Abstract:
A method of interconnecting multiple bottle cork closure elements to form a variety of useful integrated constructions. The method uses one or more string strands of flexible yielding material to be passed through custom configured passageways within each cork in continuous pass through patterns defined by similar and varied passageways in adjacent abutting corks. The interconnecting pattern path of the strands defines intermediate points of applied tension and selective securing in a defined assembly step process to form the respective article of construction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to formation of articles by interconnecting a plurality of smaller identical elements by a variety of different interengagement materials and methods. Specifically to the joining together of bottle corks in mass to define useful structures. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art constructions of multiple similar elements to form large configurations have been directed to many attachment and securing connector sequences. Heretofore, such assemblies have relied on relatively common methods including direct attachment by adhesive such a glue or combination of adhesive and cordage, for example, in which slots or bores are made in the corks and a core is passed therethrough, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,877,506, 3,222,072, 3,597,872, 4,997,375 and Design Pat. 433,199 and 475,094. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,506 an article support assemblage is disclosed in which a group of identical shaped blocks having angled opposing forms with respective grooves and ridges are interconnected together by a central rigid rod. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,072 illustrates a block puzzle wherein a number of blocks having passageways therethrough are joined together by a string-like member to form different shaped constructions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,872 claims a toy comprised of a plurality of shaped bodies held together by a cord extending therethrough. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,375 is directed to an elastically interconnected articulated blocks wherein each block has a deep slot and aerial hole formed by sponging adjacent block segments to form multiple block constructions. 
     Design Pat. 433,199 shows multiple bottle corks secured together to form a bird house and Design Pat. 475,094 is a puzzle formed of multiple blocks hinged together along their respective adjoining edges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of assembly construction of articles by joining together of the multiplicity of bottle corks. The corks are provided with passageways through which elongated flexible string material is threadably interconnected and drawn together the multiple corks in multiple adjoining surface engagement. The assembled articles have no outwardly visible means of attachment by suppression of interior passage of the interconnecting strings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cork with interconnected passageways shown in broken lines. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cork with spaced parallel transverse passageways therethrough. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cork with internal passageways having spaced adjacent exits. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a pair of corks shown from  FIG. 1  positioned for joining together with an interior string. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a pair of corks shown from  FIG. 1  of being drawn together by the string extending therethrough. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a pair of corks shown in  FIG. 5  of the knot being formed in the string for drawing same together. 
         FIG. 7  is an end plan view of the cork shown in  FIG. 6  illustrating the corks drawn together with a fastener knot secured therebetween. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-section view of the corks shown from  FIG. 2  with an internal interengagement attachment pattern achieved by a string. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the corks shown in  FIG. 8  showing the progressive engagement of the corks together by the string pattern interconnecting same. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the corks of  FIGS. 8 and 9  shown pulled together by the interconnecting string and the orientation of the passageway therewithin. 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cork shown in  FIG. 3  in a pair adjoining together with an internal string pattern illustrated. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cork shown in  FIG. 11  illustrating the drawing together of the corks by the string attachment pattern forming a knot therein. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged side elevational view with portions broken away in cross-section illustrating the corks in  FIGS. 11 and 12  joined together by the internal string and the path of the string and interengagement knot. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of a corner formation cork with a center access passageway in a cross angular separation shown by a broken line there across. 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the separated cork shown in  FIG. 14  positioned for engagement with multiple passageways therethrough. 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged side elevational view of the cork shown in  FIG. 15  reversed and positioned showing a string pattern extending therethrough. 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged side elevational view of the cork shown in  FIG. 16  drawn together by the string and forming an overhand knot. 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged side elevational view of the corks in  FIG. 17  now drawn together in a corner configuration illustrating the attachment interior string in broken lines and the knot associated therewith. 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of multiple corks arranged in alternating pairs with an internal engagement connection string path shown in dotted and broken lines extending in a continuous return vertical orientation loop extending therethrough. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the multiple cork arrangement shown in  FIG. 19  with a quarter turn orientation illustration a second continuous string loop extending horizontally oriented therethrough. 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the multiple corks arranged in  FIGS. 19 and 20  combined as in a construction step showing both horizontal and vertical string loop interengagement passageway pattern therethrough with multiple points of assembly adjustment indicated selectively therewithin. 
