Abstract:
A modular system for forming without tools a variety of 3-dimensional structures comprises panels ( 10 ), and connectors ( 13, 14 ), and locking bridging members ( 30 ) for assembling the panels ( 10 ) together in a desired configuration. The panels can be disconnected so that the erected structure can be disassembled with ease for future reuse. The system can be used to erect children&#39;s playhouses made of polymer materials, as well as in a large variety of other applications to create 3-dimensional objects requiring rapid positive construction without tools.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/CA2007/002098, filed on Nov. 20, 2007, which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,993, filed on Nov. 20, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an interlocking panel. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a panel, in a panel building set, which can be locked and unlocked to another like panel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Construction toys for children are commonly available and are comprised typically of 3-dimensional blocks having a brick-like appearance. Some such toys provide for interlocking between blocks, but due to their ungainly nature and/or small size, they cannot be made to enclose three-dimensional habitable spaces easily. Small interlocking blocks have been used to design and construct toys and shapes according to children&#39;s imagination, but these blocks are too small to create space enclosures cheaply or simply. For the same reason, these blocks cannot be used to create labyrinths, furniture, or other playthings at a scale which the child can play in. 
         [0004]    Space enclosures specifically designed for play use as children&#39;s toys are typically not designed for flexibility as a system that can produce enclosures of many shapes, but rather are typically designed for a single end use, are shipped disassembled to save space, and are erected at the end use location. As such, they provide less incentive for creative play than if they were able to be joined together easily to make space enclosures according to the imagination of the end user. Assembly methods of such space enclosures can vary from using tools to using hook and loop interlocking fabric (Velcro™) as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,249 or more complex assembly means, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,870. The simpler assembly methods are generally used for single-purpose structures, while the more complex assembly methods do not lend themselves to simple assembly and disassembly by children. 
         [0005]    Use of foam blocks to make children&#39;s toy space enclosures is limited by cost, the need for space to store them, safety concerns related to flammability and hygiene, and the need to balance structural strength with compressibility, amongst other limitations. 
         [0006]    This present invention allows children to rapidly create safe 3-dimensional structures in a wide variety of shapes, including space enclosures, and to disassemble them and store the parts in a very small space. The design allows manufacturing them and distributing them at a relatively low cost, thus creating a new class of children&#39;s toy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for joining modular panels without tools to form 3-dimensional structures and to disassemble them for future reuse. The panels can mate mechanically with one another, and may be made of multiple geometric shapes of three or more sides, allowing them to form an almost infinite number of forms when joined together in various ways. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the present invention is that assembly and disassembly of the panels is very easy and positive, so that panels sized for children&#39;s toys can easily be assembled by a child without the aid of an adult. 
         [0009]    It is further an object of the present invention to provide panels that are designed to be stackable for storage, and may be made in sections and materials optimized for structural strength, stiffness, light weight or other desirable mechanical properties in order to ensure fitness for use. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fastening system allowing the positive assembly of panels at varying predetermined angles to each other in three dimensions, as well as the assembly of multiple panels emanating out of a common singular axis. 
         [0011]    In order to allow the builder to plan for and visualize the intended structure, a further aspect of this invention is an interactive web-based tool which allows the builder to build a virtual representation of the structure by selecting from a library of parts and assembling them on a computer. In its basic form, this tool would allow, for example, children to construct virtual space enclosures and other toys and would allow them to print construction plans for their creation. This software could as well allow the ordering of the pieces required to build the designed forms. In addition to having an interactive web based tool, it is an object of this invention to provide software that could be loaded onto a computer to provide a means of designing and building forms with the library of parts all in a virtual environment. 
         [0012]    According to the present invention, there is provided a system for joining panels to form 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising interlocking panels, connectors, and locking clips, wherein each panel has at least one connector on at least one of its edges, with said connector being adapted to provide a positive snap-in lock with a mating connector on an adjacent panel, such that the completed connection is able to swivel about a longitudinal axis of the connector to permit orienting the panels to a selected angle in relation to each other, and wherein adjacent parts of the panels may be fixed in place by one or more clips inserted along adjoining edges thereof to substantially prevent a rotation of the connectors. 
