Node of individual moving elements of mechanical model and method for connecting moving elements rotating around one axis

Abstract

The invention relates to producing kits for games and souvenirs. The invention consists in a node for connecting moving elements thereof in order to perform a connecting action using two groups of components. A first group of components and a second group of components are connected by means of inserting protrusions, which are positioned along opposing edges of at least two individual components of the second group, in at least two rectangular connecting apertures of one of the individual components of the first group, and which are disposed symmetrically relative to a central aperture on each of the individual components of the first group. The second group of components contains at least two individual components which are made in the form of symmetrical pairs. The result consists in the fastest and most-reliable assembly of the node.

Claims

1. A mechanical model unit of parts rotatable around an axis, comprising: an axle, a first group of parts and a second group of parts; wherein the first group of parts including at least two parts, and each of the at least two parts of the first group of parts having a central axle hole and at least two rectangular connecting holes, the at least two rectangular connecting holes are disposed symmetrically in regard to the central axle hole on each of the at least two separate parts of the first group, the second group of parts including at least two parts which are axially symmetric, the at least two parts of the second group of parts having an elongated shape with protrusions at opposite far ends and at least one central protrusion in a central section facing the axle, the at least two parts of the first group of parts are coupled together by the at least two parts of the second group of parts, the protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group disposed at one far end are inserted into the at least two rectangular connecting holes of one of the at least two parts of the first group, the protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group disposed at another far end are inserted into the at least two rectangular connecting holes of another of the at least two parts of the first group, and the axle pathing through the central axle hole of the at least two parts of the first group and in between the at least two parts of the second group with the central protrusions resiliently engaging the axle.

2. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two parts of the first group comprising three rectangular connecting holes disposed symmetrically in respect to the central axle hole, while the second group of parts comprising three parts.

3. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two parts of the first group comprising four rectangular connecting holes disposed symmetrically in respect to the central axle hole, while the second group of parts comprising four separate parts.

4. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein the axle has a circular cross-section and two pointed ends.

5. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein the parts of the first group and the second group are made from a material which is different from a material used to make the axle.

6. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein there are snap on fixation protrusions at the opposite far ends of each of the at least two parts of the second group.

7. The mechanical model unit according to claim 1, wherein longitudinal slots are made in the protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group, the longitudinal slots are parallel to the axle.

8. A method of connecting parts of a mechanical model unit rotatable around an axis comprising: providing a connection of the parts to each other by installing the parts into connecting holes of other parts, connecting an axle, a first group of parts and a second group of parts, wherein the connection of the first group of parts and the second group of parts is carried out by inserting protrusions, disposed at opposite far ends of at least two parts of the second group, into at least two rectangular connecting holes of one of at least two parts of the first group and another of the at least two parts of the first group; a central axle clearance is formed between central protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group, the axle is inserted into a central axle hole of the one of the at least two parts of the first group, into the central axle clearance between the central protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group, and into a central hole of the another of the at least two parts of the first group; and the at least two parts of the second group are resiliently engaged with the axle in directions perpendicularly to the axle fastening the axle and the parts of the first and second group into the mechanical model unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the connection of the at least two parts of the first group and the parts of the second group into the mechanical model unit is facilitated by snap on fixation protrusions disposed at the far ends of the at least two parts of the second group.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein longitudinal slots in the protrusions of the at least two parts of the second group facilitate snap on locking to the at least two parts of the first group.

Description

PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT

Brief Description of the Drawings

(1) Practical embodiment of the claimed unit is characterized by the drawings (FIG. 1 -FIG. 11) and the description of the construction of the unit in a static condition, its assembly and use.

(2) The claimed technical decisions are illustrated with the following graphicsthe figures of the drawings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11:

(3) FIG. 1 shows planimetric images of the parts of the first group 1 and the second group 2.

(4) FIG. 2 shows volumetric (three-dimensional) images of the parts of the first group 1 and the second group 2.

(5) FIG. 3 shows images of the parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, with protrusions 16, 17, with the central protrusions 18, with formed central axial clearance 21: the volumetric (three-dimensional) images and the kinds from different sides

(6) FIG. 4 shows the first group of the parts 1 and the second group 2 of the parts in assembled condition without inserted axis 7.

(7) FIG. 5 shows the first group of the parts 1 and the second group 2 of the parts in assembled condition with axis 7 before its installation.

