CA2057319A1

CA2057319A1 - Panel and coupler toy construction apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2057319A1
Application number: CA 2057319
Authority: CA
Inventors: Louis Hochachka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-09
Filing date: 1991-12-09
Publication date: 1993-06-10

Abstract

Abstract The construction apparatus to assemble mainly toy or model building structures contains a plurality of two basic components, panels and independent couplers.
The square, or rectangular, relatively flat panels have a square recess at each corner and -the rectangular panels also have a rectangular recess along each of the longer sides. Smaller, thinner, square, plate-like couplers fit snugly into the panel recesses under spring tension to unite the panels into a smooth continuous wall structure. Couplers modified into L-shape are used at wall corners. Other modifications of couplers and panels increase the versatility of the construction set.

Description

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Disclosure (Sp~ i ~ic~Dn) This in~ention relates to a toy or model construction set designed to be simple to manufacture simple to use and to make possible a variety of sturdy structures.
Prior ar-t cons-tructi.on sets that contain panels and independent connectors are generally versatile but the complexi-t~J of design generally detracts from their usefulness as toys for younger children. The other type of sets containing engagement devices such as tabs integral with the panels generally lack versatility. H.A. McKee U.S. Pat. ~o. 2J708~329 is an e~ample of the latter type and there are some similarities in one Oe its -two basic kinds of panels to panels in the present invention. Some prior art problems are: tabs on panels are unwantecl along smooth edges such as window openings; the recess and tab-engagen~ent system requires so~e alteration a-t 3-dimensional. corners; and engagement depending only on friction between recess walls and tabs become unreliable with usage.
In this invention the basic coupler and its modifications are simple in design and panels are linked primarily at the corners under spring tension.
This avoids prior art prohlems and adds to the versatility of this invention.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a basic s~uare panel Figure ~ is an eclg~e view of a square panel Flgure 3 is a plan view of a rec-tangular panel with partial cutaway 2~3~73~

~igure 4 is an edge ~iew of Figure 3, Fi~ure 5 is a plan view o a basic coupler, Fi~ure 6 is an ed~e view of Eigure 5, Figure 7 is a plan view of half of Figure 5, Figure 8 is an edge view oE an L-shape corner coupler, Figure 9 is an edge view of a flexible or hin$e coupler~ and Fi~ure 10 is a plan view showing interconnection of sguare and rectangular panels.
Referring more particularly to -the accompanying drawings, in Figures 1 and ~ numeral 1 refers -to a square pane.L which may be visualized as two outside plates 2 and 2a laminated to a cross~shape separator plate 3. The resulting square recèss at each panel corner has a small conical or other sloping walled depression 4 in each outside wall at the inner apex of the said recess.
E'i~ures 3 and 4 show a rectangular panel 6 which is similar in construction to panel 1 bu-t the change in shape allows for side recesses 5a which add to the ~ersatiliky of the apparatus. The short side of panel 6 is the same dimension as a side of panel 1 and the lon~ side is dou~le the short side.
Figures 5 and 6 show a basic coupler 7 which is a square plate equal in area to four times a corner recess and thickness equal to the separator plate 3.
The small projections 8 a-t the corners match the depressions 4 oE the panel recesses. The flatsi.de opposi-te the projection is beveled ~shown by numeral 9 sufficiently to retain a thickness through the projectioll that :is sli~h-tly less than plate 3.

Fi~ures 71 3, and 9 show modificatiolls of the basic coup:Ler 7. Fi~ure 7 sho~s a rectan~ular coupler ~ 7 3 ~

10 which is half oP coup:Ler 7. A smootll edge is Possible with this coupler.
Figure 8 shows coupler 7 or 10 increased in leng-th by the thickness of two panel plates 2 and bent through 90 degrees along its transverse axis. These couplers 11 are used to joln panels in perpendicular planes~
thus increasing~ the -types of possible s-tructures.
Figure 9 shows a flexible or hin~e coupler 12 similar to coupler 11 except i.t is flexible along its transverse axis.
Figure 10 shows interconnected sguare and rectangular panels. As illustrated, it is possible to join panels diagonally in addition to the usual side to side abutment. Also, a brick-pattern assembly is possible by including rectangular panels.
Fairly rigid plas-tic would be suitable material Por the ~anuPacture of both couplers ancl panels~ but panels could be made of synthetic wood or hardwood.
There are no specific limits to sizes but practical si~es for panel sets coulcl range from about 3 cm to 20 cm squares. Thickness would depend on the ~aterlal used and the si2e of panels.
Assem~lin~ panels is very simple yet there is scope Por using ones imagination. A typical couple~nent would be a panel 1 with coupler 7 inserted into a corner recess 5. The said coupler could accept three additional panels to form a structure of four abutting panels. Further si~llar assembly is possible a-t o-ther panel corners.
The spring tension in couplements is achieved by use of small projections ~ at corners of couplers The coupler is ~orced to f].ex sli.ghtly while it is being inserted into a recess until the said projection slips --` 2~ 13~

into a depression 4. Tlli5 ~lexing increases the resistance -to separation of a coup].er ~rom a panel.
Thus~ fi.rm non-binding couplements be-tween panels are achieved and -these couplements do not deteriorate ~i-th usage as ~riction~dependent ones tend to do.
A variation wherein the couplements are semi-perlnanent is possible by replacing a depression in a recess with a cylindrical hole through the wall of -the said recess and the sloping side projections on a coupl.er are replaced by c~lindrical ones. Dismantling would require application of pressure against the projection -throu~h the hole in the recess wall.
Additionally it is possible to couple panels in separated positions by increasing the size O:e -the couplers along one or two dimensions.

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
(1) A toy or model construction apparatus comprising:
a plurality of similar square or a combination of square and rectangular panels with each corner containing a square recess designed to accept a coupler under spring tension) a plurality of basic plate-like square couplers and modifications of the same.
(2) A construction apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein near the inner apex of the said recess a small depression is formed in each outside plate that forms the said recess.
(3) A construction apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each corner of the said basic coupler has a small projection on one side and is beveled on the opposite side.
(4) A construction apparatus as defined in claims 1 and 3, wherein the said basic coupler is divided into two similar rectangular couplers.
(5) A construction apparatus as defined in claims 1 and 3 or 4, wherein the said basic square coupler or modified rectangular coupler is lengthened slightly and bent through 90 degrees along the transverse axis.
(6) A construction apparatus as defined in claims 1 and 3 or 4, wherein the said basic square coupler or modified rectangular coupler is lengthened slightly and made flexible along the transverse axis.
(7) A construction apparatus as defined in claims 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 wherein the said depression in a wall of a recess is modified into a cylindrical hole and the said projection on any of the said couplers is modified into a cylindrical projection to make possible a semi-permanent couplement.