Building block and building block assemblies

Abstract

A building block assembly comprising a first building block and a second building block which are in snap-fit engagement and which cooperate to define a building block receptacle for receiving and retaining a third building block, wherein the first building block comprises a first main body including two lateral portions and a bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions, wherein the two lateral portions and the first bridging portion cooperate to define a first partial receptacle having a first partial receptacle wall, and the two lateral portions cooperate to define a first connection surface on which a plurality of snap connectors is distributed; wherein the second building block comprises a second main body including two lateral portions and a bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions.

Claims

1. A building block assembly comprising a first building block and a second building block which are in snap-fit engagement and which cooperate to define a building block receptacle for receiving and retaining a third building block, wherein the first building block comprises a first main body including two lateral portions and a bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions, wherein the two lateral portions and the first bridging portion cooperate to define a first partial receptacle having a first partial receptacle wall, and the two lateral portions cooperate to define a first connection surface on which a plurality of snap connectors is distributed; wherein the second building block comprises a second main body including two lateral portions and a bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions, wherein the two lateral portions and the second bridging portion cooperate to define a second partial receptacle having a second partial receptacle wall, and the two lateral portions cooperate to define a second connection surface on which a plurality of snap connectors is distributed; wherein the first partial receptacle wall and the second partial receptacle wall cooperate to define a building block receptacle, the building block receptacle having a receptacle wall and a receptacle axis defining an axial direction; wherein the plurality of snap connectors on the first connection surface and the plurality of snap connectors on the second connection surface are in releasable snap engagement; and wherein the first connection surface and the second connection surface are opposite facing surfaces; and wherein retention means configured to resist sliding movement of the third building block in an axial direction relative to the building block receptacle are formed on the receptacle wall.

2. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connection surface and the second connection surface are in abutment and cooperate to define a connection plane, and wherein the connection plane divides the building block receptacle into the first partial receptacle and the second partial receptacle.

3. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the first building block and the second building block are both made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

4. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention means comprises two partial snap connectors which are combined to form a snap connector having a coupling axis.

5. The building block assembly of claim 4, wherein the receptacle entry defines an annular entry aperture.

6. The building block assembly of claim 4, wherein the coupling receptacle has an annular engagement portion which is configured for engaging with a male snap connector.

7. The building block assembly of claim 4, wherein the male snap connector comprises a male engagement portion having a maximum radial extent, and wherein the receptacle entry defines a radial clearance which is smaller than the maximum radial extent of the male engagement portion.

8. The building block assembly of claim 4, wherein the first connection surface and the second connection surface are in abutment and cooperate to define a connection plane, and the two partial snap connectors are joined along the connection plane.

9. The building block assembly of claim 8, wherein the connection plane is a bisecting plane of the snap connector containing the coupling axis.

10. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of snap connectors comprises a plurality of female snap connectors and a plurality of male snap connectors, wherein the female snap connector comprises a coupling receptacle for closely-fitted reception of a protrusion portion of a male snap connector, wherein the coupling receptacle comprises a receptacle compartment and a receptacle entry through which a male snap fastener enters the receptacle compartment; and wherein the receptacle entry defines a minimum radial clearance of the coupling receptacle.

11. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of snap connectors comprises a plurality of male snap connectors, wherein a male snap connector has a coupling axis defining a coupling direction and a protrusion projecting away from a base surface and extending in the coupling direction, and wherein the protrusion has a bulged head portion at an axial level with respect to the base surface.

12. The building block assembly of claim 11, wherein the protrusion has a radial extent with respect to the coupling axis, wherein the bulged head portion defines a maximum radial extent and a maximum radial plane of the protrusion, and wherein the bulged portion has a lower surface which extends between the maximum radial plane and the base surface and which is a tapered surface which oppositely faces the base surface.

13. The building block assembly of claim 12, wherein the radial extent of the lower surface of the bulged head portion increases as the axial level of the lower surface away from the base surface increases.

14. The building block assembly of claim 12, wherein the protrusion of the male snap connector comprises a neck portion interconnecting the bulged head portion and the base surface, and wherein the neck portion tapers to narrow on extending towards the base surface.

15. The building block assembly of claim 11, wherein the protrusion of the male snap connector comprises a neck portion interconnecting the bulged head portion and the base surface, and wherein the neck portion defines a channel which extends in a peripheral direction, the peripheral direction being orthogonal to the coupling direction.

16. The building block assembly of claim 15, wherein the channel is an annular channel defining a female engagement portion on the protrusion.

17. The building block assembly of claim 15, wherein the channel has a curved profile.

18. The building block assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of snap connectors comprises a plurality of male snap connectors and a plurality of female snap connectors, wherein a male snap connector comprises a protrusion which projects away from a base surface and extends along a coupling axis which defines a coupling direction, wherein the protrusion has a head portion and a neck portion, the neck portion defining a peripheral channel which extends in a peripheral direction orthogonal to the coupling axis, and wherein a female snap connector comprises a first receptacle portion defining a receptacle entry, and wherein the receptacle entry surrounds the neck portion of the male snap connector.

19. The building block assembly of claim 18, wherein the receptacle entry of the female snap connector snaps on the neck portion of the male snap connector.

20. The building block assembly of claim 18, wherein the female snap connector comprises a second receptacle portion which is a head receptacle portion defining a head engagement compartment, wherein the head engagement compartment comprises an enlarged compartment having a radial profile larger than the radial profile of the receptacle entry, and wherein the enlarged compartment of the head engagement compartment is configured for making snap engagement with the head portion of the protrusion.

