Modular toy system

Abstract

This educational modular, snap-together toy block system is a learning tool to imaginatively play and create functional cityscapes to use as play areas. Small blocks shaped and stylized to mimic everyday objects within a normal city setting that are fitted with male connectors can be manipulated and rotated before being plugged into a grid pattern base/tray. The base/tray female connections secure the blocks into place and provide a solid, stable platform for play. Once blocks have been attached to the base/tray, various transportation toys can be manipulated on its play surface. When the user requires additional play space, base/trays can exponentially be added to the current base/tray using connectors which lock multiple base/trays seamlessly together.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A modular toy system comprising:
 a block assembly comprising
 a base having a plurality of spaced apart passageways formed therethrough, 
 a plurality of blocks that are connectable to the base, 
 at least one transportation member adapted to be positioned on the plurality of blocks and move along the plurality of blocks after the plurality of blocks have been connected to the base, 
 wherein each of the plurality of blocks includes a connector extending from a bottom portion thereof, 
 wherein the connector interacts with one of the plurality of passageways to detachably connect the block to the base, and 
 wherein the plurality of blocks are arrangeable on the base to form a pattern. 
   
     
     
         2 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of blocks includes sets of pluralities of blocks. 
     
     
         3 . A modular toy system according to  claim 2  wherein the sets of blocks are selected from the group consisting of a gable top block, a shed top block, a conical top block, a flat top block, a barrel top block, a straight recessed block, a convex recessed block, a concave recessed block, a corner recessed block, a waterway block, a beach block, a spherical ball block, a top block, a cylindrical step block, an egg shaped top block, a straight road pattern block, a T-junction road pattern block, and a cross road pattern block. 
     
     
         4 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the pattern is a cityscape. 
     
     
         5 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the pattern is a beachscape. 
     
     
         6 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the pattern is a landscape. 
     
     
         7 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one transportation piece is selected from the group comprising a car, a truck, and a van. 
     
     
         8 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the block assembly comprises a plurality of block assemblies and wherein the bases of the plurality of block assemblies are connectable to one another; and further comprising a connector member having a first portion that matingly connects to the base of one of the plurality of block assemblies and a second portion that matingly connects to the base of another one of the plurality of block assemblies so as to join the bases of the block assemblies. 
     
     
         9 . A modular toy system according to  claim 7  wherein the connector member has an “I” shape and wherein the end portions of the “I” shaped connector are adapted to engage notches formed in the base of each of the plurality of block assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the connector extending from the bottom of each of the blocks includes a locking portion that, when positioned to interact with the passageway in the base, includes a bottom lip that is positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the passageway. 
     
     
         11 . A modular toy system according to  claim 10  wherein the connector extending from the bottom of each of the blocks is substantially cylindrical and wherein each of the passageways formed through the base is substantially circular so that each of the blocks can be rotationally oriented with respect to one of the passageways formed in the base. 
     
     
         12 . A modular toy system according to  claim 1  wherein the passageways formed in the base are aligned in a substantially symmetrical configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A modular toy system comprising:
 a plurality of block assemblies connectable to one another wherein each of the plurality of block assemblies comprises
 a base having a plurality of spaced apart passageways formed therethrough, 
 a plurality of blocks that are connectable to the base, 
 at least one transportation member adapted to be positioned on the plurality of blocks and move along the plurality of blocks after the plurality of blocks have been connected to the base, 
 wherein each of the plurality of blocks includes a connector extending from a bottom portion thereof, 
 wherein the connector interacts with one of the plurality of passageways to detachably connect the block to the base, 
 wherein the connector extending from the bottom of each of the blocks includes a locking portion that, when positioned to interact with the passageway in the base, includes a bottom lip that is positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the passageway, and 
 wherein the plurality of blocks are arrangeable on the base to form a pattern; and 
   at least one connector member having a first portion that matingly connects to a portion of the base of one of the plurality of block assemblies and a second portion that matingly connects to a portion of the base another of the plurality of block assemblies so as to join the bases of the block assemblies.   
     
     
         14 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein each of the plurality of blocks includes sets of pluralities of blocks. 
     
     
         15 . A modular toy system according to  claim 14  wherein the sets of blocks are selected from the group consisting of a gable top block, a shed top block, a conical top block, a flat top block, a barrel top block, a straight recessed block, a convex recessed block, a concave recessed block, a corner recessed block, a waterway block, a beach block, a spherical ball block, a top block, a cylindrical step block, an egg shaped top block, a straight road pattern block, a T-junction road pattern block, and a cross road pattern block. 
     
     
         16 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein the pattern is selected from a group consisting of a cityscape, a beachscape and a landscape. 
     
     
         17 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein the at least one transportation piece is selected from the group comprising a car, a truck, and a van. 
     
     
         18 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein the connector member has an “I” shape and wherein the end portions of the “I” shaped connector are adapted to engage notches formed in the base of each of the plurality of block assemblies. 
     
     
         19 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein the connector extending from the bottom of each of the blocks is substantially cylindrical and wherein each of the passageways formed through the base is substantially circular so that each of the blocks can be rotationally oriented with respect to one of the passageways formed in the base. 
     
     
         20 . A modular toy system according to  claim 13  wherein the passageways formed in the base are aligned in a substantially symmetrical configuration.