• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The invention relates to a modular building system, comprising at least one object and a coupling element that can be detachably connected to the object, wherein: the object comprises at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inwardly extending lips, spread be arranged over the perimeter of the opening; the coupling element comprises a body which can be arranged in the opening with an axial axis, which body is provided with at least one outwardly extending locking cam over its outer circumference; wherein the coupling element can be arranged in at least one mounting orientation in the opening of the object and is rotatable in the opening relative to the object to at least one locking orientation, in which locking orientation the coupling element is secured in an axial direction and a rotational direction. The invention also relates to a coupling element, object, and tool, intended and adapted to be part of such a modular building system. External elements such as a skin plate, a cloth, a cord or the like can be attached to a structure according to the invention by means of a fixing element with a handle and a widened head, which handle can be detachably inserted into a through-going opening of a coupling element.
    公开号:NL2017118A
    申请号:NL2017118
    申请日:2016-07-06
    公开日:2017-10-31
    发明作者:Jan De Wilde Gerrit
    申请人:Jarola Vision B V；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEM, COUPLING ELEMENT, OBJECT, AND TOOL
    The invention relates to a modular building system, comprising at least one object and a coupling element that can be detachably connected to the objects, wherein: the object comprises at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inwardly extending lips which spread be arranged over the perimeter of the opening; the coupling element comprises a body which can be arranged in the opening with an axial axis, which body is provided with at least one outwardly extending locking cam over its outer circumference; wherein the coupling element can be inserted in the opening of the object in at least one mounting orientation, in which mounting orientation the at least one locking cam extends between the lips of the object, and wherein the coupling element in the opening is rotatable relative to the object to at least one locking orientation, in which locking orientation the at least one locking cam engages a lip of the object, such that the coupling element is secured in the opening of the object in an axial direction substantially parallel to the axis of the coupling element.
    Such a building system is known from the international patent application with number WO-A1-2007 / 035081. WO-A1 -2007/035081 shows a coupling between two objects by means of a coupling element. The coupling element comprises locking cams for locking the coupling element in an axial direction and resilient strips for locking the coupling element in a rotational direction. A problem with the building system from WO-A1-2007 / 035081 is that the resilient strips can break off relatively quickly.
    It is an object of the invention to improve the building system from WO-A 1-2007 / 035081. In particular, it may be an object of the invention to at least partially obviate the problem of the system from WO-A1-2007 / 035081.
    This object is achieved with a modular construction system of the type mentioned in the preamble, wherein the body of the coupling element is provided over its outer circumference with at least one resiliently displaceable tongue extending therefrom, to which tongue the locking cam is connected, and that the opening is connected the object is provided with a number of inwardly extending protrusions, which are arranged spread over the circumference of the opening between the lips, such that with a rotation of the coupling element between its application orientation and its locking orientation the at least one tongue is displaced inwards the coupling element is secured in a rotational direction through that protrusion and in the locking orientation.
    By providing resiliently displaceable tongues with locking cams connected thereto, the function of locking in both axial and rotational direction is integrated into a single locking-providing element. As a result, the coupling element according to the invention is easier to manufacture and the chance of breaking off the securing elements is reduced with respect to the system from WO-A1-2007 / 035081.
    It is noted that for rotating the coupling element between its mounting orientation and its locking orientation, the coupling element rotates relative to the object. It is therefore also possible to rotate the object relative to the coupling element, although in practice it is easiest to rotate the coupling element.
    It is further noted that, because of the symmetry and / or the balance and / or the stability of the coupling element, the coupling element preferably comprises more than one, for example two or four tongues, each with a locking cam, the tongues spread over the outer circumference of the coupling element. body, preferably with an equal angular distance.
    It is further noted that the coupling element can in particular be detachably coupled to the object with the aid of the abovementioned tongue with locking cam.
    It is further noted that the tongue is resiliently displaceable inwardly by exerting a force thereon, which force is particularly exerted by the protrusion of the object, the tongue resiliently moving back to its normal non-inwardly displaced position after the force has been lifted. The tongue is therefore movable between a non-pressed (non-in-moved) position and a pressed (in-moved) position.
    It is also noted that the at least one object and / or the at least one coupling element can be made of any suitable material, for example plastic.
    Depending on the type of construction that is produced with the modular building system, the at least one object and / or the at least one coupling element can have any shape and / or size and / or color. For example, the dimensions of the objects and / or coupling elements can be in the order of magnitude of a few centimeters for an educational and / or toy system, or in the order of magnitude of a few decimeters for larger-scale buildings.
    In an embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the at least one tongue comprises an engagement surface, wherein a protrusion of the object engages the engagement surface of the tongue during the rotation of the coupling element between its mounting orientation and its locking orientation.
    In another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the at least one tongue is connected to one axial end of the two axial ends of the body, which one axial end is the axially spaced at the greatest distance from the engagement surface viewed in the axial direction. end is.
    An advantage of this embodiment is that the distance between the engagement surface of the tongue and its (hinge) connection to the body of the coupling element is as long as possible, so that the forces on the hinge connection remain relatively low and the chance of the tongue breaking off relatively is small.
    In another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the coupling element comprises at least one rotation-limiting element cooperating with the building element.
    Such a rotation-limiting element can for instance be arranged such that it limits the coupling element in its locking orientation against a further rotation in the same direction as in which the coupling element is rotated from its mounting orientation to this locking orientation.
