US 7,922,556 B2Granted

Interlocking crossbar device and system

AssigneeClaw LLC

InventorsDavid J Schreff, Donna J Lindsay, Julian Lindsay

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Abstract

What is disclosed is a versatile interlocking crossbar device and system for coupling modular components of toy assemblages, educational models, hobby constructions, component attachments, or the like together using one or more connectors, configured with a set of male connector parts and a set of female connector parts, configured to enable the selective attachment of such parts. The disclosed system is exemplified in this application as a toy vehicle and a ball and demonstrates how the parts and interlocking crossbar device interrelate to one another in a plurality of ways to create varying embodiments. The unique interrelationships spoken of are, for the most part, capable of creation because similar sized openings and recesses are indexed within each body member such that the pieces and interlocking crossbar conform thereto.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A versatile interlocking crossbar device and interlocking system comprising mortise and tenon type assembly used to connect and join one or more interchangeable modules or interchangeable components by internally intersecting at any measured point along the length of the crossbar with a locking pin;

such crossbar(s) are inserted into pre-formed mortise or slots in each interchangeable indexed module to join and stabilize each module or component until the lock pin can be inserted to internally intersect the crossbar, thereby locking the unit together;
such locking pin is held in place either by gravity or a close tolerance friction fit that secures each of the modules or components together, creating various assemblages including toys and puzzles that retain their shape in 3 dimensional free-standing and mobile form;
and wherein the modular pieces fit together and one or more interlocking crossbar devices connect the puzzle or the toy assemblage to allow a finished device to be played with and picked up while still retaining its free-standing three-dimensional shape.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.