GB2248402A - Coupling system - Google Patents

Abstract

A component coupling system that can interlock via a system of tapered and flat interface sections is described. The sections when interlocked provide an accurate, relocatable coupling system which can support adjacent elements. This interlock provides support in the horizontal plane to enable assembly of elements unsupported anywhere else other than by the tapered and flat interface sections. Being able to support adjacent elements allows this system to support elements in the vertical plane. The design allows the coupling of parts of dissimilar materials and in three dimensional shapes. The system comprises a tapered shape A1 and matching recessed shape A2, with flat shape B1 and recessed shape B2. The system can be used for jigsaw puzzles and three dimensional puzzles and assemblages. <IMAGE>

Description

Component coupling system This invention relates to a component coupling system for jigsaw puzzles end other products with interlocking elements.

Component couplings are usually dedicated to particules elements of a product to enable the assembly of the item and for it to be functional after assembling.

Since component couplings are usually dedicated systems they are not easily adaptable to other applications, products, materials or environments.

The present invention provides a component coupling system that can interlock via a system of tapered and flat interface areas, and can be adapted to accomodate a variety of applications, products, materials and environments. The design of the coupling allows the connection of a variety of shapes and profiles with the unique ability to support the mating pieces accurately in relation to their dimensions and print register as required.

The coupling system functions through a geometrically designed profile. This profile is formed by two main shapes, firstly a 60 degree tapered shape A1 and A2 secondly a flat shape B1 and B2, as shown in Fig. 1. These when combined give a accurate and easily relocatable interlock with a simple single motion to achieve a coupling between two or more components.

Fig. 2 shows the motion of the coupling tracked through numbers 1 to 5 and rotated in the direction of arrow S, to enable the principle of the interlock to be seen clearly, and can be used for all the examples shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

Due to the adaptability of the coupling, injection moulded plastic components lend themselves well to the inclusion of this coupling system in component designs. The finished injection moulded component can have a thin cross sectional area around the coupling faces. The surface contact area of the coupling is considerable even in thin sections, see Fig. 5.

The two thicknesses 6 and 7 shown are for comparison only.

Since the surface contact area of the coupling is greater thar the thickness the supporting of adjacent elements by the tapered and flat faces can easily be accomodated.

The design gives restriction of separation of the coupled components when d load is applied , this. adds to the security of the coupling. In Fig. 6 as a separation force is applied by pulling apart in the directions T the tapered section F iE forced to ride up the taper side S, at this action the flat surface J opposes this against face H, resulting in a secure interlock.

Unlike the popular card or wood cut jigsaw puzzle the gap between each mating face can be greatly reduced or be predetermined when the component is moulded. This will enable the simulation of the picture or profile to be comparable to that of the popular cardboard or wood cut jigsaw puzzle when viewed from the printed face if required.

The shapes that can be constructed using the coupling system are many, examples of which are shown if Fig. 7 to Fig. 15.

As the complexity of the shapes change the interlock areas of the coupling system can be modified dimensionally as required.

The puzzles shown are titled as follows. Fig. 7. Pyramid Puzzle, Fig. 8. Tube Puzzle, Fig. 9. Circular Puzzle, Fig. 10. Box Puzzle, Fig. 11. Rectangle Puzzle, Fig. 12. Globe Puzzle, Fig. 13. Wall Puzzle, Fig. 14. Dome Puzzle and Fig. 15 Arch Puzzle.

Using this system it is possible to construct a jigsaw puzzle as in Fig. 16. This as can be seen is supported in a base block, R. This base block, R, can be manufactured so as to be complimenterary to the picture or profile on the face of the jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle is erected from the base block and built up, unlike the popular jisaw puzzle this requires very little surface area to work on as is normal and also allows the part completed or completed puzzle to be moved easily as required, the normal jigsaw puzzle would break up if lifted or moved to much.

The jigsaw in Fig. 17, can be constructed using the coupling system and as can be seen the pieces form a circular tube section. The external faces being printed or covered as required. Manufactured in a suitable polymer the whole can form a light shade in addition to that of a jigsaw puzzle. The piece , Q, shown in Fig. 17. is typical of the shape of a single element of this tube jigsaw puzzle.

The globe shaped jigsaw puzzle in Fig.18 can be constructed using the coupling system. Since the system interlocks accurately it enables this globe shape to be constructed in such a manner that the top piece , W, is inserted and locked in place using the tapered interfaces from several other adjacent pieces. The whole can then be suspended by a suitable cord, Y, attached to piece, W. The base piece, X, designed identical to piece, W, except for the cord locator. The piece, Z, shows a single element from the globe puzzle.

The vertical, well or board mounted jigsaw puzzle shown in Fig. 19, embodies the coupling system but modified in the horizontal plane as in, H, here the tapered section is removed to enable ease of construction on a vertical face. As the puzzle is constructed vertical the wieght of the jigsaw is supported totally be the coupling system. This is aided by the resistance to seperation as in Fig.6. The cord, I, is one method of holding the puzzle to a well or board.

The jigsaw puzzles shown in Fig. 20, can be constructed via the coupling system, but here they are erected out from a single column 2, and can Le swivelled about tis column. This enables multable layers of jigsaw puzzles to be constructed, E, around the column in the form of plaques, circular, rectangular or square as required. Fig. 21 shows a circular plaque puzzle constructed over a single central pillar, F. The Fig. 22 shows a half globe or dore shaped jigsaw puzzle constructed around a single central pillar , G, here the puzzle can be rotated about the pillar , G, when completed or during completion.The coupling system enables this type of construction via the tapered and flat interlocks.

At Fig. 22A, fibre optic cables, K, are employed to light specific points on the jigsaw puzzle surface or entire areas. This can be used for educational purposes.

Further to the use of the coupling system on jigsaw puzzles the product shown in Fig. 23 is a roof tile. Here the coupling system is employed as in a vertical jigsaw puzzle (Fig. 19), but here the holding strip, L, is fixed to the roof trusses and the tiles, M, retained using the coupling system. The shape of the tapered section ,N, is modified to suit the material, that is more or less tapered sections and either round or rectangular in shape. Here again the coupling system resistance to separation is made use of, as security in this environment is important.

The product shown in Fig. 24 is a temporary road/wheel surface. The coupling system enables the assembly of several elements to form a temporary surface. Each element, V, is manufactured with a textured surface, TS, on each face to assist gripping and can be stored as a flat Fack in a vehicle ready for use.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

Fig. 2a. Shows in perspective the use of the coupling combination TFi from Fig. 3a. on a jig puzzle piece.

Fig. 3a. Shows in perspective, a normal jigsaw puzzle piece, AP, and a jigsaw puzzle piece, BP, incorporating the coupling systems features.

Fig. 4a. Shows the underside face of a jigsaw puzzle piece combining the coupling system.

Fig. 5a. Shows the upper print face of the jigsaw puzzle piece shown in Fig.4a.

Fig. 6a. Shows the upper print face of two jigsaw puzzle pieces coupled together using the coupling system.

Fig. 7a. Shows the underside face of the two jigsaw puzzle pieces shown in Fig.6a.

Fig. 8a Shows several transparent jigsaw pieces assembled showing coupling system layout.

Claims (1)

1. A component coupling system that can interlock via a system of tapered and flat interface sections and can adapt to accomodate a variety of applications, products, materials and environments.

2. A component coupling system as claimed in 1 wherein a tapered interface surface is present to interlock in a complementary section in a adjacent element of a product.

3. A component coupling system according to claims 1 and 2 wherein a flat interface surface is present to interlock in a complementary section in a adjacent element incorporating a tapered interface surface wherein the interfaces combine when interlocked.

4. A component coupling system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the element incorporating it is in the shape of a jigsaw puzzle piece.

5. A component coupling system according to claim 4 wherein the element incorporating it is of a shape of which is a element of a three dimensional shape.

6. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the tapered section is dimensionally modified by length, height, width or angle of taper.

7. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the element incorporating it has a surface coating on its outer surface.

8. A component coupling system according to claim 7 wherein the outer coating is a printed map.

9. A component coupling system according to claim 8 wherein the outer coating is a synthetic fabric.

10. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the outer surface of any element or component incorporating the coupling system is textured, profiled or printed.

11. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the outer surface of any element or component incorporating the coupling system is textured, profiled or printed to resemble known planets.

12. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the outer surface is illuminated by fibre optic cables or or lamps.

13. A component coupling system according to claim 12 wherein the light source iE incorporated within the assembled product.

14. A component coupling system according to any preceding claim in combination with a stand, pillar, column on which the elements incorporating the coupling system can be assembled.

15. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein any element incorporating it has such contacts is to make an electrical circuit to give a sound output during and or after assembly it. A component coupling system as claim 15 wherin each element illuminates when interlocived to any adjacent element.

17. A component coupling system according to any preceding claims wherein the elements incorporating the coupling system to form a jigsaw puzzle are marked on the outer surface by braille dots to indicate element location for assembly.

18. A component coupling system substanti all y as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings