U.S. patent application number 11/827547 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for construction system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Michael Marzetta. Invention is credited to Kriston M. Broxson, Michael Marzetta, Levi R. Wilson.
Application Number | 20090017716 11/827547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40253533 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090017716 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marzetta; Michael ; et
al. |
January 15, 2009 |
Construction system
Abstract
A construction system is disclosed and which includes a first
construction element defining a plurality of connecting units which
have a spacing measurement x; and a second construction element
connected to the first construction element, and oriented at an
angle .theta. relative to the first construction element, and which
further defines a plurality of connecting units having a spacing
measurement y, and wherein the spacing measurement y approximately
equals the spacing measurement x divided by the cosine of
.theta..
Inventors: |
Marzetta; Michael; (Spokane
Valley, WA) ; Broxson; Kriston M.; (Spokane, WA)
; Wilson; Levi R.; (Spokane Valley, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WELLS ST. JOHN P.S.
601 W. FIRST AVENUE, SUITE 1300
SPOKANE
WA
99201
US
|
Assignee: |
Michael Marzetta
|
Family ID: |
40253533 |
Appl. No.: |
11/827547 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/108
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/128 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/10 20060101
A63H033/10 |
Claims
1. A construction system, comprising: a first construction element
defining a plurality of connecting units which have a spacing
measurement x; and a second construction element connected to the
first construction element, and oriented at an angle .theta.
relative to the first construction element, and which further
defines a plurality of connecting units having a spacing
measurement y, and wherein the spacing measurement y approximately
equals the spacing measurement x divided by the cosine of
.theta..
2. A construction system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the
first and second construction elements are utilized in a toy
construction system.
3. A construction system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein at
least one of the plurality of connecting units of the respective
first and second construction elements defines a passageway for
receiving a fastener body.
4. A construction system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein at
least one of the plurality of connecting units of the respective
first and second construction elements comprises a coupling
stud.
5. A construction system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein at
least one of the plurality of connecting units of the respective
first and second construction elements defines a cavity for
receiving a coupling stud.
6. A construction system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the
second construction element is oriented at a 45 degree angle
relative to the first construction element, and wherein the
connecting units of the second construction element are
substantially regularly spaced with a spacing measurement y which
is approximately equal to the 2 times the spacing x of the
respective connecting units of the first construction element.
7. A construction system, comprising: a plurality of first
construction elements, each having a main body, and which define a
plurality of connecting units which are substantially linearly
oriented along a major axis of the respective main bodies, and
wherein the respective connecting units of the plurality of first
construction elements are substantially regularly spaced with a
spacing measurement x, and wherein the plurality of first
construction elements are oriented in a substantially
perpendicular, and/or parallel relationship, one relative to the
others; and a second construction element having a main body which
defines a plurality of connecting units and which are linearly
oriented along a major axis of the main body, and wherein the major
axis of the main body of the second construction element is
oriented at an angle .theta. relative to the major axis of the main
body of at least one of the plurality of first construction
elements, and wherein the connecting units of the second
construction element are substantially regularly spaced with a
spacing measurement y, and wherein the spacing measurement y
approximately equals the spacing measurement x divided by the
cosine of .theta.; and wherein the individual connecting units of
the second construction element substantially align with the
connecting units of the plurality of first construction elements
when the second construction element is positioned in a
non-perpendicular and/or nonparallel orientation relative to the
plurality of first construction elements.
8. A construction system as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the
second construction element is oriented at a 45 degree angle
relative to at least one of the plurality of first construction
elements, and wherein the connecting units of the second
construction element are substantially regularly spaced with a
spacing measurement y which is of approximately equal to the 2
times the spacing measurement x of the connecting units of the
plurality of first construction elements.
9. A construction system as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the
connecting units of the plurality of first construction elements
are arranged in a substantially rectilinear array, and wherein the
connecting units of the second construction element are spaced so
as to substantially coaxially align relative to the connecting
units of the plurality of first construction elements in the
rectilinear array when the second construction element is oriented
in a non-perpendicular, and non-parallel orientation relative to
the plurality of first construction elements.