    The rotation-limiting element can for instance be a protruding rotation-limiting element connected to the at least one tongue and extending in a state in which it limits the rotation of the coupling element against a part of the object, for example against a lip thereof, so that a further rotation of the coupling element is prevented. The rotation-limiting element can in particular extend in a substantially axial direction.
    In the coupling element comprising more than one tongue, in particular each tongue can comprise such a rotation-limiting element.
    In another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the coupling element comprises at least one engagement element, for example for engagement by a tool for rotating the coupling element.
    The coupling element can easily be rotated relative to the object with the aid of a tool which can engage on the engaging element of the coupling element. Alternatively, the coupling element can be rotated without tools, with a user in particular engaging the engaging element with one or more of his fingers.
    The engaging element can be designed in any suitable manner.
    Thus, in an embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the engaging element can be a protruding engaging element extending from the tongue. Such a protruding engaging element can in particular extend on one of the two flat outer sides of the surface outside the outer circumference of the opening and therefore be easily accessible for the tool to rotate the coupling element. The tool can in this case be used, for example, to press against the projecting engagement element and thus rotate the coupling element. The engaging element can in particular extend in a radially outward direction of the tongue.
    Optionally, an opening can be provided in the protruding engagement element for receiving an engagement part of the tool, so that the coupling element can be rotated in the opening of the protruding engagement element after the application of the engagement part thereof by means of the tool.
    In another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the engaging element can comprise an opening in the body or in any other part of the coupling element, in which opening an engaging part of the tool can be arranged. The opening can for instance be a continuous or non-continuous opening which extends centrally through the body in an axial direction over a part or the entire length thereof. In particular, the aperture can extend at both axial ends of the body, the aperture being one continuous aperture extending between both axial ends or the body including two apertures, one at each axial end of the body.
    It is noted that such an opening or openings extending through the body in axial direction or not, can also serve to receive an element other than an engagement part of the tool. For example, it may be the case that an object is arranged in the opening, so that the opening functions as a coupling opening.
    In yet another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, a surface of the object comprises an element protruding from the surface for providing an open space between two objects lying against each other, possibly coupled to said coupling element, which open space is arranged for passage of the engaging element and / or a mentioned tool.
    The protruding element creates, or creates the protruding elements of each object, a distance between adjacent surfaces of the abutting objects and thereby an open space between the surfaces. By creating such an intermediate space, the engaging element can be accessible, for example because the engaging element extends at least partially in or completely through the open gap and / or because the tool can be arranged in the gap for engaging the engaging element.
    The created spacing can, for example, be key-shaped.
    The protruding element (s) may, for example, be formed by thickening (s) of the surface near the corner zones or near the peripheral zone of the object or of each surface.
    The or the protruding element (s) can also be referred to herein as spacers, since the objects may indeed abut against each other, but adjacent surfaces of the objects lying against each other arranged parallel to each other by the protruding element (s) or spacers on be kept apart.
    In yet another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the object comprises at least two surfaces arranged adjacent to each other in the same plane, each having an opening, an open space being provided between the surfaces.
    The gap may, for example, be a gap extending between the planes.
    The russian space can have the same shape as the space created by the projecting elements or spacers described above. As a result, virtually no difference is visible between mutually coupled objects and an object with a plurality of adjacent or adjacent surfaces, which aesthetically can create a calm image.
    It can be said that at least one tongue with locking cam is arranged at one axial end of the body, wherein the coupling element can be coupled on the one hand to an object with the aid of said at least one tongue, and wherein the coupling element on the other hand can be placed on any can be coupled to another object in a manner or on the other hand the coupling element can remain free and cannot be coupled to an object. For example, a coupling opening described above can be used to connect the coupling element to another object on the other hand. It can also be said, on the other hand, that the coupling element is permanently connected to another object, and can be releasably connected to the one object via the said at least one tongue so as to provide a releasable coupling between the one and the other object.
    In yet another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the coupling element comprises at least two said tongues, each of which extends from a different axial end of the two axial ends of the body in an opposite axial direction to provide a coupling between the two mentioned objects.
    By providing the tongues extending in the opposite direction, one tongue can serve for coupling with a surface of a first object and the other tongue can serve for coupling with a surface of another object, so that the two said objects are coupled to the coupling element could be.
    For the sake of balance and / or stability, it is preferable that several tongues are connected to the one axial end of the body and that several tongues are connected to the other axial end of the body, which tongues are located in the said opposite directions.
    It is noted that the distance between the two axial ends, or essentially the length of the body, can be selected as desired. The distance can thus be chosen such that after a coupling between two objects the two objects abut against each other. Alternatively, the distance or length can be chosen larger, so that the objects remain spaced apart.
    In yet another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the coupling element is flexibly bendable between its two axial ends.
    With the aid of a flexible bendable coupling element, wherein in particular the body is flexible bendable, an angle between the two axial ends of the body can simply be adjusted, so that the objects are coupled to each other at an angle.
    It is noted that if the body is arranged at an angle, whether with the aid of a flexible bendable body or a body that is permanently bent at an angle, the axial axis and direction is defined along the length of the body, and therefore also can be bent at an angle.
    In yet another embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention, the system comprises a tool for rotating said coupling element.
    The tool can be designed in any suitable way.
    In practice it can be said that the engaging element of the coupling element comprises an engaging opening for receiving an engaging part of the tool.
    The engagement part of the tool is hereby chosen such that it can engage in the engagement opening of the coupling element. In particular, the engagement opening and the engagement part of the tool can have a shape adapted to each other.
    The shape is preferably non-round, so that the engagement part can engage in the engagement opening and so that the coupling element is rotated by rotating the tool.
    With the aid of the objects and coupling elements, in particular, any desired three-dimensional structure or structure can be built by coupling together and thereby connecting objects in a chosen form with the aid of the coupling elements.
    The structure thus constructed can be a substantially open structure, the mutually coupled objects forming a frame or frame.
    If desired, the open structure formed by the objects and coupling elements can be covered and thus given a specific appearance. For this purpose, said object may comprise a skin plate. Such a skin plate can be applied to the open structure formed with the modular building system according to the invention with the aid of the coupling elements and thus give the building any desired appearance.
    The modular building system according to the invention can be used, for example, for educational or playing purposes. Thus, with the modular building system, any desired building can be made, wherein the building can be at least partially dismantled after being made in order to make a new, different building again. Alternatively, the building system can be used commercially for any desired purpose. With the modular building system, for example, a (trade fair) stand frame could be made, whereby the stand can be given a certain appearance by means of the skin plates. The skin plates could in that case be printed with company information or other desired information.
    The skin plates can in particular be sheet-shaped. They can be both flexible and rigid. The skin plates can be preformed.
    The invention also relates to a coupling element, intended and adapted to be part of a modular building system according to one or more of the embodiments described above, comprising a body with an axial center line which can be arranged in an opening of an object, which body extends over its outer circumference is provided with at least one outwardly extending locking cam, the body being provided with at least one resiliently movable tongue extending therefrom, to which tongue the locking cam is connected, the at least one tongue being movable inwardly by exerting a force on it.
    As previously explained above, the tongue is resiliently displaceable inwardly by exerting a force thereon, which force can in particular be exerted by a said protrusion of the object, the tongue resiliently moving back to its normal non-inwardly displaced position after the force on it has been lifted. The tongue is therefore movable between a non-pressed (non-in-moved) position and a pressed (in-moved) position.
    The coupling element can have any of the features further specified above, in any desired combination. In particular, but not exclusively, the coupling element can comprise any of the features from one or more of claims 1-13, insofar as the features of claims 1-13 relate to the coupling element or parts thereof.
    The invention furthermore relates to an object intended and adapted to be part of a modular building system according to one or more of the embodiments described above, comprising at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inwardly extending lips, which are arranged spread over the circumference of the opening, wherein the opening of the object is provided with a number of inwardly extending protrusions, which are arranged spread over the circumference of the opening between the lips.
    As explained in greater detail above, the protrusions serve to exert a force on the resiliently displaceable tongues of the coupling element.
    The object can have any of the features further detailed above, in any desired combination. In particular, but not exclusively, the object can comprise any of the features of one or more of claims 1-13, insofar as the features of claims 1-13 relate to the object or parts thereof.
    The invention further relates to a tool intended and adapted to be part of a modular building system according to one or more of the embodiments described above, which tool is adapted to rotate a coupling element of the modular building system.
    The tool can have any of the features further detailed above, in any desired combination. In particular, but not exclusively, the tool may comprise any of the features of one or more of claims 1-13, insofar as the features of claims 1-13 relate to the tool or parts thereof.
    It is important that in the embodiment of the modular building system according to the invention in which an object comprises a skin plate, this skin plate can easily be detachably coupled to an object or combination of objects according to the invention.
    To this end, the invention provides a modular building system, in which: the through-opening of the coupling element is delimited by a sleeve forming part of the coupling element which has an inwardly directed longitudinal thickening in each of the regions of the engaging elements, wherein adjacent longitudinal thickenings and longitudinal thickenings respectively limit floors; in which tube the stem of a monolithic fixing element resiliently compressible in at least one transverse direction is inserted with a head widened concentrically with the stem such that the insertion depth of the stem is limited by the head; the stem in its central zone having two rounded protrusions placed mutually diametrically at the same axial positions, which more or less have the shape of spherical segments, such that the diameter of the stem at that location is larger than the relevant inner diameter of the tube for location of the thickenings, whereby the stem can only be inserted into the tube by exerting some axial compressive force on the head under local resilient radial depression of the stem and into a position defined therein by the head and the respective end edge of the tube the working position lies against further axial displacement as a result of resilient engagement of the rounded protrusions in the respective recesses in the middle of the longitudinal recesses and can only be removed therefrom by exerting some axial tensile force on the head; and the head has a relatively narrow part adjoining the shank, which fits with some free space in a mounting eye forming part of the plate, to which a relatively wide part is connected to the side facing away from the shank, which prevents passage of the mounting eye .
    This last-described embodiment is not limited to adding to a construction according to the invention a flexible or non-flexible plate, such as a rigid plate, a cloth, a sheet, a foil or a membrane, but is also suitable for local coupling with the construction of, for example, a cable, a cord or a rope by means of a fixing eye or fixing loop present at one end of said cable, said cord or rope. Such a cable, rope or cord can be used under certain circumstances to reinforce a structure in the manner of a spindle, to limit possible mechanical movements of mechanically loaded parts, or to faithfully imitate cords, cables on a toy scale, ropes that are used in architectural constructions.