(8) FIG. 6 shows an example of the unit in assembled state (the first group of the parts 1 and the second group of the parts 2 in assembled condition with the inserted axis 7)

(9) FIG. 7 shows an example of the unit in assembled state (the first group of the parts 1 and the second group of the parts 2 in assembled condition with the inserted axis 7)

(10) FIG. 8 shows an example of the unit in assembled condition (the first group of the parts 1 and the second group of the parts 2 in assembled state with inserted axis 7)

(11) FIG. 9 shows an example of a separate part of the second group 2 with slots 22.

(12) FIG. 10 shows an example of the first group of parts 1 and the second group of parts, before their assembly, where separate parts of the second group 2 are made with slots 22.

(13) FIG. 11 shows an example of use of the claimed assembled unit, which is set in a mechanical model.

ELEMENTS OF THE INVENTION ARE INDICATED WITH THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES

(14) 1the first group of parts (outlined on the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with dash-dot line);

(15) 2the second group of parts (outlined on the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with dash-dot line);

(16) 3a separate part of the first group of parts 1;

(17) 4a separate part of the first group of parts 1;

(18) 5a separate part of the first group of parts 1;

(19) 6the central hole of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1;

(20) 7axis

(21) 8, 9, 10, 11connecting holes of separate parts 3, 4, 5 the first group of parts 1;

(22) 12, 13, 14, 15separate pairwise-symmetric parts of the second group of parts 2;

(23) 16, 17protrusions at the opposite edges of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2;

(24) 18central protrusion in the central sections of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2;

(25) 19, 20fixation protrusions at the ends of each from separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2;

(26) 21a central axial clearance which is formed during the assembly between separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2;

(27) 22slots on protrusions of each of the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(28) The practical embodiment of the claimed unit and the claimed method of connecting the unit's parts is characterized with the following description.

(29) Static condition. The claimed unit comprises the first group of parts (FIG. 1, FIG. 2) and the second group of parts (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3). The first group of parts 1 comprises no less than two separate parts 3, 4, 5. FIG. 1. FIG. 2, FIG. 4-7 show three separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1 as the examples. FIG. 8. FIG. 11 show two separate parts 3, 4 of the first group of parts 1. FIG. 10 shows four separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1, where the quantity of the parts 3 is two. Each of these separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1 comprises a central hole 6 (FIG. 1, 2, 4, 5, 10) for insertion (installation) an axis 7 into this central hole.

(30) Each of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1 comprises no less than two rectangular connecting holes 8, 9, which are disposed symmetrically in relation to the center hole 6 on each of the separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group 1 (FIG. 1, 2, 10). In some embodiments of the unit's construction each of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group 1 comprises three or four connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11. FIG. 1, 2, 10 show four connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 as an example.

(31) The second group of parts 2 comprises no less than two separate parts 12, 13, which are pairwise symmetric. In some embodiments of the claimed unit, the second group of parts 2 comprises three parts12, 13, 14 or four separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15. FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 show four separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2 as an example. Each of these separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2 comprises protrusions 16, 17 (FIG. 1, 3) at the opposite edges, and also each of these separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 comprises no less than one central protrusion 18 in a central section (FIG. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10). Depending on particular cases of the whole construction of the unit, the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2 may have (may comprise) two central protrusions 18 on each from the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 (FIG. 9), or three central protrusions or, if necessary, more than three central protrusions.

(32) The axis 7 may have, for example, a circular cross-section and have sharpened ends (FIG. 5, 6, 7, 8). FIG. 11 shows an axis 7 which has unsharpened ends

(33) In some embodiments of the invention the fixation protrusions 19, 20 (FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10) may be made and disposed at the edges of each of its separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2.

(34) In some embodiments of the invention the longitudinal slots 22, which are disposed along the axis line of the unit, namelyalong each separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2, on which the longitudinal slot 22 is disposed, and along the axis line 7 (FIG. 9, FIG. 10), may be made on the protrusions of each of the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2.

(35) The first group of parts and the second group of parts are connected between each other by means of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 thus as shown on FIG. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 are pre-grouped (before connection with the first group of parts) and during the connection they form a central axial clearance 21 between central protrusions 18 of these separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 second group 2 (FIG. 3). During the connection of the parts of the first group 1 and the second group of parts 2, the protrusions 16, which are disposed on one side at the edges of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, are installed into no less than two rectangular connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of one from separate parts 3 of the first group 1, and other protrusions 17, which are disposed on the other side at the edges of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, are installed into no less than two rectangular connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of other separate part 4 and/or 5 of the first group 1 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 show the disposition of all parts of the first group 1 and the parts of the second group 2). The axis 7 is inserted (is installed) into the central hole 6 of one of separate parts 3 of the first group 1 and into the central axial clearance 21 formed between central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, and also into the central hole 6 of other separate part 4 (or two other separate parts 4, 5) of the first group 1 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8)

