BLOCK SYSTEM

• US 20180117487A1
• Filed: 12/29/2017
• Published: 05/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kejser, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kejser, LLC
• Inventors: Dumphy, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 10,456,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/082 with dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/084 with grooves dovetails A63H33/082
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/086 with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Abstract

A block may comprise a base comprising a first block side comprising a first side plane and a connective protrusion coupled to the base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the first side plane. The connective protrusion may comprise a center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the first side plane, a base portion coupled to the center pillar and the base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a first direction, and an overhang portion coupled to the center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction such that there is an overhang space between the first side plane and the overhang portion. The block may further comprise additional connective protrusions, and the connective protrusions of multiple blocks may enable the coupling of such blocks.

Claims

1. A block, comprising:

a base comprising a first block side, wherein the first block side comprises a first side plane defining a first base surface, the first base surface being a distally innermost surface on the first block side;

a middle connective protrusion coupled to the base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the base and the first side plane, wherein the middle connective protrusion is adjacent to the first base surface and comprises a middle center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the base and the first side plane for a middle center pillar length, a middle base portion coupled to the middle center pillar and the base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the middle center pillar in a first direction for a middle base portion length, wherein the middle base portion comprises a middle base portion width being the distance the middle base portion extends distally outward from the base and the first side plane, and a middle overhang portion coupled to the middle center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the middle center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction for a middle overhang portion length such that there is a middle overhang space between the first side plane and the middle overhang portion, wherein the middle overhang portion comprises a middle overhang portion width being the distal distance of the middle overhang portion spanning from the middle overhang space to a middle protrusion top surface of the middle connective protrusion,

wherein the middle overhang space comprises a middle overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the first side plane and the middle overhang portion.

2. The block of claim 1, wherein the middle overhang space width is equal to the middle base portion width.

3. The block of claim 1, wherein the middle center pillar, middle base portion, and the middle overhang portion are integral with one another, and the base, the middle center pillar, and the middle base portion are integral with one another such that the middle connective protrusion is a unitary piece, and wherein the base and the middle connective protrusion are unitary.

4. The block of claim 1, wherein the first block side further comprises a lateral connective protrusion coupled to the first block side and extending distally outwardly from the first block side, wherein the lateral connective protrusion is disposed axially along the first block side in the first direction from the middle connective protrusion such that there is a second base surface having a second base surface length spanning between the lateral connective protrusion and a middle base portion end surface of the middle base portion.

5. The block of claim 4, wherein the middle center pillar comprises a middle center pillar width, wherein the middle center pillar width and the middle overhang portion length of the middle overhang portion together comprise an upper middle protrusion length, wherein the upper middle protrusion length is equal to the second base surface length.

6. The block of claim 5, wherein the lateral connective protrusion comprises a lateral center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the base and the first side plane for a lateral center pillar length, and a lateral overhang portion coupled to the lateral center pillar above a lateral base portion width of the lateral center pillar, the lateral overhang portion extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the lateral center pillar in the second direction for a lateral overhang portion length such that there is a lateral overhang space between the first side plane and the lateral overhang portion, wherein the lateral overhang space comprises a lateral overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the first side plane and the lateral overhang portion, and wherein the lateral overhang space width is equal to the lateral base portion width, wherein the lateral overhang space width is equal to the middle overhang portion width.

7. The block of claim 6, wherein the lateral overhang portion comprises a lateral overhang portion width, which is the distal distance of the lateral overhang portion spanning from the lateral overhang space to a lateral top surface of the middle connective protrusion, wherein the lateral overhang portion width is equal to the middle overhang space width.

8. The block of claim 7, wherein the lateral overhang portion comprises a lateral overhang portion end at an axially outermost end of lateral overhang portion, wherein a gap space spanning axially between the lateral overhang portion end and the middle center pillar is equal to a lower middle protrusion length, which comprises the middle center pillar width and the middle base portion length together.

9. The block of claim 8, wherein the lateral center pillar comprises a lateral center pillar width, wherein the lateral center pillar width and the lateral overhang portion length of the lateral overhang portion together comprise an upper lateral protrusion length, wherein the upper lateral protrusion length is equal to the first base surface length.

