EP1399230B1 - Construction kit - Google Patents

Abstract

Construction kit comprises flat and/or three-dimensional construction elements (1) having magnetic elements (4) in the corners and/or on the sides and ferromagnetic balls placed between the magnetic elements of the construction elements fitted together to removably hold the construction elements together by magnetic adhesion. Preferred Features: The construction kit contains triangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, circular and/or semicircular plate-like elements.

Description

The invention relates to a kit consisting of components with Magnetic elements and ferromagnetic balls.

Modules of the type mentioned are particularly as children's toys, Educational toys, for the production of decorative objects or for applications in technology, for example for the production of models in of architecture.

A kit is already known, the components in the form of plastic rods with two permanent magnets in the ends and ferromagnetic Balls includes between the end magnets of two components is settable to releasably connect them together by magnetic adhesion. With these components, two- and three-dimensional, network-shaped Structures of different designs are formed.

The structures of rod-shaped and spherical parts are proportional unstable. Therefore, relatively strong permanent ones Magnets used and is used to increase the magnetic adhesive forces in a small iron pin on each plastic rod between the two magnets or ferromagnetic material used.

Another disadvantage of the known modular system is that with its help only net-like or "open" structures can be produced.

A kit of the type described above is the subject of WO 99/60583 A1.

The post-published WO 02/055168 A1 teaches to improve the stability the net-like structures according to WO 99/60583 A1 made of plastic rods with integrated magnets and ferromagnetic balls plates add that can be removably inserted into the polygonal openings, surrounded by the rods and balls of the net-like structures. The plates are not magnetically effective and are only used for closing the openings of the network structure.

DE 39 10 304 A1 discloses a kit in which the components Have ferromagnetic contact surfaces and the couplings permanent magnets are or contain such (claim 1). According to claim 3 the components in particular plates and the couplings in particular Bullets. Claim 4 relates inter alia on contact areas of the Components that are concave and on convex surfaces of the couplings (e.g. balls) are adapted. The structure of the balls is shown in Fig. 2 and described in column 4, line 60 to column 5, line 57. These balls are very complex structure and very expensive to manufacture. When using they have the disadvantage that the components only in certain Angles to the spherical couplings can be aligned because otherwise there is no adequate magnetic adhesion.

DE 33 23 489 A1 and GB 2 123 306 A disclose a game and Instructional means based on spherical elements, in which the Balls contain magnetic elements. The balls serve to be strip-shaped Pinch elements and hold them in place by the magnetic forces between them Balls of different positions are effective. This is illustrated in FIG. 3. The strips are from "Perspex" and have no ferromagnetic Items on. The stability and variability of this kit are extremely low.

US 3 998 004 A discloses a kit with polygonal building blocks, which have elongated magnetic elements extending along the edges. The magnetic elements are arranged so that at least one at each tip North pole N and a south pole S two magnets are arranged side by side. To form three-dimensional objects, several components with their Side by side, with the north and south poles always facing each other and attract each other. The variability of this kit is limited to each other because of the required alignment of the magnetic poles.

US 2 872 954 A relates to magnetic building blocks, which are always octagonal Are prisms. In the building blocks there are magnets with poles in the Corners always arranged so that one on each of the six sides of the block cyclic pattern of magnetic poles of changing polarity is present.

Scripture teaches the magnet arrangement, the distance L between the poles opposite polarity to maximize that reaching into space stray magnetic flux and thus the magnetic adhesive effect on a maximize further component and the main magnetic flux through the Minimize magnets. So that the building blocks are magnetically adhered to each other the corners are rounded with outward Provide pole pieces. The variability of this kit, which is exclusive Includes building blocks that must be assembled flush, so that corners of different polarity collide is small.

US 242 821 A relates to a chemistry teaching kit, in which the chemical Elements illustrated by blocks with a specific shape become. Furthermore, the arrangement of the North Pole and the South Pole of magnets on the surface of the components illustrates whether the element is electro-negative or electro-positive. The arrangement of the poles So the magnet is determined by the chemical properties of each Element determined. Are due to their shape and the pole arrangement the components can only be assembled to a very limited extent. Besides, is the kit is only suitable for arranging the components in the area.

Based on this, the object of the invention is a modular system to create that is not limited to the creation of network structures is and in which the structures without special measures Increased magnetic holding forces are sufficiently stabilized.

The task is carried out by a kit with the features of the claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments of the modular system are in the Subclaims specified.

The construction kit according to the invention has flat components with magnetic elements in corners with their axes essentially on bisectors the corners are aligned, and ferromagnetic balls that components placed between magnetic elements can be placed, to releasably connect the components to one another by magnetic adhesion.

