CN101272835B

CN101272835B - Coupling member between two articles, articles for this purpose and cellular construction system

Info

Publication number: CN101272835B
Application number: CN200580051657XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·J·德怀尔德
Original assignee: Widee BV
Current assignee: Widee BV
Priority date: 2005-09-22
Filing date: 2005-09-22
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-22
Also published as: BRPI0520567A2; DE602005025044D1; JP2009509112A; IL190171A0; CN101272835A; ATE489151T1; NO20081409L; DK1933965T3; ES2354529T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling between two objects by means of a coupling element. Each object comprises a panel with a continuous hole with four inward protruding tongues which are disposed at 90< DEG > to each other and extend over angles of about 22.5< DEG >. The coupling element comprises a shank, an insert stop member on both sides so that the coupling element can be inserted in the one or the other direction into the hole, four locking cams on each end zone of the shank which each extend over angles of 22.5< DEG > disposed at 0< DEG >, (90< DEG > - 22.5< DEG >), 180< DEG >, (270< DEG > - 22.5< DEG >), and rotation stop members.; The coupling element can be inserted into the hole in a chosen orientation as desired in one of four equidistant angular positions and then rotated through about 22.5< DEG > in the one or the other direction, wherein rotation locking means fix the chosen angular position, so that the coupling element cannot be removed from the hole b axial dis lacement alone.

Description

Connector between two articles, object for this purpose, and cellular construction system

Background technology

Connector between two articles is by many embodiment and known, for example as base application in the toy field or be applied to educational purpose.As example, a kind of meccano system that is abandoned for a long time can be provided, wherein this object comprises one or more panels, each panel has one or more continuous holes.Therefore, two similar objects just can use this system to connect by means of the connected mode of nut-bolt.Stereochemical structure adopts this mode just can constitute.Another example is Lego

System's (Lego), it is designed that this Lego is mainly children.

Summary of the invention

One object of the present invention is to provide the connector between a kind of two articles, this connector is the same with known system, in this known system, can in the option of predetermined number, select the connector between two articles, and this connector can separate with the required ad hoc fashion of user.

One object of the present invention is to embody a kind of connector, makes this connector that particular options can be provided, and allows combining structure to make variation in wider scope by this particular options.According to the present invention, release needs not to be and makes the object that is coupled to each other easily to separate.According to the present invention, can suppose that the user must carry out specific and consider that proper action connects the connector of this particular type or separates this connector.

About above-mentioned purpose, the invention provides the connection of 1,2 of a kind of two articles by means of connector 3; Wherein each

object

1,2 comprises: panel 4, this panel 4 has the first continuous hole 5, the body shape in this first hole 5 is for circle and have four to projecting inward tongue 6, each tongue 6 comprises two sides of more or less stretching out diametrically at least 25,26, and this tongue 6 is arranged with the angular separation that equates and each tongue 6 is shown 22.5 ° angle extension greatly;

Wherein this connector 3 comprises: bar 8, and this bar 8 can insert first hole 5 and have axis 29 between the end 7 of tongue 6;

Insert stop component

19,20, this

insertions stop component

19,20 is present on the central area of bar 8, and has limited bar 8 as expect and insert the ultimate range that the mode in first hole 5 can be inserted along a direction or other direction;

Each of two

stub areas

17,18 of bar 8 is provided with four

locking cams

9,10,11,12 and 13,14,15,16, each of this locking cam 9-16 shown 22.5 ° angle greatly and extended, and shows 0 °, 90 °-22.5 °, 180 °, 270 °-22.5 ° relative angle position greatly and be provided with; And

Four rotation stop components 21,22,23,24, each rotation stop component is increased on the locking cam 9-16, and with the angular separation that equates arrange and can with 25,26 actings in conjunction of described side;

Thereby this coupling components 3 can be on demand be inserted in first hole 5 with selected direction, a position from the position, angle that four angular separation equate, when contacting with panel 4, this

insertion stop component

19,20 stops, this connector 3 can be on demand then, roughly rotate 22.5 ° with respect to

relevant object

1,2 in one direction or on another direction, stop when

relevant side

25,26 contacts up to this rotation stop component 21-24, take this this locking cam 9-12; 13-16 engages with panel 4, and connector 3 overcomes with respect to the axial displacement of panel 4 and locks;

Wherein rotary locking mechanism 27,28 exists, be used for each object with respect to two

objects

1,2, on each possible position, angle, lock the purpose of connector 3 separably, promptly 0 ° ± 22.5 °, 90 ° ± 22.5 °, 180 ° ± 22.5 °, 270 ° ± 22.5 ° of this possible positions, angle.

As mentioned above, must realize or discharge connection by carry out considering proper action.In this respect, connector according to the present invention preferably includes special characteristic, and promptly rotational locking device can be brought into or take out of its lock-out state by apply predetermined turning moment between coupling components and object correlation.

