INTERLOCKING BUILDING PANELS

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation patent application which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to Int'l App. No. PCT/US2023/085368, filed Dec. 21, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including without limitation, the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, appendices, or drawings thereof.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 63/476,700, filed Dec. 22, 2022. The provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, including without limitation: the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, appendices, or drawings thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to building panels adapted to be connected together by means of ridges and slots extending from the faces of the panels. Assembled panels allow for two- and three-dimensional constructions, some of which are specially configured so as not to expose connectors protruding from the construction's most outer boundaries.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein gives context for the present disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art.

A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of often irregularly shaped interlocking and mosaiced pieces, each of which typically has a portion of a picture. When assembled, the puzzle pieces produce a complete picture. Early jigsaw puzzles took on the shape of the world map, with cutouts of individual nations. This allowed for disassembly of the world map and for later reassembly. The reassembly process aided students as a geographical teaching aid.

Modern jigsaw puzzles primarily consist of interlocking cardboard pieces and incorporate a variety of images & designs. Such jigsaw puzzles are often only designed to guide the assembler to a single solution. Some view this as a particularly beautiful process, as there exist puzzles where no two pieces in thousands are identical in shape.

However, one limitation of traditional jigsaw puzzles is that, for the assembler to make new artistic constructions, new kit(s) for assembling said constructions must be purchased. The creativity and skill of the assembler are thus limited: the assembler's creativity is limited in that there are a closed, finite number of solutions, and the assembler's skill is limited because it is loosely tied to the assembler's means for acquiring and/or practicing with new, distinct jigsaw puzzles.

Jigsaw puzzles also suffer from relatively unstable constructions. The interlocking components of each of the pieces all connect to one another within the same plane. In instances where the interlocking of the pieces is substantially tighter toward the top of the pieces than the bottom, this can cause large constructions to “wobble”. Wobbling can cause rectangles to look like parallelograms where the interlocking of the pieces is substantially tighter toward the top of the pieces than the bottom, and in extreme circumstances this can delay the construction process and/or make it impossible to construct the design.

To address some of these deficiencies, some companies had recognized a need for systems that would allow for creative play, more open-style builds, and more stable constructions. For example, Lego® (Billund, DK), was an early adopter of one such system. Lego® allowed children to craft toy bricks into a seemingly limitless number of constructions, including three-dimensional constructions. Yet, this near limitless freedom to construct takes a considerable amount of (i) time, (ii) skill, and (iii) imagination. Some kids are not able to adapt as easily as others, and therefore never develop the ability to make truly meaningful constructions out of Lego®'s base kits. Likewise, small bricks are choking hazards, are not easily cleaned, and the small pieces create a practical limitation on the size of objects that can be built without spending excessive amounts of time.

It does not appear as though kids today are avoiding open-build experiences: in fact, it appears to be quite the opposite. Video games such as Minecraft®, which is a 3D sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios where players interact with a fully modifiable three-dimensional environment made of blocks and entities, are widely popular with kids in the newest generation. Their diverse gameplay lets players choose the way they play, allowing for countless possibilities, and the time it takes for kids to acquire the skills to play the games seems to be less than mastering how to build with Legos from scratch.

As a result, companies such as Lego® also sell kits with very specific instructions that guide the user to a very specific solution, though the kit may also allow for other builds. While such instructions lower the required time and skill it takes for kids to create complex builds, it can stifle their imagination.

Therefore, some balancing must occur. The assembler should be allowed to build things of interest to them without needing to pay for new kits. Moreover, it would be ideal if the skill and time required for assembly match a child's attention span so that the child is not deterred from gaining more skill so that they can assemble more complex builds.

LEGO®'s Art World Map set is one such attempt at this balancing act and includes instructions to build 1 of 3 unique combinations of a world map. This kit appears to have come full circle with respect to the industry's early motivation to build map themed puzzles: However, even this noble attempt has its flaws. The kit is rated for adult use only (18+), consists of 11,695 pieces, each of which presents a choking hazard to children, the kit includes 40 canvas wall decor plates, a brick-built frame, 2 unique hanging elements, and a tile tool, the use of which is basically required unless the user wants to sacrifice the ability to rebuild.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for apparatuses which provide a fully customizable, open-build experience while still allowing for a quick and simple construction that can be carried out by children and adults alike.

SUMMARY

The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments, are not exhaustive and do not limit the overall disclosure. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments disclosed herein can be integrated with one another, either in full or in part.

It is a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to improve on or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to utilize interlocking panels that have a flat surface and connect at four edges. The flat upper surface can thus allow for substantially two-dimensional constructions. Some of these two-dimensional constructions can therefore appear quite uniform.

