New element: Brick 1 x 1 with stud on 1 side

[MacK]

I'm glad to see the patent on this brick finally expired so that Lego could start making their own clone of this common non-Lego brick. These give you the ability to extend a 1x4 studs on two sides brick outward to mount a 1x5, or 1x6 brick in snot construction. (And yes, there are 1x5 bricks, the patent is still good on them so Lego hasn't cloned any yet).

Wait what? What are you talking about patents for? Who owns a patent for these doesn't Lego have control of the patents for Lego brick designs.

Ugh after seeing this topic I'm really regreting mot buying a snowman I jsut saw some in TRU, but decided to save my money.

[Rick]

The reason for many clone brands emerging in recent years was the expiration of patents by Lego on many ordinary brick designs. Clone brands have patented some brick designs, so that Lego can't/couldn't make them: the 1 x 1 with one stud on a side being the most famous.

[MacK]

The reason for many clone brands emerging in recent years was the expiration of patents by Lego on many ordinary brick designs. Clone brands have patented some brick designs, so that Lego can't/couldn't make them: the 1 x 1 with one stud on a side being the most famous.

Seriously? I never knew that; that's so stupid though that a clone brand can steal Lego's designs, but Lego is unable to steal clone designs.

[Superkalle]

rick or larry marak, could you elaborate some more on the clone brand patents you are refering to, for example on 1x1 with stud on side or a 1x5 brick. Where did you find this information? Do you have any webadress or similar for reference?

[jonwil]

FYI, this brick has been spotted in red in the new fire station. That goes with the white in the snowman and the dark bley in the toy story sets.

[Rick]

rick or larry marak, could you elaborate some more on the clone brand patents you are refering to, for example on 1x1 with stud on side or a 1x5 brick. Where did you find this information? Do you have any webadress or similar for reference?

Sorry, it's hear-say , so I don't have any details, but you should be able to find this information through patent offices. The 1 x 1 with stud on one side was a famous example, I don't have any other examples for you. I didn't even know about the 1 x 5 brick and I also doubt TLG would be interested in that design.

[Superkalle]

rick, I have searched for a patent for a 1x1 with one stud on side and haven't found anything, that's why I'm asking. For a patent to be approved there must be a certain degree of novelty and intellectual "height" and I can't see that in a 1x1 with stud on the the side. Specially since there are bricks like 1x4 with 4 studs on side, or 1x1 with two studs on side allready in production. But...it's always best to be humble, so if there is such a patent, I'd like to see it. Anyone else knows?

And for the 1x5, you're probabaly right that we will never see it in production, but for a different reason: It is not easy for a child to distinguish from a 1x4 or 1x6 at a glance.

[Helmantel]

And for the 1x5, you're probabaly right that we will never see it in production, but for a different reason: It is not easy for a child to distinguish from a 1x4 or 1x6 at a glance.

I doubt that. Kids are not as stupid as adults sometimes think

[cagri]

I just hope it doesn't replace the old indented one completely.

It won't, rest assured. We talked about this in the ambassador forums.

[Commodore Hornbricker]

Good piece. That is going to come in handy in lots of great ways.

[Lordofdragonss]

Best Lock aka Cobi had it since 1996 or something....

Finnaly Lego...

[larry marak]

1x5 bricks are currently available in the latest 240 and 500 piece Best Lock police sets.

Best Lock doesn't manufacture bricks, though it does patent designs. They are a middleman. They order bricks as sets from a factory and then sell them to specific retailers on demand. While you'll find some Best Lock in toy stores, you're just as likely to find their sets on airliners, in tractor supply stores, in presidential libraries, in Hummer dealerships (rip hummer) and in university bookshops. They have survived 16 years because they seek out niche markets.

The 1x5 suddenly became available again because Best Lock had to switch supplies from the Little White Dragon company in Chengdu which was flattened in the great quake in China two years ago to the Coko Blocko Toy Co. of Chungking. Coko Bloko has a number of designs available that use over a dozen parts never seen before in Lego, including the 11x19 plate, the 2x4 3 sided 75degree slope, and hexagonal plates and tiles among other oddities.

Edited November 18, 2009 by larry marak