Construction System for Assembly of a Structural Construction

Abstract

A construction system for assembly of a structural construction includes a joint assembly that comprises hollow spherical joints and connection assemblies for structure elements or joints. The hollow spherical joint is assembled by multiple identical interlocking joint members or sets of corresponding identical interlocking joint members and the hollow spherical joint is provided with multiple connection points. The connection assembly is adapted for detachable attachment to the connection points and comprises a locking assembly for locking and unlocking of the connection assembly to the hollow spherical joint.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A construction system (100) for assembly of a structural construction, comprising: one or more hollow spherical joints (200), each provided with multiple connection points (220); a connection assembly (300) for structure elements (400) or joints adapted for detachable attachment to a connection point (220) of one of the one or more hollow spherical joints (200) and comprising a locking assembly (500) for locking and unlocking of the connection assembly (300) to the respective hollow spherical joint (200), wherein at least one of the one or more hollow spherical joints (200) is assembled by multiple identical interlocking joint members (210) or sets of corresponding identical interlocking joint members (210a, 210b), and each of the multiple interlocking joint members (210, 210a, 210b) is provided with a corresponding interlocking profile (213, 214, 215) at a respective engaging side for attachment to an adjoining joint member (210, 210a, 210b).

16. The construction system (100) according to claim 15, wherein each interlocking joint member (210, 210a, 210b) includes one or more engaging sides, and the interlocking profiles (213, 214, 215) are replicated at each engaging side of the respective interlocking joint member (210, 210a, 210b).

17. The construction system (100) according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more hollow spherical joints (200) is assembled by eight or twenty identical interlocking joint members (210) or sets of ten identical and eight identical corresponding interlocking joint members (210a, 210b).

18. The construction system (100) according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more hollow spherical joints (200) comprises between two and ninety-two connection points (220).

19. The construction system (100) according to claim 15, wherein the connection assembly (300) comprises a connector (310), ring (320), main body (320), adaptor (340) and connection device (350) for a structural element (400), assembled in longitudinal direction thereof to form the connection assembly (300), wherein the connector (310) is configured for being received in the connection points (220) of one of the one or more hollow spherical joints (200), and the adaptor (340) provides a connection interface for the connection device (350) to the main body (320).

20. The construction system (100) according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the connection points (220) is polygonal and cone-shaped and the connector (310) comprises a polygonal cone-shape part (312) adapted to be accommodated in the respective connection point (220).

21. The construction system (100) according to claim 20, wherein the at least one connection point (220) is decagon cone-shaped and the connector (310) is decagon cone-shaped.

22. The construction system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the connector (310) further comprises an elongated polygonal- or decagonal-shaped part (311), the ring (320) is provided with a polygonal- or decagonal-shaped through hole (324), the main body (330) is at a lower side provided with a polygonal- or decagonal-shaped recess (333), and polygonal- or decagonal-shaped through hole (324) in the ring (320) and the polygonal- or decagonal-shaped recess (333) in the main body (330) are adapted for receiving and accommodating the connector (310).

23. The construction system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the main body (330) has an upper end provided with a polygonal recess (335), the connection device (350) has a lower side with a polygonal recess (352), and the adapter (340) is provided with polygonal connection flanges (342a, 342b) at an upper side and a lower side adapted to the polygonal recess (335) of the main body (330) and the polygonal recess (352) of the connection device (350) for retaining the main body (330), adaptor (340) and connection device (350) together.

24. The construction system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the ring (320) has an end surface (323) adapted to a curvature profile of the hollow spherical joint (200) and is at least partly elastic or compressible.

25. The construction system (100) according to claim 20, wherein the locking assembly (500) comprises an activation and deactivation member (530) formed by an elongated body (531) provided with a tapering lower end (532) adapted to be received in the polygonal or decagon cone-shaped part (312) of the connector (310).

26. The construction system (100) according to claim 25, wherein the locking assembly (500) is ball-based and comprises multiple locking balls (510) arranged movable in a transversal direction of the polygonal or decagonal cone-shaped part (312) of the connector (310), multiple corresponding locking ball recesses or holes (520) are arranged in surfaces of the connection points (220) of the hollow spherical joint (200), and the multiple locking balls (510) are moved in the transversal direction for activation or deactivation by insertion or retraction of the tapering lower end (532) of the activation and deactivation member (530) in the polygonal or decagon cone-shaped part (312) of the connector (310).

27. The construction system (100) according to claim 25, wherein the activation and deactivation member (530) is provided with a number of protruding lock pins or teeth (540) arranged at a distance from an upper end of the elongated body (531), the locking assembly (500) further comprises a key lock member (550) adapted to be accommodated in a recess (344) of the adaptor (340), the key lock member (550) comprises curved tracks (553) adapted for receiving the lock pins or teeth (540) for locking and unlocking the activation and deactivation member (530) axially in the connection assembly (300) by movement of the protruding lock pins or teeth (540) axially in the curved tracks (553).

28. The construction system according to claim 27, wherein the elongated body (531) is configured to be received in through holes present in the connection device (350), adaptor (340), main body (330) and connector (310), and has a length adapted to respective lengths thereof, the elongated body (531) comprises a head assembly (533) at an upper end located exterior of the connection device (530), thereby enabling movement of the lock pins or teeth (540) in the curved tracks (553), the head assembly (533) retains the ring (320), main body (330), adaptor (540) and connection device (350) axially in the connection assembly (300) when the lock pins or teeth (540) are received in the interior end of the curved tracks (553).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0124] The present invention will below be described in further detail with references to the attached drawings, where:

[0125] FIGS. 1A-1D are principle drawings of a joint members for a hollow spherical joint according to an embodiment,

[0126] FIGS. 2A-2M are principle drawings a different embodiments of a hollow spherical joint,

[0127] FIGS. 3A-3L are principle drawings of a connection assembly,

[0128] FIG. 4 is a principle drawing of a connector,

[0129] FIGS. 5A and 5B are principle drawings of a ring,

[0130] FIGS. 6A and 6B are principle drawings of a main body,

[0131] FIGS. 7A and 7B are principle drawings of an adaptor,

[0132] FIGS. 8A-8D are principle drawings of a connection device, FIGS. 9A-9C are principle drawings of a locking assembly, and

[0133] FIGS. 10A-10D are principle drawings of different embodiments of use of the disclosed system and methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0134] Reference is made to FIGS. 2A-21 showing principles drawings of a hollow spherical joint 200 formed by multiple identical joint members 210, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. The multiple identical joint members 210 are designed so that when they are assembled together they form a complete hollow spherical joint 200.

[0135] According to a one embodiment, the hollow spherical joint 200 is assembled by twenty identical joint members 210 exhibiting a triangle shape.

[0136] In accordance with one embodiment the hollow spherical joint 200 geometry is based on an icosahedron of twenty identical triangle shaped joint members 210, divided into six vectors and projected onto an ideal sphere, using a combination of pentagons centered on the vertex of each of the icosahedron's corners.

[0137] Each joint member 210 has a unique geometry around each triangle's center axis, coincidental with each triangle midpoint M.

[0138] The multiple joint members 210 are designed with an interlocking profile at engaging sides for attachment to adjoining joint members 210.

[0139] In accordance with one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the interlocking profile is formed by an interlocking upper lip 211 and a symmetric lower groove 212 at each triangle side, enabling the adjacent joint members 210 to be interlocked.

[0140] For additional attachment and structural integrity of the hollow spherical joint 200, glue and/or heat treatment may be performed to ensure that the joint members 210 are firmly fixed to each other.

[0141] The multiple joint members 210 are designed for maximum density and compression.

