U.S. patent application number 09/774042 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for constructional element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Polydron International Limited. Invention is credited to Brazier, Paul, Gregory, Andrew James, Hardstaff, Richard Keith.
Application Number | 20010010992 09/774042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26243545 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brazier, Paul ; et
al. |
August 2, 2001 |
Constructional element
Abstract
An element for constructing a structure by detachably connecting
a plurality of the elements in edge-to-edge relationship is
disclosed. The element comprises a plurality of margins, with at
least one of the margins being an arcuate margin. Each margin
comprises at least two projections having a recess therebetween. An
end-face of one projection is formed with a protruding hinge-pip
and an end-face of the other or another projection is formed with a
recessed hinge-socket. The arcuate margin is adapted to mate with a
complementary margin of another element with the hinge-pip of each
element being urged into the hinge socket of the other element.
Inventors: |
Brazier, Paul; (London,
GB) ; Gregory, Andrew James; (Gloucestershire,
GB) ; Hardstaff, Richard Keith; (Gloucestershire,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Assignee: |
Polydron International
Limited
|
Family ID: |
26243545 |
Appl. No.: |
09/774042 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/108 ;
446/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20130101;
A63H 33/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/108 ;
446/116 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2000 |
GB |
0002341.6 |
Mar 10, 2000 |
GB |
0005677.0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An element for constructing a structure by detachably connecting
a plurality of the elements in edge-to-edge relationship, the
element comprising a plurality of margins, at least one of the
margins being an arcuate margin, each margin being shaped so as to
be releasably connectable to a margin of another element.
2. An element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each margin comprises
at least two projections having a recess therebetween, an end face
of one projection and an end face of the other or another
projection being formed with a protruding hinge pip or a recessed
hinge socket for releasable connection to another element.
3. An element for constructing a structure by detachably connecting
a plurality of the elements in edge-to-edge relationship, the
element comprising a plurality of margins, at least one of the
margins being an arcuate margin, each margin comprising at least
two projections having a recess therebetween, an end-face of one
projection being formed with a recessed hinge-socket and an
end-face of the other or another projection being formed with a
protruding hinge-pip, the arcuate margin being adapted to mate with
a complementary margin of another element with the hinge-pip of
each element urged into the hinge socket of the other element.
4. An element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the end-face of one of
the projections of each margin is an abutment face, the abutment
face being adapted to abut a complementary abutment face of another
element so as to maintain the hinge-pip of each element in the
hinge-socket of the other element.
5. An element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said end-faces are
parallel to each other.
6. An element as claimed in claim 3, wherein each margin further
comprises urging means which, in use, allows the hinge-pip of one
element to be urged into the hinge-socket of the other element.
7. An element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the urging means
comprises a resilient tongue formed by a slot dividing one of the
projections.
8. An element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resilient tongue
of the urging means includes the abutment face.
9. An element according to claim 1, wherein the margins define a
planar figure.
10. An element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the margins define a
non-planar figure.
11. An element as claimed in claim 10, wherein each arcuate margin
of the non-planar figure lies in a plane which is different from a
plane or planes in which the other margins of the plurality of
margins lie.
12. An element as claimed in claim 11, wherein each said plane
intersects at least one other said plane at an angle.
13. An element according to claim 1, wherein the margins define a
solid, or substantially solid, figure.
14. An element according to claim 1, wherein the margins define a
frame or skeletal figure.
15. An element according to any one of the previous claims in
combination with a polygonal element, at least one of the plurality
of margins of the element being a linear margin, said linear margin
being hingedly and detachably connectable with a linear margin of
the polygonal element.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] This invention relates to an element for constructing a
structure and particularly, but not exclusively, a toy or model
structure.
[0002] GB 1378942 discloses planar elements for constructing toy or
model structures. These elements are polygonal figures and are
typically moulded from plastics material. In use, a plurality of
the elements are connected in edge-to-edge fashion to form
geometric structures.
[0003] The fundamental problem with these elements is that curved
surfaces are not provided for and arcuate structures cannot be
assembled.
[0004] The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided an element for constructing a structure by detachably
connecting a plurality of the elements in edge-to- edge
relationship, the element comprising a plurality of margins, at
least one of the margins being an arcuate margin, each margin being
shaped so as to be releasably connectible to a margin of another
element.
[0006] A preferred feature of the first aspect of the invention is
set out in claim 2.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided an element for constructing a structure by detachably
connecting a plurality of the elements in edge-to-edge
relationship, the element comprising a plurality of margins, at
least one of the margins being an arcuate margin, each margin
comprising at least two projections having a recess therebetween,
an end-face of one projection being formed with a recessed
hinge-socket and an end-face of the other or another projection
being formed with a protruding hinge-pip, the arcuate margin being
adapted to mate with a complementary margin of another element with
the hinge-pip of each element urged into the hinge socket of the
other element.
[0008] This is advantageous in that two- and three-dimensional
curved surfaces and structures can be formed.
[0009] Other preferable and/or more preferable features are set out
in claims 4 to 14.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided an element in accordance with the first aspect of the
invention in combination with a polygonal element, at least one of
the plurality of margins of the element being a linear margin, said
linear margin being hingedly and detachably connectable in
edge-to-edge relationship with a complementary linear margin of the
polygonal element.
[0011] This advantageously allows structures incorporating strictly
polygonal elements, curved and/or partially curved planar elements,
and non-planar elements to be constructed.