It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to utilize panels composed of plastic that can be injection molded. Furthermore, the interlocking panels can be constructed from dishwasher safe materials so that they can be cleaned using a dishwasher. For example, the interlocking panels can be constructed from polypropylene (preferably 100% recycled polypropylene sourced from a nearby location). Preferably, the interlocking panels are able to meet certifications that allow for their sale and use with children in under any local regulations. For example, the interlocking panels could be certified in accordance with United State's Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and 1986 California Proposition 65 (CA Prop 65) for total lead and phthalates, and American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) F693-17 for (1) total heavy metals and (2) physical and mechanical testing.

It is still yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to connect the interlocking panels to make flat patterns, pixel art, and designs. The assembled designs can, but is not required to, range in dimensions up to tens (or even hundreds) of feet in either direction.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide friction fit components that do not rely on the use of adhesives, magnets, and/or other such complex fasteners for proper securement. The builds are designed to stay together for prolonged display.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to provide some large-scale building toys that require a child's whole hand—all five fingers—to manipulate, thereby allowing the children who play with said large-scale building toys to improve dexterity in their hands.

The interlocking panels disclosed herein can be used in a wide variety of applications. Both two-and three-dimensional constructions are made possible. The interlocking panels can be used as toys, decorative wall coverings, backsplashes, reconfigurable signs, etc. Additionally, the interlocking panels can be hung from walls by hooks, nails, screws, adhesives, or magnets.

It is preferred the apparatus be safe, cost effective, and durable. For example, panels should be strong enough such that panels that they can be used to cover walls or floors, and that can be walked on, run over with a bicycle, and driven on. The panels can also be adapted to resist excessive heat, static buildup, corrosion, and/or mechanical failures (e.g. cracking, crumbling, shearing, creeping) due to excessive impacts and/or prolonged exposure to tensile and/or compressive forces acting on the panels. The materials are preferably non-toxic and can be sized so that they can be given to children aged as 3 or younger without risk of choking. For example, tiles can comprise a length and width of two and three quarters inches (2.75 in.) so as to form a square. One hundred of these tiles can be used to make a larger ten by ten square that is approximately 28 inches (28 in.) in length and height.

At least one embodiment disclosed herein comprises a distinct aesthetic appearance. Ornamental aspects included in such an embodiment can help capture a consumer's attention and/or identify a source of origin of a product being sold. Said ornamental aspects will not impede functionality of interlocking panels. Example builds can include but are not limited to animals, automobiles such as planes, and video game characters. The interlocking squares can also come in a plethora of solid colors, and some individual squares could be customized pieces that include a plurality of colors. In some embodiments, kits with at least six colors of the rainbow are provided. This helps support critical thinking in children so that they learn while playing.

Use of the interlocking panels can be considered a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activity and can therefore be used in educational environments. Students can enhance their sense of creativity, open-ended problem solving, and/or design build with more rigorous mathematical dimensional analysis.

Methods can be practiced which facilitate use, manufacture, assembly, maintenance, and repair of the interlocking panels which accomplish some or all of the previously stated objectives. For example, a thumb piece that attaches to the back of two panels to lock the panels together can be provided so as to case the assembly and/or maintenance of large constructions built using the interlocking panels. More particularly, the purpose of the thumb piece is to strengthen large designs so that the large designs can be lifted off of a flat surface without falling apart.

The interlocking panels can be incorporated into kits which accomplish some or all of the previously stated objectives. Some kits can further include instructions with suggestions for initial builds. These instructions can include designs that suggest further play. For example, the build could emulate the pattern of numbered triangles or rectangles that allow for play of the popular playground game hopscotch, in which players toss a small object, called a lagger, into said numbered triangles or a pattern of rectangles outlined on the ground and then hop or jump through the spaces and retrieve the object. In some embodiments, the builds can be sized and designed so as moved during play. This could, for example, help facilitate playground games such as the Floor-is-Lava.

These and/or other objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings. The present disclosure encompasses (a) combinations of disclosed aspects and/or embodiments and/or (b) reasonable modifications not shown or described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several embodiments in which the present disclosure can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a central toy building panel, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B renders a first cross-section perspective view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A with the front face of the forward layer removed therefrom, thereby emphasizing the internal components of the forward layer.

FIG. 1C renders a second cross-section perspective view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A, emphasizing view of the connection configuration of the forward layer.

FIG. 1D renders a third cross-section perspective view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A with the front face of the rear layer removed therefrom so as to emphasize the internal components of the rear layer and the rearmost elements of the forward layer.

FIG. 1E renders a fourth cross-section perspective view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A, emphasizing view of the connection configuration of the rear layer and the rearmost elements of the forward layer.

FIG. 2A shows a back elevation view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A, emphasizing view of the connection configuration of the rear layer.

FIG. 2B shows a first cross-section view from the rear of the central toy building panel of FIG. 2A, emphasizing view of the connection configuration of the forward layer.

FIG. 2C shows a second cross-section view from the rear of the central toy building panel of FIG. 2A, emphasizing view of the rear-side of the front face of the forward layer.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom plan view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 shows a left-side elevation view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 shows a right-side elevation view of the central toy building panel of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 8 shows a front elevation view of a corner toy building panel oriented as a lower right corner panel, said corner toy building panel usable to complement the central toy building panel(s) of FIGS. 1A-1E, 2A-2C, and 3-7 to build three-dimensional constructions that expose neither ridges or holes at their most outer edges.

FIG. 9 shows a left-side elevation view of the corner toy building panel of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a front elevation view of an edge toy building panel oriented as a right edge panel, said edge toy building panel usable to complement the central toy building panel(s) of FIGS. 1A-1E, 2A-2C, and 3-7 and the corner toy building panel of FIGS. 8-9 to build three-dimensional constructions that expose neither ridges or holes at their most outer edges.

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel.

FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of the WFC toy building panel of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel.

FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the WCAC toy building panel of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a top plan view of a second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel.

FIG. 16 shows a side elevation view of the WCBC toy building panel of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of a first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel.

FIG. 18 shows a left-side elevation view of the WCAF toy building panel of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a right-side elevation view of the WCAF toy building panel of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 shows a top plan view of a second wall corner floor (WCBF) toy building panel.

FIG. 21 shows a left-side elevation view of the WCBF toy building panel of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 shows a right-side elevation view of the WCBF toy building panel of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 shows a top plan view of a wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel.

FIG. 24 shows a left-side elevation view of the WFF toy building panel of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows a right-side elevation view of the WFF toy building panel of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26A shows a perspective view of a thumb piece that can be used to further occupy the inside of a post that is already occupying a slot of another panel.

FIG. 26B captures a rear view of the thumb piece of FIG. 26A occupying a slot of two interlocked panels, thereby providing the ability to strengthen large designs so that the large designs can be lifted off of a flat surface without falling apart.

FIG. 27 shows a substantially two-dimensional, six-colored floor-based construction formed using at least some of the toy building panels shown and described throughout FIGS. 1-25.

FIG. 28 shows a substantially two-dimensional, two-colored, floor-based construction formed using at least some of the toy building panels shown and described throughout FIGS. 1-25.

FIG. 29 shows a layout guide for edge and corner toy building panels.

FIG. 30 shows a layout guide for building in three dimensions.

FIG. 31 shows designs for supports under a field of panels.

FIG. 32 compares connected pieces without edges and connected pieces with edges.

FIG. 33 shows a three-dimensional construction that terminates at edges that are smooth in the vertical direction.

FIG. 34 captures a photograph of central floor toy building panels of various sizes and colors. The panels shown at the top and bottom of the photograph are colored blue. The panel at the bottom of the photograph is colored red.

An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite distinct combinations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated.

Referring now to the Figures, FIGS. 1A-1E show a front perspective view of a central toy building panel 100. FIG. 1A views the central toy building panel 100 at a forwardmost plane of the device, and various cross-sections are taken along slightly more rearward planes as the figures progress from FIG. 1A-1E. Conversely, FIGS. 2A-2C show a rear elevation view of a central toy building panel. FIG. 2A views the central toy building panel 100 at a rearmost plane of the device, and various cross-sections are taken along slightly more forward planes as the figures progress from FIG. 2A-2C.

The central toy building panel 100 comprises two major layers: the forward layer 102 and the rear layer 104. The central toy building panel 100 which can be laid on top of a floor and/or against a wall. The smooth, are designed to interlock with one another at their edges. While the central toy building panels 100 are designed to be placed horizontally adjacent one another, their interlocking components allow for some components to be secured to one another in a vertical direction, to establish more robust securement.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the forward layer 102 includes a front face 106, which is preferably smooth and flat. The front face 106 extends from a top edge 108A of the forward layer 102 to a bottom edge 108B of the forward layer 102 and from a left-side edge 110A of the forward layer 102 to the right-side edge 110B of the forward layer 102.

The forward layer 102 and the rear layer 104 are attached by way of hollow pillars (columns) which traverse an entire thickness of the forward layer 102 and the rear layer 104. The columns are hollowed out so as to allow for objects (e.g., other interlocking panels, blocks (e.g., alternating block 1500, repeating block 1600, continuous edge 1700, discrete cavity edge connection 1800, discrete protrusion edge connection 1900), accessories, etc.) to attach via friction fit to an underside of same. In some intended builds, the columns that are hollowed out are all intended to be filled with a corresponding object having a similarly sized protrusion. In yet other intended builds, more than one object can comprise a protrusion sized to fit in only a portion of the column, while yet another object with a protrusion sized to fit the remaining portion of the column and to fully accomplish the friction fit. For better securement, most attaching objects will comprise multiple protrusions to facilitate several points of contact. This can help prevent “wobbling” amongst like components laid out on a floor or wall.

