Patent US5410516A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hollow building block
Assignee: Dart Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-09
•
Granted: 1973-11-27
•
Expires: 1991-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A hollow building block incorporates separable prismic sections which are hinged together preferably at an intersection of laterally extending block walls and which are attachable not only to one another, but also to other similar block sections. This versatility of attachment employing a snap-type lug and recess arrangement enables the user to create a multitude of other stable block configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 J Swett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:40
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/04; A63H33/06; A63H33/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a prismic toy building block having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a prismic toy building block having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The toy building block claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of lugs positioned both proximate said hinge the lateral edge opposing said hinge on one said prismic sections and further including matching recesses on the second of said prismic sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The toy building block claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises at least two lugs on said first prismic section and a pair of recesses for accepting said lugs on said second prismic section to which said first prismic section is hinged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The block claimed in claim 1 wherein said block is hollow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The block claimed in claim 4 wherein said block is manufactured of a resilient shape-retaining plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The block claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of lugs positioned along lines defined by the intersection of said plane with said base portions on one of said prismic sections and a plurality of matching recesses positioned along lines defined by the intersection of said plane with said base portions on the other of said prismic sections so that said lugs will snap into said recesses to securely and releasably hold said prismic sections together along said planar areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A toy building block set incorporating at least two similarly constructed prismic toy building blocks adapted for interconnection one with the other each of said blocks having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A toy building block set incorporating at least two similarly constructed prismic toy building blocks adapted for interconnection one with the other each of said blocks having two opposed base portions and a plurality of interconnected and connecting lateral side walls; said building block being sectioned along a plane defined by two opposed lateral edges, each of said lateral edges being formed by the intersection of a pair of said lateral walls, said sectioning forming first and second prismic sections, that are hinged together along one of said opposed lateral edges so that said toy building block may be opened along said sectioning plane by pivoting said prismic sections about said hinge, the improvement comprising means integral with each of said sections for positively yet releasably securing said first and second prismic sections one with the other along the plane of sectioning, said means further being interengagable between respective first and second prismic sections of additional like blocks to create a combined block shaped similarly to said prismic toy block.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |