WO2008136653A1

WO2008136653A1 - System for connecting flat structural segments

Info

Publication number: WO2008136653A1
Application number: PCT/MX2007/000124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Eugenio Novo Bustos
Original assignee: Luis Eugenio Novo Bustos
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2007-10-22
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: MX2007005383A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for connecting flat structural segments (1), whereby one of the flanges (2) provided on each face of the segment is connected to the corresponding flange on the adjacent segment using an elastic band (7) that surrounds connected flanges. The flanges are provided with: rounded corners (3); a groove (4) which is used to connect to a segment that is narrower and shorter than the face of same, serving as a hinge that prevents the deformation of the segment and as a housing for the elastic band; and a larger area (5) with a convex side that is proportional to the geometric body. The invention also includes a central hole in the groove, through which the elastic band extends in order to reinforce the connection between the segments. In this way, the invention provides a temporary elastic connection that can be used to produce balls, geodesic structures, etc.

Description

UNION SYSTEM OF FLAT CONSTRUCTION SEGMENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to several industries that in common have the function of manufacturing articles that are the result of the union of flat construction segments. These industries can be, for example, a factory for balls, toys, geodetic tents for temporary shelters, temporary warehouses, exhibition and exhibition stands, mobile ventilation points, or lamps and soffits, or as a packing system or packing in the transfer of articles or products among others.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Have a constructive system of flat segments with determined geometric figures to generate a limited space focused on different purposes, that is easy to assemble and disassemble with very low maintenance and that once disassembled can be stored in an area much smaller than the area which occupies the built structure. The structures generated under this system are capable of suffering deformations in their figure without losing their stiffness characteristics, these structures are capable of preserving the union between its elements under external or internal loads, avoiding collapse due to their effects.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention may be apparent from the study of the following description and the accompanying drawings exclusively for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Until before the present invention, in the industries where flat segments had to be joined to produce, for example, spherical objects, the different segments were manufactured leaving a flange on each side of said segments, for later joining them, by means of a fixing means, usually sewing with needle and thread, or by means of an adhesive or by hot melting and generating with any of these systems permanent joints.

The segments are flat geometric figures that, when joined by their faces, form three-dimensional structures or bodies.

The seam joining system, by means of adhesives or by means of fusion in the case of a mistake by the one who is making the product, it must be discarded at the level where the process is, since the union It is fixed and does not give room for corrections. In geodetic structures, such as spherical articles formed from flat segments, rigid joints are presented that transmit this stiffness characteristic to the object that results from the joints of the segments.

It is clear that, until now, geodetic structures subsequently require their assembly to cover the area defined by said structure, isolated from external agents or elements.

In the case of the balls, the image we have is that of a group of segments of soft material joined together forming a hollow spherical body to which a rubber chamber is introduced which inflates to generate the external tension necessary to give it The figure and the optimal physical conditions for the game, being able to break down by breaking the seams or the joints between the segments, losing the characteristics that make it suitable for the game to lose pressure due to failure of the inflation valve or puncture of the chamber making it difficult in many cases its repair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a system of joining flat segments for the information of structures that delimit a space of different sizes or shapes. For example, for the manufacture of balls, or geodetic structures, or for the assembly of tents, among others.

For the formation of structures with the system of the present invention, two elements are involved, which consist of a flange on each of the faces of the segment segments used in the structure, as well as an elastic band for the union of the tabs and therefore of said segments.

These tabs having a configuration to allow the accommodation of the elastic band, so that it tends to remain in place, said configuration consists of a groove of shorter length to the length of the segment face and of smaller thickness than that of the cross section of the segment and thereby allow, simultaneously, a safety of use of the structure in general without hurting the user, conserve the union between the elements and maintain its position when supporting any tension or compression effort. Said slot acts as a hinge to delimit the fold zone of the flange and prevent damage to the body of the segment.

The union is carried out by means of the eyelashes that are spliced with a flange present on each face of the geometric figure of the neighboring segment, and an elastic band keeps flexibly coupled the union of these joints. In one of the modalities it is necessary that the tabs are provided with a perforation centered in the groove, where the elastic band that joins the corresponding sides of a segment is placed. Said perforation serves to pass the elastic band through said perforation and thereby reinforce the union of the segments and improve the absorption of stresses since the band through the perforation forms an axis between said segments.

In order to better understand the characteristics of the invention, the present description is attached, as an integral thereof, of the illustrative drawings, which are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the construction segment with their respective tabs in one of these modalities, with a triangular segment.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the construction segment with their respective tabs in one of these modalities, with a quadrangular segment. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the construction segment with its respective tabs in one of these modalities, with its pentagonal segment.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the construction segment with their respective tabs in one of these modalities, with a hexagonal segment.