(36) The practical embodiment of the claimed unit envisages the assembly (installation) of all parts of this construction, and in the assembled state this unit is susceptible of industrial application (industrially applicable) as a construction's element in the composition of the game and souvenir sets, constructors, models of which are being built by means of connection, assembly and mounting of set of parts. The parts of the first and second group may be cut out (made) from a sheet material with thickness of several millimeters or can be made in another way, in particular by casting or molding. The axis 7 can be made in any economically and ergonomically reasonable way from any kinds of materials which are economically and ergonomically reasonable for use (e.g. from wood or plastic). On practice as the axis 7 it is possible to use, for example, an ordinary wooden toothpick or similar element which can be made from wooden material and which has low enough cost, which in general will also reduce the total cost of the product, in which the claimed unit is used.

(37) For use of the claimed invention all indicated parts, elements have to be united into a single unit by means of connecting and fixing between each other manually, i.e. a user of the unit independently carries out mounting and connecting all parts of the unit by means of manual assembly as follows.

(38) The example of assembling and connecting all parts into the single unit is an example of practical embodiment of the claimed method.

(39) Stages, embodiment of the claimed method are illustrated also on FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10.

(40) The claimed method of connecting the parts of separate moving elements of the unit of a mechanical model, which are able to rotate about a single axis, envisages carrying out the operations of connection of parts between each other by means of installation of some parts into connecting hole of other parts and further fixing all parts into the single unit of a mechanical model.

(41) The users carry out the connection of the parts of the first group and the parts of the second group between each other manually by means of performing the connecting operations.

(42) The connecting operations are carried out with the use of the axis 7 and two groups of parts 1 and 2. FIG. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 show an example of connecting parts of separate moving elements of the unit of a mechanical model, where is envisaged three parts (3, 4, 5) of the first group 1 and four parts (12, 13, 14, 15) of the second group 2 as well as the axis 7 (FIGS. 5, 6). In this example (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) during connecting and mounting, the parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 are actually perpendicularly disposed between the part 3 of the first group of parts 1 and the parts 4, 5 also of the first group of parts. Also this is shown on the FIG. 10 but with the use of two parts 3 of the first group 1.

(43) Thereby, the first group of parts and the second group of parts are connected sequentially between each other by means of insertion (installation) of protrusions 16, which are disposed at the opposite edges of no less than two separate parts, and in the given example at the opposite edges of four separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2, into no less than two (and in the given example into four) rectangular connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of one of separate parts 3 of the first group 1. Also other protrusions 17, which are disposed at other opposite edges of no less than two, and in the given exampleat other opposite edges of four separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group of parts 2, are inserted into no less than two (in the given exampleinto four) rectangular connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of other separate part of the first group 1 (FIG. 2, FIG. 4).

(44) Installation of protrusions 16 and 17 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 into connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group 1 can be carried out successively (in any order) and almost simultaneously, i.e. it does not matter in what sequence the user will carry out such installation and connecting the parts of the first group 1 and the parts of the second group 2.

(45) After such connection, the central axial clearance 21 (FIG. 3) is formed between central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, after which the axis 7 is inserted into the central hole 6 of one of separate parts 3 of the first group, into the central axial clearance 21, which is formed between central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, and into the central hole 6 of other separate part 4 of the first group 1 (and in the given exampleinto central holes 6 of two separate parts 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1) (FIG. 5). Also a user can carry out the insertion (installation) of the axis 7 first into the central holes 6 of separate parts 4, 5 of the first group 1 and then into the central axial clearance 21 formed between central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, after which a user carries out the insertion (installation) of the axis 7 into central hole 6 of one of separate parts 3 of the first group 1.

(46) During the installation and connecting all parts of the unit before the moment of insertion of the axis 7 into the central holes 6 of the parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group and into the formed axial clearance 21, there is a backlash in the places of connection of the unit's parts, and the whole assembled construction is not finally fixed, i.e. a user holds not yet fully assembled unit manually. Respectively, by means of insertion of the axis 7 into the central holes 6 of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group of parts 1 and into the central axial clearance formed between central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 are wedged by this axis 7 in all directions perpendicularly to the axis 7 and along separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, as well as fixing the axis 7 with the parts of the first group 1 and the parts of the second group 2 into the single unit (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11) are achieved.