    The building system in the embodiment of the type described above can advantageously have the special feature that the handle has a shape whose end view at the free end zone corresponds to, but is slightly smaller than, the end view of the inner space of the tube, such that the handle over some distance with little play, which fits inside and is protected against rotation relative to the sleeve.
    In this embodiment, the shank of the fastening element can be easily inserted into the inner space of the sleeve, albeit with the application of the described axial force, and the fastening element is against rotation with respect to the sleeve, and therefore also with respect to the coupling element. guaranteed.
    In a practical embodiment, the modular building system of the type described above has the special feature that the shank over a distance of at least 60% of its effective length, that is the distance between the surface of the head facing the shank and the the end face of the shank facing away from the head in its working position, has an elongated through transverse hole, the two wall parts of the shank defining the through hole each have a thickness of at most 25% of the largest diameter of the shank and are therefore elastically compressible to be; and said wall portions carry the rounded protrusions in their central zones.
    Due to the more or less free and elastically compressible wall parts, a good balance is found in a very natural and simple manner in the design phase of the building system between, on the one hand, the necessary fixation force to ensure that a built structure based on the building system according to the invention has sufficient mechanical strength and stability. and, on the other hand, the longitudinal compressive force necessary for insertion into the tube of the stem.
    The last-described embodiment of the building system according to the invention is preferably designed such that the effective length of the handle is equal to the length of the tube; the sleeve is constructed symmetrically with respect to its median plane, that is to say the plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve and intersects that axis in its center; and the centers of the floors are in the median plane.
    In the latter variant, the stem is dimensioned such that in its working position its free end face lies in the side of the connecting element facing away from the head.
    The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures shown in a drawing, wherein:
    Figures 1A and 1B show an object according to a first embodiment of the invention in perspective view and in front view, respectively;
    Figures 2A - 2C show a coupling element according to a first embodiment of the invention in perspective view and in two different side views, respectively;
    Figures 3A-3H show the mounting and locking of the coupling element of figures 2A-2C in an object of figures 1A and 1B, wherein figure 3A shows a perspective view of the coupling element and the object in a disconnected state, figure 3B a perspective view of the coupling element in the object in an unsecured state, figure 3C shows a bottom view of the state of figure 3B, figure 3D shows a bottom view of a partially rotated coupling element in the object, figure 3E shows the coupling element in the state off figure 3D shows in detail, figure 3F shows a perspective view of the coupling element in the object in a locked state, and figure 3G shows a bottom view of the state of figure 3F;
    Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a structure created with the modular building system according to the invention;
    Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another structure created with the modular building system according to the invention;
    Figure 6 shows a perspective view of yet another structure created with the modular building system according to the invention;
    Figures 7A - 7C show a perspective view of yet another structure created with the modular building system according to the invention;
    Figures 8A - 8C show a perspective view of yet another structure created with the modular building system according to the invention;
    Figures 9A - 9C show a tool for rotating a coupling element, wherein Figure 9A is a perspective view of the tool, Figure 9B shows the mounting of the tool in an opening of the coupling element, and Figure 9C shows the rotation of the coupling element with tool shows;
    Figures 10A - IOC show the coupling of the coupling element with an object in a different way;
    Figures 1 IA - 11C show a coupling element according to a second embodiment of the invention in perspective view and in two different side views, respectively;
    Figures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D show perspective views showing the manner of establishing a coupling between an object and a plate according to the invention;
    Figures 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D, in a manner similar to Figures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D, show the four steps for forming a coupling between an object and a cord or rope provided with a fastening eye in accordance with the leather of the invention;
    Figure 14A shows a side view of a fastening element comprising a handle and a head;
    Figure 14B shows a side view of the same fastening element rotated through 90 °;
    Figure 14C shows the bottom view of the mounting element;
    Figure 14D shows the plan view of the fastening element;
    Figure 14E shows a perspective view of the mounting element; and
    Figures 15A, 15B and 15C show in longitudinal section three phases of coupling a fastening element to a coupling element.
    Figures 1A, 1B and 2A - 2C show an object and a coupling element according to a first embodiment of a modular building system according to the invention.
    The object 1 in this embodiment is a substantially beam-shaped object with a total of fourteen planes 2 and an opening 3 in each plane 2. Each opening 3 comprises four lips 4 extending substantially radially inwardly, which are spread over the circumference of the opening 3. are arranged with equal angular spacing. In addition, each opening 3 is provided with a total of eight protrusions 5 extending substantially radially inwardly, wherein in each case two protrusions 5 extend between two lips 4.
    As is further apparent from Figs. 1B and 1C, the bar-shaped object 1 comprises bulges 12 near all corner zones of all surfaces 2. The object 1 therefore has bulges 12 both between two adjacent surfaces 2, and also near the corner zones of the object 1 itself. These thickenings 12 create a distance between adjacent surfaces of objects 1 lying or not coupled to each other and thereby an open space 16 between the surfaces 2. This space 16 serves for the passage of a further detail below with reference to Figures 2A - 2C defined engagement element 13 and / or for passage of an engagement part of a tool described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 9A - 9C. This will be further elucidated with reference to figure 4.
    For aesthetic reasons, a wedge-shaped space 15 is provided between two surfaces 2 arranged in the same plane.