The fact that the kit includes flat components, the stability with the help of these components and with ferromagnetic balls created structures in comparison to the known modular system rod-shaped components and balls significantly improved. this makes possible it to get by with relatively weak magnets and to avoid additional ferromagnetic components within the components. The construction of particularly large, stable structures is also favored. In addition, the flat components have the advantage that they are make it possible to put together more or less closed structures, which increases the appeal of the game and enables many interesting applications. In addition, the use of less strong magnetic forces becomes annoying Avoid magnetic fields that attract small parts or Clocks or other fine mechanical components can impair.

The flat components essentially extend in one area, but they have a certain transverse extent to the surface can. Spatial components, however, extend considerably in all spatial directions. In contrast, the rod-shaped extend Components from the prior art only considerably along an axis and have only a small extent in the transverse direction.

The magnetic elements are essentially on bisectors of corners of the two large parallel side faces of the flat components. The magnetic elements are preferably parallel to the corners the two large side surfaces, preferably approximately in the middle between.

The flat components can, for example, curved flat components his. The flat components can be designed in a variety of forms his. You can use closed components or open components be, for example, frame-shaped components in a surface limit run.

According to a preferred embodiment, the components are plate-shaped. Many interesting things can be done with plate-shaped components and realize particularly stable structures.

The magnetic elements of the components are arranged in corners. In addition, they can be arranged on the component side, in particular in the narrow sides of the flat components.

The plate-shaped components can be any component Number of corners. The plate-shaped components can also be curved Have sides. According to a further embodiment, the Triangular and / or square and / or hexagonal and / or modular system octagonal and / or semicircular plate-shaped components.

According to a further embodiment, the kit includes isosceles and / or isosceles triangles and / or square and / or double-square and / or multiple square plate-shaped components.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises components that are Have chamfers on their edges. This favors a variety of components put together at the edges.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises components whose Walls between their edges are thinner than the edges.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises components that are connected to the Corners and / or side recesses for receiving a section have a ball. This makes it possible to move the components close together or the balls largely in the corners of the components accommodate.

According to a further embodiment, the recesses are chamfered at the corners of the components and / or substantially spherical or trough-shaped depressions at the corners and / or the sides of the components.

The axes of the magnetic elements are essentially on a bisector aligned in the corners. This will make the magnetic Holding forces advantageously aligned to the components or the balls. For this purpose, according to one embodiment of the components Magnetic elements in the sides the magnetic elements with their axes in the essentially perpendicular to the sides or the recesses in the sides directed.

According to a further embodiment, the magnetic elements are cylindrical.

According to a preferred embodiment, the magnetic elements are permanent Magnets. Basically, it is also possible to use the magnetic elements run as electrical magnets.

The kit includes, in particular, rigid components. According to In one embodiment, the kit comprises at least one deformable one Component. This component is manually or by means of a user Mold deformable. It can in particular be a plastic or act elastically deformable component. This allows the user Build structures that leave the specified grid of components. It can also create stress states by means of elastically deformable components involve in its structures.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises at least one component with a light source. This allows the user to create interesting lighting effects achieve. The component is preferably also in that already described Way provided with magnetic elements and can by means of ferromagnetic Balls can be integrated into structures. But it can also do other things Have assembly techniques, such as suction cup attachment.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is an electrical one Light source. According to a further embodiment, the kit comprises one electrical voltage source, e.g. a battery, an accumulator or a Power supply. The voltage source can be used to supply the electrical Light source and / or electrical magnetic elements can be used. For example, it can be in another component or in the component be integrated with the light source, for example when using a battery button cell. But it can also be integrated into the base plate or a separate one Be a modular element.

According to a further embodiment, the components are at least partially made of plastic and / or metal and / or wood. The magnetic elements and / or the light sources or a version thereof and / or the voltage source can in particular be poured into the components and / or injected and / or inserted.

The components are preferably injection molded from plastic.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises at least one cube with differently marked sides. The side faces of a Cubes can all or only partially be marked differently his. Symbols and / or descriptions are preferred on the side surfaces of components and / or of balls and / or of special ones Game instructions arranged. For example, one can or can several players with the help of the cube components or balls dice that they can use for a construction. In a way Competition can then be determined who is the tallest, most daring or build the most beautiful construction with the cubed components. A Name that is assigned to a special instruction, for example be a "joker". Dice rolling the joker, for example allow a player to select any component. A another "designation" can, for example, be free of any information Be side. If a player rolls such a blank side, he may not use a component to take. Another conceivable designation is a number, which is the number the components that the player may take.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises black and / or white and / or colored components and / or ferromagnetic balls. In particular The kit can be components and / or balls in different Include colors or in black or in white.

Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment provides that the kit is a Includes base plate, the depressions and / or other surface structures and / or further magnetic elements into which the balls and / or Components can be used and / or with which balls and / or components are releasably connectable by magnetic adhesion. Building on the Base plates can advantageously be built up structures based on the grid be specified by the base plate. The base plate is a useful aid in building stable structures, especially if reach these large dimensions.

It is also possible to have a base plate on both sides with depressions and / or other surface structures and / or further magnetic elements provided, for example in different grids, around different structures to enable. Such a double-sided base plate can also be used to cover structures and then new structures to build.

According to one embodiment, the depressions and / or others Surface structures have a circular and / or elongated shape. As a result, the base plate can be used for setting up components that have different edge lengths, for example for square plates and triangles, isosceles or isosceles Triangles.

According to one embodiment, the base plate is in black and / or white and / or colored. According to one embodiment, the base plate made of plastic. Furthermore, the other magnetic elements of the base plate prefers permanent magnets. Especially with a base plate other magnetic elements but also electrical magnets to be particularly special strong magnetic forces of the entire structure a special stability to rent.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises a container with a Lower part with compartments containing components and spheres and one from Removable lower part, the base plate having the base plate. The top thus has a double function as a basis for playing and covering the container for storage and transport of components and balls.

According to one embodiment, the kit comprises a container with a Lower part and a hinged lid each made of plastic and at least an insert with compartments containing components and balls. According to one Design also consists of plastic. According to one Design, the container and / or the insert consists of a transparent Plastic. According to one embodiment, the hinged lid is over a Film hinge hinged to the lower part. According to one embodiment, this is Container and / or the insert folded from a flat plastic material and at the corners by gluing, welding or some other connection connected. According to one embodiment, the kit includes one used base plate.

Fig. 1a und b

ein quadratisches plattenförmiges Bauelement in Draufsicht (Fig. 1a) und in Seitenansicht (Fig. 1b);

Fig. 2a und b

ein doppelquadratisches flächiges Bauelement in Draufsicht (Fig. 2a) und in Seitenansicht (Fig. 2b);

Fig. 3a bis c

ein dreieckiges flächiges Bauelement in Draufsicht (Fig. 3a), in einer Ansicht von der linken Seite (Fig. 3b) und in einer Ansicht von der rechten Seite (Fig. 3c);

Fig. 4a bis c

Prismenstruktur, gebildet mit Bauelementen gemäß Fig. 1 und 3 sowie ferromagnetischen Kugeln in Vorderansicht (Fig. 4a), Seitenansicht (Fig. 4b) und einer weiteren Seitenansicht (Fig. 4c);

Fig. 5

pyramidenförmige Struktur, gebildet aus Bauelementen gemäß Fig. 3 und ferromagnetischen Kugeln in der Draufsicht;

Fig. 6a bis c

eine Grundplatte mit Vertiefungen zur Aufnahme von Kugeln in der Draufsicht (Fig. 6a), in Seitenansicht (Fig. 6b) und in derselben Seitenansicht mit einer eingesetzten Kugel (Fig. 6c),

Fig. 7a bis c

ein Behältnis für Bauelemente und Kugeln in einer Draufsicht auf das Oberteil (Fig. 7a), einer Draufsicht auf das Unterteil (Fig. 7b) und in einem Vertikalschnitt (Fig. 7c);

Fig. 8

einen Würfel in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht;

Fig. 9

Tabelle mit Würfelsymbolen und Spielregeln.

The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

1a and b

a square plate-shaped component in plan view (Fig. 1a) and in side view (Fig. 1b);

2a and b

a double-square flat component in plan view (Fig. 2a) and in side view (Fig. 2b);

3a to c

a triangular flat component in plan view (Fig. 3a), in a view from the left side (Fig. 3b) and in a view from the right side (Fig. 3c);

4a to c

Prism structure, formed with components according to FIGS. 1 and 3 as well as ferromagnetic balls in front view (FIG. 4a), side view (FIG. 4b) and a further side view (FIG. 4c);

Fig. 5

pyramid-shaped structure, formed from components according to FIG 3 and ferromagnetic balls in plan view.

6a to c

a base plate with recesses for receiving balls in plan view (Fig. 6a), in side view (Fig. 6b) and in the same side view with an inserted ball (Fig. 6c),

7a to c

a container for components and balls in a plan view of the upper part (Fig. 7a), a plan view of the lower part (Fig. 7b) and in a vertical section (Fig. 7c);

Fig. 8

a cube in a perspective side view;

Fig. 9

Table with dice symbols and game rules.

