GB2349680A

GB2349680A - Connector blocks for connecting rods or tubes

Info

Publication number: GB2349680A
Application number: GB0010219A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-04
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2000-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-28
Also published as: GB2349680B; GB0010219D0; GB9910063D0

Abstract

A connector module for connecting rods or tubes comprises one or more blocks. Each block has two parallel horizontal passageways, one above the other and a horizontal central hole at 90 degrees to the horizontal passageways. The block may also include a vertical hole and two or more blocks may be joined together by flexible hinges.

Description

DESCRIPTION 1. In my co-pending patent application No. 9723162. 5 I described a'connector-module'comprising two or more'blocks'each'block'containing a'passageway'therethrough and which'blocks'are flexibly linked to but spacially separated from adjacent'blocks'by means of a flexible'hinge' connection which is in a plane at ninety degrees to the'passageway'. I also described certain variations to the basic'connector-module'but in all cases each'block'only contained one 'passageway'therethrough although one or more additional holes may be present but in a different plane to the'passageway'and at an angle thereto.

2. I have now developed an improved'connector-module'in which the blocks whilst being useful as one of a series of two or more flexibly linked'blocks'in a connector-module are also useful independently as single connector blocks.

3. My new'connector-modules'differ from the'modules'described in my earlier patent application in that each individual'block'now contains two'horizontal passageways'therethrough, one horizontal passageway being located towards the top of the'block'and the other towards the bottom of the 'block', the'horizontal passageways'being in planes parallel to each other and in the same vertical plane, between the'horizontal passageways'is a'horizontal central hole'which is in a plane parallel to the planes of the horizontal passageways and which horizontal plane intersects at ninety degrees the vertical plane common to the horizontal passageways.

4. It is off-n desirable to have an additional vertical hole in the blocks, the hole being in a plane which intersects at 90 degrees the horizontal planes in which the horizontal passageways are located and which vertical hole passes through both horizontal passageways.

5. In my earlier application I described how a wall of the'passageway'has a longitudinal slot along the 'passageways'length to allow for the introduction of a length of rod by a'clicking action'. In my present design the same'clicking'is also possible by similarly making a'clicking joint'along the length of one or more of the'horizontal passageways'and/or the vertical hole to allow a length of 'rod'to be inserted at one time rather than pushing it through the length of the'horizontal passageway'or vertical hole. Fast assembly is achieved by pushing a'click joint'over a rod, the 'click joint'opens as it is pushed down then closes around the'rod'. The longitudinal'clicking joint' has to be of such a width as to allow the rod to enter the'passageway'. The gap of the sides 'clicking joint'can be of parallel section or tapered section. The width of the'clicking joint'is between 10-20% the width of the block. In practice this would generally mean that the width of 'clicking joint'is between 30-80% of the diameter of the rod being used.

6. As a result of my new and improved design individual'blocks'can be used usefully as independent connectors, as well as being used as one of two or more flexibly connecte blocks making up a 'connector-module'of the type described in my earlier application.

7. As a result of this my new invention it is now possible to assemble useful three-dimensional structures using'blocks'either singly or in combination with other blocks. The additional holes in the'block'enable three dimensional structures to be assemble while still allowing additional parts such as rotating axles or static devices, such as light fittings, to be added, thus eliminating the need for separate parts to support wheel axles etc. The above was not possible using the single'blocks' of my previous invention because each block had just two holes preventing the construction of three-dimensional structures which require rods to be placed in the X. Y and Z axis. It also allows the making of a vehicle chassis or framework including the support for rotating axles for the vehicles wheels to be attache, using only four'blocks'.

8. As described in more detail below the'horizontal passageways'the'horizontal central hole'and the 'vertical hole'of my new design can be of various section e. g. round, square, or square with rounded corners according to the section of the rods being used and whilst it is preferable that the 'horizontal passageways','horizontal central hole'and the'vertical hole'have holes of the same size and section, it is sometimes advantageous for them to differ as when a control cable is used as described below and on drawings fig 51 a, b and c when the Ihorizontal central hole'is significantly smaller than the'horizontal passageways'.

9. In certain instances it is desirable to be able to hold a'sheet'of material in one or more of the 'connector-modules', or'blocks', my design allows for this by use of'one or more knife-cut (s)' along one or more of the faces of the block and which knife cut (s)' penetrate (s) the'block'and into or through one or more of the horizontal'passageways'orvertical'holes'. The'knife-cut'in this application is very much narrower than the slot required for'clicking'a'rod'into position as described earlier. If a'sheet'is inserted from either end it will penetrate into and pass along the nearest'horizontal passageway'. There may be'knife cut (s)' in one or more faces of the blocks thus enabling one or more sheets of material to be inserted into one or more of the faces of the block. The'knife-cuts'are especially useful in'blocks'which contain a'vertical hole'but can also be useful in blocks that do not contain a'vertical hole'.

10. Sometimes it is desirable for the'sheet'to penetrate a little way into the intemal sidewall of the horizontal passageway opposite the'knife cut'in which a shallow cut is made in the intemal sidewall.

1?.'Connector-modules'are formed from two or more individual'blocks'which are joined together by a flexible'hinge'connection. The flexibly connecte blocks form a strip of'connector-modules'. It is sometimes desirable to supply a long strip of'connector-modules'so the user can'cut off the number of'connector-modules'required for a particular need. The flexible'hinge'connection may be an integral part of the moulding or applied or after the blocks have been forme. In a multiblock block"connector-module'the flexible hinge allows for a'rod'to be inserted into the horizontal 'passageway'or the horizontal'central hole'in one'block'of the'connector-module'and hinged through any angle up to 180 degrees with respect to a rod inserted into the'horizontal passageway' in another block of the'connector-module' 12. The'hole (s)'or'passageway (s)'in the'connector-module'may or may not penetrate through both walls of the'connector-module'.

13, In general the'blocks'or'connector-modules'of my invention can be made from any suitable material, e. g. metals, wood, thermo-plastic or the like, but it is desirable that the flexible'hinge'part is formed from a material which can withstand repeated flexing without failing or the standard type 'pivot hinge'as used on doors may be used. Whilst it is possible to use different materials for the 'blocks'and the flexible'hinges', as when the'blocks'are produced individually and the flexible 'hinge'material applied afterwards, it is usually preferable that the same material is used for both the'blocks'and the'flexible hinge'. Suitable materials for the'blocks'/'connector-modules'and the flexible'hinges'are solid or foamed plastics, rubber, polythene, nylon-6 or nylon-12 but it is preferable in my experience to use polypropylene.

14. The flexible'hinge'may extend over the whole length of a'block'to which it is attache, but in some instances it is preferable that it is only extends over part of the length of the'block'.

15. To simplify the production process and for economy it is sometimes desirable to reduce the section in the centre of the blocks. Where the blocks in'connector-module'has a reduced waist the flexible 'hinge'may be made in two parts. Whilst the flexible hinge may extend over any portion of the block it will normally extend over that part of the'block'through which the'horizontal passageway' exits. The requirement is that the flexible connection should be flexible enough to satisfy its purpose, but rigid enough to maintain its structural function. Thus the thickness of the flexible 'hinge'connection may vary according to its length and to the distance between the'blocks'of a 'connector-module'. Also its thickness may vary along the length between the'blocks', becoming thinner towards the centre to produce a'hinge line'.

16. If a control cable is passed through two or more'blocks'of the'connector module'remote movement can be achieved in a similar but not the same way as a bike's brake cable. The movement produced is in an arc determined by the flexible hinge (s) connection position and size of the blocks. If a'connector-module'contains many blocks it can be made to open and close like a finger.

17. Generally the'connector-modules'of my invention are used in conjunction with wooden dowel, rod or tube of various section made from wood, plastics or metal, that can be purchased in any length and cut to size as use dictates, although any other elongated article as herein discussed can be used.

18. A shape assemble using four or more'connector-modules', such as an assemble rectangle, can flex easily via the'flexible hinges'into a parallelogram shape or it can be made rigid by adding extra an extra'rod'to produce'rigid triangulation'.

19. If it is desired to make assemble structures more permanent this can be achieved in various ways such as placing a pin through the'block'and'rod'or by using a'screw','bolt or screw that holds the rod.

20. Instead of rods being pushed into the horizontal passageways, horizontal central hole, or vertical hole the rods can have a threaded portion on the ends and can then be screwed into the block.

21. The rods can be made with an annular groove or part groove near the end of the rod. This modifie rod is then pushed into the receiving hole or passageway and clicks in place. To enable the clicking to take place a circular ring or peripheral'bumps'inside the hole will receive the rod.

22. My invention allows teachers to demonstrate to their students various aspects of structural design and spatial awareness in both two and three-dimensions. It has many uses e. g. in'design and make'situations such as in engineering it can be used to teach or model products or machines. In science it can be used to construct replica molecular structures or hold apparats for experiments and in mathematics it is useful in the teaching of developments, surface area, volume, symmetry, and practical applications can be demonstrated, e. g. in the construction of geodesic domes. As part of a construction kit it can also be used to make models of vehicles, houses etc. to the user's own needs 23. Whilst most of my descriptions relate to educational applications my invention is also applicable in other fields. Other examples include the assembly of bean-poles'climbing structures'to support climbing plants such as sweet-peas and climbing-beans by gardeners who dismantle the'climbing structures'at the end of the growing season. Another useful applications include the construction of kites, display systems and quick to erect temporary or permanent structures or all sorts. To make a large structure the connector-modules and rods are scaled up to match the size and strength required to function.

24. A significant avantage of my invention is that it can be used to build large structures quickly and it is not restricted by having to use predetermined lengths of'rods'.

25. Parts can readily be added to, or removed from, a structure without disturbing other parts. A further avantage of my invention is that users only need a few strips of'connector-modules'and some lengths of connecting'rods', which are easily cut to size, to make a great variety of structures.

Gone is the need to stock up with many and various connector types and different'rod'lengths.

The connectors and'rods'are cheap enough to be considered as consumable items in some situations.

26. Construction of a structure is extremely fast allowing two and three-dimensional forms to be simply assemble by clicking, and/or pushing the connecting'rods'into place.

27. A'knife-cut'in a block allows sheet material to be added as well as'rods'. This allows panels to be added to structures as required 28. Shapes can be assemble on a plan drawing by laying the rods on the plan then the blocks are 'pushed'andlor'clicked'into place.

29. Because of the inherent flexibility of the linkage between the connector-modules it is easy to make mechanisms having movable kinetic parts.

30. My invention is easily integrated with other popular'kits'parts enabling the construction of very complex systems.

31. The connector-modules may be supplie with passageways of various sizes and/or sections, and thus a range of systems can easily be produced for use with various sizes and sections of rod and sheet material.

32. The removal of material to form a'waist'on a block has the avantage of producing an extra hole when blocks are linked together as in multi-block'connector-module'.

33. A further avantage of my invention is that the'blocks'can be moved back and forth along or swivelled around the connecting rods as required by the user without disturbing the rest of the structure.

34. The holes and horizontal passageways can also provide a'stay put'pivoting action. For example if making a child's teaching clock the clock hands can be made to move round the clock face as required by the child.

35. A major avantage of this invention is that very few parts are required to produce a very wide range of products.

3fui. No tools are required to assemble structural forms if'rods'and'sheets'required are supplie ready cut to size.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A connector-module as herein described, which comprises one or more blocks, and in which each block contains two'horizontal passageways'therethrough one passageway being located towards the top of the'block'and the other towards the bottom of the 'block', the'horizontal passageways'being in horizontal planes parallel to each other and in the same vertical plane ; between the'horizontal passageways'is a'horizontal central hole'which is in a plane parallel to the planes of the passageways and which horizontal plane intersects at ninety degrees the vertical plane common to the'horizontal passageways'.
2. A connector-module as in claim 1 and in which each block contains an additional'vertical hole', the hole being in a vertical plane which intersects at 90 degrees the horizontal planes in which the'horizontal passageways'are located and which'vertical hole'passes through both'horizontal passageways'.
3. A connector-module as in claims 1or 2 in which a wall of either one or both of the 'horizontal passageway (s)' and l or vertical hole'has a longitudinal slot along one wall to allow for the introduction of a length of rod by a'clicking action'.
4. A connector-module as in claim 3 in which the width of the longitudinal'clicking joint'is befinreen 10-20% of the width of the block.
5. A connector-module as in claim 3 or 4 in which the longitudinal'clicking joint'is of tapered section.
6. A connector-module as in claim 3 or 4 in which the longitudinal'clicking joint'is of constant section.
7. A connector-module as in any of the previous claims in which one or more of the blocks have one or more'knife-cut (s)'along one or more of the faces and which'knife-cut (s)' penetrates through the blocks and into one or more of the'horizontal passageways'and I or the'horizontal central hole'and lor the'vertical hole'.
8. A connector-module as in claim 7 in which the'knife-cut'is in the same plane as and cuts into one of the'horizontal passageways'.
9. A connector-module as in claim 7 in which the'knife-cut'is in the same the vertical plane as the common vertical plane of the horizontal passageways and penetrates both passageways
10. A connector-module as in claim 7 in which there are both horizontal and vertical knife cuts and which'knife-cuts'are at 90 degrees to each other.
11. A connector-module as in claims 6 to 10 in which the knife-cut (s) penetrates the sidewall of the"horizontal passageway (s)'and lorvertical hole opposite the knife cut.
12. A connector-module as in any previous claim in which one or more of the or'horizontal passageways'or'horizontal central hole'or vertical hole do not penetrate through end walls of the block of the connector-module.
13. A connector-module as in any previous claims in which the'horizontal passageways', 'horizontal central hole'or vertical holes have an additional circular ring or peripheral bump so that an inserted rod with a matching annular groove may be fixed linearly in a hole or passageway by clicking in place.
14. A connector-module as in any previous claim and in which the blocks have a reduced section towards their centre.
15. A connector-module as in any of the previous claims and in which one or more of the 'horizontal passageways"horizontal central hole'and'vertical holes'are of different shapes andlor dimensions from the others.
16. A'connector module'as in any previous claim in which the'horizontal central hole'is significantly smaller in diameter than the'horizontal passageways'.
17. A connector-module as in any previous claim in which the blocks are made from resistant materials such as : plastics rubber, metal or wood.
18. A connector-module as in any previous claim in which the blocks are made from thermoplastics.
19. A connector-module as in any previous claim in which the blocks are made from polypropylene or other plastics with similar properties.
20. A connector-module as in claims 1-19 herein, which comprises only one block.
21.'Connector-modules'comprising two or more blocks as described in any claims (1-19) which are formed from individual'blocks'connected together by flexible'hinges'
22. A connector-module as in claim 21 in which the flexible'hinge'connection is at or near to the back or rear surfaces of the'blocks'.
23. A connector-module as in claim 21 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge'connection is located near the centre of the block.
24. A connector module as in claims 21, 22 and 23 in which the flexible'hinge'is an integral part of the moulding.
25. A connector module as in claims 21, 22 and 23 in which the flexible'hinge'is applied to the'blocks'after they have been formed.
26. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 25 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge'are made from any suitable resistant materials.
27. A connector-module as in claim 26 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge' connection are made from different materials.
28. A connector-module as in claim 26 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge'are made from the same material.
29. A connector-module as in claim 28 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge'are made from thermoplastics.
30. A connector-module as in claim 28 in which the blocks and the flexible'hinge'are made from polyproplyene or other plastics with similar flexing properties.
31. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 30 in which the flexible'hinge'extends over the whole length of the block to which it is attache.
32. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 30 in which the flexible'hinge'extends over only part of the block to which it is attache.
33. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 32 in which the flexible'hinge'is of uniform thickness along its length.
34. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 32 in which the flexible'hinge'becomes thinner towards the centre forming the'hinge line'of the flexible'hinge'.
