Toy Connector Clips for Complex Structural Frameworks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building sets lack the ability to create complex, realistic structures like post and beam constructions, as their connectors and blocks are binary in nature, limiting creative connectivity and structural possibilities, especially for children aged 3 to 8.
Innovation Solution
A building set featuring rectangular planks with connector clips that have channels to frictionally engage blocks, allowing for open-ended connectivity with multiple channels, pivoting hubs, and panels that can be easily decorated, enabling a high degree of freedom in structure creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional binary connectors are used, then the connection mechanism is simple, but the connectivity and structural possibilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a clip with channels for receiving blocks and a separate coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the connector to engage blocks through friction in the channels while providing separate coupling points for joining multiple connectors, thereby increasing connectivity without requiring a monolithic complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The connector clip serves multiple functions: it frictionally engages blocks through its channels, provides coupling points for joining other connectors, and can be used in various orientations and configurations. This multi-functionality increases adaptability and versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If gravity-based stacking is used, then the structure is simple to build, but the structural configurations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector clip acts as an intermediary between blocks, enabling connections that are not directly possible through gravity-based stacking. The clip's channels receive blocks frictionally while its coupling mechanisms enable joining in various orientations, facilitating complex structures like arches and bridges that would be impossible with simple stacking
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design enables dynamic reconfiguration of structures. Blocks can be inserted and removed from channels, and connectors can be coupled and uncoupled in various sequences, allowing children to easily rebuild and redesign structures without being locked into fixed configurations
3Reliability
If friction-based engagement is used, then the connector retains blocks securely, but the connector requires precise dimensional matching
Solution Approach 1:
The connector channels are designed with specific friction characteristics through their dimensional parameters. The width of the channels is substantially equal to the thickness of the plank, creating optimal friction engagement. This parameter optimization enables secure retention while accommodating normal manufacturing variations without requiring extremely tight tolerances
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables children to build complex structures with increased flexibility and creativity, allowing for various orientations and configurations, such as arches, bridges, and trusses, beyond the limitations of traditional binary connection mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The extensions may extend distally from the base and define a channel therebetween into which the thickness defined between opposed faces of the plank is receivable, a width of the channel being substantially equal to the thickness of the plank that is receivable within the channel so that the extensions pinch the thickness of the plank received within the channel, frictionally coupling the connector clip to a plank received within the channel
Data Source
AI summary
Building sets including one or more blocks or planks and one or more connector clips configured to engage a thickness of the planks. Various types of planks, as well as various types of connecting clips may be provided, so as to provide open-ended building characteristics to users. Some connector clips may include a mating protrusion allowing the connector clip to be coupled to a hole or receptacle of another connector clip, or hub for connector clips, or into a hole of a plank. Such clips may be pivotable relative to the structure coupled to as a result of the mating protrusion connection. The building sets may provide proportional dimension characteristics between the planks and various connector clips, hubs, etc. One or more button connector clips may be provided with one or more panels, allowing panels to be integrated into the structural framework created with the connector clips and planks.