US3002315A - Toy construction set - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 J, o KUHN TOY CONSTRUCTION SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 13, 195"! Oct. 3, 1961 KUHN TOY CONSTRUCTION SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1957 IN VENTOR Oct. 3, 1961 Filed Aug. 13, 195'? J. o. KUHN 3,002,315

TOY CONSTRUCTION SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 15 15\ z7\ 4/ 52 15 an 55 & 4a m 31 3 Oct. 3, 1961 J. o. KUHN TOY CONSTRUCTION SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1957 Arrow/ 's.

3,002,315 TOY CONSTRUCTION SET James 0. Kuhn, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Bromo Mint Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 13, 1957, Ser. No. 677,885 4 Claims. (CI. 46-19) This invention relates to childrens toys and is partic ularly directed to a novel building or construction set including a series of elements which can be assembled to form miniature otlice buildings, stores, and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a construction set having members which can be easily assembled and disassembled and which are adapted to form a rigid structure that cannot be inadvertently collapsed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a realistic construction set which will not only amuse a child but which will provide him with a basic knowledge of building fundamentals.

More particularly, a construction set of the present invention comprises three basic units. These units are vertical columns, horizontal beams, and wall panels. In an assembled structure the beams and columns, which are preferably similar to miniature I beams, are fitted together to form a skeleton framework. The wall panels are then applied to the exterior of this framework so that a very realistic structure both in construction and appearance is formed.

Each of the columns of the present invention is provided with a lug extending from one end thereof; the opposite end of the columnhaving a lug receiving socket recessed therein and mortise forming projections extending longitudinally beyond the socket. The ends of each beam are provided with tenons adapted for insertion in the column mortises for forming a joint between the beams and columns.

One of the principal advantages of the present consLuction is that when additional stories are added to a structure by inserting the lug of an upper column into the socket of a lower column, the upper column functions to lock the beams carried by the lower column against disengagement. Moreover, the tenons of these beams form a continuation of the socket and thereby provide additional support for the upper column so that a particularly firm joint is formed between the beams and columns;

In addition to the elements described above, each of the beams and columns is provided with one or more transversely extending lugs which are adapted to be received within suitable apertures formed in the wall panels. The lugs and apertures are of substantially the same diameter so that the wall panels are frictionally held in place to form a skin on the assembled beam and column framework.

As explained in detail below another advantage of the present construction is that the panels not only form the exterior walls of the building but they also function to increase the rigidity of the construction.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that the component members can be economically molded and can be merchandised as a relatively compact package.

These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one floor of a typical structure embodying the present invention with certain wall portions removed;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a joint construction;

Fatented Oct. 3, 1961 ice FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of one side of a column;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the column shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of a column;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of a column rotated 90 from the column of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a beam;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational of the beam shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a beam;

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 11 showing a joint formed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical cross-sectional View of a joint formed in accordance with the invention; 5

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of one form of roof panel;

FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a modified form of Wall panel;

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view along line15-15 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the first story of a typical building which can be fabricated with the constructional members of the present invention. The building 10 comprises a floor 11, wall panels 12 and 13, vertical columns 14 and beams 15. -It is to be understood that additional stories can be added or the floor plan can be enlarged to any desired size by interconnecting additional vertical columns, beams, and wall panels to those shown in the manner explained below. In addition to these basic construction elements, the complete building set preferably includes roof panels adapted to cover the structure, the roof panels being frictionally held in place between a set of four interconnected beams as explained below, and suitable decorative apurtenances such as .flag .16 which is frictionally held between spaced lugson a pole.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, floor 11, is formed from a sheet of fibreboard, plastic or the like, having a plurality of spaced apertures 17 adapted to receive in press fit relationship lugs 18 formed on the lower ends of vertical columns 14.

The construction of vertical columns 14 is shown in detail in FIGURES 3-6 as there shown each of the columns is of generally an I shape in cross section including two spaced flanges 20 and 21 interconnected by a web 22. The lower end of the vertical column is provided with a lug 18 formed integral with the end of Web section 22. In the preferred embodiment lug 18 is square in cross section.

The opposite end of column 14 includes a socket form ing portion 25 of rectangular cross section having a square socket 26 formed therein of substantially the same size as lug 18. This end of the column is also provided with four upstanding projections 27. These projections extend longitudinally of the column from each of the four corners. Projections 27 are preferably spaced from one another and of triangular cross section; as best shown in FIGURES 4 and 10 each projection form with its adjacent projections a dove-tail mortise for receiving a dovetail tenon 34 formed on the end of a beam 15.

In addition to these elements each of the columns is provided with four transversely projecting lugs or pins 28-30. The lugs 28 extend outwardly from web 22 beyond the edges of flanges 20 and 21. Lugs 30 extend outwardly at right angles to lugs 28 from the center of flanges 20 and 21. In the preferred embodiment, transof side edges. 42 and 43 of the Panel.

they can be die cast from a suitable metal if desired.

The construction of beams is shown in detail in FIGURES 7, 8, and 9. As they are shown, each of the beams 15 is of generally I shap d cross section and includes spaced flanges 31 and 32 interconnected by; web 33. Each end of the beam carries atriangular tenon 34. These tenons extend from the outer surface of flange 31 along the edge of web 33 a distance corresponding to approximately one half the height of the beam. The height of tenons 34 coincides exactly with the depth of slots 35 formed between adjacent triangular projection 27 of columns 14. In addition to tenons 34, beam 15 is further provided with a pair of transverse lugs orpins 36. These lugs or pins extend outwardly from the center portion of upper flange 31. Additionally certain beams may be provided with lugs (not shown) extending outwardly from flange 31 parallel to web 33 in a manner similar to lugs 30 formed on columns 14. These additional lugs formed on certain beams 15 are employed to hold a roof section in place.

Side panels 12 and 13 are representative of a wide variety of wall panels which can be provided. In general, each of the Wall panels is formed from a. relatively stifi sheet of plastic or the like. The panels are of rectangular configuration having a height equal to the length of a column 14 (excluding lug 18) and a length substantially equal to the length of a beam plus the width of two columns. Each of the panels is provided with three spaced apertures 37,. 38, and 4t). Aperture 38 is disposed adjacent to the upper edge 41 of the panel, while apertures 37 and 38 are disposed at the lower portions These apertures are preferably of the same size as lugs 28, 3.0 and 36 formed on the columns and beams. so that when a wall panel is snapped over these lugs the panel is frictionally held in place. It is to be understood that the panels can be provided as by embossing, painting or the like with any desired design including windows, store fronts, designs simulating brick walls, and the like.

FIGURES 14 and 15 show a modified form of panel which is not only very attractive but has greatly increased rigidity compared to the planar panels of FIG- U'RES l and 2. As there shown, panel 50 is formed from a relatively thin sheet of plastic material of rec- .tangular configuration. Several windows 51 are formed in the panel by providing recessed portions which are separated by arcuate ribs 52. The area 53 beneath each of the windows is also indented to further enhance the attractiveness of the panel. In addition to providnig panels of realistic and attractive appearance, the provision of recessed areas functions to provide stiffening ribs within the panel which substantially increase the rigidity thereof. Panel 59 is provided with three spaced apertures 54 in the same manner as the panels shown in FIGURE 1.

Each kit further includes a plurality of signs bearing suitable indicia such as Supermarket, Post Office, Department Store and the like. These signs are adapted to be mounted on the exterior of a panel by press fitting the sign over one of the transverse lugs 36, the lug passing through a suit-able opening formed in the sign as is best shown in FIGURE 1.