In the particular configuration shown in FIG. 1B, there is a rectangular area toward the center of the forward layer 102 and the rear layer 104 that is shared among the two that houses each of the major pillars. The shared, major pillars comprise four central pillars 112A-112D arranged in a smaller rectangle encompassed by the larger rectangular area. The major pillars also comprise four L-shaped pillars 114A-114D located at corners of a rectangular boundary defined by the larger rectangular area, four T-shaped pillars 116A-116D located at edges of the rectangular boundary, and a cruciform shaped pillar 118 centrally located with respect to the rectangular boundary. Small channels of space exist between each of the major pillars. The four rectangular pillars 112A-112D are located within the rectangular boundary between the four L-shaped pillars 114A-114D and the cruciform shaped pillar 118. And, in even greater particularity, the center of the four rectangular pillars 112A-112D is exactly at the midpoint of each of the four diagonal lines that run from the center of the cruciform shaped pillar 118 to each corner of the rectangular boundary, i.e. the outermost vertex of the “L” in each of the four L-shaped pillars 114A-114D.

Also shown in FIG. 1B are a plurality of inner ridges 120A-120D that extend rearwardly from the front face 106 of the forward layer 102. Two of the inner ridges 120A-120B are peripherally positioned near the top edge 108A, i.e. lie within the first 20% of the overall height of the forward layer 102 as measured from said top edge 108A, of the forward layer 102. Likewise, the other two inner ridges 120C-120D are peripherally positioned near the right-side edge 110B, i.e. lie within the first 20% of the width of the forward layer 102 as measured from said right-side edge 110B, of the forward layer 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1C-1D, outer ridges 120E-120H concentrically surround, and therefore encompass, the inner ridges 120A-120D. The outer ridges 120E-120H extend rearwardly from edges shared with inner boundaries of the 122A-122D, 124A-124B, 126A-126D, 128A-128B. The inner ridges and outer ridges 120A-120H are received by a plurality of holes 138A-138D that span the entire thickness of the rear layer 104.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1C, a plurality of spacers are included to help to stabilize positions of each of the inner ridges 120A-D with respect to the forward layer 102. L-shaped pillars 122A-122D, 126A-126D can surround each ridge of the inner ridges 120A-120D. For example, if the L-shaped pillars 122A-122D, 126A-126D are located near the corners of the inner ridges 120A-120D, this can provide further rigidity to the front layer 102. The L-shaped pillars therefore work to dissipate loads placed on each of the inner ridges 120A-120D when the inner ridges 120A-120D are placed in interlocking arrangements and/or objects are placed upon the front surface 106 of the forward layer 102. Substantially rectangular pillars 124A-124B, 128A-128B, horizontally and vertically oriented, respectively, can help keep distance between the inner ridges 120A-120D and the top edge 108A, the right-side edge 110B and the shared pillars 112A-112D, 114A-114D, 116A-116D, 118. Square-shaped pillars 130 can be located between the first upper inner ridge 120A and the second upper inner ridge 120B and/or organized in a rectangle in an upper right corner of the forward layer 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1D-1E, and similar to the front layer 102, the rear layer 104 can also include spacers to stabilize positions of the plurality of holes 138A-138D, with respect to the rear layer 104. For example, an upper horizontal elongated pillar (140) can keep distance between a first lateral hole 138A and a top edge 134A of the rear layer 104, 204, 304. An upper lateral vertical elongated pillar 142 can keeps distance between the first and second lateral holes 138A-B and a left-side edge 136A of the rear layer 104. A first set of rectangular pillars 144 are also shown placed between the first lateral hole 138A and the second lateral hole 138B. An additional set of rectangular pillars 146 are organized in an L-shape in a lower left corner of the rear layer 104. Two lower horizontal elongated pillars 148 are shown to keep distance between the first and second lower holes 138C-138D and a bottom edge 134B of the rear layer 104, though it is to be appreciated there will exist some embodiments where one longer elongated pillar could be used in lieu thereof. Yet another set of rectangular pillars 150 is shown positioned between a first lower hole 138C, 308C and a second lower hole. And finally, a lower lateral vertical elongated pillar 152 is shown to keep distance between a second lower hole 138D of the plurality of holes 138A-138D and a right-side edge 136B of the rear layer 104.

FIGS. 2A-2C show the same features described in FIGS. 1A-1E but from a rear vantage point instead of a front vantage point. FIGS. 3-7 also show the same features described in FIGS. 1A-1E in the different standard orthogonal views used for engineering-type figures (front elevation, left-and right-side elevations, top and bottom plan views, etc.).

