WO2017173486A1

WO2017173486A1 - A construction module for the construction of 2d and 3d shapes

Info

Publication number: WO2017173486A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Devenish STACY
Original assignee: Stacy Paul Devenish
Priority date: 2016-04-06
Filing date: 2017-04-05
Publication date: 2017-10-12

Abstract

A construction module that can be used to build different 2D and 3D shapes that are stable and able to withstand forces (and therefore suitable for functional and/or long-term decorative purposes). The construction module may also carry a surface imprint for varying the complexity of construction or for aesthetic purposes. The constructed shapes and the surface imprints may be indefinitely expandable according to a user's wishes.

Description

TITLE

A construction module for the construction of 2D and 3D shapes.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a construction module for the construction of 2D and 3D shapes.

The invention has been developed for use as an element for building constructions for toy construction sets, puzzles and other educational tools as well as for packaging or homewares. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these particular fields of use.

BACKGROUND The ancient art of origami allows people to transform flat, square sheets of paper into sculptures or 3D structures using folding techniques. Modular origami is a technique that involves building multiples of one (or more than one) unit and assembling the origami units into a larger, more complex model without the use of glue or any other external fastening means. This is usually achieved by tucking the flap of one unit into the pocket of a second unit in a symmetrical or repeating fashion to complete the origami model. However, these paper origami units suffer from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the pockets only appear on one surface of the unit, not both surfaces, so only one side of the element is functional. Secondly, the elements are made of paper. Therefore, they are fragile and wear rapidly, making them unsuitable for multipurpose uses or for re-use (e.g. they cannot be readily used to build one structure, taken apart and then re-used to build another structure). Finally, the structures made of these paper elements are themselves not very stable and can easily unravel because there is no locking element to prevent the elements from inadvertently sliding apart from one another during construction. Therefore, creating structures using paper origami units can be frustrating and is ultimately limited by the fragility and instability of the basic Origami building unit.

There have been various attempts to overcome the problems of using paper origami modular units to construct 3D structures or sculptures. Some, such as described in US 3,895,229, allow flexible sheet elements to be used in the construction of hollow shell-like bodies such as lampshades.

Others, such as described in GB 1,378,942, include a flat basic building element designed for use as puzzles or construction sets, ideal for exercises in solid geometry - allowing the construction of 2D and 3D shapes using re-usable planar elements. US 4,976,652 describes yet another flat building element designed for the construction of 2D and 3D shapes. It differs from GB 1,378,942 in the way the individual elements interconnect to construct shapes. It addresses a shortcoming of both US 3,895,229 and GB 1,378,942 in that neither of these other patents describes a building element that can be used to construct structures that can withstand forces or bear weight. This is because the elements of GB 1,378,942 only engage in edge-to-edge relationship, with protruding elements extending from the outer surface of the built structures.

Similarly, the elements of US 3,895,229 only engage on the outer surface of the structures. The basic building element of US 3,895,229 is of quadrilateral shape and has a curved hook on each corner so that it can be interconnected with an adjacent element to form a 3D body.

The hooks have in-turned mouths, which serve to lock the hooks of adjacent elements in the interconnected position during the construction of a body. The outer edges of interconnected hooks overlap to form a circular shape on the external surface of the body.

However, the flexible elements of US 3,895,229 have a number of disadvantages. Firstly, while the can hooks interconnect, they only engage in one direction and are not locked in position. This means the hooks can separate readily when pushed together because the mouths of the hooks only engage in one direction. When the open mouths are moved in a direction away from each other, the hooks readily slide out of engagement. This makes the structures unstable and susceptible to unravel during construction.

Secondly, as the hooks overlap only the external surface of the structure, the structures lack sufficient stability to support any weight placed upon them from within the body. This makes the body unsuitable for use as a container or packaging.

GB patent no. 1,378,942 describes a puzzle comprising planar, snap-fit elements of different geometrical shapes, each shape having protrusions and recesses for interlocking (in edge-to-edge relationship) with corresponding recesses and protrusions on other puzzle elements to form a variety of three-dimensional (3D) shapes. These shapes have protruding edges extending from the outer surface.

US 8,845,381 describes a geometric construction unit formed from a substantially flat, flexible material. The unit comprises a polygon based shape having two straight edges, and a locking tab pair integral with each one of the straight edges to form joining edges. Multiple construction units of different shapes can be releasably attached at the joining edges to form models. A disadvantage common to both US 8,845,381 and GB 1,378,942 is that the basic building element or unit of both engages with other building units only along their edges. This means that structures built using the modules of US 8,845,381 and GB 1,378,942 rely on the strength of the connection at the edges. A further shared disadvantage is that the method of connection for both US 8,845,381 and GB 1,378,942 results in protruding elements extending from the outer surface at each join - namely:

(a) in US 8,845,381, the locking tabs extend from the surface where two modules meet;

(b) in GB 1,378,942 the projections extend from the surface where two sheet elements meet.

These protruding elements can be a point of failure as force applied at the protruding elements can force two modules or sheet elements apart.

Each locking tab of the locking tab pair of US 8,845,381 is rounded in shape and has a notch on one side. The notch of a locking tab on one building element engages with the locking tab on another module - the notches serving to hook the locking tabs together in engagement. A further disadvantage of US 8,845,381 is that there is only one notch on each locking tab and therefore the tabs only engage in one direction. Bending of the element can result in the notches (and thereby locking tabs) disengaging - either during construction or if weight is placed on one module so that it bends relative to the other module. In this way, US 8,845,381 shares the same disadvantage as US 3,895,229 in that the notches can only engage each other in one direction and movement of the notches in a direction away from the direction of engagement allows the locking tabs (and hence building elements) to separate easily. This makes structures constructed from the building modules of US 8,845,381 relatively unstable, particularly if weight or force is applied such that one or more modules bends.