         FIG. 22 , as derived from  FIGS. 19 ,  20  and  21 , is a top plan view of a completed multiple cork arrangement with pulled length string attachments defining a cohesive parallel co-planar mat. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the completed cohesive co-planar mat construction set forth in  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-18  of the drawings, a basic bottle cork preparation and joining method steps of the invention can be seen to initiate multiple cork constructions of useful articles and the like. 
       FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings illustrate some of the basic cork preparation in its simplest form.  FIG. 1  of the drawings illustrates a cork  10  having a central longitudinally extending passageway  11  with two right angularly extending and spaced side exit passageways  12  and  13  in intersection therewith. 
       FIG. 2  of the drawings illustrates a cork  14  having a pair of parallel spaced passageways  15  and  16  extending transversely and exiting correspondingly on the respective oppositely disposed sides in spaced relation to the longitudinal axis ends of the cork  14 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cork  17  having an off center longitudinally extending passageway  18  end exiting with corresponding angularly extending spaced side exiting passageways  19  and  20  inwardly from the corks respective ends. 
     In  FIGS. 4-7  of the drawings, examples of joining of the so configured cork as illustrated in pairs. Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings a configured cork pair  10 A and  10 B can be seen wherein a length of interengagement string  21  having a flexible yielding characteristic is passed through the passageways  11 ,  12 , and  13  in a directional sequence indicated by the letters a, b c and d so defining the string  21  orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  for joining the corks  10 A and  10 B together in a side to side relationship with a knot N on the free ends thereof. It is understood that knot N is the widely known method of joining two string ends together, commonly called a square knot, but also known as a reef knot, used when a string has been wrapped and sufficiently tightened around a package and the string ends are intended to be permanently secured and resistant to slippage. Knot N is formed by first making a left-handed overhand knot and then making a right-handed overhand knot, or visa-versa, as recalled by the familiar verse “right over left then left over right,” and wherein the first overhand knot allows slippage or further tightening and the second overhand knot permanently locks the string against slippage or further tightening. During assembly under string tension, internal portions  21 A of the string  21  embed themselves in corresponding cork areas  22  between the respective parallel side openings  12  and  13 , best seen in  FIG. 5  of the drawings and are drawn together as directional arrows indicate with the first overhand knot being instituted as illustrated in  FIG. 6  and the joined cork pairs  10 A and  10 B with the second overhand knot being instituted illustrated in  FIG. 7  of the drawings showing the fully assembled knot N hidden therebetween. Also, immediately preceding instituting the second overhand knot illustrated in  FIG. 7 , additional compression of the corks may be induced from the outside perimeter allowing further tightening of the assembly and further embedding internal portions  21 A of the string  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  of the drawings, an interengagement attachment sequence is illustrated for a pair of prepared corks  14 A and  14 B configured as seen in  FIG. 2  of the drawings, each with respective pairs of parallel spaced side exiting passageways  15  and  16 . 
     A length of interengagement string  21  (in this example) is first passed through the transverse passageway  15  at a side exit  15 A and then back through passageway  16  at side exit  16 B. Cork  14 B correspondingly receives so leading end of the string  21  through its passageway exit  16 B and then looped back through passageway  15  at exit  15 A and out through cork  14 B&#39;s exit at  15 B as seen in  FIG. 8  of the drawings. 
     In this example, string engagement slits  23  are formed in each of the corks  14 A and  14 B inwardly between and connecting the respective is passageways  15  and  16  at one set of respective exits as illustrated in broken lines. 
     The respective free ends of the interconnection string  21  are then tied together with the retaining knot N which as joined is hidden between the joined side cork surfaces  14 A and  14 B as illustrated best in  FIG. 10  of the drawings. 
     The string engagement slits  23  allow for the string  21  to be easily embedded into the interior of the corks, hiding the string  21  as completed in a joined cork configuration  14 A and  14 B. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  of the drawings, an interconnection string joining sequence for passageway configured cork  17  can be seen with a pair of identical corks  17 A and  17 B being positioned for joining in parallel spaced relationship. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11  of the drawings the interconnection string portion  21  as hereinbefore described is first (in this example) is passed through the angular side exit passageway  19  at  19 A indicated by directional arrow and then looped back through the cork  17 A in the longitudinally extending passageway  18  at  18 A. The interconnecting string  21  is then looped back again through the adjoining angled passageway  20  at  20 A exiting outwardly therefrom at  20 B into the corresponding cork&#39;s  17 B angular passageway at  20 B repeating the pass through sequence in reverse so as to finally exit at cork&#39;s  17 B exit  19 A opposite its point of initial entry into cork  17 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  of the drawings, the respective free ends of the interengagement string  21  are joined by the first overhand knot N and pulled down between the adjacent corks as they are drawn together indicated by directional arrows A joining the corks  17 A and  17 B side to side as seen in  FIG. 13  of the drawings. A second and locking overhand knot is formed and square knot N is hidden between where the side passageways meet at  22 . Additional square or reef knots may be formed at  22  to ensure joining as is understood within the art. As noted previously, the interengagement string  21  will be by default partially embedded within the interior of the corks  17 A and  17 B between the respective exits and entrances  18 A and  20 A as indicated generally in the string orientation position shown in dotted lines therein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-18  of the drawings, an interengagement string assembly sequence is shown for the formation of a so-called “corner cork”  26  as seen in sequence completion in  FIGS. 14-18  of the drawings. A cork  27  with a central longitudinally extending passageway  27 A prepared for assembly as seen in  FIG. 14  of the drawings by indicated transverse angular cut path in broken lines at  27 B to form two independent corner portions  28 A and  28 B with multiple additional longitudinal passageways  29  and  30  therethrough and positioned effacing one another for joining as illustrated in  FIG. 15  of the drawings. 
     The cork portions  28 A and  28 B as seen in sequential corner formation drawings in  FIGS. 16 ,  17  and  18  of the drawings have interengagement string engagement slits  31  respectively interlinking passageways  29  and  30  exit points thereof. A string portion  21  (in this example) is first passed into cork portion  28 B&#39;s passageway  29  at exit  29 A and out through exit  29 B. The interconnecting string portion  21  then loops back through passageway  30  at exit  30 B and out through exit  30 A and then enters the so-aligned cork portion  28 A into passageway  30  at exit  30 A. Correspondingly, a reverse pass through interconnecting string pattern is achieved ending up with the free end of the string  21  at  33  as it exits cork portions  28 A, passageway  29  at exit  29 A. 
     The free ends of the interconnecting string portion  21  are then interengaged to one another by a knot N and pulled under tension joining the respective cork portions  28 A and  28 B with the interconnection string  21  embedded therewithin by the hereinbefore described slits  31  to form the true corner cork  26  as seen in  FIG. 18  of the drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19 and 20  of the drawings, an example of a multiple cork construction  36  can be seen utilizing in combination the multiple hereinbefore described corked pair joining methods and two interconnection string strands  38 A and  38 B. As noted, multiple cork pairs configured with passageways are joined together by multiple string paths. In this example, interconnection string strand portion  38 A enters a “starter” cork  39  of a corner cork pair  40  and extends through multiple aligned cork pairs  41 ,  42  and  43  in alternating paired orientation. The string strand portion  38 A is illustrated in dotted lines passing through the respective engaged corks in one direction then returning through the cork pair sequence  43 ,  42  and  41  and  40  in the opposite direction returning to the base pair  40 . This interengaging through multiple adjacent aligned cork pairs extends sequentially in a repetitive fashion from defined cork pairs vertical orientation columns a, b, c and d then returning in reverse sequence d, c, b and a from a turn around loop of the string strand portion  38 A at  44  illustrated path in broken lines within each cork passageway exiting at  45  in the original cork pair  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20  of the drawings in which the orientation of the cork construction has been turned one-fourth clockwise for better illustration, the second interengagement string  38 B pass through pattern can be seen, but on a horizontal orientation as described which so combined during assembly forms a finalized multiple vertical and horizontal interengagement string paths achieved as seen in  FIG. 21  of the drawings prior to selected sequential string tensioning to complete the construction as will be described hereinafter. 
