U.S. patent application number 11/208540 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for assembled block.
Invention is credited to Hiroshi Kichijo, Yoshiie Kichijo.
Application Number | 20060080928 11/208540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35534550 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060080928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kichijo; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
Assembled block
Abstract
A block which can be easily assembled into a large variety of
shapes and sizes using a smaller number of kinds of joints at a low
cost. The assembled block includes equilateral triangular block
plates, square block plates, and joints through which the block
plates are coupled together. Each of the joints is formed of a
single, flexible and bendable plate having wing portions on both
sides thereof. The block plates are made of a flexible material and
have edges and receptacles each provided along one of the edges for
accepting one of the wing portions of the joints. The receptacles
are each formed with a guide pocket. Any two the block plates can
be coupled together through any of the joints by inserting the
respective wing portions of the joint into one of the receptacles
of one of the two block plates through the corresponding guide
pocket and into one of the receptacles of the other of the two
block plates through the corresponding guide pocket.
Inventors: |
Kichijo; Hiroshi; (Yoshino,
JP) ; Kichijo; Yoshiie; (Yoshino, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
35534550 |
Appl. No.: |
11/208540 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/596 ;
52/608 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/101
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/596 ;
052/608 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/04 20060101
E04C002/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 4, 2004 |
JP |
2004-291173 |
May 18, 2005 |
JP |
2005-145730 |
Claims
1. An assembled block comprising equilateral triangular block
plates, square block plates, and joints through which said block
plates are coupled together, each of said joints being formed of a
single, flexible and bendable plate having wing portions on both
sides thereof, said block plates being made of a flexible material
and having edges and receptacles each provided along one of said
edges for accepting one of said wing portions of said joints, said
receptacles being each formed with a guide pocket, whereby any two
of said block plates can be coupled together through any of said
joints by inserting the respective wing portions of said joint into
one of said receptacles of one of said two block plates through the
corresponding guide pocket and into one of said receptacles of the
other of said two block plates through the corresponding guide
pocket.
2. The assembled block of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said
joints can be inserted simultaneously into any of said receptacles
of any of said block plates with each joint superposed on the
others.
3. The assembled block of claim 1 further comprising an arrangement
for preventing any of said wing portions from slipping out of any
of said receptacles once the former is inserted in the latter.
4. The assembled block of claim 1 wherein each of said block plates
comprises two base plates superposed one on the other, said
receptacles being defined between said two base plates.
5. The assembled block of claim 1 wherein each of said block plate
comprises a base plate and extensions each extending from and
folded along one of said edges so as to be superposed on one side
of said base plate, said receptacles being defined by cuts each
formed along one of said edges.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional block
assembled by coupling a plurality of block plates together through
joints.
[0002] In JP patent 3221637, the applicant has proposed an
assembled block comprising square block plates and equilateral
triangular block plates that are coupled together through
joints.
[0003] The block plates and the joints of this block are formed by
molding a rigid plastic. Joints are each formed with plugs
protruding in at least two directions. Each block plate has
receptacles each formed along one of the edges thereof for
accepting one of the plugs of the joints.
[0004] Different kinds of joints are prepared, i.e. ones having
their plugs protruding in two directions in a common plane, ones
having their plugs protruding in two directions perpendicular to
each other, ones having their plugs protruding in three directions
perpendicular to each other, and ones having plugs arranged so that
the distances between the proximal ends of the adjacent plugs are
different from each other.
[0005] The angle between block plates coupled together by a joint
and the number of block plates usable are determined by the types
of joints used. Thus, even if a large number of different types of
joints are prepared, the final shape of the block assembled is
severely restricted.
[0006] In order to suitably set the strength with which any of the
plugs of the joints is fitted in any of the receptacles of the
block plates, both the block plates and joints have to be
manufactured with narrow dimensional tolerances. Thus, strict
dimensional control of the joints and block plates is required,
which results in an increase in the manufacturing cost.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a block
which can be easily assembled into a large variety of shapes and
sizes using a smaller number of kinds of joints at a low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an
assembled block comprising equilateral triangular block plates,
square block plates, and joints through which the block plates are
coupled together, each of the joints being formed of a single,
flexible and bendable plate having wing portions on both sides
thereof, the block plates being made of a flexible material and
having edges and receptacles each provided along one of the edges
for accepting one of the wing portions of the joints, the
receptacles being each formed with a guide pocket, whereby any two
of the block plates can be coupled together through any of the
joints by inserting the respective wing portions of the joint into
one of the receptacles of one of the two block plates through the
corresponding guide pocket and into one of the receptacles of the
other of the two block plates through the corresponding guide
pocket.
