GB2064844A

GB2064844A - Geometrical modelling system

Info

Publication number: GB2064844A
Application number: GB7935785A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-10-16
Filing date: 1979-10-16
Publication date: 1981-06-17

Abstract

A set of three building blocks provides an improved method of modelling crystal and molecular structures and an intriguing product for the leisure industry. The first block (figure 1) comprises a regular tetrahedron wherein two faces have a suitable positive connection (or positive magnetic pole) while the other two faces have a corresponding negative connection (or negative magnetic pole). The second block is a right angled tetrahedron with its large face exactly the same equilateral size as any of the four faces of the first block, its other three faces consisting of right angled triangles. Its faces too have two negative and two positive connections. The third block is identical to the second in size except that it has the opposite polarity on its large equilateral face to that of the second block. In this way the three blocks can only be face connected within imposed constraints. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Geometrical modelling system In the field of physics and chemistry there is currently no practical method of modelling molecular structures other than the sphere and peg method which has the limitation of being only an approximate or indicative technique. Furthurmore, in crystallography and associated fields there is no effective method of building up a model of a crystal structure and thereby easily demonstrating the principles of the geometry of molecular combination and crystal cleavage. While this may not be considered restricting by the teaching proffesion there is much to be gained from a student viewpoint to be able to do this and therefore a potential benefit to these sciences to be able to offer such a facility.

This invention provides the only solution which is comprehensive and flexible enough to meet this requirement and in so doing also creates a parallel opportunity for philosophical and mathematical analysis of fundamental geometrical concepts which, in the absence of such a modelling technique, may have severely restricted the study and application of ideas within these sciences and within the general field of engineering.

This invention consists of two particular shapes of tetrahedra one of which has a symmetrical binary face polarity the other which must have two combinations of face polarity, giving three unique building blocks which alone yield the properties required.

All three have means of being face connected together according to the rules of their binary polarity and accordingly, when two of each of the latter type and one of the former type are connected together in one fashion they form a perfect cube which fills all space geometrically. It should be noted that it would also be possible to form such a cube by one of the former and four of the latter tetrahedra similarly placed together but with no face polarity.

However the need for such binary face polarity is an essential feature of this invention since the proposition being put forward is that the three blocks alone are the only basis for the formation of all known crystal structures and alone will provide the rules for the correct conclusions emanating from the study of such geometrical forms. (See Figure 4) By such binary notation it is possible to experimentally demonstrate, for instance, that to construct an exact double sized version of the former regular tetrahedron requires the correct connecting of four of each of the three types, and in no other way. Similar rules result when experimenting with the construction of cubes, other tetrahedra, pyramids and the other numerous three-dimensional shapes possible using these three standard blocks.

Each requires its own particular number of each type and the components must be juxtaposed in a discreet mathematical way.

Referring to the diagrams, block type 1 (see Figure 1) is a regulartetrahedran having four faces composed of equilateral triangles. In addition two sides are nominated as positive polarity, the other two being negative polarity for the purpose of face connection. To facilitate explanation, each face in the diagram displays a male stud for positive polarity and a female hole for negative polarity, although methods of connecting the blocks together are not a feature of this invention since such connecting forms are numerous and known.

Type 2 block is a right angled tetrahedran with one face exactly the same dimensions as any face of type 1. Its other three identical faces are right angled triangles, the two sides forming the right angle being of equal length. The large type 1 face has a positive (male) polarity, together with one of the smaller faces while the other two small faces exhibit negative (female) polarity. (See Figure 2).

Type 3 is the identical shape to type 2 but with it's large face and one small face of negative polarity, the two remaining small faces being positive polarity. (See Figure 3).

Additional facilities which are seen as possible further options in the practical design of the blocks are listed as follows; 7.1 Colour coding of faces to reflect their polarity 7.1 Relief coding faces for the same purpose 7.3 designing a suitable edge form of male and female notation so that three of the six sides of each tetragonal block are formed in male polarity and the other three in female polarity. This extends the modelling power of this invention to include fluid type molecules.

7.4 Designing a suitable corner form so as to allow two corners of a block to exhibit a male connection while it's other two corners exhibit a female connection. This would extend the modelling power still further to include gaseous molecules.

7.5 So designing the tooling of an injection plastic moulding method of production as to allow the positive insertion of two north facing magnets against two faces internaily and two south facing magnets against the other two faces so that when assembled as complete bricks and used as described the face polarity becomes apparent to the user and the rules of connection cannot be disregarded.

The blocks could clearly be manufactured in numerous materials such as plastic, wood, metal or paper. When made in cardboard for instance, the tetragonal form could be cut as a generated two dimensional shape, plastic male studs or magnets fabricated thereon and the card then folded along pre-scribed lines and stuck firm.

1. A model building block of reguiartetragonal shape (being composed of four equilateral triangular faces sharing common edges).

2. A model building block of right angled tetragonal form (being composed of three identical right-angled triangular faces sharing their common short edges and converging at the apex of their right angles, their longer edges thus forming an equilateral triangle of identical size to any of the four faces of the large block in claim 1.) 3. A model building block according to claim 1 whereby, for the purposes of face abutment, two of its identical faces exhibit a positive polarity i.e. some

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Geometrical modelling system In the field of physics and chemistry there is currently no practical method of modelling molecular structures other than the sphere and peg method which has the limitation of being only an approximate or indicative technique. Furthurmore, in crystallography and associated fields there is no effective method of building up a model of a crystal structure and thereby easily demonstrating the principles of the geometry of molecular combination and crystal cleavage. While this may not be considered restricting by the teaching proffesion there is much to be gained from a student viewpoint to be able to do this and therefore a potential benefit to these sciences to be able to offer such a facility. This invention provides the only solution which is comprehensive and flexible enough to meet this requirement and in so doing also creates a parallel opportunity for philosophical and mathematical analysis of fundamental geometrical concepts which, in the absence of such a modelling technique, may have severely restricted the study and application of ideas within these sciences and within the general field of engineering. This invention consists of two particular shapes of tetrahedra one of which has a symmetrical binary face polarity the other which must have two combinations of face polarity, giving three unique building blocks which alone yield the properties required. All three have means of being face connected together according to the rules of their binary polarity and accordingly, when two of each of the latter type and one of the former type are connected together in one fashion they form a perfect cube which fills all space geometrically. It should be noted that it would also be possible to form such a cube by one of the former and four of the latter tetrahedra similarly placed together but with no face polarity. However the need for such binary face polarity is an essential feature of this invention since the proposition being put forward is that the three blocks alone are the only basis for the formation of all known crystal structures and alone will provide the rules for the correct conclusions emanating from the study of such geometrical forms. (See Figure 4) By such binary notation it is possible to experimentally demonstrate, for instance, that to construct an exact double sized version of the former regular tetrahedron requires the correct connecting of four of each of the three types, and in no other way. Similar rules result when experimenting with the construction of cubes, other tetrahedra, pyramids and the other numerous three-dimensional shapes possible using these three standard blocks. Each requires its own particular number of each type and the components must be juxtaposed in a discreet mathematical way. Referring to the diagrams, block type 1 (see Figure 1) is a regulartetrahedran having four faces composed of equilateral triangles. In addition two sides are nominated as positive polarity, the other two being negative polarity for the purpose of face connection. To facilitate explanation, each face in the diagram displays a male stud for positive polarity and a female hole for negative polarity, although methods of connecting the blocks together are not a feature of this invention since such connecting forms are numerous and known. Type 2 block is a right angled tetrahedran with one face exactly the same dimensions as any face of type 1. Its other three identical faces are right angled triangles, the two sides forming the right angle being of equal length. The large type 1 face has a positive (male) polarity, together with one of the smaller faces while the other two small faces exhibit negative (female) polarity. (See Figure 2). Type 3 is the identical shape to type 2 but with it's large face and one small face of negative polarity, the two remaining small faces being positive polarity. (See Figure 3). Additional facilities which are seen as possible further options in the practical design of the blocks are listed as follows; 7.1 Colour coding of faces to reflect their polarity 7.1 Relief coding faces for the same purpose 7.3 designing a suitable edge form of male and female notation so that three of the six sides of each tetragonal block are formed in male polarity and the other three in female polarity. This extends the modelling power of this invention to include fluid type molecules. 7.4 Designing a suitable corner form so as to allow two corners of a block to exhibit a male connection while it's other two corners exhibit a female connection. This would extend the modelling power still further to include gaseous molecules. 7.5 So designing the tooling of an injection plastic moulding method of production as to allow the positive insertion of two north facing magnets against two faces internaily and two south facing magnets against the other two faces so that when assembled as complete bricks and used as described the face polarity becomes apparent to the user and the rules of connection cannot be disregarded. The blocks could clearly be manufactured in numerous materials such as plastic, wood, metal or paper. When made in cardboard for instance, the tetragonal form could be cut as a generated two dimensional shape, plastic male studs or magnets fabricated thereon and the card then folded along pre-scribed lines and stuck firm. CLAIMS

2. A model building block of right angled tetragonal form (being composed of three identical right-angled triangular faces sharing their common short edges and converging at the apex of their right angles, their longer edges thus forming an equilateral triangle of identical size to any of the four faces of the large block in claim 1.)

3. A model building block according to claim 1 whereby, for the purposes of face abutment, two of its identical faces exhibit a positive polarity i.e. some kind of male connection or positive magnetic polarity, while the other two faces exhibit a negative polarity i.e. corresponding female connection or negative magnetic polarity. (Figure 1).

4. A model building block as in claim 2 whereby, for the purposes of face abutment, its large equilateral triangular face exhibits positive polarity together with one of its smaller faces, while the other two faces exhibit negative connection polarity. (Figure 2).

5. A model building block as in claim 2 whereby, for the purposes of face abutment, its large equilateral triangular face exhibits negative polarity together with one of its smaller faces, while the other two faces exhibit positive connection polarity. (Fi guru3).