INTERLOCKING MODULAR BLOCK

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an interlocking modular block, intended mainly for the construction of three-dimensional models. The blocks are made of wood. They can be attached one to another in a way enabling them to be detached at a later stage without the need of any tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various different construction blocks are known in the prior art, for use, for example, as children's toys. The most well-known are Lego blocks, which are made of plastic and include cylindrical plug type connection to enable detachment. Such a connection cannot be made of wood, as this would not function with wood.

[0003] In addition, construction blocks with pin type connection are known in the prior art.

[0004] For example, document WO0102073 describes construction blocks with a pin type connection, where the construction blocks have apertures for inserting and fixing the pin. The pin has an end stop for fixing and a longitudinal slot extending from the end, which is pressed together for inserting the block through the aperture, so that the stop fits through the aperture. For fixing the pin, the slot will open after passing the aperture, and the stop will remain on the other side for blocking the aperture.

[0005] Document WO9015906 describes a modular assembly essentially made up of interlocking and modular planar panels. It also includes assembly elements which can be fitted into the ends of the panels, or in lateral notches made in said panels, which make it possible to attach them one to the other, preferably in a way enabling them to be detached at a later stage. In cross-section, the panels are approximately H-shaped, forming a male connector with two branches at the lower edge of the panel, and a corresponding female connector at its upper edge. A central cavity within this section opens onto the lower edge and the two ends of the panels. Furthermore, lateral notches are set alternatively between the central cavity and one or another of the panels surfaces at regular intervals in which are fitted the L- or T-shaped assembly elements. This provides a flexible assembly of modular elements which can be used for the partitioning of drawers, for developing constructional toys, or in the fitting-out out of a room or an exhibition stand.

[0006] Document US2010/210173 describes a toy building block set including multiple polyhedron blocks of different length removably attached together. However, attachement/reattachement of the blocks is not easy, rendering the coupling of blocks difficult. Moreover, the production process is unnecessary complicated, which decrease its reliability. It would benefit of being simplified.

[0007] In the first two mentioned documents, a physical extending stop with a triangular cross section is needed for maintaining the connection. Such a connection is not smooth and causes problems during attachment and detachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides an interlocking modular coupling block according to claim 1. The object of the invention is to enable smooth coupling, ensuring a strong connection between the blocks, while enabling also smooth attachment and detachment of blocks. Such a connection is achieved, contrary to the solutions of the prior art, by pressing open the material layer surrounding the mortise, which forms the spring element, with the tenon, when the tenon enters the mortise. The spring element surrounding the mortise has two symmetric cutouts, which enable movement/deformation of the material layer. Wood fibres of the material layer are parallel to the tenon axis, enabling deformation of wood. The characteristic ability of wood to restore its initial shape after deformation ensures a strong connection.

[0009] The coupling block has a shape of a cuboid and it has four lateral surfaces, bottom surface and upper surface. The cuboid has at least one cylindrical through aperture. The cylindrical aperture starts from the bottom surface and exits from the upper surface of the cuboid.

[0010] The cylindrical aperture has larger diameter in the lower part and forms the mortise. The diameter of the cylindrical part decreases conically in the central part of the cuboid, whereby in the upper part of the cuboid, the diameter of the cylindrical part is smaller than in the lower part.

[0011] On the upper and lower part of the cuboid, the cylindrical aperture is surrounded by a cylindrical groove, forming a cylindrical aperture around the material layer. The cylindrical groove does not reach through the cuboid, forming the upper and lower cylindrical groove. The upper and lower cylindrical groove end in the central part of the cuboid. The central part of the cylinder includes cuboid material, which is part of the cuboid and connected with the spring element.

[0012] The upper part of the cylindrical aperture with the material layer forms the tenon. The lower part of the cylindrical aperture surrounded by the spring element forms the mortise. When connecting the blocks, the tenon of one block enters the mortise formed in the lower part of the other block.

[0013] Two cutouts are made in the spring element surrounding the lower part of the cylindrical aperture, so that the cylindrical aperture is connected to the lower cylindrical groove. Edges of both cutouts are parallel and oriented upwards in extent of the entire spring element forming the mortise.