Description

FIGURES

(1) Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein by way of example and with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building block assembly comprising an example building block mount and a building block stack according to the present disclosure,

(3) FIGS. 1A and 1A1 are respectively perspective and plan views of the building block mount of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 1A2 is an exploded view of the building block mount of FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another building block assembly comprising an example building block mount and a building block stack according to the present disclosure,

(6) FIGS. 1B1 and 1B2 are respectively perspective and exploded views of the building block mount of FIG. 1B,

(7) FIGS. 1C and 1C1 are respectively perspective and explode views of the building block stack of FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 1D is a perspective view of another building block assembly comprising an example building block mount and an example building block stack,

(9) FIG. 1D1 is a perspective view of the example building block stack of FIG. 1D,

(10) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(11) FIGS. 2A1 and 2A2 are respectively perspective and exploded views of the building block mount of FIG. 2A,

(12) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(13) FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 are respectively perspective and exploded views of the building block mount of FIG. 3A,

(14) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(15) FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2 are perspective views of the first and second mount parts of the building block mount of FIG. 4A,

(16) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(17) FIGS. 5A1 and 5A2 are perspective views of the first and second mount parts of the building block mount of FIG. 5A,

(18) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(19) FIGS. 6A1 and 6A2 are perspective view of the first and second mount parts of the building block mount of FIG. 6A,

(20) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an example building block mount according to the present disclosure,

(21) FIGS. 7A1 and 7A2 are perspective view of the first and second mount parts of the building block mount of FIG. 7A,

(22) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly building block mounts,

(23) FIG. 9 is an example building block structure constructed from building blocks and building block mounts according to the disclosure,

(24) FIG. 10 shows another example building block assembly, and

(25) FIGS. 10A, 10B1, 10B2, 10C1 and 10C2 show the various components of the building block assembly of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION

(26) An example structure 10 comprises an example building block assembly 100 detachably mounted on an example building block 1000, as depicted in FIG. 1. The building block assembly 100 comprises a first building block 120 and a second building block 140 in releasable engagement. The example building block 1000 is a building block ensemble comprises a first building block 1000A and a second building block 1000B which are stacked and interconnected, as depicted in FIGS. 1C and 1C1.

(27) The building block assembly 100 is to operate as a building block mount in this example and will be so referenced where appropriate. The first building block 120 is an example of a first mount member of the building block mount and will share the same reference numeral as the first building block, and the second building block 140 is an example of a second mount member of the building block mount and will share the same numeral with the second building block for ease of reference. Likewise, the building block assembly 100 and the building block mount will share the same reference numeral for ease of reference.

(28) The first building block 120 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 122, a first lateral portion 124 and a second lateral portion 126. The bridging portion 122 is intermediate the first lateral portion 124 and the second lateral portion 126 and interconnects the first lateral portion 124 and the second lateral portion 126. The bridging portion 122 comprises a first peripheral wall which is shaped to define a partial receptacle and a partial receptacle compartment of the partial receptacle. The first peripheral wall 125 includes an inner peripheral surface 125A which faces the partial receptacle compartment and an outer peripheral surface 125B which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment. The first peripheral wall 125 comprises an intermediate wall portion 125i which is intermediate a first lateral wall portion 125j and a second lateral wall portion 125k. Each of the first lateral wall portion and the second lateral wall portion is orthogonal to the intermediate wall portion 125i in this example. The first peripheral wall 125 has an internal surface 125A which faces towards the partial receptacle compartment and an external surface 125B which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment.

(29) The first lateral portion 124 comprises a first lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion and from the partial receptacle compartment. The example first lateral member is in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the second mount member 140. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(30) The second lateral portion 126 comprises a second lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion and from the partial receptacle compartment. The direction of extension of the second lateral portion 126 is opposite to that of the first lateral portion 124. The example second lateral member is also in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the second mount member 140. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(31) The first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 124, 126 collectively define a connection surface of the first mount member 120. The snap connectors on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 124, 126 collectively define a connection means of the first mount member 120. The connection means on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 124, 126 comprises snap connectors of the same mating type, which in this example is of the female type. In some embodiments, the connection means on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 124, 126 comprises snap connectors of different or opposite mating types. A mating type herein can be a male mating type or a female mating type.

(32) The second building block 140 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 142, a first lateral portion 144 and a second lateral portion 146. The bridging portion 142 is intermediate the first lateral portion 144 and the second lateral portion 146 and interconnects the first lateral portion 144 and the second lateral portion 146. The bridging portion 142 comprises a second peripheral wall 145 which is shaped to define a partial receptacle compartment. The second peripheral wall 145 includes an inner peripheral surface 145A which faces the partial receptacle compartment and an outer peripheral surface 145B which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment. The second peripheral wall 145 comprises an intermediate wall portion 145i which is intermediate a first lateral wall portion 145j and a second lateral wall portion 145k. Each of the first lateral wall portion 145j and the second lateral wall portion 145k is orthogonal to the intermediate wall portion 145i. The first peripheral wall 145 has an internal surface 145A which faces towards the partial receptacle compartment and an external surface 145B which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment, as depicted in FIG. 1A1.

(33) The first lateral portion 144 comprises a first lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion and from the partial receptacle compartment. The example first lateral member is in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the first mount member 120. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(34) The second lateral portion 146 comprises a second lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion and from the partial receptacle compartment. The direction of extension of the second lateral portion 146 is opposite to that of the first lateral portion 144. The example second lateral member is also in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the first mount member 120. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(35) The first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 144, 146 collectively define a connection surface of the second mount member 140. A connection surface herein is also referred to as a coupling surface. The snap connectors on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 144, 146 collectively define a connection means of the second mount member. The connection means on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 144, 146 comprises snap connectors of the same mating type, which in this example is of the male type. In some embodiments, the connection means on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 144, 146 comprises snap connectors of different or opposite mating types.

