INTERLOCKING TOY SET

Description

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to toys, and more specifically to building block toys as well as manufacturing methods.

BACKGROUND

This invention refers to construction or building block toys, and in particular, to connecting toy pieces and toy clips and manufacturing methods.

Children have played with and learned from their play with building blocks or connecting toys for many years. Such toys include different types of connectable blocks, from rudimentary stackable wood blocks to interlocking or otherwise engaging piece systems. In some embodiments, the building blocks have had hinged elements that allow adjacent blocks to move relative to each other and create different shapes. Such building blocks including building blocks with hinged connections, however, have limited interconnection options that provide little variation to the different shapes being constructed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy set with connecting or interlocking pieces with varying shapes and a capability for a variety of connection options.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

A toy set comprises a plurality of platonic solid pieces and a plurality of clips configured to connect with the plurality of platonic solid pieces. Each of the platonic solid pieces may be shaped to include a plurality of polygonal faces and a plurality of vertices at the intersection of different polygonal faces included in the plurality of polygonal faces. The plurality of polygonal faces may each be formed to include a recess therein.

In some embodiments, each clip of the plurality of clips may include a first clip arm and a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm to define a gap therebetween. The first clip arm may extend between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end of the first clip arm. The second clip arm may extend between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end of the second clip arm. The first mating end of the second clip arm may be aligned with the first mating end of the first clip arm and the second mating end of the second clip arm may be aligned with the second mating end of the first clip arm.

In some embodiments, each clip of the plurality of clips may include an interconnecting member. The interconnecting member may extend between and interconnect the first clip arm and the second clip arm. The interconnecting member may extend between and interconnect the first clip arm and the second clip arm between the first and second mating ends.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with at least one of (i) the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces and (ii) the vertices of the plurality of vertices to selectively connect any one of the plurality of clips to a respective platonic solid piece. In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with both (i) the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces and (ii) the vertexes of the plurality of vertexes of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may be any one of a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, and an icosahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a dodecahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a tetrahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a cube. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an octahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an icosahedron.

In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center, and the recesses may open into the hollow center.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece. In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece so that the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms of any one of the plurality of clips are able to fit within each of the recesses formed in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece.

In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be any one of a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a pentagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a triangle. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a square. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a hexagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be an octagon.

In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may match the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece. The polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a hexagon, and the plurality of platonic solid pieces may be a tetrahedron, an octahedron, or an icosahedron. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be an octagon, and the plurality of platonic solid pieces may be a cube.

In some embodiments, each first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be shaped to include an indentation. The indentation may be shaped to receive any one of the plurality of vertexes of the respective platonic solid piece when the corresponding mating end is arranged over any one of the plurality of vertexes.

In some embodiments, the recess in each polygonal face of the plurality of polygonal faces may have a beveled inner rim. The first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may have a beveled outer rim that mates with the beveled inner rim.

In some embodiments, the gap between the first and second clip arms may have a first width defined between the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms, a second width defined between the second mating ends of the first and second clip arms, and a third width defined between the first and second clip arms. The second width may be equal to the first width. The third width may be greater than the first width and the second width.

In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be superimposable mirror images of each other. The second mating ends may be superimposable mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be mirror images of each other. The second mating ends may be mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, at least one side of the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be parallel with the first and second clip arms.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a toy set comprises a plurality of toy pieces and a plurality of clips configured to connect with the plurality of toy pieces. Each toy piece may be shaped to include a plurality of faces each formed to include a recess therein and a plurality of vertexes at the intersection of different faces included in the plurality of faces.

In some embodiments, each clip may include a first clip arm and a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm to define a gap therebetween. The first clip arm may extend between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end. The second clip arm may extend between a first mating end aligned with the first mating end of the first clip arm and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end and aligned with the second mating end of the first clip arm.

In some embodiments, each clip may further include an interconnecting member. The interconnecting member may extend between and interconnect the first clip arm and the second clip arm.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with at least one of (i) the recesses in the plurality of faces and (ii) the vertexes of the plurality of vertexes to selectively connect any one of the plurality of clips to a respective toy piece. In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with both (i) the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces and (ii) the vertexes of the plurality of vertexes of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, each toy piece of the plurality of toy pieces may be any one of a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, and an icosahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a dodecahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a tetrahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a cube. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an octahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an icosahedron.

In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center and the recesses may open into the hollow center.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the faces of each solid piece. The first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the faces of each solid piece so that the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms of any one of the plurality of clips are able to fit within each of the recesses formed in the faces of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be any one of a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a pentagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a triangle. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a square. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a hexagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be an octagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may match a polygonal shape of the plurality of faces of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, each first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may shaped to include an indentation. The indentation may be shaped to receive any one of the plurality of vertexes of the respective solid piece when the corresponding mating end is arranged over any one of the plurality of vertexes.

In some embodiments, the recess in each polygonal face of the plurality of polygonal faces may have a beveled inner rim. The first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may have a beveled outer rim that mates with the beveled inner rim.

In some embodiments, the gap between the first and second clip arms may have a first width defined between the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms, a second width defined between the second mating ends of the first and second clip arms, and a third width defined between the first and second clip arms. The second width may be equal to the first width. The third width may be greater than the first width and the second width.

In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be superimposable mirror images of each other. The second mating ends may be superimposable mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be mirror images of each other. The second mating ends may be mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, at least one side of the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be parallel with the first and second clip arms.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a clip may be adapted to connect with a platonic solid piece having a plurality of polygonal faces each formed to include a recess therein and a plurality of vertices at the intersection of different polygonal faces. The clip may include a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm to define a gap therebetween, and an interconnecting member. The first clip arm may extend between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end. The second clip arm may extend between a first mating end aligned with the first mating end of the first clip arm and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end and aligned with the second mating end of the first clip arm. The interconnecting member may extend between and interconnect the first clip arm and the second clip arm.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with at least one of (i) the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces and (ii) the vertices of the plurality of vertices to selectively connect any one of the plurality of clips to a respective platonic solid piece. In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be configured to selectively mate with both (i) the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces and (ii) the vertexes of the plurality of vertexes of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece. The first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece so that the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms of any one of the plurality of clips are able to fit within each of the recesses formed in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece.

In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be any one of a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a pentagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a triangle. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a square. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a hexagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be an octagon.

In some embodiments, each first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be shaped to include an indentation. The indentation may be shaped to receive any one of the plurality of vertices of the respective platonic solid piece when the corresponding mating end is arranged over any one of the plurality of vertices.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may have a beveled outer rim. The beveled outer rim may be configured to mate with a beveled inner rim of each of the recesses in the plurality of polygonal faces.

In some embodiments, the gap between the first and second clip arms may have a first width defined between the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms, a second width defined between the second mating ends of the first and second clip arms, and a third width defined between the first and second clip arms. The second width may be equal to the first width. The third width may be greater than the first width and the second width.

In some embodiments, the interconnecting member may have a fourth width. The fourth width may be less than the third width. The fourth width may be less than or equal to the first and second widths.

In some embodiments, at least one side of the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be parallel with the first and second clip arms. In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be superimposable mirror images of each other and the second mating ends may be superimposable mirror images of each other. In some embodiments, the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms may mirror images of each other and the second mating ends may be mirror images of each other.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a platonic solid toy piece comprises a plurality of polygonal faces each formed to include a recess therein and a plurality of vertices at the intersection of different polygonal faces included in the plurality of polygonal faces. The recess in each polygonal face of the plurality of polygonal faces may have a beveled inner rim.

In some embodiments, the platonic solid toy piece may be anyone of a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, and an icosahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a dodecahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a tetrahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a cube. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an octahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an icosahedron.

In some embodiments, the platonic solid toy piece has a hollow center. The recesses may open into the hollow center.

In some embodiments, the platonic solid toy piece may be formed as separate segments. The separate segments may be configured to be coupled together to form the platonic solid toy piece. In some embodiments, the segments may be coupled together with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the segments may be sonically welded together.

In some embodiments, the separate segments of the platonic solid toy piece may include a first half and a second half configured to be coupled to the first half to form the platonic solid toy piece. The beveled inner rim of certain recesses may include mold-release means for easily releasing the first half or the second half from a mold tool so that the first half or the second half can be injection molded using a two-piece mold.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a dodecahedron toy piece may comprise a first hemi-dodecahedron and a second hemi-dodecahedron. The second hemi-dodecahedron may be configured to be coupled with the first hemi-dodecahedron to form the dodecahedron solid toy piece. The first and second hemi-dodecahedron may be skeletal three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedrons.

In some embodiments, each hemi-dodecahedron includes a pentagon-shaped top frame and a side unit. The pentagon-shaped top frame may include an outwardly facing surface having a regular pentagon shape and a pentagon-shaped outer edge. The side unit may depend from the pentagon-shaped outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame and form an endless loop around the pentagon-shaped top frame.

In some embodiments, each side unit may comprise a ring of five pentagon-shaped side frames. The five pentagon-shaped side frames may be arranged in series to cause each pentagon-shaped side frame to interconnect flanking adjacent pentagon-shaped side frames and to depend from one of five segments that cooperate to establish the pentagon-shaped outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame.

In some embodiments, each of the pentagon-shaped side frames may include an outwardly facing surface having a regular pentagon shape and a pentagon-shaped outer edge. The pentagon-shaped outer edge may be arranged to lie in coextensive relation with one of the five segments that cooperate to establish the pentagon-shaped outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame.

In some embodiments, each of the of the top and side frames has a recess formed therein. The recess has a pentagon-shaped inner rim and a pentagon-shaped inner edge that defines a boundary of a pentagon-shaped inner opening of the respective recess. The pentagon-shaped inner rim may depend from the pentagon-shaped inner edge. The inner rim may comprise in series, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth mold-release walls. In some embodiments, the inner rim is beveled.

In some embodiments, the first, second, and third mold-release walls of each of side frames have non-coplanar shapes. The non-coplanar shapes may cooperate to establish means for releasing the first skeletal three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedron from a mold unit after a plastics material has been molded in a two-part mold to produce the first skeletal three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedron without employing any side-action mold surfaces that are moved relative to the two-part mold to release the skeletal three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedron from the mold unit.

In some embodiments, the first mold-release wall may have a triangle-shaped first panel appended along a long side thereof to a triangle-shaped second panel along a diagonally extending middle ridge to establish therebetween an exterior dihedral angle and along a relatively shorter side thereof to the fifth mold-release panel. In some embodiments, the third mold-release wall has a triangle-shaped first panel appended along a long side thereof to a triangle-shaped second panel along a diagonally extending middle ridge to establish therebetween an exterior dihedral angle and along a relatively shorter side thereof to the fourth mold-release panel.

In some embodiments, the second mold-release wall has an inner panel arranged to interconnect the triangle-shaped second panels of the first and third mold-release walls and a chamfered panel arranged to extend between the first and third mold-release walls and appended to a long side of the inner panel along a partition ridge to define an exterior dihedral angle therebetween. In some embodiments, a first relatively shorter side of the inner panel of the second mold-release wall is appended to the triangle-shaped second panel of the first mold-release wall and a second relatively shorter side of the inner panel of the second mold-release wall is appended to the second triangle-shaped panel of the third mold-release wall.

In some embodiments, the pentagon-shaped top frame of each hemi-dodecahedron may include five top segments of equal length. The five top segments may be arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation to one another to form an endless top loop of top segments bounding the pentagon-shaped top recess to define a top edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron and to cause each pair of adjacent top segments to establish a vertex therebetween.

In some embodiments, the side unit my include five negatively sloping bottom segments, five positively sloping bottom segments of equal length, and five connector segments. The five positively sloping bottom segments may be arranged end to end in an alternating zig-zag series to establish an endless bottom loop of bottom segments. The endless bottom loop of bottom segments is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the endless top loop of top segments to define a bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron. Each pair of adjacent bottom segments may establish one of five peak vertices and one of five valley vertices provided in an alternating pattern in the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron. The five connector segments may be arranged to interconnect the endless top and bottom loops to form the respective hemi-dodecahedron.

In some embodiments, each connector segment may be arranged to connect only one of the vertices in the endless top loop with only one of the peak vertices in the endless bottom loop to form a series of five pentagon-shaped side recesses arranged to lie between the endless top and bottom edges of the respective hemi-dodecahedron and to surround the pentagon-shaped top opening defined by the top edge of the first skeletal three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedron.

In some embodiments, each hemi-dodecahedron may further comprise a plurality of peg-receiving apertures and a plurality of pegs. The plurality of peg-receiving apertures may extend into the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron. Each peg of the plurality of pegs may be arranged between adjacent peg-receiving apertures. Each peg may extend away from the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron and may be sized to extend into the companion peg-receiving apertures formed in the other hemi-dodecahedron when the segments are assembled together.

In some embodiments, the first hemi-dodecahedron and the second hemi-dodecahedron may be coupled together at a join line between the side units. The first hemi-dodecahedron and the second hemi-dodecahedron may be coupled together along the join line between the side units with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the first hemi-dodecahedron and the second hemi-dodecahedron may be sonically welded together along the join line.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method may comprise providing a plurality of toy pieces and a plurality of clips. The plurality of clips may be configured to connect with the plurality of toy pieces.