    The coupling element 6 comprises a substantially pin-shaped body 7 with a center line 8 which can be arranged in the opening 3 of the object 1. Over the outer circumference the body 7 is provided with a total of four resiliently displaceable tongues 9 extending therefrom, on which tongues 9 locking cams 10 are provided. A surface 11 of each tongue 9 functions as engagement surface 11 for engagement by a protrusion 5 of the object 1, as will be explained in more detail below. The resiliently displaceable tongues 9 are each connected at one end thereof to one axial end of the body 7, such that the tongues 9 are substantially pivotally movable inwardly between a normal, non-depressed position as shown in Fig. 2B and an inwardly moved position as will be further shown later in Figure 3E. In the non-depressed position of Figure 2B, a distance d between two (diametrically) opposed tongues 9 in this example is approximately 13.75 mm. As can be seen from Figures 2B and 2C, two tongues 9 are each connected to the one axial end of the body 7 and the other two tongues 9 are connected to the other axial end of the body 7. The tongues 9 are herein connected to that axial end, which is arranged at the greatest distance from the engagement surface 11.
    As is furthermore apparent from Figure 2A, the body 7 of the coupling element 6 in this example comprises a through opening 14 extending centrally therethrough. This opening 14 can serve for coupling the coupling element 6 with an object, as will be shown later in the figures. 10A-IOC, or for receiving an engagement part of a tool for rotating the coupling element, as will be shown later in Figures 9A - 9C. In the latter case, the opening 14 functions as engagement element 14.
    As is also apparent from Figs. 2A-2C, the tongues 9 in this example each comprise a protruding element 13 extending therefrom. This element 13 in particular serves as engagement element 13 for engagement by a tool for rotating the coupling element or for engagement by one or more fingers of a user.
    Figures 3A-3F show how the coupling element 6 can be arranged and secured in the object 1, and can then be disconnected again. For this purpose, the coupling element 6 is arranged in the opening 3 in an axial direction in such an application orientation that the locking cams 10, viewed in a rotational direction, extend between the lips 4, see Figures 3A-3C. The coupling element is then rotated in an arbitrary rotational direction from two possible rotational directions to a locking orientation, see Figures 3F and 3G. In the locking orientation, the locking cams 10 will extend over the lips 4, as can be seen in Figure 3G, whereby the coupling element 6 is secured in an axial direction in the opening 3 of the object 1. When rotating between the application orientation and the locking orientation, the resilient tongues 9 will move inward temporarily because the projections 5 engage and thereby exert an inward force on an engagement surface 11 thereof. This is shown enlarged in the figures 3D and 3E. In figure 3E the coupling element 6 is shown in detail when the tongues are in their inwardly displaced position. In this state, the distance d between the two (diametrically) opposed tongues 9 in this example is approximately 12 mm. In the locking orientation, the resilient tongues 9 automatically move back to their non-depressed position as shown in Figure 2B, because the force on the tongues 9 has been released. As a result, the coupling element 6 is also locked in its rotational direction in its locking orientation. For uncoupling, the coupling element 6 can be rotated in the opposite direction. Here, the tongues will again move inwards while exerting a force through the protrusions 5 on the engagement surface 11, and resiliently move back to their non-depressed state in the non-locked state, similar to that shown in Figs. 3B and 3C. .
    As is furthermore apparent from, for example, Fig. 3B, the engaging element 13 of the coupling element 6 extends beyond the outer circumference of the opening 3 of the object 1 on an outer side of the surface 2 of the object 1. Through the thickenings 12 an interspace will be created between mutually coupled, abutting objects 1. The engaging element 13 extends in this interspace and can therefore be engaged, for example by an engaging part of a tool. This is visible, for example, in Figure 4.
    It is noted that the object 1 and / or the coupling element 6 can be designed in any desired form in order to be able to create different types of structures. Various structures are shown with reference to Figures 4 to 8 described in more detail below, to illustrate the versatility of the modular building system according to the invention.
    Figure 4 shows by way of example a first structure made with objects 1 and coupling elements 6 according to the invention. The structure of figure 4 comprises three objects 1 as shown in figures 1A and 1B, as well as three other types of objects 1. In this example, the other types of objects 1 have two hexagonal surfaces 2, between which six substantially square surfaces 2 extend. The various objects 1 are alternately connected with the aid of a total of six coupling elements 6. As previously described, between the adjacent objects 1, the thickenings 12 create a particularly wedge-shaped space 16. This gap 16 is visible in Figure 4. The engaging element 13 extends into this gap 16 and is therefore accessible to an engaging part of a tool.
    Figure 5 shows another structure made with objects 1 and coupling elements 6. In addition to the objects 1 shown earlier, a substantially cubic object 1 has now also been used.
    Figure 6 shows yet another structure made with objects 1 and elements 6. In this case, the structure is a toy car. The car comprises several types of objects 1, which clearly show that the object 1 can be designed in any form. In particular, the objects 1 can be beam-shaped objects with any desired spring, the number of surfaces 2 comprising the object 1 being dependent on the length thereof. In addition, some objects 1 are designed as wheels 17. Figure 6 also shows that the object 1 can in this case be a rigid, preformed skin plate 19. Such a skin plate 19 can cover the frame or open structure formed with the objects 1 and thus give a certain desired appearance and appearance.
    Figures 7A - 7C show yet another structure made with objects 1 and coupling elements 6, and then in a very schematic manner. The structure in this example comprises a frame formed by a simple elongated structure, see figure 7A, which is formed with objects 1. An object in the form of a flexible skin plate 19 is arranged around the frame and connected to it with the aid of the coupling elements 6, see figures 7B and 7C. The skin plate 19 can be printed with any desired image, so that the desired structure can be given any desired appearance.
