Construction System

Abstract

A construction system having construction elements is provided, which allows for unlimited designs of producible structures to be created. If the construction system is provided as a toy, then the construction elements can be played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the producible structures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball, for example. The construction elements can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A construction system comprising: a first construction element comprising: a first body; a first connector extending from the first body, the first connector comprising a first longitudinal extension and an aperture; and a second construction element comprising: a second body; a second connector extending from the second body, the second connector comprising a second longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the aperture of the first construction element, wherein coupling of the first construction element to the second construction element results only following: insertion of the second connector into the aperture; and pivoting the second connector, about the second longitudinal extension thereof, relative to the first connector.

17. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein: the second connector comprises a first stop designed to be inserted through the first connector, and upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element, the first stop prevents the second connector from being removed from the first connector perpendicularly to the second longitudinal extension of the second connector.

18. A construction system according to claim 17, wherein the first stop comprises a protrusion extending away from the second longitudinal extension.

19. A construction system according to claim 17, wherein the second construction element comprises a second stop adapted to prevent the second connector from sliding through the first connector upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element.

20. A construction system according to claim 19, wherein the second stop comprises a shoulder having a cross section that is larger than a cross section of the aperture.

21. A construction system according to claim 20, wherein the second stop is located on the second body.

22. A construction system according to claim 20, wherein the second stop is located on the second connector.

23. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector comprises a spherical or round portion.

24. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein, upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element, the first longitudinal extension is parallel to the second longitudinal extension.

25. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the aperture comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of: a polygon, a circle, a rectangle and a square.

26. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first construction element and the second construction element is flexible and/or resilient.

27. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector is connected to the first connector such that the second connector may be rotated transversely to the first longitudinal extension.

28. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector is form-fitted and/or force-fitted into the first connector.

29. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the first connector comprises a third longitudinal extension connected to the first body and the first longitudinal extension.

30. A construction system according to claim 29, wherein the first longitudinal extension is not in a plane with the third longitudinal extension.

31. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein: the second connector comprises a third longitudinal extension connected to the second body and the second longitudinal extension, and the second longitudinal extension is not in a plane with the third longitudinal extension.

32. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second construction element further comprises a third connector extending from the second body, the third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension and a second aperture

33. A construction system according to claim 32, wherein the first construction element further comprises a fourth connector extending from the first body, the fourth connector comprising a fourth longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the second aperture of the second construction element.

34. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second construction element further comprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the aperture.

35. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the first construction element further comprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension and a second aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The features and further advantages of the invention will become clear in the following, with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the figures.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the construction element according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment of the construction system according to the invention,

[0036] FIG. 2 is a side view of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0037] FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0038] FIG. 4 is a plan view from below of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a ball, shown together with the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of the connection between two construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0041] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through the connection according to FIG. 6,

[0042] FIGS. 8a-c are three different views of an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

[0043] FIGS. 9a-c are side views of the construction element according to the invention, according to a second, third and fourth preferred embodiment,

[0044] FIGS. 10a-c are perspective views of the construction element according to the invention, according to the second, third and fourth preferred embodiment,

[0045] FIGS. 11a-b are two different views of an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9b,

[0046] FIG. 12 shows an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9c,

[0047] FIG. 13 shows a further example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9c,

[0048] FIGS. 14a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a starting position,

[0049] FIGS. 15a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a position inserted into one another.

[0050] FIGS. 16a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a position inserted into one another and tilted, and

[0051] FIGS. 17a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a coupled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, various views of a first preferred embodiment of the construction system 10 according to the invention are shown.

[0053] It can be seen that the construction system 10 comprises identically designed construction elements 12 which each comprise a central body part 14 and connectors 16, 18 arranged thereon, which connectors are arranged such that the provided the construction element 12 approximately with the shape of a rectangle, in plan view (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). In case, however, recesses 20, 22 are provided, as a result of which the construction element 12 appears narrower in plan view, and furthermore the absence of play is increased.

[0054] It can furthermore be seen that the first connector 16 is designed so as to be annular, in regions, and comprises a circular aperture 24 having a beveled edge 26.

[0055] The second connector 18 comprises a connector element 28 that is formed so as to be round, in regions, having a beveled top edge 30. In this case, the bevel 30 is formed more prominently than the bevel 26, as a result of which the coupling between the second connector 18 and the first connector 16 can take place in a particularly simple manner, as will be explained in the following.

[0056] Furthermore, the second connector 18 comprises a first stop 32 which is formed as a protrusion, in regions, and is located opposite the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 (cf. FIG. 2). There is, in addition, a second stop 34 which is formed as a shoulder on both sides of the body part 14. Said stop 34 has a larger cross section that the cross section of the connector element 28. Furthermore, the stop 34 has a larger cross section than the inside diameter of the aperture 24.

[0057] The inside diameter of the recess 24 and outside diameter of the connector element 28 are matched to one another such that an interference fit, and thus a form- and force-fitting connection, results when the two connectors 16, 18 are coupled together.

[0058] It can furthermore be seen that both the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 in each case have longitudinal extensions L1, L2 which are in the same plane E (cf. FIG. 2). More precisely, the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 are each located in their own planes which, however, coincide in the plane E.

[0059] The plane in which the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 is located is spaced apart therefrom, wherein the body part 14 is in addition also curved. There is therefore no plane, in which the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 is located, that coincides with a plane in which the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 are located.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of an object produced using the construction system 10, which object is shown as a ball 100.

[0061] It can be seen that, in this case, a total of 30 individual construction elements 12 have been interconnected such that an approximately spherical outside face 103, having recesses 104, 106 located therein results around an inside 102 of the ball 100. Said sphere shape 103 is also made possible in particular because the planes of the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 of the connectors 16, 18 are arranged so as to be set back relative to the plane of the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14, such that no offsets and cracks arise, as exist for example in the European design 001625575.

[0062] More precisely, the ball 100 comprises two different recesses 104, 106, wherein the first recess type 104 is approximately circular and is formed by coupling three construction elements 12a, 12a′, 12a″ along the recesses 20 thereof, along the relevant longitudinal extension L3 of the body parts 14.

[0063] The recesses 106, in turn, are approximately stellate, having five points. They result from coupling five construction elements 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12a″ along the recesses 22 thereof, perpendicularly to the relevant longitudinal extension L3 of the body parts 14.

[0064] Since the body parts 14 are curved and, due to the flexibility thereof, the ball 100 can be easily put together, and it is also highly resistant to detachment of the construction elements 12 from one another, as well as flexibility in the event of pressure on the ball surface 103. As a result, not only can the ball 100 be produced very quickly, but it is also excellent to play with. In other words, throwing the ball 100 against a solid wall (not shown) does not lead to detachment of the construction elements 12 from one another, but instead, upon striking the wall, the kinetic energy of the ball 100 leads to bending of the resilient construction elements 12, as a result of which said kinetic energy is stored and is released again upon relaxation of the bent construction elements 12, as a result of which the ball 100 bounces back from the wall. This is a substantial difference from all known construction elements, which are interconnected by simple perpendicular clipping, and where bouncing of this kind would lead to detachment of the construction elements.

[0065] The assembly and separation of the construction elements 12, 12′ is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0066] It can be seen that, during assembling, the second connector 18 is simply inserted into the first connector 16. More precisely, the first stop 32 of the connector element 28 of the second connector 18, which stop protrudes relative to the connector element 28, along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18, is inserted ahead, into the aperture 24 of the first connector 16. In this case, the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are tilted relative to one another, for example by 90°. In contrast, owing to the significant protrusion of the first stop 32 relative to the round connector element 28, perpendicular insertion of the second connector 18 into the first connector 16 is not possible when the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are oriented so as to be in parallel.

[0067] In this case, the second stop 34 of the second connector 18, which has a larger cross section than the inside diameter of the aperture 24, comes into contact on the first connector 16, as a result of which the second connector 18 cannot slide through the first connector 16.

[0068] The contact points of the second stops 34 on the upper face 36 of the first connector 16 then function as a joint and leverage point, and the second connector 18 can be tilted about this joint, relative to the first connector 16, until the first stop 32 strikes the lower face 38 of the first connector 16. In this case, the tilting takes place transversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18. In other words, in this case pivoting takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18.

[0069] In this case, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 and, opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element 28 is pressed into the aperture 24, as a result of which the first and second connectors 16, 18 form an interference fit.

[0070] As a result, the connection between the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 is locked by means of the contact of the first stop 32 on the lower face 36 of the first connector 16 and of the second stop 34 on the upper face 38 of the first connector 16, as a result of which the connection, i.e. the coupling between the first connector 16 and the second connector 18, and thus the coupling between the first construction element and the second construction element 12′, is particularly durable.

[0071] If, in contrast, the second connector 18 is not inserted so deeply into the first connector 16 that the second stops 34 come into contact on the upper face 36, then, upon tilting, the first stop 32 comes into contact on the lower face 38 of the first connector 16. This contact of the first stop 32 on the lower face 38 then functions as a corresponding joint and leverage point.

[0072] Then, upon tilting, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 is in turn pressed into the aperture 24, as a result of which the first and second connectors 16, 18 form an interference fit. Therefore here, too, pivoting takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18.

[0073] For separating the connection between the first and second connector 16, 18, opposing tilting of the second connector 18 is carried out, transversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18, relative to the first connector 16 (in this case, pivoting in turn takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18). In this case, the joint formed by the contact of the second stops 34 on the upper face 36 of the first connector 16 in turn acts as a leverage point, as a result of which the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 and, opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element 28 can be withdrawn from the aperture 24 and, as a result, the interference fit is released and, finally, the second connector 18 can be removed from the first connector 16.

[0074] Here, too, the larger cross section of the second stop 34 of the second connector 18 with respect to the inside diameter of the aperture 24 in turn prevents the second connector 18 from sliding through the first connector 16.

[0075] Furthermore, the significant protrusion of the first stop 32 relative to the round second connector 28, perpendicular removal of the second connector 28 from the first connector 18 is not possible when the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are oriented so as to be in parallel.

[0076] The relatively significant length of the body part 14 with respect to the spacing of the rear edge 33 and bevel 26 from the joint being formed creates relatively significant leverage during connection and separation of the construction element 12, which means that no high forces are required.

[0077] Forming the first connector 16 as an annulus in part, and the second connector 18 in a manner having a round connector element 28, makes it possible for two interconnected construction elements 12 to be freely pivoted about the vertical axis formed by the connection of the two connectors 16, 18 (cf. FIG. 6), specifically until the construction elements collide along the recesses 20 or the recesses 22. This free mobility is further assisted by the recesses 20, 22 and the inclined attachment 40 of the first connector 16 to the body part 14.

[0078] As a result, two construction elements 12 can be interconnected not only by means of one corresponding connector 16, 18, respectively, but rather also by means of two adjacent connectors 16, 18, wherein a connection is possible both along the recess 20 and along the recess 22.

[0079] In addition to complex shapes, such as the ball 100, in which the construction elements 12 are oriented so as to be angled with respect to one another, other shapes can also be produced thereby, in which at least some construction elements 12 are mutually parallel.

[0080] FIGS. 6 and 7 show just one coupling of the two construction elements 12, 12′ by means of coupling the second connector 18 to the first connector 16. Coupling of the second connector 18′ to the first connector 16′ could also exist at the same time, however, such that the two construction elements 12, 12′ would be connected along the recesses 22 of the body parts 14.

[0081] In the example of construction 200 shown in FIGS. 8a-c, two construction elements 12, 12′ are connected by coupling the second connector 18 to the first connector 16, and the second connector 18′ to the first connector 16′, along the recesses 20 of the body part 14, 14′, resulting in an opening 202 which is of exactly large enough to receive the body part 14″ of a third construction element 12″ therein in a force-fitting, i.e. clamped, manner. As a result, complex 3-dimensional shapes can be produced, because it is now possible to couple further construction elements 12 directly to the construction element 12″, independently of the construction elements 12, 12′.

[0082] Furthermore, two construction elements 12, 12′ can also be coupled together in a manner resting directly on top of one another (not shown), wherein all the first connectors 16, 16′ are then coupled to the corresponding second connectors 18, 18′. As a result, the outwardly curved body parts 14, 14′ in each case in turn form an opening, in which a third construction element 12′″ can be arranged in a force-fitting, i.e. clamped, manner.

[0083] Owing to the resiliency, folding of the construction elements 12 at the recesses 20 is also possible, wherein the first connectors 16 can be coupled to the opposite second connectors 18 of said construction element 12.

[0084] FIGS. 9a-c and 10a-c are side views and perspective views, respectively, of alternative embodiments for the construction element 210, 212, 214 according to the invention.

[0085] It can be seen that these construction elements 210, 212, 214 also comprise two first connectors 216, 218, 220 and two second connectors 222, 224, 226, respectively, which are not, however, arranged in a square, as in the case of the construction element 12, but instead linearly on a bar-shaped body 228, 230, 232, wherein the second connectors 222, 224, 226 are in each case located on the outside, and the first connectors 216, 218, 220 are arranged therebetween.