US 8,845,381 also describes slotted modules that have slots arranged in different geometric patterns in the central portion of the modules. The slots are designed to receive the locking tabs protruding from the surface of structures built using other modules. In this way, the protruding locking tabs that extend from the surface of a structure are used to surface mount the structure to one or more other modules. A disadvantage of this method of surface mounting structures to build more complex structures is that the surface mount does not lock the structure to the module and as such a structure built from multiple smaller structures lacks stability during construction and if placed under pressure - for example, when sufficient force is applied to bend a module within the structure, allowing the locking tabs to escape from each other and/or from surface mount(s). The surface mounted structures are also be susceptible or falling away or sliding out of engagement with movement - particularly if the movement results in the surface mounted structure being held at an angle to the horizontal. This makes the surface mounted structures unstable during construction and movement, and unsuitable for being transported.

For these reasons, the modules of US 8,845,381 are difficult to build and unsuitable for use as packaging or as a container. US 4,976,652 describes a flat construction element adapted for interlocking with other identical elements to construct various 2D and 3D structures.

The element of US 4,976,652 comprises:

(a) a substantially square engagement portion in the centre of the element, having a diagonal slit therethrough;

(c) two oppositely disposed triangular integral flaps extending on opposite sides of the square portion, each flap having an extended tongue with a notch. The notch is designed to engage the diagonal slit of a second construction element.

The tongues have a rounded edge and a notch on one side. The notch of one element engages with the slit of a second element by latching at one end of the slit. However, a disadvantage of the element of US 4,976,652 is that the rounded shape of the tongues and the "locking" mechanism allow the tongue to slide out of engagement with the slit, making the element difficult to use to construct complex shapes and unsuitable for use as functional items (e.g. that need to be able to withstand forces). The diagonal slit extends through the diagonal length of the square engagement portion and is constructed to house the two tongues of two flaps side by side. However, there is nothing in the centre of the slit to prevent one tongue sliding over the other. The tongues can move freely along the slit and so the elements disengage and unravel readily. The flexible modules described above can be used to build various 2D and 3D constructions. However, they share a common disadvantage of lacking stability during construction, which can lead to frustration when used to construct puzzles or other educational tools, or for toy construction. The instability of these modules limits the ability to use them to build complex shapes and also makes the modular elements unsuitable for building packaging as the forms constructed lack strength and stability for withstanding bending pressure or point forces that may be encountered when used as a container. There is a need for a flexible, standardised module that can engage with other flexible modules in a stable manner, making the construction of large and/or complex shapes less frustrating and more achievable, and that allows shapes so constructed to be sturdy to withstand bending and other forces.

Puzzles consisting of a variety of elements arranged for interengagement to form two- or three-dimensional structures are known.

Most commonly, each puzzle element is different from the others and a continuous picture is printed across the surface. The ease or difficulty of completing the puzzle can be varied by increasing or decreasing the size of the puzzle element and/or by increasing or decreasing the level of detail in the picture.

It would be useful to have a puzzle comprising a standardised element (each puzzle piece is identical to another - at least in shape) for which the level of difficulty can be varied by changing the number of elements used and/or the method of constructing shapes using the puzzle element, and/or completing a picture or image appearing on the surface of the shape.

It would also be useful to have a construction element or module that allows an indefinite variety of 2D and 3D shapes, in which a user can elect to vary the complexity of construction by choosing to vary:

(a) the complexity of the structure being built;

(b) the complexity of the image or pattern that appears on the surface of the completed structure built using the construction element;

(c) whether the image or pattern additionally poses a problem that requires solving or constructing on the surface of the built structure - such as a multi-panel number, object or symbol sodoku-style puzzle, or a scrabble- style, word find or other word puzzle.

It would be an advantage if the construction element is a standardised element (identical) and the complexity is indefinitely variable using the same plurality of the construction elements. This avoids the need to obtain or purchase a new set of construction elements to construct a different shape or a shape with a more complex image or pattern.

It would be a further advantage if the completed structure built using the construction element (or module) is sufficiently stable to be disassembled and reassembled (whether into the same structure or a different one) and also to serve a functional purpose such as packaging, since the constructed shapes are aesthetically pleasing. While prior art construction sets allow building of various 2D or 3D shapes, they are limited in their ability to be used for a functional purpose or any long-term use. Prior art puzzles are typically made of cardboard or paper stock and, while sturdy, do not allow assembly to form different shapes or different surface imprints. Therefore, they are limited in flexibility and variability.

There is a need for a construction module that:

(a) can be used to build different 2D and 3D shapes that are stable and able to withstand forces (and therefore suitable for functional or long-term decorative purposes); and

(b) provides a surface imprint for varying the complexity of use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved standardised, construction module for the construction of various 2D and 3D shapes, and which overcomes the problem of prior art flexible modules by engaging in a more stable manner so that the shapes constructed can be used for functional purposes, including as a container or packaging. It is a further object to provide a new or improved construction module set that allows the construction of shapes and imprints of variable complexity.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a construction module comprising:

(a) a polygonal-shaped body;

(b) at least one pair of notches defining a tab at one end of the body,

wherein said pair of notches is positioned with one notch on either side of a corner of the polygonal-shaped body;

(c) at least one slot for receiving a tab of an adjacent construction module. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a construction module set including:

(a) a plurality of construction modules; and

(b) one or more rules for constructing a completed shape using the

plurality of said construction modules.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for constructing shapes using a construction module, including the step of engaging a first construction module to a second construction module by sliding a tab of the first construction module into a slot of the second construction module until a pair of notches on tab click into place at either end of slot.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention thus provides a new or alternative construction module that engages in a stable way with other construction modules to allow building of structures for toy construction, puzzle or other educational tools or to be used as packaging or containers, or that can be configured to construct an endless variety of shapes for functional or aesthetic purposes (e.g. homewares such as a sculpture, a table, or a light shade or light cover). The construction module overcomes at least some of the problems of the prior art by providing a module that can engage with other modules in a stable manner. Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG 1 is a plan view of a construction module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig 1A is a standardised module suitable for building any form of 2D or 3D structure.

Fig IB is the same module as in Fig 1A, with the addition of two vertical score lines defining a central square and two triangular flaps at opposing ends of the module. This module is optimised for building cubic shapes;

Fig 1C is the same module as in Figs 1A and IB, with three score lines - two the same as in the module of Fig IB and an additional third diagonal score line from bottom to top across the central square. This module is optimised for building more complex 3D shapes. FIG 2 shows a front view a number of the construction modules of Fig 1A being connected together to form a 2D shape.

Fig 2A shows a front view of three construction modules of Fig 1A - two modules fully engaged and a third module in partial engagement.

Fig 2B is the inset to Fig 2A, showing close-up detail of a pair of notches defining a tab at a corner of the body of the construction module of Fig 1A.

Fig 2C shows a front view of four construction modules of Fig 1A in full engagement, with tabs inserted through the slots of adjoining modules and locked in position by means of a pair of notches on each tab. FIG 3 is the construction modules of Fig 2C with an imprint on the surface.

Fig 3A shows four construction modules, each with part of an imprint on its surface. The arrows indicate the direction for engagement. Fig 3B shows the construction modules in Fig 3A in full engagement, revealing the full imprint on the surface of the completed structure.

FIG 4 is the construction module of Fig IB used to construct a cube.

Fig 4A shows a plan view of six of the construction modules of Fig IB engaged to form an opened or flattened cube.

Fig 4B shows the structure of Fig 4A in which the construction modules are folded and the remaining free tabs locked in position to complete a 3D (cube) structure.

FIG 5 is the construction modules of Fig 4A with an imprint on the surface.

Fig 5A shows six of the construction modules of Fig IB, each with part of an imprint on its surface.

Fig 5B shows the construction modules in Fig 5A in full engagement, revealing the full imprint on the surface of the completed cubed structure. FIG 6 is a perspective view of the cubed structure of Fig 4B with different types of imprint on the surface.

Fig 6A shows imprints in the form of letters, so that the construction module can be used to make different words.

Fig 6B shows imprints in the form of numbers, so that the construction module can be used to play a multi-panel number sodoku-style game or other number game. Fig 6C shows imprints in the form of a geometric pattern, so the construction module can be used to complete a pattern puzzle. Fig 6D shows imprints in the form of drawings, so that the construction module can be used to play a multi-panel symbol sodoku-style game.

FIG 7 is a close-up view of the lock mechanism for securely engaging one construction module to another.

Fig 7A is a close-up of two of the construction modules of Fig 1A with one tab of one module inserted into one slot of the other module.

Fig 7B shows even closer detail of the inset (circled) of Fig 7A. The tab is shown in ghost to indicate that it lies underneath the body of the other module. The notches on either side of the tab can be seen engaged with the ends of the slot.

FIG 8 shows a half construction module for building 2D and 3D shapes. This is an alternative embodiment of the construction module of Fig 1.

Fig 8A is a plan view of a half unit that represents the construction module of Fig IB or 1C cut in half along the line from corner "B" to corner "B".

Fig 8B is a plan view of a number of half construction modules in the process of constructing a 2D shape.

Fig 8C is a plan view of the half construction modules of Fig 8B in full engagement to form a 2D structure. FIG 9 are exemplary 3D shapes (partial stellated octahedra) constructed using the full construction module of Fig 1C or a combination of these modules and the half construction module of Fig 8A. Fig 9A is a perspective view of half of a stellated octahedron, constructed using four of the full construction modules of Fig 1C and four of the half construction modules of Fig 8A.

Fig 9B is a perspective view of a stellated octahedron similar to that shown in Fig 9A but with the half construction modules replaced by the full construction modules of Fig 1C to make two-thirds of a stellated octahedron. There are 8 full construction modules depicted in the figure to construct this 3D shape and 12 full construction modules are required to construct a complete stellated octahedron.

FIG 10 shows a side view of a triambic icosahedron fully constructed.

Fig 10A is a triambic icosahedron constructed using thirty of the full construction modules of Fig 1C.

Fig 10B is the triambic icosahedron of Fig 10A with an imprint across the surface.

FIG 11 shows the process of construction of a tetrahedron.

Fig 11A shows the direction of engagement of three of the construction modules of Fig 1C needed to construct a tetrahedron.

Fig 11B shows the three construction modules of 11A in full engagement, forming a tetrahedron. FIG 12 shows the process of construction of a structure suitable for use as a container or packaging.

Fig 12A shows fourteen of the construction modules of Fig 1A, IB or 1C disengaged, ready for engagement to form a container. Fig 12B shows the fourteen construction modules of Fig 12A in full engagement. Fig 12C is the flattened container shape of Fig 12B showing fold lines for forming walls, a top and a bottom for a container.

Fig 12D is the shape of Fig 12B or Fig 12C folded to construct a container shape. FIG 13 is the construction module of Fig 1 showing "suitable examples of alternatives to the "plain" slot shape of the construction module of Fig 1.

Fig 13A shows a "C"-shaped slot.

Fig 13B shows a squared "C"-shaped slot.

Fig 13C shows a slot with circles at each end ("dumbbell" shaped).

Fig 13D shows an "S" -shaped slot.

FIG 14 shows an exemplary sculptural form that can be built from the construction module. The construction module can be scaled to suit the final desired size of the final form (shown at two exemplary sizes in the figure).

Description of Embodiments

The invention provides a new or alternative construction module for building 2D and 3D shapes.

The construction module:

(a) can be used to build different 2D and 3D shapes that are stable and able to withstand forces (and therefore suitable for functional and/or long-term decorative purposes); and (b) may also provide a surface imprint for varying the complexity of use, and/or for aesthetic purposes

The constructed 2D and 3D shapes built using the construction module and the surface imprint may be indefinitely expandable, at least in some embodiments. This allows the constructed shapes to be used as an educational tool or variably complex puzzle with a range of possible final constructions, and final possible uses (long-term decorative, sculptural or functional uses). The level of expansion can be determined by a user (and/or guided by a set of instructions included in a construction module set).