10. A construction system as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the
respective first and second construction elements are utilized in a
toy construction system.
11. A construction system as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the
connecting unit of at least one of the construction elements
defines a passageway for receiving a fastener body.
12. A construction system as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the
connecting unit of at least one of the construction elements
comprises a coupling stud.
13. A construction system as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the
connecting unit of at least one of the construction elements
defines a cavity for receiving a coupling stud.
14. A construction system, comprising: a plurality of first
construction elements oriented in a substantially perpendicular
and/or parallel relationship one relative to the others, and
wherein each of the plurality of first construction elements
defines a plurality of connecting units which have a substantially
similar regular spacing measurement; and a second construction
element joined to at least one of the plurality of construction
elements and which is oriented at a non-perpendicular and
non-parallel angle relative to the plurality of first construction
elements, and which defines a plurality of connecting units, which
are individually substantially aligned relative to the connecting
units of the plurality of first construction elements.
15. A construction system as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the
connecting units of the plurality of first construction elements
are arranged in a substantially rectilinear array, and wherein the
connecting units of the second construction element are spaced so
as to substantially coaxially and/or linearly align relative to the
connecting units of the plurality of first construction elements
positioned in the rectilinear array.
16. A construction system as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the
first and second construction elements are utilized in a toy
construction system.
17. A construction system as claimed in claim 16, and wherein at
least one of the respective construction elements connecting units
defines a passageway for receiving a fastener body.
18. A construction system as claimed in claim 16, and wherein at
least one of the respective construction elements connecting units
comprises a coupling stud.
19. A construction system as claimed in claim 16, and wherein at
least one of the respective construction elements connecting units
defines a cavity for receiving a coupling stud.
20. A toy construction system, comprising: a plurality of first
construction elements each having a main body which defines a
plurality of passageways which extend therethrough, and which are
further substantially linearly oriented along a major axis of the
main body, and wherein the passageways of each of the plurality of
first construction elements have substantially the same regular
spacing measurement, and wherein the major axes of the respective
first construction elements are either substantially
perpendicularly oriented and/or parallel relative to the major axes
of the remaining construction elements; a second construction
element having a main body which defines a plurality of passageways
and which are linearly oriented along a major axis of the main
body, and wherein the major axis of the main body of the second
construction element is oriented at a non-perpendicular and
non-parallel angle relative to the major axis of the respective
plurality of first construction elements, and wherein the
passageways defined by the second construction element are
substantially coaxially and/or linearly aligned with the
passageways defined by the plurality of first construction
elements; and a fastener received through at least one of the
coaxially and/or linearly aligned passageways of at least one of
the plurality of first construction members, and the second
construction member so as to couple the second construction member
to at least one of the plurality of first construction members.
21. A construction system, comprising: a plurality of first
construction elements, each having a plurality of connecting units,
and wherein the connecting units are arranged in a substantially
rectilinear array; and a diagonally oriented construction element
fastened to at least some of the plurality of first construction
elements, and wherein the diagonally oriented construction element
has a plurality of connecting units, and which are oriented in an
operational relationship relative to the connecting units of the
plurality of first construction elements, and wherein the
connecting units of the diagonally oriented construction element
have a spacing measurement so as to substantially coaxially align
relative to the plurality of connecting units in the rectilinear
array when the diagonally oriented construction element is oriented
in a non-perpendicular and non-parallel orientation relative to the
plurality of underlying first construction elements.
22. A construction system as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the
connecting units of at least some of the respective construction
elements define a passageway for receiving a fastener.
23. A construction system as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the
connecting units of at least some of the respective construction
elements comprises a coupling stud.
24. A construction system as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the
connecting units of at least some of the respective construction
elements defines a cavity for receiving a coupling stud.
