Toy building block

Abstract

A toy block for a snap-fit type construction system is disclosed herein. The toy block includes a first surface. The toy block also includes a plurality of first knobs projecting from and perpendicular to the first surface. The toy block also includes a second surface intersecting and perpendicular to the first surface. The toy block also includes a plurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to the second surface. The first plurality of knobs and the second plurality of knobs have similar shapes and sizes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy block for a snap-fit type construction system comprising:
 a first surface;   a plurality of first knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said first surface;   a second surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; and   a plurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said second surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and said plurality of second knobs have similar shapes and sizes.   
     
     
         2 . The toy block of  claim 1  wherein said first surface and said second surface are integrally formed with respect to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The toy block of  claim 1  wherein:
 said first surface and said plurality of first knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a first panel; and 
 said second surface and said plurality of second knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a second panel, said first and second panels being releasibly engaged together. 
 
     
     
         4 . The toy block of  claim 3  wherein each of said first and second panels further comprises:
 a plurality of first projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs; and 
 a plurality of second projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, wherein said first and second projections are shaped differently from one another. 
 
     
     
         5 . The toy block of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of first projections are cylindrically-shaped in cross-section and said plurality of second projections are I-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The toy block of  claim 3  wherein each of said first and second panels further comprises:
 a plurality of first projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs; and 
 a plurality of second projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, wherein at least one of said plurality of first projections is pressed between two of said plurality of second projections when said first and second panels are engaged together. 
 
     
     
         7 . The toy block of  claim 3  wherein each of said first and second panels further comprises:
 a plurality of first projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs; and 
 a plurality of second projections extending from an opposite side of said respective panel relative to said respective plurality of knobs, wherein the number of said plurality of first projections is different than the number of said plurality of second projections. 
 
     
     
         8 . The toy block of  claim 3  wherein said first panel and said second panel are differently shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The toy block of  claim 3  wherein said first panel is triangular and said second panel is rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . The toy block of  claim 1  wherein the number of first knobs is different than the number of second knobs. 
     
     
         11 . The toy block of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third surface intersecting both of said first and second surfaces and perpendicular to said first surface; 
 a plurality of third knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said third surface; 
 a fourth surface intersecting both of said first and second and third surfaces and perpendicular to said first surface; 
 a plurality of fourth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fourth surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and said plurality of second knobs and said plurality of third knobs and said plurality of fourth knobs have similar shapes and sizes. 
 
     
     
         12 . A toy block for a snap-fit type construction system comprising:
 a first surface;   a plurality of first knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said first surface;   a second surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface;   a plurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said second surface;   a third surface intersecting and perpendicular to both of said first and second surfaces;   a plurality of third knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said third surface;   a fourth surface intersecting and perpendicular to both of said first and third surfaces;   a plurality of fourth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fourth surface;   a fifth surface intersecting and perpendicular to all of said first and second and fourth surfaces;   a plurality of fifth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fifth surface;   a sixth surface intersecting and perpendicular to all of said second and third and fourth and fifth surfaces;   a plurality of sixth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said sixth surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and said plurality of second knobs said plurality of third knobs and said plurality of fourth knobs said plurality of fifth knobs and said plurality of sixth knobs have similar shapes and sizes.   
     
     
         13 . A snap-fit type construction system of toy blocks comprising:
 at least one toy block having:
 a first surface; 
 a plurality of first knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said first surface; 
 a second surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; 
 a plurality of second knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said second surface; 
 a third surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; 
 a plurality of third knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said third surface; 
 a fourth surface intersecting and perpendicular to said first surface; and 
 a plurality of fourth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fourth surface, wherein said plurality of first knobs and said plurality of second knobs and said plurality of third knobs and said plurality of fourth knobs have similar shapes and sizes. 
   
     
     
         14 . The snap-fit type construction system of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a receiver structure having a panel portion, a plurality of first receptacles defined on a first side of said panel portion, and a plurality of second receptacles defined on a second side of said panel portion, wherein each of said first and second receptacles are operable to receive any one of said first knobs and said second knobs and said third knobs and said fourth knobs. 
 
     
     
         15 . The snap-fit type construction system of  claim 13  wherein:
 said first surface and said plurality of first knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a first panel; and 
 said second surface and said plurality of second knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a second panel, said first and second panels being releasibly engaged together. 
 
     
     
         16 . The snap-fit type construction system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a fifth surface intersecting and parallel to said second surface; and 
 a plurality of fifth knobs projecting from and perpendicular to said fifth surface, said fifth surface and said plurality of fifth knobs are integrally-formed with respect to one another as a fifth panel, wherein said second and fifth panels being releasibly engaged together. 
 
     
     
         17 . The snap-fit type construction system of  claim 13  wherein said at least one toy block is hexagonal in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The snap-fit type construction system of  claim 13  wherein said at least one toy block is prism-shaped.