Spherical connector and assembly toy

Abstract

To provide a connector having a high degree of freedom in assembly.SOLUTION: The spherical connector 1 includes a spherical main body 10, a first groove region R1 having a plurality of first grooves 11 arranged at a plurality of positions of the main body 10, recessed from the front face of the main body 10, and connectable to a member to be connected, and a second groove region R1 having a plurality of second grooves 21 arranged at positions different from the first groove region R2 in the main body 10, recessed from the front face of the main body 10, and connectable to a member to be connected. The second groove 21 has a shape capable of being engaged with a first groove region R1 provided in another spherical connector 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein belongs to the technical field of spherical connectors and construction toys. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Connectors for connecting pipes, rod-like members, plate-like members, etc. to form any assembly are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe joint in which the joint body is configured as a polyhedron including a spherical surface, and multiple faces of this joint body, including at least six faces in the XYZ directions, are provided with screw holes that can be screwed into the bases of pipe connection arms, and the required number of pipe connection arms are screwed into these multiple screw holes.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a connecting device for an assembly toy, which comprises a spherical body made of highly elastic rubber and at least one hole on the outer periphery of the body, the hole being large enough to fit and fix a rod of a predetermined thickness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-108047 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3185690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Recently, high design quality is often required for assemblies such as furniture, and there is a demand for assembling with as much freedom as possible. With the connectors described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to finely adjust the shape of the assembly, various connectable members must be prepared separately and connected to the connector, and the connector itself cannot improve the degree of assembly freedom.

[0007] The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a connector that allows for a high degree of assembly freedom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the technology disclosed herein is directed to a spherical connector comprising: a spherical main body; first groove areas disposed at multiple locations on the main body, recessed from the surface of the main body, and each having multiple first grooves connectable with a connectable member; and second groove areas disposed at locations different from the first groove areas on the main body, recessed from the surface of the main body, and having multiple second grooves connectable with the connectable member, the second grooves having a shape that allows them to engage with the first groove areas provided on other spherical connectors.

[0009] According to the first aspect, since one spherical connector can be connected to another spherical connector, the connection position and connection direction of the connectable member connected to the connector can be finely adjusted, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in assembly.

[0010] Furthermore, because the first and second grooves are recessed from the surface of the main body, there are no protruding portions from the main body, and the spherical connector remains spherical in shape, enhancing its design.

[0011] A second aspect of the technology disclosed herein is the first aspect, wherein the plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves are concentric ring-shaped grooves whose central axes pass through the center of the main body portion.

[0012] According to the second aspect, the direction of extension of the connectable members can be changed by rotating the spherical connectors relative to each other while they are connected. Furthermore, for example, if the connectable members are L-shaped, the direction of extension of the connectable members can be changed by rotating the connectable members themselves relative to the spherical connector. This increases the degree of freedom in assembly.

[0013] A third aspect of the technology disclosed herein is the second aspect, wherein the second groove region is positioned at a position where the central axis of the first groove and the central axis of the second groove are perpendicular to each other, and the first groove region is arranged at equal intervals around the central axis of the second groove.

[0014] According to the third aspect, the position of the first groove can be easily adjusted when the coupled spherical connectors are rotated relative to one another, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in assembly and improving ease of assembly.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an assembly toy including the spherical connector of any one of the first to third aspects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the technology disclosed herein, the degree of freedom in assembly can be increased by connecting the spherical connectors together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spherical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the spherical connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the spherical connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spherical connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the state in which the spherical connectors are connected to each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a state in which one of the connected spherical connectors has rotated relative to the other. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a first example of use of the spherical connector. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second example of use of the spherical connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a third example of use of the spherical connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a fourth example of use of the spherical connector. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the second through hole is used as a rotation stopper. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a spherical connector according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (1) Configuration of the connector FIG. 1 shows a spherical connector 1 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as connector 1) as seen from diagonally above. FIG. 2 shows connector 1 as seen from the front. FIG. 3 shows connector 1 as seen from the side. FIG. 4 shows connector 1 as seen from a plan view. Connector 1 is symmetrical in the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions. The definitions of front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down are given here for convenience only and do not limit the actual state of use.

