GB2037171A - Model grids - Google Patents

Abstract

A grid for use in model making has two series of plastics strips (13) preferably laid at right angles to one another with each strip (13) recessed (14) at its junction with another strip (13) for mutual engagement and to provide planar faces to the grid. The grid is adhesively assembled on a jig of rectangular construction constituted by recessed strips (11, 12, figure 1, not shown), lips (15) on the strips (13) engaging slots 11A, 12A. The strips (11, 12 and 13) may be provided as a kit of parts. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Grid structural arrangement This invention relates to a grid structural arrangement for use in the manufacture of models.

In particular, it relates to a grid structural arrangement suitable for use in producing, for example models, windows, ladders, gratings, fencing, ship super-structures and simulated steel structures. Such uses are, of course, not exhaustive.

According to the present invention I provide a grid structural arrangement suitable for use in model manufacture and comprising two series of spaced strips of plastics material disposed at an angle to one another, the strips of each series at their junction regions with the strips of the other series being recessed whereby the recessed regions co-act so that each face of the grid structure arrangement is planar.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing a jig employed for the assembly of a grid structural arrangement, and also plastics strips to be assembled into the grid structural arrangement, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled grid structural arrangement, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a simple model window made from the grid structural assembly.

The jig used to produce the grid structure is a rectangular frame 10 formed of flat strips of, for example, polystyrene. The two pairs of opposed sides 11 and 12 have aligned slots 11Aand 12Acutin their surface but with the slots being in the opposite surface of one pair of opposed strips 11 to that of the other pair of opposed strips 12 and also at right angles to each other as can clearly be seen from Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The grid structure is assembled from a number of thin polystyrene strips 13, each at its regions where it will join with another strip 13 being recessed as indicated at 14 and each end of the strip 13 being recessed or cut away to form a tail 15.

To form the grid structure the jig 10 is laid flat on a work bench surface forexample and strips 13 are laid across same to bridge the opposed sides with the exposed slots, i.e. sides 11 in Fig. 1, the tails 15 of the strips 13 being adhesively secured in the slots 11A. The jig 10 is then turned over and a second set of strips 13 is laid at right angles to the first set, the tails 15 of these strips 13 engaging in the slots 1 2A in the opposed sides 12 of the jig 10 and the recesses 14 in the junction regions of both sets of strips 13 mating to provide a grid structure which is planar on both sides. This second set of strips 13 is adhesively secured to the other set 13 at their mating recesses 14, and also to the jig sides 12 in the slots 1 2A.

When the grid structure is firm the jig sides 11, 12 and, of course, the strip tails 15 are cut away leaving a grid structure 16 (see Fig. 2) for use, as aforesaid, in model production.

The grid structure is easily cut to various shapes and sizes depending on the model manufacturer's requirement.

The spacing between strips 13 can be equal or non-equal.

A portion 17 of the grid structure 16 can be fitted to a flat base 18 provided with an outstanding rectan gular frame 19 to simulate, for example, a window as is shown in Fig. 3.

Preferably, one end of each strip 13 is coloured with all the coloured ends being at the same edge of the jig 10 to permit the user to achieve parallelism in assembly.

The strips 11, 12 and 13 may be provided as a kit of parts from which the jig 10 can be assembled and then the grid structure arrangement 16.

1. A grid structural arrangement suitable for use in model manufacture and comprising two series of spaced strips of plastics material disposed at an angle to one another, the strips of each series at their junction regions with the strips of the other series being recessed whereby the recessed regions co-act so that each face of the grid structure arrangement is planar.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the two series of strips are disposed at right angles to one another.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each strip at each end has a tail used to cooperate with a jig during assembly of the arrangement and thereafter cut off.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which one end of each strip is coloured with the coloured ends of all strips of each series being at a same side of the arrangement.

5. A grid structural arrangement for use in model manufacture, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. A jig for use in assembling a grid structural arrangement as claimed in claim 3 comprising a rectangular frame constituted by plastics strips with opposed sides having aligned slots but with the slots being in the opposite surface of one pair of opposed strips to that of the other pair and being at right angles to each other.

7. A kit of parts for use in assembling a jig as claimed in claim 6 and thereafter a grid structural arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising four plastics strips with one surface of each having a series of parallel slots and at least four plastics strips each formed with a tail at each end and having a series of recesses along its length.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Grid structural arrangement This invention relates to a grid structural arrangement for use in the manufacture of models. In particular, it relates to a grid structural arrangement suitable for use in producing, for example models, windows, ladders, gratings, fencing, ship super-structures and simulated steel structures. Such uses are, of course, not exhaustive. According to the present invention I provide a grid structural arrangement suitable for use in model manufacture and comprising two series of spaced strips of plastics material disposed at an angle to one another, the strips of each series at their junction regions with the strips of the other series being recessed whereby the recessed regions co-act so that each face of the grid structure arrangement is planar. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing a jig employed for the assembly of a grid structural arrangement, and also plastics strips to be assembled into the grid structural arrangement, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled grid structural arrangement, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a simple model window made from the grid structural assembly. The jig used to produce the grid structure is a rectangular frame 10 formed of flat strips of, for example, polystyrene. The two pairs of opposed sides 11 and 12 have aligned slots 11Aand 12Acutin their surface but with the slots being in the opposite surface of one pair of opposed strips 11 to that of the other pair of opposed strips 12 and also at right angles to each other as can clearly be seen from Fig. 1 of the drawing. The grid structure is assembled from a number of thin polystyrene strips 13, each at its regions where it will join with another strip 13 being recessed as indicated at 14 and each end of the strip 13 being recessed or cut away to form a tail 15. To form the grid structure the jig 10 is laid flat on a work bench surface forexample and strips 13 are laid across same to bridge the opposed sides with the exposed slots, i.e. sides 11 in Fig. 1, the tails 15 of the strips 13 being adhesively secured in the slots 11A. The jig 10 is then turned over and a second set of strips 13 is laid at right angles to the first set, the tails 15 of these strips 13 engaging in the slots 1 2A in the opposed sides 12 of the jig 10 and the recesses 14 in the junction regions of both sets of strips 13 mating to provide a grid structure which is planar on both sides. This second set of strips 13 is adhesively secured to the other set 13 at their mating recesses 14, and also to the jig sides 12 in the slots 1 2A. When the grid structure is firm the jig sides 11, 12 and, of course, the strip tails 15 are cut away leaving a grid structure 16 (see Fig. 2) for use, as aforesaid, in model production. The grid structure is easily cut to various shapes and sizes depending on the model manufacturer's requirement. The spacing between strips 13 can be equal or non-equal. A portion 17 of the grid structure 16 can be fitted to a flat base 18 provided with an outstanding rectan gular frame 19 to simulate, for example, a window as is shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, one end of each strip 13 is coloured with all the coloured ends being at the same edge of the jig 10 to permit the user to achieve parallelism in assembly. The strips 11, 12 and 13 may be provided as a kit of parts from which the jig 10 can be assembled and then the grid structure arrangement 16. CLAIMS

1. A grid structural arrangement suitable for use in model manufacture and comprising two series of spaced strips of plastics material disposed at an angle to one another, the strips of each series at their junction regions with the strips of the other series being recessed whereby the recessed regions co-act so that each face of the grid structure arrangement is planar.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the two series of strips are disposed at right angles to one another.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each strip at each end has a tail used to cooperate with a jig during assembly of the arrangement and thereafter cut off.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which one end of each strip is coloured with the coloured ends of all strips of each series being at a same side of the arrangement.

5. A grid structural arrangement for use in model manufacture, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. A jig for use in assembling a grid structural arrangement as claimed in claim 3 comprising a rectangular frame constituted by plastics strips with opposed sides having aligned slots but with the slots being in the opposite surface of one pair of opposed strips to that of the other pair and being at right angles to each other.

7. A kit of parts for use in assembling a jig as claimed in claim 6 and thereafter a grid structural arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising four plastics strips with one surface of each having a series of parallel slots and at least four plastics strips each formed with a tail at each end and having a series of recesses along its length.