(36) When connection means on the first surfaces of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are snap connected by means of snap engagement of the connection surfaces on the corresponding first connection surfaces of the corresponding mount member 120, the first peripheral wall 125 and the second peripheral wall 145 are joined to form a building block mount, as depicted in FIG. 1A1. The corresponding connection means on the first surfaces of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are referred to as internal connection means as they form part of the internal connection structure of the building block mount 100. To form the building block mount 100, the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are aligned with the corresponding connection surfaces facing each other, the connection means aligned and then urged together to form a press fitted assembly.

(37) The building block mount 100 comprises a building block receptacle having a receptacle wall and a receptacle axis. The receptacle wall defines a receptacle bore which extends in an axial direction along the receptacle axis and defines a receptacle aperture at each axial end of the building block receptacle. The receptacle wall is formed by joining the peripheral walls of the bridging portions of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 with their corresponding first connection surfaces in press fit. The peripheral walls of the bridging portions of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 in this example have the same axial extent in the axial direction of the receptacle axis and the axial ends of the peripheral walls are aligned or flush. The receptacle axis is a centre axis of the receptacle and extends through a geometric centre of the building block receptacle in a direction orthogonal to the connection direction of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140. The geometric centre of the building block receptacle is on a radial plane which is orthogonal to the receptacle wall. The building block receptacle has an axial extent and the axial extent is defined by the axial extent of the peripheral walls of the bridging portions. The building block receptacle defines a receptacle compartment which is formed by combining the partial receptacle compartments of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 when the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are connected in a direction orthogonal to the receptacle axis, that is, connected in the connection direction of the connection means of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140. The first connection surfaces of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are joined at a connection plane which is parallel to the receptacle axis. The connection plane is also referred to herein as a joining plane.

(38) The building block mount 100 comprises a pair of lateral protrusions. Each lateral protrusion projects laterally away from the receptacle and the receptacle wall and appears as a wing portion or a wing member of the building block mount 100. Each lateral protrusion is formed by the corresponding lateral members of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 in the connection direction, and has a combined thickness of the corresponding lateral members, the thickness being measured in the connection direction.

(39) The pair of lateral protrusions comprises a first lateral projection and a second lateral projection. The first lateral projection projects away from the receptacle in a first direction and the second lateral protrusion projecting away from the receptacle in a second direction opposite to the first direction and orthogonal to the receptacle axis.

(40) In this example, the centre axis of the receptacle, i.e., the receptacle axis, is on the connection plane and the receptacle wall is substantially symmetrical about the joining plane. The connection plane divides the building block receptacle into two receptacle portions, namely, a first receptacle portion which is defined by the first mount member 120 and a second receptacle portion which is defined by the second mount member 140. In this example, the first receptacle portion and the second reception portion are symmetrical about the connection plane.

(41) Optional connection means such as snap connectors are formed in the exterior surfaces of the lateral wing members for snap connection with other building blocks. The optional connection means are external connection means for making mechanical connection with external building block or building block components. The example optional connection means comprises male snap connectors, but may comprise female snap connector or both male and female connectors without loss of generality.

(42) The building block mount 100 comprises a retention means for retaining a building block or a building block stack in the building block receptacle. The example retention means is in the form of an internal anchoring means formed on the receptacle wall, as shown in FIG. 1A1. The example anchoring means is a snap connector which is formed by joining a first partial snap connector 127 and a second partial snap connector 147 along a partitioning plane which is parallel to the connection plane and parallel to the coupling axis of the snap connector. The example partitioning plane of the example snap connector is a bisecting plane containing the coupling axis of the snap connector, as depicted in FIGS. 1A2. In this example, the retention means comprises a pair of male snap connectors projecting from the receptacle wall and extending towards the receptacle axis. In some embodiments, the retention means comprises female snap connectors or a combination of male and female snap connectors.

(43) In this example, a male snap connector of the retention means is formed by combining two partial male snap connectors. In some embodiments, the retention means may comprises a plurality of complete male snap connectors, a plurality of female snap connectors, a plurality of combined male snap connectors, a plurality of combined female snap connectors, or a combination of any of the aforesaid connectors with loss of generality.

(44) The example building block stack 1000 comprises a first building block 1000A and a second building block 1000B in a stacked and interconnected relationship, as depicted in FIGS. 1C and 1C1.

(45) Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1C1, the first building block 1000A and the second building block 1000B are identical building blocks. The building block 1000A, 1000B comprises a main body 1002, a first panel defining a first surface 1004 on a first side of the main body 1002, a second panel defining a second surface 1006 on a second side of the main body which is parallel to the first surface but facing in an opposite direction away from the first surface, and a peripheral wall 1008. The first surface and the second surface are square and have same dimensions. The peripheral wall 1008 interconnects the first surface 1004 and the second surface 1006 and defines an internal compartment in cooperation with the first panel surface 1004 and the second panel surface 1006.

(46) A plurality of snap connectors 1014 is formed on the first surface 1004 and a plurality of snap connectors 1016 is formed on the second surface 1006. Each snap connector has a connector axis, which is also known as a coupling axis. The snap connectors on the first surface 1004 are distributed on four corners of a square with their coupling axes parallel and the snap connectors on the second surface 1006 are also distributed on the same four corners of the square with their coupling axes parallel so that a snap connector on the first surface has a corresponding snap connector on the second surface with their coupling axes aligned. The snap connectors on the first surface collectively define a first connection surface having a first connection direction parallel to the coupling axis of the individual snap connectors on the same surface. The snap connectors on the second surface collectively define a second connection surface having a second connection direction parallel to the coupling axis of the individual snap connectors on the same surface, and the second connection direction is parallel to but opposite to the first connection direction. In this example, the snap connectors on the first surface are male connectors and the snap connectors on the second surface are female connectors. A male snap connector on the first surface and a female snap connector on the second surface of the building block 1000A, 1000B in this example are matched snap connectors having matched dimensions and opposite or complementary mating features.

(47) The building block 1000A, 1000B comprises a plurality of connector formations which is form on sides and corners of the first surface 1004 and on sides and corners of the second surface 1006. The connector formation in this example is in an example form of a partial snap connector. A connector formation on a side of the first surface 1004 or a side of the second surface 1006 is at mid-way between adjacent corners as an option to facilitate flexible snap connector formation. A connector formation herein is for making mechanical coupling with the anchoring means and will be referred also as a coupling formation.

(48) When the building blocks 1000A, 1000B are stacked with the corresponding snap connectors on the corresponding connection surfaces in snap fit engagement, the first (or top) connection surface 1004 of the second building block is in abutment with the second (or bottom) connection surface 1006 of the first building block. When the building blocks 1000A, 1000B are so stacked, the partial snap connections on the first (or top) connection surface 1004 of the second building block 1000B and the partial snap connections on the second (or bottom) connection surface 1006 of the first building block 1000A cooperate to define a plurality of snap connectors, or more exactly complete snap connectors.

(49) Referring to FIG. 1, the building block mount 100 is mounted onto the building block stack 1000, with the anchoring means of the building block mount 100 aligned and engaged with the snap connectors formed on sides of the building block stack 1000. When the building block mount 100 is mounted is so mounted, the building block stack 1000 is retained inside the building block receptacle of the building block mount 100, and the anchoring means prevents the building block stack 1000 from sliding along the building block receptacle.

(50) To facilitate effective mounting, the building block receptacle and the building block stack 1000 are complementary, such that the receptacle wall of the building block receptacle and the side walls of the building block stack 1000 are in closely fitted abutment.

(51) When the building block receptacle and the building block stack 1000 are in closely fitted engagement, the building block mount 100 is securely on the building block stack 1000, and the assembly as a structure can be used to support other building blocks or building block assembly through interconnection with the building block mount 100.

(52) An example coupling formation in the form of a coupling recess 1018 or a coupling indentation, as depicted in FIGS. 1C and 1C1. The example coupling formation is formed as a corner cut-out which extends between a connection surface 1004, 1006 and a peripheral wall of the building block adjoining the connection surface.

(53) The coupling formation extends obliquely into the main body to define a coupling recess or a coupling indentation which extends across the connection surface 1004, 1006 and the peripheral wall. The coupling recess or coupling indentation is defined by a coupling seat which is shaped to receive a counterpart coupling device of compatible shape and dimensions. The coupling recess or the coupling indentation is a reception compartment defined by the coupling seat, which is an interior peripheral wall. The example coupling formation defines a coupling seat having a concave surface inside the main body to receive a convex portion of a counterpart coupling device in abutment contact or in a closely fitted manner. The concave surface is a concave surface of a partial sphere (or a partially spherical concave surface) or a spherical cone and the convex surface of the counterpart coupling device is a convex surface of a partial sphere (or partially spherical convex surface) or a spherical cone in this example. More specifically, the concave surface defines a concave surface of spherical cone having a cone angle of slightly larger than 90 degrees, that is 90 degrees +, with the centre of sphere located inside the main body, where a cone angle of 90 degrees is a cone angle of a quarter sphere, and A is a small angle of say between 5 to 10 or 15 or 20 degrees as a convenient example. In general, A can be more or less than 4 degrees, more or less than 6 degrees, more or less than 8 degrees, more or less than 10 degrees, more or less than 12 degrees, more or less than 14 degrees, 15 degrees or less, or a range or any ranges defined by a combination of any of the aforesaid values.

(54) The example coupling formation defines an access aperture on the connection surface, on the peripheral wall of the building block 1000A, 1000B, and on the corner formed by intersection of the connection surface and the peripheral wall of the building block. The internal boundary of the access aperture (that is, boundary inside the main body) is defined by a circular arc of a circular sector, with the concave arc facing the corner. The circular arc has a corresponding central angle or a sector angle of more than 180 degrees, and more specifically approximately 180+2 degrees. The circular arc on the connection surface is symmetrically disposed about a plane which is orthogonal to the peripheral wall and containing a centre line of the arc is orthogonal to connection surface on which the coupling formation is formed. The centreline is located midway between two ends of the coupling formation on the connection surface. The maximum depth of the recess on the connection surface, measured with respect to the outward facing surface of the peripheral wall, is approximately the radius of the circular plus a depth defined by angle due to symmetry about the centreline.

(55) The coupling formation defines an access aperture on the connection surface, on the peripheral wall and on the edge or corner of the peripheral wall on which the coupling formation is formed. The internal boundary of the access aperture (that is, the boundary inside the main body of the building block) is defined by a circular arc of a circular sector and with the concave arc facing the edge or corner. The circular sector has a central angle or a sector angle of larger than 180 degrees, and more specifically approximately 180+2 degrees, and the circular sector is symmetrically disposed about a centre line which is orthogonal to the peripheral wall on which the coupling formation is formed. The centreline is located midway between the two ends of the coupling formation on the peripheral wall on which the coupling formation is formed. The maximum depth of the recess on the peripheral wall from the side of formation of the coupling formation is approximately the radius of the circular plus a depth defined by angle due to symmetry about the centreline.

(56) Due to the coupling formation, and more particularly the access apertures, a matched counterpart coupling device can enter the coupling recess or the coupling indentation at different angles, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the connection surface, in a direction orthogonal to the peripheral wall, or at an oblique angle to both the connection surface and the peripheral wall.