FIGS. 8-10 show additional, highly specialized corner and edge panels that allow for the concealment of connecting components near the edges of a construction (such as the exposed connectors that appear in the substantially six-color and two-color 2D constructions 1100, 1200 of FIGS. 27-28).

These panels 200, 300 include like components to the central toy building panel 100, but the front surfaces 202, 302 extend all the way through to cover the most outwardly located corners and/or edges of the builds, respectively. Optional holes 210A-210D and 310A-310B can be further included to allow for the construction of three-dimensional builds.

For example, there is a rectangular area toward the center of the forward layer 202 and the rear layer 204 that is shared among the two. There are two ridges 206A, 206B that extend downwardly from the upper layer near a periphery of the corner panel 200 that is internal to the overall build. There are holes 208A-208B associated with only the rear layer 204, a pair of optional holes 210A-210B associated with the forward layer 202 and the rearward layer 202, 204, and a pair of optional holes associated with only the forward layer 202. The holes 210A-210D are optional because, if omitted, the upper surface of the forward layer 202 is flush and creates a smooth surface near the corner and the most upper surface of the overall build. These corner pieces may or may not comprise central pillars, L-shaped pillars, T-shaped pillars, cruciform shaped pillar, and/or other pillars (not shown) similar to the four central pillars 112A-112D, the L-shaped pillars 114A-114D, and the T-shaped pillars 116A-116D, cruciform shaped pillar 118, described above. Small channels of space can thus similarly exist between each of the major pillars.

For example, there is a rectangular area toward the center of the forward layer 302 and the rear layer 304 that is shared among the two. There are two ridges 306A, 306B that extend downwardly from the upper layer near a periphery of the edge panel 300 that is internal to the overall build. There are holes 308A-308B associated with only the rear layer 304, a pair of optional holes 308C-308D associated with the forward layer 302 and the rearward layer 302, 304, and a pair of optional holes associated with only the forward layer 302. The holes 310A-310D are optional because, if omitted, the upper surface of the forward layer 302 is flush and creates a smooth surface near the corner and the most upper surface of the overall build. These corner pieces may or may not comprise central pillars, L-shaped pillars, T-shaped pillars, cruciform shaped pillar, and/or other pillars (not shown) similar to the four central pillars 112A-112D, the L-shaped pillars 114A-114D, and the T-shaped pillars 116A-116D, cruciform shaped pillar 118, described above. Small channels of space can thus similarly exist between each of the major pillars.

The construction of three-dimensional builds can be further enhanced through the use of one or more of the wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel 400 of FIGS. 11-12, the first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel 500 of FIGS. 13-14, the second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel 600 of FIGS. 15-16, the first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel 700 of FIGS. 17-19, the second wall corner floor (WCBF) toy building panel 800 of FIGS. 20-22, and/or the wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel 900 of FIGS. 23-25. The guides 1300, 1400 for three-dimensional construction explain one example of how to begin arranging such three-dimensional constructions, using one or more of the corner panel 200 of FIGS. 8-9, the edge panel 300 of FIG. 10, the wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel 400 of FIGS. 11-12, the first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel 500 of FIGS. 13-14, the second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel 600 of FIGS. 15-16, the first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel 700 of FIGS. 17-19, the second wall corner floor (WCBF) toy building panel 800 of FIGS. 20-22, and/or the wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel 900 of FIGS. 23-25.

With specific references to the wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel 400 of FIGS. 11-12, the WFC toy building panel 400 comprises a rectangular front face 402 and side edges 404 of WFC toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 406A, 406B extend downwardly from the front face 402 near a periphery of the WFC toy building panel 400. At the upper edge where the ridges 406A, 406B, the WFC toy building panel 400 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 404 at the center portion of the WFC toy building panel 400 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WFC toy building panel 400 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WFC toy building panel 400). At an opposite edge of the WFC toy building panel 400, the WFC toy building panel 400 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 404 at the center portion of the WFC toy building panel 400 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WFC toy building panel 400 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WFC toy building panel 400). First and second holes 408A, 408B that extend through the half thickness portion near the periphery and lower edge of the WFC toy building panel 400. There are also two side ridges 410A-410B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WFC toy building panel 400.