[0086] These construction elements 210, 212, 214, too, are resilient to such an extent that they are foldable (not shown), in order to couple a second connector 222, 224, 226 to a distinct first connector 216, 218, 220.

[0087] The construction elements 212, 214 additionally comprise openings 234, 236 into which other construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be inserted. If said construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 were folded as described, they can be suspended in the openings 234, 236, in order to form movable branches of complex 3-dimensional constructions.

[0088] In the case of the coupling between a first construction element 214 and a second construction element 214 (not shown), the second connector 226 of the second construction element 214 could also be pushed through the opening 236 of the fir construction element 214 and subsequently coupled to the first connector 220 of the first construction element 214.

[0089] FIGS. 11a and 11b are a perspective view and a plan view of an example of construction 300 comprising a plurality of construction elements 212 arranged so as to be at right angles to one another.

[0090] FIGS. 12 and 13 are a perspective view and a plan view of examples of construction 400, 500 comprising a plurality of construction elements 214 arranged so as not to be at right angles to one another.

[0091] FIGS. 14 to 17 show the general principle of the coupling 600, according to the invention, of a first connector 602 and a second connector 604. In this case, FIGS. 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a are each perspective views, and FIGS. 14b, 15b, 16b and 17b are each side views. Said connectors 602, 604 can be arranged, as first and second connectors, on each of the construction elements 10, 210, 212, 214 shown, or also on construction elements of different geometrical designs.

[0092] It can be seen that the first connector 602 is in turn annular, comprising a circular opening 606. In this case, the opening 606 extends along the longitudinal extension L′1 of the first connector 602.

[0093] The second connector 604 comprises a connector element 608 which is almost completely spherical. A first stop 610, in the form of a protrusion, in regions, and a second stop 612, in the form of a shoulder, are provided on the connector element 608, on which shoulder a body part 614 is arranged. Further first connectors 602 and/or second connectors 604 (not shown) can be provided on said body part, but this does not have to be the case.

[0094] The first stop 610 has an arc-shaped contour on the lower face 616 thereof, which is dimensioned such that it can be inserted, together with the spherical connector element 608, into the circular opening 606 of the first connector (cf. FIG. 15). The arc-shaped contour thus extends tangentially from the connector element 608.

[0095] In contrast, the second stop 612 protrudes, relative to the connector element 608, along the longitudinal extension L′2 of the second connector 604, and therefore the connector element 608 can be inserted into the opening 606 of the first connector 602 only up to halfway (cf. FIG. 15).

[0096] Once the second stop 612 has come into contact on the first connector 602 (cf. FIG. 15), the second connector 604 is pivoted relative to the first connector 602, wherein the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2 are tilted, relative to one another, from the 90° orientation shown in FIG. 15, via a tilted orientation (cf. FIG. 16), into a 180° orientation (cf. FIG. 17).

[0097] During tilting of the second connector 604 relative to the first connector 602, the connector element 608 functions as a swivel head, about which the opening 606 rotates. Said rotation is stopped, in the state of shown in FIG. 17 in which the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2 of the first connector 602 and second connector 604 are oriented so as to be in parallel, in that the rear face 618 of the first connector 602 comes into contact on the first stop 610, and the front face 620 of the first connector 602 comes into contact on the second stop 612.

[0098] The decoupling between the first connector 602 and the second connector 604 simply takes place in the reverse sequence, i.e. by tilting (cf. FIG. 16) as far as a 90° orientation (cf. FIG. 15), and removal of the second connector 604 from the first connector 602 (cf. FIG. 14).

[0099] Advantageously, an interference fit exists between the opening 606 and the connector element 608.

[0100] It is clear from what has been set out above that the present invention specifies an improved construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600, by means of which unlimited designs of producible structures can be manufactured. If the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 is provided as a toy, then the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the producible structures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball 100 for example. Finally, the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner. In addition to toys, however, the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 can also be used for any other desired applications, for example in robotics or other fields where there is a mechanical connection between individual construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214, and thus free scalability is provided.

[0101] Unless otherwise specified, all the features of the present invention can be combined freely with one another. In addition, unless otherwise specified the features described in the description of the figures can also freely combined, as features of the invention, with the remaining features. In this case, features of the construction system and of the construction element that relate to objects can also be used in the context of a method, when reworded as method features, and method features can be used in the context of the construction system and of the construction element, when reworded as features of the construction system and of the construction element.