(57) When an assembly of building blocks is formed by stacked connection of a pair of building blocks having corresponding coupling formations on corresponding corners on their connection surfaces, and with the corresponding connection surfaces in abutment contact, the corresponding coupling formations cooperate to define a snap connector, which is the present example is a female snap connector having a coupling axis orthogonal to the constituting peripheral walls. On the other hand, when a pair of the building blocks are connected in a side by side manner with the coupling formations bearing peripheral walls in abutment contact, the corresponding coupling formations will cooperate to define a snap connector having a coupling axis orthogonal to the connection surface on which the coupling formation is formed.

(58) The coupling formation may comprise a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion which are oppositely facing. Each one of the first and second arcuate portions is a concave portion such as a concave spherical sector or a concave bracket which extends inwardly from an edge where the access apertures is formed. The concavely curved first and second arcuate portions cooperate to define a reception compartment having a narrowed entry aperture at the edge. The clearance which is defined between the oppositely facing first and second arcuate portions gradually increases from that at the edge to a maximum clearance inside the main body. In some embodiments, the clearance gradually decreases from the maximum as it extends further into the main body. In some embodiments, the first and second arcuate portions are laterally symmetrical or mirror symmetrical about a centreline of the coupling formation which is orthogonal to the edge.

(59) With a reception compartment having a larger internal clearance inside the main body than at the access aperture, a matched male connector having a larger coupling head portion than its neck portion may have its head portion retained inside the reception compartment and its neck portion engaged by the edge or corner. To release a retained male connector, a user on overcoming the snap engagement can remove the retained male connector.

(60) While the example coupling formation defines a reception compartment having an interior geometry of a partial sphere, the reception compartment may have other shapes without loss of generality.

(61) While the example coupling formation defines a reception compartment so that a snap connector formed by combination of the coupling formations is a female snap connector, the coupling formation may be a protrusion or a protruding member similar to the partial male snap connector of the retention means on the building block receptacle, and a snap connector formed by combination of the coupling formations can be a male snap connector without loss of generality.

(62) To assemble the assembly 100, a user is to bring a mount member 120, 140 towards one peripheral surface of the building block stack 1000, with the internal surface 125A, 145A of the bridging portion oppositely facing the outer peripheral wall 1008 and the internal anchoring means on the mount member aligned with a snap connector on the building block stack 1000. Next, the user is to bring another mount member 140, 120 towards an opposite peripheral surface of the building block stack 1000 in a similar manner, and then to press connect the first and second mount members 120, 140.

(63) When the first and second mount members 120, 140 are aligned and pressed joined, the building block mount 100 will clamp on to the building block stack 1000 and provides a support base for connection with an external building block, external building blocks, an external building block connector or external building block connectors without loss of generality. Likewise, the building block stack can form a support basis to the building block mount to support other building blocks or structures.

(64) When the building block mount 100 is duly clamped onto a building block or a building block assembly, mechanical interaction between the internal anchoring means of the building block mount 100 and the retention means on the building block stack 1000 would operate to retain the building block mount 100 at a fixed relative axial level with respect to the building block stack and prevents relative sliding movement in the axial direction of the receptacle axis.

(65) In this example, the receptacle wall of the building block receptacle closely follows the outside peripheral profile of the building block. In this example, the building block has a square outer peripheral profile in a radial direction orthogonal to the receptacle axis and receptacle wall of the building block receptacle has a correspondingly matched square shape. The matched shape promotes more even and distributed support of the building block mount on its support basis, that is, the building block stack. In some embodiments, the receptacle wall of the building block receptacle may not be in full abutment contact with all the peripheral surfaces of the building block stack, but may have a plurality of abutment contact support locations and a plurality of non-contact locations. The non-contact locations may be intentional to provide passage channels for components, for example, wires, cables or connecting rods, to rise through.

(66) While a building block stack has been depicted to form the building block assembly 10, a single building block may also be retained by a building block mount according to the disclosure. For example, the building block mount can mount on to a building block comprising a plurality of integrally formed snap connectors distributed in its outer peripheral surface without loss of generality.

(67) In this example, the joining plane is also a dividing plane dividing the square building block receptacle into two rectangular portions, and more specifically, into two equal symmetrical halves. In some embodiments, the dividing plane may divide the building block receptacle into unequal or non-symmetrical portions.

(68) In this example, the joining plane (the dividing plane or the pair of lateral members) is at right angle to the peripheral wall. In some embodiments, the joining plane (the dividing plane or the pair of lateral members) is at non-right angle to the peripheral wall.

(69) In this example, the external connection means comprises a plurality of external connectors. The example external connectors are male snap connectors. In some embodiments, the external connectors may be female snap connectors, non-snap connector, a combination of both snap connectors and non-snap connectors, or a combination of both male and female snap connectors without loss of generality.

(70) In this example, the external connection means is configured to enter into coupling connection with external connectors along a connection direction of the mount members. In some embodiments, the external connection means may be configured to enter into coupling connection with external connectors at an angle to the connection direction of the mount members.

(71) In this example, the external connection means is formed on an outer surface of the mount member, for example, on the projecting wings or on the outward facing surface of the bridging portion of the mount member, and projects orthogonally from its base surface. In some embodiments, an external connector of the external connection means may have its coupling axis at an angle and non-orthogonal to its base surface from which the connector projects.

(72) In the example, the building block receptacle defined by the mount has a square or rectangular boundary surrounding the centre axis of the receptacle. In some embodiments, the building block receptacle may have a circular, oval, rounded, or polygonal boundary profile without loss of generality.