The following explanation explains various exemplary embodiments corresponding features with the same reference numerals.

1, a square plate-shaped component 1 has a plate 2, each with a small bevel 3 at the four corners at an angle of 45 ° to the edges.

Furthermore, in each corner there is a magnetic element 4 in the form of a small cylindrical one Permanent magnets used. The axes of the magnetic elements 4 are exactly on the bisector of the edges bordering the corners the plate 2 or aligned with the center of the plate 2.

Furthermore, the plate 2 has a circumferential chamfer 5 on both sides at the edges.

In the example, the plate has 2 side lengths of approximately 40 mm and a wall thickness of about 5 mm. Furthermore, in the example magnets 4 with a Diameter of about 4 mm and a length of about 5 mm used.

Fig. 2a shows a double-square plate-shaped component 6, the a plate 7 with a side length which is double that of plate 1 (approx. 80 mm). The plate 7 has bevels 3 at the corners in turn, magnetic elements 4 integrated into the plates 7. Outside runs on both sides a chamfer 5 um.

Furthermore, the plate-shaped component 6 in the middle of the two long ones Edges trough-shaped depressions 8. At the bottom of these depressions 8 magnetic elements 4 are in turn arranged in the plate.

The depressions 8 are dimensioned such that a section of balls with a Diameter of 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) can be accommodated in it.

The depressions 8 have a width of about 13 mm and one in the example Depth of about 3.5 mm.

3, a triangular plate-shaped component 9 comprises a Plate 10 in the form of an isosceles triangle, the bevels at the corners 3, which is perpendicular to the bisector between the edges bordering the corners.

In turn, the plate 10 has 3 magnetic elements under the bevels 4 with a cylindrical shape, the axes of which bisect the angles the corners are aligned.

The side length of the plate 10, i.e. the one from a hypothetical corner to the other measured distance, corresponds to the side lengths of plate 2, i.e. is about 40 mm. The plate 10 also has a wall thickness of approximately 5 mm.

4 and 5, the components 1 and 9 described above are together with ferromagnetic balls 11 used to create structures. The ferromagnetic balls 11 are each over the Magnetic elements 4 placed so that the distance between the centers of the Balls is about 45 mm.

4a to c is a prismatic structure of three square plate-shaped components 1, two triangular plate-shaped Components 9 and six ferromagnetic balls 11 realized. In the The balls 11 are partially omitted to provide a view of the views Bevels 3 and the magnetic elements 4 to release. You can see well that a portion of the balls 11 is placed in the region of the bevels 3 and thereby the components 1, 9 can be moved close together.

5 shows a pyramidal or tetrahedral structure from four triangular plate-shaped components 9 and four ferromagnetic Bullets 11.

Of course, components 1, 9, 6 and any other components, structures encompassed by this invention are virtually arbitrary in structures Size and complexity can be put together. Also are other than the dimensions mentioned possible.

6 serves as an aid for the construction of structures, a base plate 12, consisting of a plate-shaped body 13 on at least one Side has a plurality of depressions 14. The wells are in Example chosen conical, but can also have other shapes. The Recesses 14 have the advantage that balls 11 used only on one circumferential line are held on the circumference, so that they are precisely fixed are, but can be removed with little force.

In the example, the base plate is approximately square and has a side length of about 500 mm. The distance between the depressions 14 corresponds the distance between the center of the balls 11 when the magnet 4 of the components 1, 6, 9 are assigned, i.e. about 45 mm.

The components 1, 6, 9 and / or the base body 12 are in particular made of Plastic can be produced, especially by spraying. The magnetic elements 4 can be encapsulated by the plastic material.

The balls 11 can be produced from an iron material which is made of a Magnet is attracted. Preferably a stainless iron material used. The balls 11 can also have coatings.

7, a container 15 comprises a lower part 16 with a bottom part 17 and a receiving part 18 in which various compartments 19 are formed are. The compartments 19 are used to hold components and balls. They are the size of the components to be accommodated and Adjusted balls.

The receiving part 18 has a peripheral edge 20 at the top, which is a receptacle circumscribed.

An upper part 21 is inserted into the receptacle. This includes a base plate 12 ', the circular recesses 14' an elongated recess 14 "which are rounded at the ends. The width of the elongated Indentations 14 "correspond to the diameter of the circular indentations 14 'and their length three times the diameter of the circular depressions 14 '.

The depressions 14 '14 "are through holes in the base plate 14'. The upper part 21 comprises a thin cover plate 22 which is below the Base plate 12 'is arranged and covers the holes.

The container 15 can be made entirely or partially of plastic and / or wood and / or metal (e.g. aluminum) or other suitable material be made.

8, a cube 23 belonging to the modular system has six sides 24 with different symbols.

The assignment of the symbols to the pages is shown in the table in FIG. 9. This also shows the rules of the game when rolling a die certain symbols of a teammate are to be observed:

When rolling the first side, the player may use a square component and take a ball.

For cubes on the second side there is a rectangular component and a bullet too.

When rolling the third side, the player is entitled to a triangular Take component and a ball from the supply.

On the fourth page he gets a trapezoidal component and one Bullet.

If the player rolls the fifth side, he is entitled to two balls.

When rolling the sixth side, he has a free choice of one component any shape and a ball or he can take four balls.

Any variations are possible.

By means of one or more dice 22, for example, betting games organized between different players. Everyone Player has a certain number of dice and with the dice rolled he can build a structure of components and balls. The results the players are compared according to one or more specific criteria (e.g. height of the structure) and so the winner is determined.

Claims (26)

1. Construction kit with two-dimensional construction elements (1, 9) with magnetic elements (4) at the comers in which the magnets with their axes are aligned substantially with a line bisecting the comers and ferromagnetic spheres (11), which can be inserted between the magnetic elements (4) of adjacent construction elements (1, 9) to connect the construction elements (1, 9) together using a magnetic bond so that they can be detached again.
2. Construction kit according to claim 1 which comprises panel-shaped construction elements (1, 9).
3. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 and 2, which comprises triangular and/or rectangular and/or hexagonal and/or octagonal and/or half-round panel-typed elements (1, 9).
4. Construction kit according to claim 3, which comprises triangular construction elements with sides of equal and/or unequal lengths and or square and/or double square and/or multiple square panel-type construction elements (1, 6, 9).
5. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 4, which comprises construction elements (1, 9), which have a bevel (5) on their edges.
6. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 5, which comprises construction elements (1, 6, 9), the walls of which are thinner between the edges than on the edges.
7. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 6 with construction elements which have cut-outs at the comers and/or sides (3, 8) to take a segment of a sphere (11).
8. Construction kit according to claim 5, in which the cut-outs are formed by bevelled edges (3) on the comers of the construction elements and/or recesses which are substantially shaped like segments of a sphere or like troughs (8) at the corners and/or sides of the construction elements (1, 6, 9).
9. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 8 which comprises two-dimensional construction elements (1, 9) with magnetic elements (4) at the sides.
10. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 9, in which the magnets with their axes are aligned substantially perpendicular to the sides of the construction elements.
11. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 10, in which the magnetic elements (4) are cylindrical.
12. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 11, in which the magnetic elements (4) are permanent magnets.
13. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 12, which comprises at least one construction element (1, 6, 9) which can be changed in shape.
14. Construction kit according to claim 13, which comprises at least one construction element (1, 6, 9) which can be changed in shape plastically and/or at least one which can be changed in shape elastically.
15. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 14, which comprises at least one construction element (1, 6, 9) with a light source.
16. Construction kit according to claim 15, which comprises at least one construction element (1, 6, 9) with an electrical light source.
17. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 16, which comprises at least one source of electrical voltage.
18. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 17, which comprises construction elements (1, 6, 9) made of plastic and/or metal and/or wood.
19. Construction kit according to claim 18, in which the construction elements (1, 6, 9) are made at least partially of injection-moulded plastic.
20. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 19, which comprises at least one cube (23) with differently marked side surfaces (24).
21. Construction kit according to claim 20, in which the side surfaces (24) of the cube (23) have symbols and/or designations of construction elements (1, 6, 9) and/or of spheres (11) and/or of special game instructions arranged on them.
22. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 21, which comprises black and/or white and/or coloured construction elements (1, 6, 9) and/or ferromagnetic spheres (11) and/or cubes (23).
23. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 22, which comprises a base plate (12) which has recesses (14) and/or other surface structures and/or other magnetic elements, into which spheres (11) and/or construction elements (1, 6, 9) can partially be inserted, and/or with which spheres (11) and/or construction elements (1, 6, 9) can be connected so that they can be detached.
24. Construction kit according to claim 23, in which the recesses (14) and/or other surface structures have a round or elongated shape.
25. Construction kit according to any of the claims 1 to 24, which possesses a container (15) with a lower part (16) with compartments (19) for construction elements (1, 6, 9) and spheres (11) and an upper part (21) which can be removed from the lower part (16) and includes the base plate (12).
26. Construction kit according to one of the claims 1 to 2625 which comprises a container with a lower part and a hinged lid, each made of plastic, and at least one insert with compartments holding construction elements and spheres.

Images