Engageable blocks with special features

Abstract

A building block toy system includes blocks having posts with elliptical collars or grooves and heads configured for versatile engagement. The posts extend from surfaces of the blocks and feature a bulbous head portion and either grooves or an elliptical collar with curved ends. These posts engage either post receiving holes in a base or other blocks, or slots in adjacent components. The post receiving holes may include ledges and expansion slots that facilitate snap-fit or twist-lock engagement with the posts. Slots in the blocks provide alternative engagement of a post via insertion and locking portions, optionally with engagement knobs that deform the elliptical collar during sliding engagement. An alternative post design engages the slot via a circular channel at the base of the post. The system allows stable, multi-directional connections between building blocks and bases, enhancing construction flexibility while maintaining structural integrity.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A building block toy system comprising:
 a building block  2210  having a post  2230  extending from a surface  2212  thereof, the post  2230  comprising:   (a) a gap  2332  spaced from the surface  2212 ;   (b) a thicker engagement portion  2334  below the gap  2332 ;   (c) a circumferential groove  2338 ; and   (d) a bulbous head  2344  at a distal end;   wherein the groove  2338  and bulbous head  2344  are configured to engage a shelf  2362  in a post receiving hole  2260  in a snap-fit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the post  2230  further comprises one or more longitudinal grooves  2333  configured to engage raised ridges  2264  on the inner surface of the post receiving hole  2260  to resist post rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the post  2230  includes angled post sidewalls  2335  forming an angle a with a central axis  2331  of the post, and wherein the sidewalls  2335  form an interference fit with the post receiving hole  2260 . 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the post receiving hole  2260  includes an expansion slot  2267  that allows the sidewalls  2265  to elastically deform during insertion of the angled post  2230 . 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the post  2230  is configured to be received in a slot  2390  comprising:
 (a) an insertion portion  2392 ; 
 (b) an engagement portion  2394 ; and 
 (c) a containing portion  2396 ; 
 wherein the engagement portion  2394  is narrower than the containing portion  2396 . 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the post gap  2332  accommodates a surface  2391  surrounding the slot  2390  during insertion and sliding through the engagement portion  2394 . 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement portion  2394  is narrower than the post engagement portion  2334 , providing an interference fit that deforms the surface  2391  during post travel. 
     
     
         8 . A building block toy system comprising:
 a building block  1000  including a post  1100  extending from a surface thereof, the post  1100  comprising:   (a) an elliptical collar  1110  having curved ends  1132  and a minor diameter b; and   (b) a head portion  930  comprising a groove  932  and a bulb  934 , wherein the post  1100  is configured to removably engage one or more of:   (i) a post receiving hole  1210  of a base  1200 ; and   (ii) a slot  1030  of another building block  1000 .   
     
     
         9 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , wherein the post receiving hole  1210  comprises:
 (a) a top opening  1212  having a larger diameter d 3  and a smaller diameter d 4  separated by a ledge  1226 ; 
 (b) a bottom opening  1216 ; 
 (c) post hole sidewalls  1224 ; 
 (d) a post hole shelf  1220 ; and 
 (e) an expansion slot  1222  extending through the post hole sidewalls  1224  and the post hole shelf  1220 . 
 
     
     
         10 . The building block toy system of  claim 9 , wherein the elliptical collar  1110  of the post  1100  engages beneath the ledge  1226  after a 90-degree twist, locking the post  1100  to the base  1200 . 
     
     
         11 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , wherein the slot  1030  comprises:
 (a) an insertion portion  1032  sized to receive the elliptical collar  1110 ; and 
 (b) a locking portion  1034  sized to retain the extension portion  910  of the post  1100 . 
 
     
     
         12 . The building block toy system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking portion  1034  comprises engagement knobs  1152  configured to elastically deform the curved ends  1132  of the elliptical collar  1110  during sliding engagement. 
     
     
         13 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , further comprising a cylindrical specialty piece  2010  having the post  1100  at one end and a post receiving hole  2020  at an opposite end. 
     
     
         14 . The building block toy system of  claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical specialty piece  2010  further comprises a large collar  2030  configured to engage a slot  1030  in a building block  1000 . 
     
     
         15 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , further comprising a flexible cord  2110 , the flexible cord  2110  comprising:
 (a) a cord body; and 
 (b) one or more knobs  2120  attached at ends of the cord body, the knobs  2120  configured to engage slots  2130  in a building block  2100 . 
 
     
     
         16 . The building block toy system of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible cord  2110  comprises round or square ends  2165  configured to engage a locking portion  1034  of a key slot  130 . 
     
     
         17 . The building block toy system of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible cord  2110  is made of silicone or another flexible polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , further comprising a specialty piece  2110  comprising a hinge, wherein the hinge allows rotational movement between connected components. 
     
     
         19 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , further comprising a decorative piece  1070  having a post  1072  configured to engage a post receiving hole  1010 . 
     
     
         20 . The building block toy system of  claim 8 , wherein the building block  1000  comprises a partial slot  2140  configured to receive flexible cords  2110  or posts  1100 .