Figure 5 illustrates the tangential view of the segment in the section marked A-A, in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 illustrates a section that allows us to see the difference in thickness between the body of the segment, the neck of the flange and the flange, as well as the roundness of its edges.

Figure 6 illustrates the location of an elastic band in the area of least thickness of the segment.

Figure 6B illustrates the elastic band housed in an area where it cannot be damaged when assembling the joining system.

Figure 7 illustrates an assembly with elements of the present invention. Figures 8 to 12 illustrate the sequence of placement of the elastic band, in the embodiment in which a hole is provided in the groove of the flanges.

For a better understanding of the invention, the detailed description of some of the modalities thereof will be shown, shown in the figures which, for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, are attached to this description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristic details of this novel piece for the construction called segment are shown with the detailed description of the modality illustrated in the attached figures, using each reference number to indicate the same parts.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a construction segment (1) with its respective tabs (2) in one of these modalities, with a triangular segment.

The tab (2) of this triangular flat segment has a configuration with the following characteristics:

• Rounded corners (3). • Hinges with a thickness and length less than the rest of the segment (4).

• Area (5) of greater volume with respect to the hinge but equal to that of the segment (1).

Figure 5 shows the sectional view of the cut AA ^" . The rounded corners (3) of the flange reduce the risk of injury to people who are manufacturing or building the object, which will result from the assembly of segments with the tabs and users of said object, also protects the damage in the elastic bands (7) when assembling the system.

The hinge (4) of the tabs in a channel that facilitates and delimits the fold of the flange to splice the area (5) of greater volume of a flange, with the area (5) of the flange of a neighboring segment, for later be held together with the help of an elastic band (7). The hinge (4) serves to accommodate the elastic band (7) and prevent it from coming out when handling the rest of the segments to form a desired structure, avoiding the risk of being shot towards the user, causing damage.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the construction segment with their respective nail tabs of the modalities of these, with a quadrangular segment. Of the elements that are visualized in this figure are only noted the shape of the segment (1) unlike the segment (1) shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 and Figure 4 show a plan view of the construction segment (1) with their respective tabs (2) in their modalities, with a pentagonal and hexagonal segment respectively. All the elements of these two figures were already described above and as in the previous case, only the shape of the segment figure (1) stands out.

Figure 5 illustrates the tangential view of the segment in the section marked AA, in Figures 1 to 4. The flange (2) has rounded corners (3), the area (4) of smaller thickness that carries out the function of hinge, and areas of greater volume (5).

The area of greater volume (5) has the function of facilitating the manipulation of the segment in a comfortable and safe way in addition to tying with it the area of greater volume of the other segment with which one wishes to join. This area of greater volume (5) has an external radius or curvature in the external part of the flange (2), forming a convex side, which allows once the desired geometric body is formed (provided that this is a spherical body) to form a section of the periphery of the lina sphere allowing the geometric body to roll better than if Round did not exist or was flat. Said curvature is in function of the diameter of the spherical body.

The area marked as (3) is the area where the elastic band and the fingers of the manipulator of the segment pass constantly, therefore it is important that it has no edges and is rounded to facilitate assembly as well as avoid damage to the elastic bands when assembling the system.

Figure 7 illustrates an article manufactured with the teachings of this description. All the elements already described are in the present figure. Although this example is a ball, its application in tents, containers, shelters or temporary warehouses, decorative or functional structures and dividing walls or walls is obvious, varying the geometric shape of the segments and the proportions of the sides of said segments to configure a wide variety of structures that can be adapted to different needs using the joining system of the present invention.

Figures 8 to 12 illustrate the sequence of placement of the elastic band in the embodiment in which a hole (8) centered in the groove (4) of the tabs (2) is provided. In Figure 8 it can be seen how a first segment is superimposed on a second, matching the holes (8) in each of the slots; The elastic band (7) surrounds the tabs (2) at the height of the groove (4), followed, the elastic band (7) is passed through the aligned holes (8) in each of the segments in the direction of Ia arrow as seen in Figure 9, until the elastic band exits at the opposite end of the aligned holes (8), as seen in Figure 10. Subsequently the end of the band that exits the end of the holes aligned as seen in Figure 10, it is pulled sideways as indicated by the arrows to again surround the tabs (2) at the height of the grooves (4) of the aligned segments. The elastic band (7) that crosses the aligned holes (8) forms an axis that allows the absorption of stresses without losing the flexibility of the system.