[0020] The connector 1 has a spherical main body 10. The material that constitutes the main body 10 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, resin, metal, rubber, wood, etc. The material that constitutes the main body 10 can be selected appropriately depending on the application of the connector 1.

[0021] The main body 10 has a first groove region R1 having a plurality of first grooves 11 that can be connected to a connected member, and a second groove region R2 having a plurality of second grooves 21 that can be connected to a connected member. The first grooves 11 and the second grooves 21 are recessed from the surface of the main body 10.

[0022] (1-1) First groove area In the present embodiment 1, four first groove regions R1 are provided. The four first groove regions R1 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 90° intervals) in the circumferential direction around the center C of the main body 10.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first groove 11 includes two concentric annular grooves. Specifically, the first groove 11 includes a first large-diameter groove 11a having a relatively large diameter and a first small-diameter groove 11b having a relatively small diameter. The first small-diameter groove 11b is located radially inward of the first large-diameter groove 11a. The groove width of the first large-diameter groove 11a and the groove width of the first small-diameter groove 11b are the same. The depth of the first large-diameter groove 11a and the depth of the first small-diameter groove 11b are the same. The first groove 11 is formed so that the central axis X1 of the first groove 11 passes through the center C of the main body portion 10. The first groove 11 is formed by cutting the main body portion 10. The groove width of the first large-diameter groove 11a and the groove width of the first small-diameter groove 11b may be different. The depth of the first large-diameter groove 11a and the depth of the first small-diameter groove 11b may be different.

[0024] Between the first large diameter groove 11a and the first small diameter groove 11b, a first wall portion 12 is positioned. A protrusion portion 13 is positioned radially inside the first small diameter groove 11b.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, the surfaces of the first wall portion 12 and the protrusion portion 13 on the outer side in the radial direction of the main body portion 10 are curved so as to match the spherical surface of the main body portion 10.

[0026] In the first groove region R1, the corner between the surface of the main body 10 and the first large diameter groove 11a, the corner on the surface side of the first wall 12, and the corner on the surface side of the protrusion 13 are each chamfered to form a chamfered portion 14. The chamfered portion 14 is not essential and may be omitted.

[0027] The first groove regions R1 formed at 180° opposite sides of the center C of the main body 10 communicate with each other via through holes that penetrate the main body 10. Specifically, four first through holes 15 and two second through holes 16 are formed in a first groove region R1 different from the first groove region R1 in which the first through holes 15 are formed. Note that the first through holes 15 and the second through holes 16 are not essential and may be omitted.

[0028] 2, the four first through holes 15 are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis X1 of the first groove 11. The first through holes 15 extend parallel to one another. None of the first through holes 15 passes through the center C of the main body 10.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the two second through holes 16 are disposed at equal intervals around the central axis X1 of the first groove 11. As shown in Fig. 5, the second through holes 16 extend parallel to each other. The second through holes 16 do not pass through the center C of the main body 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the first through hole 15 and the second through hole 16 do not interfere with each other. In other words, the first through hole 15 and the second through hole 16 do not communicate with each other.

[0030] (1-2) Second groove area In the present embodiment 1, two second groove regions R2 are provided. The two second groove regions R2 are arranged at equal intervals (that is, 180° intervals) in the circumferential direction around the center of the main body 10.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second groove 21 includes two concentric annular grooves. Specifically, the second groove 21 includes a second large-diameter groove 21a having a relatively large diameter and a second small-diameter groove 21b having a relatively small diameter. The second small-diameter groove 21b is located radially inward of the second large-diameter groove 21a. The groove width of the second large-diameter groove 21a is larger than the groove width of the second small-diameter groove 21b. The groove width of the second small-diameter groove 21b is the same as or slightly larger than the width of the first wall portion 12. The depth of the second large-diameter groove 21a is the same as the depth of the second small-diameter groove 21b. The depths of the second large-diameter groove 21a and the second small-diameter groove are the same as the depths of the first large-diameter groove 11a and the first small-diameter groove 11b. The second groove 21 is formed so that the central axis X2 of the second groove 21 passes through the center of the main body portion 10 and is perpendicular to the central axis X1 of the first groove 11. The second grooves 21 are formed by cutting the main body 10. The depth of the second large diameter groove 21a and the depth of the second small diameter groove 21b may be different. The depth of the second large diameter groove 21a and the second small diameter groove may be different from the depth of the first large diameter groove 11a and the first small diameter groove 11b.

