.

[0064] As shown in the above game patterns, even with one toy 1, it is possible to enjoy changing its form.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and many modifications are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention by those skilled in the art. In this specification, even if a component of the invention is described as either singular or plural, or is described without being limited to either singular or plural, the component may be either singular or plural unless otherwise understood in the context. Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings and detailed embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications based on the matters disclosed in this specification. Therefore, it is intended that any changes or modifications be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0066] 1: Polyhedron toy 31: Main body 31a: Opening 31b: Folded portion 31c: Recess 31d: Cylindrical portion 31e: Hollow portion 31f: Pressing portion 32: Lid 32a: Pillar portion 41: Main body 41a: Opening 41b: Folded portion 41c: Recess 41d: Cylindrical portion 41e: Hollow portion 42: Lid 42a: Pillar portion U (U1 to U12): Polyhedron Ua (U1a to U12a): Side Ub (U1b to U12b): Side Uc (U1c to U12c): Side Ud (U1d to U12d): Bottom Ue (U1e to U12e): Bottom Uf (U1f to U12f): Side Ug (U1g to U12g): Side Uh (U1h to U12h): Side Ui (U1i to U12i): Side V (V1 to V12): First portion Vb (V1b to V12b): Face Vc (V1c to V12c): Face Vd (V1d to V12d): Face W (W1 to W12): Second portion Wb (W1b to W12b): Face Wc (W1c to W12c): Face Wd (W1d to W12d): Face We (W1e to W12e): Side S: Connecting member SV (SV1 to SV12): Quadrilateral portion SW (SW1 to SW12): Triangular portion SC1: First connecting portion SC2: Second connecting portion

Claims

1. A polyhedron toy consisting of 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons, each of which is composed of a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has a quadrangular pyramid shape with one side surface of the triangular prism and one base surface of the triangular prism, the second part has a triangular pyramid shape with the other base surface of the triangular prism, and the side of the other base surface of the triangular prism of one side surface of the triangular prism of the first part is connected to the side of the other base surface of the second part, and when the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first parts of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, in a planar view, the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first part of each polyhedron are connected to the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shapes of the first parts of the other two polyhedrons.

2. The polyhedron toy according to claim 1, wherein the 12 polyhedrons are composed of four polyhedrons in which the side of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part that is opposite to the side to which the second part is connected is connected to a quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part of another polyhedron, and eight polyhedrons in which the side of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part that is opposite to the side to which the second part is connected is not connected to a quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part of another polyhedron.

3. The polyhedron toy according to claim 1, wherein the twelve polyhedrons are connected via one connecting member.

4. The polyhedron toy according to claim 3, wherein the twelve polyhedrons are connected to one another at intervals via the single connecting member.

5. The polyhedron toy according to claim 4, wherein the width of the connecting portion of the connecting member that connects the polyhedrons is shorter than the dimension of the side of the base of the polyhedron.

6. The polyhedron toy according to claim 5, wherein the width of the connecting portion of the connecting member that connects the polyhedrons is in the range of 50 to 80% of the dimension of the side of the base of the polyhedron.

7. The polyhedron toy according to claim 1, wherein each of the 12 triangular prism-shaped polyhedrons has a regular triangular prism shape.

8. The polyhedron toy according to claim 1, wherein, in a plan view when the quadrangular faces of the quadrangular pyramid shape of the first part of each polyhedron are placed on the same plane, the bottom face of the second part of each polyhedron faces the bottom face of the second part of the other polyhedron.

Images