GB2105998A

GB2105998A - Building blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2105998A
Application number: GB08128720A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey William Watkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-09-23
Filing date: 1981-09-23
Publication date: 1983-04-07
Also published as: GB2105998B

Abstract

Cubic, tile-like and rod-like interlocking building blocks especially developed for the construction of architectural scale models on a grid system have one basic dimension M the same and the other two dimensions are equal to or whole multiples of M. Each face of the block is of one of two kinds and each block has at least one face of each kind. The first kind is provided with a number of open-ended grooves parallel to each of the two edges of the face, the number of grooves parallel to each edge being equal to the dimension of the other edge expressed in multiples of M and the centre line of each groove being spaced a distance (p + 1 DIVIDED 2) M from an edge where p is zero or a positive integer. In the second kind, a groove is replaced by a protruding tongue which is an interference or friction fit in the grooves, is intersected by each groove extending at right angles to it, and terminates short of the edges of the block by a distance equal to the groove depth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Model building blocks This invention relates to building blocks adapted to engage with each other to enable the construction of larger entities, especially architectural models, assembled from a plurality of the blocks.

It is concerned in particular with the design of a block which facilitates the ready construction of scale models of buildings or structures whose overall dimensions may be expressed in terms of whole multiples of a single basic length, and the speedy location in space, on a structure of which the model is a scaled down representation, of a feature of the model or vice versa.

According to the present invention, building blocks are provided, each of which has a body of generally rectangular parallelepiped shape wherein one of the dimensions is of basic length M and the length of each of the other two dimensions is M or a whole multiple of M, and wherein each face of the block is either of a first kind (a) which is provided with open-ended grooves each of which is parallel to an edge of the face with at least one groove parallel to a first edge of the face and at least one groove parallel to another edge of the face extending at right angles to said first edge, the grooves all being of the same width and depth and each groove extending across the full width of the face, the number of grooves extending parallel to each of said edges being equal to the length, expressed in units of M, of the other of said edges, the centre line of each groove being spaced from the edge with which it is parallel by a distance satisfying the formula (p + 1/2)M where p is zero or a positive integer, whereby the distance between centre lines of adjacent parallel grooves is equal to M, or of a second kind (b) which differs from the first kind in that a groove is replaced by a protruding tongue which, at each position along its length where it is crossed by a groove, is cut away to the depth of the groove, each end of the tongue terminating a distance from an edge of the face equal to the depth of a groove; at least some of the blocks having at least one face of the second kind and at least some of the blocks having at least one face of the first kind and at tongue being adapted to be friction of interference fits in the grooves whereby blocks may be fitted together to form an assembly thereof e.g. in the form of a model.

Since each of the three dimensions of each block is M or a whole multiple of M, parallel grooves and tongues are spaced from each other other by this basic dimension M and the grooves and tongues are always spaced (p + 1/2)M form an edge of a face, it will be recognised that where a building of structure has overall dimensions which may be expressed in whole multiples of a single basic length, models thereof at a reduced scale may readily be built from the blocks of the invention with the basic dimension M representing that basic length.It will also be seen that given the knowledge of what basic length in the full size structure is represented by M in the model, the specific location in any space of any feature on the building can readily be determined from the model simply by counting off the units of M by which that feature is distanced in one, two or all three dimensions from a specific datum point.

In the blocks of the invention, a face of the second kind may have more than one tongue but it is then preferred that the tongues are parallel.

In some blocks of the invention all six faces may be of the first kind and in other blocks all six faces may be of the second kind. In general, however, all or at least the majority of the blocks will contain faces of both kinds. It is also envisaged that such blocks will be used together with other blocks in which one or more of the faces, but not all of them, are plain, e.g. for using as facing elements in architectural models. Such tongue-and groove-free faces may be formed to resemble particular finishes, if desired, e.g. brick courses, moulded concrete, stone or timber.

The simplest block will be a cube of dimensions M x M x M. Other blocks will resemble rods having dimensions Mx Mx xM where xis an integer of 2 or more, and panels having dimensions M x xM x yM where each of x andy is an integer of 2 or more and x and y may be the same or different. In effect, therefore, while the basic block is a cube, other blocks may be used which comprise, in essence, a fusion of a plurality of the basic cubes in one of two dimensions.

Where a face of the first kind has the dimensions M x M, it will be seen that it will have two grooves bisecting each other at right angles. Where a face has the dimensions Mx xM or Mx yM, there will be x ory grooves, respectively, in the direction parallel to the face edges having the dimensions M and one groove in the direction parallel to the face edges having the dimension xM or yM. Likewise, where a face has the dimensions xM x yM, there will be y grooves parallel to the face edges having the dimensions xM and x grooves in the direction parallel to the face edges having the dimension yM.

In blocks having dimensions M x xM x yM where x and y are as defined above, any face of the second kind will normally be a face having the dimensions M xxMorMxyM.

The invention is now described in greater detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof and with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a basic cubic block in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a panel-like block in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 illustrates a rod-like block in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a representative modular assembly of blocks according to the invention; and Figures 5 to 7 illustrate different ways in which blocks according to the invention may be assembled together.

The basic block illustrated in Figure 1 is in effect a cube of dimensions M x M x M where M may be any suitable length e.g. 5 mm or 1 cm. In the embodiment illustrated, two of the faces which are shown, and which are identified as A and B, are of the first kind and one, C, is of the second kind. Each of the faces A and B is characterised by having a pair of grooves 2, 4 which intersect at right angles. Each groove is open ended and extends across the full width of the face parallel to an edge thereof and the centre line of each groove is exactly halfway between the edges with which it is parallel; i.e. it is spaced by the distance M/2 from each edge.

Face C has a single groove 6 which corresponds to one of the grooves in each of faces A and B but in place of the second groove there is a protruding tongue 8 which, where it is intersected by said groove 6, is cut away to the depth of the groove.

Each end of the tongue terminates a distance from an edge of the face C equal to the groove depth. The tongue is of a length such that the tongue of one block can be pushed fully home into a groove of another block so that the face of the block which is provided with the tongue abuts against the face of the block having the groove engaged by the tongue, and the thickness of the tongue is such that it is a friction or interference fit in the groove whereby the blocks are held firmly together but can be detached if they are firmly pulled apart by hand.

All of the unseen faces of the block of Figure 1 may be of the first kind or the second kind. Likewise one or both of faces A and b may be of the second kind andlorface C may be of the first kind. In other words, from none to all of the faces may be of the first kind and likewise from all to none may be of the second kind.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate panel- and rod-like blocks, respectively, each of which may be regarded as, in effect, a fusion of a plurality of the cubic blocks of Figure 1 in a two-dimensional array, to provide the panel-like block, or in a one-dimensional array to provide the rod-like block.

The panel-like block of Figure 2 has the dimensions Mx 3M x 3M. In effect, it is a fusion together of nine of the basic blocks of Figure 1. Faces D and E and their corresponding faces D' and E', which are hidden, are of the first kind and faces F and F' are of the second kind. Since faces D and D' each have the dimension MX 3M, each face has three grooves 10, 12, 14 parallel to the edges having the dimension M and one groove 16 parallel to the edges having the dimension 3M. The centre lines ofthe grooves 10, 12 and 14 are, respectively, M/2, 3M/2 and 5M/2 from the left hand edge. The centre line of groove 16 is mid way between the upper and lower edges of the face.

Face E has the dimensions 3M x 3M and therefore has six grooves in all, 16, 18,20,22,24,26; three parallel with each of the two pairs of edges. The centre lines of the grooves of each parallel set of three grooves are spaced M/2, 3M/2 and 5M/2 from an edge with which they are parallel. The groove arrangement on face B' is identical to face B.

Faces F and F' have the same dimensions as faces D and D' and have grooves 30,32,34 corresponding to grooves 10,12, 14. However the groove corres ponging to 16 is replaced by a tongue 36 which, where it is crossed by each of grooves 30,32 and 34, is cut away to the depth of the grooves. Each end of the tongue 36 is spaced from an edge of the face F (or F') by a distance equal to the depth of a groove.

While, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, two of the faces are of the second kind, one, none or more than two, up to all six, of the faces may be of this kind although in general only those faces having at least one dimension equal to M, i.e. faces D, D', F and F', will be of the second kind. If desired the tongue 36 of face C may be replaced by a groove and one or more of grooves 30,32 and 34 may be replaced by a tongue or tongues.

If face E orE' is of the second kind it may have one tongue or more than one tongue which may replace one or more of grooves 16, 18 and 20 or one or more grooves 22, 24 and 26. It is preferred, however, not to have tongues extending at right angles on the same face since this limits the utility of the block.

The rod-like block of Figure 3 has the dimensions M x M x 5M and is, in effect, a fusion of a row of five of the basic blocks of Figure 1. This block has two faces G and G' of the second kind and fourfaces H and H', J and J' of the first kind. All the faces H, H', J and J' have the dimensions Mx 5M and hence have five grooves parallel to an edge of dimension M, the grooves on centre lines spaced M/2,9M/2,5M/2,7M/2 and 9M/2 from one or other of the edges with which they are parallel, and one groove parallel to the edges of dimension 5M. The faces G and G' correspond to face C of the block of Figure 1.

The blocks of Figures 1,2 and 3 and other blocks like those of Figures 2 and 3 but having different widths and lengths while maintaining the same depth M, may be employed in the construction of models by fitting them together by inserting the tongues of some blocks in the grooves of others and pushing the blocks together until the joining faces abut. Such a structure is illustrated for example in Figure 4from which it can be seen that because each of the dimensions of all the blocks is M or a whole multiple of M and the centres of the grooves and tongues are always located a distance equal to (p + 1/2)M from an edge of the block (where p isO or a positive integer), the joints between two abutting blocks can always be made to meet on the intersection of a modularthree-dimentional grid the basic dimension of which corresponds to distance M.

Accordingly, since all the dimensions of the block are M or whole multiples of M, the design of the block of the invention facilitates the easy production of scale models of buildings or structures whose overall dimensions can be reduced to whole multiples of some basic dimension which is represented in the scale model by the basic length M.

Moreover, it will be seen that in the models assembled from the blocks of the invention, adjacent parallel grooves are always spaced apart exactly by the distance M, thereby providing a very speedy and simple means of locating in space the precise position, in a structure of which the model is scaled-down representation, of a feature found in the model, or vice versa.

The models may be structures which are in solid block form, or represent three-dimensional frame works, e.g. skeleton building frames, or intercon necting planar assemblies e.g. as in partitioning for open plan offices or factories.

For use in such constructions, a preferred set of blocks will comprise cube-like blocks having dimensions M x M x M, rod-like blocks having dimensions M x M x xM where x is an integer greater than one, and panel-like blocks having dimensions M x xM x yM where each of x andy is an integer greater than one and may be the same or different, and wherein in at least some of the blocks at least one of the faces is of the first kind and at least one of the faces is of the second kind.

In general the faces of the second kind will have at least one dimension equal to length M, the other dimension also being M or a whole multiple of M.

The set may additionally include other blocks corresponding to those of the invention but wherein one or more faces, usually a face, or two of three adjacent faces, is or are plain, such blocks being intended for use as facing elements as described above.

Blocks having an angled face, e.g. for roofing, may also be included.

Some blocks may be partially or wholly colourless and transparent or translucent, to represent glazing.

By employing the tongue and groove connecting system described, it is possible not only to connect one block to another by sliding a tongue of one block along a groove of another block but also to connect a block into a structure in a motion which is diagonal to said sliding motion in the same plane, whereby it can be fixed in a corner formed by other blocks, (see Figure 5), or in a motion which is normal to the sliding plane (see Figure 6).

Intersecting the tongues by grooves permits the juxtaposition of two tongued faces, even of a basic cube block provided the faces are presented to each other with their tongues at right angles, thus permitting continuance of construction along a predetermined grid.

Having the grooves open ended and extending across the full width of the face without interruption by transverse tongue permits two blocks to be positioned in relation to each other such that the abutting faces can meet on the line of a grid in one dimension while permitting the blocks to be out of alignment in a second dimension, as illustrated in Figure 7.

The system thus permits great versatility of construction since two faces having only grooves may be abutted at any angle, a grooved face and a tongued face may be abutted and joined in either of two planes at 90" to each other and even two tongued faces of the basic cube block may be abutted and joined provided that they are presented with their tongues running at right angles to each other.

The design of the blocks permits their manufacture in plastics materials using conventional procedures such as injection moulding but other materials and other manufacturing methods may be used.

Claims

1. Building blocks, each of which has a body of generally rectangular parlallelepiped shape one of the dimensions is of basic length M and the length of each of the other two dimensions is M or a whole mulitple of M, and wherein each face of the block is either of a first kind (a) which is provided with open-ended grooves each of which is parallel to an edge of the face with at least one groove parallel to a first edge of the face and at least one groove parallel to another edge of the face extending at right angles to said first edge, the grooves all being of the same width and depth and each groove extending across the full width of the face, the number of grooves extending parallel to each of said edges being equal to the length, expressed in units of M, of the other of said edges, the centre line of each groove being spaced from the edge with which it is parallel by a distance satisfying the formula (p + 1/2)M where p is zero or a positive integer, whereby the distance between centre lines of adjacent parallel grooves is equal to M, or of a second kind (b) which differs from the first kind in that a groove is replaced by a protruding tongue which, at each position along its length where it is crossed by a groove, is cut away to the depth of the groove, each end of the tongue terminating a distance from an edge of the face equal to the depth of a groove; at least some of the blocks having at least one face of the second kind and at least some of the blocks having at least one face of the first kind and the tongues being adapted to be friction or interference fits in the grooves whereby blocks may be fitted together to form an assembly thereof.

2. Building blocks as claimed in claim 1, at least some of which contain at least one face of the first kind and at least one face of the second kind.

3. A set of building blocks for the erection of models, the set comprising building blocks as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and including (i) cube-like blocks wherein the length of each of the three dimensions is M, (ii) rod-like blocks wherein the length of each of two of the dimensions is M and the length of the third dimension is a whole multiple of M, and (iii) panel-like blocks wherein one of the dimensions is of length M and the length of each of the other two dimensions is a whole multiple of M, said other two dimensions being of the same or different lengths.

4. A set as claimed in claim 3 including rod-like blocks and panel-like blocks having at least one face of the second kind and wherein each such face has a single tongue or a plurlaity of tongues extending parallel to each other.

5. A set as claimed in claim 4 including rod-like blocks and panel-like blocks having at least one face of the second kind and wherein each such face has at least one dimension having a length equal to M and a single tongue, said tongue being parallel to the other dimension of the face where said other dimension has a length equal to a whole multiple of M.

6. A set as claimed in claims 3,4 or 5 further including blocks as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 but wherein at least one but not all of the faces is or are free of tongues and grooves.