WO1998011965A1

WO1998011965A1 - Method and device for connecting two openings provided in an envelope limiting a space volume

Info

Publication number: WO1998011965A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/003778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Kaiser; Horst Klein
Original assignee: ELSNER, Karl, Heinz
Priority date: 1996-09-17
Filing date: 1997-07-15
Publication date: 1998-03-26
Also published as: DE29616184U1; AU4114297A; DE29712466U1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for challenging and stimulating coordination, space representation, logic and memory, consisting in connecting two openings provided in an envelope limiting a space volume, where a plurality of substantially same-shaped surfaces are arranged, complementary at least in pairs, as well as components defining a channel which connects at least two surfaces, the aim being to build a channel system in such a way that the channel openings in the component surfaces flush with the openings provided in the envelope. Also disclosed is a device for applying the inventive method.

Description

Method and device for connecting at least two openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space

The invention relates to a method for connecting at least two openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space and to a device for carrying out the method.

Such methods and modular systems serve primarily for learning and practice purposes, but can also be used for game purposes. The use demands and promotes coordination, spatial thinking, logic and memory.

A labyrinth toy is known from US Pat. No. 4,861,036, in which several cubes of the same size, which have different through channels, are assembled to form a combined large cube. The combined cube thus has a labyrinth aisle system with forks, branches, crossings, blind passages and the like. The labyrinth system of the combined cube has an entrance and an exit, each of which is formed by a channel opening of a cube having a through-channel and through which a ball can be inserted into the labyrinth system.

It is therefore a three-dimensional configuration of a labyrinth toy known per se, in which a ball has a predetermined shape Point starting from the labyrinth aisle system is to be guided to a likewise predetermined end point.

In the case of the labyrinth toy according to US Pat. No. 4,861,036, the combination possibilities for the construction of a labyrinth system with crotches, branches, crossings, blind passages and the like, given due to the large number of different cubes each having a passage channel, are too extensive and unmanageable, especially for children. Due to the complexity that can be created as a result of the unmanageable combination possibilities, a user is usually overwhelmed when using the labyrinth toy, so that the desired degree of coordination, spatial thinking, logic and memory is not promoted. If, for example, a ball gets into a blind passage or the like when using the labyrinth toy, i.e. deviates from the direct connection path between the entrance and the exit, the task of moving the ball from the entrance to the exit as quickly as possible is considerably more difficult and almost due to the complexity of the labyrinth passage system impossible. The user is discouraged if the game is unsuccessful and the game is uncontrollable, boring and unattractive.

A further disadvantage of the labyrinth toy known from US Pat. No. 4,861,036 is given in the production, which is extremely complex and cost-intensive due to the large number of different cubes, each having a through-channel.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for connecting at least two openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space, with which, in contrast to the known methods and devices, it is easy to demand and promote the coordination of spatial thinking, logic and memory and can be achieved effectively.

To achieve this object, a method for connecting at least two openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space is proposed, wherein in the volume space a multiplicity of essentially uniform, in each case at least two, to one another complementary surfaces and in the interior a body element having the channel connecting at least two surfaces can be arranged to form a channel system such that channel mouths in the surfaces of the body elements are aligned with the openings in the casing.

By means of the method according to the invention, operators can arrange the individual body elements in the shell in such a way that they touch each other with complementary surfaces. In the area of these surfaces, the connecting channels lying inside the body elements open, so that an internal connection is made from body element to body element. In the case of a large number of correspondingly assembled body elements, the openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space can thus be connected via an almost arbitrarily designed channel system.

By selecting and arranging the body elements within the envelope delimiting a volume space to connect the openings present in the envelope to form a channel system, in addition to coordination, both spatial and logical thinking as well as memory are required and promoted.

With the method according to the invention, in contrast to the known labyrinth aisle systems, which have forks, branches, crossings, blind passages and the like, a continuous channel system is formed, so that "dead ends" and the like, the learning and exercise goals by misleading, overwhelming or frustrating the respective Would negatively influence the operator, are completely missing.

According to a proposal of the invention, the shell is completely filled with body elements. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to use the entire volume space delimited by the sheath for connecting the openings present in the sheath, and on the other hand, a position of the body elements arranged in the volume space that is fixed relative to one another is given to one another without an actual fixation. According to a further advantageous proposal of the invention, a body, preferably a ball, is passed through the casing through the channel system. The casing is advantageously moved to carry out the body. This can further improve the learning and training effect with regard to spatial and logical thinking, motor coordination and skill. By controlling the movement of a ball through the channel system, the operator obtains feedback between the motor system, sensors and imagination through movement of the casing, detection of the movement of the ball in the channel system, for example by feeling, hearing or seeing, and at the same time mental imagination and coordination of this movement.

According to a particularly advantageous proposal of the invention, the two openings in the envelope delimiting the volume space are identical, that is, the envelope has only one opening. For example, a body can be inserted into the channel system through the opening in the casing and can be moved or moved back and forth by moving the casing in a manner similar to a tour. For example, the exact replication of a sequence of movements in reverse or the same order can be attractive, for example in the case of a game played by two or more people, where one person can specify the sequence of movements, for example depending on the channel system, or even just one person Example according to instructions.

The invention is further based on the object of specifying a device for carrying out the method, with which, independently of the outer three-dimensional contour, concealed connecting paths can be interconnected, which connect at least two openings in the contour.

For the technical solution to this problem, the invention proposes a three-dimensional (3D) modular system consisting of a plurality of essentially uniform surfaces, each having at least two complementary surfaces, and inside a body element having a channel connecting the at least two surfaces and an at least one entry element. and having at least one exit bore Receiving box into which the body elements can be inserted, channel orifices of the body elements being positioned in alignment under the at least one inlet and at least one outlet bore.

In contrast to a labyrinth aisle system which has bifurcations, branches, crossings, blind passages and the like, the present invention forms a channel system for connecting two openings. There are therefore no "dead ends" that would mislead, overwhelm and frustrate an operator in use and thus frustrate the learning and practice goals.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the channel mouths are arranged in the respective surfaces at the same location. The channel openings in the respective surfaces are thus congruent, which means that any elements can be put together.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the channel is a two opposite surfaces, in a further embodiment a channel connecting two adjacent surfaces. The channels can thus either be guided as a through channel between two opposite surfaces in the interior of the body element or can connect two adjacent surfaces to one another at an angle or obliquely. In this way, an almost endless channel system can be developed by appropriately juxtaposing body elements. Body elements are placed against each other in such a way that the channel opening lying in one surface is aligned with a channel opening lying in a surface of another body element. The channels formed in the interior thus represent a connected path. Any channel paths can be created by using through bores and angle bores.

Advantageously, the invention proposes that the body elements are cubes. These have six complementary surfaces and are therefore suitable for the construction of large three-dimensional channel structures inside large, three-dimensional outer contours, namely the receiving box. It is proposed with particular advantage that the body elements are prisms, preferably straight prisms. By appropriately placing two prisms together, a cube can be formed, for example. The use of prisms is particularly advantageous since only one type or type of body element has to be produced with regard to the production of the body elements. By juxtaposing two prisms with a corresponding through hole, a cube with a through hole can be formed, for example, and by rotating a prism through 180 ° around the "cutting plane" a cube with an angled hole can be formed. The two prisms can optionally also be connected to one another to form a corresponding cube, for example by gluing, plugging and the like. This allows greater flexibility and variability in the formation of a channel system to be achieved with fewer body elements. Since fewer body element types have to be produced at the same time, the costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to a particularly advantageous proposal of the invention, pyramids of different bases, tetrahedra, wedges and the like are suitable as body elements. It is only essential that the body elements can be placed against one another almost arbitrarily, forming a channel system.

According to a further advantageous proposal of the invention, the receiving box is constructed in several parts. The receiving box can, for example, have a detachable cover or the like, so that the arrangement of body elements which are interconnected by placing them against one another in the receiving box is facilitated. According to a further advantageous proposal of the invention, the receiving box can be expanded so that a correspondingly larger channel system can be formed by appropriately placing several receiving boxes next to one another.

Wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, stainless steel and similar materials can be used as the material for the modular system. A particular attraction can arise if the individual elements of the modular system are transparent, for example made of acrylic glass and the like. If a large number of body elements are inserted into a receiving box in such a way that an endless channel system results, and care is taken to ensure that the channel mouths of the body elements are aligned with the bores, the inlet and the outlet bore, in the receiving box, there is the possibility, from outside the Insert a body, in particular a ball, into a channel opening and move the ball through all components in a series-connected path from the inlet hole to the outlet hole of the housing box by moving the housing box.

According to a particularly advantageous proposal of the invention, the at least one inlet hole and the at least one outlet hole in the receiving box are identical, that is to say the receiving box has only one hole. For example, a ball can be inserted into the receptacle box bore in the internal duct system and moved back and forth in the duct system by moving the receptacle box or - similar to a tour - can be carried out. It can be attractive, for example, to precisely reproduce a sequence of movements in reverse order or the like, for example in the case of a game played by two or more people or just one person, with one person or operating instructions being able to specify the sequence of movements, for example depending on the channel system .

The applications of the invention are diverse. The use of the described modular system demands and promotes coordination, spatial thinking, logic and memory. Even children can operate the system, for example to build a continuous ball track inside a box. By varying the arrangement of the body elements within the receiving box, the degree of difficulty can be gradually adapted to the individual needs and abilities of the respective operator.

A further, particularly advantageous application of the method and the SD modular system is provided in a software solution. The body elements are visualized as objects on a monitor or the like. The operator can then do this according to the method or the 3D Arrange the modular system and connect two openings in a virtually existing shell here to form a duct system.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description with reference to the figures. Show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a

Embodiment for a body element;

2 shows a perspective schematic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment for a body element;

Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic representation of a

Assembly box;

FIG. 4 shows a cover plate for the box according to FIG. 3;

5a to 5d an embodiment of a schematic

Canal flow chart;

6a to 6c another embodiment for a schematic

Canal flow chart;

7 shows a perspective schematic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment for a body element and

8a and 8b each another perspective schematic

Representation of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7.

1 and 2 show exemplary embodiments for body elements 1. These are cubes 2, which have the respective inlet and outlet openings of a channel 5 on the two surfaces 3 and 4. In the case of Fig. 1, the channel inside the cube 2 makes a 90 ° bend so that the adjacent surfaces 3 and 4 show the channel openings or mouths. In the case of FIG. 2, it is the opposite surfaces 3 and 4 in which the channel 5 exits. It turns out that any channel paths can be interconnected by appropriately juxtaposing body elements.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment for a box 6, consisting of the side walls 7, 8, 10 and 11 and the bottom 9. In the embodiment shown, holes 12 are arranged in the bottom 9. Inside the side walls 7, 1 0 and 1 1 runs around a groove 1 3 at the upper edge.

A cover 14, as shown in FIG. 4, can be inserted into the groove 13, which in turn has bores 15.

If a box 6 is now filled with body elements 1 according to FIGS. 1 and / or 2, so that one of the inlet openings in one of the levels lies in the upper region in such a way that it is accessible through one of the bores 15 through the slid-on cover 14, and there is an outlet opening on the bottom element 9 such that it is accessible through one of the holes 1 2 in the bottom element 9, and all the cubes 2 arranged in between, which fill the entire box 6, are placed in such a way that a continuous channel path results, so one can throw in a ball, not shown, at the top and pass it by pivoting the box 6 until it falls out of the lower opening.

An embodiment of a circuit diagram is shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d each show a plane of body elements introduced into a box 6. These body elements 1 6 according to FIG. 5 a form the top level, which lies directly below the cover 14. The reference number 1 7 shows the inlet opening which comes to rest under one of the bores 1 5 in the cover 14. The level consists of a total of sixteen body elements 1 6, which are placed in such a way that a ball thrown in at seven can be guided through the entire level by pivoting the box 6 and thus the level along the channel path 1 8, each body element passing through and out the outlet opening 1 9 is passed into the underlying plane according to FIG. 5b. In this plane too, the ball is guided from the inlet opening 1 7 through the channel path 1 8 to the outlet opening 1 9 and from there it is passed into the underlying plane according to FIG. 5c. After the further handover from the 5d, the ball is guided to the outlet opening 19 in order to then fall out of one of the bores 12 in the base plate 9 of the box 6.

When using a correspondingly smaller box, the simpler variant according to FIGS. 6a to 6c can be used, which corresponds in detail to the sequence described for FIG. 5.

7 shows a perspective, schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of body elements 20. This is a straight prism, the surface 3 of which has the inlet opening and the surface 4 of which has the outlet opening of a channel 5. In FIGS. 8a and 8b, two prism-shaped body elements 20 according to FIG. 7 are each placed together to form a cube. 8a thus shows a cube formed from two prism-shaped body elements 20 with an angular bore corresponding to body element 1 of FIG. 1. By simply rotating one of the body elements 20 by 180 ° about the rotary surface designated by 21, the cube shown in FIG. 8b with a through hole corresponding to the body element 1 according to FIG. 2 is obtained.

By using prism-shaped body elements 20, the channel flow diagrams shown schematically in FIGS. 5a to 5d and 6a to 6c can also be realized. In principle, only one type of body element is used, which simulates the body elements 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by placing them against one another and simply rotating them by 180 °.

B e u c s e i c h e n l i ste

1 body element 17 inlet opening

Cube 18 channel path

Surface 19 outlet opening

Surface 20 body element

Channel 21 rotating surface

box

Wall

0 wall

1 wall

2 holes

3 groove

4 lids

5 holes

6 body element

Claims

Expectations

1 . Method for connecting at least two openings present in an envelope delimiting a volume space, wherein a plurality of essentially uniform, in each case at least two surfaces which are complementary to one another and in the interior a body element having a channel connecting the at least two surfaces are arranged to form a channel system that channel openings in the surfaces of the body elements are aligned with the openings in the shell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the shell is completely filled with body elements.

3. The method according to one or more of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a body, preferably a ball, is passed through the casing through the channel system.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the casing is moved to carry out the body.

5. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two openings in the envelope delimiting the volume space are identical.

6. 3D modular system for carrying out the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, consisting of a plurality of substantially uniform, in each case at least two mutually complementary surfaces (3, 4) and inside one of the at least two surfaces (3, 4) connecting channel (5) having body elements (1, 16, 20) and a receiving box (6) having at least one inlet (1 5) and at least one outlet bore (1 2) into which the body elements (1, 1 6, 20) can be used, with channel orifices of the body elements (1, 1 6, 20) being positioned in alignment under the at least one inlet (15) and the at least one outlet (16) bores.

7. 3D modular system according to claim 6, characterized in that the channel mouths in the respective surfaces (3, 4) are each arranged at the same location.

8. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the channel (5) is a channel connecting two opposite surfaces.

9. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the channel is a channel connecting two adjacent surfaces.

10. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the body elements (1, 16) are cubes.

1 1. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the body elements (20) are prisms.

1 2. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 1, characterized in that the receiving box (6) is constructed in several parts.

1 3. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 2, characterized in that the receiving box (6) is expandable.

14. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 3, characterized in that the channel mouths in the respective surfaces (3, 4) are each arranged at the same location.

1 5. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 4, characterized in that the elements are at least partially made of wood.

1 6. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 5, characterized in that the individual elements are at least partially made of acrylic glass.

1 7. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 16, characterized in that the individual elements are at least partially made of plastic.

1 8. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 7, characterized in that the individual elements are at least partially made of aluminum.

1 9. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 6 to 1 8, characterized in that the individual elements are at least partially made of steel, preferably stainless steel.

20. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 1 to 1 9, characterized in that the at least one inlet bore (1 5) and the at least one outlet bore (1 2) are identical.

21. 3D modular system according to one or more of claims 5 to 20, characterized in that a ball can be passed through a plurality of body elements (1, 1, 6, 20) placed against one another.