[0142] The joint members 210 may be mass-produced, manufactured by, e.g., but not limited to, reinforced ceramic, composite material or similar.

[0143] According to the present invention, the hollow spherical joint 200 is provided with multiple connection points 220, i.e. at least two, for attachment of structure elements 400 by means of connection assemblies 300, see FIGS. 3A-3L, further described below.

[0144] The naturally occurring hexagons of the tringle joint members 210 are used as vertices for forming the connection points 220 in the hollow spherical joint 200, enabling a creation of any number between 2 and 92 connection points 220. As shown in FIG. 1D there are nine potential hollow spherical joint to structural element configurations organized around the triangle joint member's sides (M or M1 and M2), corner (T) or center (C) vertices.

[0145] The midline of the triangle is split into two additional vertices M1 and M2, and they can be oriented vertically according to T, C, M1 and M2 vertices. All other configurations can be oriented according to M, C or T orientations.

[0146] Each of these vertices is a potential connection point 220 along master grid of a structure to be constructed. The connection points 220 thus enables connections for structure elements 400, such as beams or joints, as well as hollow spherical joint to hollow spherical joint.

[0147] This unprecedented flexibility of one single hollow spherical joint 200 geometry gives rise to different construction types and scales with infinite variation and flexibility from one joint member 210.

[0148] In FIGS. 2A-2H are shown different embodiments of the hollow spherical joint 200 comprising different number of connection points 220 distributed around the circumference of the hollow spherical joint 200. FIG. 2A shows an embodiment with twelve connection points 220, FIG. 2B shows an embodiment with twenty connection points 220, FIG. 2C shows an embodiment with thirty connection points 220, FIG. 2D shows an embodiment with thirty-two connection points 220, FIG. 2E shows an embodiment with forty-two connection points 220, FIG. 2F shows an embodiment with fifty connection points 220, FIG. 2G shows an embodiment with sixty-two connection points 220 and FIG. 2H shows an embodiment ninety-two connection points 220. The more connection points 220 the hollow spherical joint 200 comprises, the more possible angles are provided that a structure element 400 can be arranged to the hollow spherical joint 200 with.

[0149] For e.g. the embodiment with sixty-two connection points 220, the center C vertices serve to connect structure elements along the vertical or horizontal planes in a construction. The embodiment further takes full advantage of both of the right angles found in conventional construction: vertical Z-axis and orthogonal X- and Y-axis in the horizontal plane, and also provides connection points 220 for triangulation.

[0150] The embodiment with sixty-two connection points 220 is organized around the mid-point (M) serving as top of the hollow spherical joint 200 along the vertical z-axis. This initial position orients the hollow spherical joint 200 vertically. The M vertex is found at the center of one of thirty hexagons, which is located at the midpoint of any of the three sides of a triangle joint member 210. As an embodiment of this innovation, one M vertex out of (203/2=) 30 possible M vertices has been elected at random to orient the other triangle joint members 210, and this M-point remains fixed in relation to the hollow spherical joint's 200 origin, X- and Y-axis with the reference grid.

[0151] Reference is now made to FIGS. 21-2K showing principle drawings of a second embodiment of the hollow spherical joint 200 that is formed based on the same principles as the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the hollow spherical joint 200 is based on a rhombicubocahedron. The hollow spherical joint 200 according to the second embodiment is formed by two sets of identical joint members, in the form of a set of identical square joint members 210a and a set of identical triangle joint members 210b, which is formed by two different sets of joint members.

[0152] Reference is now made to FIG. 2L showing principle drawing an alternative configuration of the second embodiment, wherein the hollow spherical joint 200 is formed by eight identical joint members 210. In this embodiment, the joint members 210 are provided with corresponding interlocking profiles 213, 214 at sides thereof enabling attachment to an adjoining joint member 210, as well as at lower side thereof provided with corresponding interlocking profiles 215 for attachment to adjoining joint members 210. In this embodiment each identical joint member 210 exhibits a shape that is a combination of the mentioned triangle and square joint members above, such that four identical joint members 210 when assembled together form a half-sphere corresponding to the mentioned five identical square pieces 210a and four identical triangular joint members 210b, and wherein two such half-spheres are arranged to together by the mentioned interlocking provides at lower side of the identical joint members 210 form a full-sphere.