(73) An example building block structure 10 comprises an example building block assembly 100 detachably mounted on an example building block 1000, as depicted in FIG. 1B. The building block assembly 100 comprises a first building block 120 and a second building block 140. The building block assembly 100 is configured as a building block mount and will be so referenced. The first building block 120 is referred to as a first mount member and will share the same reference numeral as the first building block and the second building block 140 is referred to as a second mount member 140 and will share the same numeral as the second building block for ease of reference. Likewise building block assembly 100 and building block mount will share the same reference numeral for ease of reference.

(74) The first building block 120 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 122, a first lateral portion 124 and a second lateral portion 126. The bridging portion 122 is intermediate the first lateral portion 124 and the second lateral portion and interconnects the first lateral portion 124 and the second lateral portion 126. In this embodiment, the bridging portion 122, the first lateral portion 124 and the second lateral portion 126 are coplanar and are integrally formed on a panel member.

(75) The first building block 120 is substantially identical to the first building block 120, apart from having a pair of longer lateral wall portions on the bridging portion 122, a plurality of female snap connectors 127 on the bridging portion, and an external connection means comprising a plurality of female snap connectors. Apart from the aforesaid modifications, the features of the mount 100 are substantially identical to that of the mount 100 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for succinctness, with like numerals representing like features but appended with an apostrophe.

(76) The second building block 140 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 142, a first lateral portion 144 and a second lateral portion 146. The bridging portion 142 is intermediate the first lateral portion 144 and the second lateral portion and interconnects the first lateral portion 144 and the second lateral portion 146. In this embodiment, the bridging portion 142, the first lateral portion 144 and the second lateral portion 146 are coplanar and are integrally formed on a panel member.

(77) The panel member includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the second mount member 140. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface. The snap connectors distributed on the first connection surface of this second mount member 140 collectively define an internal connection means as they are configured for making engagement with corresponding connectors on the first connection surface of the first mount member 140 and form part of the internal connection structure of the building block mount 100.

(78) When the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 are connected at their first connection surfaces, the building block mount 100 is formed and a building block receptacle is defined. In this example, the receptacle is not symmetrical about the joining plane formed by conjoining the first connection surfaces of the first mount member 120 and the second mount member 140 and the receptacle axis is not on the joining plane, otherwise, the receptacle is identical to that of the building block mount 100 and the description thereon is incorporated herein by reference, with like numerals representing like features but appended with an apostrophe.

(79) In this embodiment, the structure 10 comprises the building block mount 100 and a single building block 1000, with the single building block 1000 retained by the building block receptacle. The building block 1000 comprises male snap connectors (not shown) on its peripheral walls which project into the female snap connectors formed on the receptacle wall as retention means.

(80) To assemble the assembly 100, a user is to plug a first mount member 120 onto the building block 1000, with the male snap connector on the building block 1000 aligned with the female snap connector on the first mount member 120. Next, the user is to bring a second mount member 140 towards the connection surface of the first mount member 120, and then to press connect the first and second mount members 120, 140.

(81) An example building block structure 10 comprises an example building block assembly 100 detachably mounted on an example building block stack 1000, as depicted in FIG. 1D. The building block stack 1000 comprises a plurality of building blocks of different shapes, comprising two square building blocks 1000A and three rectangular building blocks 1000B. Apart from the aforesaid modifications, the features of the building block stack 1000 are substantially identical to that of the building block stack 1000 and the description therein is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness.

(82) The building block assembly 100 comprises a first building block 120 and a second building block 140. The building block assembly 100 is configured as a building block mount and will be so referenced. The first building block 120 is referred to as a first mount member and will share the same reference numeral as the first building block 120 and the second building block 140 is referred to as a second mount member 140 and will share the same numeral as the second building block 140 for ease of reference.

(83) Each of the building block 120, 140 is substantially identical to the first building block 120 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for succinctness, with like numerals representing like features but appended with an additional apostrophe. The building block mount 100 is formed by connecting the first building block 120 and the second building block 140 and the description on the receptacles herein is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for succinctness.

(84) An example building block mount 200 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2A1 is formed by connecting tow identical building blocks 220. The building block 220 is substantially identical to the first building block 120, except that the joining plane extends along a diagonal of the building block receptacle, the internal connection means on the first connection surface comprises both male and female snap connector, and the external connection means comprises both male and female snap connector. In this example, female type external connection means is formed on the receptacle wall 225. Apart from the aforesaid modifications, the features of the mount 200 are substantially identical to that of the mount 100 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness, with like numerals representing like features but increased by 100.

(85) An example building block mount 300 depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3A1 and 3A2 is substantially identical to that of the mount 100, 100, 100, 200 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness.

(86) In this embodiment, a window is opened on the peripheral wall of the mount member and corresponding windows on the corresponding peripheral walls of the first and second mount member define a through passageway or through passage window. As the example window is rectangular, a through passageway having a rectangular boundary is formed, and the passageway extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the building block receptacle.

(87) An example building block mount 400 depicted in FIGS. 4A, 4A1 and 4A2 is substantially identical to that of the mount 100, 100, 100, 200, 300 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall has a rounded or substantially circular profile to define a building block receptacle having a rounded or circular boundary internal profile. Apart from the circular or rounded internal boundary profile, the features of the mount 100, 200, and 300 are common and the description thereon is incorporated by reference.

(88) An example building block mount 500 depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5A1 and 5A2 is substantially identical to that of the mount 100 and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall has a rounded or substantially circular profile to define a building block receptacle having a rounded or circular boundary internal profile. Apart from the circular or rounded internal boundary profile, the features of the mount 100, 100, 100, 200, 300, and 400 are common and the description thereon is incorporated by reference. In addition, end connectors are formed on two lateral portions of the building block receptacle. Each of the end connectors has a coupling axis which defines a coupling direction and the coupling axis is on the joining plane. In this example, the coupling directions are different and at an angle to the centre axis of building block receptacle, and at an angle to each other.