[0014] In the upper part, the cylindrical aperture is surrounded by material forming the tenon and extending over the upper surface of the cuboid. Thickness of the material surrounding the upper cylindrical aperture differs from the thickness of the material extending from the cuboid and located in the inner part of the cuboid, so that the inner part has a larger diameter. The thickness of the material layer extending over the upper surface of the cuboid is lower than thickness of the material layer extending to the upper surface of the cuboid.

[0015] The diameter of the lower part of the cylindrical aperture is less by the value a than the external diameter of the material layer extending from the upper part of the cylindrical aperture over the upper surface of the cuboid, i.e. the tenon, forming interference fit. Interference coefficient is in the range from 1.03 to 1.06, preferably 1.05.

[0016] The material layer extending over the upper surface of the cuboid/tenon enters the lower cylindrical aperture/mortise of the other coupling block, forming mortise and tenon joint.

[0017] The coupling block is made of three-layer laminated timber, whereby in the central part of the block, the wood fibers are oriented downwards parallel to the tenon axis, and in the edges of the block, the wood fibers are perpendicular to the downwards direction. Direction of fibers in the central layer follows the vertically upwards direction of the cylindrical aperture.

[0018] Timber is a homogeneous material and the high flexibility of the material is achieved in result of external force applied on the longitudinal axis of the texture. Due to such a property of timber, the part projecting from the upper surface of the lower block will couple strongly into the lower cylindrical aperture of the block placed onto it.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

[0019] The above mentioned and other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the appended figures illustrating the preferred embodiments, where

Figure 1 is a top view of a coupling block

Figure 2 is a view of section A - A of the coupling block of Figure 1

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a coupling block

Figure 4 is a view of a section of two coupling blocks, where the tenon of the lower block is in the mortise of the upper block

Figure 5 is a side view of a coupling block, where the block has plurality of tendons.

EMBODIMENT EXAMPLE

[0020] Figure 1 is a top view of a coupling block 1 showing the upper surface 2 of the block, upper cylindrical groove 3, cylindrical aperture 5, which form the tendon 4 with the upper material layer.

[0021] Figure 2 is a view of section A - A of the coupling block 1 of Figure 1. The coupling block 1 has a cuboid shape and it has four lateral surfaces 7, bottom surface 14, and upper surface 2. The coupling block 1 has at least one through cylindrical aperture 5. The cylindrical aperture 5 starts from the bottom surface 14 and exits from the upper surface 2 of the cuboid.

[0022] The cylindrical aperture 5 has a larger diameter in the lower part than in the upper part and forms the mortise 11.

[0023] The cylindrical aperture 5 is surrounded by the cylindrical groove 3 and 9, forming a cylindrical aperture around the material layer. The cylindrical groove does not reach through the coupling block 1, forming upper cylindrical groove 3 and lower cylindrical groove 9. Upper cylindrical groove 3 and lower cylindrical groove 9 end in the central part of the coupling block. The central part of the cylinder includes material of the coupling block 1, which is part of the cuboid and connected with the material layer surrounding the tenon 4 and the mortise 11, forming the spring element 10.

[0024] The upper part of the cylindrical aperture 5 with the material layer forms the tenon 4. The lower part of the cylindrical aperture 5 surrounded by the spring element 10 forms the mortise 11.

[0025] The upper cylindrical groove 3 is necessary for making the tenon 4 and upper part of the block 1, providing advantage during drilling for fixing the cutting blades in material.

[0026] A further task of the upper cylindrical groove 3 is to ensure that the mortise and tenon joint is free of dust and debris to enable insertion of the tenon 4 completely into the mortise 11.

[0027] Two cutouts 12 are made in the spring element 10 surrounding the lower part of the cylindrical aperture 5, so that the cylindrical aperture 5 is connected to the lower cylindrical groove 9. Edges of both cutouts 12 are parallel and oriented upwards. Stroke force of the spring element 10 depends on the size of the cutout 12. If the cutout 12 is wider, the force of the spring is weaker, while narrower cutout ensures higher force of the spring. Optimal compressive strength is determined empirically. The cutout 12 provides strength to the spring element 10. The size of a cutout is based on material, being different in the case of different timber species. It is larger in the case of species with a higher density, such as birch and beech.

[0028] The upper part of the cylindrical aperture 5 is surrounded by material forming the tenon 4 and extending over the upper surface 2 of the cuboid. The thickness of the material surrounding the upper part of the cylindrical aperture 5 differs from the thickness of the material extending from the block 1 and located in the inner part of the block 1, so that the inner part has a larger diameter. The thickness of the material layer extending over the upper surface 2 of the coupling block 1 is lower than thickness of the material layer extending to the upper surface of the cuboid by step 6.

[0029] Figure 3 is a bottom view of a coupling block 1, showing the formation of the mortise 11. The mortise 11 is formed between two material layers 10 surrounding the mortise. Material layers 11 have a curved shape and are surrounded by lower cylindrical groove 9. Material layers 11 are separated by the cutout 12. The cutout 12 is needed to ensure radial deformation of the material layers 11, when the tenon 4 is inserted into the mortise 11.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates the connection between two coupling blocks 1, where upon connection of the blocks, the tenon 4 of one coupling block 1 enters the mortise 11 formed in the lower part of the other block 1.

[0031] The diameter of the lower part of the cylindrical aperture 5 is less by the value a than the external diameter of the material layer extending from the upper part of the cylindrical aperture 5 over the upper surface of the cuboid, i.e. the tenon 4, forming interference fit. Interference coefficient is in the range from 1.03 to 1.06, preferably 1.05.

[0032] Figure 5 is a side view of a coupling block 1, showing that the block 1 may have plurality of tenons for coupling. All tenons are axially aligned with determined intervals to ensure the possibility of coupling with another block. The figure shows lateral surface 7, bottom surface 14, upper surface 2 of the coupling block 1, and tenons 4 located higher than the upper surface 2.

[0033] The coupling block 1 is made of three-layer laminated timber, whereby in the central part of the block 1, the wood fibers are oriented downwards along the longitudinal axis 8 of the tenon, and in the edges of the block 1, the wood fibers are perpendicular to the downwards direction. The direction of fibers in the central layer follows the vertically upwards direction of the cylindrical aperture 5. The mortise 11 and the tenon 4 with all accompanying elements are made by milling.

[0034] The blocks are designated mainly for constructing architectural models. Also for construction three-dimensional models by placing on the upper surface 2 of one block the bottom surface 14 of the other block, so that tenons 4 are aligned with mortises 11. When blocks are gently pushed, tenons 4 will enter the mortises 11 and blocks 1 are smoothly coupled to each other. In order to detach blocks 1 from each other, blocks 1 shall be pulled carefully in the direction of longitudinal axis 8. The through aperture 5 in a block enables attaching a block to another block without causing any air resistance to be overcome.

[0035] Coupling blocks 1 are designed so that they may have different number of tenons. This enables to use them for constructing various different three-dimensional models. Coupling blocks are also well suitable for use as playing blocks for children. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Interlocking modular coupling block (1), which has a shape of a cuboid, with four lateral surfaces (7), a bottom surface (14) and an upper surface (2), whereby the interlocking modular coupling block (1) has at least one cylindrical through aperture (5) extending from the upper surface (2) to the bottom surface (14), surrounded by an upper material layer forming a tenon (4), which extends over the upper surface (2) of the interlocking modular coupling block (1) and a mortise (11), which extends inside the interlocking modular coupling block (1) from the bottom surface (14) of the block (1), characterised in that

a lower material layer surrounded by a lower cylindrical groove (9) forms a spring element (10) surrounding the mortise (11),

whereby the spring element (10) forming the mortise (11) has two cutouts (12), the edges of said cutouts being parallel and oriented upwards in extent of the entire spring element (10) forming the mortise, to enable deformation of the mortise by the value (a) when the tenon of another interlocking modular coupling block (1) is inserted in the mortise.

2. Interlocking modular coupling block of claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking modular coupling block has plurality of cylindrical apertures (5), around which the tenon (4) and the mortise (11) has been formed.

3. Interlocking modular coupling block of claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking modular coupling block (1) is made of three-layer laminated timber, whereby in the central part of the block (1) the wood fibers are oriented downwards and in the edges of the interlocking modular coupling block (1) the wood fibers are perpendicular to the downwards direction.