[0153] As for the first embodiment, also the two latter embodiments may be provided with a desired number of connections points 220 formed by vertices in a similar manner as described for the first embodiment.

[0154] The connection points 220 form a receptor and connection interface adapted for receiving and engagement with the connection assembly 300.

[0155] According to one embodiment the connection points 220 is formed by a receptor having a desired polygonal or decagon shape for receiving engaging part (connector 310) of the connection assembly 300 with a corresponding shape, further described below. In the shown embodiment, the receptor has the shape of a decagon and thus forming a decagon receptor, which preserves symmetry with both pentagon shapes at T vertices of the hollow spherical joint 200, and preserves symmetry of hexagon shapes at M, M1, M2 and C vertices of the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0156] In the shown embodiment, the connection point 220 is further cone-shaped and thus form a decagon cone-shape adapted to receive a corresponding engaging part (connector) of the connection assembly 300, further described below.

[0157] The connections points 220 are further provided with multiple locking ball receiving recesses or holes 520 for a locking assembly 500, further described below, for detachable attachment of the connection assembly 300 to connection points 220 of the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0158] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3L showing principle drawings of different embodiments of a connection assembly 300, and cross-sectional views thereof. The connection assembly 300 is assembled by several parts in longitudinal direction thereof to form the connection assembly 300. The connection assembly 300 comprises a connector 310 forming the engaging part with the connection points 220, lower ring 320 forming engaging surface with the exterior surface of the hollow spherical joint 200, a main body 330, an adaptor 340, a connection device 350 for attachment of a structure elements 400 and a locking assembly 500 (see FIGS. 9A-9C) locking the mentioned parts together axially and to the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0159] The connector 310, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, is formed by an elongated polygonal- or decagon-shaped part 311 and a polygonal- or decagon cone-shaped part 312, wherein the polygonal or decagon cone-shaped part 312 is adapted the polygonal or decagon cone-shaped receptor of the connection point 220 for insertion therein. The connector 311 is further provided with a through hole 313 for receiving an activation and deactivation member 530 of the locking assembly 500, further described below.

[0160] The ring 320 and main body 330 are according to the present designed to exhibit different shapes and size for altering the properties of the connection assembly 300 depending on the use, i.e. if the connection assembly 330 is a standalone connection assembly 330 or if the connection assembly is to be arranged adjacent another connection assembly 330.

[0161] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B showing the mentioned ring 320 in more detail, wherein FIG. 5A shows an embodiment for a standalone connection assembly 300 and FIG. 5B shows an embodiment for use where connection assemblies 300 arranged adjacent each other. In the embodiment in FIG. 5A the ring 320 is formed by an upper mainly cylindrical part 321 and a cone-shaped lower part 322, wherein the end surface 323 of the lower part 322 is adapted the curvature of the hollow spherical joint 200 for engagement therewith. In the embodiment in FIG. 5B, the ring 320 is cone-shaped wherein the end surface 323 of the ring 320 is adapted the curvature of the hollow spherical joint 200 for engagement therewith. In a standalone embodiment, it is preferable with a larger engagement surface towards the hollow spherical joint 200 surface.

[0162] The ring 320 is further provided with a polygonal or decagon-shaped through hole 324 in the center of the ring 320 adapted the elongated polygonal or decagon-shaped part 311 of the connector 310 for accommodation of the connector 310 and fixation to the connector 310.

[0163] At least the part of the ring 320 engaging the exterior surface of the hollow spherical joint 200 is preferably elastic or compressible for expansion compression providing a tight seal that allows for material, manufacturing or assembly tolerances. The ring 320 may e.g. be a gasket.

