JP2009509112A - Joint between two objects, object intended for this purpose, and modular system - Google Patents

Abstract

  The invention relates to a joint between two objects by means of a joint element. Each object has a panel with a continuous hole and four inwardly projecting tongues, which are arranged at 90 ° to each other and extend over an angle of about 22.5 °. The joint element is on both sides of the shank, an insertion stop member that can insert the joint element into the hole in one or the other direction, and in each end region of the shank, at an angle of approximately 25 °. It consists of four lock cams and rotation stop members that are spread out and arranged at approximately 0 °, (90 ° -22.5 °), 180 °, (270 ° -22.5 °). The joint element can be inserted into the hole in one of four desired equidistant positions and selected as desired and rotated approximately 22.5 ° in one or the other direction. Here, the rotation locking means fixes the selected angular position so that the joint element cannot be removed from the hole by axial displacement alone.

Description

  The joint between two objects is known in many instances, for example serving as a toy or a base for educational purposes. An example is a mecano system that has been inactive for a long time, where the object has one or more panels with one or more continuous holes. This system can be used to join two similar objects with bolt and nut connections. In this way, a spatial structure can be constructed. Another example is the Lego® system, which is primarily intended for infants.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a joint between two objects in common with known systems, in which a user can select in a specific number of selection options within a predetermined number of selection options and the joint can be released. It is to be.

  An object of the present invention is to embody a joint that provides special selection options that can vary widely in the construction structure that can be created. According to the present invention, the releasability does not have to be such that the objects connected to each other can be easily separated. In accordance with the present invention, it is envisaged that the user must take specially thoughtful actions to connect or release a particular type of joint.

For this purpose, the present invention provides:
A joint between two objects (1, 2) by means of a joint element (3),
Each object (1, 2) is
It has a panel (4) with a continuous first hole (5) having a round main shape and four inwardly projecting tongues (6), each said tongue extending at least approximately radially 2 Having two sides (25, 26), the tongues are angularly equidistant, each extending at an angle of approximately 22.5 °,
The joint element (3)
A shank (8) that can be inserted into the first hole (5) from between the ends (7) of the tongue (6) and has a shaft (29);
An insertion stop member that exists in the central region of the shank (8) and defines the maximum distance at which the shank (8) can be inserted into the first hole (5) as desired in one orientation or the other orientation. (19, 20),
In each of the two end regions (17, 18) of the shank, it spreads at an angle of approximately 25 ° and is approximately 0 °, (90 ° -22.5 °), 180 °, (270 ° -22.5). °) four lock cams (9, 10, 11, 12; 13, 14, 15, 16) arranged at relative angular positions;
From four rotation stop members (21, 22, 23, 24) which are added to the lock cam (9-16), are angularly equidistant and can cooperate with the sides (25, 26) Become
This allows the joint to be in one of four angularly equidistant angular positions in the selected orientation, as desired, until the insertion stop member (19, 20) contacts the panel (4). An element (3) can be inserted into the first hole (5), and moreover approximately 22.5 ° in one or the other direction, as desired, with the rotation stop member (21-14) associated The joint element (3) can be rotated relative to the associated object (1,2) until it contacts the side (25,26), so that the locking cam (9-12; 13-16) Engaged behind (4), the joint element (3) is locked against axial displacement with respect to the panel (4);
Here, each of the possible angular positions, ie, (0 ° ± 22,5 °), (90 ° ± 22,5 °), (180 ° ± 22,5 °) (270 ° ± 22,5 °) In order to releasably lock the joint element (3) to each of the two objects (1, 2), a joint is provided in which rotation locking means (27, 28) are present.

  As mentioned above, it must be possible to realize or release the joint by performing a deliberate action. In this respect, the joint according to the present invention is preferably such that the rotation lock means can be engaged and released in the locked state only by applying a predetermined rotational moment between the joint and the related object. It has a special feature that it can.

  In a specific embodiment, the joint has a special feature that the rotation lock means comprises a combination of a concave portion added to each possible angular position and a convex portion that elastically engages the concave portion. ing.

  The practical embodiment further comprises an elastic piece having an arcuate main shape, the elastic piece having three recesses at relative angular positions of −22.5 °, 0 ° and + 22.5 °. Yes.

  In a practical embodiment, the elastic piece consists of four pieces supported by two adjacent rotation stop members.

  The latter two embodiments advantageously have four protrusions that are at the same angular position as the tongue, form part of the panel and cooperate with at least one of the four elastic pieces. The four elastic pieces extend over an angle of approximately 90 ° and form part of the joint element.

  It should be noted that the aforementioned angles must be regarded as technically functional displays.

  In a specific embodiment, the joint has the special feature that each object and / or joint element is made of plastic.

  This latter embodiment can advantageously be implemented in such a way that each object and / or joint element is produced by injection moulding.

The joint element has the same or mirror-symmetric front as the back. This provides the next option of the joint. That is, the joint is
(A) forming an extruded product using an extrusion head having an opening having the same shape as the front and back of the joint;
(B) The extruded product has a desired length,
(C) Manufactured by selectively removing excess portions to obtain joint elements.

  In the joint, preferably, the shaft portion has a continuous second non-circular hole in the axial direction, and an appropriate tool is inserted into the second hole, and a moment is applied by the tool so that the joint element is moved. It has a special feature of rotating with respect to the related object.

  The invention further relates to an object that is clearly intended and designed as an element of the joint, said object comprising at least one panel with at least two continuous first holes, said object comprising at least two joint elements. It relates to an object that can be coupled to at least two other similar objects.

  This object consists of a number of panels with a number of consecutive first holes having equal center-to-center distances along the plane of the panel, and if one panel has more than one first hole, One hole is a straight line, aligned as perpendicular to each other as applicable.

  The invention further comprises a number of objects as described in the preceding paragraph and a number of joint elements, for example in a toy or module construction system intended for educational purposes, wherein the objects are mutually connected by means of the joint elements as desired by the user. And a module construction system capable of assembling the multiple objects and joint elements into one unit.

  Finally, the present invention relates to a package provided with the module construction system.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 6 show the basic elements of a fitting part according to the invention. FIG. 7 shows how these basic elements can be combined with further objects to form a unit based on a complete joint according to the invention.

Fig. 1-6 is a joint between two objects by a joint element,
Each object is
A panel with a continuous first hole having a round main shape and four inwardly projecting tongues, each said tongue having at least two sides extending in a radial direction, said tongue Are angularly equidistant and each spread at an angle of approximately 22.5 °,
The joint element is
A shank that can be inserted into the first hole from between the ends of the tongue and has a shaft;
An insertion stop member present in a central region of the shank and defining a maximum distance at which the shank can be inserted into the first hole as desired in one orientation or other orientation;
In each of the two end regions of the shank, it extends at an angle of approximately 25 ° and is a relative angle of approximately 0 °, (90 ° -22.5 °), 180 °, (270 ° -22.5 °). Four lock cams arranged in position,
It consists of four rotation stop members that are attached to the lock cam and are angularly equidistant and can cooperate with the side,
This inserts the joint element into the first hole in one of four angularly equidistant angular positions, in the selected orientation, as desired, until the insertion stop member contacts the panel. And even further, the coupling element can be rotated relative to the associated object until approximately 22.5 ° in one or the other direction, as desired, until the rotation stop member contacts the associated side. The locking cam engages behind the panel and the joint element is locked against axial displacement relative to the panel;
Here, each of the possible angular positions, ie, (0 ° ± 22,5 °), (90 ° ± 22,5 °), (180 ° ± 22,5 °) (270 ° ± 22,5 °) Fig. 4 shows a joint in which a rotation locking means is present for releasably locking the joint element to each of two objects.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation lock means can be engaged and released in a locked state only by applying a predetermined rotational moment between the joint and the related objects 1 and 2. It has become.

  The rotation lock means comprises a combination of a concave portion 28 added to each possible angular position and a convex portion 27 that elastically engages the concave portion 28.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the joint further comprises an elastic piece 30 having the main shape of an arc, said elastic piece being in three relative angular positions of −22.5 °, 0 °, + 22.5 °. Recesses 28a, 28b, 28c are provided.

  The joint is actually composed of four pieces supported by two adjacent rotation stop members 21-24.

  The joint is further provided with four protrusions 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d which are at the same angular position as the tongue 6 and form part of the panel 4 and cooperate with at least one of the four elastic pieces 30. The four elastic pieces extend over an angle of approximately 90 ° and form part of the joint element 3.

  In all the illustrated embodiments, each object 1, 2 and / or joint element 3 is made of plastic.

  In particular, injection shaping is a very suitable manufacturing method.

In the illustrated embodiment, it is particularly clear from FIG. 5A that the front and back of the joint are identical. Therefore, the joint 3 is
(A) forming an extruded product using an extrusion head having an opening having the same shape as the front and back surfaces of the joint 3;
(B) The extruded product has a desired length,
(C) Manufactured by selectively removing excess portions to obtain the joint element 3.

  As is further clear from the figure, the shaft portion 8 has a non-circular continuous second hole 31 in the axial direction, a suitable tool is inserted into the second hole, and a moment is applied by this tool, The joint element 3 is rotated relative to the related objects 1 and 2. For this purpose, the continuous first hole 31 has four grooves 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d that are arranged at an equal angular distance and extend over the entire length of the hole 31. For example, a screwdriver is inserted to cooperate the grooves 32a and 32c and the grooves 32b and 32d that are opposed to each other in the radial direction.

  The invention further relates to an object of a type such as object 3 described in the figure. The object can for example consist of one panel with at least two consecutive holes. It can be a corner element with 2 or 3 panels randomly provided with the desired number of consecutive holes. It is also possible to utilize a cube with one hole or straight row of holes that can be adjusted in each of the six square panels.

  Block shapes such as objects 1 and 2 shown in all figures are also optional.

  When two objects are combined, it is generally practical to ensure that the row of holes formed thereby has a row of holes with the same center tube distance as the center-to-center distance of the holes of the other object. There is.

  The joint-based module construction system according to the invention is not shown. Such a module construction system can be supplied in packaging and consists of a number of objects 1, 2 of the type described and illustrated by way of example in the figure, in addition these objects 1, 2 are defined according to the invention. It is composed of a number of joint elements 3 which are connected to each other in the same manner to form a spatially constructed structure.

  Obviously, within the scope of the foregoing arrangement, the joint according to the invention can be implemented in a great many different ways. In essence, the joint element 3 is inserted into the first object 1 and then optionally combined with a second object 2 arranged on the opposite side beyond the joint element, after which the joint element 3 and the objects 1, 2 The joint between the two is rotated in one or the other direction. In practice, if the joint element 3 is not easily accessible by hand, the need for the aforementioned non-circular holes and the joint element 3 when the joint element 3 is inserted into two objects 1, 2 arranged on both sides It is practical to use a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver, to perform the correct rotation. Tools can also be used to break the bond.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an object and a joint element that are separated from each other. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1 with the coupling element inserted into the object. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 with the coupling element rotated 22.5 ° and secured to the object. In order to clarify the interaction, the first stage of FIG. 1, the second stage of FIG. 2, the realistic third stage of FIG. 3, and the virtual third stage of FIG. 4 are shown on the same scale. In order to clarify the interaction, the first stage of FIG. 1, the second stage of FIG. 2, the realistic third stage of FIG. 3, and the virtual third stage of FIG. 4 are shown on the same scale. In order to clarify the interaction, the first stage of FIG. 1, the second stage of FIG. 2, the realistic third stage of FIG. 3, and the virtual third stage of FIG. 4 are shown on the same scale. In order to clarify the interaction, the first stage of FIG. 1, the second stage of FIG. 2, the realistic third stage of FIG. 3, and the virtual third stage of FIG. 4 are shown on the same scale. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of an object with a coupling element according to Fig. 2; 5B shows a side view of an object with a coupling element according to FIG. 5A. FIG. FIG. 5B shows a plan view corresponding to FIG. 5A of the joint inserted in the opposite direction to the object. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the object and joint element in the state of FIG. 1. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °. The joints between two objects are shown with relative orientations of 0 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 ° and 315 °.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Object 2 Object 3 Joint element 4 Panel 5 1st hole 6 Inward protruding tongue part 7 End part 8 Shank 9, 10, 11, 12; 13, 14, 15, 16 Lock cam 17, 18 End area | region 19, 20 Insertion stop Member 21, 22, 23, 24 Rotation stop member 25, 26 Side 29 axis

Claims (14)

A joint between two objects (1, 2) by means of a joint element (3),
Each object (1, 2) is
It has a panel (4) with a continuous first hole (5) having a round main shape and four inwardly projecting tongues (6), each said tongue extending at least approximately radially 2 Having two sides (25, 26), the tongues are angularly equidistant, each extending at an angle of approximately 22.5 °,
The joint element (3)
A shank (8) that can be inserted into the first hole (5) from between the ends (7) of the tongue (6) and has a shaft (29);
An insertion stop member that exists in the central region of the shank (8) and defines the maximum distance at which the shank (8) can be inserted into the first hole (5) as desired in one orientation or the other orientation. (19, 20),
In each of the two end regions (17, 18) of the shank, it spreads at an angle of approximately 25 ° and is approximately 0 °, (90 ° -22.5 °), 180 °, (270 ° -22.5). °) four lock cams (9, 10, 11, 12; 13, 14, 15, 16) arranged at relative angular positions;
From four rotation stop members (21, 22, 23, 24) which are added to the lock cam (9-16), are angularly equidistant and can cooperate with the sides (25, 26) Become
This allows the joint to be in one of four angularly equidistant angular positions in the selected orientation, as desired, until the insertion stop member (19, 20) contacts the panel (4). An element (3) can be inserted into the first hole (5), and moreover approximately 22.5 ° in one or the other direction, as desired, with the rotation stop member (21-14) associated The joint element (3) can be rotated relative to the associated object (1,2) until it contacts the side (25,26), so that the locking cam (9-12; 13-16) Engaged behind (4), the joint element (3) is locked against axial displacement with respect to the panel (4);
Here, each of the possible angular positions, ie, (0 ° ± 22,5 °), (90 ° ± 22,5 °), (180 ° ± 22,5 °) (270 ° ± 22,5 °) A joint in which rotation locking means (27, 28) are present for releasably locking the joint element (3) to each of two objects (1, 2).   The rotation lock means (27, 28) can be engaged and released in a locked state only by applying a predetermined rotational moment between the joint and the related object (1, 2). The joint according to 1.   The rotation lock means (27, 28) comprises a combination of a concave portion (28) added at each possible angular position and a convex portion (27) elastically engaged with the concave portion (28). The fitting described in.   The elastic piece further includes an elastic piece (30) having a main shape of an arc, and the elastic piece has three concave portions (28a, 28b, 28c) at relative angular positions of −22.5 °, 0 °, and + 22.5 °. The joint according to claim 3.   5. A joint according to claim 4, wherein the elastic piece consists of four pieces supported by two adjacent rotation stop members (21-24).   Four protrusions (27a, 27b, 27c, which are at the same angular position as the tongue (6), form part of the panel (4) and cooperate with at least one of the four elastic pieces (30) 27d), the four elastic pieces extending over an angle of approximately 90 ° and forming part of the joint element (3).   The joint according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each object (1, 2) and / or joint element (3) is made of plastic.   7. The joint according to claim 6, wherein each object (1, 2) and / or joint element (3) is manufactured by injection molding. The joint (3)
(A) forming an extruded product using an extrusion head having an opening having the same shape as the front and back surfaces of the joint (3);
(B) The extruded product has a desired length,
The joint according to claim 6, wherein the joint is manufactured by selectively removing (c) the excess portion to obtain the joint element (3).   The shaft portion (8) has a continuous second non-circular hole (31) in the axial direction, and a suitable tool is inserted into the second hole, and a moment is applied by the tool so that the joint element ( The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein 3) is rotated relative to the related object (1, 2).   Object (1) clearly intended and designed as a joint element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the object (1) comprises at least two continuous first holes (5). An object consisting of one panel (4), said object (1) being connectable to at least two other similar objects (2) by at least two joint elements (3).   A number of panels (4) with a number of consecutive first holes (5) having equal center-to-center distances along the plane of the panel, and more than one first hole (5) in one panel (4) 12. The object according to claim 11, wherein the first holes (5) are straight rows and are aligned in mutually perpendicular rows as applicable.   In a modular construction system, for example intended for toys or educational purposes, it consists of a large number of objects (1, 2) and a large number of joint elements (3) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the joint elements are as desired by the user. A module construction system capable of connecting the objects (1, 2) to each other by (3) and assembling the multiple objects (1, 2) and joint elements (3) into one unit.   A package comprising the module construction system according to claim 13.

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