[0032] The second groove 21 has an engagement hole 21c radially inward of the second small-diameter groove 21b. As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement hole 21c is a through-hole that passes through the center of the main body 10. The engagement hole 21c is a hole with which the protrusion 13 engages. The diameter of the engagement hole 21c is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 13. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the engagement hole 21c does not interfere with the first through-hole 15 and the second through-hole 16. In other words, the engagement hole 21c does not communicate with the first through-hole 15 and the second through-hole 16.

[0033] A second wall portion 22 is located between the second large diameter groove 21a and the second small diameter groove 21b. A third wall portion 23 is located between the second small diameter groove 21b and the engagement hole 21c. The width of the second wall portion 22 is the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the first large diameter groove 11a. The width of the third wall portion 23 is the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the first small diameter groove 11b.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the surfaces of the second wall portion 22 and the third wall portion 23 on the outer side in the radial direction of the main body portion 10 are curved so as to match the spherical surface of the main body portion 10.

[0035] In the second groove region R2, the corner between the surface of the main body 10 and the second large diameter groove 21a, the corner on the surface side of the second wall 22, and the corner on the surface side of the third wall 23 are each chamfered to form a chamfered portion 24. The chamfered portion 24 is not essential and may be omitted.

[0036] (2) Connection between connectors 7, in the first embodiment, the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 are engageable with each other. Specifically, a part of the main body 10 is housed in the second large diameter groove 21a, the second wall 22 engages with the first large diameter groove 11a, the first wall 12 engages with the second small diameter groove 21b, the third wall 23 engages with the first small diameter groove 11b, and the protrusion 13 engages with the engagement hole 21c.

[0037] Multiple connectors 1 can be connected to one connector 1. Connectors 1 connected to one connector 1 do not interfere with each other. The condition for connectors 1 not to interfere with each other is that the center-to-center distance between two other connectors 1 connected to one connector 1 and adjacent to that connector 1 in the circumferential direction is not less than twice the radius of the main body 10. To meet this condition, the connector 1 must satisfy at least one of the following two conditions. When the radius of the main body portion 10 is r and the depths of the first large diameter groove 11a, the first small diameter groove 11b, the second large diameter groove 21a, and the second small diameter groove 21b are d, the following formula 1 is established: d<(2-√2)r (Formula 1) When the radius of the main body 10 is r and the diameter of the second large diameter groove 21a is L, the following formula 2 is established: L<√2r (Formula 2) 8, when couplers 1 are coupled to each other, the couplers 1 can rotate relative to each other. This allows the direction in which the central axis X1 of the first groove 11 in one coupler 1 extends to be changed from the direction in which the central axis X1 of the first groove 11 in another coupler 1 extends. This allows the direction in which a coupler member such as a pipe extends to be changed when the coupler 1 is connected to a coupler 1 around the central axis X2 of the second groove 21 or around the central axis X1 of the first groove 11 engaged with the second groove 21.

[0038] (3) Example of use of connectors The connector 1 according to this embodiment can be used in a variety of ways. Below, we will explain its use as a connector for the frame that constitutes furniture such as shelves, a member for extending a part of furniture, a connector for the frame of a building such as a tent, and an assembly toy that can be assembled into any shape by combining connectors 1 together.

[0039] (3-1) Example 1: Furniture frame FIG. 9 shows the frame portion of a hexagonal shelf 100 assembled using the connector 1. A pipe P is connected to the connector 1 as a connected member. Although not shown, shelf plates will be placed when the shelf 100 is actually used. Note that grooves are omitted from FIG. 9 to make the illustration easier to see, but the first groove 11 and second groove 21 described above are actually provided.

