Connectable blocks

Abstract

A construction assembly comprises a plurality of geometric components, each component having a main body of which includes at least one edge with a semi-circular recess 6, a throughbore 8 adjacent the

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a construction assembly comprising a plurality of connectable blocks. More especially, the invention relates to a model construction toy system. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Building blocks, bricks and other construction elements (hereinafter collectively referred to as “blocks”) that can interlock to form physical freeform shapes and structures for the purposes of play or for learning about the construction of architectural or engineering-related prototype models are well known and commonly used by all ages. Lego® is one example of a construction toy system which utilises building blocks and construction elements. It provides many joining arrangements between blocks allowing for creativity without the need for tools. However, Lego® requires many individually designed parts to create a model such that when separated from build instructions or placed with parts of other models the child is often unable to use the parts as intended. Lego Duplo® is a range of construction toys suitable for young children with fewer and much larger parts, however, the number of arrangements is limited, limiting creativity. Meccano® is another construction toy system which, instead of interconnecting blocks, utilises metal strips, angle girders, plates, wheels, axles, gears, small screws and nuts. This construction system provides the opportunity to build many complex arrangements which can help teach the basic principles of engineering. However, it is not suitable for young children due to the use of very small parts and like Lego® requires many individually designed parts to build a model. The present invention seeks to provide a construction toy assembly with very few individually designed parts safe for children, whilst providing a wide range of arrangements to allow for the learning of basic engineering principles without limiting creativity. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a construction assembly comprising: a plurality of geometric components, each component having a main body which includes: at least one edge with a semi-circular recess; a throughbore adjacent the recess; the recess of a first component being engageable with the recess of a second component to form a bore when the components are placed adjacent each other; a connecting member having: a first connecting pin to be received in use, in the througbore of said first component; a second connecting pin to be received, in use, in the bore formed by the engaged recesses of first and second components; and a third connecting pin to be received, in use, in the througbore of said second component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a triangular geometric component in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the geometric component in figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a variation of the geometric component in figure 1 and 2, showing greater depth; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a variation of the geometric component of figure 3, showing a solid structure; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a geometric component in the form of a parallelogram, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a geometric component in the form of a square, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a geometric component in the form of a trapezium, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a variation of the geometric component of figure 7, showing a large recess on its top wall; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a further variation of the geometric component of figure 7, showing similar features to that of figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connecting member in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of the connecting member shown in figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a construction in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a plan view of the arrangement of bores and notches between two geometric components. Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative connecting member in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of blocks connected about their lateral and longitudinal faces; Figure 16 is a perspective view of car constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the invention will be described showing various geometric components which are generally known for their use as construction toys or engineering modelling. Each geometric component is made of a rigid material such as for example, plastic and is manufactured for example by plastic extrusion, CNC machining or injection moulding. Other suitable materials may include, without limitation, wood or metal allowing for other, possibly more economical, manufacturing techniques. Examples of geometric components that form the basic building blocks of the construction system will now be described. Figures 1 and 2 show one such building block 2 having the form of a three-dimensional equilateral triangle. Each apex of the triangle is rounded so that the profile does not have any sharp edges. To reduce material and weight, the triangular block 2 has a mesh or lattice structure. Each edge 4 of the triangular block 2 has a semi-circular recess or notch 6 generally at or near its centre. The framework bounded by the edges 4 of the triangle includes three generally cylindrical bores 8, themselves arranged in a triangular formation. The bores 8 are located within the framework and are positioned so that two bores 8A, 8B are located adjacent each notch 6. Furthermore, the centres of bores 8 and the centre of two adjacent notches are positioned such that the distances between them are all equal. Figure 3 shows a variation of the triangular block 2 having a greater depth than that shown in figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 shows an alternative form of triangular block 10 which has a solid structure rather than a mesh or lattice. The bores 8 and notches 6 and the locations of each with respect of each other, are common to all three component variants. Figures 5 to 9 shown are block constructions. The overall shape profile is not limited to those shown in the figures, which are provided as examples only. In each case, the block could be solid or have a lattice construction as previously described with reference to the triangular blocks 2 and 10. The constructions are used interchangeably in figures. Similarly, the depth of each block is also variable. All components have at least three bores 8 and notches 6 in the side walls. In each case, two bores 8A, 8B are located adjacent each notch 6. The corners and edges of each block are rounded to avoid any sharp features. The following description will only reference specific features of distinction appropriate to the associated shape profile. Figure 5 shows a block 12 in the form of a parallelogram. Figure 6 shows a block 14 in the form of a square. In this embodiment, two bores 8A, 8B are located adjacent each of the four notches 6. Overall, nine bores 8 are provided in a symmetrical lattice shape within the boundaries of the square edges. Figure 7 shows a block 16 in the form of a trapezium. In this embodiment, three groups of three bores 8 are provided, 8A and 8B of which from each group are adjacent to the notch 6. Also, in this embodiment, the edges of the block 16 and the boundaries of the bores 8 are raised from each side of the main body surface 18 of the block 16. Figure 8 shows a bespoke shaped block 20 formed generally as a trapezium with a recess or cut-out 22 provided into the top wall. The recess 22 is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a complimentary-shaped part of the body of another block. Figure 9 shows a further shaped block 24 with similar features to that of figure 8. The mechanism that allows connection of each block to create a free-form shape will now be described. A connecting member 26, used to connect blocks together during construction, is shown in figure 10 and 11. The connecting member 26 comprises an elongate flattened arm 28 having connection pins 30 extending outwardly from both sides of each end of the arm 28. The connection pins 30 are generally cylindrical and have a circumferential flange 32 providing a section of increased diameter. Each flange 32 is preferably made from a soft polymeric material which has a high coefficient of friction and compressibility. The pins 30 are shaped and dimensioned to be locatable into the bores 8 of the blocks. To this end, the maximum diameter of the pins 30 is less than the internal diameter of bores 8. The flange 32 of each pin 30 acts against the internal wall of the bore 8 to hold the pin 30 within the bore 8. By locating one pin 30A at one end of the arm 28 of the connecting member 26 into a bore 8 of a first block, and then locating the other pin 30B at the other end of the arm 28 into a bore 8 of a second block, the first and second blocks can be securely connected together. A central connection pin 34 extends from both sides of the arm 28 at or near its centre. In the embodiment shown, the central pins 34 are shorter than the end connection pins 30 and have a larger diameter. They may however be of the same length. The central pins 34 are shaped and dimensioned to be locatable into a bore 36 formed by the engagement of two notches 6 located in the respective side walls of the first and second blocks at the point of their connection. The arrangement of the bores 8 and notches 6 of any block is such that connection of the blocks is enabled through alignment of a bore 8 and notch 6 of one block with a notch 6 and bore 8 of the other. Figure 13 illustrates this particular arrangement, which allows the connecting pins 30 and by virtue the connecting member 26 to be received in two different orientations A and B which enable greater variation in the way components can be connected. However, it can be appreciated that for the means of connecting two components together, only one orientation is fundamentally necessary. Further blocks of various shapes and sizes can be connected using further connecting members 26 to form a construction, as can be seen in figure 12. The construction formed by the connection of a plurality of components is not limited to solely one material, it can be appreciated that components of different material composition can be connected using the same connecting member 26. Figure 14 shows an alternative form of a connecting member 36. In this embodiment, connecting pins 30 and 34 only extend from one side of the arm 28. Instead, two arms 28A, 28B are separated by a central divider 38 located between the central connection pins 34. This allows connection of two blocks with a gap in between. The fact that connection pins 30 and 34 extend from one side of both arms 28 of the connecting member 36 allows for blocks to be connected about their lateral and longitudinal faces, as can be seen in figure 15. As well as blocks, other components can be incorporated into the construction such as, for example without limitation, axles and wheels. An example of a constructed design is shown in figure 16. Both forms of the connecting member, 26 and 36 are made from a suitably rigid material, for example plastic. In an alternate embodiment, the connecting members 26 can be made from a flexible plastic material. This embodiment allows for the user to implement curvature into the models that are constructed. Among other things, these connectors enable the manufacture of geodesic domes to varying frequencies.