Referring to Figs 1A to 1C and Fig 8A, the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 has a polygon-shaped body 20 and allows a range of 2D to complex 3D shapes to be built using multiple modules of an identical shape. The construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 is made of a substantially flat, flexible material that is hard-wearing so that 2D and 3D structures made from the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled, and can also withstand functional uses as described below. Various materials may be suitable and include paper card or cardboard, thin- sheeted plastic (e.g. polypropylene), vinyl, thin sheet wood (e.g. wood veneer, balsawood, bamboo or other thin timber ply), or metal sheet - any sheet material that is flexible enough to allow engagement in the manner described later in this document would be suitable. The thickness of the material and actual material employed will depend on the final use - e.g. for larger, structural objects (e.g. large-scale sculptures (an example of which is shown in Figure 14), or items of furniture or home furnishings that the user wants to keep rather than dismantle and re-build) a thicker, more rigid sheet material is required and the locking mechanism may require additional treatment such as water-proofing or adhesive reinforcement at, near or around the locking mechanism. In other words, the construction module itself has been scaled so that the final forms that can be built are of a different scale. This is shown by way of example in Figure 14, which shows a sculptural form (an animal-like shape) built on a large scale (as seen against the size of a person), or the same shape on a smaller scale (seen at the base of Fig 14). The construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 used to build either of the forms depicted in Fig 1 are identical - except in scale (including length, wide and thickness of material). The construction modules can be laser or die cut, milled, moulded or 3D printed, or any other suitable way to form substantially planar shapes. Depending on the material, the construction modules can be plain, opaque or translucent, carry an imprint and/or be covered in a fabric suited to the end use (e.g. a washable fabric if the constructed shape is used as a laundry basket or recycling bin).

Any polygon shape would work but in preferred embodiments, the body 20 of the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 is:

(a) a parallelogram (see Fig 1A, IB, 1C); or (b) a half parallelogram (see Fig 8A) - namely, a right-angled triangle. This embodiment is referred to as a "half" construction module or half unit, indicating that it is equivalent to a "full" construction module cut in half, but otherwise possessing the structural features of a full module that allow the half module to be used to construct 2D and 3D shapes.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the corners of the parallelogram or half parallelogram may be rounded or blunt (truncated to remove the point) without affecting its function or the appearance of shapes constructed. Figures 1A, IB, 1C depict construction modules 100, 200, 300 shaped as a parallelogram having:

(a) opposite sides that are parallel and equal in length (sides 22 of Figs 1A to 1C are the same, and sides 24 of Figs 1A to 1C are the same);

(b) opposite angles that are equal (angles marked "A" are the same and angles marked "B" are the same).

The body 20 provides at least one slot 40 for receiving one end of the body 20 of another construction module 100, 200, 300. This can be seen in Fig 2A, where the end of the body 20 can be seen inserted through the slot 40 (shown in ghost).

Each slot 40 is positioned so that it runs parallel with the longest dimension of the body 20. In Figs 1A to 1C, the longest side of the polygon (depicted as a parallelogram) is labelled "24" and the slots 40 run parallel with side(s) 24. The orientation of the slot 40 allows modules 100 (Fig 1A), 200 (Fig IB), 300 (Fig 1C), 700 (Fig 8A) to engage at right angles, with bodies 20 at least partially overlapping, which assists to enhance structural strength of the final shapes constructed using the modules 100, 200, 300.

Each slot 40 of the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 is equal in length to a distance between the notches 30 on either side of a corner of the polygonal- shaped body 20. This is indicated by the distance demarcated "X" in Fig 1A. This means that when a tab 10 is inserted into a slot 40, the tab 10 can be pushed into the slot 40 until the notches 30 on either side of the tab 10 engage or click in to the ends of the slot 40 (which is the same dimension as the distance between two tabs 30 or the width of the tab 10). The slot 40 can be any suitable slotted shape - such as a simple "l-shaped") slit or slot 40 (as depicted in Figures 1 to 12), or be "ended" in shape - for example, the slot 40 may have curved ends 44 (making the slot 40 roughly "C-shaped" (see Fig 13A), or "S-shaped" (Fig 13D), depending on the positioning of the ends), or it may have rounded ends 46 (forming a "dumbbell" shape - Fig 13C) or blunt ends (Fig 13B), making it like a squared C-shape or even a capital "i" shape (not shown).

Referring to Fig 1A, the construction module 100 is unscored, making it optimal for constructing 2D (flat) shapes by engaging the construction module 100 with one or more other construction modules 100. This is illustrated in Fig 2A, which depicts two modules 100 in full engagement and a third construction module 10 in partial engagement. The corners of the bodies 20 that have been inserted through the slots to engage one module with an adjacent module are shown in ghost in Fig 2A and 2C.

Each of the construction modules 100, 200, 300 of Figs 1A to 1C has a notch 30 on each side 22, 24 of the body 20. Each notch 30 has its longest dimension at right angles to the edge of the module in which it appears. This can be seen in the inset to Fig 2A - namely, Fig 2B. The dotted lines demarcated "Y" and "Z" depict how the plane travelling through the longest dimension of the notch 30 (line Y-Y) meets the plane parallel (and hence corresponding) to the line of the edge of the module (line Z-Z) at 90 degrees.

The notches 30 are positioned in pairs, with one notch 30 on either side of a corner of the body 20 - namely, the acute angled corner demarcated "A" in Figs 1A to 1C.

The pair of notches 30 and corner "A" define a tab 10 for engaging one construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 to another. Each "full" construction module 100, 200, 300 possesses two tabs 10 at opposing angles "A". The "half" construction module 700 of Fig 8A possesses one tab 10 at one acute angle of the construction module 800. The tabs 10 are equal in size so that either tab 10 of a module 100, 200, 300 can be used interchangeably to secure one construction module 100, 200, 300 to another module. The tab 10 of the half construction module 700 is also equal in size to the tab 10 of full construction modules 100, 200, 300 so that the half construction module 700 can be used in combination with full construction modules 100, 200, 300 to form straight-edged 3D structures such as the half stellated octahedron 900 shown in Figure 9A.