25. A construction system as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the
respective construction elements are configured for a toy
construction system.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a construction system, and
more specifically to a construction system which includes
construction elements that can be connected in a diagonal
orientation relative to other construction elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Children and hobbyists have long enjoyed creative
construction toys which have allowed the individual to construct
various items of interest such as boxes, small houses, bridges,
airplanes, cars, trucks, and the like. Examples of such products
have included the ERECTOR.TM. Set, and various LEGO.TM. kits that
are provided at various levels of complexity. In the so-called
Erector.TM. products, these toys have included a series of plates
and bars with holes in them which are subsequently joined together
with nuts and a corresponding bolt. LEGO's.TM. TECHNIC.TM. series
of kits involves plastic beams and plates that connect with
relatively sophisticated fasteners that allow for more elaborate
models. Another such beam and fastener construction system is that
described by the present inventor in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/290,333, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The
commercial longevity of these types of construction toys,
especially when compared to other toys, illustrates the continuing
high demand for novel construction systems and elements.
[0003] Most, if not all, beam and fastener construction sets, such
as those provided under the LEGO.TM. TECHNIC.TM. name, utilize
generic construction elements 1 as seen in FIGS. 1A and B. As
illustrated in those views, the prior art generic construction
elements 1 are defined by a main body 2, which has a top surface 3,
and an opposite, bottom surface 4. Still further, the main body has
a peripheral edge 5. It will be understood from these drawings that
the generic construction element 1 includes a plurality of
passageways 6, which extend normally between the top surface 3 and
the bottom surface 4. Each of the passageways 6 in each main body 2
are substantially uniformly spaced with a spacing measurement
generally indicated by the numeral 7. Two or more of the prior art
construction elements 1 can be coupled together, as shown in the
exploded view of Prior Art FIG. 1B, by means of a coupling fastener
10, which has a first end 11, and an opposite, and similar second
end 12. The prior art construction elements 1 are coupled together
by inserting the first end 11 of a coupling fastener 10 into one of
the passageways 6 of one construction element 1, and inserting the
second end 12 into one of the passageways 6 of another construction
element 1. While various locking mechanisms may be used to couple
the fastener 10 with the construction element 1, the coupling
fastener 10 is usually coupled to the main body 2 in the manner of
a friction-fit.
[0004] As shown in Prior Art FIG. 2A, multiple construction
elements 1 are normally assembled in a grid-based configuration
forming a rectilinear array of passageways 6 which are generally
indicated by the numeral 16. A plurality of vertical construction
elements 13 can be coupled with a horizontal construction element
14 since the spacing 7 between the passageways 6 of each
construction element 13 and 14 will be substantially similar so as
to permit the passageways 6 of adjacent construction elements to be
coaxially aligned. As shown in Prior Art FIG. 2B, however, it is
impossible to couple a diagonally disposed construction element 15
with a plurality of vertical (or horizontal) construction elements
13 because the spacing 7 between the passageways 6 in the diagonal
construction element 15 will not allow the passageways 6 of the
diagonal construction element to coaxially align with the
passageways 6 in the underlying construction elements 13. There
currently is no ability in the prior art toy construction systems
to connect the construction elements 1 in a non-perpendicular or
diagonal orientation relative to the rectilinear array 16 of
passageways 6 save for providing a specialized construction member.
This, of course, adds to the cost of the resulting products. The
absence of these types of elements, of course, limits the
flexibility and creativity of the builder.
[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,766 to Leadbetter et al., diagonal
building units in a conventional LEGO.TM. building block system are
shown to fit within an array of coupling studs, such as that which
may be provided on a building plate, as disclosed in the patent.
However, this placement of diagonal building units is accomplished
by modifying the spacing and size of the array of coupling studs on
the building plate, or by requiring a specialized "skirt" shape
(the thin plastic wall of the construction element brick) for the
diagonal construction element. Neither solution discussed above
appears useful relative to the beam and fastener construction
systems as seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B.
[0006] Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,069 to Bolli et al., a
diagonal construction unit for a beam and fastener construction
system is taught, but the connecting units of the construction
elements have the same spacing as the non-diagonal construction
elements. Thus, this diagonal construction element can only fit
with other elements at its remote ends and can only be used in
specialized applications. Moreover, this patent specifically
teaches away from the use of non-standard spacing between the
connecting units in the diagonal elements.
