System of Interlocking Building Blocks

Abstract

An improved system of interlocking building blocks is provided. The system of interlocking building blocks includes a top block component and a bottom block component that are removably attached to each other to form a modular block with a hollow interior. The hollow interior can interchangeably receive a number of components, for example motors, electronics, and batteries. The exterior of the modular block includes a system of octagonal openings that are shaped to receive an octagonal connector for coupling adjacent modular blocks, or for receipt of flange bearing for an axle for example. Collectively, interlocking blocks can be joined together to build and create a generally limitless number of robust and modular structures and devices.

1 . A system of interlocking blocks, wherein the interlocking blocks comprise:
 a top block component including a top wall and a first plurality of sidewalls extending orthogonally from the top wall to a bottom edge; and   a bottom block component including a bottom wall and a second plurality of sidewalls extending orthogonally from the bottom wall to a top edge,   wherein the top wall of the top block component and the bottom wall of the bottom block component each include a complimentary array of vertically disposed octagonal sockets and a complimentary array of vertically disposed hexagonal sockets, and   wherein the first plurality of sidewalls and the second plurality of sidewalls contact each other along an interface between the bottom edge of the top block component and the top edge of the bottom block component and define horizontally disposed octagonal sockets and horizontally disposed hexagonal sockets.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further including an octagonal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the octagonal tube shaped to interchangeably fit within each of the vertically disposed octagonal sockets and the horizontally disposed octagonal sockets. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the exterior surface the octagonal tube includes a raised rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the octagonal tube. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the horizontally disposed octagonal sockets and the vertically disposed octagonal sockets includes a stepped internal area that decreases at an octagonal ledge. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the top wall of the top block component and the bottom wall of the bottom block component are spaced apart and define a cavity for a battery or a motor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the bottom edge of the top block component includes a projection and a recess and wherein the top edge of the bottom block component includes a projection and a recess, and 
 the top block component projection snap fits within the bottom block component recess and the bottom block component projection snap fits within the top block component recess. 
 
     
     
         7 . A system of interlocking blocks, wherein the system comprises:
 first and second blocks, each of the first and second blocks including:
 a top block component including a top wall and a first plurality of sidewalls extending orthogonally from the top wall to a bottom edge, and 
 a bottom block component including a bottom wall and a second plurality of sidewalls extending orthogonally from the bottom wall to a top edge, 
 wherein the top wall of the top block component and the bottom wall of the bottom block component include vertically disposed octagonal sockets and vertically disposed hexagonal sockets, and wherein the first plurality of sidewalls and the second plurality of sidewalls abut each other and define horizontally disposed octagonal sockets and horizontally disposed hexagonal sockets; and 
   an octagonal snap-fit connector to removably join the first block to the second block, wherein the octagonal snap-fit connector is received within the horizontally disposed octagonal sockets of the first and second blocks or within the vertically disposed octagonal sockets of the first and second blocks.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the octagonal snap-fit connector includes a raised rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the octagonal snap-fit connector. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein:
 the vertically disposed octagonal sockets and the horizontally disposed octagonal sockets define a depth as measured from an outer block surface to an interior ledge; and 
 the octagonal snap-fit connector includes a length that is between one and two times the depth of the vertically disposed octagonal sockets and the horizontally disposed octagonal sockets. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the top wall of the top block component and the bottom wall of the bottom block component are spaced apart and define a cavity for a battery or a motor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the octagonal sockets define a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area defined by the hexagonal sockets. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the octagonal sockets include a stepped internal area that decreases from a first area to a second area at an octagonal ledge. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the hexagonal sockets include a stepped internal area that decreases from a first area to a second area at a circular ledge. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further including an octagonal rod that traverses entirely through one of the first and second blocks. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the octagonal rod defines a plurality of transverse holes having an area that is equal to the second area of the hexagonal sockets. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the hexagonal sockets are sized to receive a ¼ inch thread diameter nut to secure the top block component to the bottom block component. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the top block component and the bottom block component cooperate to define an internal cavity sized to receive a threaded nut, the threaded nut being adapted to capture a fastener originating from outside of the top block component and the bottom block component. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 7  further including a peg inserted into overlapping openings in the top block component and the bottom block component to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . An angled interlocking block comprising:
 an outer wall including a curved portion and first and second planar portion extending from the curved portion, the outer wall defining a first plurality of octagonal sockets and a first plurality of hexagonal sockets; and   an inner wall including first and second planar portions that abut each other at a corner, the inner wall defining a second plurality of octagonal sockets that are aligned with the first plurality of octagonal sockets, the inner wall further defining a second plurality of hexagonal sockets that are aligned with the first plurality of hexagonal sockets.   
     
     
         20 . The angled interlocking block of  claim 19  wherein the first and second planar portions of the inner wall converge at an angle. 
     
     
         21 . The angled interlocking block of  claim 19  wherein the first and second planar portions of the inner wall converge at an acute angle, a right angle, or an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         22 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A system of interlocking blocks comprising:
 a first u-shaped block and a second u-shaped block, each of the first u-shaped block and the second u-shaped block including first and second yoke arms and an upper major surface opposite a lower major surface, the upper major surface and the lower major surface defining a plurality of octagonal openings and a plurality of hexagonal openings; and   a cross having four orthogonal trunnions, wherein a first pair of the four orthogonal trunnions are pivotably attached to the first and second yoke arms of the first u-shaped block and wherein a second pair of the four orthogonal trunnions are pivotably attached to the first and second yoke arms of the second u-shaped block, such that the cross comprises a trunnion joint between the first u-shaped block and the second u-shaped block.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein each of the plurality of octagonal sockets includes a stepped internal area that decreases at an octagonal ledge. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein each of the plurality of hexagonal sockets includes a stepped internal area that decreases at a circular ledge.