EP0991452B1 - Connection piece - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a piece of connection, and various uses of it, by particular to a use of this piece in a game of construction, and the resulting game.

Such a connecting piece is known for example from GB-A-2090751.

The invention relates more particularly to a part mobile intended to join together, preferably so reversible, to any element by inserting, preferably partially, in an opening or passage provided in this element, preferably an opening practiced in a wall of this element.

More specifically, the exhibit of this invention can be a connecting piece connecting different volumes each provided with at least one opening.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The connection piece is generally suitable for being partially inserted into the opening and can then adopt, following user intervention, a configuration in which it is blocked or retained in the opening. This configuration is obtained by a pivoting of a part compared to another of the connecting piece, causing the separation and possible blocking or retention of one or more elements plug in the opening.

The pivoting will thus cause a variation of the size of the connecting piece, the largest dimension may vary, for example of the order of 15%.

Said pivoting can be caused, in particular manually, on the part of the part projecting by report to the opening or can be caused by insertion towards this projecting part of another opening of an additional element to be assembled.

According to the dimensions of the elements and / or the application specific to the invention, the pivoting can be manual or caused by mechanical means, possibly by a motor, eg an electric motor whether or not associated with said motor connecting piece.

The invention, in a simple aspect, can materialize among other things in the form of a construction set, the elements that can be assembled in space, using the connection piece or pieces of the invention, in with a multitude of structures and combinations space. According to a variant, the game can constitute a "puzzle" the aim of the game being to reconstruct a shape simple (cube, parallelepiped) from elements connected and, e.g., deployed in a plane.

The fact that the elements can be disconnected and reconnected at will allows you to progress in the game and be able to adapt the difficulty of reconstruction in user function.

Construction bodies obtained according to the material which constitutes them and their dimensions can be used also for the construction of stands, scaffolding, buildings, furniture, as well as in the area of robotics etc ...

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The element to be assembled has at least one opening. he can be a simple plate or a polyhedron, solid or hollow. Such a polyhedron can constitute a volume of 6 faces, for example a cube or a pseudo-cube. A more particularly suitable pseudo-cube is a cube to rounded tops. Each side can advantageously have an opening, for example an opening circular, which is adapted to receive the piece of connection. The elements to be assembled can be volumes or blocks of all kinds, for example in addition to cubes, pyramids, cones, spheres or even more complicated volumes constituting mechanical parts etc ....

According to a particularly advantageous variant for some applications, the elements to be assembled are truncated spheres, to which six caps have been removed perpendicular to three orthogonal axes centered, and thus have six openings corresponding to the six faces of a cube.

The elements to be assembled can be of dimensions different. The combination of such volumes will allow combinations of movements, where the transfer of movements will only be limited by the size of the rooms associated.

According to one embodiment, the connection piece mechanical is more particularly made up of two elements capable of being assembled one inside the other in position inverted and, once assembled, able to pivot partially relative to each other, each element comprising two wings extending in parallel planes different, from and on either side of a central part or core, for example cylindroid, connecting the wings over part of their widths. The parts assembled power stations together form two parts extending axis, each part having a surface horizontal sliding against each other and two lateral sliding surfaces in contact with an edge of the base (thickness) of the element's wings complementary.

Taking or blocking the part in the opening of the element to be assembled results from the pressure exerted, or adaptation, on the inside contour of the opening, of a pair of wings spreading in the same plane, wings thus playing the role of locking jaws by extension outwards.

In fact, according to one embodiment of the invention, the ends of the wings spread and squeeze and / or enclose by their slices, outward, the inner edge of openings, thereby ensuring respectively the blocking and / or solidarity.

In case of adaptation without tightening, and if for example the opening is circular, a free rotation can be advantageously kept between the part and the element to Connect. According to one embodiment, the piece of connection thus allows the rotation of an assembled element relative to an adjacent element. According to a variant, as described below, this rotation can however be prevented.

The outline of the wing tips can be curved or rounded and thus take the form of an arc of circle. The openings of the elements to be assembled are then preferably circular openings, or at all complementary shape case to ensure good cooperation between the connecting piece and the element to to assemble.

Advantageously, at their ends, the thickness of the wings includes a longer internal part, a part middle in the form of grooves or grooves, and part preferably beveled external. This last part can for example constitute a truncated cone. The part internal, longer, can act as a stop, preventing the connecting piece from sinking too far during the introduction into an opening of an element to to assemble.

According to an embodiment currently particularly preferred the circular openings in the room to assemble have an annular counterbore (seat) on which the abovementioned abutment parts of the parts of connection will lean to cause the pivoting of wings and adopt the blocking configuration.

It is by pinching two wings on one side that these wings can fold. It is by exercising a pressure towards the central part on these same wings folded than those if will deploy to retain or enclose, for example by said groove, the edge of the wall with opening.

The connecting piece elements can advantageously be provided with one or more bosses on the aforementioned lateral sliding surfaces, which when pivoting one element with respect to the other, is able to produce an elasticity which promotes stability of one or more relative positions of the two elements and / or thus produces a spring effect. Indeed, an edge of the base of the wing of the complementary part could possibly be stabilized in a hollow of said boss. This position can for example be the position "wings spread". Similarly, a boss can be provided for several steps in order to be able to mobilize the connection according to several degrees of opening,. This last embodiment will be favored for some applications where parts are large dimensions (several centimeters or tens of centimeters).

According to a currently less preferred variant, the central parts of the parts forming parts present a set "tenon and mortise", the tenon playing then the role of axis of rotation during pivoting above.

According to a variant of the latter case, the post can present at its end a bulge which, after force introduction, will overtake on the other side of the "mortise" part, thus ensuring axial locking. This bulge may be present from the start in the event that the elasticity of the materials used allows the passage of bulge in the neck (mortise) from where it must come out at the height of its seat or housing. This bulge will be fixed after assembly in case the flexibility of the materials used does not allow it.

According to one embodiment, each wing is made up of the periphery and in its thickness of an external part beveled (to facilitate insertion into a openness, and which may in other applications be with gable style grooving to allow joining with an identical connection piece and / or similar adjacent at a determined angle, e.g. 90 ° for adjacent connecting pieces in a cube), a recess forming a groove (to enclose by inside and outside the edge of the wall), and an inner part forming a stop.

Sizing of parts and the material used can vary widely depending on the field application.

The material used for the connecting pieces presents advantageously a certain elasticity or resilience. he for example a plastic such as polypropylene, nylon or polyacetal. Nevertheless a wood, a material composite and even a metal can also be used for specific applications. The invention is therefore not limited to the particular nature of a material.

Plastic is a preferred material, especially for game applications because, for certain types of model, it can produce a large number of parts at departure from a simple industrial mold.

According to a particular embodiment, when the opening is circular, the connection piece can include lugs or side bulges at the level of the thickness of the tip of the wings, for example in the throat. These bulges can adapt to a recess additional provided in the thickness of the wall to to assemble. In this way, the rotation of the workpiece connection with respect to the element to be assembled is no longer possible.

This last feature can lead to assemblies of rigid elements or free rotation according to the user's wish.

In the same way these bulges or lugs can be formed by the teeth of a toothed wheel which will fit into the element opening seat assembled itself formed by a toothed crown complementary. This will allow multiple mobilizations of the element to be assembled relative to the part of connection.

Particularly advantageously, the same half elements forming a connection piece can be used to get both results. Indeed, a element may contain only one of said pins or bulges on one of its wings. Depending on how couple two similar elements to form the piece of connection, this results in either a connecting piece with two wings on the same side having said lugs or bulges or a part having a lug on one of the wings on each side. The assembly with two elements to assembling will keep a free rotation in the first case, because the connection piece is only blocked on one of them. In the second case, given the presence of a lug on either side of the connection piece, the two assembled elements will be kept fixed and the rotation of one relative to the other is no longer possible.

DRAWINGS

la fig. 1 représente schématiquement un élément constitutif d'une pièce de connexion selon l'invention

les figs. 2a et 2b illustrent l'agencement et le couplage de deux éléments selon la fig. 1 pour constituer la pièce de connexion 1

la fig. 3 illustre la pièce de l'invention en position d'introduction, c'est à dire ailes repliées.

les fig. 4a et 4b illustrent une variante de l'invention dans laquelle la pièce est constitué de deux éléments identiques, la partie centrale comprenant une mortaise ou un tenon

les figs. 5a et 5b illustrent une autre variante de l'invention dans laquelle les deux éléments sont différents et un renflement terminal est prévu sur la partie en tenon

les figs. 6a à 6b illustrent la connexion de deux cubes à l'aide de la pièce selon l'invention

les figs. 7a à 7f illustrent différentes constructions réalisables avec des pseudo-cubes reliés avec les pièces de connexion

les figs. 8a et 8b illustrent un pseudo-cube utilisable dans le jeu selon l'invention dans lequel certaines faces présentent une ouverture avec des encoches ou évidements aptes à recevoir d'éventuels ergots ou renflements

la fig. 9 illustre une pièce selon l'invention dans laquelle les deux éléments sont dissymétriques compatibles mais de dimensions différentes. Le déploiement des ailes d'un côté est moins large comparé au côté opposé, les ouvertures de deux éléments à assembler peuvent ainsi être de dimensions différentes.

la fig. 10 illustre le mouvement d'un ensemble de 6 cubes, un des cubes restant fixe

The invention will be better understood on examining the drawings provided in the appendix by way of example only:

fig. 1 schematically represents a component of a connection piece according to the invention

figs. 2a and 2b illustrate the arrangement and coupling of two elements according to FIG. 1 to constitute the connection piece 1

fig. 3 illustrates the part of the invention in the insertion position, that is to say folded wings.

fig. 4a and 4b illustrate a variant of the invention in which the part consists of two identical elements, the central part comprising a mortise or a tenon

figs. 5a and 5b illustrate another variant of the invention in which the two elements are different and a terminal bulge is provided on the tenon part

figs. 6a to 6b illustrate the connection of two cubes using the part according to the invention

figs. 7a to 7f illustrate different constructions achievable with pseudo-cubes connected with the connection pieces

figs. 8a and 8b illustrate a pseudo-cube usable in the game according to the invention in which certain faces have an opening with notches or recesses suitable for receiving possible lugs or bulges

fig. 9 illustrates a part according to the invention in which the two elements are asymmetrical compatible but of different dimensions. The deployment of the wings on one side is less wide compared to the opposite side, the openings of two elements to be assembled can thus be of different dimensions.

fig. 10 illustrates the movement of a set of 6 cubes, one of the cubes remaining fixed

In more detail, fig. 1 represents schematically in perspective one of the two elements 2 of the connecting piece 1 according to the invention. To facilitate understanding, relative dimensions of the parts are not necessarily respected. Note the presence of wings thick 3, 3 ′ vertical in the form of split ears and on the other with a central body 4, parallel wings but of which the median planes are offset one with respect to the other. The element in the illustrated case has an axis of symmetry 9 of order 2.

In this presentation, the dimensions of the wings are described among others by their length L, their width 1 and their thickness e.

Each wing 3, 3 'has a rounded outer contour 5 and includes on the periphery and in its thickness a bevelled external part 6 (to facilitate the introduction in an opening), a medial recess forming a throat 7 (suitable for blocking inside and out the edge of a wall of an element to be assembled), and a wider inner part 8 forming a stop.

The central part, body or core 4 of shape approximately cylindroid connects a lower portion of the two wings, in the illustrated case, over half of their length. It has a surface or plate 20 of sliding on a corresponding plate 20a (not illustrated) of a complementary element 2a. This central body presents also on an upper part of its lateral flanks a double boss (elasticity or maintenance bump) exaggerated and schematic in 10 and 17 separated by a recess 11. The boss 17 can in fact extend to the base of the nucleus 4.

The part of thickness e of the wings, over the length L no connected by the central core, constitutes a surface 14 (extending under 12) with an edge 13.

The edge 13a of a complementary element during pivoting will slide parallel on the surface 18 and the boss 17 by being stopped nevertheless beyond the trough 11 by the boss 10 which forms a stop.

We recognize the two section retaining pins triangular or clips or snap-in elements static 12, 12 'provided on the thickness of each wing and opposed to each other. These pins are used to prevent separation in height of the 2 elements assembled in bearing on the shoulders corresponding to 19 of boss 10a of the inverted complementary part 2a. These pins and bosses are advantageously integrated into the connecting piece, e.g. for game applications construction of usual dimensions. These pins 12 can serve as an adjustment piece to ensure with more or less the axial rotation of the 2 elements of the workpiece connection to each other. These pins 12, for other applications, can be of various forms and fixed by any known means after coupling of the two elements of the connecting piece and can in this last case be rigid.

Advantageously, the element of FIG. 1 can be made of a plastic part in a mold simple (without drawer).

Figs. 2a and 2b schematically illustrate the arrangement and the coupling of two identical elements 2 and 2a similar to fig. 1 (however without lug 82 and without boss 17) to provide a connection piece 1 according to the invention. The coupling is in practice irreversible given the presence of the retaining pins 12. Both central parts form a double core, part can rotate relative to each other by a certain angle, typically from 20 to 80 °, e.g. 30 °. For coupling, the two elements 2 are presented in an inverted position (in head to tail) so that they can interpenetrate by force. The lugs 12 allow the most part to pass thin of the boss of the complementary element 2a only in the direction of coupling and then maintain the two elements 2 coupled by locking against a face 19 of the boss 10.

The part shown in fig. 2b is in the closed position, that is to say wings spread in the locked position. We will understand that a partial pivoting of the element 2 by compared to element 2a is possible. Surfaces 18 of a part slide against the edges 13 of the part complementary. In this case, given the absence of the boss 17 in fig. 1 there will be no elasticity or preferred opening position. Pivoting is caused by pinching two complementary wings on one side of the piece, pinch which, like a pair of scissors, fold down the two opposite wings.

On the other hand if bosses 17 were provided, with minimum thick in 11 as in fig. 1, we cause a stable configuration of the connection piece when the edge 13 of the wing is there.

As illustrated in fig. 3, this stable position will consist of a position where the pairs of wings complementary 3, 3a; 3 ', 3a', initially parallel, lose their parallelism and are actually folded back, the size of the part then making it suitable for being removed if it is blocked in an opening of a element to assemble. We can inversely deploy by force a couple of wings on one side, which will cause a additional deployment of the other pair of wings which, if they are inserted in a dimension opening appropriate, will block the connecting piece to ensure assembly.

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a variant of the invention in which the part consists of two elements 42, 42 'also identical, the central part 44 comprising a centered hole 48 and a lug 49 in the form of a cylinder sector or quarter. Fig. 4a represents the two complementary elements before coupling which is done manually by pressing in the direction of arrows and fig. 4b represents the two elements coupled, wings spread, to provide a piece of connection 41 according to the invention. The two parts of axis 49, 49 'are adjacent in the hole while leaving a empty sector, allowing limited rotation of a part compared to each other.

Note also the boss 410 and the pins of axial retainer 412.

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate another variant of the invention in which the two elements forming the connecting piece 51 are different. A bulge terminal 55 is provided on the tenon part 59, the hole 58 being provided with a housing or counterbore 57 suitable for retaining the bulge of the post 55.

According to this variant, there is no boss in the connecting piece but there are one or more small (in the case illustrated one) elastic extension tabs 54, whose template will determine the resistance, which will be compressed or folded when the pairs are brought together wings (53, 53 ') to adopt the narrow configuration (wings folded). Once the pressure is released the wings regain their blocking configuration by effect elasticity. This variant can of course be combined with all compatible variants described in the this presentation.

Figs. 6a to 6e illustrate the various stages of the assembly of two cubes (illustrated in quarter cut) with a connection piece 1.

The connecting piece 1 is introduced (figs 6a, 6b), wings folded by pinching, in the opening 61 of cube 60 by pressing an element of the thickness of the wing forming a stop 68 against an annular part 69 of the thickness of the seat wall.

Fig. 6d represents the connection piece assembly coupled with the cube, the projecting wings having been spread manually.

If from fig. 6c, the projecting part of the whole 1, 60 still loose is introduced into a opening of a second 60 'cube and pushing into this opening, the wing stop 68 'will straighten up to adopt the blocking position and thus couple the two reversibly cubes as illustrated in fig 6e. By pulling on the two cubes, these can be disassemble, the connecting piece finding its configuration with folded wings.

Generally, for some applications, there will be able to assemble two elements with connecting parts in the deployed position. The introduction will then be done by force, for example by clipping, e.g. against clearance.

Fig. 7 illustrates different stages of the deployment of a set of pseudo-cubes connected with the connection parts, in particular parts according to the invention.
A starting cubic configuration obtained from eight cubes each connected to one or two adjacent cubes. Successive rotations of cubes or subsets of cubes, allow deployment of the 8 cubes in different spatial configurations, with the possibility of arranging them in the same plane at 17. In general, the deployment can be carried out in multiple planes, pe to form a curved pseudo-surface.

Figs. 8a and 8b illustrate in more detail a pseudo-cube derived from a thick-walled hollow sphere, with which 6 caps have been removed. We will note the openings 80 and annular ledges or seats 69 provided in these openings. In fig 8b, 2 of the 6 faces resulting each have an opening 80 with grooves, recesses or notches 81 suitable for receiving any lugs or bulges in the shapes 82 (see fig. 1) provided in the groove or the throat of one or more wings of the piece of connection. It will be understood that a lug 82 engaged in a notch 81 blocks the rotation of the connection piece. Yes the latter also has a lug on at least one of the complementary wings intended to assemble a adjacent cube, the relative rotation of the latter two cubes will be prevented.

Fig. 9 illustrates a part according to the invention in which the two identical elements 2, 2a but do not not each have an axis of symmetry of order 2 of the Fig. 1. The elements are compatible but include opposite wings (3, 3 '; 3a, 3a') of different dimensions. After assembly, the deployment of the wings on an east side narrower compared to the opposite side, the openings of two elements to be assembled can thus be of dimensions different. We also recognize pins 82 on the thickness of the wings 3, 3a.

Fig. 10 illustrates the movement of a set of 6 cubes numbered from 1 to 6 that can be freely connected rotation with parts according to the invention. One of the cubes, cube 1, remaining fixed. Steps 1 to 5 of the transformation are illustrated. The 6 cubes are connected annularly according to the sequence 1-2-3-4-5-6- (1 ..). We note that cube 3 is not connected to cube 6.

In general, it will also be noted that the piece of fixing coupled to an element to be assembled can be blocked or locked in the retaining position with a independent blocking or locking element, by example introduced between the thicknesses of the pair of wings remained free. This part can prevent pinching and consecutive release of the assembled element.

The elements to be assembled, in particular the cubes or aforementioned pseudo-cubes, may be full and have openings of various shapes, identical or different, including rectangular, able to cooperate with wings having an end portion in profile of complementary shape. An opening can thus be rectangular, the wings being engaged with a couple of opposite sides The openings may include other fixing means, by friction, or by means latching or clipping with undercut.

The invention can thus materialize, inter alia, under the shape of chains of connected volume elements and comprising at any connection parts, including the connecting parts of the invention, motors, possibly micro-motors, controlled by flexible wires running through the structure, or controlled by remote control, in order to obtain various movements and complex with unlimited combinations, which can be remotely controlled by suitable IT support.

For example, without limitation, it will be mentioned that the connecting parts and the elements to be assembled can measure from a few millimeters to several tens of meters, and weigh from a few grams to several tons.

This aspect may prove advantageous in the field of space constructions, especially the construction of space stations. Connected elements can themselves to be of dimensions such as they constitute interchangeable modular living spaces.

Furthermore, the connection parts according to the invention may incorporate different mechanical elements and / or holes for axis passage, for example axis of transmission.

It will be understood that multiple variants can be combine in the context of the invention. The man of art will appreciate compatible variants to develop various combinations useful for applications specific.

Claims (8)

1. Mechanical connection piece (1) made up of two mobile elements (2, 2a) capable of pivoting partially relative to each other, each element (2, 2a) comprising at least two catching or retaining means (3, 3'; 3a, 3a') which move apart during said pivoting, characterised in that the catching or retaining means (3, 3'; 3a, 3a') are wings extending in different parallel planes from and on either side of a central part (4) linking the wings over part of their length, the assembled central parts thus forming together two extended central axis parts, each part comprising a horizontal sliding surface (20, 20a), these surfaces sliding against one another, and two lateral sliding surfaces (17, 18; 17', 18) vertically in contact with an edge (13) of the thickness of the wings (3a, 3a') of the complementary element.
2. Mechanical connection piece according to the preceding claim, made up of two elements (2, 2a) capable of being assembled the one inside the other in an inverted position and, once assembled, capable of pivoting partially relative to each other, each element comprising two opposite wings (3, 3', 3a, 3a'), the thickness of which extends on either side of a plane passing through the centre of a core (4, 4a) connecting the wings over part of their depth and thickness, the assembled cores thus forming together two extended cylindroid parts, each core comprising a sliding surface (20, 20a), which surfaces slide against one another perpendicularly to the wings, and two lateral sliding surfaces (17, 18, 17', 18') in contact with the edge of the width of the wings of the complementary element.
3. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elements (2, 2a) are provided with one or more retaining elements (10, 12) which prevent the axial displacement of one element (2) relative to the other (2a), preferably by catching, e.g. with the aid of one or more lugs (12) resting on a face (19) of a stop (10).
4. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elements (2, 2a) are provided on at least one lateral sliding surface of the central part, during said partial pivoting, with a boss (17) which permits preferential positioning of said elements (2, 2a) relative to one another, corresponding to different degrees of spreading of the said wings.
5. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two constituent elements are identical.
6. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each constituent element includes an axis of symmetry of order 2.
7. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal parts of the wings (3, 3', 3a, 3a') form arcs of circles which, in the spread position, exert lateral pressure on the inside edges of an opening (80) in the piece to be connected (60, 60').
8. Mechanical connection piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness (e) of the wings includes a throat (7) capable of receiving the inside flank of an opening (80) made in a piece to be connected (60, 60').

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