Each toy piece may be shaped to include a plurality of faces each formed to include a recess therein and a plurality of vertexes at the intersection of different faces included in the plurality of faces.

In some embodiments, each clip may include a first clip arm and a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm to define a gap therebetween. The first clip arm may extend between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end. The second clip arm may extend between a first mating end aligned with the first mating end of the first clip arm and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end and aligned with the second mating end of the first clip arm. In some embodiments, the clip may further include an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm and the second clip arm.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise connecting a first clip included in the plurality of clips to a first toy piece included in the plurality of toy pieces. The first clip included in the plurality of clips may be connected to the first toy piece included in the plurality of toy piece by mating the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms of the first clip with (i) recesses in opposing faces included on the first toy piece or (ii) one recess and one vertex opposite the one recess included on the first toy piece.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise connecting a second clip included in the plurality of clips to the first toy piece included in the plurality of toy pieces. The second clip included in the plurality of clips may be connected to the first toy piece included in the plurality of toy pieces by mating the first mating ends of the first and second clip arms of the second clip with (i) recesses in opposing faces included on the first toy piece or (ii) one recess and one vertex opposite the one recess included on the first toy piece.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise connecting a second toy piece included in the plurality of toy pieces to the first clip included in the plurality of clips. The second toy piece included in the plurality of toy pieces may be connected to the first clip included in the plurality of clips by mating the second mating ends of the first and second clip arms of the second clip with (i) recesses in opposing faces included on the second toy piece or (ii) one recess and one vertex opposite the one recess included on the second toy piece.

In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may be any one of a tetrahedron, a cube, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, and an icosahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a dodecahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a tetrahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be a cube. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an octahedron. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece may be an icosahedron.

In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center. In some embodiments, each platonic solid piece of the plurality of platonic solid pieces may have a hollow center and the recesses may open into the hollow center.

In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece. In some embodiments, the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may each have a polygonal shape that mates with the recesses in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece so that the first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms of any one of the plurality of clips are able to fit within each of the recesses formed in the polygonal faces of each platonic solid piece. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may match a polygonal shape of the plurality of faces of each solid piece.

In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be any one of a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a pentagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a triangle. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a square. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be a hexagon. In some embodiments, the polygonal shape of the first and second mating ends may be an octagon.

In some embodiments, each first and second mating ends of the first and second clip arms may be shaped to include an indentation. The indentation may be shaped to receive any one of the plurality of vertexes of the respective solid piece when the corresponding mating end is arranged over any one of the plurality of vertexes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a platonic solid toy piece may comprise providing a mold tool comprising a first tool piece and a second tool piece that cooperate to define a cavity. The cavity may be in the shape of a hemi-dodecahedron. In some embodiments, the hemi-dodecahedron may have a plurality of faces each formed to include a recess therein that has beveled edges and a plurality of vertexes at the intersection of different faces included in the plurality of faces.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling the first tool piece and the second tool piece together, injecting material into the mold tool while the first and second tool pieces are coupled together to form a first hemi-decahedron piece, separating the first tool piece and the second tool piece after injecting material into the mold tool, and removing the first hemi-decahedron piece from the mold tool. Each of the recesses may have an inner rim. The inner rim may have means for easily releasing the hemi-dodecahedron from the mold tool. In this way, the hemi-dodecahedron may be manufactured or produced using injection molding without employing any side-action mold surfaces that are moved relative to the two-part mold to release the hemi-dodecahedron from the mold unit.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a toy set comprising a plurality of toy pieces and a plurality of toy clips configured to be connected or interlocked with the plurality of toy pieces;

FIG. 1A is a detail view of FIG. 1 showing each of the toy pieces is a platonic solid having a plurality of polygonal faces formed to include a recess therein and a plurality of vertices at the intersection of different polygonal faces and each of the clips has clip ends that mate with recesses in the platonic solid to connect them together;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the plurality of toy pieces included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the piece is a dodecahedron having twelve pentagon faces and twenty vertices, and showing each piece is hollow and the recess open into the hollow center so that the piece is a skeletal three-dimensional dodecahedron;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C is a left view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2D is a right view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2E is a top view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the plurality of toy clips included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the clip includes a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm to define a gap therebetween, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm and the second clip arm, and further showing each clip arm extends between a first mating end and a second mating end spaced apart from the first mating end that are each configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C is a left view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3D is a right view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3E is a top view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3F is a bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is an elevation view of one toy piece and one toy clip included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the toy piece and the toy clip in a disconnected mode in which the first or second mating ends of the clip are spaced apart from the respective toy piece;

FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A showing the toy piece and the toy clip in a connecting mode in which the first and second clip arms deflect to allow the toy piece to pass

FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIG. 4B showing the toy piece and the toy clip in a connected mode in which the first or second mating ends of the clip mate with the recesses on the respective toy piece;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a connected toy piece and toy clip of the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the clip may be rotated relative to the toy piece while in the connected mode;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one toy piece and one toy clip included in the toy set of FIG. 1 in the connected mode;

FIG. 5B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 5A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 5C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 5A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the dodecahedron toy piece of FIG. 2 showing the toy piece is segmented into a first segment and a second segment that are coupled together to form the toy piece;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the segments of the toy piece of FIG. 6 showing each segment has a pentagon-shaped top frame and a side unit depending an outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame and to form an endless top loop around the pentagon-shaped top frame, and showing the side unit comprises a ring of five pentagon-shaped side frames are arranged in series to cause each pentagon-shaped side frame to interconnect flanking adjacent pentagon-shaped side frames and to depend from one of five segments that cooperate to establish the outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the segment of FIG. 7 showing each segment also includes a series of pegs that extend away from the ring of five pentagon-shaped side frames and are sized to extend into the companion peg-receiving apertures formed the other segment when coupled together;

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the segment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7C is a left view of the segment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7D is a right view of the segment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7E is a top view of the segment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7F is a bottom view of the segment of FIG. 7 showing the series of pegs and the series of peg-receiving apertures arranged between adjacent peg;

FIG. 8 is an exploded diagrammatic view of a mold unit used for forming one hemi-dodecahedron toy piece that may be assembled with a second dodecahedron toy piece to form one of the toy pieces included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the mold unit or mold tool has a first tool piece and a second tool piece that cooperate to define a cavity in the shape of the hemi-dodecahedron;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the first tool piece of the mold tool of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the second tool piece of the mold tool of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the first tool piece of the mold tool of FIG. 8 after the hemi-dodecahedron has been formed;

FIG. 8D is a top view of the first tool piece of FIG. 8C;

FIG. 8E is a perspective view of the second tool piece of the mold tool of FIG. 8 after the hemi-dodecahedron has been formed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a platonic solid toy piece included in another embodiment of a toy set showing the piece is a tetrahedron having four triangular faces and four vertices;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9B is a rear view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9C is a left view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9D is a right view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9E is a top view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 9F is a bottom view of the tetrahedron toy piece of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 9 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a triangular shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces and the vertices as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B;

FIG. 10A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10C is a top view of the toy clip of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10D is a bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the tetrahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 10 in a connected mode in which one mating end mates with one recess and the other aligned mating end mates with one vertex;

FIG. 11B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 11A taking along line B-B showing each of the mating ends has an indentation that extends into the respective mating end and is sized/shaped to receive any one of the vertices when the respective mating end is arranged over any one of the vertices;

FIG. 11C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 11A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 8 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a hexagonal shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces and the vertices as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B;

FIG. 12A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12C is a top or bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the tetrahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 12 in a connected mode in which one mating end mates with one recess and the other aligned mating end mates with one vertex;

FIG. 13B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 13A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 13C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 13A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a platonic solid toy piece to be included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the piece is a cube having six square faces and eight vertices;

FIG. 14A is a front, rear, side, top, or bottom view of the cube toy piece of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 14 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a square shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 15A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15C is a top or bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 15;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the cube toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 15 in a connected mode;

FIG. 16B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 16A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 16C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 16A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 14 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having an octagonal shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 17A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17C is a top or bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cube toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 17 in a connected mode;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a platonic solid toy piece to be included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the piece is an octahedron having eight triangular faces and six vertices;

FIG. 19A is a front, rear, or side view of the octahedron toy piece of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19B is a top or bottom view of the octahedron toy piece of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 20 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a triangular shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 20A is a front view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20B is a rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20C is a left side view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20D is a right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20E is a top view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20F is a bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 20;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the octahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 20 in a connected mode;

FIG. 21B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 21A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 21C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 21A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 19 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a hexagonal shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 22A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 22;

FIG. 22B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 22;

FIG. 22C is a top or bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 22;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of the octahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 22 in a connected mode;

FIG. 23B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 23A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 23C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 23A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a platonic solid toy piece to be included in the toy set of FIG. 1 showing the piece is an icosahedron having twenty triangular faces and twelve vertices;

FIG. 24A is a front view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24B is a rear view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24C is a left side view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24D is a right side view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24E is a top view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24F is a bottom view of the icosahedron toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of the icosahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 25 in a connected mode;

FIG. 26B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 26A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 26C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 26A taking along line C-C;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toy clip configured to connect with the toy piece of FIG. 24 showing the toy clip has a first clip arm, a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, and an interconnecting member that extends between and interconnects the first and second clip arms, and further showing each clip arm extends between first and second mating ends each having a hexagonal shape and being configured to mate with the recesses in opposite faces;

FIG. 27A is a front or rear view of the toy clip of FIG. 27;

FIG. 27B is a left or right side view of the toy clip of FIG. 27;

FIG. 27C is a top or bottom view of the toy clip of FIG. 27;

FIG. 28A is a perspective view of the icosahedron toy piece and the respective toy clip of FIG. 27 in a connected mode;

FIG. 28B is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 28A taking along line B-B;

FIG. 28C is a cross-section view of the connected piece and clip of FIG. 28A taking along line C-C; and

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of a method of manufacturing one of the toy pieces included in the toy set of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

An illustrative interlocking toy set 10 is shown in FIG. 1, which includes a plurality of toy pieces 12 and a plurality of toy clips 14. Each of the toy pieces 12 are a platonic solid (e.g., tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedron) having a plurality of polygonal faces 12F each formed to include a recess 12R therein and a plurality of vertices 12V at the intersection of different polygonal faces 12F. Each of the clips 14 is configured to selectively mate with the recesses 12R of any one of the toy pieces 12 to connect any one of the clips 14 to a respective platonic solid piece 12.

Each clip 14 has a first clip arm 20, a second clip arm 22, and an interconnecting member 24 as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The second clip arm 22 is spaced apart from the first clip arm 20 to define a gap 26 therebetween. The interconnecting member 24 extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 20 and the second clip arm 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the interconnecting member 24 extends across the gap 26 to define the gap 26 into a first side 26A and a second side 26B.

The first clip arm 20 and the second clip arm 22 each extend between a first mating end 20A, 22A and a second mating end 20B, 22B spaced apart from the first mating end 20A, 22B as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The first mating end 22A of the second clip arm 22 is aligned with the first mating end 20A of the first clip arm 20 and the second mating end 22B of the second clip arm 22 is aligned with the second mating end 20B of the first clip arm 20. In other words, the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of a respective clip 14 cooperate together to mate with the recesses 12R in a respective toy piece 12 like as shown in FIG. 1A.

The first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B selectively fit within each of the recesses 12R formed in the faces 12F of each platonic solid piece 12 thereby selectively connecting the respective clip 14 with the respective platonic solid toy piece 12. FIGS. 4A-C show the steps of connecting one of the clips 14 to one of the toy pieces 12. A respective clip 14 is connected to a respective piece 12 by changing them from a disconnected mode as shown in FIG. 4A to a connected mode as shown in FIG. 4B.

In the disconnected mode, the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the clip 14 are spaced apart from the respective toy piece 12 as shown in FIG. 4A. To begin connecting the clip 14 to the piece 12, the piece 12 is inserted between the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the clip 14 such that the clip arms 20, 22 deflect as shown in FIG. 4B. The clip arms 20, 22 are configured to deflect to allow the piece 12 to pass into the gap 26 between the arms 20, 22.

The piece 12 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 24 until the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B align with the recesses 12R on opposite faces 12F. As the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the clip 14 align with recesses 12R, the clip arms 20, 22 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B fit within the recesses 12R. In the connected mode, the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the clip 14 mate with the recesses 12R on the respective toy piece 12 connecting the clip 14 to the respective toy piece 12 as shown in FIG. 4C.

Because of the multiple faces 12F, several clips 14 may be connected to the same platonic solid toy piece 12 as shown in FIG. 1. To aid in allowing multiple clips 14 be connected to the same piece 12, the clip arms 20, 22 have a stepped shape as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The stepped shape makes it so that the clip arms 20, 22 of one clip 14 do not interfere with or block another clip 14. The gap 26 has a width 26W1, 26W2 defined between the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B that is less than a width 26W3 of the gap 26 defined between the clip arms 20, 22. The interconnecting member 24 has a fourth width 26W4 that is less than the width 26W3 thereby creating the stepped shape as shown in FIGS. 3-3F.

Additionally, the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 are free to rotate relative to each other while in the connected mode as suggested in FIG. 4D. Each of the recesses 12R has a beveled inner rim 12M that mates with a beveled outer rim 64 of the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B so that it is easier to rotate the toy clip 14 relative to the piece 12. If the inner rim 12M of each of the recesses 12R was at a hard right angle relative to the respective face 12F, the force needed to overcome the connection between the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B and the respective piece 12 would be greater, making it more difficult or even impossible to rotate the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 while in the connected mode.

Each of the toy pieces 12 is a platonic solid. More specifically, each of the toy pieces 12 are a dodecahedron as shown in FIGS. 2-8E. The dodecahedron toy piece 12 has twelve pentagon faces 12F, twenty vertices 12V, and thirty edges. The dodecahedron toy piece 12 allows a user to connect up to a maximum of six clips 14 to any one toy piece 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2-2F, the platonic solid toy piece 12 is hollow, and each of the recesses 12R open into the hollow center so that the toy piece 12 is a skeletal three-dimensional dodecahedron. The dodecahedron toy piece 12 has a first pentagon-shaped top frame 32, a second pentagon-shaped top frame 34 opposite the first pentagon-shaped top frame 32, a first side unit 36 having a ring of pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E depending the first pentagon-shaped top frame 32, and a second side unit 38 having a ring of pentagon-shaped side frames 38A-E depending the second pentagon-shaped top frame 34 as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7F. The first side unit 36 and the second side unit 38 depend from each other along a join line 40 of the piece 12.

The first side unit 36, i.e. the ring of pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, forms an endless loop around the first pentagon-shaped top frame 32 and the second side unit 38, i.e. the ring of pentagon-shaped side frames 38A-E, forms an endless loop around the second pentagon-shaped top frame 34. The rings of five pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E are arranged in series to cause each pentagon-shaped side frame 36A-E, 38A-E to interconnect flanking adjacent pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E and to depend from one of five segments that cooperate to establish an outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frames 32, 34.

The pentagon-shaped top frames 32, 34 each include five segments 32A-E, 34A-E of equal length as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7F. The five segments 32A-E, 34A-E of the top frames 32, 34 are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation to one another to form an endless loop of segments 32A-E, 34A-E bounding the pentagon-shaped recess 12R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 32A-E, 34A-E to establish one of the vertices 12V therebetween. The five segments 32A-E, 34A-E define the face 12F or outwardly facing surface 12F having the pentagon shape.

Each of the pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E includes a face or an outwardly facing surface 12F that has a pentagon shape as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7F. Each of the pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E includes five negatively sloping segments 44A-E, five positively sloping segments 46A-E, and five connector segments 48A-E, 50A-E. The segments 44A-E, 46A-E, 48A-E, 50A-E all have equal lengths as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7F.

The negatively sloping and positively sloping segments 44A-E, 46A-E are shared between the first side unit 36 and the second side unit 38 as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7E. The portions 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E bound the recesses 12F on the first side unit 36 and the portions 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E bound the recesses 12F on the second side unit 38. Portions 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E and portions 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E meet at the join line 40.

The segments 44A-E, 46A-E are arranged end to end in an alternating zig-zag series to establish an endless loop of segments that is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the segments 32A-E, 34A-E of the first and second top frames 32, 34. Each pair of adjacent segments 44A-E, 46A-E establish one of five peak vertices 12V and one of five valley vertices 12F provided in an alternating pattern.

The five connector segments 48A-E, 50A-E are arranged to interconnect the endless loop of the five top segments 32A-E, 34A-E and the endless loop of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E. Each connector segment 48A-E, 50A-E are arranged to connect only one of the vertices 12V in the endless loop of the five top segments 32A-E, 34A-E with only one of the peak vertices 12F in the endless loop of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E to form a series of five pentagon-shaped side recesses 12R of the corresponding side unit 36, 38.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7E, the dodecahedron toy piece 12 is formed from separate hemi-dodecahedrons 12A, 12B. The hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B is split or halved along the join line 40 as shown in FIGS. 6-7E. As such the segments 44A-E, 46A-E are divided such that the portions 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E are part of one hemi-dodecahedron 12A and the portions 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2 of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E are part of the other hemi-dodecahedron 12B. That way when the hemi-dodecahedrons 12A, 12B are assembled, the portions join to form the segments 44A-E, 46A-E as shown in FIGS. 2-2F and 6-7E.

Each hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B includes one of the pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34 and one side unit 36, 38 as shown in FIGS. 6-7E. The side unit 36, 38 having a ring of pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E depending the pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34. The side unit 36, 38 forms an endless loop around the pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34. The rings of five pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E are arranged in series to cause each pentagon-shaped side frame 36A-E, 38A-E to interconnect flanking adjacent pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E and to depend from one of five segments 32A-E, 34A-E that cooperate to establish an outer edge of the pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34.

The pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34 of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B includes the five segments 32A-E, 34A-E of equal length as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. The five segments 32A-E, 34A-E are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation to one another to form an endless top loop of segments 32A-E, 34A-E bounding the pentagon-shaped recess 12R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 32A-E, 34A-E to establish one of the vertices 12V therebetween. The five segments 32A-E, 34A-E define the face 12F or outwardly facing surface 12F having the pentagon shape.

Each pentagon-shaped side frame 36A-E, 38A-E of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B includes a face or an outwardly facing surface 12F that has a pentagon shape as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. The pentagon-shaped side frames 36A-E, 38A-E of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B include five negatively sloping segments 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, five positively sloping segments 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2, and five connector segments 48A-E, 50A-E.

The segments 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2, are arranged end to end in an alternating zig-zag series to establish an endless bottom loop is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the segments 32A-E, 34A-E of the top frame 32, 34.

The five connector segments 48A-E, 50A-E are arranged to interconnect the endless top and bottom loops as shown in FIGS. 6-7E. Each connector segment 48A-E, 50A-E is arranged to connect only one of the vertices 12V in the endless loop of the five top segments 32A-E, 34A-E with only one of the peak vertices 12F in the endless loop of the segments 44A-E, 46A-E to form a series of five pentagon-shaped side recesses 12R of the corresponding side unit 36, 38. The recesses 12R are arranged to lie between the endless top edge defined by the five segments 32A-E, 34A-E of the top frame 32, 34 and the bottom edge defined by the respective segments 44A1, 44B1, 44C1, 44D1, 44E1, 44A2, 44B2, 44C2, 44D2, 44E2, 46A1, 46B1, 46C1, 46D1, 46E1, 46A2, 46B2, 46C2, 46D2, 46E2. The recesses 12R defined by the side unit 36, 38 surround the pentagon-shaped top recess 12R.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7F, each of the of the top and side frames 32, 34, 36A-E, 38A-E includes a pentagon-shaped recess 12R. The recess 12R has a beveled inner rim 12M and a pentagon-shaped inner edge 12E that defines a boundary of a pentagon-shaped inner opening of the respective recess 12R formed therein. The beveled inner rim 12M of each recess 12R depends from the pentagon-shaped inner edge 12E.

The beveled inner rim 12M has, in series, a first wall 12M1, a second wall 12M2, a third wall 12M3, a fourth wall 12M4, and a fifth wall 12M5 as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. The walls 12M1, 12M2, 12M3, 12M4, 12M5 may also be referred to as edges in some embodiments. The beveled walls 12M1, 12M2, 12M3, 12M4, 12M5 are at an angle relative to the respective pentagon-shaped face 12F. The angle may be about 45 degrees in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the angle may be less than 90 degrees.

The first, second, and third walls 12M1, 12M2, 12M3, have non-coplanar shapes as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. The non-coplanar shapes cooperate to establish means for releasing the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B from a two-part mold unit 100, like as shown in FIG. 8, so that the toy piece 12 can be manufactured or produced using injection molding without employing any side-action mold surfaces that are moved relative to the two-part mold 100 to release the hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B from the mold unit 100.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7F, the second wall 12M2 is parallel with the respective connecting segment of the pentagon-shaped top frame 32, 34. The third wall 12M3 extends from the second wall 12M2 in a clockwise direction. The fourth wall 12M4 extends from the third wall 12M3 in the clockwise direction. The fifth wall 12M5 extends from the fourth wall 12M4 in the clockwise direction. The first wall 12M1 extends from the fifth wall 12M5 in the clockwise direction back to the second wall 12M2 and connects to the second wall 12M2.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7F, the side frames 36A-E,538A-E have mold-release walls that have means for releasing the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B from the two-part mold unit 100. The first mold-release wall 12M1 has a triangle-shaped first panel 12M1A appended along a long side thereof to a triangle-shaped second panel 12M1B along a diagonally extending middle ridge to establish therebetween an exterior dihedral angle and along a relatively shorter side thereof to the fifth mold-release panel 12M5. The third mold-release wall 12M3 has a triangle-shaped first panel 12M3A appended along a long side thereof to a triangle-shaped second panel 12M3B along a diagonally extending middle ridge to establish therebetween an exterior dihedral angle and along a relatively shorter side thereof to the fourth mold-release panel 12M4.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7F, the second mold-release wall 12M2 has an inner panel 12M2A arranged to interconnect the triangle-shaped second panels 12M1B, 12M3B of the first and third mold-release walls 12M1, 12M3 and a chamfered panel 12M2B arranged to extend between the first and third mold-release walls 12M1, 12M3 and appended to a long side of the inner panel 12M2A along a partition ridge to define an exterior dihedral angle therebetween. A first relatively shorter side of the inner panel 12M2A of the second mold-release wall 12M2 is appended to the triangle-shaped second panel 12M1B of the first mold-release wall 12M1 and a second relatively shorter side of the inner panel 12M2A of the second mold-release wall 12M2 is appended to the second triangle-shaped panel 12M3B of the third mold-release wall 12M3 as shown in FIGS. 6-7E.

Each hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B further comprises a plurality of pegs 70A-E and a plurality of peg-receiving apertures 74A-E as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. Each peg 70A-E of the plurality of pegs 70A-E may be arranged between adjacent peg-receiving apertures 74A-E. The pegs 70A-E extend away from the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B. The plurality of peg-receiving apertures 74A-E may extend into the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B.

The pegs 70A-E extend from the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B at each of the different peak vertices 12F and the peg-receiving apertures 74A-E extend into the bottom edge of the respective hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B at each of the valleys as shown in FIGS. 6-7F. The pegs 70A-E are sized to extend into the companion peg-receiving apertures 74A-E formed in the other hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B when the segments 12A, 12B are assembled together.

The first hemi-dodecahedron 12A and the second hemi-dodecahedron 12B may be coupled together along the join line 40 between the side units 36, 38 as suggested in FIG. 6. The first hemi-dodecahedron 12A and the second hemi-dodecahedron 12B may be coupled together along the join line 40 between the side units 36, 38 with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the first hemi-dodecahedron 12A and the second hemi-dodecahedron 12B may be sonically welded together along the join line 40. In other embodiments, the first and second hemi-dodecahedrons 12A, 12B may be coupled together using another suitable fastener or adhesive.

Turning again to the clips 14, each clip 14 includes the first clip arm 20, the second clip arm 22 spaced apart from the first clip arm 20 to define the gap 26 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 24 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 20 and the second clip arm 22 as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The first mating ends 20A, 22A and the second mating ends 20B, 22B of each clip arm 20, 22 have a polygonal shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the first mating ends 20A, 22A and the second mating ends 20B, 22B of each clip arm 20, 22 are pentagons. The pentagon-shaped mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B match the pentagon-shaped recesses 12R in the toy piece 12.

The clip arms 20, 22 are stepped such that the gap 26 between the first and second clip arms 20, 22 has a first width 26W1 defined between the first mating ends 20A, 22A of the first and second clip arms 20, 22, a second width 26W2 defined between the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the first and second clip arms 20, 22, and a third width 26W3 defined between the first and second clip arms 20, 22 that is greater than the first width 26W1 and the second width 26W2. The second width 26W2 is equal to the first width 26W1, which correspond to the inner distance D between opposite frames like as shown in FIG. 5B. The fourth width 26W4 of the interconnecting member 24 is less than or equal to the first width 26W1 and the second width 26W2 in the illustrative embodiment.

The shape of the clip arms 20, 22 may vary like as suggested in the other embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 3-3F, each clip arm 20, 22 has a connecting section 54, angled sections 56A, 56B, and mating end sections 58A, 58B. The connecting sections 54 of the first and second clip arms 20, 22 of the clip 14 extend parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F. The angled sections 56A, 56B extend from opposite ends of the connecting section 54 at an angle a relative to the connecting section 54. The mating end sections 58A, 58B extend from the respective angled section 56A, 56B parallel with the connecting section 54.

The mating end sections 58A, 58B extend to the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 58A, 58B are coupled to a first side 60 of the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B. The third width 26W3 is defined between the mating end sections 58A, 58B of the first clip arm 20 and the mating end sections 58A, 58B of the second clip arm 22.

The interconnecting member 24 extends between the connecting sections 54 of each clip arm 20, 22 as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The interconnecting member 24 extends perpendicular to the medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F. The interconnecting member 24 extends between the arms 20, 22 at a halfway point between the first mating ends 20A, 20B and second mating ends 20B, 22B.

The first mating ends 20A, 22A of the first and second clip arms 20, 22 are superimposable mirror images of each other as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. Similarly, the second mating ends 20B, 22B are superimposable mirror images of each other. As such, the first and second mating ends 20A, 20B of the first clip arm 20 are in the same orientation and the first and second mating ends 22A, 22B of the second clip arm 22 are in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

Each mating end 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B has a first side 60 facing away from the gap 26, a second side 62 opposite the first side 60, and an outer rim 64 as shown in FIGS. 3-3F. The second side 62 is spaced apart relative to the first side 60 to define a breadth or thickness of the mating end 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B. The outer rim 64 extends between and interconnects the first side 60 and the second side 62. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 64 is beveled to match and mate with the beveled inner rim 12M of the recesses 12R as shown in FIG. 5B.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5A, the mating ends 20A, 22A, 20B, 22B are pentagon-shaped such that the outer rim 64 comprises five walls 64A-E. The pentagon-shaped mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B match the pentagon-shaped recesses 12F in the toy piece 12. Therefore, each mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B have a first wall 64A, a second wall 64B, a third wall 64C, a fourth wall 64D, and a fifth wall 64E.

In some embodiments, the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B may have fillet edges 66A-E between the different sides 60, 62 and walls 64A-E. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B have fillet edges 66A-E between the first side 60 and the walls 64A-E of the beveled outer rim 64. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, at least one edge 66A of the first and second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the first and second clip arms 20, 22 is parallel with the first and second clip arms 20, 22.

Steps of a method of assembling or playing with the toy pieces 12 and the toy clips 14 are shown in FIGS. 4A-C. A user starts by connecting a first clip 14 included in the plurality of clips 14 to a first toy piece 12 included in the plurality of toy pieces 12 by mating the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the first clip 14 with the recesses 12R in opposing faces 12 included on the first toy piece 12 like as shown in FIGS. 4A-C. To begin connecting the clip 14 to the piece 12, the piece 12 is inserted between the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the clip 14 such that the clip arms 20, 22 deflect as shown in FIG. 4B. The clip arms 20, 22 are configured to deflect to allow the piece 12 to pass into the gap 26 between the arms 20, 22.

The piece 12 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 24 until the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B align with the recesses 12R on opposite faces 12F. As the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the clip 14 align with recesses 12R, the clip arms 20, 22 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B fit within the recesses 12R such that the piece 12 and the clip 14 are in the connected mode as shown in FIG. 4C.

In the connected mode, a user may connect a second clip 14 included in the plurality of clips 14 to the first toy piece 12. The user may connect the second clip 14 to the first toy piece 12 by mating the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the second clip 14 with different recesses 12R in opposing faces 12F included on the first toy piece 12. Again, the user repeats the steps of inserting the piece 12 between the first mating ends 20A, 22A or the second mating ends 20B, 22B of the clip 14 such that the clip arms 20, 22 deflect to allow the piece 12 to pass into the gap 26 between the arms 20, 22. The piece 12 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 24 of the second clip 14 until the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B align with the recesses 12R on opposite faces 12F and fit within the recesses 12R.

Each of the first and second clips 14 may also be rotated relative to the piece 12 to the desired position. The user may connect up to a maximum of six clips 14 to the one toy piece 12. Each clip 14 may be in a number of different positions on the toy piece 12.

The user may also connect a second toy piece 12 to the opposite mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the first clip 14. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may connect another toy piece 12 to any of the opposite mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the other clips 12. The user may connect the second toy piece 12 to one of the other clips 14 by mating the opposite mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B with recesses 12R in opposing faces 12F included on the second toy piece 12. Again, the user repeats the steps of inserting the piece 12 between the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B of the clip 14 such that the clip arms 20, 22 deflect to allow the piece 12 to pass into the gap 26 between the arms 20, 22. The second piece 12 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 24 of the clip 14 until the mating ends 20A, 20B, 22A, 22B align with the recesses 12R on opposite faces 12F and fit within the recesses 12R.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing may include injection molding the toy pieces 12 as shown in FIG. 29. The method may use a two-piece mold unit 100. The mold unit or mold tool 100 has a first tool piece 100A and a second tool piece 100B as shown in FIGS. 8-8E. The first tool piece 100A and the second tool piece 100B cooperate to define a cavity in the shape of the hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B. The first tool piece 100A has a depression 112A that extends into a surface 110A of the first tool piece 100A and the second tool piece 100B has a projection 112B that extends from a surface 110B of the second tool piece 100B. When the first and second tool pieces 100A, 100B are assembled, the surfaces 110A, 110B are brought into contact so that the projection 112B of the second mold tool 100B extends into the depression 112A of the first tool piece 100A. The depression 112A and the projection 112B cooperate to the define the hemi-dodecahedron cavity.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-E, the depression 112B and the projection 112B have segments and surfaces that define parts of the cavity once the first and second tool pieces 100A, 100B are assembled together.

The first tool piece 100A has five positively sloping surfaces 144A1, 144B1, 144C1, 144D1, 144E1 and five negatively sloping surfaces 146A1, 146B1, 146C1, 146D1, 146E1 as shown in FIG. 8A. The second tool piece 100B has five negatively sloping surfaces 144A2, 144B2, 144C2, 144D2, 144E2 and five positively sloping surfaces 146A2, 146B2, 146C2, 146D2, 146E2 as shown in FIG. 8B. The surfaces 144A1, 144B1, 144C1, 144D1, 144E1, 146A1, 146B1, 146C1, 146D1, 146E1 are arranged end to end in an alternating zig-zag series to define an endless ring and the surfaces 144A2, 144B2, 144C2, 144D2, 144E2, 146A2, 146B2, 146C2, 146D2, 146E2. arranged end to end in an alternating zig-zag series to define an endless ring. The sloping surfaces 144A1, 144B1, 144C1, 144D1, 144E1, 146A1, 146B1, 146C1, 146D1, 146E1 of the first tool piece 100A cooperate with the sloping surfaces 144A2, 144B2, 144C2, 144D2, 144E2, 146A2, 146B2, 146C2, 146D2, 146E2 of the second tool piece 100B to form part of the endless bottom loop of segments 46A-E, 48A-E of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A when the mold unit 100 is injected with plastic material.

The first tool piece 100A further includes a pentagon-shaped top surface 131, five pentagon-shaped side surfaces 135A-E that depend from the pentagon-shaped top surface 133, and pentagon-shaped protrusions 132, 136A-E as shown in FIG. 8A. The protrusion 132 extends away from the pentagon-shaped top surface 133 and each pentagon-shaped protrusion 136A-E extends from one of the five pentagon-shaped side surfaces 135A-E as shown in FIG. 8A. The surfaces 133, 135A-E form the faces 12F of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A when the mold unit 100 is injected with plastic material. The pentagon-shaped protrusions 132, 136A-E engage the second tool piece 100B when assembled to form the recesses 12R of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A. The gaps or channels 132A-E, 148A-E defined between the pentagon-shaped protrusions 132, 136A-E that form the top segments 32A-E and the connecting segments 48A-E of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A.

The second tool piece 100B further includes a pentagon-shaped top surface 133, five pentagon-shaped side surfaces 137A-E that correspond to one of the five sides of the top surface 133, and interior projections 139A-E as shown in FIG. 8B. The top surface 133 engages the top pentagon-shaped protrusion 132. Each side surface 137A-E engages part of a corresponding pentagon-shaped protrusion 136A-E. Each of the interior projections 139A-E extend from one of the side surfaces 137A-E and cooperate with the pentagon-shaped top protrusions 132 to define the top segments 32A-E of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A.

The second tool piece 100B further includes a plurality of peg-forming apertures 170A-E and a plurality of aperture-forming pegs 174A-E as shown in FIG. 8B. The plurality of peg-forming apertures 170A-E each form one of the pegs 70A-E of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A. when the mold unit 100 is injected with plastic material. The plurality of aperture-forming pegs 174A-E each form one of the peg-receiving apertures 74A-E of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A. when the mold unit 100 is injected with plastic material.

The side protrusions 136A-E and the interior projections 139A-E define mold-release surfaces 113M1, 113M2, 113M3, 113M4, 113M5 that form the rim 12R of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The side protrusions 136A-E define a triangle-shaped first panel 113M1A of the first mold-release surface 113M1, a triangle-shaped first panel 113M3A of the third mold-release surface 113M3, the fourth mold-release surface 113M4, and the fifth mold-release surface 113M5 as shown in FIG. 8A. The interior projections 139A-E define a triangle-shaped second panel 113M1B of the first mold-release surface 113M1, a triangle-shaped second panel 113M3B of the third mold-release surface 113M3, an inner panel 113M2A of the second mold-release surface 113M2, and a chamfered panel 113M2B of the second mold-release surface 113M2 as shown in FIG. 8B.

The mold-release surfaces 113M1, 113M2, 113M3, 113M4, 113M5 form the mold-release walls 12M1, 12M2, 12M3, 12M4, 12M5 of the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A that allow it to be injected molded. The mold-release surfaces 113M1, 113M2, 113M3, 113M4, 113M5 allow the first and second tool pieces 100A, 110B to be separated, as suggested by arrow A in FIG. 8, after the piece 12A has been injected molded to release the three-dimensional hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A from the mold unit 100. No additional side-action mold surfaces are needed to release the hemi-dodecahedron toy piece 12A. This makes the injection molding processes simpler and easier compared to those that use a multi-piece mold with side-action surfaces.

The method may include coupling or assembling the tool pieces 100A, 100B together to form the cavity. A plastic material may then be heated before injecting the plastic material into the cavity of the mold 100. The mold 100 is then allowed to cool so that the plastic material may solidify. In some embodiments, the mold tool 100 may be actively cooled to cool solidify the plastic material. After the mold tool 100 has cooled to the desired temperature, the first and second tool pieces 100A, 100B are separated as suggested by arrow A in FIG. 8. The molded hemi-dodecahedron 12A, 12B is then removed from the mold unit 100. The steps may then be repeated to form additional hemi-dodecahedrons 12A, 12B. Then a first hemi-dodecahedron 12A and a second hemi-dodecahedron 12B may be coupled together to form the final toy piece 12.

Another embodiment of a toy set 210 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 9-13C. The toy set 210 is substantially similar to the toy set 10 shown in FIGS. 2-8E and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200 series indicate features that are common between the toy set 10 and the toy set 210. The description of the toy set 10 is incorporated by reference to apply to the toy set 210, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and the drawings of the toy set 10.

The toy set 210 includes a plurality of toy pieces 212 and a plurality of clips 214, 216 as shown in FIGS. 9-13C. Unlike the toy pieces 12 in FIGS. 2-2F, each toy piece 212 is a tetrahedron as shown in FIGS. 9-9F. The tetrahedron toy piece 212 has four triangular faces 212F, four vertices 212V, and six edges.

Each of the clips 214, 216 is configured to connect with one of the tetrahedron toy pieces 212. Unlike the clips 14 associated with the dodecahedron toy pieces 12, each of the clips 214, 216 is configured to selectively mate with both the recesses 212R and the vertices 212V of any one of the respective toy pieces 212 to connect any one of the clips 214 to a respective platonic solid piece 212.

The plurality of clips 214, 216 includes a first set of clips 214 and a second set of clips 216 as shown in FIGS. 10-12C. The clips 216 of the first set of clips 216 are substantially similar to the clips 214 of the first set of clips 214, except the mating ends having different shapes. Each clip 214 of the first set of clips 214 has triangle-shaped mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B that match the triangle-shaped recesses 212R in the toy piece 212 as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. Each clip 216 of the second set of clips 216 has hexagon-shaped mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ as shown in FIGS. 12-12C.

Each clip 214 has a first clip arm 220, a second clip arm 222 spaced apart from the first clip arm 220 to define a gap 226 therebetween, and an interconnecting member 224 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 220 and the second clip arm 222 as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. The first clip arm 220 and the second clip arm 222 each extend between a first mating end 220A, 222A and a second mating end 220B, 222B spaced apart from the first mating end 220A, 222B as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. The first mating end 222A of the second clip arm 222 is aligned with the first mating end 220A of the first clip arm 220 and the second mating end 222B of the second clip arm 222 is aligned with the second mating end 220B of the first clip arm 220.

The first mating ends 220A, 222A or the second mating ends 220B, 222B of a respective clip 214 cooperate together to mate with one of recesses 212R and one of the vertices 212V in a respective toy piece 212 like as shown in FIGS. 11A-C. Each first and second mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B of the first and second clip arms 220, 222 are shaped to include an indentation 223 that is shaped to receive any one of the plurality of vertices 212V of the respective platonic solid piece 212 when the corresponding mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B is arranged over any one of the plurality of vertices 212V.

One of the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B selectively fits within one of the recesses 212R formed in the faces 212F of each platonic solid piece 212 while the other mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B is arranged over one of the vertices 212V so that the respective vertex 212V fits within the indentation 223 thereby selectively connecting the respective clip 214 with the respective platonic solid toy piece 212. Similar steps like those shown in FIGS. 4A-C may be used to connect one of the clips 214 to one of the toy pieces 212. A respective clip 214 is connected to a respective piece 212 by changing them from the disconnected mode to the connected mode.

In the disconnected mode, the first or second mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B of the clip 214 are spaced apart from the respective toy piece 212. To begin connecting the clip 214 to the piece 212, the piece 212 is inserted between the first mating ends 220A, 222A or the second mating ends 220B, 222B of the clip 214 such that the clip arms 220, 222 deflect. The clip arms 220, 222 are configured to deflect to allow the piece 212 to pass into the gap 226 between the arms 220, 222.

The piece 212 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 224 until the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B align with one of the recesses 212R and the opposing vertex 212V. As the first or second mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B of the clip 214 align with the recess 212R and the opposing vertex 212V, the clip arms 220, 222 deflect back to the neutral position so that the one of the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B fits within the recess 212R and the vertex 212V extends into the respective indentation 223 on the other mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B like as shown in FIGS. 11A-C. In the connected mode, one mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B mates with the recess 212R and the other adjacent mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B mates with the vertex 212V connecting the clip 214 to the respective toy piece 212.

Like the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 of FIGS. 2-8E, multiple clips 214, 216 may be connected to the same platonic solid toy piece 212. The tetrahedron toy piece 212 allows a user to connect up to a maximum of four clips 214, 216 to any one toy piece 212. The clip arms 220, 222 also have a stepped shape as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. However, the stepped shape of the clip arms 220, 222 is different than the stepped shape of the clip arms 20, 22 in FIGS. 2-8E. Additionally, the toy pieces 212 and toy clips 214 are free to rotate relative to each other while in the connected mode similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2-8E. Each of the recesses 212R has a beveled inner rim 212M that mates with a beveled outer rim 264 of the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B so that it is easier to rotate the toy clip 214, 216 relative to the piece 212.

As shown in FIGS. 9-9F, the platonic solid toy piece 212 is hollow and each of the recesses 212R open into the hollow center so that the toy piece 212 is a skeletal three-dimensional tetrahedron. The tetrahedron toy piece 212 has a plurality of triangle-shaped frames 232, 234, 236, 238 that depend from one another at the respective edges. Each triangle-shaped frame is defined by three segments 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 253 of equal length as shown in FIGS. 9-9F. The segments 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 253 are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation to one another to form an endless loop of segments 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 253 bounding the triangle-shaped recess 212R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 253 to establish one of the vertices 212V therebetween. The three segments 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 253 making up each frame 232, 234, 236, 238 define the face 212F or outwardly facing surface 212F having the triangular shape.

As shown in FIGS. 9-9F, each of the of the frames 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242 includes a triangle-shaped recess 212R. The recess 212R has a beveled inner rim 212M and a triangle-shaped inner edge 212E that defines a boundary of a triangle-shaped inner opening of the respective recess 212R formed therein. The beveled inner rim 212M of each recess 212R depends from the triangle-shaped inner edge 212E. The beveled inner rim 212M has, in series, a first wall 212M1, a second wall 212M2, and a third wall 212M3 as shown in FIGS. 9-9F. The walls 212M1, 212M2, 212M3 may also be referred to as edges in some embodiments.

Turning again to the clips 214, each clip 214 includes the first clip arm 220, the second clip arm 222 spaced apart from the first clip arm 220 to define the gap 226 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 224 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 220 and the second clip arm 222 as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. The first mating ends 220A, 222A and the second mating ends 220B, 222B of each clip arm 220, 222 have a polygonal shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the first mating ends 220A, 222A and the second mating ends 220B, 222B of each clip arm 220, 222 are triangles. The triangle-shaped mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B match the triangle-shaped recesses 212R in the toy piece 212.

The clip arms 220, 222 are stepped such that the gap 226 between the first and second clip arms 220, 222 has a first width 226W1 defined between the first mating ends 220A, 222A of the first and second clip arms 220, 222, a second width 226W2 defined between the second mating ends 220B, 222B of the first and second clip arms 220, 222, and a third width 226W3 defined between the first and second clip arms 220, 222 that is greater than the first width 226W1 and the second width 226W2. The second width 226W2 is equal to the first width 226W1. The fourth width 26W4 of the interconnecting member 24 is less than or equal to the first width 26W1 and the second width 26W2 in the illustrative embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 10-10D, each clip arm 220, 222 has angled sections 256A, 256B and mating end sections 258A, 258B. The angled sections 256A, 256B extend from the interconnecting member 224 at an angle a relative to the interconnecting member 224. The mating end sections 258A, 258B extend from the respective angled section 256A, 256B parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D.

The mating end sections 258A, 258B extend to the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 258A, 258B are coupled to a first side 260 of the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B. The third width 226W3 is defined between the mating end sections 258A, 258B of the first clip arm 220 and the mating end sections 258A, 258B of the second clip arm 222. In the illustrative embodiment, the interconnecting member 224 extends perpendicular to the medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D. The interconnecting member 224 extends between the arms 220, 222 at a halfway point between the first mating ends 220A, 220B and second mating ends 220B, 222B.

Unlike the embodiment of the clip 14 in FIGS. 2-8E, the first mating ends 220A, 222A of the first and second clip arms 220, 222 of the clip 214 are mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 10B. Similarly, the second mating ends 220B, 222B are mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 10-10B.

Each mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B has a first side 260 facing away from the gap 226, a second side 262 opposite the first side 260, and an outer rim 264 as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. The second side 262 is spaced apart relative to the first side 260 to define a breadth or thickness of the mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B. The outer rim 264 extends between and interconnects the first side 260 and the second side 262. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 264 is double beveled as shown in FIGS. 10-10D. The first beveled section of the outer rim 264 matches and mates with the beveled inner rim 212M of the recesses 212R as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C.

As shown in FIGS. 10-10D, the mating ends 220A, 222A, 220B, 222B are triangle-shaped such that the first and second beveled sections of the outer rim 264 each comprise three walls. The triangle-shaped mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B match the triangle-shaped recesses 212R in the toy piece 212. Therefore, the first beveled section includes a first wall 264A, a second wall 264B, and a third wall 264C. Additionally, the second beveled section includes a first wall 264A2, a second wall 264B2, and a third wall 264C2. A connecting wall 265 extends between and interconnects the two beveled section as shown in FIGS. 10-10D.

Each mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B of the clip arms 220, 222 includes the indentation 223 as shown in FIGS. 10-11B. The indentation 223 extends into the second side 262 of the mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B. In the illustrative embodiment, the indentation 223 has a pyramidal shape that is sized to receive any one of the vertices 212V of the toy piece 12.

The clips 216 of the second set of clips 216 are shown in FIGS. 12-12C. The clip 216 is substantially similar to the clip 214, however, the first and second mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ of each clip arm 220, 222 are hexagon-shaped such that the outer rim 264′ of each mating end 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ has six walls 264A′, 264B′, 264C′, 264D′, 264E′, 264F′ as opposed to three walls. Thus, the hexagon-shaped mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ do not match the triangle-shaped recesses 212R in the toy piece 212.

The additional walls 264A′, 264B′, 264C′, 264D′, 264E′, 264F′ allow the clip 216 to be rotated to more positions than the other clip 214. The triangle-shaped mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B of the clip 214 allow the clip arms 220, 222 of the clip 214 to be positioned at three different angles relative to the toy piece 12, each angle interval being about 120 degrees. The hexagon-shaped mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ of the clip 216 allow the clip arms 220, 222 of the clip 216 to be positioned at six different angles relative to the toy piece 212, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

Each clip 216 includes the first clip arm 220, the second clip arm 222 spaced apart from the first clip arm 220 to define the gap 226 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 224 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 220 and the second clip arm 222 as shown in FIGS. 12-12C. The first mating ends 220A′, 222A′ and the second mating ends 220B′, 222B′ of each clip arm 220, 222 are hexagons as opposed to triangles like clips 214.

As shown in FIGS. 12-12C, each clip arm 220, 222 has angled sections 256A, 256B and mating end sections 258A, 258B. The angled sections 256A, 256B extend from the interconnecting member 224 at an angle a relative to the interconnecting member 224. The mating end sections 258A, 258B extend from the respective angled section 256A, 256B parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIG. 12C. The mating end sections 258A, 258B extend to the mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 258A, 258B are coupled to a first side 260′ of the mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′.

The first mating ends 220A′, 222A′ of the first and second clip arms 220, 222 of the clip 216 are also mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 12B. Similarly, the second mating ends 220B′, 222B′ are also mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 12-12C.

Each mating end 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ has a first side 260′ facing away from the gap 226, a second side 262′ opposite the first side 260′, and an outer rim 264′ as shown in FIGS. 12-12C. The outer rim 264′ extends between and interconnects the first side 260′ and the second side 262′. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 264′ is double beveled as shown in FIGS. 12-12C similar to the outer rim 264 of the clip 214.

The first beveled section of the outer rim 264′ mates with the beveled inner rim 212M of the recesses 212R as shown in FIGS. 13A-C. The first beveled section includes six walls 264A′, 264B′, 264C′, 264D′, 264E′, 264F′.

Additionally, the second beveled section includes six walls 264A2′, 264B2′, 264C2′, 264D2′, 264E2′, 264F2′.

The outer rim 264′ of each mating end 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ has six walls 264A′, 264B′, 264C′, 264D′, 264E′, 264F′ as shown in FIGS. 12-12C. When the mating ends 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ are mated with one of the recesses 212R, only three walls of the six walls 264A′, 264B′, 264C′, 264D′, 264E′, 264F′ engage the beveled inner rim 212M of the recess 212R as shown in FIGS. 13A-C. Again, this allows the clip arms 220, 222 of the clip 216 to be positioned at six different angles relative to the toy piece 212, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

The indentation 223′ in each mating end 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ also has a different shape. Because of the additional possible angular positions of the clip 216, the indentation 223′ has a six-pointed star shape as shown FIGS. 12 and 13A.

A method of assembling or playing with the toy pieces 212 and the toy clips 214, 216 is similar to the method for the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8E. A user starts by connecting a first clip 214, 216 included in the plurality of clips 214, 216 to a first toy piece 212 included in the plurality of toy pieces 212 by mating one mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ with one of the recesses 212R and the other adjacent mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ with one of the vertices 212V opposite the respective recess 212R.

To begin connecting the clip 214, 216 to the piece 212, the piece 212 is inserted between the first mating ends 220A, 222A, 220A′, 222A′ or the second mating ends 220B, 222B, 220B′, 222B′ of the clip 214, 216 such that the clip arms 220, 222 deflect. The piece 212 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 224 until the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ align with one of the recesses 212R and the opposing vertex 212V. As the respective mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ align with one of the recesses 212R and the opposing vertex 212V, the clip arms 220, 222, deflect back to the neutral position so that the one of the mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ fits within the recess 212R and the vertex 212V extends into the respective indentation 223 on the other mating end 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ like as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 13A-C.

In the connected mode, a user may connect a second clip 214, 216 included in the plurality of clips 214, 216 to the first toy piece 212. The user may repeat the steps to connect the second clip 214, 216. The user may connect up to a maximum of four clips 214, 216 to the one toy piece 212. Different types of clips 214, 216 may be coupled to each piece 212. Each clip 214, 216 may be in a number of different positions on the toy piece 212. The user may also connect a second toy piece 212 to the opposite mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ of the first clip 214, 216. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may connect another toy piece 212 to any of the opposite mating ends 220A, 220B, 222A, 222B, 220A′, 220B′, 222A′, 222B′ of the other clips 214, 216.

Another embodiment of a toy set 310 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 14-18A. The toy set 310 is substantially similar to the toy sets 10, 210 shown in FIGS. 2-13C and described herein.

Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 300 series indicate features that are common between the toy sets 10, 210 and the toy set 310. The description of the toy sets 10, 210 is incorporated by reference to apply to the toy set 310, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and the drawing of the toy sets 10, 210.

The toy set 310 includes a plurality of toy pieces 312 and a plurality of clips 314, 316 as shown in FIGS. 14-18A. Unlike the toy pieces 12 in FIGS. 2-2F, each toy piece 312 is a cube as shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The cube toy piece 312 has six square faces 312F, eight vertices 312V, and twelve edges. Each of the clips 314, 316 is configured to connect with one of the cube toy pieces 312 by mating with recesses 312R in opposite faces 312F.

The plurality of clips 314, 316 includes a first set of clips 314 and a second set of clips 316 as shown in FIGS. 15-18A. The clips 316 of the first set of clips 316 are substantially similar to the clips 314 of the first set of clips 314, except the mating ends having different shapes. Each clip 314 of the first set of clips 314 has square-shaped mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B that match the square-shaped recesses 312R in the toy piece 312 as shown in FIGS. 15-15C. Each clip 316 of the second set of clips 316 has octagon-shaped mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ as shown in FIGS. 17-17C.

Each clip 314 has a first clip arm 320, a second clip arm 322 spaced apart from the first clip arm 320 to define a gap 326 therebetween, and an interconnecting member 324 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 320 and the second clip arm 322 as shown in FIGS. 17-17C. The first clip arm 320 and the second clip arm 322 each extend between a first mating end 320A, 322A and a second mating end 320B, 322B spaced apart from the first mating end 320A, 322B as shown in FIGS. 17-17C. The first mating end 322A of the second clip arm 322 is aligned with the first mating end 320A of the first clip arm 320 and the second mating end 322B of the second clip arm 322 is aligned with the second mating end 320B of the first clip arm 320.

The first mating ends 320A, 322A or the second mating ends 320B, 322B of a respective clip 314 cooperate together to mate with recesses 312R in opposing faces 312F of a respective toy piece 312 like as shown in FIGS. 16A-C. The mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B selectively fit within the recesses 312R formed in the faces 312F of each platonic solid piece 312 thereby selectively connecting the respective clip 314 with the respective platonic solid toy piece 312. Similar steps like those shown in FIGS. 4A-C may be used to connect one of the clips 314 to one of the toy pieces 312. A respective clip 314 is connected to a respective piece 312 by changing them from the disconnected mode to the connected mode.

In the disconnected mode, the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B of the clip 314 are spaced apart from the respective toy piece 312. To begin connecting the clip 314 to the piece 312, the piece 312 is inserted between the first mating ends 320A, 322A or the second mating ends 320B, 322B of the clip 314 such that the clip arms 320, 322 deflect to allow the piece 312 to pass into the gap 326 between the arms 320, 322. The piece 312 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 324 until the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B align with the recesses 312R on opposite faces 312F. As the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B of the clip 314 align with recesses 312R, the clip arms 320, 322 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B fit within the recesses 312R. In the connected mode, the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B of the clip 314 mate with the recesses 312R on the respective toy piece 312 connecting the clip 314 to the respective toy piece 312 as shown in FIGS. 16A-C.

Like the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 of FIGS. 2-8E, multiple clips 314, 316 may be connected to the same platonic solid toy piece 312. The cube toy piece 312 allows a user to connect up to a maximum of six clips 314, 316 to any one toy piece 312. The clip arms 320, 322 also have a stepped shape as shown in FIGS. 15-15C. However, the stepped shape of the clip arms 320, 322 is different than the stepped shape of the clip arms 20, 22 in FIGS. 2-8E.

Additionally, the toy pieces 312 and toy clips 314 are free to rotate relative to each other while in the connected mode similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2-8E. Each of the recesses 312R has a beveled inner rim 312M that mates with a beveled outer rim 364 of the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B so that it is easier to rotate the toy clip 314, 316 relative to the piece 312.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, the platonic solid toy piece 312 is hollow and each of the recesses 312R open into the hollow center so that the toy piece 312 is a skeletal three-dimensional cube. The cube toy piece 312 has a first square-shaped top frame 332, a second square-shaped top frame 334, and a ring of square-shaped side frames 336, 338, 340, 342 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The square-shaped frames 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342 depend from one another at the respective edges.

The first square-shaped top frame 332 has four segments 332A-D of equal length as shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The segments 332A-D are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation, i.e. 90 degree angles, to one another to form an endless loop of segments 332A-D bounding the square-shaped recess 312R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 332A-D to establish one of the vertices 312V therebetween. The four segments 332A-D of the top frame 332 define the face 312F or outwardly facing surface 312F having the square shape.

The second square-shaped top frame 334 has four segments 334A-D of equal length as shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The segments 334A-D are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation, i.e. 90 degree angles, to one another to form an endless loop of segments 332A-D bounding the square-shaped recess 312R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 332A-D to establish one of the vertices 312V therebetween. The four segments 332A-D of the top frame 332 define the face 312F or outwardly facing surface 312F having the square shape.

The side frames 336, 338, 340, 342 include four connecting segments 344A-D of equal length as shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The connecting segments 344A-D that are arranged to connect one of the vertices 312V in the endless loop of segments 332A-D with only one of the vertices 312V in the endless loop of segments 334A-D to form a series of four square-shaped side recesses 312R. The recesses 3312R are arranged to lie between the endless edge defined by the five segments 332A-D of the first top frame 332 and the endless edge defined by the five segments 334A-D of the second top frame 334. The recesses 312R defined by the side frames 336, 338, 340, 342 surround the square-shaped top recesses 312R.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, each of the of the frames 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342 includes a square-shaped recess 312R. The recess 312R has a beveled inner rim 312M and a square-shaped inner edge 312E that defines a boundary of a square-shaped inner opening of the respective recess 312R formed therein. The beveled inner rim 312M of each recess 312R depends from the square-shaped inner edge 312E. The beveled inner rim 312M has, in series, a first wall 312M1, a second wall 312M2, a third wall 312M3, and a fourth wall 312M4 as shown in FIG. 14A. The walls 312M1, 312M2, 312M3, 312M4 may also be referred to as edges in some embodiments.

Turning again to the clips 314, each clip 314 includes the first clip arm 320, the second clip arm 322 spaced apart from the first clip arm 320 to define the gap 326 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 324 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 320 and the second clip arm 322 as shown in FIGS. 15-15C. The first mating ends 320A, 322A and the second mating ends 320B, 322B of each clip arm 320, 322 have a polygonal shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the first mating ends 320A, 322A and the second mating ends 320B, 322B of each clip arm 320, 322 are squares. The square-shaped mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B match the square-shaped recesses 312R in the toy piece 312.

The clip arms 320, 322 are stepped such that the gap 326 between the first and second clip arms 320, 322 has a first width 326W1 defined between the first mating ends 320A, 322A of the first and second clip arms 320, 322, a second width 326W2 defined between the second mating ends 320B, 322B of the first and second clip arms 320, 322, and a third width 326W3 defined between the first and second clip arms 320, 322 that is greater than the first width 326W1 and the second width 326W2. The second width 326W2 is equal to the first width 326W1. The fourth width 326W4 of the interconnecting member 34 is less than or equal to the first width 326W1 and the second width 326W2 in the illustrative embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15-15C, each clip arm 320, 322 has angled sections 356A, 356B and mating end sections 358A, 358B. The angled sections 356A, 356B extend from the interconnecting member 324 at an angle a relative to the interconnecting member 324. The mating end sections 358A, 358B extend from the respective angled section 356A, 356B parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIG. 15C.

The mating end sections 358A, 358B extend to the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 358A, 358B are coupled to a first side 360 of the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B. The third width 326W3 is defined between the mating end sections 358A, 358B of the first clip arm 320 and the mating end sections 358A, 358B of the second clip arm 322. In the illustrative embodiment, the interconnecting member 334 extends perpendicular to the medial plane P as shown in FIG. 15C. The interconnecting member 324 extends between the arms 320, 322 at a halfway point between the first mating ends 320A, 320B and second mating ends 320B, 322B.

Unlike the embodiment of the clip 14 in FIGS. 2-8E, the first mating ends 320A, 322A of the first and second clip arms 320, 322 of the clip 314 are mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 10B. Similarly, the second mating ends 320B, 322B are mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 15-15C

Each mating end 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B has a first side 360 facing away from the gap 326, a second side 362 opposite the first side 360, and an outer rim 364 as shown in FIGS. 15-15C. The second side 362 is spaced apart relative to the first side 360 to define a breadth or thickness of the mating end 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B. The outer rim 364 extends between and interconnects the first side 360 and the second side 362. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 364 is beveled as shown in FIGS. 15-15C. The beveled outer rim 364 matches and mates with the beveled inner rim 312M of the recesses 312R as shown in FIGS. 16A-C.

As shown in FIGS. 15-15C, the mating ends 320A, 322A, 320B, 322B are square-shaped such that the beveled outer rim 364 comprises four walls. The square-shaped mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B match the square-shaped recesses 312R in the toy piece 312. Therefore, the beveled outer rim 364 includes a first wall 364A, a second wall 364B, a third wall 364C, and a fourth wall 364D.

The clips 316 of the second set of clips 316 are shown in FIGS. 17-17C. The clips 316 are substantially similar to the clip 314, however, the first and second mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ of each clip arm 320, 322 are octagon-shaped such that the outer rim 364′ of each mating end 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ has eight walls 364A′, 364B′, 364C′, 364D′, 364E′, 364F′, 364G′, 364H′ as opposed to four walls. Thus, the octagon-shaped mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ do not match the square-shaped recesses 312R in the toy piece 312.

The additional walls 364A′, 364B′, 364C′, 364D′, 364E′, 364F′, 364G′, 364H′ allow the clip 316 to be rotated to more positions than the other clips 314. The square-shaped mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B of the clip 314 allow the clip arms 320, 322 of the clip 314 to be positioned at four different angles relative to the toy piece 12, each angle interval being about 90 degrees. The octagon-shaped mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ of the clip 316 allow the clip arms 320, 322 of the clip 316 to be positioned at eight different angles relative to the toy piece 312, each angle interval being about 45 degrees.

Each clip 316 includes the first clip arm 320, the second clip arm 322 spaced apart from the first clip arm 320 to define the gap 326 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 324 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 320 and the second clip arm 322 as shown in FIGS. 17-17C. The first mating ends 320A′, 322A′ and the second mating ends 320B′, 322B′ of each clip arm 320, 322 are octagons as opposed to squares like clips 314.

As shown in FIGS. 17-17C, each clip arm 320, 322 has angled sections 356A, 356B and mating end sections 358A, 358B. The angled sections 356A, 356B extend from the interconnecting member 324 at an angle a relative to the interconnecting member 324. The mating end sections 358A, 358B extend from the respective angled section 356A, 356B parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIG. 17C. The mating end sections 358A, 358B extend to the mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 358A, 358B are coupled to a first side 360′ of the mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′.

The first mating ends 320A′, 322A′ of the first and second clip arms 320, 322 of the clip 316 are also mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 17B. Similarly, the second mating ends 320B′, 322B′ are also mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 17-17C.

Each mating end 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ has a first side 360′ facing away from the gap 326, a second side 362′ opposite the first side 360′, and an outer rim 364′ as shown in FIGS. 17-17C. The outer rim 364′ extends between and interconnects the first side 360′ and the second side 362′. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 364′ is beveled as shown in FIGS. 17-17C similar to the outer rim 364 of the clip 314.

The outer rim 364′ of each mating end 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ has eight walls 364A′, 364B′, 364C′, 364D′, 364E′, 364F′, 364G′, 364H′ as shown in FIGS. 17-17C. When the mating ends 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ are mated with one of the recesses 312R, only three walls of the eight walls 364A′, 364B′, 364C′, 364D′, 364E′, 364F′, 364G′, 364H′ engage the beveled inner rim 312M of the recess 312R as shown in FIG. 18A. Again, this allows the clip arms 320, 322 of the clip 316 to be positioned at eight different angles relative to the toy piece 312, each angle interval being about 45 degrees.

A method of assembling or playing with the toy pieces 312 and the toy clips 314, 316 is similar to the method for the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8E. A user starts by connecting a first clip 314, 316 included in the plurality of clips 314, 316 to a first toy piece 312 included in the plurality of toy pieces 312 by mating the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B, 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ with recesses 312R in opposing faces 312F of the toy piece 312.

To begin connecting the clip 314, 316 to the piece 312, the piece 312 is inserted between the first mating ends 320A, 322A, 320A′, 322A′ or the second mating ends 320B, 322B, 320B′, 322B′ of the clip 314, 316 such that the clip arms 320, 322 deflect. The piece 312 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 324, 324′ until the mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B, 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ align with the recesses 312R on opposite faces 312F. As the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B of the clip 314 align with recesses 312R, the clip arms 320, 322 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B fit within the recesses 312R like as shown in FIGS. 16A-C and 18A.

In the connected mode, a user may connect a second clip 314, 316 included in the plurality of clips 314, 316 to the first toy piece 312. The user may repeat the steps to connect the second clip 314, 316. The user may connect up to a maximum of six clips 314, 316 to the one toy piece 312. Different types of clips 314, 316 may be coupled to each piece 312. Each clip 314, 316 may be in a number of different positions on the toy piece 312. The user may also connect a second toy piece 312 to the opposite mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B, 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ of the first clip 314, 316. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may connect another toy piece 312 to any of the opposite mating ends 320A, 320B, 322A, 322B, 320A′, 320B′, 322A′, 322B′ of the other clips 314, 316.

Another embodiment of a toy set 410 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 19-23C. The toy set 410 is substantially similar to the toy sets 10, 210, 310 shown in FIGS. 2-17C and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 400 series indicate features that are common between the toy sets 10, 210, 310 and the toy set 410. The description of the toy sets 10, 210, 310 is incorporated by reference to apply to the toy set 410, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and the drawings of the toy sets 10, 210, 310.