The present building construction kit further includes a plurality of roof panels such as panel 55 shown in FIGURES 12 and 13. As is shown, the roof panel 55 is of generally square cross section having removed portions 56 at each of the corners thereof. The roof panel has a depressed center section 57 of square outline and of just slightly larger dimensions than the space between the projecting lugs 36 of a set of four beams assembled to form a square. Thus the roof panel is adapted to be placed over and wedged between a group of beams, the roof panel being friction-ally held in place by the engagement of lugs. 36 with shoulders 58 formed on the roof panel. In the preferred form of roof shown, depressed center portion 57 is provided with a plurality of 4 upstanding domes 60. These domes. provide the. functions of enhancing the appearance of the roof and increasing its rigidity. Other roof panels can be formed of the same general shape as panels 55 but including a substantially fiat depressed portion, 57 having no domes 60 formed therein.

"In assembling a structure using the construction elements of the present. invention, lugs 18 of vertical columns 14 are inserted in apertures 17 of floor panel 11. Next, adjacent columns are interconnected by slipping the, end tenons 34 of a beam 15 down between the projections 27 in the upper ends of the columns. The joint formed in this manner is best shown in FIGURES l0 and 11. Each pair of columns and their interconnecting beam or beams form a generally rectangular framework adapted to receive a wall panel. The wall panel is placed over the framework by aligning the panel with the columns and beams so that lug 36 of beam 15 passes outwardly through opening 38, while lugs 30 of columns 14 pass outwardly through openings 37 and 40. The panel openings are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the spacing of the lugs on assembled beams and columns so that the panel is placed in tension when it is mounted over the beams and columns. This interengagement of lugs 30 and 36 and the panel apertures not only frictionally supports the panel, but moreover rigidly locks the beam and columns in assembled relationship. It will be appreciated that a beam can only be disengaged from the columns by shifting the beam longitudinally of the columns. However, when a panel is in place over the beam and columns this movement is prevented.

In order to add additional stories, or floors, to the building, a second column 14a is placed above the column 14. As is best shown in FIGURE 11, lug 18a of column 14a is inserted in. socket 26, the endwise portion of lug 18a being received within the socket and the remaining portion of the socket being received with the extension of the socket formed by the. four inwardly facing ends 46 of tenons 34 formed on beams 15. As best shown in FIGURES l0 and 11, faces. 46 of the tenons form an extension of socket 26 and are thereby effective to provide additional support for column 14a. In turn, the lowermost surface of flanges 20a and 21a and web 22a of column 14a abut the upper surface of tenon 34 firmly locking the tenon within the dove-tail mortise joint formed by projecting portions 27. The upper ends of columns 14a are then connected by beams in the same manner as columns 14 and a panel is mounted over each pair of adjacent columns and the interconnecting beam.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the provision of three standard elements, i.e. panels, columns, and the beams, permits the construction of multi-storied buildings having a wide variety of shapes in plan View. The particular connection of tenon 34 to the mortise formed between projections 27 also permits cantilevered structures, if desired. Moreover, the particular design of the tenon and its cooperation With the mortise and socket 26, together with the interconnection between the panels, beams, and columns provides an unusually rigid construction in multi-storied buildings. Also by employing different panels, many ditferent types of structures such as office buildings, stores, factories and the like can be made from a single kit. Furthermore, if it is desired to build bridges. or other structural members, this can readily be done by merely omitting the panels.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the above description, what is deemed to be the most practical and efficient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiment as there might be changes. made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended with the scope of the accompanying claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a building toy, a structural unit comprising two vertical columns and a horizontal beam to join said columns to provide a frame, a dove-tail tenon projecting from each of the opposite ends of said beam, a dove-tail mortise which opens upwardly at each of the sides of each of said columns at the upper ends thereof, the tenons at the ends of said beam engaged down in mortises of the two columns with the beam spanning the space between the upper ends of the columns, an integral pin projecting transversely from a side of the beam, said pin being spaced substantially from an end of the beam, similar pins integral with the columns and projecting transversely therefrom parallel to, and in the same direction as, the first named pin, at places on the columns spaced substantially from the upper ends thereof, a rectangular panel which is as high as the columns and as long as the beam plus the widths of both columns, said panel having at least three apertures therein, the respective apertures positioned and sized to receive the pin on the beam and the pins on the columns in snap'fit relation, and said pins engaged in the apertures in the panel with the upper edge of the panel coextensive with the top of the beam and the ends of the panel coextensive with the outer sides of the columns, whereby the panel serves as a simulated Wall to cover said frame and serves as a locking device to prevent the upward withdrawal of the tenons from the mortises, thereby holding the unit together.