[0040] As described above, the first groove regions R1 of the connectors 1 are positioned at 90° intervals, and the second groove regions R2 are positioned at 180° intervals. As shown in Figure 9, by connecting two connectors 1 and rotating them relative to each other, the angle between adjacent pipes P can be set to 120°. A hexagonal end can be formed by using six sets of connectors, each consisting of two connectors 1.

[0041] By connecting the two hexagonal ends with six pipes P, a frame for the hexagonal shelf 100 can be constructed.

[0042] In this way, by combining connectors 1, it is possible to configure furniture of any shape.

[0043] (3-2) Usage example 2: Furniture expansion FIG. 10 shows a case where a connector 1 is used to expand a portion of a shelf 200. The upper figure shows the shelf 200 before expansion, and the lower figure shows the shelf 200 after expansion. A pipe P is connected to the connector 1 as a connected member. Note that grooves are omitted in FIG. 10 to make the illustration easier to see, but the first groove 11 and second groove 21 described above are actually provided.

[0044] 10, by connecting some connectors 1 to other connectors 1, it is possible to expand only a portion of the shelf 200. By using the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the shelf 200 can be expanded if only the connector 1 and the existing length of pipe P are available, and a new length of pipe P is not required to expand the shelf 200.

[0045] In this way, the connector 1 can be used to slightly expand the width of the furniture. In other words, the connector 1 can be used to fine-tune the size of the furniture.

[0046] (3-3) Example 3: Building frame Figure 11 shows the frame portion of the tent 300 assembled using the connector 1. A pipe P is connected to the connector 1 as a connected member. Although not shown, when the tent 300 is actually used, a cloth is attached to the frame. Note that, to make the illustration easier to see, grooves are omitted from Figure 11, but in reality, the first groove 11 and second groove 21 described above are provided.

[0047] In the connector 1, the diameter of the groove that constitutes the first groove 11 is different from the diameter of the groove that constitutes the second groove 21. This allows pipes P of different diameters to be connected. When used as the frame of a tent 300, as in the example of use in Figure 11, the four specific pipes SP that stand on the ground need to support the frame and fabric of the roof portion, so they require high strength. Therefore, by arranging the connector 1 so that the second groove regions R2 are aligned in the vertical direction, a specific pipe SP with a large diameter can be connected to the second large diameter groove 21a.

[0048] On the other hand, the frame of the roof portion is configured by connecting a pipe P having a smaller diameter than the specific pipe SP to the first groove 11. This allows the weight of the frame of the roof portion to be made relatively light.

[0049] In this way, the connector 1 can connect components with different diameters depending on the application, making it suitable for use in things like buildings where it is necessary to adjust the support strength of the supporting part or the weight of an object located on top, such as the roof.

[0050] (3-4) Usage example 4: Assembly toys FIG. 12 shows an assembly toy 400 made up of a connector 1. By connecting multiple connectors 1 together, any shape can be assembled without using other components. For example, in FIG. 12, a dog shape is assembled using connectors 1. Here, a three-dimensional shape is illustrated, but two-dimensional shapes can also be assembled. Also, here, assembly is performed using connectors 1 alone, but any shape can also be assembled by combining connectors 1 and connected components. Note that grooves are omitted in FIG. 12 to make the illustration easier to see, but in reality, the first groove 11 and second groove 21 described above are provided.

[0051] The construction toy 400 can be assembled in any shape by combining multiple parts of the same shape, which allows for a high degree of freedom in assembly and can improve a child's sense of space and creativity.

[0052] (4) Effects of the embodiment In this embodiment, the connector 1 includes a spherical main body 10, first groove regions R1 disposed at multiple locations on the main body 10 and each having a plurality of first grooves 11 recessed from the surface of the main body 10, and a second groove region R2 disposed at a location on the main body 10 different from the first groove region R1 and having a plurality of second grooves 21 recessed from the surface of the main body 10 and shaped to engage with the first grooves 11 formed in the first groove region R1. This allows one connector 1 to be connected to another connector 1, thereby enabling precise adjustment of the connection position and direction of the connected members, such as pipes and rods, connected to the connector 1. Connecting connectors 1 to each other allows for fine adjustment of the width and height of the assembly. Therefore, the connector 1 offers a high degree of assembly flexibility.