The toy set 410 includes a plurality of toy pieces 412 and a plurality of clips 414, 416 as shown in FIGS. 19-23C. Unlike the toy pieces 12 in FIGS. 2-2F, each toy piece 412 is an octahedron as shown in FIGS. 19-19B. The octahedron toy piece 412 has eight triangular faces 412F, six vertices 412V, and twelve edges. Each of the clips 414, 416 is configured to connect with one of the octahedron toy pieces 412 by mating with recesses 412R in opposite faces 412F.

The plurality of clips 414, 416 includes a first set of clips 414 and a second set of clips 416 as shown in FIGS. 19-23C. The clips 416 of the first set of clips 416 are substantially similar to the clips 414 of the first set of clips 414, except the mating ends having different shapes. Each clip 414 of the first set of clips 414 has triangle-shaped mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B that match the triangle-shaped recesses 412R in the toy piece 412 as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. Each clip 416 of the second set of clips 416 has hexagon-shaped mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ as shown in FIGS. 22-22C.

Each clip 414 has a first clip arm 420, a second clip arm 422 spaced apart from the first clip arm 420 to define a gap 426 therebetween, and an interconnecting member 424 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 420 and the second clip arm 422 as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. The first clip arm 420 and the second clip arm 422 each extend between a first mating end 420A, 422A and a second mating end 420B, 422B spaced apart from the first mating end 420A, 422B as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. The first mating end 422A of the second clip arm 422 is aligned with the first mating end 420A of the first clip arm 420 and the second mating end 422B of the second clip arm 422 is aligned with the second mating end 420B of the first clip arm 420.

The first mating ends 420A, 422A or the second mating ends 420B, 422B of a respective clip 414 cooperate together to mate with recesses 412R in opposing faces 412F of a respective toy piece 412 like as shown in FIGS. 21A-C. The mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B selectively fit within the recesses 412R formed in the faces 412F of each platonic solid piece 412 thereby selectively connecting the respective clip 414 with the respective platonic solid toy piece 412. Similar steps like those shown in FIGS. 4A-C may be used to connect one of the clips 414 to one of the toy pieces 412. A respective clip 414 is connected to a respective piece 412 by changing them from the disconnected mode to the connected mode.

In the disconnected mode, the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B of the clip 414 are spaced apart from the respective toy piece 412. To begin connecting the clip 414 to the piece 412, the piece 412 is inserted between the first mating ends 420A, 422A or the second mating ends 420B, 422B of the clip 414 such that the clip arms 420, 422 deflect to allow the piece 412 to pass into the gap 426 between the arms 420, 422. The piece 412 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 424 until the mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B align with the recesses 412R on opposite faces 412F. As the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B of the clip 414 align with recesses 412R, the clip arms 420, 422 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B fit within the recesses 412R. In the connected mode, the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B of the clip 414 mate with the recesses 412R on the respective toy piece 412 connecting the clip 414 to the respective toy piece 412 as shown in FIGS. 21A-C.

Like the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 of FIGS. 2-8E, multiple clips 414, 416 may be connected to the same platonic solid toy piece 412. The octahedron toy piece 412 allows a user to connect up to a maximum of six clips 414, 416 to any one toy piece 412. The clip arms 420, 422 also have a stepped shape as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. However, the stepped shape of the clip arms 420, 422 is different than the stepped shape of the clip arms 20, 22 in FIGS. 2-8E. Additionally, the toy pieces 412 and toy clips 414 are free to rotate relative to each other while in the connected mode similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2-8E. Each of the recesses 412R has a beveled inner rim 412M that mates with a beveled outer rim 464 of the mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B so that it is easier to rotate the toy clip 414, 416 relative to the piece 412.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, the platonic solid toy piece 412 is hollow and each of the recesses 412R open into the hollow center so that the toy piece 412 is a skeletal three-dimensional octahedron. The octahedron toy piece 412 has a first side unit 436 and a second side unit 438 that each have four side frames 436A-D, 438A-D that depend from one another at the respective edges. The triangle-shaped frame 436A-D, 438A-has four sloping segments 444A-D, 446A-D that extend at an angle from one vertex 412V and four connecting segments 448A-D.

The segments 444A-D, 446A-D all meet at one vertex 412V and extend downward from the vertex 412V. The connecting segments 448A-D are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation, i.e. 90 degree angles, to one another to form an endless loop of segments 448A-D bounding the square-shaped recess 312R of the first and second side units 436, 438 and causing each pair of adjacent segments 332A-D to establish one of the vertices 312V therebetween. The connecting segments 448A-D are shared between the first side unit 436 and the second side unit 438 as shown in FIGS. 19-19C. As such, a portion of the segments 448A-D forms bounds the recesses 412R on the first side unit 436 and the recess 412R of the second side unit 438 and meet at the join line 440.

As shown in FIGS. 19-19B, each of the of the frames 436, 438 includes a triangle-shaped recess 412R. The recess 412R has a beveled inner rim 412M and a triangle-shaped inner edge 412E that defines a boundary of a triangle-shaped inner opening of the respective recess 412R formed therein. The beveled inner rim 412M of each recess 412R depends from the triangle-shaped inner edge 412E. The beveled inner rim 412M has, in series, a first wall 412M1, a second wall 412M2, and a third wall 412M3, as shown in FIGS. 19-19B. The walls 412M1, 412M2, 412M3 may also be referred to as edges in some embodiments.

Turning again to the clips 414, each clip 414 includes the first clip arm 420, the second clip arm 422 spaced apart from the first clip arm 420 to define the gap 426 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 424 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 420 and the second clip arm 422 as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. The first mating ends 420A, 422A and the second mating ends 420B, 422B of each clip arm 420, 422 have a polygonal shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the first mating ends 420A, 422A and the second mating ends 420B, 422B of each clip arm 420, 422 are squares. The triangle-shaped mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B match the triangle-shaped recesses 412R in the toy piece 412.

The clip arms 420, 422 are stepped such that the gap 426 between the first and second clip arms 420, 422 has a first width 426W1 defined between the first mating ends 420A, 422A of the first and second clip arms 420, 422, a second width 426W2 defined between the second mating ends 420B, 422B of the first and second clip arms 420, 422, and a third width 426W3 defined between the first and second clip arms 420, 422 that is greater than the first width 426W1 and the second width 426W2. The second width 426W2 is equal to the first width 426W1. The fourth width 426W4 of the interconnecting member 424 is less than or equal to the first width 426W1 and the second width 426W2 in the illustrative embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 20-20F, each clip arm 420, 422 has a connecting section 454, angled sections 456A, 456B, and mating end sections 458A, 458B. The connecting sections 452 of the first and second clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 414 extend parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 20E and 20F. The angled sections 456A, 456B extend from opposite ends of the connecting section 454 at an angle a relative to the connecting section 454. The mating end sections 458A, 458B extend from the respective angled section 456A, 456B parallel with the connecting section 454.

The mating end sections 458A, 458B extend to the mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 458A, 458B are coupled to a first side 460 of the mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B. The third width 426W3 is defined between the mating end sections 458A, 458B of the first clip arm 420 and the mating end sections 458A, 458B of the second clip arm 422. In the illustrative embodiment, the interconnecting member 434 extends perpendicular to the medial plane P as shown in FIGS. 20E and 20F. The interconnecting member 424 extends between the arms 420, 422 at a halfway point between the first mating ends 420A, 420B and second mating ends 420B, 422B.

Like the embodiment of the clip 14 in FIGS. 2-8E, the first mating ends 420A, 422A of the first and second clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 414 are superimposable mirror images of each other as shown in FIGS. 20C and 20D.

Similarly, the second mating ends 420B, 422B are superimposable mirror images of each other. As such, the first mating ends 420A, 420B, are in the same orientation and the second mating ends 422A, 422B are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 20-20F.

Each mating end 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B has a first side 460 facing away from the gap 426, a second side 462 opposite the first side 460, and an outer rim 464 as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. The second side 462 is spaced apart relative to the first side 460 to define a breadth or thickness of the mating end 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B. The outer rim 464 extends between and interconnects the first side 460 and the second side 462. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 464 is beveled as shown in FIGS. 20-20F. The beveled outer rim 464 matches and mates with the beveled inner rim 412M of the recesses 412R as shown in FIGS. 21A-C.

As shown in FIGS. 20-20F, the mating ends 420A, 422A, 420B, 422B are triangle-shaped such that the beveled outer rim 464 comprises three walls. The triangle-shaped mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B match the triangle-shaped recesses 412R in the toy piece 412. Therefore, the beveled outer rim 464 includes a first wall 464A, a second wall 464B, and a third wall 464C.

The clips 416 of the second set of clips 416 are shown in FIGS. 22-22C. The clips 416 are substantially similar to the clip 414, however, the first and second mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ of each clip arm 420, 422 are hexagon-shaped such that the outer rim 464′ of each mating end 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ has six walls 464A′, 464B′, 464C′, 464D′, 464E′, 464F′ as opposed to three walls. Thus, the hexagon-shaped mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ do not match the triangle-shaped recesses 412R in the toy piece 412.

The clips 416 of the second set of clips 416 are substantially similar to the clips 216 in FIGS. 12-12C and function similarly as well. The hexagon mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ may be slightly smaller or larger in size compared to the clip 216. However, this will depend on the size of the octahedron toy piece 412.

The additional walls 464A′, 464B′, 464C′, 464D′, 464E′, 464F′ allow the clip 416 to be rotated to more positions than the other clips 414. The triangle-shaped mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B of the clip 414 allow the clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 414 to be positioned at three different angles relative to the toy piece 12, each angle interval being about 120 degrees. The hexagon-shaped mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ of the clip 416 allow the clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 416 to be positioned at six different angles relative to the toy piece 412, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

Each clip 416 includes the first clip arm 420, the second clip arm 422 spaced apart from the first clip arm 420 to define the gap 426 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 424 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 420 and the second clip arm 422 as shown in FIGS. 22-22C. The first mating ends 420A′, 422A′ and the second mating ends 420B′, 422B′ of each clip arm 420, 422 are hexagons as opposed to triangles like clips 414.

As shown in FIGS. 22-22C, each clip arm 420, 422 of the clip 416 has angled sections 456A, 456B and mating end sections 458A, 458B. The angled sections 456A, 456B extend from the interconnecting member 424 at an angle a relative to the interconnecting member 424. The mating end sections 458A, 458B extend from the respective angled section 456A, 456B parallel to a medial plane P as shown in FIG. 22C. The mating end sections 458A, 458B extend to the mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′. In the illustrative embodiment, the mating end sections 458A, 458B are coupled to a first side 460′ of the mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′.

The first mating ends 420A′, 422A′ of the first and second clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 416 are mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 22B. Similarly, the second mating ends 420B′, 422B′ are also mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 22-22C.

Each mating end 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ has a first side 460′ facing away from the gap 426, a second side 462′ opposite the first side 460′, and an outer rim 464′ as shown in FIGS. 22-22C. The outer rim 464′ extends between and interconnects the first side 460′ and the second side 462′. In the illustrative embodiment, the outer rim 464′ is beveled as shown in FIGS. 22-22C similar to the outer rim 464 of the clip 414.

The outer rim 464′ of each mating end 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ has six walls 464A′, 464B′, 464C′, 464D′, 464E′, 464F′ as shown in FIGS. 22-22C. When the mating ends 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ are mated with one of the recesses 412R, only four walls of the six walls 464A′, 464B′, 464C′, 464D′, 464E′, 464F′ engage the beveled inner rim 412M of the recess 412R as shown in FIG. 23A. Again, this allows the clip arms 420, 422 of the clip 416 to be positioned at eight different angles relative to the toy piece 412, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

A method of assembling or playing with the toy pieces 412 and the toy clips 414, 416 is similar to the method for the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8E. A user starts by connecting a first clip 414, 416 included in the plurality of clips 414, 416 to a first toy piece 412 included in the plurality of toy pieces 412 by mating the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B, 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ with recesses 412R in opposing faces 412F of the toy piece 412.

To begin connecting the clip 414, 416 to the piece 412, the piece 412 is inserted between the first mating ends 420A, 422A, 420A′, 422A′ or the second mating ends 420B, 422B, 420B′, 422B′ of the clip 414, 416 such that the clip arms 420, 422 deflect. The piece 412 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 424, 424′ until the mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B, 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ align with the recesses 412R on opposite faces 412F. As the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B of the clip 414 align with recesses 412R, the clip arms 420, 422 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B fit within the recesses 412R like as shown in FIGS. 21A-C and 23A-C.

In the connected mode, a user may connect a second clip 414, 416 included in the plurality of clips 414, 416 to the first toy piece 412. The user may repeat the steps to connect the second clip 414, 416. The user may connect up to a maximum of six clips 414, 416 to the one toy piece 412. Different types of clips 414, 416 may be coupled to each piece 412. Each clip 414, 416 may be in a number of different positions on the toy piece 412. The user may also connect a second toy piece 412 to the opposite mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B, 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ of the first clip 414, 416. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may connect another toy piece 412 to any of the opposite mating ends 420A, 420B, 422A, 422B, 420A′, 420B′, 422A′, 422B′ of the other clips 414, 416.