    Figures 8A - 8C show yet another structure made with objects 1 and coupling elements 6. In this case the structure is a toy truck, the trailer of which is covered with a skin plate 19. The skin plate 19 is coupled with coupling elements 6 to the frame forming the trailer. This is done in the same way as has been explained with reference to Figures 3A - 3G, wherein the objects 1 and 19 are interconnected by the coupling elements 6. Here too skin plate 19 can be printed with any desired image.
    Figures 9A - 9C show (the use of) a tool 20 for rotating a coupling element 6. As can be seen from Figure 9a, the tool 20 comprises a handle 22 and a first engagement part 21. In this example, the first engagement part 21 is an elongate , pin-shaped element with a non-round cross-section. In figure 9B a coupling element 6 is arranged in an opening of an object 1. The coupling element 6 is herein in its application orientation. The first engagement part 21 of the tool 20 can be arranged in the through opening 14 of the coupling element 6. The cross-sectional shape of the opening 14 here has the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the engaging part 21, and is therefore also not round. When the first engaging part 21 is arranged in the opening 14, the tool 20 can be rotated by engaging the handle 22 in one of the two possible rotational directions, as previously described with reference to Figs. 3A-3G. As a result, the coupling element 6 will be rotated to its locking orientation. Due to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the opening 14 and of the first engagement part 21, the coupling element 6 will move with it through rotation of the tool 20, because the first engagement part 21 cannot rotate relative to the opening 14.
    As is further apparent from Figure 9A, the tool further has a hook 23, with which the projecting engagement element 13 can be moved. The hook can be arranged in the gap 16 and thus brought into engagement with the engaging element 13. The hook 23 thus forms a second engagement part of the tool 20. The shape of the hook 23 can be selected as desired. The thickness of the hook 23 is preferably adjusted to, and in particular smaller than, the transverse dimension of the gap 16, so that the hook 23 can be fitted through and / or through the gap 16.
    Figures 10A - 10C show that the opening 14 can also be used as a coupling opening. In this example, an object 30 with a pin-shaped protrusion 31 is arranged in the opening 14, so that the object 30 is coupled to the coupling element 6. The pin-shaped protrusion 13 has a round cross-section, through which the object 30 can rotate freely with respect to the coupling element 6. With its other axial end, the coupling element 6 can be coupled to a cuboid in the manner described with reference to Figures 3A - 3G. object 1, see figure IOC.
    Figures 1 IA - 11C show a coupling element 6 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Only the differences with the coupling element according to the first embodiment from figures 2A - 2C will be described, for a further description reference is made to the above description associated with figures 2A - 2C. The coupling element 6 according to the second embodiment differs from the coupling element 6 according to the first embodiment in that locking cams 10 are arranged on either side of the tongues 9 in a longitudinal direction parallel to the axial direction 8 of the body 7. In the first embodiment, the locking cams 10 are arranged on only one side of each tongue 9, in particular near the free end of the tongue 9 not connected to the body 7. In the second embodiment, the locking cams 10 are both near the free end arranged near the end of the tongues 9 connected to the body 7.
    Fig. 12A shows a sketch of an initial situation to be considered as a plan drawing, in which an object 1, represented in this example as a cube-shaped object, and a coupling element 6 have been brought into position to be coupled to each other in the manner described above . For coupling a plate 19, flexible or non-flexible, to the object 1, this plate is provided in advance with a punched through hole 32 and a sail eye 33 inseparably connected to the edges of the hole 32, i.e. a ring which consists of two sub-rings formed by one-round machining with a machine and forms a through hole 32 with a reinforced hole edge in the plate. On the other side of the plate 19 a fastening element 34 is set up, comprising a handle 35, with a widened head 36 at its free end. The details of the fastening element and the manner of coupling with the coupling element 6 will hereinafter be described on the basis of the Figures 14 and 15 are explained.
    Figure 12B shows a following phase, in which the coupling element 6 is coupled to the object 1.
    Figure 12C shows the next phase, in which the sail eye 33 is placed in position in the area of the coupling element 6.
    Figure 12D finally shows that the fastening element 34 is placed in its working position, in which the plate 19 is fixed in the desired position relative to the object 1. To this end, the shank 35 of the fastening element is inserted through the sail eye and the through hole 32 in the tube 37, i.e. the central through-going space in the coupling element 6. In the manner to be described below, the fixing element 34 is secured in this position as shown, that is to say locked, but removable with some force.
    Figure 13A shows an exploded view that functionally corresponds to the exploded view of Figure 12A. However, in the embodiment according to Figure 13, not a plate, but a cord 39 is coupled to the object 1. To this end, the cord 39 is provided with a loop 38 at its end in a manner known per se.
    Figure 13B shows the next phase in accordance with Figure 12B.
    Figure 13C shows the third phase in accordance with Figure 12C.
    Figure 13D finally shows the final phase, in accordance with Figure 12D, in which the cord is coupled to the object 1.
    Figure 14 shows a side view of the mounting element 34.
    The stem 35 has an elongated through-going cross hole 40, which is defined and delimited by two wall parts of the stem, which are designated with reference numerals 41 and 42. It will be clear that the force required to move the central parts of the wall parts 41 and 42 towards each other over some radial distance is very substantially smaller than the force required for a shank without an elongated through hole 40, so a massive stem, to undergo the same distortion, if that is already possible. This aspect is important, as may be seen in particular from the explanation below with reference to Figure 15.