This structure 900 of Figure 9A can be used as an open container such as a bowl or vase (depending on the material, it may require a waterproof lining), or inverted to function as a "lid" for another open container of equivalent shape and size. The open "lid" can be constructed by replacing of one of the half construction modules 700 used to build the structure 900 of Figure 9A with one full construction module 100, 200, 300 (but ideally, fully scored module 300). This step allows the constructed inverted shape (the lid) to be integrally connected to another open container that is acting as a base. Use of the construction module 300 with the three score lines (as depicted in Figure 1C) allows the central diagonal score line 60 of the lid structure to act as a "hinge" to facilitate opening and closing of the lid. s "lidded" structure (not depicted) can be scaled to form and be used as:

(a) larger functional objects such as waste paper or paper / plastic recycl containers, laundry hampers, side tables or footstools that double storage cubes; or

(b) smaller functional objects such as a ring or cufflink box.

Open inverted shapes (e.g. the half of a stellated octahedron shown in Figure 9A) can be scaled to form other functional objects such as lampshades, mobiles, decorative cake or food covers. Similarly, closed structures such as the triambic icosahedron 1100 shown in Fig 10A (made from thirty of the full construction modules of Fig 1C) can be used as closed containers (e.g. as decorative and/or functional packaging), or as lampshades, mobiles, sculptures or other decorative homewares (i.e. long-term decorative uses).

Returning to Figures 1A to 1C and 8A, the construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 are engaged by passing tab 10 of a first construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 through slot 40 of another construction module until the notches 30 hook on to opposing ends of the slot 40. This can be seen in Fig 2A - the tip of one tab 10a is being passed through slot 40 (the tip is demarcated 10a and is shown in ghost to indicate that it is below the surface of the module 100). This can also be seen in closer detail in Figure 7A, which is a close-up view of a tab 10 of one module 100 inserted into slot 40 of another module 100.

The pair of notches 30 on each tab 10 serve as a locking mechanism to hold tab 10 in position in the slot 40 and to prevent the tab 10 (and hence the whole module 100, 200, 300, 700) from accidentally sliding out of engagement. The same lock mechanism is employed with construction modules 200, 300 for engaging modules to build 3D structures, and by the half unit / construction module 700 of Fig 8A (which can be used to build 2D structures as shown in Fig 8B or 8C, or combined with the full construction module 100, 200, 300 to form 3D polyhedral structures (e.g. the half stellated octahedron 900 shown in Fig 9A).

The construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 can only be separated by disengaging at least a first notch 30 from one end of slot 40 (which will then free the second notch 30). In relation to completed 3D structures, disengaging construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 involves an ordered approach to release of the notches 30. Looking at each of construction modules 100 (Fig 1A), 200 (Fig IB), 300 (Fig 1C), 700 (Fig 8A), the construction modules can be viewed as comprising one to four right-angled triangles.

The notch 30 that is positioned on the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle on any construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 must be released first (this notch is marked as notch "30(H)" in Fig 2B). Attempts to release the other notch 30 first causes the notch 30(H) on the hypotenuse to slide further into engagement with its respective end of tab 40. This makes disengagement of the either notch 30 difficult and prevents the tab 10 from disengaging without flexing and/or twisting the tab 10 (at risk of damage).

This ordered release is achieved by positioning each notch 30 at right angles to a side edge of the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 (as shown in Figure 2B illustrates). This results in each notch 30 being angled relative to its pair (the other notch 30 on the same tab 10). The angulation of the notches 30 relative to each other means that the tab 10 will not disengage by simply pulling the tab 10 in a straight line out of slot 40. Instead, notch 30(H) on the hypotenuse must be slid out first from slot 40, followed by notch 30, for tab 10 to disengage smoothly.

Referring to Figures IB, 1C and 8A, the construction modules 200, 300, 700 may be scored to facilitate folding once in full engagement with another module 200, 300, 700. Folding of the modules 200, 300, 700 is required in order to construct 3D shapes such as the cubed structure 600 of Fig 4B, 5B, or 6A to 6D. Scoring of the construction modules facilitates folding.

Construction module 200 of Fig IB is optimised for constructing cubed structures 600 (as depicted in Figs 4B, 5B, or 6A to 6D). This is achieved through scoring of the module. Two score lines 50 are positioned on each construction module 200 - one each through each of the two angles marked "B" to create a right angle on one side of the score line. The score lines 50 define a central square with a triangular portion on either side. The two slots 40 are positioned along the midline of the square - parallel to sides 24. A version of this construction module 200 can be scaled to build forms on a different scale - for example, the animal-like sculptural shape (desk-sized or human-sized) of Figure 14.

Construction module 300 of Fig 1C is optimised for creating more complex 3D shapes such as the tetrahedron 1200 of Figs 11A and 11B. The construction module 300 has an additional score line 60 that cuts diagonally across the square - extending across the centre of the body between the two angles demarcated "B". Thus the construction module 300 is divided by the score lines 50, 60 into four right-angled triangles, as can be clearly seen in Figure 1C. Each score line 50, 60 allows easy bending of the construction module 300 for folding or hinging one part of the module relative to another. The half construction module 700 is equivalent to construction module 200 or 300 cut in half to form two right-angled triangles. In construction module 300, the cut would be positioned where score line 60 would otherwise be. Each half unit 700 has a pair of notches 30 defining a tab 10 and one slot 40 for receiving the tab 10 of another construction module 700. This allows half module 700 to engage with other half modules (as shown in Figure 8B) to complete 2D shapes such as structure 800 shown in Figure 8C.

The half module 700 may also have a score line 50 (appearing where score line 50 would appear in the full construction modules 200, 300). This score line 50 allows the half unit 700 to be folded, so that it can be used to construct complex 3D shapes such as the open half-stellated octahedron 900 shown in Figure 9A.