2. A structural unit as set forth in claim 1 in which an integral lug projects from the lower end of each column, and the upper end of each column has a socket therein of a size and shape to receive said lug, whereby a second structural unit identical to the first may be mounted upon and joined to the upper edge of the first.

3. In a building toy, a structural unit comprising two columns and a beam to join said columns to provide a frame, an integral lug projecting from the lower end of each column, a floor member having at least two apertures therein which are spaced apart a distance equal to the overall length of said beam, each of said apertures being of a size to receive a lug in press-fit relation, said lugs engaged in said apertures with the columns vertical, a dove-tail tenon at each of the opposite ends of said beam, a dove-tail mortise to receive a tenon at each of the sides of said columns at the upper ends thereof, the tenons at the ends of said beam engaged in mortises of the two columns with the beam horizontal and spanning the space between the upper ends of the columns, an integral pin projecting transversely from a side of the beam, said pin being spaced substantially from an end of the beam, similar pins integral with the columns and projecting transversely therefrom parallel to, and in the same direction as, the first named pin, at places on the columns spaced substantially from the upper ends thereof, a rectangular panel which is as high as the columns and as long as the beam plus the widths of both columns, said panel having at least three apertures therein, the respective apertures in the panel positioned and sized to receive the pin on the beam and the pins on the columns in snap-fit relation, and said pins engaged in the apertures in the panel with the upper edge of the panel coextensive with the top of the beam and the ends of the panel coextensive with the outer sides of the columns, whereby the panel serves as a simulated wall to cover said frame and serves as a locking device to hold the tenons at the ends of the beam in engagement with the mortises at the upper ends of the columns.

4. in a building toy, a structural unit comprising two vertical columns and a horizontal beam to join said columns to provide a frame, each column being square in outline as viewed from an end thereof, the width of the beam being equal to the Width of a column, a dove-tail tenon at each of the opposite ends of said beam, a dovetail mortise which opens upwardly at each of the sides of each of said columns at the upper ends thereof, the tenons at the ends of said beam engaged down in mortises of the two columns with the beam horizontal and spanning the space between the upper ends of the columns, an integral pin projecting transversely from each side of the beam midway between the ends thereof, similar pins integral with the columns and projecting transversely from each of the sides of each column in the same horizontal plane, a rectangular panel which is as high as the columns and as long as the beam plus the widths of both columns, said panel having at least three apertures therein, the respective apertures positioned to receive a pin on one side of the beam and a pin on one side of each of the columns and being sized to receive said pins in snap-fit relation, and the pins engaged in the apertures of the panel with the upper edge of the panel coextensive with the top of the beam and the ends of the panel coextensive with the outer sides of the columns,

whereby the panel serves as a simulated wall to cover said frame and serves as a locking device to prevent the upward withdrawal of the tenons from the mortises, thereby holding the unit together.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,329,850 Pye Feb. 3, 1920 1,420,748 Rader June 27, 1922 2,075,259 Battjes Mar. 30, 1937 2,097,172 Yurkovitch Oct. 26, 1937 2,112,474 Warren Mar. 29, 1938 2,116,301 Champlin May 3, 1938 2,147,373 Laird Feb. 14, 1939 2,407,927 Hayden Sept. 17, 1946 2,441,761 Guelicher May 18, 1948 2,714,782 Dinn Aug. 9, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 281,776 Switzerland Mar. 31, 1952 1,159,319 France Feb. 10, 1958

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