    The wall parts 41, 42 each have a rounded protrusion 43, 44 which fits flush with the wall parts 41, 42 in the middle.
    The head 36 has a relatively wide outer part 45 and a relatively narrow inner part 46.
    The inner part 46 has such a large diameter that it does not fit within the sleeve. This inner part 46 thus forms the stop of the fixing element which determines the working position shown in Figs. 12D and 13D.
    In anticipation of the discussion of Figure 15C, it is already pointed out that the free end face 47 of the stem 35 is in the same position in the working position as the corresponding end face 48 of the coupling element 6. Figure 15C clearly shows this aspect.
    Figures 3C and 3D, among others, show the inner shape of the tube 37. This shape can be described as a cylindrical shape with four longitudinal ribs arranged mutually at 90 °, such that the tube 7 is prismatic, that is to say the cross-sectional shape of the tube is the same at any axial position.
    Figure 14C shows the round shape of the wide outer portion 45 of the head 36.
    Figure 14D shows that the stem 35 has the same shape in end view, with the proviso that the stem head 49, which determines this end view, is slightly smaller than the inner shape of the tube 37 according to figures 3C and 3D. As a result, the stem head 49 can slide into the sleeve, but is secured against rotation in any axial position.
    At the end adjacent to the head 36, the shank has a second head 50 of the same shape, which provides an additional rotation lock in the working position.
    Figure 14E shows the mounting element 34 in perspective view. Attention is drawn to the fact that it is clear in particular from this Figure 14E that the elongated through-going transverse hole 40 extends over the length of the stem between the first stem head 49 and the second stem head 50. It is also pointed out that the protrusions 43 and 44 are precisely halfway that distance.
    Figure 15A shows a diagram of a situation again to be regarded as an exploded view of the situation in which the fastening element 34 is ready to be inserted with its stem 35 into the tube 37, which extends through the entire coupling element 6 and has a prismatic shape, that is to say have the same cross-sectional shape at each position.
    In this embodiment, there are recesses in the middle of the wall 51 defining the tube 37 as through holes 52 which, in the manner to be described below, can work in a secure manner with the resiliently arranged protrusions 43, 44 on the wall parts 41, 42 of the stem 35 .
    As Fig. 15B shows, in the half-inserted position of the shank 35, this shank is moved downwards under the influence of an axial compressive force exerted on the head 36, so that the rounded protrusions 43, which smoothly follow the wall parts 41, 42 of the shank 35, 44 are pressed radially inwardly by the end edge 54 of the sleeve 37, which is possible due to the flexibility of the wall parts 41, 42 of the stem 35. Thus, the effective diameter of the stem 35 is limited to the available space, that is, the relevant inner diameter of the sleeve 37. This gives the possibility of moving the stem 35 further downwards, under a certain frictional force, to the situation shown in Fig. 15C, in which the protrusions 41, 42 engage elastically with pressure in the holes 52. The fastening element 34 and the object 1, in particular the sleeve 37, are mutually dimensioned such that in the operating position shown in Fig. 15C the end facing the shank 35 surface of the narrow inner part 46 of the head 36 engages the upper end edge 54 of the tube 37. It is also repeated that the free end surface 47 of the stem 35 is at least substantially in the same mathematical plane as the end surface of the coupling element 6 .
    It will be clear from the foregoing that the fastening element 34 can be placed in the working position shown in Fig. 15C by exerting a certain pressure force on the head 36. The fastening element 34 can be removed from this working position by exerting the force opposed to the compressive force 53, i.e. a tensile force, on the head 36. This makes it clear that the attachment of a plate, a cloth, a cord or the like leads to can be brought and canceled again.
    The thickness of the narrow inner part 46 of the head 36, i.e. its axial dimension, must be sufficiently large for an element to be fixed, such as the sail eye 33 or the loop 38 of the cord 39 with respect to the coupling element with some freedom of movement, particularly for rotation.
    The components of the building system, in particular the objects, the coupling elements and the fixing elements, are preferably made of plastic. A suitable, mechanically strong plastic is for example ABS.
    It is noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, but also extends to other variants within the scope of the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (19)
    [1]
    A modular building system, comprising at least one object and a coupling element detachably connectable to the object, wherein: the object comprises at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inwardly extending lips spread over the circumference of the opening are arranged; the coupling element comprises a body which can be arranged in the opening with an axial axis, which body is provided with at least one outwardly extending locking cam over its outer circumference; wherein the coupling element can be inserted in the opening of the object in at least one mounting orientation, in which mounting orientation the at least one locking cam extends between the lips of the object, and wherein the coupling element in the opening is rotatable relative to the object to at least one locking orientation, in which locking orientation the at least one locking cam engages a lip of the object, such that the coupling element is secured in the opening of the object in an axial direction substantially parallel to the axis of the coupling element; characterized in that the body of the coupling element is provided with at least one resiliently displaceable tongue extending therefrom over its outer circumference, to which tongue the locking cam is connected, and that the opening of the object is provided with a number of inwardly extending protrusions which are arranged scattered over the circumference of the opening between the lips, such that with a rotation of the coupling element between its mounting orientation and its locking orientation the at least one tongue is moved inwards by said protrusion and in the locking orientation the coupling element is locked in a rotational direction.
