Modular block system

Abstract

Herein is a modular building element that may be combined in a number of ways to form unique articles. The modular building elements may be sold as a kit and marketed as a children's toy. The modular building element may have a front and a back with fasteners disposed on at least one of the front and back. Additional elements such as support elements and connecting elements may further be included to expand upon the functionality of the modular building element.

Claims

1. A modular building element consisting of: a body having a front side, a back side, a first edge, and a second edge, wherein the body is formed from a first textile-based material; a first support having a front side and a back side, the first support being coupled to the first edge of the body, wherein the first support consists of a first channel passing therethrough, wherein the first channel spans a length of the first support, and wherein the first support is formed from a second textile-based material; a second support having a front side and a back side, the second support being coupled to the second edge of the body, wherein the second edge of the body is on an opposing side of the body from the first edge of the body; wherein the second support consists of a second channel passing therethrough, wherein the second channel spans a length of the second support, and wherein the second support is formed from a third textile-based material; and eight fastening elements with four of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the front side of the body and two of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the back side of the first support and two of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the back side of the second support; wherein the two of the fastening elements coupled to the first support are separated by a first distance; wherein the two of the fastening elements coupled to the second support are separated by a second distance; wherein two of the four fastening elements coupled to the front side of the body are separated by the first distance; wherein two of the four fastening elements coupled to the front side of the body are separated by the second distance; and wherein the front side of the body and the back side of the first support and the second support are on opposing sides of the modular building element.

2. The modular building element of claim 1 wherein the first textile-based material, the second textile-based material, and the third textile-based material are the same or different.

3. A modular building kit comprising: a plurality of modular building elements with each of the plurality of modular building elements consisting of: a body having a front side and a back side, a first support having a front side and a back side, the first support being coupled to a first side of the body, wherein the first support consists of a first channel passing therethrough, and wherein the first channel spans a length of the first support; a second support having a front side and a back side, the second support being coupled to a second side of the body, wherein the second side of the body is on an opposing side of the body from the first side of the body; wherein the second support consists of a second channel passing therethrough, wherein the second channel spans a length of the second support; eight fastening elements with four of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the front side of the body and two of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the back side of the first support and two of the eight fastening elements being coupled to the back side of the second support; wherein the two of the fastening elements coupled to the first support are separated by a first distance; wherein the two of the fastening elements coupled to the second support are separated by a second distance; wherein two of the four fastening elements coupled to the front side of the body are separated by the first distance; wherein two of the four fastening elements coupled to the front side of the body are separated by the second distance; and wherein the front side of the body and the back side of the first support and the second support are on opposing sides of the modular building element; and at least two support structures.

4. The modular building kit of claim 3 further comprising a threading device and a connecting structure.

5. The modular building kit of claim 4 wherein the threading device has a first end and a second end with an aperture disposed at the first end, the aperture configured to receive the connecting structure therethrough.

6. The modular building kit of claim 4 wherein the connecting structure is a length of ribbon.

7. The modular building kit of claim 4 wherein the body of the plurality of modular building elements has differing shapes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a modular building element in accordance with one embodiment.

(2) FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of a modular building element in accordance with one embodiment.

(3) FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of a modular building element in accordance with one embodiment.

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates a modular building element with accompanying support elements in accordance with one embodiment.

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates the joining of multiple modular building elements in accordance with one embodiment.

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates a first assembly of the modular building kit in accordance with one embodiment.

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates a second assembly of the modular building kit in accordance with one embodiment.

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates a third assembly of e modular building kit in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(9) The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

(10) Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

(11) Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, shown is one embodiment of the modular building element 102. Here, the modular building element 102 has at least a body 104, a front side 106, a back side 124, a first support 108, a first side 110, a second support 112, a second side 114, a plurality of fastening elements 116, a vertex 118, and a pocket 126.

(12) Here, the modular building element 102 may be comprised of a textile-based material. The composition of the various elements or portions of the modular building element 102 may be formed from the same or a different textile as the other elements or portions. The modular building element 102 may be comprised of woven or un wen fabric, cloth, terrycloth, woven or woven fibers of wool, flax, cotton, and/or yarn, and synthetic textile including but not limited to nylon, polyester, and/or acrylic, co-polymers (e.g. Spandex) or any combination(s) thereof. Various other materials may be used in the construction of the modular building element 102 and its structures such as but not limited to plastics, metals, composites, resins, and the like or any combination thereof. Plastics used in the construction of the modular building element 102 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or any combination thereof. Composites may include but are not limited to fiber-reinforced plastics, metal composites, carbon fiber, Kevlar, and the like. Metals may comprise lightweight metals such as aluminum and other pure metals as well as various alloys.

(13) The modular building element 102 has a body 104 having a front side 106 and a back side 124. The body 104 is preferably a quadrilateral in shape but may take on any shape necessary to fulfill the user's needs. The body 104 may further be comprised of a first panel and a second panel coupled via any suitable mechanical and/or chemical means. The body 104 may further be filled with some amount of material to provide the desired weight, rigidity, softness, etc. that is desired. The outer surface of the body 104 may have surface ornamentation thereon. Said surface ornamentation may be purely for aesthetic purposes or may be for educational, information, etc. purposes.

(14) On either (or both) of a front side 106 or a back side 124 of the body 104 there are disposed a plurality of fastening elements 116. As shown in FIG. 1A, these plurality of fastening elements 116 are located at each respective vertex 118 of the body 104. However, the plurality of fastening elements 116 may be located at any position upon an outer surface of the body 104. These plurality of fastening elements 116 are one of the structural features that allow for the joining of multiple modular building elements 102 as the plurality of fastening elements 116 between multiple modular building elements 102 (within a kit or otherwise) are configured to be complementary to one another. For example, the plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on the body 104 may be a set of male or female snaps configured to be joined with the opposing snap of another (second) body 104. The plurality of fastening elements 116 is not limited to snaps and may comprise any fastening element such as but not limited to hook and loop fasteners (Velcro), rivets, magnets, clips, adhesives, and the like or some combination thereof.

(15) In a preferred embodiment, there is a plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on both the body 104 and the first support 108 and the second support 112. Preferably, in such a configuration, the plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on the first support 108 and the second support 112 are on an opposing side of the modular building element 102 than from the plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on the body 104. Further, the plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on the first support 108 and the second support 112 are similar in that each are configured to pair with one of the plurality of fastening elements 116 on another modular building element 102. For example, if male/female snaps are being used, then all of the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the first support 108 and the second support 112 are female snaps and all of the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the body 104 are male snaps or vice versa. This allows for the proper joining of multiple modular building elements 102 in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

(16) While the plurality of fastening elements 116 may be located anywhere on the modular building element 102, it is preferable that if located on the body 104, the plurality of fastening elements 116 are located at vertices 118, and if located on the first support 108/second support 112 are located near a top end and a bottom end of each of the respective support as shown here in FIGS. 1A-C. The plurality of fastening elements 116 located on the first support 108 and second support 112 are also to be positioned such that the distance between at least a first fastening element and a second fastening element of the first support 108/second support 112 are aligned with the distance between two fastening elements located on the body 104 of the modular building element 102.

(17) On a first side 110 or edge of the body 104 is a first support 108 and on the second side 114 or edge of the body 104 there is a second support 112. The first support 108 and second support 112 may be coupled to the body 104 via any suitable mechanical and/or chemical means. Each of the first support 108 and the second support 112 may be the same or different as any other support attached or coupled to the body 104.

(18) In general, each of the first support 108 and the second support 112 have a first side or edge and a second side or edge. Each of the first side and the second side of the first support 108 (and second support 112) are preferably coupled to the body 104. This allows the first support 108 and the second support 112 to form a first channel 120 and a second channel 122, respectively. The first channel 120 and the second channel 122 allow for the support element 202 as shown in FIG. 2 to pass therethrough. Further, each of the first support 108 and the second support 112 may be of the same or a different general construct as the body 104 in terms of material, fill, etc.

(19) In some embodiments (and as shown in FIG. 1A) there may be a pocket 126 in the body 104 or other portion of the modular building element 102. The pocket 126 may allow for the removal/insertion of any fill (or another material, item, etc.) in the body 104 or may allow for a recess for receiving a secondary item outside of the confines of the interior portion of the body 104. For example, the pocket 126 may allow for a hot and/or cold compress to be inserted therein. In another example, the pocket 126 repay allow for an aromatherapy material to be inserted therein. Depending on the intended usage, the material forming the body 104 may have insulating or conductive properties to better retain or transfer heat, cold, etc. Thicker and more robust/resilient support elements 202 and connecting structures 208 (as shown in FIG. 2) may be required depending on intended usage.

(20) As shown in FIG. 2, there is a modular building element 102 with a support element 202, connecting structure 208, and threading device 204. Each of the support elements 202 and the connecting structure 208 is configured to interact with either of the first channel 120 and/or the second channel 122 of the first support 108 and second support 112, respectively. When joining multiple modular building elements 102 any combination of support elements 202 and connecting structures 208 may be used.

(21) The support element 202 is a length of material configured to supply some amount of rigidity to the article formed by the user in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A length of the support element 202 is such that it preferably allows for the support element 202 to pass through the channels of the first support 108/second support 112 of more than one modular building element 102 thereby allowing for more than one modular building element 102 to be joined (in addition to joining via the plurality of fastening elements 116). In at least one embodiment, the support element 202 is a cylindrical post formed from wood or other comparable material. As previously described herein, however, any number of desired materials may be used for the support element 202. These support elements 202 allow for the building of more rigid structures such as rigid cubes, play building structures, and the like.

(22) The connecting structure 208 is a length of material configured to supply a more flexible quality (than the support element 202) while still providing properties that allow for the joining of multiple modular building elements 102 as opposed to solely via the plurality of fastening elements 116. In at least one embodiment, the connecting structure 208 is a ribbon or ribbon-like material that is flexible but sufficiently resilient and resistant to tearing such that the modular building element 102 retains the desired flexible qualities when joined.

(23) A threading device 204 is preferably included to be used with the connecting structure 208 due to the flexible nature of the connecting structure 208 and the dimensions, material, etc. associated with the respective channel through which the connecting structure 208 is intended to pass through. The threading device 204 is therefore formed from a sufficiently rigid material (such as a plastic or polymer as previously described herein) to allow for the threading device 204 to be passed through either the first channel or the second channel. At one end, the threading device 204 has an aperture 206 configured to allow the connecting structure 208 to pass through and be selectively retained by the threading device 204 as it is passed through the respective channel. An opposing end of the threading device 204 is preferably blunt (rounded) so as to not cause damage to the respective channel as the threading device 204 is passed through.

(24) It is preferable that a modular building kit consistent with the present application provides at least a plurality of modular building elements (as previously described herein), at least two support structures, at least one connecting structure, and at least one threading device. More or less of any of the components and the configurations (type of material, fastener configuration, shape, printed insignia, etc.) may be varied as desired.

(25) As shown in FIG. 3, there are multiple (first modular building element 302, second modular building element 304, third modular building element 306, and fourth modular building element 308) modular building elements coupled together via the plurality of fastening elements 116 associated with said devices. Generally, the modular building elements are sized and shaped such that the modular building elements can be combined in a patchwork format. That is, the plurality of fastening elements 116 disposed on the front side 106 of one modular building element is positioned to join with the plurality of fastening elements 116 on a back side 124 of another modular building element. As previously noted herein, the plurality of fastening elements 116 located on the front side 106 are positioned on the first support 108 and the second support 112, whereas the plurality of fastening elements 116 located on the back side 124 are located on the vertices 118.

(26) Thus, the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the fourth modular building element 308, as shown, is coupled to each of the first modular building element 302 and the second modular building element 304, and the third modular building element 306. It is coupled to the first modular building element 302 and the second modular building element 304 via the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the first support (not shown) and second support (not shown) of the fourth modular building element 308. Said plurality of fastening elements 116 are coupled to the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the respective body portion of the first modular building element 302 and the second modular building element 304.

(27) The third modular building element 306 is then coupled to the fourth modular building element 308 via the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the support (not shown) of the third modular building element 306. Said fourth modular building element 308 is configured to receive, via the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the body portion of the fourth modular building element 308, said plurality of fastening elements 116 on the third modular building element 306. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the fourth modular building element 308 has a free or open side to which yet another modular building element may be coupled if desired. The same applies for each of the first modular building element 302, second modular building element 304, and third modular building element 306 via the plurality of fastening elements 116 visible as well as the plurality of fastening elements 116 on the rear of the body portion not shown. One may continually build out using the modular building elements to create any of the articles shown in FIGS. 4-6, as well as virtually any other article desired.

(28) Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, shown are various articles built with a modular building kit and/or other embodiments as described herein. Shown is a pocketbook 402, blanket 502, and toy animal 602. Each of the pocketbook 402, blanket 502, and toy animal 602 are comprised of various permutations of modular building elements 102, support elements 202, a threading device 204, and a connecting structure 208. While these particular embodiments have been shown in the drawings, virtually any combination of elements with a modular building kit or modular building kits may be combined with (or without) additional constructing elements to create an article of desire and such articles are contained under the purview of this application.

(29) Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.