[0053] In this embodiment, the multiple first grooves 11 and the multiple second grooves 21 are concentric ring-shaped grooves whose central axes X1, X2 pass through the center C of the main body 10. This allows the multiple connectors 1 to rotate relative to each other while they are connected to each other. By rotating the multiple connectors 1 relative to each other, the extension direction of the connectable members can be changed. Furthermore, by rotating the connectable members themselves relative to the multiple connectors 1, the extension direction of the connectable members can be changed. Therefore, the multiple connectors 1 can be assembled with a high degree of freedom.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second groove regions R2 are arranged at positions where the central axis X1 of the first groove 11 and the central axis X2 of the second groove 21 are perpendicular to each other, and the first groove regions R1 are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis X2 of the second groove. This makes it easy to adjust the position of the first groove 11 when the coupled couplers 1 are rotated relative to each other. Therefore, the coupler 1 can be easily assembled while increasing the degree of freedom in assembly.

[0055] In this embodiment, the radially outer surfaces of the main body 10 at the first wall 12, the protrusion 13, the second wall 22, and the third wall 23 are curved to match the spherical surface of the main body 10. The connector 1 has no protrusions that protrude from the spherical surface of the main body 10 and has a spherical shape when viewed from any direction, which improves the design.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first groove 11 has a first large-diameter groove 11a and a first small-diameter groove 11b, and the second groove 21 has a second large-diameter groove 21a and a second small-diameter groove 21b. The first large-diameter groove 11a, the first small-diameter groove 11b, the second large-diameter groove 21a, and the second small-diameter groove 21b each have a different diameter. This allows for connecting connected members of different diameters, so that large-diameter connected members can be connected to parts that require strength, and small-diameter connecting members can be connected to parts where weight reduction is prioritized over strength. Therefore, the connector 1 not only offers greater assembly flexibility in terms of shape, but also allows for improved assembly flexibility in terms of connecting connected members according to the purpose.

[0057] For example, if the outermost diameter of the second wall portion 22 is made smaller than the outermost diameter of the first large diameter groove 11a, a connected member having an inner diameter larger than the outermost diameter of the second wall portion 22 and an outer diameter smaller than the outermost diameter of the first large diameter groove 11a can be connected to both the first large diameter groove 11a and the second large diameter groove 21a. In other words, the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 can each connect connected members of the same diameter.

[0058] In this embodiment, in the first groove region R1, chamfered portions 14 are formed at corners between the surface of the main body 10 and the first large diameter groove 11a, at corners on the surface side of the first wall 12, and at corners on the surface side of the protrusion 13. In the second groove region R2, chamfered portions 24 are formed at corners between the surface of the main body 10 and the second large diameter groove 21a, at corners on the surface side of the second wall 22, and at corners on the surface side of the third wall 23. Due to the chamfered portions 14, 24, the first large diameter groove 11a, the first small diameter groove 11b, the second large diameter groove 21a, the second small diameter groove 21b, and the engagement hole 21c are slightly wider at the ends on the surface side of the main body 10 compared to the remaining portions. Conversely, due to the chamfered portions 14 and 24, the widths of the first wall portion 12, the second wall portion 22, the third wall portion 23, and the protrusion 13 are slightly narrower at the ends on the surface side of the main body portion 10 compared to the remaining portions. This makes it easier to engage the first large diameter groove 11a with the second wall portion 22, the first small diameter groove 11b with the third wall portion 23, the second small diameter groove 21b with the first wall portion 12, and the engagement hole 21c with the protrusion 13.

[0059] In this embodiment, four first through holes 15 are provided in a portion of the first groove region R1, and two second through holes 16 are provided in the remaining portion of the first groove region R1. The first through holes 15 and the second through holes 16 allow the connector 1 to be lightweight. The first through holes 15 and the second through holes 16 can also be used as a rotation stopper for the connector 1. FIG. 13 shows a state in which a protrusion 31 is provided on the end of the connector 30 and inserted into the second through hole 16. When an attempt is made to rotate the connector 30 around the central axis X1 of the first groove 11, the protrusion 31 is caught in the second through hole 16, preventing the connector 30 from rotating. Therefore, the connector 1 provides a high degree of assembly flexibility while also being able to accommodate situations where the connector 30 needs to be positioned.