Another embodiment of a toy set 510 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 24-28C. The toy set 510 is substantially similar to the toy sets 10, 210, 310, 410 shown in FIGS. 2-23C and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 500 series indicate features that are common between the toy sets 10, 210, 310, 410 and the toy set 510. The description of the toy sets 10, 210, 310, 410 is incorporated by reference to apply to the toy set 510, except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and the drawings of the toy sets 10, 210, 310, 410.

The toy set 510 includes a plurality of toy pieces 512 and a plurality of clips 514, 516 as shown in FIGS. 24-28C. Unlike the toy pieces 12 in FIGS. 2-2F, each toy piece 512 is an icosahedron as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. The icosahedron toy piece 512 has twenty triangular faces 512F, twelve vertices 512V, and thirty edges. Each of the clips 514, 516 is configured to connect with one of the icosahedron toy pieces 512 by mating with recesses 512R in opposite faces 512F.

The plurality of clips 514, 516 includes a first set of clips 514 and a second set of clips 516 as shown in FIGS. 24-28C. The clips 516 of the first set of clips 516 are substantially similar to the clips 514 of the first set of clips 514, except the mating ends having different shapes. Each clip 514 of the first set of clips 514 has triangle-shaped mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B that match the triangle-shaped recesses 512R in the toy piece 512 as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. Each clip 516 of the second set of clips 516 has hexagon-shaped mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ as shown in FIGS. 26-26C.

Each clip 514 has a first clip arm 520, a second clip arm 522 spaced apart from the first clip arm 520 to define a gap 526 therebetween, and an interconnecting member 524 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 520 and the second clip arm 522 as shown in FIG. 25. The clips 514 are substantially similar, if not the same as, the clips 414 of FIGS. 20-20F.

The first clip arm 520 and the second clip arm 522 each extend between a first mating end 520A, 522A and a second mating end 520B, 522B spaced apart from the first mating end 520A, 522B as shown in FIG. 25. The first mating end 522A of the second clip arm 522 is aligned with the first mating end 520A of the first clip arm 520 and the second mating end 522B of the second clip arm 522 is aligned with the second mating end 520B of the first clip arm 520.

The first mating ends 520A, 522A or the second mating ends 520B, 522B of a respective clip 514 cooperate together to mate with recesses 512R in opposing faces 512F of a respective toy piece 512 like as shown in FIGS. 21A-C. The mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B selectively fit within the recesses 512R formed in the faces 512F of each platonic solid piece 512 thereby selectively connecting the respective clip 514 with the respective platonic solid toy piece 512. Similar steps like those shown in FIGS. 4A-C may be used to connect one of the clips 514 to one of the toy pieces 512. A respective clip 514 is connected to a respective piece 512 by changing them from the disconnected mode to the connected mode.

In the disconnected mode, the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B of the clip 514 are spaced apart from the respective toy piece 512. To begin connecting the clip 514 to the piece 512, the piece 512 is inserted between the first mating ends 520A, 522A or the second mating ends 520B, 522B of the clip 514 such that the clip arms 520, 522 deflect to allow the piece 512 to pass into the gap 526 between the arms 520, 522. The piece 512 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 524 until the mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B align with the recesses 512R on opposite faces 512F. As the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B of the clip 514 align with recesses 512R, the clip arms 520, 522 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B fit within the recesses 512R. In the connected mode, the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B of the clip 514 mate with the recesses 512R on the respective toy piece 512 connecting the clip 514 to the respective toy piece 512 as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B.

Like the toy pieces 12 and toy clips 14 of FIGS. 2-8E, multiple clips 514, 516 may be connected to the same platonic solid toy piece 512. The octahedron toy piece 512 allows a user to connect up to a maximum of six clips 514, 516 to any one toy piece 512. The clip arms 520, 522 also have a stepped shape as shown in FIG. 25. However, the stepped shape of the clip arms 520, 522 is different than the stepped shape of the clip arms 20, 22 in FIGS. 2-8E.

Additionally, the toy pieces 512 and toy clips 514 are free to rotate relative to each other while in the connected mode similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 2-8E. Each of the recesses 512R has a beveled inner rim 512M that mates with a beveled outer rim 564 of the mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B so that it is easier to rotate the toy clip 514, 516 relative to the piece 512.

As shown in FIGS. 24-24F, the platonic solid toy piece 512 is hollow and each of the recesses 512R open into the hollow center so that the toy piece 12 is a skeletal three-dimensional icosahedron. The icosahedron toy piece 512 has a first top unit 532 having four triangle-shaped frames 532A-D, a second top unit 534 having four triangle-shaped frames 534A-D, a plurality of side units 536, 538, 540, 542 having multiple triangle-shaped frames 536A-D, 538A-D, 540A-B, 542A-B that depend from the first and second top units 532, 534 as shown in FIGS. 24-24F.

The first top unit 532 has a first center frame 532A and three triangle-shaped side frames 532B-D depending from the center frame 532. The triangle-shaped side frames 532B-D depend from one of three segments 544A-C that cooperate to establish an outer edge of the triangle-shaped center frame 532A. The second top unit 534 has a second center frame 534A and three triangle-shaped side frames 534B-D depending from the second center frame 534. The triangle-shaped side frames 534B-D depend from one of three segments 546A-C that cooperate to establish an outer edge of the triangle-shaped center frame 534A. The frames 536A-D, 538A-D, 540A-B, 542A-B of the side units 536, 538, 540, 542 extends between and interconnect the first top unit 532 and the second top unit 534 as shown in FIGS. 24-24F.

The triangle-shaped top frames 532A, 534 each include three segments 544B-D, 546B-D of equal length as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. The three segments 544B-D, 546B-D of the top frames 532, 534 are arranged to lie end to end in series and in angular relation to one another to form an endless loop of segments 544B-D, 544B-D bounding the triangle-shaped recess 512R and causing each pair of adjacent segments 544B-D, 544B-D to establish one of the vertices 512V therebetween. The three segments 544B-D, 546B-D define the face 512F or outwardly facing surface 512F having the triangle shape.

Each of the triangle-shaped frames 532B-D have segments 548B1, 548B2, 548C1, 548C2, 548D1, 548D2 and each of the triangle-shaped frames 534B-D have segments 550B1, 550B2, 550C1, 550C2, 550D1, 550D2 as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. The segments 548B1, 548B2, 548C1, 548C2, 548D1, 548D2, 550B1, 550B2, 550C1, 550C2, 550D1, 550D2 all have equal lengths as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. The frames 536A-D, 538A-D, 540A-B, 542A-B are defined by segments 552A-L that extend between the other segments to form the triangle-shaped recess 512R as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. Each of the triangle-shaped side frames 536A-D, 538A-D, 540A-B, 542A-B includes a face or an outwardly facing surface 512F that has a triangle shape as shown in FIGS. 24-24F.

As shown in FIGS. 24-24F, each of the of the frames 532A-D, 534A-D, 536A-D, 538A-D, 540A-B, 542A-B includes a triangle-shaped recess 512R. The recess 512R has a beveled inner rim 512M and a triangle-shaped inner edge 512E that defines a boundary of a triangle-shaped inner opening of the respective recess 512R formed therein. The beveled inner rim 512M of each recess 512R depends from the triangle-shaped inner edge 512E. The beveled inner rim 512M has, in series, a first wall 512M1, a second wall 512M2, and a third wall 512M3, as shown in FIGS. 24-24F. The walls 512M1, 512M2, 512M3 may also be referred to as edges in some embodiments.

Turning again to the clips 514, each clip 514 includes the first clip arm 520, the second clip arm 522 spaced apart from the first clip arm 520 to define the gap 526 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 524 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 520 and the second clip arm 522 as shown in FIG. 25. The first mating ends 520A, 522A and the second mating ends 520B, 522B of each clip arm 520, 522 have a polygonal shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the first mating ends 520A, 522A and the second mating ends 520B, 522B of each clip arm 520, 522 are squares. The triangle-shaped mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B match the triangle-shaped recesses 512R in the toy piece 512.

Like the embodiment of the clip 14 in FIGS. 2-8E, the first mating ends 520A, 522A of the first and second clip arms 520, 522 of the clip 514 are superimposable mirror images of each other as shown in FIGS. 20C and 20D.

Similarly, the second mating ends 520B, 522B are superimposable mirror images of each other. As such, the first mating ends 520A, 520B, are in the same orientation and the second mating ends 522A, 522B are all in the same orientation as shown in FIG. 25.

As shown in FIGS. 20-20F, the mating ends 520A, 522A, 520B, 522B are triangle-shaped such that the beveled outer rim 564 comprises three walls. The triangle-shaped mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B match the triangle-shaped recesses 512R in the toy piece 512. Therefore, the beveled outer rim 564 includes a first wall 564A, a second wall 564B, and a third wall 564C.

The clips 516 of the second set of clips 516 are shown in FIGS. 22-22C. The clips 516 are substantially similar to the clip 514, however, the first and second mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ of each clip arm 520, 522 are hexagon-shaped such that the outer rim 564′ of each mating end 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ has six walls 564A′, 564B′, 564C′, 564D′, 564E′, 564F′ as opposed to three walls. Thus, the hexagon-shaped mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ do not match the triangle-shaped recesses 512R in the toy piece 512.

The clips 516 of the second set of clips 516 are substantially similar to the clips 216 in FIGS. 12-12C and/or the clips 416 in FIGS. 22-22C and function similarly as well. The hexagon mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ may be slightly smaller or larger in size compared to the clip 216 or the clip 416. However, this will depend on the size of the icosahedron toy piece 512.

The additional walls 564A′, 564B′, 564C′, 564D′, 564E′, 564F′ allow the clip 516 to be rotated to more positions than the other clips 514. The triangle-shaped mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B of the clip 514 allow the clip arms 520, 522 of the clip 514 to be positioned at three different angles relative to the toy piece 12, each angle interval being about 120 degrees. The hexagon-shaped mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ of the clip 516 allow the clip arms 520, 522 of the clip 516 to be positioned at six different angles relative to the toy piece 512, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

Each clip 516 includes the first clip arm 520, the second clip arm 522 spaced apart from the first clip arm 520 to define the gap 526 therebetween, and the interconnecting member 524 that extends between and interconnects the first clip arm 520 and the second clip arm 522 as shown in FIGS. 22-22C. The first mating ends 520A′, 522A′ and the second mating ends 520B′, 522B′ of each clip arm 520, 522 are hexagons as opposed to triangles like clips 514.

The first mating ends 520A′, 522A′ of the first and second clip arms 520, 522 of the clip 516 are mirror images of each other as shown in FIG. 22B. Similarly, the second mating ends 520B′, 522B′ are also mirror images of each other. As such, the mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ are all in the same orientation as shown in FIGS. 22-22C.

The outer rim 564′ of each mating end 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ has six walls 564A′, 564B′, 564C′, 564D′, 564E′, 564F′ as shown in FIGS. 27-27C. When the mating ends 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ are mated with one of the recesses 512R, only three walls of the six walls 564A′, 564B′, 564C′, 564D′, 564E′, 564F′ engage the beveled inner rim 512M of the recess 512R as shown in FIGS. 28A-C. Again, this allows the clip arms 520, 522 of the clip 516 to be positioned at eight different angles relative to the toy piece 512, each angle interval being about 60 degrees.

A method of assembling or playing with the toy pieces 512 and the toy clips 514, 516 is similar to the method for the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8E. A user starts by connecting a first clip 514, 516 included in the plurality of clips 514, 516 to a first toy piece 512 included in the plurality of toy pieces 512 by mating the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B, 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ with recesses 512R in opposing faces 512F of the toy piece 512.

To begin connecting the clip 514, 516 to the piece 512, the piece 512 is inserted between the first mating ends 520A, 522A, 520A′, 522A′ or the second mating ends 520B, 522B, 520B′, 522B′ of the clip 514, 516 such that the clip arms 520, 522 deflect. The piece 512 is moved inward toward the interconnecting member 524, 524′ until the mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B, 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ align with the recesses 512R on opposite faces 512F. As the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B of the clip 514 align with recesses 512R, the clip arms 520, 522 deflect back to the neutral position so that the first or second mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B fit within the recesses 512R like as shown in FIGS. 26A-C and 28A-C.

In the connected mode, a user may connect a second clip 514, 516 included in the plurality of clips 514, 516 to the first toy piece 512. The user may repeat the steps to connect the second clip 514, 516. The user may connect up to a maximum of six clips 514, 516 to the one toy piece 512. Different types of clips 514, 516 may be coupled to each piece 512. Each clip 514, 516 may be in a number of different positions on the toy piece 512. The user may also connect a second toy piece 512 to the opposite mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B, 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ of the first clip 514, 516. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may connect another toy piece 512 to any of the opposite mating ends 520A, 520B, 522A, 522B, 520A′, 520B′, 522A′, 522B′ of the other clips 514, 516.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.