4. Interlocking modular coupling block of claim 1, characterised in that the interlocking modular coupling block (1) is intended for constructing three-dimensional models.

Ansprüche

1. Ineinandergreifender modularer Kupplungsblock (1), der die Form eines Quaders hat, mit vier Seitenflächen (7), einer Unterseite (14) und einer Oberseite (2), wobei der ineinandergreifende modulare

Kupplungsblock (1) mindestens eine zylindrische Durchgangsöffnung (5) enthält, die sich von der Oberseite (2) zur Unterseite (14) erstreckt, von der oberen Materialschicht umgeben ist, die einen Zapfen (4) bildet, der sich über die Oberseite (2) des ineinandergreifenden modularen Kupplungsblocks (1) erstreckt, und

das Zapfenloch (11), das sich im Inneren des ineinandergreifenden modularen Kupplungsblocks (1) von der Unterseite (14) des Blocks (1) aus erstreckt,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

die untere Materialschicht, die von einer unteren zylindrischen Nut (9) umgeben ist, das Federelement (10) bildet, das das Zapfenloch (11) umgibt, wobei das das Zapfenloch (11) bildende Federelement (10) zwei Ausschnitte (12) enthält, deren Kanten parallel zueinander verlaufen und in der Erstreckung des gesamten das Zapfenloch bildenden Federelements (10) nach oben ausgerichtet sind, um eine Verformung des Zapfenlochs um den Wert (a) zu ermöglichen, wenn der Zapfen eines anderen ineinandergreifenden modularen Kupplungsblocks in das Zapfenloch eingesetzt wird.

2. Ineinandergreifender modularer Kupplungsblock nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der ineinandergreifende modulare
Kupplungsblock mehrere zylindrische Öffnungen (5) umfasst, um die herum der Zapfen (4) und das Zapfenloch (11) ausgebildet sind.

3. Ineinandergreifender modularer Kupplungsblock nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der ineinandergreifende modulare Kupplungsblock (1) aus dreilagigem Schichtholz hergestellt ist, wobei im mittleren Teil des Blocks (1) die Holzfasern nach unten gerichtet sind und in den Kanten des ineinandergreifenden modularen Kupplungsblocks (1) die Holzfasern senkrecht aufwärts gerichtet sind.

4. Ineinandergreifender modularer Kupplungsblock nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der ineinandergreifende modulare Kupplungsblock (1) für den Bau von dreidimensionalen Modellen vorgesehen ist.

Revendications

1. Bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) d'une forme cuboïde, avec quatre surfaces latérales (7), une surface inférieure (14), et une surface supérieure (2), dans lequel le bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) dispose au moins d'une ouverture traversante cylindrique (5) s'étendant de la surface supérieure (2) à la surface inférieure (14), entourée d'une couche supérieure de matériau formant un tenon (4), qui s'étend sur la surface supérieure (2) du bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1), et une mortaise (11), qui s'étend à l'intérieur du bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) à partir de la surface inférieure (14) du bloc (1), caractérisé en ce qu'une couche de matériau inférieure, entouré d'une rainure cylindrique inférieure (9), forme un élément ressort (10) entourant la mortaise (11), dans lequel l'élément ressort (10) formant la mortaise (11) présente deux découpes (12), les bords des dites découpes étant parallèles et orientés vers le haut dans l'étendue de l'ensemble de l'élément ressort (10) formant la mortaise pour permettre la déformation de la mortaise d'une valeur (a) lorsque le tenon d'un autre d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) est inséré dans la mortaise.

2. Bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage dispose d'une pluralité d'ouvertures cylindriques (5) autour desquelles le tenon (4) et la mortaise (11) ont été formés.

3. Bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) est constitué de bois lamellé-collé à trois couches, dans lequel les fibres de bois sont orientées vers le bas dans la partie centrale du bloc (1), et les fibres de bois sont perpendiculaires à la direction vers le bas dans les bords du bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1).

4. Bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le bloc d'accouplement modulaire d'emboîtement à verrouillage (1) est destiné à la construction de modèles tridimensionnels.

Drawing