Christopher Gene Ho

US Patent:

58881140, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Feb 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/601283

Inventors:

Alexander H. Slocum - Bow NH
Christopher M. Ho - Somerville MA

Assignee:

AESOP, Inc. - Concord NH

International Classification:

A63H 3308

US Classification:

446128

Abstract:

The invention is concerned with the formation of modular units from individual plate-like elements and other elements with special interlocking joints at their ends that allow them to form cubes that can be grouped together to form storage "cubbies" and modular structural systems and toy construction sets and the like, wherein, in one embodiment, the plates are formed with one end having studs on a 45 degree angled surface, and the other end having receptacles or openings such as sockets on a 45 degree angled surface for interlocking with a second mating plate like the first, but in which the studs and sockets are interchanged, allowing a cube to be formed by two of each type of plate, with the use of studs and sockets on the surfaces allowing two or more such cubes to stick together; and wherein, in another embodiment, the cube is made from four identical plates, as by an extrusion process, where one end of a plate contains double male features, such as barb arrows, and the other end contains double corresponding female features that mate with the male features from other plates, whereby the male and female features allow the ends of the plates to slide into each other like a dovetail to form a cube, and with adjoining cubes sharing surfaces. Other variations are also disclosed, as well as novel extruded truss sections.