[0060] The connector 1 according to this embodiment can also be used as an assembly toy 400. By combining multiple connectors 1 of the same shape, any shape can be assembled, improving a child's sense of space and creativity. Furthermore, by combining connectors 1 of various colors, an assembly can be constructed in which any shape emerges, like a dot puzzle. This allows children to play creatively without getting bored.

[0061] When the connector 1 is used as the assembly toy 400, the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 are annular, so that even if a large number of connectors 1 are stored in the same place, the connectors 1 are unlikely to be accidentally connected to each other. This makes it easy to take out the connectors 1 one by one, and prevents children from losing interest due to the effort of removing connectors 1 that have been accidentally connected.

[0062] When using the connector 1 as a construction toy 400, since the engagement holes 21c are through-holes, different play methods are possible, such as threading a string through the engagement holes 21c to assemble any shape. Also, since the outer shape of the connector 1 remains spherical, the connector 1 can also be used alone as a ball.

[0063] (5) Variation 1 14 shows a connector variation 1. A connector 501 according to the variation 1 differs from the connector 1 in the number of first groove regions R1. Specifically, the connector 501 has first groove regions R1 in only two locations.

[0064] The connector 501 can prevent excess groove areas from being visible, improving the design of the assembly.

[0065] (6) Variation 2 The first groove 11 and the second groove 21 may have a linear shape instead of an annular shape.

[0066] When the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 are linear, the connector 1 can be moved along the first groove 11 and the second groove 21. This allows the connector 1 to be assembled with a high degree of freedom.

[0067] Furthermore, if the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 are linear grooves, a flat plate-shaped member can be directly connected to the connector 1 as the connected member.

[0068] Other Embodiments The technology disclosed herein is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be substituted within the scope of the claims.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the first groove regions R1 are provided in four or two locations, but may be provided in three or five or more locations. Also, the second groove regions R2 are provided in two locations, but may be provided in three or more locations.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the first groove region R1 is provided with two grooves, the first large-diameter groove 11a and the first small-diameter groove 11b, and the second groove region R2 is provided with two grooves, the second large-diameter groove 21a and the second small-diameter groove 21b, and one engagement hole 21c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more grooves may be provided in the first groove region R1 and the second groove region R2.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the coupler 1 was manufactured by cutting the main body 10 to form the first groove 11 and the second groove 21, but other manufacturing methods may also be used. For example, if the coupler 1 is made of resin, the coupler 1 may be manufactured by injection molding using a mold. Also, if the coupler 1 is made of metal, the coupler 1 may be manufactured by casting using a mold.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, shelves 100 and 200 are given as examples of furniture that utilize the connector 1, but furniture other than shelves can also be used with the connector 1. Also, tent 300 is given as an example of a building that utilizes the connector 1, but the connector 1 can also be used as a connecting part of a frame used during construction.

[0073] The above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the claims equivalents are within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The technology disclosed herein is useful for ball-shaped connectors and construction toys. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Connector 10 Main body 11 First groove 21 Second groove 400 Assembly Toys P pipe (connected part) R1 1st groove area R2 2nd groove area X1 Center axis of the first groove X2 Center axis of second groove

Claims

1. A spherical connector, a spherical main body; a first groove area portion disposed at a plurality of locations on the main body portion, recessed from the surface of the main body portion, and having a plurality of first grooves each connectable to a connected member; a second groove area portion that is disposed in a position different from the first groove area portion in the main body portion, is recessed from the surface of the main body portion, and has a plurality of second grooves that can be connected to the connected member; The second groove has a shape that can engage with the first groove area provided on another spherical connector.

2. 2. The spherical connector according to claim 1, The plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves are concentric ring-shaped grooves whose central axes pass through the center of the main body portion.

3. The spherical connector according to claim 2, the second groove region is disposed at a position where a central axis of the first groove and a central axis of the second groove are perpendicular to each other, The first groove regions are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis of the second groove.

4. A construction toy comprising the spherical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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