[0012] Preferably, the polygonal element is a planar figure.
[0013] The invention will now be more particularly described, by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an
element, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the
invention,
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the element shown in FIG. 1,
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view along line A-A of the element in FIG.
2,
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modification of the first
embodiment of the element, in accordance with the first and second
aspects of the invention
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
element, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the
invention,
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the second
embodiment of the element, in accordance with the first and second
aspects of the invention, and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of in use modifications to the
first and second embodiments, in accordance with the first and
second aspects of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to the drawings, an element 10, typically moulded
from plastics material, is shown therein. The element 10 comprises
a plurality of margins 12. At least one of the margins 12 is an
arcuate margin 12', and another one of the margins 12 may be a
linear margin 12".
[0022] In the examples shown, the margins 12 of the element 10
serve to define a frame or skeletal figure. However, the element 10
may have a solid, or substantially solid, figure.
[0023] Each of the margins 12 comprises a projection 14 and a
recess 16. In addition, each margin 12 further comprises another
projection 18 and another recess 20, formed substantially at
opposite ends of the margin 12. The end faces 14a and 14b of
projection 14, and end face 18a of projection 18 are parallel or
substantially parallel to each other.
[0024] A hinge-pip 22, typically in the form of a part-spherical
projection, is integrally formed on the end face 14a of the
projection 14, and a complementary hinge-socket 24, typically in
the form of a part-spherical recess, is formed in the end face 18a
of the other projection 18.
[0025] Of course, the positioning of the hinge-pip 22 and the
hinge-socket 24 on the projections 14 and 18 is not limited to the
above-mentioned formation. The hinge-pip 22 and the hinge-socket 24
may be interchanged, and the hinge-pip 22 and hinge-socket 24 may
be formed facing each other across the recess 16.
[0026] Each margin 12 further comprises urging means, typically in
the form of a resiliently flexible tongue 14c, formed by a slot 14d
dividing the projection 14. Each tongue 14c has an abutment face
15, which corresponds to the end face 14b of the projection 14. The
degree of resilience of the tongue 14c may be varied by varying its
dimensions.
[0027] Obviously, in a modification, the urging means may be
associated with the projection 18 instead of the projection 14.
[0028] FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, show a first embodiment of the
element 10. In the first embodiment of the invention, the margins
12 serve to define a substantially two-dimensional planar figure.
The element 10 may, for example, take the form of a sector, as
shown in FIG. 1, or, in a modification, a generally asymptotic form
as shown in FIG. 4, but is not limited to these forms.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the
element 10 is shown therein. In the second embodiment of the
invention, the margins 12 serve to define a three-dimensional
non-planar figure. In this case, each arcuate margin 12' lies or
substantially lies in a plane which is different from a plane or
planes in which the other margins 12 lie, and each plane intersects
at least one of the other planes at an angle, which may or may not
be a right-angle.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the element 10 having a part-cylindrical
figure, and, in a modification, FIG. 6 shows the element 10 having
a part-spherical figure. However, the second embodiment of the
element 10 is not limited to these figures, and may have, amongst
others, a part-conical figure or a part-frusto-conical figure.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows elements 10 having solid figures in use formed
into a part-domed structure. Due to the end faces 14a, 14b and 18a
of the projections 14 and 18 of the arcuate margins 12' being
parallel, interconnection can be easily effected between two
different non-planar elements, and between non-planar elements and
planar elements. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a part-spherical
element 10 can be detachably connected in edge-to-edge relationship
with another part-spherical element 10 along one of its
complementary arcuate margins 12', and with a part-cylindrical
element 10 along another one of its complementary arcuate margins
12'; the part-cylindrical element 10 can be interconnected with the
part-spherical element 10 along one of its arcuate margins 12',
with a planar element 10 along another one of its arcuate margins
12', and with another part-cylindrical element 10 along one of its
linear margins 12", while leaving its other linear margin 12"
available for interconnection with a linear margin 12" of either a
further planar or non-planar element.
[0032] During the course of such engagement, the projections 14 and
18 of the arcuate margins 12' are engaged with the recesses 16 and
20, respectively, of the complementary arcuate margins 12'. The
projections 14 and 18 of the linear margins 12" are engaged with
the recesses 16 and 20, respectively, of the complementary linear
margins 12". Due to the parallel end faces 14a, 14b and 18a,
arcuate margins 12' of a planar element 10 and a non-planar element
10, or linear margins 12" of two elements 10, to be interconnected
can be perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly, brought
into engagement; and arcuate margins 12' of two non-planar elements
10, or linear margins 12" of two elements 10, to be interconnected
can be colinearly, or substantially colinearly, brought into
engagement.
[0033] The hinge-pip 22 of each in use margin 12 of each element 10
is located in the corresponding hinge-socket 24 of the margin 12 of
the other element, and the corresponding abutment faces 14d of each
element are aligned and resiliently abut each other due to the
urging means of the element 10 forcing retention of the hinge-pip
22 in the hinge-socket 24. An assembled condition of the elements
is thus maintainable.
[0034] In this way, structures comprising planar elements and
non-planar elements can be assembled. Also, elements with figures
defined only by linear margins, such as polygonal elements,
complementary to the linear margins 12" of the present invention
may be advantageously incorporated in structures which include
elements with figures defined by at least one arcuate margin 12'
and one linear margin 12".
[0035] The embodiments described above are given by way of example
only, and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled
in the art.
* * * * *