Claims

1. A construction assembly comprising:a plurality of geometric components, each component having a main body which includes:at least one edge with a semi-circular recess;a throughbore adjacent the recess;the recess of a first component being engageable with the recess of a second component to form a bore when the components are place adjacent each other;a connecting member having:a first connecting pin to be received in use, in the throughbore of said first component;a second connecting pin to be received, in use, in the bore formed by the engaged recesses of first and second components; anda third connecting pin to be received, in use, in the throughbore of a said second component.

2. A construction assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one geometric component is made from a rigid material.

3. A construction assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each geometric component has rounded corners and edges.

4. A construction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connectingpins extend outwardly from both ends of an elongate arm.

5. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting member is made from a rigid material.

6. A construction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting member is made from a flexible plastic material.

7. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and third connecting pins of the connecting member further comprises an outwardly extending circumferential flange.

8. A construction assembly according to claim 7, wherein the circumferential flange is made from a soft polymeric material.

9. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connecting pin of the connecting member is of a larger diameter than the first and third connecting pins.

10. A construction assembly according to claim 4 to 9, wherein the connecting member comprises two elongate arms and connecting pins separated by a central divider.

11. A construction assembly according to claim 10, wherein the central divider located between the second connection pin.

12. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein components can be connected about their lateral or longitudinal faces.

13. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the geometric components include a shaped recess to accommodate a complimentary-shaped part of the body of another block.

14. A construction assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edges of the component and the boundaries of the bore are raised from each side of a surface of the main body.

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