[0009] Preferably, a plurality of the joints can be inserted
simultaneously into any of the receptacles of any of the block
plates with each joint superposed on the others.
[0010] Preferably, the assembled block further comprises an
arrangement for preventing any of the wing portions from slipping
out of any of the receptacles once the former is inserted in the
latter.
[0011] In one arrangement, each of the block plates comprises two
base plates superposed one on the other, the receptacles being
defined between the two base plates.
[0012] In another arrangement, each of the block plate comprises a
base plate and extensions each extending from and folded along one
of the edges so as to be superposed on one side of the base plate,
the receptacles being defined by cuts each formed along one of the
edges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other features and objects of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description made with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a square block plate made of
a plastic;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an equilateral triangular
block plate made of a plastic;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plastic joint of a basic
type;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bent plastic joint;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wide plastic joint;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the block plate of FIG. 1
and the joint of FIG. 3, showing how they are coupled together;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the block plates of FIGS. 1
and 2 and the joint of FIG. 3, showing how the block plates are
coupled together through the joint;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 7, showing how
the joint is coupled to one of the block plates;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to Fig. FIG. 7, showing
how the block plates form an angle therebetween by bending the
joint;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 9, showing how the angle
between the block plates is changed by bending the joint;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of three of the block plates
of FIG. 2, showing how they are coupled together so as to be
arranged in skewed relation to each other;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of three block plates that are
coupled together so as to extend in three different directions;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a plan view of block plates of which two are
coupled together through the wide joint of FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a block assembled by
coupling the block plates of FIGS. 1 and 2 together;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified square block
plate made of a plastic;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a modified equilateral
triangular block plate made of a plastic;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified plastic joint of
a basic type;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modified bent plastic
joint;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a modified wide plastic
joint;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the block plate of FIG. 15
and the joint of FIG. 17, showing how they are coupled
together;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the block plates of FIGS.
15 and 16 and the joint of FIG. 17, showing how the block plates
are coupled together through the joint;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 21, showing how
the joint is coupled to one of the block plates;
[0036] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another modified square
block plate made of a plastic;
[0037] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another modified
equilateral triangular block plate made of a plastic;
[0038] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a square block plate made
of a metal;
[0039] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an equilateral triangular
block plate made of a metal;
[0040] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a metallic joint of a basic
type;
[0041] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a wide metallic joint;
[0042] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a bent metallic joint;
[0043] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the block plate of FIG. 25
and the joint of FIG. 27, showing how they are coupled
together;
[0044] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the block plates of FIGS.
25 and 26 and the joint of FIG. 27, showing how the block plates
are coupled together through the joint;
[0045] FIG. 32 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 31, showing how
the joint is coupled to one of the block plates;
[0046] FIG. 33 is a perspective view similar to Fig. FIG. 31,
showing how the block plates form an angle therebetween by bending
the joint;
[0047] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of three block plates that are
coupled together so as to extend in three different directions;
[0048] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a block assembled by
coupling the block plates of FIGS. 25 and 26 together;
[0049] FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of a block plate to
be formed into a building block; and
[0050] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of blocks assembled as a fence
and its pillar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0051] First, FIGS. 1 to 24 show the embodiment comprising plastic
plates.
[0052] The assembled block of this embodiment comprises block
plates 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and joints 2 as shown in FIGS.
3 to 5. The block plates 1 comprise square ones as shown in FIG. 1
and equilateral triangular ones as shown in FIG. 2. All the block
plates 1 have edges of equal length and are equal in thickness
too.
[0053] The block plates 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are formed by
laminating two flexible plastic base plates 3 (upper and lower
plates 3). The two base plates 3 are joined together by e.g. fusing
them at joint portions 4 at the corners.
[0054] Except the joint portions 4, the edges of the base plates 3
are not joined together, thus defining receptacles 5 through which
a joint 2 can be inserted into between the base plates 3. Each edge
of the upper base plate 3 is cut out at its central portion to form
an arcuately concave guide pocket 6.
[0055] Slightly inwardly of each edge of the lower base plate 3, a
protrusion 9 is formed by removing the inner half of a bulge having
a semi-oval section and protruding toward the upper base plate 3.