10. The block of claim 9, wherein the lateral connective protrusion further comprises a lateral base portion coupled to and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the lateral center pillar in the first direction for a lateral base portion length, wherein the lateral base portion comprises the lateral base portion width being the distance the lateral base portion extends distally outward from the first side plane.

11. The block of claim 10, wherein the base further comprises a plurality of block sides, including the first block side, around the base, wherein the base comprises a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a top insert protruding from the top surface having a top insert shape, and the bottom surface comprises a bottom cutout recessed into the base having a bottom cutout shape that is complementary to the top insert shape.

12. The block of claim 10, wherein the base further comprises a plurality of block sides, including the first block side, around the base, wherein a second block side of the plurality of block sides comprises a second side middle connective protrusion coupled to the base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the base and a second side plane of the second block side, wherein the second side middle connective protrusion is adjacent to a second side first base surface, wherein the second side middle connective protrusion comprises:

a second side middle center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the base and the second side plane for a second side middle center pillar length;

a second side middle base portion coupled to the second side middle center pillar and the base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the second side middle center pillar in a third direction for a second side middle base portion length, wherein the second side middle base portion comprises a second side middle base portion width being the distance the second side middle base portion extends distally outward from the base and the second side plane; and

a second side middle overhang portion coupled to the second side middle center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the second side middle center pillar in fourth second direction opposite the third direction for a second side middle overhang portion length such that there is a second side middle overhang space between the second side plane and the second side middle overhang portion, wherein the second side middle overhang portion comprises a second side middle overhang portion width being the distal distance of the second side middle overhang portion spanning from the second side middle overhang space to a second side middle protrusion top surface of the second side middle connective protrusion,

wherein the second side middle overhang space comprises a second side middle overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the second side plane and the second side middle overhang portion, and wherein the second side middle overhang space width is equal to the second side middle base portion width.

13. The block of claim 10, wherein the base further comprises a plurality of block sides, including the first block side, around the base, wherein a second block side of the plurality of block sides comprises an axle extension protruding distally and substantially perpendicularly from the base and a second side plane of the second block side.

14. A block system, comprising:

a first block comprising;

a first base comprising a first block side, wherein the first block side comprises a first side plane defining a first block first base surface, the first block first base surface being a first distally innermost surface on the first block side;

a first side middle connective protrusion coupled to the first base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the first base and the first side plane, wherein the first side middle connective protrusion is adjacent to the first block first base surface and comprises;

a first side middle center pillar coupled to the first block side extending distally outward from the first base and the first side plane for a first side middle center pillar length;

a first side middle base portion coupled to the first side middle center pillar and the first base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the first side middle center pillar in a first direction for a first side middle base portion length, wherein the first side middle base portion comprises a first side middle base portion width being the distance the first side middle base portion extends distally outward from the first base and the first side plane; and

a first side middle overhang portion coupled to the first side middle center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the first side middle center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction for a first side middle overhang portion length such that there is a first side middle overhang space between the first side plane and the first side middle overhang portion, wherein the first side middle overhang portion comprises a first side middle overhang portion width being the distal distance of the first side middle overhang portion spanning from the first side middle overhang space to a first side middle protrusion top surface of the first side middle connective protrusion,

wherein the first side middle overhang space comprises a first side middle overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the first side plane and the first side middle overhang portion, and wherein the first side middle overhang space width is equal to the first side middle base portion width;

a first singular protrusion coupled to the first block side and extending distally outwardly from the first side plane, wherein the first singular protrusion is disposed axially along the first side plane in the second direction from the first side middle connective protrusion such that the first block first base surface, having a first block first base surface length, is between the middle connective protrusion and the first singular protrusion; and

a second block comprising;

a second base comprising a second block side, wherein the second block side comprises a second side plane defining a second block first base surface, the second block first base surface being a second distally innermost surface on the second block side;

a second side lateral connective protrusion coupled to the second base and extending distally outwardly from the second side plane, wherein the second side lateral connective protrusion comprises;

a second side lateral center pillar coupled to the second base extending distally outward from the second base and the second side plane for a second side lateral center pillar length; and

a second side lateral overhang portion coupled to the second side lateral center pillar above a second side lateral base portion width of the second side lateral center pillar, the second side lateral overhang portion extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the second side lateral center pillar in a third direction for a second side lateral overhang portion length such that there is a second side lateral overhang space between the second side plane and the second side lateral overhang portion, wherein the second side lateral overhang portion comprises a second side lateral overhang portion width, wherein the second side lateral overhang space comprises a second side lateral overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the second side plane and the second side lateral overhang portion, and

wherein the second side lateral overhang space width is equal to the first side middle overhang portion width, and the second side lateral overhang portion width is equal to the first side middle overhang space width,

wherein the first block is coupled to the second block by the first side middle overhang portion being disposed within the second side lateral overhang space, and the second side lateral overhang portion being disposed within the first side middle overhang space.