The lock mechanism shown in Figure 7 is shown in relation to construction module 100 of Fig 1A. The same lock mechanism is also employed to engage construction modules 200, 300, 700 to each other. The advantage of the lock mechanism is that it allows secure connection between modules 100, 200, 300, 700 and prevents accidental disengagement (by requiring an ordered release of notches 30 on each tab 10). Another advantage is that construction modules are at least partially overlapped when being locked in position. This overlapping provides planar stiffening to the constructed shapes. This overlapping is maintained even if the tab 10 has a rounded or blunt (truncated) tip. By engaging construction modules in more than one plane, this also provides a stronger connection than just connecting the modules at the edges. The lock mechanism provides the stable engagement required to build ever-increasingly complex shapes (and self-similar objects of varying scales). The construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 and shapes constructed from it can be integrally engaged to other shapes or modules using the lock mechanism rather than "slotting" one 3D shape onto another module to build a more complex shape. Instead, increasingly complex 3D shapes (polyhedra) are built using construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 by engaging a larger number of construction modules together to form, for example, the triambic icosahedron shown in Fig 10A or other complex polyhedral structures. The completed structures are stable and have significant structural rigidity, lending themselves to re-use and functional uses beyond short-term decorative and entertainment uses. Referring to Figs 3A and 3B, four construction modules 100 are shown. These are the same modules as depicted in Fig 2C, but with an "imprint" 70 across the surface. The term "imprint" 70 is used in this document to refer collectively to any one of an image (photo, drawing, painting or other pictorial or figurative image, including a logo) or pattern, including a word, number or shape pattern.

The exemplary imprint 70 depicted on the surface of the construction modules in Figs 3A and 3B is a figurative image (specifically, a face). However, this is shown by way of example only - the imprint may be any desired image or pattern (including a word, number, object or shape pattern). Hence the finished structure (built using any of the construction modules 100, 200, 300 depicted in Fig 1A to 1C or the half module 700 of Fig 8A) can be used for a word or number puzzle as well as a picture, pattern or shape puzzle. The imprint can also be hand drawn, painted or stamped s

Referring to Fig 3A, the four construction modules 100 are disengaged, with arrows depicting the direction for engaging the modules 100 in order to construct (or reconstruct) the imprint 70 in full. Each module 100 has a part imprint (70a, 70b, 70c and 70d) on its surface. The imprint 70 may be printed, stamped, written, embossed, painted, drawn or adhered across the surface of the module(s) 100. In Fig 3B the construction modules 100 of Fig 3A are shown in full engagement, revealing the complete imprint 70 as a figurative image of a face on the surface of the constructed 2D structure. The construction modules 100 of Fig 1A can also be used to construct 3D shapes such as the cube structure shown in Figure 4B, the tetrahedron 1200 of Figure 11B or the triambic icosahedron 1100 of Fig 10A. However, the construction module 200 of Fig IB is optimised for building cube structures and the construction module 300 of Fig 1C is optimised for building more complex 3D structures. This is by virtue of the construction module 200 having score lines 50 (see Figs IB and 4A) to facilitate folding of the construction module 200. The score lines 50 define a central square portion and two triangular side portions of the construction modu le 100. In addition to score lines 50, construction module 300 also has a score line 60, which defines two right-angled triangles in the central square portion of the construction module 300. The half module 700 has a single score line 50 that defines two right angled triangles in the module 700.

The invention also provides a method for constructing shapes that includes the steps of:

(a) engaging a first construction module to a second construction module by sliding the tab 10 of the first construction module into slot 40 of the second construction module until the notches 30 of tab 10 click into place at either end of slot 40 (e.g. see Figs 7A and 7B); and

(b) repeating the above step to reach a desired 2D shape. For example, Fig 4A depicts the engagement of six construction modules 200 to form a 2D structure that represents a flattened or opened cube 500.

The method includes an additional step for constructing 3D shapes - namely, the step of:

(c) folding of one or more construction modules to achieve a 3D shape. For example, the 2D structure 500 of Fig 4A is folded to create the cube 600 of Fig 4B. The process of engaging one construction module to another to construct a 3D shape is further detailed below. Referring to Fig 4A, the flattened cube shape 500 is constructed by:

1. inserting tab 10 of a first construction module 200 into a slot 40 of a

second construction module 200 so that the first construction module 200 is at right angles to the second construction module 200. This tab 10 can be seen at the far left of Fig 4A - shown in ghost to indicate that it has been inserted through slot 40 and lies beneath the second construction module;

2. inserting tab 10 of a third construction module into one slot 40 of the first module, and tab 10 of a fourth module into the other slot 40 of the first module;

3. inserting the remaining free tab 10 of the first construction module 200 into a slot 40 of a fifth construction module;

4. Inserting a tab 10 of a sixth construction module into the remaining free slot 40 of the fifth construction module.

The first construction module 200 is central to the cube structure 600 as it has both of its tabs 10 (at corners demarcated "A" in Fig 4A) engaged with other modules and it also has the tabs from two further different modules in

engagement through its slots 40. Accordingly, first construction module 200 overlaps at right angles with four other construction modules 200 to form the flattened cube 500. This overlapping of modules 200 provides additional strength to the final completed structure. To complete the cube structure 600 shown in Fig 4B, the construction modules 200 are folded along score lines 50 and the remaining free tabs 10 (seen towards the periphery of the flattened cube structure 500 in Fig 4A) are inserted through the free slots 40 so that the construction modules are locked in full engagement and the cube structure 600 is completed.

The construction of 2D and 3D shapes using the other construction modules 200, 300 and 700 involves a similar process as described above for engaging then folding construction modules. Figure 5A shows the six construction modules 200 of Figure 4A, each bearing part of a surface imprint 70. The shaded areas of Figure 4A indicate the surface area or areas for the imprint 70 to be positioned.

The modules 200 of Figure 5A are connected and folded in similar manner to the modules 200 illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B to construct the cube 600 of Fig 5B. Once the cube 600 is completed, the full imprint 70 can be seen. As described in relation to Fig 3A, the imprint 70 of Figs 5B, 6A to 6D, 10B or may be printed, stamped, written, embossed, painted, drawn or adhered across the surface of the module(s) 200 and may be made of any image (photo, drawing, painting, or other pictorial or figurative image) or pattern, including a word, number or shape pattern. This allows considerable flexibility in varying the degree of difficulty in completing a structure using the construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700. In one arrangement, the imprint 70 can be handwritten, stamped, drawn or painted onto the surface of a completed structure (as words, pictures, shapes, logos, numbers) then disassembled for re-construction by the same or a different user. Where the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 is made of polypropylene, the imprint can be applied as crayon, acrylic paint, erasable colourfast drawing implement (e.g. white board marker), or lead or crayon pencil then washed or wiped clean for re-use. The image 700 can be a complete image, a partial image for completion by a user, or an outline of an image, pattern or lettering to be coloured in by a user. Figures 6A to 6D shows various examples of number, letter, symbol or pattern imprints that may be used on the surface of the construction modules 100, 200, 300. The sample cubes 600 depicted are the same as shown in Fig 4B with different types of imprint on the surface, and are ideally constructed using construction module 200 of Fig IB.

Fig 6A shows imprints in the form of letters, so that the construction module can be used to construct different words. The letters can be arranged to construct different 4-letter words when the letters are read in clockwise order - for example, in Fig 6A the words are the words are different types of animal - CATS, DOGS and FISH.

Similarly, the imprint may be a series of numbers (e.g. Fig 6B), a pattern (e.g. Fig 6C) or a variety of symbols (e.g. in Fig 6D the symbols are cartoon animals). This allows the construction module 100, 200, 300 to be used to construct 2D and 3D structures that also function as a multi-panel game such as a word, object or number game such as a sodoku-style game, a modified form of a scrabble-style game, a word finder or other pattern game/educational activity. The construction module 100, 200, 300 can also be used to complete a picture puzzle. The picture may be a simple 2D picture (e.g. as depicted in Fig 3B) or a more complex image placed across the surface of a 3D structure - for example, a world map extending across:

1. all six surfaces of the cube 600 shown in Fig 5B, constructed using the construction modules 100, 200 of Fig 1A or IB; or

2. all of the faces of the triambic icosahedron shown in Figure 10A - as seen in Figure 10B, constructed using the construction modules 300 of Fig 1C.

The image may also be a pattern (e.g. as shown partially printed on the cubed structure 600 of Fig 6C).

The construction module can be used as part of a construction module set that embodies puzzles of varying complexity, depending on:

1. The size and shape of the 2D or 3D structure being built; and/or

2. The size, detail and nature of the imprint.

Unlike traditional 2D and 3D puzzles, significant complexity can be added by expanding the structure indefinitely to build an increasingly complex, self-similar 3D object - plain or with an imprint. For constructing enlarged or more complex self-similar constructions, the imprint may be a pattern of stars, a geometric pattern, an image of a Mandelbrot set, or other image self-repeating or self-similar pattern that can be repeated and expand indefinitely (e.g. blades of grass, grains of sand).

This allows the complexity of the solution (the final constructed shape and/or imprint) to be varied almost indefinitely without a need to obtain a new set. This is an advantage over existing puzzles that are completed - often only once, before a new puzzle must be obtained in order to achieve a new challenge.

The construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 may be provided as part of one or more construction module sets, and accompanied by a series of rules for shape and/or imprint construction. The imprint construction rules may include rules for constructing imprints as a picture or image (including a self-similar object such as a Mandelbrot set), or as a word, number, object or shape pattern such as a multi- panel sodoku-style game, a modified scrabble-style word game, a word finder game or other word, number or symbol pattern game. The rules may also include suggestions for player-created imprints. In an embodiment, the construction module set can be provided in packaging such as the packaging container shown in Fig 12D. The packaging container is one type of 3D structure constructed from construction modules 100, 200, 300 or a modified construction module that simulates a flattened container shape (e.g. as shown in Fig 12C) with a main body 1450 for the container and a plurality of tabs 10 at the periphery of the body 1450 for securing the container in a closed state. The flattenable container is suitable for a variety of uses, including packaging of the modules for promotional give-aways (e.g. at conferences, trade shows, for showbags, or for airline stationery, headphone or toiletry packs) and can be constructed from opaque or transparent material (e.g. polypropylene) with promotional logos or branding applied on the surface.

As outlined above, the lock mechanism of construction modules 100, 200, 300, 700 and the container 1500 allows the building of objects that are structurally stable and can withstand weight plus the rigours of disassembly and reassembly. This enables the modules to be used to construct functional objects such as packaging or containers. For example, in Figure 12A fourteen construction modules 100, 200, 300 are fully engaged to form the 2D shape 1300 shown in Fig 12B. The 2D shape 1300 can then be folded along the dashed lines shown in Figure 12C to arrive at the shape 1500 in 12D. The fold lines allow construction of side walls, a top and a bottom for a container. In an embodiment, the final 3D structure 1500 in Fig 12D can be used as packaging or a container to hold construction units or other items.

The overall shape of the 2D structure 1300 in Figure 12B is reflected in the "flattened" container structure 1400 depicted in Figure 12C. The "flattened" container 1400 is made from the same sheet-like material as the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 (e.g. single sheet or twin-wall (corrugated) polypropylene, or any other suitable sheet-like, flexible material as referred to earlier in this document).

Alternatively from constructing the container 1500 from fourteen individual construction modules 100, 200, 300, the body 1450 of the "flattened" container shape 1400 can be pre-formed so that the overlapping portions are formed as a single shape with tabs 10 protruding or sitting at the periphery of the body 1450 (as depicted in Figure 12C) to allow folding and closing of the shape 1500 to form a closeable container (see Figure 12D). Other constructed shapes made from the construction module 100, 200, 300, 700 are also suitable for use as packaging - particularly as the construction module allows great flexibility for the construction of closed shapes, which are ideal for enclosing items within, lidded" shapes (as discussed above) or open shapes that can be flat-packed and readily assembled on site by an end user. The stability of the constructed structures allows for movement and transportation, and re-use of the structure as a permanent or semi-permanent container for storage.

An advantage of the preferred embodiments is that it provides a construction module and construction module set that can be used to construct various 2D and 3D shapes, with indefinite variability. The constructed shapes may have an imprint over the surface, providing flexibility in terms of the degree of complexity required to complete the shape and to complete the surface imprint (and also opportunities for branding). The modules can also be used to complete multi-panel word, number, object and pattern puzzles or drawing / colouring-in activities. These can be applied or partially applied in advance (e.g. printed, embossed, adhered or painted) or written, drawn, stamped, painted or completed by a user of the construction module set. A further advantage of the preferred embodiments is that the method of engagement provides structural rigidity and strength, making the created forms suitable for use as packaging or other functional uses (e.g. as containers). This is an improvement over known construction modules that have methods of engagement that can easily unravel during construction and/or that are unable to support weight applied to the structure. The ability to apply a surface imprint includes a logo or other branding elements, making the packaging suitable for products or promotional items.

