LEGO Toy Building Brick Patent Print 1961 — Framed Patent Art

The story of this patent drawing

The plastic brick had existed since 1949; what Godtfred Kirk Christiansen patented in 1958 in Denmark and in 1961 in the United States was the reason it works — the hollow tubes on the underside that grip the studs of the brick below. US 3,005,282, Toy Building Brick, shows it in six figures on one sheet: the brick from above, from below, in section, and in the act of being pressed onto another. It is the most recognisable object in any child’s life, drawn as a machine part.

This print is made from the official grant itself, rendered at double resolution from the USPTO’s scan with the ink lifted onto an aged-paper tone. It is a reproduction of a government document, not a licensed product of the company.

Printed to order on archival matte paper, framed in the country of delivery.

Before and after

Left: the archive scan exactly as published. Right: the file that goes to the printer.

LEGO Toy Building Brick Patent, 1961: archive scan compared with the restored print

Archive scanRestored

Restoration notes

Preparation: the drawing sheet of the official patent grant was rendered from the USPTO's 300-dpi scan at double resolution, its bilevel line anti-aliased, the ink lifted onto an aged-paper tone with a light grain, and the empty page margin trimmed. Nothing in the drawing is redrawn or removed; the examiner's stamps, signatures and sheet numbers stay.

Every print carries its archive credit on the packing slip. Paper tone and small imperfections of the original are kept on purpose; nothing is redrawn.

Questions

What does the drawing show?

Sheet 1 of the patent: the brick from above and below and in section, showing the studs on top and the tubes underneath that grip them — the clutch mechanism that made the bricks stay together — in six numbered figures.

Is this an original patent document?

No. It is a new archival print of the drawing sheet from the official patent grant, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Patent documents are works of the United States government and in the public domain; the grant number and a link to the document are on this page.

Are the brand names licensed?

No, and they don't need to be for this product: it is a reproduction of a public government document that happens to show the design. It is not made or endorsed by the company, and the print is described as a patent drawing, not as merchandise.

Does it come framed?

Yes, if you choose a framed option: a black, white or natural oak wood frame, ready to hang, made in the country of delivery. Unframed archival matte paper is also available. The sheet's proportions fit 12×18, 16×24 and 20×30.

Colours vary between screens and paper. The tone you see here is a close match to the archival matte print; framed prints have no glass glare in these previews.

Pairs well with

Hang them together — 10% off the second framed print

Rubik's Cube Patent, 1983

Ernő Rubik · US Patent and Trademark Office

$129 18×24 in framed · paper from $35

Fender Stratocaster Guitar Patent, 1960

Leo Fender · US Patent and Trademark Office

$129 18×24 in framed · paper from $35

The discount is applied automatically at checkout when two or more framed prints are in the cart.

Size	Metric	Best for
12×16 in	30×41 cm	Desk, shelf, small wall, gallery groupings
12×18 in	30×46 cm	Desk, shelf, small wall, gallery groupings
16×20 in	41×51 cm	Above a desk or console, hallway, bedroom
16×24 in	41×61 cm	Above a desk or console, hallway, bedroom
18×24 in	46×61 cm	Above a desk or console, hallway, bedroom
20×30 in	51×76 cm	Over a sofa or bed, statement wall, office
24×30 in	61×76 cm	Over a sofa or bed, statement wall, office

LEGO Toy Building Brick Patent, 1961

Before and after

Restoration notes

Hang them together — 10% off the second framed print