[0164] Reference is now in addition made to FIGS. 6A and 6B showing further details of the main body 330. For a standalone embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 31-3L and 10A-10D, the mentioned main body 330 is mainly cylindrical, while for an embodiment where the connection assembly 300 is arranged adjacent another connection assembly 300, the main body 330 is formed by a cone-shaped part 331 facing the ring 320 and ending in a mainly cylindrical part 332 facing the keyhole disc 363. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3L the shape and length of both the cone-shaped part 331 and cylindrical part 332 may have different shape and length. The cone-shaped part 331 has at its narrow end a circumference adapted to the upper side of the mentioned ring 320. The is main body 330 further provided with a polygonal- or decagon-shaped recess 333 of limited extension at lower side of the cone-shaped part 331, in the center thereof, adapted the elongated polygonal- or decagon-shaped part 311 of the connector 310 for accommodation of the connector 310 and fixation to the connector 310.

[0165] Accordingly, when the ring 320 and main body 330 are arranged to each other the polygonal- or decagon-shaped through hole 323 and polygonal- or decagon-shaped recess 333 coincides and together are adapted to receive and accommodate the connection 310 and assemble these parts together in a fixed manner.

[0166] The main body 330 is further provided with a centrally through hole 334 for receiving the activation and deactivation member of the locking assembly 500, further described below, which through hole 334 coincides with the through hole 313 of the connector 310 when arranged together.

[0167] Further, the inclination of the cone-shaped ring 320 coincides with the cone-shaped part of 331 of the main body 330.

[0168] The main body 330 is further at upper side provided with a polygonal recess 335 for engagement with the adaptor 340, further described below.

[0169] Reference now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B showing principle drawings of an adaptor 340, seen from lower and upper side, respectively. The adaptor 340 is formed by a mainly circular disc 341, which at both sides thereof is provided with polygonal connection flanges 342a-b with an exterior diameter smaller than the exterior diameter of the adaptor 340. The polygonal connection flange 342a at lower side is adapted for being received and accommodated in the mentioned polygonal recess 335 at upper side of the main body 330, and at the polygonal connection flange 342b at upper side is adapted for being received in a polygonal recess 352 (see FIGS. 8B-8D) of a connection device 370 to be arranged thereon, further described below.

[0170] The adaptor 340 is further provided with a centered through hole 343 for receiving and accommodating the activation and deactivation member 530 of the locking assembly 500, which trough hole 343 coincides with the through hole 334 of the main body 330 when the adaptor 340 is arranged to the main body 330.

[0171] The adaptor 340 is further at upper side provided with a centred polygonal recess 344 of limited extension adapted for receiving a key lock member 550 of the locking assembly 500, further described below.

[0172] In an alternative embodiment the technical features of the adapter 340 is integrated in upper part of the main body 330. Accordingly, the main body 330 may at upper end be provided with the polygonal connection flange 342b and polygonal recess 344, such that the adaptor 340 for some embodiments is not required.

[0173] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-8D showing example embodiment of connection devices 350, wherein FIGS. 8A and 8B show a first embodiment in the form of a mortise connection, and FIGS. 8C and 8D show a second embodiment in the form of a snap-in connection. The connection device 350 is formed by a main body 351, which in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B is disc-shaped and in the embodiment of FIGS. 8C and 8D is a massive cylinder.

[0174] The main body 351 is at lower side provided with a polygonal recess 352 adapted for receiving and accommodating the polygonal flange 342b at upper side of the adaptor 340 for connection thereto.

[0175] The main body 351 is further provided with a centered through hole 353 adapted for receiving the activation and deactivation member 530 of the locking assembly 500, further described below. In the wall of the through hole 353 is further arranged recesses 354 extending in longitudinal direction of the through hole 353, adapted for allowing lock pins or teeth 540 of the locking assembly 500 to pass, further described below.