An advantage of the construction module is that it is a standardised element (each piece is identical to another) for which the level of difficulty for constructing structures can be varied indefinitely by changing the number of construction modules used and/or the method of constructing shapes using the construction module, and/or completing a picture or image appearing on the surface of the shape.

Another advantage is that a user can elect whether or not a surface imprint additionally poses a problem that requires solving or constructing on the surface of the built structure - such as a multi-panel number, object or symbol sodoku-style puzzle, or a scrabble-style, word find or other word puzzle.

It is a further advantage that the complexity can be indefinitely variable (by creating more or less complex self-similar objects and/or imprints) using the same plurality of the construction elements. This allows the constructed shapes made from any individual set of construction modules to be used as an educational tool or variably complex puzzle with a range of possible final constructions. This avoids the need to obtain or purchase a new set of construction elements to construct a different shape or a shape with a more complex image or pattern.

Another advantage is that the completed structure is sufficiently stable to be disassembled and re-assembled (whether into the same structure or a different one) and also to serve a functional purpose (such as packaging) in addition to aesthetic and/or educational purposes.

The imprint may be infinitely expandable, at least in one embodiment, in similar fashion to the 2D and 3D constructions themselves. This allows the constructed shapes to be used as an educational tool or variably complex puzzle with a range of possible final constructions.

The invention has been developed for use as a construction module for building 2D and 3D constructions for toy construction sets, puzzles and other educational modelling tools as well as for constructing flat-packed, lightweight structures and imprints of varying complexity for aesthetic, educational and functional uses (including as stationery / packaging items or containers, including for promotional displays). However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these particular fields of use and that it is not limited to particular embodiments or applications described herein.

Comprises/comprising when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ^'comprise¹, ^'comprising¹, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the toy, educational, packaging and homewares industries.

Applicant's Name:

Paul Devenish Stacy

By Jipra Pty Ltd

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant

Claims

CLAIMS The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A construction module comprising:

(a) a polygonal-shaped body;

(b) at least one pair of notches defining a tab at one end of the body, wherein said pair of notches is positioned with one notch on either side of a corner of the polygonal-shaped body;

(c) at least one slot for receiving a tab of an adjacent construction module.

2. The construction module of claim 1 wherein the at least one slot is equal in length to a distance between the notches on either side of a corner of the polygonal-shaped body.

3. The construction module of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each notch of said pair of notches is also positioned substantially at right angles to a peripheral edge of the polygonal- shaped body.

4. The construction module of any one of claim 1 to claim 3 that is engageable with

another construction module by sliding the tab of a first construction module through a slot of a second construction module.

5. The construction module of any one of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the construction module becomes locked in engagement with another construction module when the tab of the first construction module is slid through the slot of the second construction module until the notches of the first construction module engage each end of the slot.

6. The construction module of any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the polygon is one of:

(a) a quadrilateral;

(b) a right-angled triangle.

7. The construction module of claim 6 wherein the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

8. The construction module of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one slot runs in a direction parallel to a longest dimension of the polygonal-shaped body.

9. The construction module of any one of the preceding claims wherein the construction module further includes at least one score line, said score line facilitating folding of the construction module.

10. The construction module of claim 9 wherein the construction module includes one or more of:

(a) a pair of parallel score lines defining a central square portion and two triangular side portions, on opposing sides of the central square portion of the body of the construction module;

(b) a score line extending diagonally across the body, defining a triangular portion on either side.

11. The construction module of any one of the preceding claims further including an imprint applied across the surface.

12. The construction module of claim 10, wherein the imprint is applied in one or more of the following ways:

(a) Printed;

(b) Stamped;

(c) Written;

(d) Embossed;

(e) Painted;

(f) Drawn;

(g) Adhered.

13. The construction module of claim 11, wherein the imprint is removable such that the construction module can be reused with a different imprint.

14. The construction module of any one of claim 10 to claim 12, wherein the imprint is one or more of:

(a) a number

(b) a letter

(c) a word

(d) an image

(e) an object

(f) a shape (g) a pattern

such that construction of a structure using a plurality of construction modules reveals an image or a word, number, object or shape pattern.

15. A construction module set including:

(a) a plurality of construction modules according to any of claim 1 to claim 14;

(b) one or more rules for constructing a completed shape using the plurality of said construction modules.

16. A construction module set according to claim 15, wherein at least some of said

construction modules include at least part of an imprint such that a completed structure constructed from the construction module reveals an image or a word, number, object or shape pattern.

17. A construction module set according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the completed shape constructed using the plurality of said construction modules is infinitely expandable by using additional construction modules.

18. A construction module set according to any one of claim 15 to claim 17 wherein a level of difficulty is variable, depending on:

(a) a size of a desired completed shape;

(b) a shape of a desired completed shape;

(c) a size of an imprint;

(d) a level of detail included in an imprint; (e) whether the imprint is an image or a pattern that requires solving.

19. A construction module set according to claim 17, wherein the pattern that requires solving includes one or more of:

(a) a number pattern

(b) a letter pattern

(c) a word pattern

(d) an object pattern

(e) a shape pattern

(f) an image pattern.

20. A construction module set according to any one of claim 15 to claim 19, wherein the one or more rules includes rules for solving a pattern.

21. A construction module set according to any one of claim 15 to claim 20, wherein an expandable completed self-similar shape bears an imprint that is also self-similar so that the imprint is expandable with the shape.

22. A method for constructing shapes using a construction module according to any one of claim 1 to claim 14, including the step of engaging a first construction module to a second construction module by sliding a tab of the first construction module into a slot of the second construction module until a pair of notches on tab click into place at either end of the slot.

23. The method of claim 22 including a further step of repeating the step of engaging one or more construction modules to one or more further construction modules to reach a desired 2D shape.

24. The method of claim 23 including an additional step of folding one or more engaged construction modules and securely engaging said folded modules to the one or more engaged modules to achieve a 3D shape.