Corresponding to each protrusion 9, the upper base plate 3 is
formed with a bulge 11 protruding away from the lower base plate 3
to define a space in which the protrusion 9 is received.
[0056] Any of the joints 2 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 comprises a single
plastic plate which is more flexible than the base plates 3 forming
the block plates 1 and can be deflected or otherwise bent. Each
joint 2 has chevron-shaped wings 8 on both sides thereof. Each wing
8 has a hole 7 near its apex. The hole 7 has an arcuately convex
edge near the apex of the wing 8.
[0057] Of the joints 2 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the one shown in FIG.
3 is the basic type, the one shown in FIG. 4 differs from the one
in FIG. 3 only in that its right-hand side portion is bent at an
angle of 120 degrees with respect to its left-hand side portion
along its longitudinal centerline 10. The one shown in FIG. 5 has a
greater width than the one shown in FIG. 3.
[0058] In order to couple each block plate 1 with another block
plate 1 through a joint 2, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one of the
wings 8 of the joint is inserted into one of the block plates 1
through one of its receptacles 5. At this time, by pushing the apex
of the wing 8 into the pocket 6, the wing 8 is automatically and
easily guided into the receptacle 5.
[0059] When the wing 8 is inserted sufficiently deeply into the
block plate 1, the protrusion 9 engages in the hole 7 as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, thus preventing the wing 8 from slipping out of the
receptacle 5. Once the protrusion 9 engages in the hole 7, the
arcuately convex edge of the hole 7 positively engages the
protrusion 9, thus positively preventing the protrusion 9 from
coming out of the hole 7.
[0060] The other wing 8 is then inserted in the other block plate 1
in the manner as described above to couple the two block plates 1
together through the joint 2 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. By bending
the joint 2, the block plates 1 can be positioned so as to form any
desired angle relative to each other.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 11, three or more equilateral triangular
block plates can be coupled together through two or more joints 2.
In this case, by bending the joints 2, the block plates 1 can be
arranged in skewed relation to each other.
[0062] Further, as shown in FIG. 12, two or more joints 2 may be
inserted into a single receptacle 5 of a single block plate 1 with
the other wings 8 of these joints 2 inserted in other block plates
1.
[0063] Also, two block plates 1 may be coupled together not through
a single joint 2 but through a plurality of joints 2 to more
positively prevent the wings 8 from slipping out of the receptacles
5, thereby more stably keeping the block plates 1 coupled
together.
[0064] If it is desired to couple two block plates 1 together so
that they form an angle of 120 degrees with respect to each other,
they should be coupled together through the joint 2 shown in FIG.
4. In FIG. 13, the lower two square block plates 1 are coupled
together through the wide joint 2 shown in FIG. 5.
[0065] According to the present invention, any desired number of
square and equilateral triangular block plates 1 can be coupled
together so as to be arranged at any desired angles with each other
as shown in FIG. 14. The block plates 1 and joints 2 may be
transparent or colored or may be designed in any desired
manner.
[0066] In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 to 22, aligned through holes 7
are formed in the two base plates 3 of each block plate 1 near each
edge thereof as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. As shown in FIGS. 17 to
19, a triangular pyramid-shaped protrusion 9 is formed on each wing
8 of each joint 2 by striking the joint 2 from below so that when
one of the wings 8 of the joint 2 is inserted into one of the
receptacle 5 of the block plate 1, the protrusion 9 of the joint 2
will engage in the hole 7 of the block plate 1 as shown in FIGS. 20
to 22.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the two base plates 3 forming
the block plate 1 may be joined together at a joint portion 4
provided at the central portion of the block plate 1. Such a joint
portion 4 is preferably shaped such that when a wing 8 of a joint 2
is inserted into the block plate 1, its apex is guided along its
edge and fits snugly in the recess defined by the edge of the joint
portion 4 as shown.
[0068] FIGS. 25 to 35 show the embodiment of which the block plates
and the joints are both made of a metal. In the description of this
embodiment, elements corresponding to the elements of the first
embodiment are denoted by identical numerals.
[0069] The assembled block of this embodiment comprises block
plates 1 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, and joints 2 as shown in
FIGS. 27 to 29. The block plates and the joints are both formed by
blanking stainless steel or aluminum plates and pressing the thus
blanked plates.
[0070] The block plates 1 comprise square ones as shown in FIG. 25,
and equilateral triangular ones as shown in FIG. 26. All the block
plates 1 have edges of equal length and are equal in thickness
too.
[0071] Each block plate 1 comprises a base plate 4 having an
extension 12 extending from each edge of the base plate 4 and
folded along a fold line so as to be superposed on one side of the
base plate 3. A cut is formed along the fold line as a receptacle 5
through which the joint 2 can be inserted into the block plate 1.
At the center of each receptacle 5, a guide pocket 6 is formed by
expanding the base plate 3 and the extension 12 away from each
other. Semicircular holes 7 are formed in the base plate 3 so that
their diameters are in juxtaposition with the respective arcuate
edges of the extensions 12.
[0072] Each of the joints 2 shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 comprises a
single metallic sheet formed with wings 8 on both sides. The wings
8 have their free ends rounded. Near the rounded free end of each
wing 8, a protrusion 9 is formed by removing the inner half of a
bulge having a semioval section. Inwardly of the protrusion 9, a
through hole 13 is formed.
[0073] Of the joints 2 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the one shown in FIG.
27 is the basic type. The one shown in FIG. 28 has a greater width
than the one shown in FIG. 27. The one shown in FIG. 29 differs
from the one in FIG. 27 only in that its right-hand side portion is
bent at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to its left-hand side
portion along its longitudinal centerline 10.
[0074] In order to couple each block plate 1 with another block
plate 1 through a joint 2, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, one of the
wings 8 of the joint 2 is inserted into one of the block plates 1
through one of its receptacles 5. At this time, by pushing the apex
of the wing 8 into the pocket 6, the wing 8 is automatically and
easily guided into the receptacle 5. The wing 8 may be inserted
into the receptacle with its protrusion 9 facing either the
extension 12 of the block plate 1 or its base plate 3.
[0075] When the wing 8 is inserted sufficiently deeply into the
block plate 1, the protrusion 9 engages the edge of the extension
12 if the protrusion 9 faces the extension 12, as shown in FIGS. 31
and 32. If the protrusion 9 faces the base plate 3, the protrusion
9 will engage the edge of the hole 7. In either case, the wing 8 is
positively prevented from slipping out of the receptacle 5.
[0076] The other wing 8 is then inserted in the other block plate 1
in the manner as described above to couple the two block plates 1
together through the joint 2 as shown in FIG. 33. By bending the
joint 2, the block plates 1 can be positioned so as to form any
desired angle relative to each other.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 34, two or more joints 2 may be inserted
into a single receptacle 5 of a single block plate 1 with the other
wings 8 of these joints 2 inserted in other block plates 1. If it
is desired to couple two block plates 1 together so that they form
an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other, they should be
coupled together through the joint 2 shown in FIG. 29.
[0078] According to the present invention, any desired number of
square and equilateral triangular block plates 1 can be coupled
together so as to be arranged at any desired angles with each other
as shown in FIG. 35. The block thus formed has an inorganic feel
inherent to metallic objects. If it is desired to couple two block
plates 1 so as to be widely spaced from each other, they should be
coupled together using the wide joint 2 shown in FIG. 28.
[0079] In order to separate any block plate 1 and joint 2 from each
other, a plate-shaped tool having protrusions on both sides are
inserted into the receptacle 5 to push up the extension 12 or the
base plate 3 from its back with one of the protrusions on the
plate-shaped tool until the extension 12 or the base plate 3 is
sufficiently deflected. Then the joint 1 is pulled slightly to
disengage the protrusion 9, and the wing 8 is pulled out of the
receptacle 5.
[0080] FIGS. 36 and 37 show an example in which the assembled block
according to the present invention is used as a component of a
building structure.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 36, in this example, each block plate 1
comprises two relatively thick plastic or metallic base plates 3
superposed one on another. One of the base plates 3 is formed with
a threaded hole 14a at each corner thereof. The other of the base
plates 3 is formed with a through hole 14b at each corner
thereof.
[0082] With screws 15 passed through the respective through holes
14b and slightly threaded into the respective threaded holes 14a,
one of the wings 8 of the joint 2 is inserted into one of the
receptacles 5 of the block plate 1, and the screws 15 are
tightened. In this way, a plurality of block plates are coupled
together to form an assembled block as a building component.
[0083] By coupling a plurality of block plates as shown in FIG. 36,
it is possible to form e.g. a fence and its pillar as shown in FIG.
37, or a house having a dome-shaped roof using equilateral
triangular block plates. Such building structures will present
unique appearances.
* * * * *