US3919785A

US3919785A - Modular block construction system

Info

Publication number: US3919785A
Application number: US519983A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen P Generaux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-11-01
Filing date: 1974-11-01
Publication date: 1975-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-18
Also published as: SE7512159L

Abstract

A modular construction system is disclosed comprising a plurality of identical module blocks. Each module block comprises a nominally cubical shape, every face of which is a square with three unit by three unit dimensions. Located at the center of a plurality of the faces of the module block is an indentation having a square shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Extending outward from the module block are a plurality of projections each having a square cross-sectional shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Each projection is adapted for insertion into an indentation in the face of another module block thereby forming a constructive assembly.

Description

United States Patent [191 Generaux MODULAR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Stephen P. Generaux, 3450 Algonquin Circle, Las Vegas, Nev. 89109 [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 519,983

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,218,588 12/1959 France 46/25 [451 Nov. 18, 1975 Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Attorney, Agent, or FirmCahill, Sutton & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT A modular construction system is disclosed comprising a plurality of identical module blocks. Each module block comprises a nominally cubical shape, every face of which is a square with three unit by three unit dimensions. Located at the center of a plurality of the faces of the module block is an indentation having a square shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Extending outward from the module block are a plurality of projections each having a square crosssectional shape with one unit by one unit dimensions. Each projection is adapted for insertion into an indentation in the face of another module block thereby forming a constructive assembly.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 9/1970 United Kingdom 46/25 .8. Patent Nov. 18, 1

MODULAR BLOCK CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION lized a module which is connected to other modules of the system by pins, clips or similar fastening arrangements. Not only does the use of such fasteningdevices detract from the aesthetic appearance of the finished structure, such devices are subject to being misplaced or damaged between uses.

Another category of prior art structure is an arrangement of projections and interlocking grooves or channels which permit the interlocking of modules of the building system. Such modules become shortlived in use, due to wear and the readily broken interlocking mechanisms.

Yet anotherarrangement of the prior art has been to use special surface coatings to provide a cohesiveness between mated surfaces or through the use of magnets embedded in or below the surface of the module; Such an arrangement introduces substantial expense and creates a system where the individual modules are readily separated when the assembly is moved or handled.

An additional category of prior art modular construction system elements involves the use of a single, repetitive module which includes an integral portion which interfits with a mating portion of another identically shaped module. This arrangement has the advantages of economy and convenience. However, the relative simplicity of such prior art arrangements severely limits the number of interfitting combinations and variety of resulting construction assemblies.

A prior art attempt to minimize the shortcomings described above has involved the use of a system having several different shaped components. Although there are some advantages of such systems, they have the disadvantage of increased manufacturing cost, inventory problems and needless complication.

An embodiment of the present invention obviates the limitations outlined above, yet provides a single module which may be securely interfitted with other identical modules to form a structural unit having a substantial number of combinations and resulting variety. Four modules embodying this invention could be interfitted in over five thousand different ways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Each module of the construction block assembly comprising the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration is identical to every other module in the assembly. Integral to each module is the building block portion of the module together with means for interfitting one module with another. The module has a generally cubical shape with a central square indentation in a plurality of the faces. Extending outward from the block are a plurality of square shaped projections which are dimensioned to fit into the central indenta tion on the face of another module.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 isa perspective view of a module embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two interfitted modulesembodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION or AN ILLUSTRATIVE PEMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the basic module 10 of the building I I block s et. Module 10 is a generally cubic configuration in'which each face, for example, face 12, has a square shape which is three units in length on each side. At the center of each face, for example, face 12, is a one unit by one unit square indentation 13. Eccentrically positioned with respect to the center of 'the face 12, and extending perpendicularly upward from that face isa pro jection 14. Projection 14 extends two units in length outward from face 12. Conveniently, but not necessarily, the projections which extend outward from the face t1 of the module are either one unit or two units in length. For example, projection 15 extends one unit in length outward from the surface of face 16 which is the face 7 opposite to that of face 12. It is also possible to have more than one projection from an individual face. For example, projecting from face 17 of module 10 is a pro jection 18 that is one unit in length and a second projection 19 which istwo units in length.

By inserting.- any of the projections of one module into the central indentation in one of the faces of a sec-- ond module, the two modules may be interfitted. Inthis way, any number of modules may be interfitted to'create an almost infinite variety of constructive assemblies. It should be apparent that when, as with face 17, projections of different lengths are located adjacent to each other on the same face, it is impossible to insert the shorter projection into an indentation of a second module. In such a circumstance, the shorter projection acts as a stop to prevent insertion of the longer extension to a depth exceeding the difference in length between the longer and shorter extensions.

FIG. 2 shows a first module 10 interfitted with a second module 20 to illustrate the manner in which two modules may be interfitted to form a construction assembly.

Although it has been indicated that the projections extend upwards either one unit or two units in length, this, of course, is not a limitation. The projections need not be of integral unit length and can be less than one unit, or more than two units in length. However, a projection less than one unit in length would decrease the interfitting dimension (the extent to which two adjacent modules would be interfitted or interlocked) and would therefore decrease the stability of the connected units without achieving corresponding advantages. Further, a projection more than two units in length could, when inserted into a second module, interfere with a projection of a third module when it is inserted into the second module. Similarly, projections in excess of one cube nor is it necessary to have a central indentation in each face of the module. It should be also apparent that various configurations of the basic embodiment could be provided depending upon the number and location of the projections from the face of the basic module.

It should be further apparent that modules having different projection configurations, and therefore not identical to each other, could be interfitted one with the other. However, since this practice would increase manufacturers costs, create inventory problems and needlessly complicate a simple arrangement, it should be noted that while such a system is within the comtemplation of this invention, its use is not recommended.

Numerous variations of my invention could be envisioned by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A module for a modular construction block set having modules which interfit to form a desired construction assembly, each module comprising:

a cube, wherein a plurality of faces of the cube include an indentation, each indentation being identically shaped and being located concentric to the face;

a plurality of projections each extending outward from a face of the cube, wherein every projection is located eccentric to the face from which it extends;

every projection has a cross-sectional shape identical to the shape of the indentations in the faces; and every projection has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the indentation to permit the projections to be inserted in the indentation; each module being thereby adapted to interfit with another module by inserting a projection of one module into an indentation of the other module. 2. A module for a modular construction block set having modules which interfit to form a desired construction assembly, each module comprising:

a block of generally cubical shape, wherein every face of the block is a square having side dimensions of three units in length; and a plurality of the faces of the block include a square shaped indentation located concentric to the face and having side dimensions of one unit in length; and a projection extending perpendicularly outward from a face of the block, wherein said projection is located eccentric to the face from which it extends; and said projection has a square cross-sectional shape having a side dimension of one unit in length; each module being thereby adapted to interfit with another module by inserting a projection of one module into an indentation of the other module. 3. A module in accordance with claim 2 wherein each projection is either one unit or two units in length.

Claims

1. A module for a modular construction block set having modules which interfit to form a desired construction assembly, each module comprising: a cube, wherein a plurality of faces of the cube include an indentation, each indentation being identically shaped and being located concentric to the face; a plurality of projections each extending outward from a face of the cube, wherein every projection is located eccentric to the face from which it extends; every projection has a cross-sectional shape identical to the shape of the indentations in the faces; and every projection has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the indentation to permit the projections to be inserted in the indentation; each module being thereby adapted to interfit with another module by inserting a projection of one module into an indentation of the other module.

2. A module for a modular construction block set having modules which interfit to form a desired construction assembly, each module comprising: a block of generally cubical shape, wherein every face of the block is a square having side dimensions of three units in length; and a plurality of the faces of the block include a square shaped indentation located concentric to the face and having side dimensions of one unit in length; and a projection extending perpendicularly outward from a face of the block, wherein said projection is located eccentric to the face from which it extends; and said projection has a square cross-sectional shape having a side dimension of one unit in length; each module being thereby adapted to interfit with another module by inserting a projection of one module into an indentation of the other module.

3. A module in accordance with claim 2 wherein each projection is either one unit or two units in length.