[0007] As will be recognized, these prior art solutions involve
specialized pieces with limited application rather than a generic
construction element design that can be used in many applications
and models. These prior art solutions have proved unsatisfactory
from both a use and an economic standpoint, and have not been
adopted by most manufacturers of toy construction kits.
[0008] A construction system which avoids the shortcomings
attendant with the prior art devices and practices utilized
heretofore is the subject matter of the present application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a
construction system which includes a first construction element
defining a plurality of connecting units which have a spacing
measurement x; and a second construction element connected to the
first construction element, and oriented at an angle .theta.
relative to the first construction element, and which further
defines a plurality of connecting units having a spacing
measurement y, and wherein the spacing measurement y approximately
equals the spacing measurement x divided by the cosine of
.theta..
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
construction system which has a plurality of first construction
elements, each having a main body, and which define a plurality of
connecting units which are substantially linearly oriented along a
major axis of the respective main bodies, and wherein the
respective connecting units of the plurality of first construction
elements are substantially regularly spaced with a spacing
measurement x, and wherein the plurality of first construction
elements are oriented in a substantially perpendicular, and/or
parallel relationship, one relative to the others; and a second
construction element having a main body which defines a plurality
of connecting units and which are linearly oriented along a major
axis of the main body, and wherein the major axis of the main body
of the second construction element is oriented at an angle .theta.
relative to the major axis of the main body of at least one of the
plurality of first construction elements, and wherein the
connecting units of the second construction element are
substantially regularly spaced with a spacing measurement y, and
wherein the spacing measurement y approximately equals the spacing
measurement x divided by the cosine of .theta.; and wherein the
individual connecting units of the second construction element
substantially align with the connecting units of the plurality of
first construction elements when the second construction element is
positioned in a non-perpendicular and/or nonparallel orientation
relative to the plurality of first construction elements.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a
construction system which includes a plurality of first
construction elements oriented in a substantially perpendicular
and/or parallel relationship one relative to the others, and
wherein each of the plurality of first construction elements
defines a plurality of connecting units which have a substantially
similar regular spacing measurement; and a second construction
element joined to at least one of the plurality of first
construction elements and which is oriented at a non-perpendicular
and non-parallel angle relative to the plurality of first
construction elements, and which defines a plurality of connecting
units, which are individually substantially aligned relative to the
connecting units of the plurality of first construction
elements.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a toy
construction system which includes a plurality of first
construction elements each having a main body which defines a
plurality of passageways which extend therethrough, and which are
further substantially linearly oriented along a major axis of the
main body, and wherein the passageways of each of the plurality of
first construction elements have substantially the same regular
spacing measurement, and wherein the major axes of the respective
construction elements are either substantially perpendicularly
oriented and/or parallel relative to the major axes of the
remaining first construction elements; a second construction
element having a main body which defines a plurality of passageways
and which are linearly oriented along a major axis of the main
body, and wherein the major axis of the main body of the second
construction element is oriented at a non-perpendicular and
non-parallel angle relative to the major axis of the respective
plurality of first construction elements, and wherein the
passageways defined by the second construction element are
substantially coaxially and/or linearly aligned with the
passageways defined by the plurality of first construction
elements; and a fastener received through at least one of the
coaxially and/or linearly aligned passageways of at least one of
the plurality of first construction members and the second
construction member so as to couple the second construction member
to at least one of the plurality of first construction members.
[0013] Still another aspect of the present invention is a
construction system which includes a plurality of first
construction elements, each having a plurality of connecting units,
and wherein the connecting units are arranged in a substantially
rectilinear array; and a diagonally oriented construction element
fastened to at least some of the plurality of first construction
elements, and wherein the diagonally oriented construction element
has a plurality of connecting units, and which are oriented in an
operational relationship relative to the plurality of first
construction elements, and wherein the connecting units of the
diagonally oriented construction element have a spacing measurement
so as to substantially coaxially align relative to the plurality of
first connecting units in the rectilinear array when the diagonally
oriented construction element is oriented in a non-perpendicular
and non-parallel orientation relative to the plurality of
underlying first construction elements.
[0014] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
described in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below
with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art construction
element.
[0017] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of multiple prior art
construction elements as seen in FIG. 1A and a prior art coupling
fastener.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of multiple prior art
construction elements which are oriented in a rectilinear
array.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of multiple prior art
construction elements in a rectilinear array with a prior art
diagonal construction element overlying same.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a construction element which
forms a feature of the present invention, and which is oriented in
a rectilinear array of construction elements.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of examples of diagonally disposed
construction elements, which form features of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance
of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote
the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section
8).
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the
construction system of the present invention is generally indicated
by the numeral 20 therein. It will be recognized that the invention
described herein may apply to a variety of construction systems,
and is not limited to the specific construction system which is
described herein. The construction system of the present invention
includes as a first matter, a plurality of first construction
elements which are generally indicated by the numeral 30, and which
include, typically, at least a vertical first construction element
31, and a horizontally disposed first construction element 32. Each
of these first construction elements 30 have a main body 33 which
has a first end 34, and an opposite second end 35. Still further,
each of the main bodies include a peripheral edge 36. As seen in
the drawings, a major axis 37 extends, and is otherwise defined,
between the first and second ends of each of the main bodies 33. As
clearly seen by reference to FIG. 3, each of the main bodies 33
define a plurality of connecting units 40 which are substantially
linearly oriented along the major axis 37 of each of the main
bodies 33. The plurality of connecting units in this form of the
invention include individual passageways 41 which extend
substantially through the main body 33, and are operable to
matingly receive individual fasteners which are more fully
described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/290,333,
11/443,556 and 11/526,264, and which were filed on Nov. 29, 2005,
May 30, 2006, and Sep. 22, 2006, respectively. The substance of
these prior art patent applications are incorporated by reference
herein. The individual passageways 41 are defined, at least in
part, by orientation grooves 42 which are operable to matingly
receive a portion of the individual fasteners as described in the
aforementioned patent applications. Still further, the respective
connecting units 40 of the plurality of construction elements 30
are substantially regularly spaced with a spacing measurement which
is generally indicated by the numeral x. As seen in FIG. 3, the
plurality of first construction elements 30 are oriented in a
substantially perpendicular and/or parallel orientation one
relative to the others. As will be recognized by a study of FIG. 3,
a spacing measurement x (43) is measured between the center of the
respective adjacent passageways which define the individual
connecting units 40. The plurality of construction elements 30 are
operable to be arranged in a rectilinear array which is generally
indicated by the numeral 50 (FIG. 4). The rectilinear array is
generally defined by a plurality of substantially horizontally
disposed lines 51, and a plurality of substantially vertically
disposed lines 52. The horizontally and vertically disposed lines
pass through the center of each of the plurality of passageways
which form the respective individual connecting units 40 of the
plurality of first construction elements 30.
[0024] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the
construction system 20 of the present invention further includes a
second or diagonally oriented construction element which is
generally indicated by the numeral 60. This second or diagonally
oriented construction element 60 has a main body 61 which is
defined by opposite first and second ends 62 and 63, respectively.
Still further, the elongated main body 61 defines a peripheral edge
64. The elongated main body is defined, at least in part, by a
longitudinally disposed or major axis 65 extending between the
first and second ends thereof. The main body 61 defines a plurality
of connecting units generally indicated by the numeral 70. In the
form of the invention as illustrated, the individual connecting
units are defined by individual passageways or cavities 71 which
extend through the main body 61. The main body defines, at least in
part, orientation grooves 72 which communicate with the individual
passageways 71, and which are operable to matingly receive a
portion of a fastener similar to that described in the earlier
filed patent applications referenced in the paragraph, above. In
the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the plurality of
connecting units 70 which are defined by the individual passageways
or cavities 71 have a spacing measurement y, labeled 73, in the
drawings. Still further, as seen in FIG. 3, for example, the main
body 61 is oriented at an angle .theta. (74) relative to at least
one of the plurality of first construction elements 30. As seen in
FIG. 3, that angle .theta. represents 45.degree.. However, other
angles may be employed as will be discussed in greater detail,
hereinafter. As seen in FIG. 4, the rectilinear array 50 may
include a plurality of coupling units 75, such as studs,
passageways, or fasteners, which are positioned within the
rectilinear array and which are operable to matingly couple with
the plurality of connecting units 70, which are defined by the main
body 61.
[0025] In the present invention therefore, a construction system 20
is disclosed and which includes in its broadest aspect a first
construction element 30 defining a plurality of connecting units 40
which have a spacing measurement x (43) and a second construction
element 60 connected to the first construction element 30, and
oriented at an angle .theta. (74) relative to the first
construction element and which further defines a plurality of
connecting units 70 having a spacing measurement y (73), and
wherein the spacing measurement y (73) approximately equals the
spacing measurement x (43) divided by the cosine of .theta.. In the
arrangement as seen in the drawings, the respective construction
elements 30 and 60 are typically utilized in a toy construction
system 20. As further understood from the drawings, at least one of
the plurality of connecting units 40 and 70 defines a passageway 41
and 71 for receiving a fastener body. In one possible form of the
invention, the respective coupling or connecting units 40 and 70
are operable to receive a coupling unit 75. As seen by reference to
FIG. 3, and in one form of the invention, the second construction
element 60 is oriented at a 45.degree. angle relative to the first
construction element 30. Still further, the connecting units 70 of
the second construction element 60 are substantially regularly
spaced with a spacing measurement y (73) which is approximately
equal to the square root of 2 times the spacing of x (43) of the
respective connecting units of the first construction element
30.
[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a construction
system 20 which includes a plurality of first construction elements
30 each having a main body 33 and which defines a plurality of
connecting units 40 which are substantially linearly oriented along
a major axis 37 of the respective main bodies. The respective
connecting units 40 of the plurality of first construction elements
30 are substantially regularly spaced with a spacing measurement x
(43), and wherein the plurality of first construction elements 30
are oriented in a substantially perpendicular, and/or parallel
orientation, one relative to the others. In the construction system
20 of the present invention, a second construction element 60 is
provided and which has a main body 61 which defines a plurality of
connecting units 70, and which are linearly oriented along a major
axis 65 of the main body. The major axis 65 of the main body of the
second construction element is oriented about an angle of .theta.
(74) relative to the major axis 37 of the main body 33 of at least
one of the plurality of first construction elements 30. The
connecting units 70 of the second construction element 60 are
substantially regularly spaced with a spacing measurement y (73),
and wherein the spacing measurement y (73) approximately equals the
spacing measurement x (43) divided by the divided by the cosine of
.theta.. The individual connecting units 70 of the second
construction element 60 substantially align with the connecting
units 40 of each of the plurality of first construction elements 30
when the second construction element 60 is positioned in a
non-perpendicular and/or non-parallel orientation relative to the
plurality of first construction elements 30. In one form of the
invention as seen, the first and second construction elements are
oriented at a 45.degree. angle, one relative to the other. As
earlier disclosed, the connecting units of the second construction
element 60 are substantially regularly spaced with a spacing
measurement which is approximately equal to the square root of 2
times the spacing measurement x 43 of the plurality of first
construction elements 30. As seen by a study of FIGS. 2 and 3, the
connecting units 70 of the second construction element 60 are
spaced so as to substantially coaxially align relative to the
connecting units 40 of the plurality of first construction elements
30 in the rectilinear array 50 when the second construction element
60 is oriented in a non-perpendicular and/or non-parallel
orientation relative to the plurality of first construction
elements 30.
[0027] Therefore, a construction system 20 is disclosed and which
provides a convenient means whereby a hobbyist, or others, may
assemble objects of interest having greater levels of complexity in
a manner not possible heretofore. The present invention provides an
advantage inasmuch as the construction system includes a second
construction element 60 which allows the hobbyist to create ever
increasing complex shapes. As seen by reference to FIG. 4, several
forms of the invention are shown and which demonstrate that the
present invention may be modified in various ways so as to achieve
and produce a construction system of greater levels of
complexity.
[0028] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been
described in language more or less specific as to structural and
methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the specific features shown and
described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred
forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is,
therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the
proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in
accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *