Toy building element with rotatably configured coupling means

• US 6,030,270 A
• Filed: 03/18/1998
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interlego, AG (Kirkbi A/S)
• Original Assignee: Interlego, AG (Kirkbi A/S)
• Inventors: Krog, Ricco Reinholdt
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimell, Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US09/040,486
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 446/102, 446/103, 446/126, 446/104, 403/52, 403/53, 403/169, 403/217
• US Class Current: 446/102
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors

Abstract

A toy building element (1) comprising a central portion (2) provided with at least one coupling means (3, 4) arranged axially relative to the central portion (2). Furthermore, the toy building element comprises at least one other coupling means (5, 6) arranged radially relative to the central portion (2), the at least one further coupling means (5, 6) being so arranged that it is able to rotate in excess of 360° about the central portion (2).

Claims

1. A toy building set comprising a first building element with a first coupling means, and a second building element with a second coupling means complementary to said first coupling means, whereby said first and second building elements can be coupled together in a releasable engagement, with said first and second coupling means

the toy building set comprising a further building element with

a central part provided with a selected one of said first and second coupling means arranged in an axial direction relative to said central part, and

a peripheral part with another selected on of said first and second coupling means arranged in a radial direction relative to said central part, said peripheral being rotatable in excess of 360 degrees about the central part.

2. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein two radially arranged coupling means (5, 6;

18,

     19) are arranged in the same plane, each of said coupling means being able to rotate in excess of 360 degrees about the central part (2).

3. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the central part (2) is provided with at least one annular groove (9, 10) that may receive an annular element (7, 8) which is rotatable about the central part (2) and which is provided with at least one radially arranged coupling means (5, 6;

18, 19;

23;

29, 30,

     31).

4. A toy building set according to claim 3, wherein the central part (2) is provided with two annular grooves (9, 10) that each receives an annular portion (7, 8) provided with exactly one radially arranged coupling means (5, 6;

18,

     19).

5. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein the central part (2) is provided with two opposed coupling means (3,4;

16, 17;

21,

     22) arranged axially relative to the central part (2).

6. A toy building set according to claim 1, wherein each of the coupling means consists of a protruding tenon.

7. A toy building set according to claim 6, wherein each protruding tenon has a polygonal cross section and is provided with an undercut head.