(89) An example building block mount 600 depicted in FIGS. 6A, 6A1 and 6A2 is substantially identical to that of the mount 500 except that an end connector is formed on an edge of the peripheral wall, and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness.

(90) An example building block mount 700 depicted in FIGS. 7A, 7A1 and 7A2 is substantially identical to that of the mount 600 except that an end connector is formed on an edge of the peripheral wall, and the description thereon is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for the benefit of succinctness.

(91) In this embodiment, a window is opened on the peripheral wall of the mount member and corresponding windows on the corresponding peripheral walls of the first and second mount member define a through passageway or through passage window. As the example window is rectangular, a though passageway having a rectangular boundary is formed, and the passageway extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the building block receptacle.

(92) An example assembly depicted in FIG. 8 comprises a mount 600 received inside the building block receptacle of a mount 700, with the axes of the respective building block receptacles aligned. With the two building block mounts 600, 700 in a coaxial relationship and mounted on a building block having a circular cross-section, the first mount and the second mount are relatively rotatable with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the first mount and the second mount are also relatively rotatable with respect to the building block passing through the building block receptacles. With the relative rotatable mounts, the external connectors thereon can be adapted for connection at a plurality of angular orientation and provides great flexibility.

(93) A structure constructed from a plurality of building blocks, building block connectors and building block mounts is depicted in FIG. 9. As depicted in FIG. 9, the building block on which the mounts are clamped extend along the centre axis of a respective building block receptacle.

(94) An example building block structure 90 comprises an example building block assembly 900 detachably mounted on an example building block 2000, as depicted in FIG. 10. The building block assembly 900 comprises a first building block 920 and a second building block 940, as depicted in FIGS. 10A, 10B1, 1062, 1001, 1002. The example building block 2000 is a building block comprising a cylindrical body having helical threads formed on its outer cylindrical surface.

(95) The building block assembly 900 is to operate as a building block mount in this example and will be so referenced. The first building block 920 is referred to as a first mount member and will share the same reference numeral as the first building block 120 and the second building block 940 is referred to as a second mount member 940 and will share the same numeral as the second building block 140 for ease of reference.

(96) The first building block 920 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 922, a first lateral portion 924 and a second lateral portion 926. The bridging portion 922 is intermediate the first lateral portion 924 and the second lateral portion 926 and interconnects the first lateral portion 924 and the second lateral portion 926. The bridging portion 922 comprises a peripheral wall which is shaped to define a first partial receptacle compartment. The first partial receptacle compartment is a partial cylindrical compartment and peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral surface which faces the first partial receptacle compartment and an outer peripheral surface which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment. The inner peripheral surface is threaded with a first set of partial helical threads. The helical threads extend along a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the cylindrical axis of the first partial cylindrical compartment and the cylindrical axis is also a centre axis of the helical threads.

(97) The first lateral portion 924 comprises a first lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion 922 and from the partial receptacle compartment. The example first lateral member is in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the second mount member 940. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(98) The second lateral portion 926 comprises a second lateral member which extends away from the bridging portion and from the partial receptacle compartment. The direction of extension of the second lateral portion 926 is opposite to that of the first lateral portion 924. The example second lateral member is also in the form of a panel member and includes a first major surface and a second major surface which is opposite facing to the first major surface. A plurality of snap connectors is formed on the first major surface to define a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The first connection surface is for entering into snap engagement with a corresponding connection surface of the second mount member 940. A plurality of snap connectors is optionally formed on the second major surface to define a second connection surface and a second connection direction opposite to the first connection surface.

(99) The snap connectors formed on the first connection surfaces of the first and second lateral members are internal connectors to facilitate connection between the first and second connection members and the internal connectors collectively define an internal connection means, as described herein before and the description there on is incorporated by reference.

(100) The second building block 940 comprises a main body which comprises a bridging portion 942, a first lateral portion 944 and a second lateral portion 946. The bridging portion 942 is intermediate the first lateral portion 944 and the second lateral portion and interconnects the first lateral portion 944 and the second lateral portion 946. The bridging portion 922 comprises a peripheral wall which is shaped to define a second partial receptacle compartment. The second partial receptacle compartment is a partial cylindrical compartment and peripheral wall includes an inner peripheral surface which faces the second partial receptacle compartment and an outer peripheral surface which faces away from the partial receptacle compartment. The inner peripheral surface is threaded with a second set of partial helical threads. The helical threads extend along a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the cylindrical axis of the second partial cylindrical compartment and the cylindrical axis is also a centre axis of the helical threads.

(101) The second building block 940 is generally a mirror reflection of the first building block 920, except that and the internal connection means on its first connection surfaces are aligned and matched with the internal connection means of the first building block. The descriptions on the first building block 920 is incorporated by reference and applied mutatis mutandis for succinctness.

(102) When the first building block 920 and the second building block 940 are connected via their respective surfaces, a building block receptacle with a cylindrical internal bore and having helical threads winding around the internal bore with the cylindrical axis as the thread axis is formed. The helical threads functions as an example of the aforesaid retention means to resist sliding movement of the threaded cylindrical building block.