[0176] The main body 351 is further at upper side provided with a recess 355 of limited extension adapted for receiving a head assembly 533 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the activation and deactivation member 530 of the locking assembly 500, further described below.

[0177] In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B the connection device 350 is provided with two parallel protruding connection attachment members 356a-b enabling the attachment of a structure element 400 with corresponding connection members 410 (see FIG. 10C) thereto by means of suitable fixation means, such as e.g. holes 357 and pins (not shown).

[0178] In the embodiment of FIGS. 8C and 8D the cylindrical main body 351 is provided with longitudinally extending slots 358 ending in transversal recesses 359 adapted for from receiving and accommodating a snap-in connection (not shown) of a structure element 400.

[0179] Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A-9C showing principle drawings of the components of the locking assembly 500.

[0180] The locking assembly 500 is a ball-based locking-mechanism comprising multiple locking balls 510, multiple locking ball receiving recesses or holes 520 arranged in surfaces of the connection points 220 of the hollow spherical joint 200, a activation and deactivation member 530 with lock pins or teeth 540 and a key lock member 550.

[0181] The multiple locking balls 501 are arranged movable in transversal direction of each side of the decagon cone-shaped part 312 of the connector 310, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9A. In the shown embodiment, each side of the decagon cone-shaped part comprises two movable locking balls 510 displaced in longitudinal direction of the mentioned sides of the decagon cone-shaped part 312. The number of locking balls 510 in longitudinal direction of each side of the decagon cone-shaped part 312 may be one or higher than two. The mentioned locking balls 510 are movable from an unlocked (retracted) position in the decagon cone-shaped part 312 and a locking position where the mentioned locking balls 510 protrude from the exterior surface of the decagon coned-shaped part 312. The mentioned locking balls 510 are such arranged that they can be activated and deactivated from interior of the decagon cone-shaped part 312 by the activation and deactivation member 530.

[0182] Accordingly, when the connector 510 with the locking balls 510 is received and accommodated in the connection points 220 of the hollow spherical joint 200, the recesses or holes 520 and locking balls 510 are aligned, due to the corresponding shape of the connection point 220 and connector 510, such that locking balls 510 upon activation can protrude from the connector 510 and be received and in engagement with the mentioned recesses or holes 520 in the connection points 220.

[0183] The ball-based locking assembly 500 further comprises the activation and deactivation member 530, as shown in detail in FIG. 9B, formed by an elongated body 531 designed to be received in the through holes of connection device 350, adaptor 340, main body 330 and connector 310, and exhibits a length that is adapted the lengths of these parts. Accordingly, the length of the activation and deactivation member 530 is adapted the total length of these components, which as described above may vary depending on use. The elongated body 531 is provided with a tapering lower end 532 adapted to be received in the decagon cone-shaped part 312 of the connector 310 with the mentioned locking balls 510 in retracted positon by the shortest diameter of the tapering lower end 532.

[0184] The activation and deactivation member 530 is further at upper end provided with a head assembly 533 comprising a disc 534 arranged to the upper end of the elongated body 531, which disc 534 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the elongated body 531. The mentioned disc 534 has a shape and size adapted to be received in the mentioned recess 355 of the connection device 350. To the mentioned disc 534 is further arranged a handle 535 protruding from the disc 534, enabling rotational movement of the mentioned activation and deactivation member 530 when inserted into the connection device 300.

[0185] The elongated body 531 is further at provided with a number of protruding lock pins or teeth 540 extending perpendicularly from the elongated body 531 and distributed in circumferential direction thereof, which pins or teeth 540 are arranged at a distance from upper end of the elongated body 531 adapted to be received and accommodated in the key lock member 550, further described below.