35. A connector-module as in claims 21 to 34 and in which the blocks of the connector module are spaced apart by a distance of between 1% and 50% of the width of the blocks.
36. A connector-module in as claim 35 and in which the blocks are spaced apart by a distance of between 5%-40% the width of the block.
37. A connector-module in as claim 35 and in which the blocks are spaced apart by a distance of between 5 /0-20% the width of the blocks.
38. Connector-modules as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
39. A method of releasably connecting rods together which method comprises inserting ans l or'clicking'a rod into and/or through one of the'horizontal passageways', ans 1 or the 'horizontal central hole', and/or'vertical hole'in one block ouf a connector-module as herein defined and inserting or'clicking'a further rod into and I or through one of the 'horizontal passageways'or the'horizontal central hole'or the'vertical hole'in another block of the connector module.
40. A method of releasably connecting rods together which method comprises inserting and or'clicking'rod (s) into and I or through either or both of the'horizontal passageway (s)', and lor the'horizontal central hole'and lor the'vertical hole'in a one block connector module.
41. A method of releasably connecting together rods to form rigid three dimensional structures using one block'connector-modules'which method comprises inserting a rod is inserted into one of the'horizontal passageways', inserting a second rod into the 'horizontal central hole'and a third rod is inserted in the'vertical hole'to produce corner assemblies the other end of the rods being inserted into the corresponding holes in other connector-modules.
42. A method of releasably connecting rods together which method comprises inserting and or'clicking'a rod into and I or through one of the'horizontal passageways'or'horizontal central hole'in one block of a two block connector-module as herein defined and inserting or'clicking'a further rod into andlor through one of the'horizontal passageway (s)' or horizontal central hole'in the second block of the two block connector-module.
43. A method of releasably connecting together rods which comprises inserting or'clicking'a rod into one of the'horizontal passageways', and I or'horizontal central hole', in the middle block of a three-block connector-module, and the inserting or'clicking'another rod into one of the'horizontal passageways','horizontal central hole'of the other two blocks, which blocks have been hinged through ninety degrees relative to the middle block so the'horizontal passageways'through the two outside blocks are in alignment.
44. A method of releasably connecting together rods which method comprises hinging a multi-block connector-module as herein defined until the'horizontal passageways'of one or more pairs of the blocks are in alignment, inserting and/or'clicking'a rod or rods into the aligned'horizontal passageways'and inserting and/or'clicking'one or more rods into andlor through the'horizontal passageways'of one or more of the blocks.
45. A method of releasably connecting together rods to form two-dimensional structures using two block'connector modules'which method comprises inserting or'clicking'a rod into one of the'horizontal passageways'and I or'horizontal central holes'in a block of a two block'connnector module'and inserting another rod into the corresponding passageway of the second block ; then inserting the free ends of the rods into the 'horizontal passageways'or'horizontal central holes'of other'connector modules'.
46. A method of moving in a controlled manner one or more blocks of a multi-block 'connector module'relative to another block of the'connector module'method comprises passing a control cable through the'horizontal central holes'of the blocks, which are of reduced section fixing one of the end blocks and attaching the end of the control cable remote from the fixed block to the block farthest from the fixed block and then pulling or pushing the control cable to cause the flexibly hinged blocks to move relative to each other.
47. A method of releasably securing rods into the'horizontal passageways','horizontal central hole'or'vertical hole'of blocks of connector-modules as herein described andlor claimed herein which comprises inserting a fixing pin or screw through the block andlor into or onto the rod.
48. Methods of releasably connecting together rods which methods comprise insertinglintroducing the end (s) or other portion (s) of the rods into and/or through the 'horizontal passageway (s)', horizontal central hole'or'vertical hole'or of one or more connector-module (s) as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 38.
49. Methods of constructing models, forms and devices as previously described which comprise inserting and/or'clicking'the end andlor other portion of one or more rods into andlor through the'horizontal passageways','horizontal central hole'or'vertical hole'in the blocks of connector-modules as herein described and inserting andlor'clicking the other end or further portion of the rod or rods into the passageways, central holes or vertical hole in the blocks of other connector-modules thus connecting the connector modules.
50. Methods of constructing models, forms and devices as in claim 39 to 49 in which the rod (s) is round section, and is hollow.
51. Methods of constructing models, forts and devices from rods as in claim 39 to 49 in which the rod (s) is round, and is solid section.
52. Methods of constructing models, forms and devices from rods as in claim 39 to 49 in which the rod is square section, and is solid or hollow section.
53. Methods of constructing models, forms and devices from rods as in claim 39 to 49 in which the rod is square section with rounded corners, and is hollow section.
54. Methods of releasably connecting together rods as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
55. A method as in claim 39 to 54 and in which means connecting to mechanical or electrical devices are introduced into one or more of the'horizontal passageways','horizontal central hole'or'vertical hole'in one or more of the blocks included on one or more of the connector-modules as herein described.
56. Structures constructed using methods as herein described and using connector-modules rods shown in the accompanying drawings.