Assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of stable grid structures

In an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures, one or more elements for stabilization of the grid structure are inserted in the form of panels (6, 12, 6″) which can be removably slotted in corresponding polygonal areas circumscribed by the modules of the grid structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an assembly of modules that uses magnetic anchorage for the construction of a stable grid structure.

From the Italian patent no. 01301090, owned by the same Applicant, an assembly of modules is known which optimizes the exploitation of magnetic energy available for the anchorage of the modules in such a way as to achieve a plurality of grid structures having the most complex and inventive shapes.

The point of magnetic coupling between two modules can be chosen as required at any one of the zones of the magnetically active surface and/or ferromagnetic surface of one of the modules and is not limited by a predefined orientation between the two modules in such a way that the modules of the assembly can be combined overall one with the other, obtaining a plurality of shapes.

In all systems of assembly with magnetic anchorage known today, and above all in those assemblies with magnetic anchorage which under-exploit the magnetic energy available for anchorage between modules, some shapes of the grid structure do not have the appropriate stability and self-support capability, particularly with reference to resistance to shearing or slipping and to bending stress.

In these cases the shape of the original grid structure has to be modified by adding thereto other appropriate modules to ensure its stability.

This solution, in addition to modifying the original shape of the required grid structure, can cause excessive increase in the weight and cost of the same grid structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures that, through the use of a same number of magnetic modules, achieve an improved resistance to the deformation caused by shearing, slipping, bending or torsion stresses. Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures which makes any required grid structure stable without it being necessary to modify its shape and excessively increase its weight or total cost.

These objects are achieved by an assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures which is characterized in that the assembly includes one or more stabilization elements in the grid structure, in the form of panels which are removably inserted in corresponding polygonal areas circumscribed by the modules of the grid structure.

The panels can be made in a lightweight and economical material and enable extremely stable grid structures to be obtained, while maintaining the original simplicity and flexibility of assembly of the modules.

The panels for stabilisation of the grid structure can also allow new ways of using grid structures both as elements strictly for amusement and as display or furnishing elements.

These aspects will be made clearer on reading the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, to be considered merely by way of a non-limiting example of the more general principle claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The spherical modules2consist of a ferromagnetic ball member for example of steel, while the cylindrical modules3each comprises a central ferromagnetic cylindrical yoke4to each of whose opposite ends a corresponding cylindrical element5of permanently magnetic material is provided.

The permanently magnetic elements5are magnetized axially and are arranged with the ends of opposite magnetic polarity in such a way as to be connected in series via the ferromagnetic yoke4.

If necessary the structure of the cylindrical modules3can be contained in a non-magnetic covering matrix9.

The assembly1comprises a square plaque or panel6with cut-away corners which defines, in the direction of the thickness of the panel6, lateral recessed edges7with an arched cross profile.

The radius of curvature of the four edges of the panel6is equal to the radius of the cylindrical modules3.

As can be seen, the assembly consists of four cylindrical modules3disposed in a square arrangement and of four spherical modules2arranged at the corners of the square in contact with the end bases of the two cylindrical modules3which converge therein.

The cylindrical modules3are oriented in such a way that the magnetic tensions caused thereby in the magnetic circuit formed by the-assembly are all combined in series.

Before finishing the assembly with the fourth and final cylindrical module3, the panel6is inserted in the plane zone defined by the remaining three cylindrical modules3until each edge of the panel6is slotted on the lateral wall of a corresponding cylindrical module3.

After insertion of the panel6the last cylindrical module3is slotted in the side of the remaining free side of panel6to complete the assembly.

Clearly the panel6, although leaving the flexibility of assembly of the modules unchanged, acts in the sense that it stiffens the assembly and allows it to maintain its shape even where there is shearing or torsional stress, and at the same time can act as a surface for supporting a weight.

The panel6can be in colored or natural plastic material or wood, in lightweight metal or in any other lightweight and economical material yet sufficiently resistant from the mechanical standpoint.

The panel6is removably fitted between the cylindrical modules3and can naturally be reused as required for the creation of new and different assemblies.

The assembly ofFIG. 1can form the basis for the construction of definitely more complex three-dimensional grid structures.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, an assembly of modules is illustrated for the construction of a structure similar to that ofFIG. 1but with modules having a different shape and structure.

In this case the spherical ferromagnetic modules2forming the corners of the square structure are replaced with permanently magnetic cubic modules10having two adjacent faces10′ and10″ with opposite magnetic polarity, while the cylindrical modules3forming the sides of the square structure are replaced by modules8which are structurally identical but in the form of a parallelepiped with a square cross-section.

In this case, the system of removably slotting between the panel12and the modules8, although still of the male/female type, is made in a different way by forming rectangular grooves11with width equal to the thickness of the panel12along the longitudinal median axes of each of the four lateral faces of the parallelepiped modules8.

Naturally other forms of removable slotting of the panels in modules other than those shown here can be provided without departing from the principle claimed. Obviously the number and points of positioning the stabilization panels in a more complex grid structure can be varied as required by the person constructing it.

In order to adapt to the various possible shapes of the areas defined by the modules forming a grid structure, the panel can also have in turn a triangular, rectangular, pentagonal or generically polygonal shape.

The present principle must be also be considered extended to the cases wherein the modules of the assembly are different in terms of shape, structure and dimensions from those shown hitherto, but such as to create in any case a grid structure. Modules extending along a preferential axis, for example straight prisms or cylinders with a generically polygonal base, will preferably be used, alone or combined with modules without a preferential extension axis, for example cubes or spheres, and slotting will take place between a panel and the modules extending along a preferential axis, that define a polygonal area of the grid structure.

All the modules and the procedure for assembly of the modules illustrated in the Italian patent no. 01301090 can advantageously be used.

In particular, the modules which create the grid structure can thus be modules of a first type, consisting of at least one active magnetic element, that is to say an element which has two surfaces of opposite polarity, at least one ferromagnetic element and possibly a non-magnetic covering matrix, or modules of the first type combined with modules of a second type, the latter consisting of a ferromagnetic element possibly inserted in a non-magnetic covering matrix.

The modules are assembled in such a way that the magnetic flow generated by the active magnetic elements used in the anchorage closes totally or at least partially via the ferromagnetic parts of the grid structure, and in such a way that the magnetic tensions produced in the magnetic circuit generated by the active magnetic elements which achieve anchorage are combined in series.

FIG. 6shows a three-dimensional assembly made with spherical modules2and cylindrical modules3identical to those described with reference toFIGS. 1,2and3.

In this example of assembly1′, which represents a model of a cubic grid of a crystal type with a centered body, the panels6′ have a hole in the center which allows a cylindrical module3, inserted through it, to be supported. The presence of at least three panels in three corresponding orthogonal faces of the cubic structure prevents deformation of the structure caused by application of a bending or shearing action thereon. If preservation of the deformability of the structure in one of its main directions is required, it will be sufficient to eliminate from the structure the panel arranged in the plane wherein deformation is to be produced.

The panels can improve the recreation potential of the grid structure to be constructed, as they can for example depict portions of a picture of a three-dimensional puzzle.

The panels can also act as explanatory or advertising boards, in addition to allowing the creation of closed, half-closed or open volumes, which can be used according to the most widely varying needs of furnishing, support, containing or other purposes.

A particularly advantageous panel structure in accordance with the present invention provides a main panel which can be removably combined with a panel cover mounted above the main panel, which panel cover extends beyond the edges of the corresponding main panel to increase the covered portion of the modules circumscribing the polygonal area wherein the main panel is attached. This aspect of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 7, where the main square panel6″ is combined with a panel cover14, in this case square and transparent, which protrudes beyond the edges of the main panel6″ until it covers almost half the upper lateral surface of the cylindrical modules between which it is inserted.

The panel cover14has feet16at the four corners which can be press-fitted in a housing cavity18formed on the body of the main panel6″ in such a way as to form a single body with the main panel6″.

The internal side of the panel cover14supports in turn a square plate20with dimensions equal to the panel cover14, which plate bears a decorative pattern or picture or part of a picture to be displayed. Finally the plate20has at the four corners respective apertures which can be entered by the feet16of the panel cover14before the latter is in turn attached to the main panel6″.

The use of the panel cover enables greater coverage, at most complete, of the modules of the grid structure, and enables a picture or a decoration for display to be removed, recomposed or changed without having to open or disassemble each time the modules of the grid structure.