[0186] The key lock member 550, as shown in detail in FIG. 9C, is adapted by size and shape to be received and accommodated in the mentioned recess 544 at upper end of the adaptor 340. In the shown embodiment the key lock member 550 is formed by a polygonal body 551 with a through hole 552 adapted to receive the mentioned elongated body 531 of the activation and deactivation member 530. The key lock member 550 is further provided with a number of curved tracks (keyholes) 553 exterior of the mentioned through hole 532, adapted for receiving and accommodating the mentioned lock pins or teeth 540 of the activation and deactivation member 530. The curved tracks 553 extend with an initial part in the vertical plane and curves to end in a horizontal part that is forming a locking position.

[0187] Accordingly, the key lock member 550 is accommodated and fixed in the adaptor 540 that is fixed to the main body 330 and the connection device 350.

[0188] The position of the lock pins or teeth 540 is adapted in longitudinal direction of elongated body 531 such that when the activation and deactivation member 530 is inserted into the connection device 300 the lock pins or teeth 540 come into engagement with the mentioned tracks 553 and is allowed to be moved axially in the connection device 300 in the mentioned tracks 553, and when in locking position, the disc 533 is in firm engagement with the connection device 350.

[0189] Accordingly, provided herein is a modular connection device 300 that can be adapted depending on the use and requirement for structure element 400 to be arranged thereto.

[0190] The connection device 300 is assembled by arranging the desired ring 320 and desired main body 330 to the connector 310, that due to the decagon-shaped part 312 of the connector 310 and decagon-shaped through hole 324 and decagon-shaped lower recess 333 of the ring 320 and main body 330, respectively, retain these parts together. The adaptor 340 can then be arranged to the upper end of the main body 330 by means of the polygonal recess 335 of the main body 330 and lower polygonal flange 342a of the adaptor 340 retaining these parts together. Accordingly, the parts of the connection device are stacking into each other for directional stability.

[0191] The key lock member 550 can next be arranged in the upper polygonal recess 344 of the adaptor 340 and retained therein.

[0192] Next, a desired connection device 350 can be arranged to the adaptor 340 by means of the upper polygonal flange 342b and polygonal recess 352 of the connection device 350.

[0193] The connector 310, ring 320, main body 330, adaptor 340 and connection device 350 are now retained to each other as well as prevented from rotation in relation to each other, i.e. directionally stable.

[0194] The connection assembly 300 is now ready for being arranged to the hollow spherical joint 200 at a desired connection point 220 by insertion of the connector 310 into the connection point 220.

[0195] When the connector 310 is in place in the connection point 220 the activation and deactivation member 530 is inserted axially into the connection assembly 300 via the through holes 353, 334, 313 of the connection device 350, adaptor 340, main body 330 and connector 310, respectively, such that lower tapering end 532 is positioned at the mentioned locking balls 510 in the connector 310. During this axial movement of the activation and deactivation member 530, the lock pins or teeth 540 are allowed to pass through the connection device 350 via the recesses 353 and comes into engagement with the mentioned tracks 533 of the key lock member 550.

[0196] The connection assembly 300 is now ready for the final stage, which is locking of the connection assembly 300 to the connection point 220 of the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0197] By further moving the activation and deactivation member 530 axially in the connection assembly, 300, the tapering end 532 of will move into the decagon cone-shaped part 312 of the connector and force/press the mentioned locking balls 510 to the locking position extending protruding outside the decagon cone-shaped part 312 of the connector 310 and received in the locking recess or holes 520 of the connection point 220 of the hollow spherical joint 200. At the same time, the activation and deactivation member 530 is rotated such that the mentioned lock pins or teeth 540 follows the mentioned tracks 553 in the key lock member 550 into the horizontal end of the mentioned tracks 553.

[0198] In this manner the connection assembly 300 is locked to the hollow spherical joint 200 by that the parts of the connection assembly 300 is compressed between exterior surface of the hollow spherical joint 200 at one end and by the disc 534 at the other end, thus locking the parts axially to each other.