Figure 11 shows how the elastic band (7) is attached joining the sides of the corresponding segments (1) with the tabs (2).

Figure 12 illustrates the way in which two neighboring segments (1) are assembled by means of one of their respective tabs (2), where once the elastic band (7) is placed in the groove (4) through the centered hole (8), separate from each other, to place another segment (1) and join it to the pair of assembled segments in the same way as joined the previous two and so on will be placed the necessary segments to form a desired structure. At the time of separating the segments, the groove (4) functions as a hinge delimiting the fold zone of the flange, in addition the areas of greater volume (5) of the tabs (2) form an angle with respect to the geometric body of the segment (1 ), with which, a housing for the elastic band in the groove (4) is configured, as can be seen in Figure 6B, reducing the risk of damage therein.

The invention has been described sufficiently that a person with average knowledge in the field can reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the present invention. However, any skilled person in the field of the technique of the present invention may be able to make modifications not described in the present application, however, if for the application of these modifications in a given structure or in the manufacturing process of the same, the matter claimed in the following claims is required, said structures must be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention sufficiently, it is considered as a novelty and therefore as a claim as property expressed and contained in the following clauses claims: •

1.- System of union of flat construction segments of the type in which the segments (1) have tabs (2) on each of the faces of the geometric figure that adopts the segment (1), the system formed by said tabs (2 ) that are spliced with a flange (2) corresponding to one of the faces of the neighboring segment and the elastic band (7) that surrounds both spliced tabs (2) to hold them elastically together, generating a desired wall or panel, in which its shape depends on the geometric shape of the segments (1) and the proportions between the sides thereof, said system characterized in that the tabs (2) have rounded corners (3) to avoid damage to the user and the elastic band at the time of system assembly, a groove (4) and an area (5) of greater volume (5) has a radius of curvature in the outer part of the flange (2) forming a convex side proportional to the geometric body formed by the system; a groove (4) that is shorter and thicker than the face of the segment (1), the groove is between an area of greater volume (5) of the flange (2) and the geometric body of the segment (1), Ia which It works as a hinge that delimits the bending area avoiding damage or deformation of the segment body (1), in addition, it works as a retainer of the elastic band (7) to prevent it from leaving the assembly at the time of assembling the system, in where once the flange (2) is folded, the groove (4) together with the flange (2) and the segment (1) forms a housing of the elastic band to prevent it from being damaged.

2. System for joining construction segments, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said angle of joint is a right angle and form a kind of walls, walls or straight panels.

3.- System of union of constructive segments, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said splice angle is different from the right angle and form curved panels and walls that delimit a usable space in multiple applications.

4. System for joining construction segments, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the convex sides form the periphery of a spherical surface.

5. System for joining construction segments, as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flange has two main elements, one of greater volume (5) and an element of smaller length, width and thickness, which fulfills the functions of hinge (4); an elastic band surrounds the hinge (4) of a flange (2) and the hinge (4) of the flange (2) spliced of a corresponding neighboring segment (1).

6.- System for joining flat construction segments of the type in which the segments (1) have tabs (2) on each of the faces of the geometric figure adopted by the segment (1), the system formed by said tabs (2) ) that are spliced with a flange (2) corresponding to one of the faces of the neighboring segment and an elastic band (7) that surrounds both spliced tabs (2) to hold them elastically together, generating a desired wall or panel, in which its shape depends on the geometric shape of the segments (1) and the proportions between the sides thereof, said system characterized in that the tabs (2) have rounded corners (3) to avoid damage to the user and the elastic band at the time of system assembly, a groove (4) and an area of greater volume ^* (5) has a radius of curvature in the outer part of the flange (2) forming a convex side proportional to the geometric body formed by the system, a groove ( 4) that has m huge length that the length of the face of the segment (1), the groove (4) is between the area of greatest volume (5) of the flange (2) and the geometric body of the segment (1), which functions as hinge that delimits the fold zone avoiding damage or deformation of the body of the segment (1), also functions as a retainer of the elastic band

(7) to prevent it from leaving the assembly when assembling the system, where once the flange (2) is folded, the groove (4) together with the flange (2) and the segment (1) forms a elastic band housing to prevent it from being damaged; a hole (8) centered in the groove (4) to pass the elastic band (7) and thereby reinforce the joint between the segments and improve the absorption of stresses to which the structure is subjected ¬

7, - System of union of constructive segments, as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the hole

(8) longitudinally centered in the hinge channel is crossed by the elastic band (7) that joins the two pieces firmly and create an axis that joins the pieces without losing the flexibility of the system.