In a particular embodiment, this connector has this special characteristic, and promptly rotational locking device is included in its interior groove of resilient engagement and the protruding sub-assembly that increases on each possible position, angle.

A practical embodiment comprises the elastic webbing that mainly is shaped as circular arc, this elastic webbing be provided with three relative angle positions be respectively-22.5 °, 0 ° ,+22.5 ° groove.

In a practical embodiment, this connector comprises four elastic webbings, and wherein every band carries by two adjacent rotation stop components.

Two embodiment subsequently can advantageously comprise four projectioies, these four projectioies have identical position, angle with tongue, and become panel a part and can with at least one acting in conjunction in four elastic webbings, each bar in these four elastic webbings is all shown the part that connector is extended and formed to 90 ° angle greatly.

It should be noted that the aforementioned angle that relates to must assert as technical functional indication.

In a particular embodiment, this connector has special characteristic, and promptly each object and/or this coupling components are made up of plastics.

This embodiment subsequently can advantageously embody, thereby each object and/or this coupling components are made by injection moulding.

This connector has front view identical with rearview or that mirror image is symmetrical.This provides the option of connector, and this connector is made by the following method in this option:

Use has the extrusion head of opening and makes extrudate (extrudate), and this opening has front view or the identical shape of rearview with connector;

This extrudate is stretched to the length of expection, and

Optionally remove redundance, thereby obtain connector.

This connector preferably has special characteristic, and promptly axle has non-circular vertically continuous second hole, and proper tools can be inserted in this second hole, and by the moment that this instrument applies, this connector can rotate with respect to object correlation.

The invention still further relates to a kind of object, according to one or more aforementioned features, this object designs and significantly is used for the parts of connector, this object comprises at least one panel, this panel has at least two first continuous holes, thereby this object can link by at least two connectors and two more similar objects at least.

This object can comprise a plurality of panels, each panel has a plurality of first continuous holes, when when panel surface is measured, this first continuous hole has equal centre-to-centre spacing, wherein under the situation that has more than one first hole on the panel, arrange with craspedodrome and orthogonal row order in applicable scope in these holes.

The invention still further relates to a kind of cellular construction system, it for example is used for the toy field or is used for educational purposes, this cellular construction system comprises a plurality of according to the object of describing in the aforementioned figures, comprise in addition a plurality of by user's needs, be coupled to each other the connector of object by means of connector, thereby a plurality of object and connector can be assemblied in the unit.

At last, the present invention relates to a kind of packing that has according to the cellular construction system of above stated specification.

Description of drawings

The present invention will describe with reference to the accompanying drawings.In these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows with the object at certain phase mutual edge distance interval and the perspective view of connector;

Fig. 2 shows the corresponding perspective view with Fig. 1, and this connector is inserted in the object in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 shows the corresponding perspective view with Fig. 2, and therefore this connector rotation also is fixed on this object for 22.5 ° in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 A and 4B, 4C, 4D illustrate with smaller szie and for the sake of clarity draw the possible third state among the third state that has recognized that in first state among Fig. 1, second state, Fig. 3 among Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 with mutual acting in conjunction;

Fig. 5 A shows the top view that has according to the object of the connector of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 B shows the side view that has according to the object of the connector of Fig. 5 A;

Fig. 6 A shows with the corresponding object of Fig. 5 A and the top view of the connector that in the opposite direction inserts;

Fig. 6 B shows the object in Fig. 1 situation and the side view of connector;

Fig. 7 A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G and 7H show to have relative orientation and is respectively connection between two objects of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 shows the basic element of character according to the part of connector of the present invention.Fig. 7 shows a kind of mode, and in this mode, these basic elements of character can be assembled together with another object, to form the unit according to complete connection of the present invention.

Described Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 shows by the connection between the two articles of connector; Wherein each object comprises: panel, this panel has the first continuous hole, mainly being shaped as circle and having four of this first hole to projecting inward tongue, each tongue comprises two sides of more or less extending at least diametrically, and this tongue is arranged with the angular separation that equates and each tongue is shown 22.5 ° angle extension greatly;

Wherein this connector comprises: bar, and this bar can insert first hole and have axis between the end of tongue;

Insert stop component, this insertions stop component is present on the central area of bar, and has limited bar and inserted the ultimate range that the mode in first hole (5) can be inserted as expecting along a direction or other direction;

Have four locking cams on each of two stub areas of bar respectively, each locking cam is shown 22.5 ° angle extension greatly, and shows 0 °, 90 °-22.5 °, 180 °, 270 °-22.5 ° relative angle position setting greatly; And

Four rotation stop components, each rotation stop component is increased on the locking cam, and with the angular separation that equates arrange and can with the acting in conjunction of described side;