[0199] For detaching the connection assembly 300 from the hollow spherical joint 200, the activation and deactivation member 530 is rotated in the opposite direction and at the same time retracted axially in the connection assembly 300 whereupon the tapering part 332 of the activation and deactivation member 530 is retracted from the decagon-shaped part 312 of the connector 310 resulting in that the locking balls 510 retract from the protruding/locking position, i.e. out of engagement with the locking recesses or holes 520 of the connection point 220 and into the connector 310. The connection assembly 300 can now be removed from the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0200] Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A-10D showing different embodiments of use of the disclosed system and method by the use of a hollow spherical joint 200 and a connection assembly 300. In FIGS. 10A and 10B is both the arrangement of a standalone connection assembly 300, as described above, and the arrangement of two connection assemblies 300, as described above, adjacent each other. As can be seen for the arrangement of two connection assemblies 300 next to each other, the exterior inclined surface of the ring 320 and main body 330 engage each other and provides additional support. As can be seen in the figures, the connection points 220 provide the opportunities to arrange the connection assemblies in different angles in relation to each other.

[0201] In FIGS. 10C and 10D are shown structures 100 where structure elements 400 in the form of beams are connected to hollow spherical joints 200 by means of connection assemblies 300.

[0202] Provided herein is a hollow spherical joint 200 formed by multiple identical interlocking joint members 210 or sets of corresponding identical interlocking joint members 210a-b with unique geometry around and perfect symmetry, and wherein each joint member 210, 210a-b has an interlocking profile enabling the multiple identical joints 210 or sets of the corresponding identical interlocking joint members 210a-b to form the hollow spherical joint 200 at assembly.

[0203] Unique strength characteristics is achieved based on optimization of hollow spherical joint wall thickness, connector 310 shape, size and locking ball 510 size and midline shape and tangent line curvature of upper and lower interlocking elements 211, 212, 213, 214, 215. This tangent curvature reinforces the interlocking of the joint members 210, 210a-b when forces are applied without stress points.

[0204] Provided herein is a solution that requires no screws, nails or cutting required for assembly of joint members 210, 210a-b into the hollow spherical joint 200, and for connection of structure elements 400 to the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0205] Provided herein is a unique ball-based locking mechanism requiring a simple manual twist to move locking balls from unlocked to locked position, optimizing and maximizing surface contact area between connection point 220, connector 310 and locking balls 510 effectively locking a structure element 400 to the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0206] Provided herein is a hollow spherical joint 200 and connection assembly 300 enabling tool-less assembly of a construction.

[0207] Provided herein is a connection assembly 300 that enables easy assembly as well as disassembly of a structure element 400 to the hollow spherical joint 200.

[0208] Provided herein is a solution that is that is easy to adapt according to desired requirements due to the components of the connection assembly 300 are exchangeable to change the features/properties thereof, as well as the possibility to adapt the connection device 300 depending on which structure element 400 is to be connected thereto, which also can be another joint or hollow spherical joint 200.

[0209] The more connection points 220 the hollow spherical joint 200 is provided with, the more possible angles a structure element 400 or joint can be arranged thereto with.

[0210] Further provided is a manual assembly construction system enabling rapid assembly of a permanent or temporary construction or disassembly of a construction.

[0211] Provided herein is a hollow spherical joint 200 and connection assembly 300, wherein the components thereof may be mass-produced and easily altered at construction site by changing the components thereof to adapt the requirements of the construction in question, as well as the components are reusable for other constructions.

[0212] The inventive embodiments are scalable for any construction and in this manner applicable for small constructions, such as toys for children, to multi-floor large buildings.

[0213] The embodiments are also suitable for rapid erecting shelters in disaster areas.

[0214] Since the disclosed structures are easy to assemble, the environmental footprint compared to prior art solutions is considerably reduced.

[0215] The features of the above described embodiments can be combined to form modified embodiments within the scope of the attached claims.