15. The block system of claim 14, wherein the first block side further comprises a first side lateral connective protrusion coupled to the first block side and extending distally outwardly from the first block side, wherein the first side lateral connective protrusion is disposed axially along the first block side in the first direction from the first side middle connective protrusion such that there is a first block second base surface having a first block second base surface length spanning between the first block lateral connective protrusion and a middle base portion end surface of the middle base portion.

16. The block system of claim 15, wherein the second block side further comprises a second side middle connective protrusion coupled to the second base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the second base and the second side plane, wherein the second side middle connective protrusion is adjacent to the second block first base surface and comprises:

a second side middle center pillar coupled to the second base extending distally outward from the second base and the second side plane for a second side middle center pillar length;

a second side middle base portion coupled to the second side middle center pillar and the second base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the second side middle center pillar in a fourth direction for a second side middle base portion length, wherein the second side middle base portion comprises a second side middle base portion width being the distance the second side middle base portion extends distally outward from the second base and the second side plane; and

a second side middle overhang portion coupled to the second side middle center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the first side middle center pillar in the third direction opposite the fourth direction for a second side middle overhang portion length such that there is a second side middle overhang space between the second side plane and the second side middle overhang portion, wherein the second side middle overhang portion comprises a second side middle overhang portion width being the distal distance of the second side middle overhang portion spanning from the second side middle overhang space to a second side middle protrusion top surface of the second side middle connective protrusion,

wherein the second side middle overhang space comprises a second side middle overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the second side plane and the second side middle overhang portion, and wherein the second side middle overhang space width is equal to the second side middle base portion width.

17. The block system of claim 16, wherein the first side lateral connective protrusion comprises a first side lateral center pillar coupled to the first base extending distally outward from the first base and the first side plane for a first side lateral center pillar length, and a first side lateral overhang portion coupled to the first side lateral center pillar above a first side lateral base portion width of the first side lateral center pillar, the first side lateral overhang portion extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the first side lateral center pillar in the second direction for a first side lateral overhang portion length such that there is a first side lateral overhang space between the first side plane and the first side lateral overhang portion, wherein the first side lateral overhang space comprises a first side lateral overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the first side plane and the first side lateral overhang portion, and wherein the first side lateral overhang space width is equal to the first side middle base portion width.

18. The block system of claim 17, wherein the second side middle overhang portion width is equal to the first side lateral overhang space width, and the second side middle overhang portion is disposed within the first side lateral overhang space.

19. A block tool, comprising:

a handle comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first end surface and a middle connective protrusion coupled to the first end surface and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the first end surface, wherein the middle connective protrusion comprises;

a middle center pillar coupled to the first end surface extending distally outward from the first end surface for a middle center pillar length,

a middle base portion coupled to the middle center pillar and the first end surface and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the middle center pillar in a first direction for a middle base portion length, wherein the middle base portion comprises a middle base portion width being the distance the middle base portion extends distally outward from the first end surface; and

a middle overhang portion coupled to the middle center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the middle center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction for a middle overhang portion length such that there is a middle overhang space between the first end surface and the middle overhang portion, wherein the middle overhang portion comprises a middle overhang portion width being the distal distance of the middle overhang portion spanning from the middle overhang space to a middle protrusion top surface of a middle connective protrusion,

wherein the middle overhang space comprises a middle overhang space width, which is the distal distance between the first end surface and the middle overhang portion, and wherein the middle overhang space width is equal to the middle base portion width.

20. The block tool of claim 19, wherein the second end comprises a second end surface and a coupling protrusion extending perpendicularly from the second end surface, wherein the coupling protrusion comprises a cutout perimeter defining a coupling cutout.