(103) A first building block and a second building block connectable to form a building block assembly for mounting on a third building block is disclosed. The first building block comprises a first main body including two lateral portions and a first bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions and a first connection means formed and distributed on the two lateral portions defining a first connection surface and a first connection direction. The second building block comprises a second main body including two lateral portions and a second bridging portion interconnecting the two lateral portions and a second connection means formed and distributed on the two lateral portions defining a second connection surface and a second connection direction. The first connection means and the second connection means are matched and compatible connection means in releasable mechanical snap engagement to form the assembly and the first bridging portion and the second bridging portion cooperate to define a building block receptacle having a receptacle wall and a receptacle axis. The building block receptacle is for receiving a third building block and comprises a retention means on the receptacle wall. The retention means is to resist sliding movement of the third building block relative to the building block receptacle, the assembly, the first building block and/or the second building block in an axial direction defined by the receptacle axis of the building block receptacle.

(104) The first connection means and the second connection means are matched and compatible snap connection means which are snap fastened in a connection direction to snap connect or snap fasten the first building block and the second building block to form the assembly, the connection direction being aligned with the first connection or the second connection direction.

(105) The first connection means comprises a plurality of connectors which is distributed on the two lateral portions of the first main body and the second connection means comprises a plurality of connectors which is distributed on the two lateral portions of the second main body.

(106) In some embodiments, the first building block and the second building block are identical building blocks or building blocks having identical connection surfaces, that is the first connection surface and the second connection surface are identical.

(107) In some embodiments, the connection surface of the first building block and/or the second building block is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry so that two first building blocks or two second building blocks are connectible to form an assembly.

(108) In some embodiments, the connection means on a connection surface of the first building block and/or the second building block comprises a plurality of complementary snap connectors and the complementary snap connectors are symmetrically disposed about a or the plane of symmetry so that two first building blocks or two second building blocks are connectible to form an assembly and are connected when the complementary snap connectors on the connection surfaces on the building blocks forming the assembly are in snap engagement.

(109) In this specification, a singular term is not confined to a singular meaning and may extend to a plural meaning where the context permits or appropriate for succinctness. Likewise, a plural term is not confined to a plural meaning and may include a singular meaning where the context permits or appropriate for succinctness.

(110) While the disclosure has been made with reference to examples and embodiments, the examples and embodiments are non-limiting and shall not be used to restrict the scope of disclosure.

(111) While the disclosure has made reference to various embodiments, the embodiments are for example and should not be used to limit restrict the scope of the disclosure.

(112) For example, the example building blocks herein are toy building blocks for toy or toy-like applications and the building block assemblies are toy or toy-like building block assemblies. However, the building blocks herein can also be non-toy building blocks such as machine building blocks, construction building blocks such as tiles or bricks, and/or other industrial building blocks and the building block assemblies are modular built machines or machine parts, modular built structures, modular built structure parts, modular built structural parts, modular built fixture and/or fixture parts and/or fixture sub-assemblies.

(113) When used for toy applications as toy assemblies, the component building blocks have a typical radial extent (or width, or lateral extent) of between 1 cm and 15 cm and a typical axial extent (or thickness) or between 0.3 mm for a miniature block to 5 cm. For example, the radial extent can be, in units of cm, 1 for a miniature block, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, or more for a mega block, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges. For example, the axial extent can be, in units of cm, 1 for a miniature block, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, or more for a mega block, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges.

(114) When for industrial uses, for example for modular construction of machines, buildings, structures, parts, the aforesaid values may be scaled up, in unit of times, by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or a range or any ranges formed by a selected combination of any of the aforesaid values as limits of a range or limits of ranges; and the component building blocks may be made of strong thermoplastics, carbon fibres, fibre glass, or metals, or other mouldable materials, having a high rigidity and a small degree of resilience.

(115) While assemblies of the building blocks have been described with reference to snap engagement or snap connection and snap connectors, the building blocks may be joined or connected by other press-fit mechanisms or methods without loss of generality.

(116) While the example connectors described and depicted herein are snap connectors adapted for making snap-fit engagement, a connector herein can be a press-fit connector for making press-fit engagement or a friction-fit for making press-fit engagement unless the context requires otherwise.

(117) In general, a snap-fit connector comprises an engagement portion having snap-fit mating features. The terms snap, snap fit, and snap-fit, are interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise. The terms fastener and connector are also interchangeably used herein unless the context requires otherwise. In this description and specification, and when in relation to a connector or an engagement portion having a coupling axis, the terms closely-fitted engagement and coupled engagement are interchangeable, the axial direction is with respect to the coupling axis and the axial direction is along the coupling axis, and the radial direction is with respect to the coupling axis and the radial extent is in the radial direction, unless the context requires otherwise.

(118) The words first, second, third, fourth, etc. are generic terms for ease of reference only and are not intended for indicate priority, order or sequence unless the context requires otherwise or specifies otherwise. Where there are conflicts in relation to the aforesaid generic terms, the conflicts are to resolve to give a meaning which is reasonable for interpretation where possible.

(119) While singular and plural terms are used herein, a singular term may apply mutatis mutandis to a plural situation and a plural term may apply mutatis mutandis to a single situation where the context permits or requires.

(120) TABLE-US-00001 Table of numerals 10 Building block structure 1000 Building block stack 1000A First building 1000B Second building block block 1002 Main body 1004 First surface 1006 Second surface 1008 Peripheral wall 124 First lateral 126 Second lateral portion portion 100 Building block assembly, 125A Internal 125B External building block mount surface, inner surface peripheral surface 120 First building block, first 125j First lateral 125k Second lateral mount member wall portion wall portion 122 Bridging portion 144 First lateral 146 Second lateral portion portion 125 First peripheral wall 145A Inner 145B External peripheral surface surface 125i Intermediate wall portion 145j First lateral 145k Second lateral wall portion wall portion 140 Second building block, second mount member 142 Bridging portion 145 First peripheral wall 145i Intermediate wall portion