    [2]
    A modular building system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tongue comprises an engagement surface, wherein a protrusion of the object engages the engagement surface of the tongue during the rotation of the coupling element between its mounting orientation and its locking orientation.
    [3]
    3. Modular building system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one tongue is connected to one axial end of the two axial ends of the body, which one axial end is the axial end which is at a great distance, viewed in axial direction with respect to the engagement surface, at the greatest distance .
    [4]
    4. Modular building system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element comprises at least one rotation-limiting element cooperating with the building element.
    [5]
    Modular building system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element comprises at least one engaging element, for example for engagement by a tool for rotating the coupling element.
    [6]
    A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of the object comprises an element protruding from the surface for providing an open space between two objects lying against each other, possibly coupled to said coupling element, which space is open space arranged for passage of the engaging element and / or a specified tool.
    [7]
    Modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element comprises at least two said tongues, each of which extends from a different axial end of the two axial ends of the body in an opposite axial direction to provide a coupling between two mentioned objects.
    [8]
    A modular building system according to claim 7, wherein the coupling element is flexibly bendable between its two axial ends.
    [9]
    A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a tool for rotating said coupling element.
    [10]
    10. Modular building system according to at least claims 5 and 10, wherein the engaging element of the coupling element comprises an engaging opening for receiving a part of the tool.
    [11]
    11. Modular building system according to claim 10, wherein the engagement opening and the engagement part of the tool have a shape adapted to each other.
    [12]
    A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said object comprises a skin plate.
    [13]
    13. Coupling element, intended and adapted to be part of a modular building system according to one of claims 1 - 12, comprising a body which can be arranged in an opening of an object with an axial axis, which body extends over its outer circumference of at least one outwardly locking cam is provided, characterized in that the body is provided with at least one resiliently displaceable tongue extending therefrom, to which tongue the locking cam is connected, the at least one tongue being movable inwards by exerting a force thereon.
    [14]
    An object intended and arranged to be part of a modular building system according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inwardly extending lips spread over the circumference of the opening are arranged, characterized in that the opening of the object is provided with a number of inwardly extending protrusions, which are arranged spread over the circumference of the opening between the lips.
    [15]
    A tool intended and adapted to be part of a modular building system according to any one of claims 1-12, which tool is adapted to rotate a coupling element of the modular building system.
    [16]
    A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the through-opening of the coupling element is delimited by a sleeve forming part of the coupling element which has an inwardly directed longitudinal thickening in each of the areas of the engaging elements, wherein adjacent longitudinal thickenings limit respective longitudinal floors; in which tube the stem of a monolithic fixing element resiliently compressible in at least one transverse direction is inserted with a head widened concentrically with the stem such that the insertion depth of the stem is limited by the head; the stem in its central zone having two rounded protrusions placed mutually diametrically at the same axial positions, which more or less have the shape of spherical segments, such that the diameter of the stem at that location is larger than the relevant inner diameter of the tube for location of the thickenings, whereby the stem can only be inserted into the tube by exerting some axial compressive force on the head under local resilient radial depression of the stem and into a position defined therein by the head and the respective end edge of the tube the working position lies against further axial displacement as a result of resilient engagement of the rounded protrusions in the respective recesses in the middle of the longitudinal recesses and can only be removed therefrom by exerting some axial tensile force on the head; and the head has a relatively narrow part adjoining the shank, which fits with some free space in a mounting eye forming part of the plate, to which a relatively wide part is connected to the side facing away from the shank, which prevents passage of the mounting eye .
    [17]
    A modular building system according to claim 16, wherein the handle has a shape whose end view at the free end zone corresponds to, but is slightly smaller than, the end view of the inner space of the tube, such that the handle over some distance with slight play in said sleeve interior space and is protected against rotation relative to the sleeve.
    [18]
    A modular building system according to claim 17, wherein: the shank over a distance of at least 60% of its effective length, i.e. the distance between the surface of the head facing the shank and the end face of the end facing away from the head. handle, in its working position, has an elongated through-hole; the two wall parts of the handle defining the through hole each have a thickness of at most 25% of the largest diameter of the handle and are therefore elastically compressible; and said wall portions carry the rounded protrusions in their central zones.
    [19]
    The modular building system of claim 18, wherein: the effective length of the stem is equal to the length of the sleeve; the sleeve is constructed symmetrically with respect to its median plane, that is to say the plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve and intersects that axis in its center; and the centers of the floors are in the median plane.
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    同族专利:
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    TW201742656A|2017-12-16|
    引用文献:
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    NL2016651|2016-04-21|PCT/NL2017/050257| WO2017183981A2|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Modular construction system, coupling element, object, tool and packaging|
    US16/095,258| US10967289B2|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
    PCT/NL2017/050258| WO2017183982A1|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
    CN201780025283.7A| CN109152962B|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
    CA3021138A| CA3021138A1|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Modular construction system, coupling element, object, tool and packaging|
    PL17727968T| PL3445467T3|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
    ES17727968T| ES2795043T3|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
    US16/095,241| US10888797B2|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Modular construction system, coupling element, object, tool and packaging|
    EP17727725.8A| EP3445466A2|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Modular construction system, coupling element, object, tool and packaging|
    CN201780004104.1A| CN108290079B|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Modular construction system, coupling element, object, tool and packaging|
    EP17727968.4A| EP3445467B1|2016-04-21|2017-04-21|Coupling element|
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