     Once the multi-adjoining interengagement string strands  38 A and  38 B sequence pass through is achieved by utilization of the so-configured cork passageways and patterns in horizontal and vertical orientation as seen in  FIG. 21  of the drawings, a interengagement string strand tightening sequence is instituted for both interengagement string strands  38 A and  38 B. Two sets of multiple string engagement points are defined as A, B, C, D, E, F and G and A′, B′, C′, D′, E′, F′ and G′. Manual user engagement by pulling each of the engagement points A-G are instituted sequentially beginning at point A where two parts of the interconnection string strand  38 B join between adjacent corks drawing the string pairs  38 B and by tightening as the sequence proceeds removing the excess string or slack from  38 B. Then, manual user engagement continues by pulling each of the engagement points A′-G′ are instituted sequentially beginning at point A′ where two parts of the interconnection string strand  38 A join between adjacent corks drawing the string pairs  38 A and by tightening as the sequence proceeds removing the excess string or slack from  38 A. 
     This is achieved as the user independently pulls each of the ends of one string strand at a time with the slack residing finally at respective exit points so defined. 
     By tightening interengagement string strands  38 A and  38 B independently in this manner sequentially achieves the goal to pull the string strand slack from the center of all the respective interconnection string strands. The nature and logic of sequential pulling of the string strands as the corks are drawn together form a tightly abutting relationship of the construction will become self-evident and progressive to achieve the required result as seen in  FIG. 22  of the drawings. The natural resiliency of the interengaged corks will help achieve a viable construction. The respective interconnecting string strands  38 A and  38 B, ends G and G′ are knotted being pulled inwardly between the respective corks, hiding same to complete the construction. 
     It should be noted that the string tightening engagement points so designated A-G and A′-G′ as hereinbefore described are illustrated as an example and any mid central string engagement point of inclusion can be used in the sequential systematic slackening reducing drawing the cork elements together process can be so achieved, also the created interengagement string strand slack should be pulled out at respective string end engagement points G and G′. Care should be exercised during the tightening sequence hereinbefore described that the respective string&#39;s free ends are not inwardly pulled back into their exit cork passageways which can be avoided by tying the string ends temporarily together. Alternately, or in addition thereto, interengagement string strands slack points at G and G′ should or could be pulled simultaneously with all other attenuated tightening points. 
     After the above referred to initial tightening sequence has been achieved, a continuation of the tightening process is achieved by repeating the multiple pull points A through G, and A′ through G′, but by pulling both parts of the same string strand together first one interengagement string  38 A and then  38 B in this example and inducing additional compression of the corks from the outside perimeter during the tightening process. 
     As noted, a knot is applied to secure each interengagement string strand thus defining a finished construction at  40  as seen in  FIG. 23  of the drawings so illustrated without string strands visible. 
     It will be apparent that based on the above referred to basic cork preparation, basic cork construction that by utilization of same construction steps a variety of different end form construction articles can be achieved including 3D and articulated constructions (not shown) well within the purvey of so defined invention and method steps. It will thus be seen that a new and multi-step method of interconnecting multiple cork elements to form a variety of useful integrated constructions has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.