Building block including a dual gender connector

Abstract

Disclosed are implementations of a hollow three-dimensional structure with a plurality of external faces. At least one of the faces includes a connector. The connector may be configured to engage with an other connector of an other building block. The hollow three-dimensional structure may include a connector with a fastener base. The connector may include a male connector portion and a female connector portion both attached to the fastener base. The male portion and the female portion, together as the connector, makeup a dual gender connector that connects to another dual gender connector upon an application of force.

Claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building block comprising:
 a hollow three-dimensional structure with a plurality of external faces;   at least one of said faces including a connector, the connector configured to engage with an other connector of an other building block,   wherein the three-dimensional structure is formed by a pliable element with a perimeter whose shape corresponds to the planar development of the block, the pliable element including bend indications between adjacent portions of the block, the pliable element configured to form the faces of the three-dimensional structure,   the connector configured to attach at least one face to an adjacent face of the three-dimensional structure of the other building block,   the connector including a male connector portion and a female connector portion.   
     
     
         2 . The building block of  claim 1 , wherein each external face of the three-dimensional structure includes a corresponding connector. 
     
     
         3 . The building block of  claim 1 , wherein the male portion and the female portion together as the connector makeup a dual gender connector. 
     
     
         4 . The building block of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is a hook and loop fastener including a combination of hook and loop components on a single fastener base. 
     
     
         5 . The building block of  claim 4 , wherein the connector is positioned at or substantially near each corner of each face. 
     
     
         6 . The building block of  claim 4 , wherein the connector forms a radial design extending from a center of each face extending to substantially near each corner of each face. 
     
     
         7 . The building block of  claim 1 , further comprising a fillable container positioned inside the hollow three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         8 . The building block of  claim 1 , further comprising a fillable container attached to the hollow three-dimensional structure and positioned inside the hollow three-dimensional structure. 
     
     
         9 . The building block of  claim 7 , wherein the fillable container is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         10 . The building block of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material includes rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric. 
     
     
         11 . Building block comprising:
 an inflatable member having side surfaces formed of flexible plastic sheet material, said member defining, upon inflation, a three-dimensional hollow structure having three pairs of opposed, substantially parallel side surfaces, two of said pairs of side surfaces defining longitudinally extending side walls and the third pair of side surfaces defining transversely extending end walls; and   a connector on said side and end walls of said inflatable member for detachably fastening at least one additional inflatable member thereto, said connector including a male connector portion and a female connector portion.   
     
     
         12 . The building block of  claim 11 , wherein the male connector portion and the female connector portion together on the connector makeup a dual gender connector. 
     
     
         13 . The building block of  claim 11 , wherein the connector is a hook and loop fastener including a combination of hook and loop components on a single fastener base. 
     
     
         14 . The building block of  claim 14 , wherein the connector is positioned at or substantially near each corner of each face. 
     
     
         15 . The building block of  claim 14 , wherein the connector forms a radial design extending from a center of each face extending to substantially near each corner of each face. 
     
     
         16 . The building block of  claim 11 , further comprising a fillable container positioned inside the three-dimensional hollow structure. 
     
     
         17 . The building block of  claim 11 , further comprising a fillable container attached to the three-dimensional hollow structure and positioned inside the three-dimensional hollow structure. 
     
     
         18 . The building block of  claim 17 , wherein the fillable container is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         19 . The building block of  claim 19 , wherein the flexible material includes rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric. 
     
     
         20 . A connector comprising:
 a fastener base;   a male connector portion and a female connector portion both attached to the fastener base;   wherein the male portion and the female portion, together as the connector, makeup a dual gender connector that connects to another dual gender connector upon an application of force.