Folding toy

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a toy. In some embodiments, the toy includes first cubic blocks, second cubic blocks, connectors, and pivoting shafts. For example, the first cubic block includes a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the first cubic block, and a second recessed space recessed from a second edge to the first center. The second edge is perpendicular to and does not intercept the first edge. The second cubic block includes a third recessed space recessed from a third edge, and a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge. Each of the connectors connects one of the first cubic blocks and one of the second cubic blocks. Each of the pivoting shafts connects a respective connector to one of the first and second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy, comprising:
 first cubic blocks, each of the first cubic blocks including:
 a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the respective first cubic block; and 
 a second recessed space recessed from a second edge of the respective first cubic block to the first center, the second edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the first edge; 
   second cubic blocks, each of the second cubic blocks including:
 a third recessed space recessed from a third edge to a second center of the respective second cubic block; and 
 a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge of the respective second cubic block to the second center, the fourth edge being perpendicular to and not intercepting the third edge; 
   connectors, each of the connectors connecting one of the first cubic blocks and one of the second cubic blocks; and   pivoting shafts, each of the pivoting shafts connecting one of the connectors to one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The toy according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a number of the first cubic blocks is four;   a number of the second cubic blocks is four;   the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks are arranged in a staggered manner, the respective first cubic block being connected to two of the second cubic blocks using two of the connectors in the first recessed space and the second recessed space, and the respective second cubic block being connected to two of the first cubic blocks using two of the connectors in the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space;   two of the pivoting shafts, being perpendicular to each other, are disposed in each of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks, the respective first cubic block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts, and the respective second cubic block being configured to rotate around two respective pivoting shafts; and   each of the connectors includes:
 a body portion disposed between a first pivoting end and a second pivoting end; 
 the first pivoting end, a portion of the first pivoting end being in one of the first recessed space and the second recessed space of the respective first cubic block; and 
 the second pivoting end, a portion of the second pivoting end being in one of the third recessed space and the fourth recessed space of the respective second cubic block. 
   
     
     
         3 . The toy according to  claim 2 , wherein the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks are configured to be arranged into two parallel rows, each row including two of the first cubic blocks interposed by and connected to two of the second cubic blocks, the two parallel rows being connected by the respective connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The toy according to  claim 2 , wherein the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks are configured to be arranged into a cubic structure having one of the first cubic blocks and one of the second cubic blocks on each edge of the cubic structure. 
     
     
         5 . The toy according to  claim 2 , wherein a structure of the respective first cubic block is symmetric with respect to a structure of the respective second cubic block. 
     
     
         6 . The toy according to  claim 5 , wherein the first recessed space is a first groove disposed parallel to the first edge and the second recessed space is a second groove disposed parallel to the second edge, the first groove being perpendicular to the second groove, the first pivoting end of the respective connector being connected to the respective first cubic block in the first groove or the second groove. 
     
     
         7 . The toy according to  claim 6 , wherein
 a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the respective first cubic block intercept at the first edge; and   the first groove is partially recessed in a direction from the first outer surface toward the first center to form a first slot, the first groove extending to the second outer surface perpendicular to the first outer surface.   
     
     
         8 . The toy according to  claim 7 , wherein a recessed depth of the first groove from the first outer surface toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of an edge length of the respective first cubic block, and a minimum distance between the second outer surface and an inner wall surface of the first groove is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length. 
     
     
         9 . The toy according to  claim 7 , wherein
 a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface of the respective first cubic block intercept at the second edge; and   the second groove is partially recessed in a direction from the third outer surface toward the first center to form a second slot, the second groove extending to the fourth outer surface perpendicular to the third outer surface.   
     
     
         10 . The toy according to  claim 9 , wherein the third outer surface is perpendicular to the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and the fourth outer surface is parallel to the first outer surface and perpendicular to the second outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . The toy according to  claim 9 , wherein a recession depth of the second groove from the third outer surface toward the first center is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length, and a minimum distance between the fourth outer surface and an inner wall surface of the second groove is greater than or equal to one half of the edge length. 
     
     
         12 . The toy according to  claim 5 , wherein the first pivoting end of the respective connector is pivotally connected to the respective first cubic block, and the second pivoting end of the respective connector is pivotally connected to the respective second cubic block. 
     
     
         13 . The toy according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first pivoting end is disposed in the respective first recessed space, and the second pivoting end is disposed in the third recessed space; and   when the respective connector is rotated to a specific position, an outer surface of the body portion is flush with corresponding outer surfaces of the respective first cubic block and the respective second cubic block.   
     
     
         14 . The toy according to  claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises the pivoting shaft that protrudes outside of the body portion, the pivoting shaft connecting the respective first cubic block with the connector. 
     
     
         15 . The toy according to  claim 14 , wherein the pivoting shaft is plugged into the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The toy according to  claim 14 , wherein
 a cross-section of the pivoting shaft is cross-shaped;   the first recessed space is disposed between a pair of cross grooves in the respective first cubic block, a cross-section of the respective cross groove being cross-shaped and matching the cross-section of the pivoting shaft;   the pivoting shaft is assembled through the respective pair of cross grooves to enable rotation of the respective first cubic block around the pivoting shaft.   
     
     
         17 . The toy according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises a rounded edge and/or a rounded corner. 
     
     
         18 . The toy according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the first cubic blocks and the second cubic blocks comprises a frosted outer surface. 
     
     
         19 . The toy according to  claim 16 , wherein the respective first cubic block includes a pair of deforming grooves disposed above the respective pair of cross grooves and closer to the first center, the respective deforming groove being connected to the respective cross groove.