With specific references to first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel 500 of FIGS. 13-14, the WCAC toy building panel 500 comprises a rectangular front face 502 and side edges 504 of WCAC toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 506A, 506B extend downwardly from the front face 502 near a periphery of the WCAC toy building panel 500. At the upper edge where the ridges 506A, 506B, the WCAC toy building panel 500 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 504 at the center portion of the WCAC toy building panel 500 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WCAC toy building panel 500 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WCAC toy building panel 500). At an opposite edge of the WCAC toy building panel 500, the WCAC toy building panel 500 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 504 at the center portion of the WCAC toy building panel 500 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WCAC toy building panel 500 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WCAC toy building panel 500). First, second, and third lower ridges 508A-508C extend upwardly from the lower half-thickness portion until they are flush with the upper surface of the WCAC toy building panel 500 for approximately. There are also two side ridges 510A-510B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WCAC toy building panel 500.

With specific references to second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel 600 of FIGS. 15-16, the WCBC toy building panel 600 comprises a rectangular front face 602 and side edges 604 of WCBC toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 606A, 606B extend downwardly from the front face 602 near a periphery of the WCBC toy building panel 600. At the upper edge where the ridges 606A, 606B, the WCBC toy building panel 600 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 604 at the center portion of the WCBC toy building panel 600 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WCBC toy building panel 600 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WCBC toy building panel 600). At an opposite edge of the WCBC toy building panel 600, the WCBC toy building panel 600 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 604 at the center portion of the WCBC toy building panel 600 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WCBC toy building panel 600 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WCBC toy building panel 600). First, second, and third slots 608A-608C extend through the middle of the lower edge near the lower periphery of the WCBC toy building panel 600 for a distance substantially equivalent to the height of the first, second, and third lower ridges 508A-508C. There are also two side ridges 610A-610B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WCBC toy building panel 600.

With specific references to first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel 700 of FIGS. 17-19, the WCAF toy building panel 700 comprises a rectangular front face 702 and side edges 704 of WCAF toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 706A, 706B extend downwardly from the front face 702 near a periphery of the WCAF toy building panel 700. At the upper edge where the ridges 706A, 706B, the WCAF toy building panel 700 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 704 at the center portion of the WCAF toy building panel 700 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WCAF toy building panel 700 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WCAF toy building panel 700). At an opposite edge of the WCAF toy building panel 700, the WCAF toy building panel 700 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 704 at the center portion of the WCAF toy building panel 700 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WCAF toy building panel 700 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WCAF toy building panel 700). First, second, and third lower ridges 708A-708C extend upwardly from the lower half-thickness portion until they are flush with the upper surface of the WCAF toy building panel 700 for approximately. There are also two side ridges 710A-710B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WCAF toy building panel 700 and two side slots 712A-712B that extend inwardly (for a distance substantially equivalent to the length of the two side ridges 710A-710B) from a first side of the WCAF toy building panel 700.

With specific references to first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel 800 of FIGS. 20-22, the WCAF toy building panel 800 comprises a rectangular front face 802 and side edges 804 of WCAF toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 806A, 806B extend downwardly from the front face 802 near a periphery of the WCAF toy building panel 800. At the upper edge where the ridges 806A, 806B, the WCAF toy building panel 800 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 804 at the center portion of the WCAF toy building panel 800 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WCAF toy building panel 800 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WCAF toy building panel 800). At an opposite edge of the WCAF toy building panel 800, the WCAF toy building panel 800 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 804 at the center portion of the WCAF toy building panel 800 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WCAF toy building panel 800 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WCAF toy building panel 800). First, second, and third slots 808A-808C extend through the middle of the lower edge near the lower periphery of the WCAF toy building panel 800 for a distance substantially equivalent to the height of the first, second, and third lower ridges 708A-708C. There are also two side ridges 810A-810B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WCAF toy building panel 800 and two side slots 812A-812B that extend inwardly (for a distance substantially equivalent to the length of the two side ridges 810A-810B) from a first side of the WCAF toy building panel 800.

With specific references to the wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel 900 of FIGS. 23-25, the WFF toy building panel 900 comprises a rectangular front face 902 and side edges 904 of WFF toy building panel. First and second rear ridges 906A, 906B extend downwardly from the front face 902 near a periphery of the WFF toy building panel 900. At the upper edge where the ridges 906A, 906B, the WFF toy building panel 900 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 904 at the center portion of the WFF toy building panel 900 and an upper surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the upper half of the WFF toy building panel 900 (i.e., flush with the rest of the upper surface of the WFF toy building panel 900). At an opposite edge of the WFF toy building panel 900, the WFF toy building panel 900 is approximately half as thick as the overall thickness of the side edges 904 at the center portion of the WFF toy building panel 900 and a lower surface of this half-thickness portion serves as the lower half of the WFF toy building panel 900 (i.e., flush with the rest of the lower surface of the WFF toy building panel 900). First and second holes 908A, 908B that extend through the half thickness portion near the periphery and lower edge of the WFF toy building panel 900. There are also two side ridges 910A-910B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WFF toy building panel 900. On a second, opposite side, there are also two side slots 912A-912B that extend outwardly from a first side of the WFF toy building panel 900.