(47) Due to the feature of the unit's construction and the method of connecting its parts a diameter of central holes 6 of the parts of the first group allows a free movement of the axis 7 through these holes 6, and the planes of inner central protrusions 18 of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 (which form a central axial clearance 21) may have minimum contact with the axis 7, which allows the axis 7 easily enough, smoothly and gradually move forward through all the holes 6 and through the central axial clearance 21 of the unit, and at the same time, the axis 7 wedges the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 of the unit with sufficient force

(48) Thereby, the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group are wedged by means of the axis 7 in all directions perpendicularly to the axis 7, which allows to fix the whole unit rigidly enough without the use of glue or other additional fixation elements and/or substances, and to use the ready fixed unit in the composition of the game and souvenir constructor sets, including in the volumetric models with moving parts and/or the mechanical 3D-puzzles and in other similar constructions.

(49) A ready fixed unit can be disassembled effortlessly. This opportunity of effortless disassembling of all parts of the unit is appeared only after the full extraction of the axis 7 from the axial space of the unit, which is formed by the central holes 6 of the first group of parts 1 and the axial clearance 21, i.e. after extraction of the axis 7 there is a clearing all parts of the first group 1 and parts of the second group 2 of the unit from the radial forces (wedging forces), and thereby, all parts of the unit can be easily disassembled and disconnected.

(50) In certain embodiments of the method, during the connection (fixing) of all parts of separate moving elements of the unit of a mechanical model, after the insertion (installation) of the axis 7 into the central holes 6 of the parts of the first group 1 and into the formed axial clearance 21, connecting and fixing the parts of the first group and the parts of the second group into the single unit is additionally strengthened and provided by means of hooking and latching the edges of no less than two, and in the given example (FIGS. 3, 4, 9) four connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of the parts of the first group 1 with fixation protrusions that are disposed at the ends of each of the separate parts 12, 13, 14 15 of the second group 2, and thereby, fixation all parts of the unit (FIGS. 4, 6, 11) is additionally strengthened.

(51) In certain embodiments of the method, by means of use of the longitudinal slots 22 on protrusions of each from the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, the tightness of connection of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 with separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group 1 is assured (FIG. 9, FIG. 10).

(52) The longitudinal slots 22 are disposed along each of separate part 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, on which the longitudinal slot 22 is made, and along the axis line of the unit (FIG. 9, FIG. 10). The longitudinal slots 22 are designed to improve and facilitate the process of implementation of the method of connecting the unit's parts. The longitudinal slots 22 allow the material, from which the separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 are made, to amortize better during wedging of these separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 with the axis 7, i.e. each of these longitudinal slots 22 is reduced maximally under physical pressure during the insertion (installation) of the separate parts 3, 4, 5 into connecting parts 8, 9, 10, 11 of the first group 1, that allows the material of the parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 to abut upon and pull over to the connecting holes 8, 9, 10, 11 of separate parts 3, 4, 5 of the first group 1 more softly. The edges of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 by means of longitudinal slots 22 are divided into two parts and one parta strip of the material is formed, which is more flexible because it is thinner, herewith it doesn't break because it is supported by other stripthe part of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2, which has bigger thickness. Herewith, due to the longitudinal slots 22 during implementation of the method, the flexibility of separate parts 12, 13, 14, 15 of the second group 2 is increasing that allows to strengthen the possibility to achieve the technical result.

(53) Thereby, the claimed method of connecting the unit's parts can be embodied only in the presence of the claimed unit, its parts, and the claimed unit is designed (is intended) for implementation of the claimed method of connecting its parts.

(54) The claimed unit of separate moving elements of a mechanical model, which are able to rotate about a single axis, and the method of connecting the parts of separate moving elements of the unit of a mechanical model, which are able to rotate about a single axis had passed through extensive testing in the composition of the gaming and souvenir sets (constructors), in particular in the volumetric models with moving parts, in the mechanical 3D-puzzles and in other constructions.

(55) The results of testing show that the claimed unit and method of connecting its parts allow to carry out the assembly of the unit more conveniently and quickly and herewith allow to fix the whole unit rigidly enough without the use of glue or other additional fixation elements and/or substances.

(56) The claimed unit and method of connecting the parts meet all the requirements of their exploitation and application. The production of the claimed unit of separate moving elements of a mechanical model, which are able to rotate about a single axis, in conjunction with implementation of the method of connecting its elements (parts) allow to expand the range of modern gaming and souvenir constructors, technologies of their assembly.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(57) The claimed invention is susceptible of industrial application (is industrially applicable)according to the claimed technical decisions, the claimed unit and the claimed method of the unit's assembly can be implemented in industrial production and can be widely used as intended.

(58) The example of particular industrial application of the claimed invention and its use is given above as the best embodiment of the invention.

(59) The claimed technical decisions are widely tested in the experimental-industrial conditions. The results of these tests showed the achievement of the technical result when using them.