GB2376030A

GB2376030A - A construction kit for use in building a structure

Info

Publication number: GB2376030A
Application number: GB0210931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erik Francis Hobbs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-14
Filing date: 2002-05-13
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-13
Also published as: GB0210931D0; GB2376030B

Abstract

A construction kit comprises a plurality of members 4 held together by flexible sheet fasteners 6, the flexible sheet fasteners 6 comprise interlocking plastic members which can be pushed and pulled apart, the fasteners are secured to the members 4 so that the members are held together and form part of a structure 2, the members 4 are in the form of frames 8, characterized in that each frame comprises corner sections (34 fig. 6) which extend in two directions and straight intermediate sections (36 fig. 6), the corner and intermediate sections are connected together by joints which push together and pull apart, and each one of the corner sections is large enough to incorporate two of the joints. The kit enables structures of different size to be built with standard components.

Description

A CONSTRUCTION KIT FOR USE IN BUILDING A STRUCTURE This invention relates to a construction kit and, more especially, this invention relates to a construction kit for use in building a structure. The structure may be built to a wide variety of different designs for a wide variety of purposes, depending upon individual requirements.

People often have a need for individually constructed building structures. For example, some people may require temporary shelters for use in areas that have suffered natural or man-made disasters. In the building trade, individually constructed building structures may be required to protect employees on building sites or to fit over manhole covers. Other people may have a requirement for small greenhouses, or cages to cage fruit to protect them from birds, or small animal runs. Other people may have a requirement for toy houses for children to play with. Often the structures may need to be dismantled, for example for re-use at another location, or for storage.

PCT/WO 01/04431 discloses a construction kit which is sufficiently flexible to enable structures to be built to meet the above mentioned requirements. More specifically, PCT/WO 01/04431 discloses a construction kit for use in building a structure, which construction kit comprises a plurality of members held together by flexible sheet fasteners, the flexible sheet fasteners being such that they comprises a matrix of

interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes, and the flexible sheet fasteners being so secured to the members that the members are able to be held together and form at least a part of the structure. The members can very easily be connected together simply by pushing appropriate flexible sheet fasteners together. Dismantling of the structure is just as simply effected since it only requires pulling the flexible sheet fasteners apart. Because the members are so easily connected together, the structure can easily be increased or decreased in size as and when required. The structure can be built to any suitable and appropriate size and shape in accordance with the individual requirements of different purposes.

The interlocking plastics members are preferably hook and loop interlocking plastics members. Such interlocking plastics members are well known under the registered trade mark VELCRO In PCTIWO 01/04431, it is disclosed that the members may be in the form of frames. From a manufacturing aspect, it would be advantageous to be able to form these different frames to the required size and strength using standard components. It is an aim of the present invention to enable this to be done.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. there is provided a construction kit for use in building a structure, which construction kit comprises a plurality of members held together by flexible sheet fasteners, the flexible sheet fasteners being such that they comprise a

matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes, the flexible sheet fasteners being so secured to the members that the members are able to be held together and form at least a part of the structure, and the members being such that they are in the form of frames, characterized in that each one of the frames comprises a plurality of corner sections which extend in two directions and a plurality of intermediate sections which are straight, the corner sections and the intermediate sections being such that they connect together by joints which push together and pull apart, and each one of the corner sections being large enough to incorporate two of the joints.

With the construction kit of the present invention, the frames can be manufactured in standard sets depending upon the required final size of the structure. This enables the frames to be manufactured in a very economical manner. The frames can also easily be transported in a dismantled condition. The components of the frames can easily be connected together to form the frames. Desired structures can easily be built and dismantled with the construction kit.

Usually the frames will be such that each contain at least one angle of 90 and are of a square, rectangle or triangular shape. Other shaped frames may be employed if desired. Thus, for example, the frames may be in the form of an equilateral triangle with three 600 angles, or the frames may be a hexagon.

Preferably, the construction kit includes retainer means for retaining the male and female members together In the structure, the retainer means being an integral part of the joint whereby the corner sections and the intermediate sections are connectable together in a secure manner simply by pushing the corner sections and the intermediate sections together. With some types of structure, for example children's toy houses, retainer means may not be required. However, when the retainer means are required, they are preferably as stated above Other types of retainer means requiring the use of tools such for example as nails or screws may be employed if desired but they are less preferred since they require additional time and components, and the use of tools to assemble them.