Thereby this connector can be on demand with selected direction, be inserted in first hole along a position in the position, angle that four angular separation equate, when contacting with panel, this insertion stop component stops, this connector can be on demand then, roughly rotate 22.5 ° with respect to relevant object in one direction or on another direction, stop when relevant side contacts up to this rotation stop component, take this this locking cam and engage, and connector overcomes with respect to the axial displacement of panel and locks with panel;

Wherein rotational locking device exist be used for respect to two objects each, lock connector releasedly in each possible position, angle, promptly 0 ° ± 22.5 °, 90 ° ± 22.5 °, 180 ° ± 22.5 °, 270 ° ± 22.5 ° of this possible positions, angle.

The embodiment that has illustrated makes this rotational locking device to be brought into or to take out of its lock-out state by apply predetermined turning moment between connector and

object correlation

1,2.

This rotational locking device is included in the resilient engagement groove 28 within it and the sub-assembly of projection 27 that increases on each possible position, angle.

In the embodiment that has illustrated, this connector comprises the elastic webbing 30 that mainly is shaped as circular arc, this elastic webbing provide three relative angle positions be respectively-22.5 °, 0 ° ,+22.5 °

groove

28a, 28b, 28c.

In fact this connector comprises four elastic webbings 30, and wherein every band is by two adjacent rotation stop component 21-24 carryings.

This connector also comprises four protruding 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, these four projectioies have identical position, angle with tongue 6, and become panel 4 a part and can with at least one acting in conjunction in four elastic webbings 30, each bar in these four elastic webbings is all shown the part that connector 3 is extended and formed to 90 ° angle greatly.

In the embodiment that all have illustrated, each

object

1,2 and/or coupling components 3 are made up of plastics.

Especially, injection moulding is very suitable manufacture method.

Can find out obviously from Fig. 5 A that especially in the embodiment shown, the front view of connector is identical with rearview.Therefore connector 3 can be made by the following method:

Use has the extrusion head of opening and makes extrudate, and this opening has front view or the identical shape of rearview with connector 3;

This extrudate is stretched to desired length, and

Selectively remove redundance, thereby obtain connector 3.

Be apparent that further that from accompanying drawing bar 8 has axially goes up the non-circular second continuous hole 31, proper tools can be inserted in this second hole, and by the moment that this instrument applies, this connector 3 can be with respect to

object correlation

1,2 rotations.For this reason, this second continuous hole 31 has four

groove

32a, 32b, 32c, 32d to equate that angular separation is arranged, and extends through the whole length in this hole 31.Screwdriver can for example insert, and with along on the diametric(al) toward each other the

location groove

32a, 32c, 32b, 32d acting in conjunction.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention still further relates to a kind of object of for example object 3 types.A kind of object can for example be made up of a panel with at least two continuous holes.This object also can be a kind of corner elements with two or three panels, and each panel has the continuous hole of desired number randomly.Also can use a kind of cube, it has a hole or recordable straight delegation hole on each of six square panels.

According to institute's drawings attached, for example the block-shaped of

object

1,2 also is an option.

Basically practicable is to guarantee under the coupled situation of two objects, formed multirow hole have with an object in the identical centre-to-centre spacing of centre-to-centre spacing in hole.

Unshowned is according to the cellular construction system of connector of the present invention for the basis.This cellular construction system can be applied in the packaging field and comprise the

object

1,2 of a plurality of types of specifying and illustrating as example in the accompanying drawing, comprises that in addition the mode of the appointment according to the present invention is used to be coupled to each other these

objects

1,2 to form a plurality of connectors 3 of space structure system.

It is evident that, can be to be permitted the different ways specific implementation in described framework according to connector of the present invention.Necessary is, connector 3 is inserted in first object 1, then selectively be arranged in the connector opposite side on second object 2 combine, connecting between connector 3 and the

object

1,2 can realize by rotating up along a direction or the opposing party subsequently.Especially, connector 3 be not easy to the approaching situation of hand under, in the time of in connector 3 is inserted into two

objects

1,2 that are arranged on the either side, practicable is to utilize the non-circular hole described and proper tools (for example screwdriver) so that carry out the rotation of necessity of coupling components 3.This instrument also can be used for discharging and connect.

Claims

1. connector that utilizes connector (3) between two objects (1,2), to connect, wherein each object (1,2) comprising:

Panel (4), this panel (4) has continuous first hole (5), mainly being shaped as circle and having four of this first hole (5) to projecting inward tongue (6), each tongue (6) has two sides (25,26) of at least radially more or less extending, and this tongue (6) is arranged with the angular separation that equates and each tongue (6) is shown 22.5 ° angle extension greatly;

Wherein this connector (3) comprising:

Bar (8), bar (8) can insert first hole (5) and have axis (29) between the end (7) of tongue (6);

Insert stop component (19,20), this insertions stop component (19,20) is present on the central area of bar (8), and has limited bar (8) and inserted the ultimate range that the mode in first hole (5) can be inserted as expecting along a direction or other direction;

Four locking cams (9,10,11,12; 13,14,15,16), it is positioned on each of two stub areas (17,18) of bar (8), each of this locking cam (9-16) shown 22.5 ° angle greatly and extended, and shows 0 °, (90 °-22.5 °), 180 °, the related angle position of (270 °-22.5 °) greatly and be provided with; And

Four rotation stop components (21,22,23,24), each rotation stop component all is increased on the locking cam (9-16), and with the angular separation that equates arrange and can with described side (25,26) acting in conjunction;

Thereby this connector (3) can be on demand be inserted in first hole (5) with selected direction, a position from the position, angle that four angular separation equate, stop when contacting with panel (4) up to this insertion stop component (19,20), and this connector (3) can be as required, roughly rotate 22.5 ° along a direction or another direction with respect to relevant object (1,2), stop when contacting with relevant side (25,26) up to this rotation stop component (21-24), take this this locking cam (9-12); (13-16) engage, and connector (3) overcomes with respect to the axial displacement of panel (4) and locks with panel (4);

Wherein rotational locking device (27,28) exists each that be used for respect to two objects (1,2) to lock connector (3) releasedly along each possible position, angle, and this possible position, angle i.e. (0 ° ± 22.5 °), (90 ° ± 22.5 °), (180 ° ± 22.5 °), (270 ° ± 22.5 °).

2. connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein this rotational locking device (27,28) can be brought into or take out of its lock-out state by apply predetermined turning moment between connector and object correlation (1,2).

3. connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein this rotational locking device (27,28) is included in the resilient engagement groove (28) within it and the sub-assembly of projection (27) that increases on each possible position, angle.

4. connector as claimed in claim 3 comprises the elastic webbing (30) that mainly is shaped as circular arc, this elastic webbing be provided with three relative angle positions be respectively-22.5 °, 0 ° ,+22.5 ° groove (28a, 28b, 28c).

5. connector as claimed in claim 4 comprises four elastic webbings (30), and wherein every band carries by two adjacent rotation stop components (21-24).

6. as claim 4 or 5 described connectors, comprise four projectioies (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d), these four projectioies have identical position, angle with tongue (6), and form panel (4) a part and can with at least one acting in conjunction in four elastic webbings (30), each bar in these four elastic webbings is all shown the part that connector (3) are extended and become to 90 ° angle greatly.

7. as each described connector among the claim 1-5, wherein each object (1,2) and/or this connector (3) are made up of plastics.

8. connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein each object (1,2) and/or this connector (3) are made up of plastics.

9. connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein each object (1,2) and/or this connector (3) are by the injection moulding manufacturing.

10. connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein this connector (3) is made by the following method:

Use has the extrusion head of opening and makes extrudate, and this opening has front view or the identical shape of rearview with connector (3);

This extrudate is stretched to desired length, and

Remove redundance, thereby obtain connector (3).

11. as each described connector among claim 1-5, the 8-10, wherein this bar (8) has non-circular vertically continuous second hole (31), proper tools can be inserted in this second hole, the moment that applies by this instrument, this connector (3) can rotate with respect to object correlation (1,2).

12. connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein this bar (8) has non-circular vertically continuous second hole (31), and proper tools can be inserted in this second hole, the moment that applies by this instrument, this connector (3) can rotate with respect to object correlation (1,2).

13. connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein this bar (8) has non-circular vertically continuous second hole (31), and proper tools can be inserted in this second hole, the moment that applies by this instrument, this connector (3) can rotate with respect to object correlation (1,2).

14. object (1) that is designed to and significantly is used for conduct at the parts of preceding each described connector of claim, wherein this object (1) comprises at least one panel (4), this panel (4) has at least two continuous first holes (5), thereby this object (1) can connect with at least two more similar objects (2) by at least two connectors (3).

15. object as claimed in claim 14, comprise a plurality of panels (4), each panel (4) has a plurality of continuous first holes (5), when when panel surface is measured, this continuous first hole (5) has the first equal centre-to-centre spacing, wherein have on the panel (4) under the situation of more than one first centre bore (5), arrange with craspedodrome and orthogonal row order in applicable scope these holes (5).

16. cellular construction system, it is used for toy or is used for educational purposes, this cellular construction system comprises a plurality of according to claim 14 or 15 described objects (1,2), comprise in addition and a plurality ofly need be used to be coupled to each other object (1 by the user by connector (3), 2) connector (3), thus a plurality of object (1,2) and connector (3) are assembled in the unit.