Toy chain
United States Patent 1191 Fischer [451 Apr. 29, 1975 1 TOY CHAIN [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 431,578  
 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 13, 1973 Germany 7301232 [52] U.S. Cl 59/85; 59/90 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6g 13/04 [58] Field of Search 59/85, 90, 87, 88, 91; 46/25, 23  
 [56 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,805,084 9/1957 Hall 59/85 X 2,972,833 2/1961 La Grutta 46/25 3,451,158 6/1969 Fischer 46/23 X c1r 1c 3,477,167 11/1969 Ach 46/25 X 3,566,531 3/1971 l-las&#39;el et a1... 46/25 3,604,203 9/1971 &#39;Hofmann 59/90 3,665,704 5/1972 Trudeau 59/85 3,780,469 12/1973 Hancovsky 46/25 Primary Examiner-Milton S. Mehr Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT 8 Claims, 2 &#34;Drawing Figures TOY CHAIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to toy construction kits of the type comprising toy chains formed from a plurality of chain link units.  
  In toy construction kits, chains are often used instead of transmission gearing, when the distance between the source of driving force and the driven member or members is relatively large. For a chain drive, at least two chain wheels are necessary, one being the driving chain wheel and the other the driven chain wheel.  
  In addition to using such chains purely for drive transmission purposes, such chains are often used to transport various loads, objects, moving members, etc. When the chains are used for this purpose, it is of course necessary to provide some form of connecting means whereby the objects or moving members to be transported can be readily connected to the chain links for movement therewith. For example, if scoops or buckets are to be attached to the chain links to form a scoop or bucket conveyor arrangement, some means must be provided whereby the scoops or buckets can be readily attached to the chain links and equally readily detached therefrom when desired.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the present invention to provide a toy construction kit of the type comprised of chain link units connected together to form a toy chain, and in particular to provide one or more of the chain link units with novel connecting means to make possible a simple mounting of objects or members on the chain link for movement therewith, and to also make possible simple dismounting of such objects or members from the chain link.  
  This object, and others which will become more understandable from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, can be met according to one advantageous concept of the present invention by providing, in a toy construction kit, in combination, a plurality of chain link units connected together to form a toy chain, and engaging means on at least one of the chain link units configurated to be releasably engageable with a complementary engaging means of a predetermined complementary configuration.  
  The toy construction kit will include one or more accessory components, such as scoops or buckets for the assembly of a scoop or bucket conveyor. Each scoop or bucket will be provided with the just mentioned complementary engaging means and will be releasably engag&#39;eable with the engaging means provided on the chain link unit of the toy chain.  
  According to a further concept of the invention, each chain link unit includes two side members spaced from each other in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the chain, with each side member extending in the general direction of elongation of the chain. The side members of each chain link unit have facing inner sides and also have outer sides. The side members of each chain link unit furthermore have first portions adjoining one or two neighboring chain link units, and have second portions adjoining the other of the two neighboring chain link units. The inner sides of the first portions of the side members of each chain link unit are spaced from each other a distance at least equal to the spacing between the outer sides of the second portions of the side members of the chain link unit. Each chain link unit further includes connecting means connecting together the two side members of the chain link unit and configurated to releasably engage the connecting means of the adjoining chain link unit, with the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit being nested between the first portions of the two side members of the adjoining chain link unit. Advantageously, the engaging means comprises two projecting portions each of one piece with a respective one of the first portions of the side members of said one of the chain link units, the two projecting portions projecting in direction transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of elongation of the chain.  
  With this latter possibility, the mentioned connecting means may advantageously comprise a first transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, and a second transverse connecting bar joining together the second portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, the second transverse connecting bar being provided with an elongated undercut groove extending along the entire length of the second transverse connecting bar and configurated to engage with a releasable snapaction the first transverse connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit.  
  The two side members of each chain link unit are advantageously rigidly connected by the just-mentioned first and second transverse connecting bars, so that the entire chain link unit is substantially rigid, except that the material of the chain link unit may be somewhat resilient for purposes of enabling the releasable snapaction engagement of adjoining chain link units.  
  Advantageously, the elongated undercut groove in the second transverse connecting bar is composed of a slit extending along the whole length of the groove and constituting the entrance to the groove, with the depth of the slit being oriented transverse to the general plane of the chain link unit. As a result, force can be transmitted in the direction of movement of the chain without any danger of the individual chain link units becoming disengaged. This is particularly important when the chain follows a curved path, e.g., either travelling around a sprocket wheel or sagging between two sprocket wheels.  
  Providing the engaging means in the form of two projections, each of one piece with the first portion of a respective one of the two side members of the chain link unit, is particularly advantageous. The connection together of the chain link units to form a chain is in no way interfered with; likewise, the operation of the chain for drive transmission purposes is not interfered with, inasmuch as the engaging means provided on the selected chain link units will not contact any sprocket wheels about which the chain may travel. The releasable engagement between the engaging means on the chain link and accessory units of the toy construction kit makes for a very versatile toy construction kit.  
  The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a plurality of chain link units connected together to form a toy chain, with an accessory component of a toy construction kit releasably mounted on one of the chain link units; and  
  FIG. 2 depicts the construction of one exemplary embodiment of a chain link unit according to the inventlOIl.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 depicts a toy chain 1 composed of a plurality of individual chain link units la releasably connected together. One of the chain link units 1a is provided with engaging means 2 in the form of two spaced flaring dovetail-shaped projections. These are slidable into any one of four elongated undercut grooves 4 of a component 3 of a toy construction kit. The portions of the component 3 bounding the undercut grooves constitute complementary engaging means complementary to the engaging means 2 on the chain link unit la.  
  FIG. 2 depicts in perspective view the construction of the one chain link unit la in FIG. 1 which is provided with the engaging means 2.  
  It will be seen that the chain link unit la of FIG. 2 is comprised of two side members 5. The side members 5 extend more or less in the general direction of elongation of the chain, and are spaced feom each other in direction transverse to the general direction of elongation of the chain.  
  The side members 5 have facing inner sides and also have outer sides. The side members 5 are furthermore comprised of flat and parallel first portions joined together by a first transverse connecting bar 7. The side members 5 are also comprised of fiat and parallel second portions joined together by a second transverse connecting bar 6.  
  The facing inner sides of the first portions of the side members 5 (the portions joined by bar 7) are spaced from each other by a distance equal to or greater than the distance between the outer sides of the second portions of the side members 5 (the portions joined by bar 6).  
  The transverse connecting bars 6 and 7 constitute connecting means for connecting together not only the two side members 5 of a particular chain link unit la, but also for connecting together neighboring chain link units 1a.  
  Specifically, the second transverse connecting bar 6 is provided with an elongated undercut groove 8. The groove 8 extendsalong the whole length of the connecting bar 6, and furthermore passes through the second portions of the side members 5. The groove 8 is i comprised of a cylindrical cavity, and of an elongated slit 9. Slit 9 extends along the whole length of the groove 8 and constitutes the entrance into the groove.  
  To connect together the chain link units 1a, the first transverse connecting bar 7 of one chain link unit la is inserted into the slit 9 of another chain link unit la, and pressed into the cylindrical portion of the groove 8 with a releasable snap-action. To this end, the material of the chain link units 1a is somewhat resilient. When the chain link units la are thusly connected together, the second portions of one chain link unit (i.e., the portions joined by bar 6) will be nested between the first portions of the next chain link unit (i.e., nested between the portions joined by bar 7). The diameter of the cylindrical portion of groove 8 is slightly greater than the diameter of cylindrical bar 7, whereas the width of entrance slit 9 is somewhat less than the diameter of cylindrical bar 7.  
  In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second portions of each side member 5 are both flat and are parallel to each other, but offset from each other in stepped manner. The engaging means are provided in the form of flaring dovetail-shaped projections 2 of one piece with the first portions of the respective side members 5. The projections 2 project in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the chain and substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the illustrated chain link 1a. It will be noted that the facing inner surfaces of the projections&#39;2 constitute smooth continuations of the facing inner surfaces of the first portions of side members 5. Likewise, the outer surfaces of projections 2 constitute smooth continuations of the outer surfaces of the first portions of side members 5.  
  The chain links 1a are preferably formed from plastie, and can advantageously be formed in one piece together with the engaging means 2 by means of injection molding, for example.  
  It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
  While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a toy chain provided with engaging means for the releasable mounting on the chain of components of a toy construction kit, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
  Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.  
  What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:  
  1. In a toy construction kit, in combination, a plurality of chain links connected together to form a toy chain, each chain link unit including two side members spaced from each other in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of said chain and extending in the general direction of elongation of said chain, the side members of each chain link unit having facing inner sides and also having outer sides, the side members of each chain link unit having first portions adjoinmeans of the adjoining chain link unit, with the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit being nested between the first portions of the two side members of the adjoining chain link unit; and engaging means on at least one of said chain link units configurated to be releasably engageable with a complementary engaging means of a predetermined complementary configuration, said engaging means comprising two projecting portions each of one piece with a respective one of the first portions of the side members of said one of said chain link units and each projecting in direction transverse to the direction of elongation of said chain.  
  2. In a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said two projecting portions are undercut projections.  
  3. In a toy construction kit as defined in claim 2, wherein said undercut projections are flaring dovetailshaped projections.  
  4. in a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said two projecting portions have facing inner surface portions and respective outer surface portions constituting smooth continuations of the inner and outer surfaces of the first portions of the two side members of said one of said chain link units.  
  5. In a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein the first portions of the two side members of each unit are flat and parallel, and wherein the second portions of the two side members of each unit are flat and parallel, and wherein the first and second portions of each side member are parallel to but offset from each other.  
  6. In a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein said two projecting portions project in direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said chain.  
  7. in a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting means of each chain link unit comprises a transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, and wherein the second portions of the two side members of each chain link unit are configurated to engage the connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit with a releasable snap-action.  
  8. In a toy construction kit as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting means of each chain link unit comprises a first transverse connecting bar joining together the first portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, and wherein the connecting means of each chain link unit further comprises a second transverse connecting bar joining together the second portions of the two side members of the chain link unit, the second transverse connecting bar being provided with an elongated undercut groove extending along the entire length of the second transverse connecting bar and configurated to engage with a releasable snap-action the first transverse connecting bar of the adjoining chain link unit.