The joints may generally be regarded as comprising male and female members which push together and pull apart. The joints are preferably mortice and tenon joints. Such joints are strong and aesthetically pleasing.

Other types of joints may however be employed.

If desired, the construction kit may be one in which at least one of its joints is a joint comprising a first part, a protruding portion which extends from one end of the first part, a second part, a cavity which is at one end of the second part and which is for receiving the protruding portion, a first locking formation on a side face of the protruding portion, and a second locking formation on an adjacent side face of the cavity, the second locking formation being provided on a tab which is connected to and forms part of the adjacent side face but which is pivotable out of the plane of the adjacent

side face in order to release the first and second locking formations and thereby to permit the release of the first and second parts. Usually, with such a joint, then this joint will be employed for all of the joints in the construction kit.

The joint may be one in which the first locking formation is on one side face only of the protruding portion, and in which the second locking formation is on one adjacent side face only of the cavity, whereby the first and second parts can only be locked together if they are correctly positioned.

Preferably, the first locking formation is a groove, and the second locking formation is a bead. The reverse arrangement may be employed.

Other types of first and second locking formations may be employed.

Where the first locking formation is a groove, then positioning the groove in the side face leaves the protruding portion of the first part with more strength than one or more grooves in an edge face of the protruding portion.

Preferably, the tab is separated from the adjacent side face by a gap which extends around the sides of the tab. Also preferably, the tab does not extend too close to the end of the adjacent side face which defines part of the mouth of the cavity. Thus the contribution kit may be one in which the gap is sufficiently large to accommodate movement of the protruding portion in the cavity without causing the tab to flex sufficiently to release the first and second parts. The part of the adjacent side face between the tab and the end of the side face is then available for forming a substantial wall portion

for holding the first part in the cavity, and resisting twisting of the first part putting pressure on the tab.

The tab may have at least one formation for facilitating insertion of the protruding portion into the cavity in the event that the tab should extend into the cavity, for example as a result of being pushed. The formation is preferably an angled leading edge on the tab.

The tab may have a pilot hole to facilitate the insertion of a fastener, for example a screw, pin or staple. for added security and joint integrity.

Where the structure includes the retainer means, then the retainer means are preferably protrusion and detent clip retainer means. Other types of retainer means may be employed.

Preferably, the frames are made of wood. Other materials may be employed so that, if desired, the frames may be moulded from suitable and appropriate plastics materials. Generally, the material chosen for the frames will depend upon the intended use of the structure.

The construction kit may be one in which the frames support panels, in which each panel connects to its frame by connectors which are such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes, and in which the panels sit in recesses in the frames to provide a water-tight joint.

The construction may be one in which the adjacent frames are connected together by flexible sheet fasteners in the form of waterproof

strips for giving a weatherproof joint, the waterproof strips being such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes. At the apex of the structure, the waterproof strip may have pocket ends for receiving the edge of the panel and thereby form a waterproof joint.

The waterproof strip is preferably such that the material of the strip is hook and loop, and in which the loops are on the exposed outer surface of the waterproof strip and the hooks are on the inner surface of the waterproof strip when the waterproof strip is attached to the structure, thereby to ensure that the loop is on the frame and not on the panel whereby the frames do not catch on clothing of people assembling the structure and whereby the frames do not pick up fluff and dirt.

The material used for the connectors and the waterproof strip is preferably the same as the material used for the flexible sheet fasteners.

Thus the material is preferably hook and loop interlocking plastics members of the type known under the registered trade mark VELCRO. Other types of interlocking plastics members may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building structure constructed using a construction kit as disclosed in PCTNVO 01/04431;

Figure 2 illustrates how members used in the building structure of Figure 1 are connected together; Figure 3 illustrates how posts used in the building structure shown in Figure 1 are connected to a base; Figures 4-11 illustrate how frames shown in Figure 1 can be constructed to give manufacturing advantages, and ease of storage advantages; Figures 12 and 13 illustrate how the frame can advantageously be provided with retainer means; Figures 14 - 22 illustrate how various joints in the structure can be made to be waterproof and weatherproof ; Figures 23-25 show further shapes for the frames; Figures 26-37 illustrate how flexible sheet fasteners are best secured to frames; and Figure 38 shows a first part having a protruding portion which has been provided with two first locking formations in the form of two grooves on edge faces of the protruding portion; Figure 39 shows a first part having a protruding portion with a single first locking formation in the form of a groove on a side face of the protruding portion; Figure 40 shows the first part of Figure 39 being inserted into a second part; Figure 41 shows the second part formed as a corner joint;

Figure 42 is a section on line B-B shown in Figure 41; Figure 43 shows in more detail a tab part of the corner joint shown in Figure 41; and Figure 44 IS a perspective view of an end portion including the tab of the corner joint shown in Figure 41.

Refernng to Figure 1, there is shown a structure 2 which has been made from a construction kit The construction kit comprises a plurality of members in the form of panel members 4. The panel members 4 are held together by flexible sheet fasteners 6. Some of the panel members 4 are of a square shape, some are of a rectangular shape, and some are of a triangular shape. Each panel member 4 comprises a frame 8 supporting a panel 10. Each frame 8 contains at least one angle of 900.

The flexible sheet fasteners 6 are such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members 12 which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes. The flexible sheet fasteners 6 are so secured to the frames 8 of the panel members 4 that the panel members 4 are able to be held together with their frames 8 abutting each other.

As best appreciated from Figure 2, the flexible sheet fasteners 6 are arranged to operate in pairs with a first flexible sheet fastener 6A being secured over its entire area to a first frame 8A of a first panel member, and a second flexible sheet fastener 6B of the pair being secured only over part 14 of its entire area to a second frame 8B of the second panel member.

This arrangement leaves an unsecured part 16 of the second flexible sheet fastener 6B available for fastening to the first flexible sheet fastener 6A in order to connect the first and the second frames 8A, 8B together As also shown in Figure 2, the part 14 of the second flexible sheet fastener 6B that is secured to the second frame 8B is provided with a flexible reinforcing material 18. This flexible reinforcing material 18 is preferably canvas or another strong material The flexible reinforcing material 18 is able to be secured to the second frame 8B by staples and/or an adhesive (not shown).

The interlocking plastics members 12 are hook and loop plastics members. Such hook and loop interlocking plastics members are well known under the registered trade mark VELCRO. Other types of interlocking plastics members may however be employed if desired.

The frames 8 are preferably made of wood but they may be made of any suitable materials including plastics materials and metals. Aluminum is a preferred metal. The panels 10 may be made of a plastics sheet material which may be clear or opaque as desired. The plastics sheet material may be single skinned, double skinned or treble skinned depending upon the intended purpose of the structure. The panels 10 may alternatively be made of netting, wooden plywood sheets, or boards.

Figure 3 shows how the base 20 can easily be secured to the posts 22 at an appropriate position along the length of the flexible sheet fastener 6 secured to each post 22. By appropriate positioning along the length of

each flexible sheet fastener 6, the base 20 can easily be arranged to be level, even if the ground on which the structure 2 is built is not level. The base 22 is provided for each post with a pair of the flexible sheet fasteners 6 which then wrap around the flexible sheet fastener 6 on the appropriate post 22.

As can best be seen from Figure 1 and as mentioned above, the frames 8 are of various shapes. Different sized frames are required for different sized structures. Considerable manufacturing expense can be incurred in producing these different sized frames. This manufacturing expense can be reduced considerably by having the frames formed of component parts with the component parts being as standard as possible.

The production of the frames into component parts and the various considerations required will now be described with reference to Figures 4- 11.

Referring to Figure 4, there are shown three different frames 8 each composed of two parts only, namely a short part 24 and a long part 26. A normal mitre joint 28 could be employed to connect the parts 24,26 together. Adding additional parts of standard lengths is able to increase the available range of sizes for the square or rectangular frames shown in Figure 4. All the frames shown in Figure 4 are square or rectangular. Thus a problem then arises as to how to use the same components for a frame of triangular shape as shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, there is shown a triangular frame 30 comprising two of the short parts 24 and one long part

26. As can be seen from Figure 5, where the long part 26 joins the short part 24, there is an overlap joint 32. If this overlap joint 32 is to be avoided, then the frame 30 cannot be made using the same components as the components used for the frames 8 shown in Figure 4. Thus the problem posed by Figure 5 is that, in order to make a set of interchangeable components, there must be a common component which takes into account the problem of the overlapping joint 32.

Figure 6 shows a square frame 8 and a triangular frame 8 These frames 8 are made with corner sections 34 which extend in two directions, and a plurality of intermediate sections 36 which are straight. For strength and economics, the intermediate sections 36 must be as large as possible. The corners 34 should desirably be as small as possible, whilst allowing the intermediate sections 36 to be used irrespective of whether the frame is to be of a square, rectangular, triangular or other shape. Consideration also has to be given as to how to connect the corner sections 34 and the intermediate sections 36 together.

With regard to connecting the sections 34,36 together, a mortice and tenon joint 38 as shown in Figure 7 is a preferred type of strong joint.

Figure 8 shows a small corner section 34 for use in receiving two intermediate sections 36 in order to form a square frame 8 as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 8, the side length of the corner section 34 is"p".

Referring now to Figure 9, if a corner section 34 is produced with a view to arriving at a frame 8 of triangular form as shown in Figure 6, and the

corner section 34 has sides of length"p", it is apparent that the corner section 34 cannot receive two of the intermediate sections 36 without the intermediate sections 36 overlapping, which is not required.

Figure 10 shows how the corner section 34 of Figure 8 can be increased in side length from"p"to"q"in order to receive the intermediate sections 36.

Figure 11 shows how the corner section 34 shown in Figure 9 can be increased in length so that its sides increase in length from"p"to"q"and then the corner section 34 is able to accommodate both of the intermediate sections 36 without the intermediate sections 36 overlapping each other.

Thus Figures 8-11 illustrate in particular how the proportions chosen for the corner sections 34 must be of side length"q"in order to incorporate the tenon parts of the intermediate sections 36 in both types of corner sections 34 as required for square or rectangular frames 8 or triangular frames 8 as indicated in Figure 6.

For some uses of the structure to be formed, the mortice and tenon joints are adequately secure. For other structures such for example as temporary housing structures in disaster areas or for military uses, it may be that the mortice and tenon joints need to be such that they will not inadvertently pull out. In this case, the structure can be provided with retainer means for retaining the mortice and tenon joints (or other male and female joint members) together in the structure.

Figure 12 illustrates how a mortice and tenon joint 38 might pull apart.

One type of retainer means would be a screw or a bolt passing through the two parts of the mortice and tenon joint 38. Whilst the use of a screw or bolt is acceptable, it does provide an extra assembly step and also extra dismantling step if the structure is to be dismantled. Figure 13 illustrates a mortice and tenon joint 38 provided with retainer means 40 for retaining the intermediate sections 36 in the corner sections 34. The retainer means 40 is an integral part of the mortice and tenon joint 38. The mortice and tenon joint 38 is able to be made in a secure manner simply by pushing the corner sections 34 and the intermediate sections 36 together. Tools such for example as screwdrivers and screws, or spanners and bolts, are not required. As shown in Figure 13, the retainer means 40 use protrusions 42 which clip into detents 44.

In a structure comprising the frames 8 and the panels 10, problems may be encountered from the weather, for example with rain and/or wind.

Joints need to be weatherproof whilst also looking elegant.

Figure 14 shows how a panel member 4 may be formed from a frame 8 and a panel 10 using connectors 46 which are hook and loop type connectors 46. As can be seen, rain in the direction of arrow 48 can easily penetrate the formed joint. Also the formed joint looks inelegant.

Figure 15 illustrates a solution to the problem wherein it can be seen that the frame 8 is provided with a recessed portion 50 for receiving the panel 10 and the connector 46. Most of the water running down in the

direction of arrow 48 would then run over the formed joint, and also the formed joint looks neat. Still further, wind would have more difficulty in getting under the formed joint than would be the case illustrated In Figure 14.

Figure 16 shows a problem that occurs with abutting two frames 10 having panels 10 joined by joints of the type shown in Figure 15. More specifically, there is a gap 52 for the ingress of water and/or wind. To a lesser extent there is also a gap 54 for the ingress of water and/or wind.

Figure 17 shows a solution to the problem by the use of a weatherproof strip 56 which is positioned as shown underneath the uppermost panel 10 and over the top of the lowermost panel 10. Water is thus able to run over the waterproof strip and over the lowermost panel 10 as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 18 illustrates a problem that can occur with two frames 8 abutting each other and forming an apex of a structure. Although the panels 10 are connected to the frames 8 in the preferred manner shown in Figure 15, there is a gap 58 for wind and/or rain.

Figure 19 shows a partial solution to the problem shown in Figure 18 As can be seen from Figure 19, the apex joint is covered by a weatherproof strip 56 which extends under both panels 10. Water may however still get under the joints where the panels 10 connects to the frames 8 as indicated by arrow 60.

Figure 20 shows a more complete solution to that shown in Figure 19.

In Figure 20, it will be seen that the waterproof strip 56 has pocket ends 62 which receive the edges of the panels 10 and thereby form a waterproof joint.

Figure 21 shows a preferred type of waterproof strip 64. This waterproof strip 64 has loops 66 on the top surface and hooks 68 on the lower surface. The waterproof strip 64 is made of waterproof material 70 There is a single connection point 72 for double sided tape. Loops 74 are sewn to the top surface. The double sided tape is shown as double sided tape 76 in the form of patches.

Figure 22 shows a continuous length of the waterproof strip which IS shown in section in Figure 21.

Figure 23 shows a frame 8 in the form of an equilateral triangle Figure 24 shows a frame 8 in the form of a hexagon. Figure 25 shows a frame 8 in the form of an octagon. The hexagonal frame 8 shown in Figure 24 and the octagonal frame 8 shown in Figure 25 are made up of subframes 78,80 respectively.

Referring now to Figures 26-37, there is shown a preferred method of attaching the flexible sheet fasteners 6 to the frames 8. More specifically, Figure 26 shows two frames 8 held together with two flexible sheet fasteners 6. Arrows 82 indicate how the frames 8 may be pulled apart.

Figure 27 is a section through the two frames 8 shown in Figure 26.

In Figure 27 it will be seen that the flexible sheet fastener 6 are secured to

the frames 8 by fixing means which may be staples, screws or nails. If the frames 8 are pulled apart in the direction of the arrows 82, it will be apparent that the stresses are generally transverse to the direction of penetration of the fixing means, and thus the strength of the fixing means is able to match the strength of the matrix of interlocking plastics members 12. A problem can occur if the forces exerted as shown by the arrows 82 are not transverse to the direction of penetration of the fixing means 84. In this case, the fixing means may pull out of the frames 8, especially if the frames 8 are made of wood which is a presently preferred material. Alternatively, the fixing means 84 may rip the flexible sheet fasteners 6. This problem is illustrated in Figure 28 where two frames 8 are connected such that pulling in the direction of the arrows 82 causes no problem for the right hand fixing means 84 but will pull the left hand fixing means 84 out of the lowermost frame 8. This is because the direction of pull as indicated by the left hand arrow 82 is in line with the fastener means 84 rather than being transverse to the fastener means 84 and their direction of penetration into the frame 8. It will be apparent that fastener means 84 which are easily pulled out of their frames 8 provide undesirable limitations on the flexible sheet fasteners 6 for structures that are likely to be subjected to robust use.

Figures 29-32 show different ways of connecting frames 8, but always with fastener members 84 provided at the positions marked"x" These positions are on the inside edges of the frames 8. In these positions, the flexible sheet fasteners 6 cannot be pulled out by a direct pull, i. e. a pull

which is in the longitudinal direction of the flexible sheet fasteners 84 and their direction of entry into the frames 8. Figures 33 and 34 illustrate this in more detail with Figures 33 and 34 being like Figures 29 and 30 but showing the fastener means 84 and directions of pull indicated by arrows 82 It will be seen that, whichever direction of pull is on the frames 8, the pull will always be transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fastener means 84.

Figures 35-37 show how the flexible sheet fastener 6 preferably loops completely around its frame 8 such that the flexible sheet fastener 6 catches on itself at the fixing point provided by the fixing means 84. Such an arrangement provides even better strength of connection through friction.

Figure 35 shows the flexible sheet fastener 6 in the form of double sided tape and in a closed position. Figure 36 shows the flexible sheet fastener 6 of Figure 35 in a partially open condition. Figure 37 is a perspective view of the flexible sheet fastener 6 in the partially open condition shown in Figure 36.

Figure 38 shows a first part 86 having a protruding portion 88. The protruding portion 88 has two first locking formations 90. These two first locking formations 90 are in the form of grooves as shown. These first locking formations 90 are in edge faces 92 of the protruding portion 88. The first locking formations 90 are so deep that as they extend towards each other, they can make the free end 94 of the protruding portion 88 vulnerable to being broken This is especially so if the first part 86 is made of wood.

In addition to the above mentioned vulnerability to breaking, the cost of producing the first locking formation 90 IS a significant part of the overall manufacturing process of the construction kit Also, the first part 86 can be put the wrong way into a cavity in a second part. It then becomes difficult and time consuming to separate the first and second parts and re-fit them in their correct relative positions. In connection with separating the first and the second parts, this is advantageously also done for transport purposes where it may be preferred to disassemble an entire structure into its component parts.

A preferred joint which obviates or reduces the above problem is shown solely by way of example with reference to Figures 39-44. In Figure 39, a first part 96 is shown having a protruding portion 98 with a single first locking formation 100. The first locking formation 100 is in a side face 102 of the protruding portion 98. As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 38 and 39, the protruding portion 98 is potentially stronger than the protruding portion 88.

Figure 40 shows the first part 96 being fitted into a second part 104.

The second part 104 has a cavity 106 for receiving the protruding portion 98. The second part 104 has a second locking formation 108 on a side face 110 of the cavity 106.

The second locking formation 108 is provided on a tab 112. The tab 112 is connected to and forms part of the adjacent side face 110. The tab 112 IS pivotable out of the plane of the adjacent side face 110 in order to

release the first and the second locking formations 100,108 and thereby to permit the release of the first and the second parts 96, 104.

The first locking formation 100 is on one side face only of the protruding portion 98. The second locking formation 102 is on one adjacent side face only of the cavity 106. Thus the first and the second parts 96,104 can only be locked together if they are correctly positioned. The second locking formation 108 IS a bead which IS received in the groove forming the first locking formation 100.

The tab 112 is separated from the adjacent side face 110 by a gap 114 which extends around three sides of the tab 112 as shown in Figure 40.

The tab 112 does not extend too close to the end 111 of the adjacent side face 110 which defines part of the mouth of the cavity 106. The part 113 of the adjacent side face 110 between the tab 112 and the end 111 of the side face 110 is then available for forming a substantial wall portion for holding the first part 96 in the cavity 106, and resisting twisting of the first part 96 putting pressure on the tab 112.

The tab 110 has a pilot hole 116 to facilitate the insertion of a screw, pin or staple for added security and joint integrity.

Figures 41 and 42 show the second part 104 forming part of a corner joint 118. The corner joint 118 is moulded from a plastics material.

Figure 43 shows how the tab 114 has a formation in the form of an angled leading edge 120. This leading edge 120 facilitates insertion of the

protruding portion 98 into the cavity 106 in the event that the tab 112 should have got bent inwardly into the cavity 106 as shown in Figure 43.

The joint shown in Figures 39-43 can advantageously be made with the first part 96 being of wood and the second part 104 being of a plastics material. Wood and plastics materials react differently to weather conditions such as wet and heat. For example if the weather is hot, then the wood contracts and the plastic expands. This could mean that joints could become loose, but the construction shown In Figures 39 - 43 IS able to prevent this. The wooden first part 96 will not accidentally release under tension or twist. The construction also ensures that the first part 96 is always inserted in the correct relative position in the second part 104. The protruding portion 98 is robust. The tab 112 can easily be released by inserting a sharp instrument such for example as the blade of a knife or a screwdriver into the gap 114 to prize the tab 112 outwardly and thereby to release the first and second locking formation 100, 108.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the construction kit can be used to form a wide variety of structures in many different shapes and in many different sizes. Also the frames may be of shapes other than those shown so that, for example, the frames may be in the form of an equilateral triangle or a hexagon. The present invention also extends to parts of the construction kit of the

invention, taken separately or in any combination Thus, for example, the present invention may provide a construction kit with a joint as described above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A construction kit for use in building a structure, which construction kit comprises a plurality of members held together by flexible sheet fasteners, the flexible sheet fasteners being such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes, the flexible sheet fasteners being so secured to the members that the members are able to be held together and form at least a part of the structure, and the members being such that they are in the form of frames, characterized in that each one of the frames comprises a plurality of corner sections which extend in two directions and a plurality of intermediate sections which are straight, the corner sections and the intermediate sections being such that they connect together by joints which push together and pull apart, and each one of the corner sections being large enough to incorporate two of the joints.
2. A construction kit according to claim 1 in which the frames are such that each contain at least one angle of 900 and are of a square, rectangular or triangular shape.
3. A construction kit according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including retainer means for retaining the male and female members together in a

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structure, the retainer means being an integral part of the joint whereby the corner sections and the intermediate sections are connectable together in a secure manner simply by pushing the corner sections and the intermediate sections together.
4. A construction kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the joints are mortice and tenon joints.
5. A construction kit according to any one of claims 1-3 in which at least one of the joints is a joint having a first part, a protruding portion which extends from one end of the first part, a second part, a cavity which is at one end of the second part and which is for receiving the protruding portion, a first locking formation on a side face of the protruding portion, and a second locking formation on an adjacent side face of the cavity, the second locking formation being provided on a tab which is connected to and forms part of the adjacent side face but which is pivotable out of the plane of the adjacent side face in order to release the first and second locking formations and thereby to permit the release of the first and second parts.
6. A construction kit according to claim 5 in which the first locking formation is on one side face only of the protruding portion, and in which the second locking formation is on one adjacent side face only of the cavity,

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whereby the first and second parts can only be locked together if they are correctly positioned.
7. A construction kit according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which the first locking formation is a groove, and in which the second locking formation is a bead.
8. A construction kit according to any one of claims 5-7 in which the tab is separated from the adjacent side face by a gap which extends around three sides of the tab.
9. A construction kit according to claim 8 in which the gap is sufficiently large to accommodate movement of the protruding portion in the cavity without causing the tab to flex sufficiently to release the first and second parts.
10. A construction kit according to any one of the claims 5-9 in which the tab has at least one formation for facilitating insertion of the protruding portion into the cavity in the event that the tab should extend into the cavity.
11. A construction kit according to claim 10 in which the formation is an angled leading edge on the tab.

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12. A construction kit according to any one of claims 5-11 in which the tab has a pilot hole to facilitate the insertion of a fastener for added security and joint integrity.
13. A construction kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the retainer means are protrusion and detent clip retainer means.
14. A construction kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the frames are made of wood.
15. A construction kit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the frames support panels, in which each panel connects to its frame by connectors which are such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes, and in which the panels sit in recesses in the frames to provide a watertight joint.
16. A construction kit according to claim 15 in which adjacent frames are connected together by flexible sheet fasteners in the form of waterproof strips for giving a weatherproof joint, the waterproof strips being such that they comprise a matrix of interlocking plastics members which are pushed together for fastening purposes and which are pulled apart for unfastening purposes

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17. A construction kit according to claim 16 in which, for the apex of the structure, the waterproof strip has pocket ends for receiving the edge of the panel and thereby to form a waterproof joint.
18. A construction kit according to claim 17 in which the waterproof strip is such that the material of the strip is hook and loop, and in which the loops on the exposed outer surface of the waterproof strip and the hooks are on the inner surface of the waterproof strip when the waterproof strip is attached to the structure, thereby to ensure that the loop is on the frame and not on the panel whereby the frames do not catch on clothing of people assembling the structure and whereby the frames do not pick up fluff and dirt.
19. A construction kit for use in building a structure, according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.