FIGS. 26A-26B show a thumb piece 1000 that includes a plate 1002 and a protrusion 1004 centrally located within said plate 1002 and extending therefrom. The thumb piece 1000 can be used to further occupy the inside of a pillar that is already occupying a slot of a first panel already in interlocking configuration with a second panel, thereby providing the ability to strengthen large designs so that the large designs can be lifted off of a flat surface without falling apart.

FIGS. 27-28 focus on environmental views that employ multiple panels as described above. FIG. 27 shows an example of a video game character. FIG. 28 shows an example of a child's ying-yang construction.

FIG. 29 shows a layout guide for the laying edge and corner toy building panels 200, 300 in proximity to the central toy building panels 100.

FIG. 30 shows a layout guide for building in three dimensions, using the wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel 400, the first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel 500, the second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel 600, the first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel 700, the second wall corner floor (WCBF) toy building panel 800, and a wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel 900.

The construction of three-dimensional builds can be further enhanced through the use of one or more of the alternating block 1500, repeating block 1600, continuous edge block 1700, discrete cavity edge connection block 1800, discrete protrusion edge connection block 1900 of FIGS. 31-33.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that the panels and/or combinations of interlocking panels described herein are not limited in color and/or size unless context requires otherwise. For example, the kit 2000 shown in FIG. 34 includes both a jumbo, light blue panel 100E′ and a miniature light blue panel 100E″ to show possible deviations in size. The addition of the light red panel 100B in said kit 1000 is provided to show a contrast in colors that can be provided.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated there also exist embodiments where the one or more of the panels, pillars, ridges, holes, and/or slots can be substantially ovular (including circular), square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagon, octagonal, and decagonal, rather than rectangular. The present disclosure hereby expressly includes all panels that are formed from distinct combinations of substantially rectangular, circular, ovular, square, triangular, pentagonal, hexagon, octagonal, and decagonal panels, pillars, ridges, holes, and/or slots. In other words, any one panel, pillar, ridge, hole, and/or slot as shown in the drawings can be reasonably substituted, using the motivation and hindsight that is afforded from Applicant's express statement in this paragraph, for any panel, pillar, ridge, hole, and/or slot of a different shape selected from the aforementioned list. It is worth reiterating that an artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite distinct combinations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present disclosure accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any clement identified by another reference character.

TABLE 1
List of Reference Characters

	100	central toy building panel
	102	forward layer
	104	rear layer
	106	front face of forward layer
	108A	top edge of forward layer
	108B	bottom edge of forward layer
	110A	left-side edge of forward layer
	110B	right-side edge of forward layer
	112A	first central pillar
	112B	second central pillar
	112C	third central pillar
	112D	fourth central pillar
	114A	upper left L-shaped pillar
	114B	upper right L-shaped pillar
	114C	lower left L-shaped pillar
	114D	lower right L-shaped pillar
	116A	upper T-shaped pillar
	116B	lower T-shaped pillar
	116C	left-side T-shaped pillar
	116D	right-side T-shaped pillar
	118	cruciform shaped pillar
	120A	first upper inner ridge
	120B	second upper inner ridge
	120C	first lateral inner ridge
	120D	second lateral inner ridge
	120E	first upper outer ridge
	120F	second upper outer ridge
	120G	first lateral outer ridge
	120H	second lateral outer ridge
	122A	upper left L-shaped spacer
	122B	upper right L-shaped spacer
	122C	lower left L-shaped spacer
	122D	lower right L-shaped spacer
	124A	upper horizontal spacer
	124B	lower horizontal spacer
	126A	upper left L-shaped spacer
	126B	upper right L-shaped spacer
	126C	lower left L-shaped spacer
	126D	lower right L-shaped spacer
	128A	left-side vertical spacer
	128B	right-side vertical spacer
	130	square-shaped spacers
	132	front face of rear layer
	134A	top edge of rear layer
	134B	bottom edge of rear layer
	136A	left-side edge of rear layer
	136B	right-side edge of rear layer
	138A	first lateral hole
	138B	second lateral hole
	138C	first lower hole
	138D	second lower hole
	140	upper horizontal elongated spacer
	142	upper lateral vertical elongated spacer
	144	rectangular spacers between first
		and second lateral holes
	146	rectangular spacers between second lateral
		hole and first lower hole
	148	lower horizontal elongated spacers
	150	rectangular spacers between first and
		second lower holes
	152	lower lateral vertical elongated spacer
	200	corner toy building panel
	202	forward layer
	204	rear layer
	206A	first upper ridge
	206B	second upper ridge
	208A	first lateral hole
	208B	second lateral hole
	210A	first optional base hole
	210B	second optional base hole
	210C	third optional base hole
	210D	fourth optional base hole
	300	edge toy building panel
	302	forward layer
	304	rear layer
	306A	first upper ridge
	306B	second upper ridge
	308A	first lateral hole
	308B	second lateral hole
	308C	first lower hole
	308D	second lower hole
	310A	first optional base hole
	310B	second optional base hole
	400	wall field cap (WFC) toy building panel
	402	front face of WFC toy building panel
	404	side edge of WFC toy building panel
	406A	first rear ridge of WFC toy building panel
	406B	second rear ridge of WFC toy building panel
	408A	first lower hole of WFC toy building panel
	408B	second lower hole of WFC toy building panel
	410A	upper side ridge of WFC toy building panel
	410B	lower side ridge of WFC toy building panel
	500	first wall corner cap (WCAC) toy building panel
	502	front face of WCAC toy building panel
	504	side edge of WCAC toy building panel
	506A	first rear ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	506B	second rear ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	508A	first lower ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	508B	second lower ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	508C	third lower ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	510A	upper side ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	510B	lower side ridge of WCAC toy building panel
	600	second wall corner cap (WCBC) toy building panel
	602	front face of WCBC toy building panel
	604	side edge of WCBC toy building panel
	606A	first upper hole of WCBC toy building panel
	606B	second upper hole of WCBC toy building panel
	608A	first lower slot of WCBC toy building panel
	608B	second lower slot of WCBC toy building panel
	608C	third lower slot of WCBC toy building panel
	610A	upper side ridge of WCBC toy building panel
	610B	lower side ridge of WCBC toy building panel
	700	first wall corner floor (WCAF) toy building panel
	702	front face of WCAF toy building panel
	704A	left-side edge of WCAF toy building panel
	704B	right-side edge of WCAF toy building panel
	706A	first rear ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	706B	second rear ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	708A	first lower ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	708B	second lower ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	708C	third lower ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	710A	upper side ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	710B	lower side ridge of WCAF toy building panel
	712A	upper side slot of WCAF toy building panel
	712B	lower side slot of WCAF toy building panel
	800	second wall corner floor (WCBF) toy building panel
	802	front face of WCBF toy building panel
	804A	left-side edge of WCBF toy building panel
	804B	right-side edge of WCBF toy building panel
	806A	first upper hole of WCBF toy building panel
	806B	second upper hole of WCBF toy building panel
	808A	first lower slot of WCBF toy building panel
	808B	second lower slot of WCBF toy building panel
	808C	third lower slot of WCBF toy building panel
	810A	upper side ridge of WCBF toy building panel
	810B	lower side ridge of WCBF toy building panel
	812A	upper side slot of WCBF toy building panel
	812B	lower side slot of WCBF toy building panel
	900	wall field floor (WFF) toy building panel
	902	front face of WFF toy building panel
	904A	left-side edge of WFF toy building panel
	904B	right-side edge of WFF toy building panel
	906A	first rear ridge of WFF toy building panel
	906B	second rear ridge of WFF toy building panel
	908A	first lower hole of WFF toy building panel
	908B	second lower hole of WFF toy building panel
	910A	upper side ridge of WFF toy building panel
	910B	lower side ridge of WFF toy building panel
	912A	upper side slot of WFF toy building panel
	912B	lower side slot of WFF toy building panel
	1000	thumb piece
	1002	plate
	1004	protrusion
	1100	six-color substantially two-dimensional construction
	100A	black toy building panel
	100B	light red toy building panel
	100C	dark red toy building panel
	100D	white toy building panel
	100E	light blue toy building panel
	100E′	jumbo light blue toy building panel
	100E′′	miniature light blue toy building panel
	100F	dark blue toy building panel
	1200	two-color substantially two-dimensional construction
	1300	layout guide for edge and corner toy building panels
	1400	layout guide for building in three dimensions
	1500	alternating block
	1600	repeating block
	1700	continuous edge block
	1800	discrete cavity edge connection block
	1900	discrete protrusion edge connection block
	2000	kit/combination of floor panels of varying
		shapes and sizes

GLOSSARY

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present disclosure pertain.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

The term “or” is synonymous with “and/or” and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

As used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to an example, an instance, or an illustration, and does not indicate a most preferred embodiment unless otherwise stated.

The term “about” as used herein refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

The term “substantially” refers to a great or significant extent. “Substantially” can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variables, given proper context.

The term “generally” encompasses both “about” and “substantially.”

The term “configured” describes structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

The term “toy” is not to be limited to mean only an object for a child to play with. The term “toy” as used herein also refers to 2D and 3D art, a model or miniature replica of something, and objects, especially gadgets or machines, regarded as providing amusement for adults and children alike.

The “invention” is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims. The “scope” of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the disclosure is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.