         [0013]    More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a panel comprising: at least first and second edges; cooperating first and second connection elements provided on the first and second edges, respectively; the first and second connection elements of adjacent panels being adapted to snap connect together to interlock the adjacent panels while allowing for a relative pivot between the adjacent panels. 
         [0014]    More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kit for erecting 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising interlocking panels, connectors, and locking clips, wherein each panel has at least one connector on at least one of its edges, with said connector being adapted to provide a positive snap-in lock with a mating connector on an adjacent panel, such that the completed connection is able to swivel about a longitudinal axis of the connector to permit orienting the panels to a selected angle in relation to each other, and wherein adjacent parts of the panels may be fixed in place by one or more clips inserted along adjoining edges thereof to substantially prevent a rotation of the connectors. 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the appended drawings: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a panel according to a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary view of two panels similar to the panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a pair of C-shaped members and a pair of corresponding bars, in an unlocked position thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of two panels, similar to the panel of  FIG. 1 , assembled together in a locked position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4A , showing the panels in the unlocked position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4A , now showing the panels coplanar in a locked position; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views similar to  FIG. 4C , but showing the two panels at various angles one with respect to the other; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a bridging member, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  is a top plan view of the bridging member of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7A  is another fragmentary perspective view of the bridging element of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 4A , showing the bridging member of  FIG. 6A  engaged to two adjacent panels of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary enlarged view of a corner of the panel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a raised rib configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view illustrating the bridging member of  FIG. 6A  before being inserted into two raised rib configurations of two panels of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9B  is a view similar to  FIG. 9A  but showing the bridging member after having been engaged to the two raised rib configurations of two panels; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a flat wall made from four interlocked panels of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a variant of the interlocking system of  FIG. 3 , that is male and female connector elements herein shown in an unlocked position thereof, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12A  illustrates the male and female connector elements of  FIG. 11 , just before being engaged together; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12B  illustrates the male and female connector elements of  FIG. 11 , engaged to one another; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13A  is a fragmented front elevational view of a female connecting element and a male connecting element, the latter having flanges on which are mounted center guiding posts protruding outwardly therefrom, according to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13B  is a schematic representation of an assembly of four panels being interlocked about a same axis; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13C  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 13B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    The present invention relates to panels that can be connected by means of a snap-on connection so as to form various shapes and structures, including 3-dimensional structures. The panels can be manually assembled and disassembled. The panels can be provided, for example, with joiner parts, lockable hinge-type mechanisms and bridging elements. 
         [0039]    A panel for use in a panel building set, according to non-restrictive illustrative embodiments of the present invention, will now be described. In a first embodiment, the panel comprises C-shaped female and bar male connection elements to allow two adjacent panels to be engaged together. In a second embodiment, the panel comprises further male and female connection elements, the panel of the second embodiment being otherwise similar to the panel of the first embodiment. 
         [0040]    It is to be noted that the illustrative embodiments each feature a panel having four equal sides or edges; however, it is understood that the panels may have three edges or more, which may be of equal or different lengths. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a panel  10  is described. The panel  10  generally has the form of a square having four edges  80   1 ,  80   2 ,  80   3  and  80   4  of equal length. Panel  10  comprises a concentric, central square portion  12 , the edges  90   1 ,  90   2 ,  90   3  and  90   4  of which are parallel to the edges  80   1 ,  80   2 ,  80   3  and  80   4  of panel  10 . Central square portion  12  is slightly convex, as can be seen in  FIG. 2 . A square frame  16 , having an external boundary  92 , is formed on the edges  90   1 ,  90   2 ,  90   3  and  90   4  of the central square portion  12 . A relatively flat perimeter flange or band  11  is formed on the external boundary  92  of the square frame  16 , the perimeter band  11  being generally parallel to the central square portion  12 . A raised rib configuration  15 , which will be described in detail hereinbelow, is provided on each of the four corners  310  of the perimeter band  11 . 
         [0042]    The perimeter band  11  comprises four sides  11   1 ,  11   2 ,  11   3 ,  11   4 . The opposed sides  11   1  and  11   2  each comprise a pair of first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′; likewise, the opposed sides  11   3  and  11   4  each comprise a pair of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′, which are configured to mate with a corresponding pair of the first snap on connection elements  14  and  14 ′ of another panel  10 . Openings  19  and  19 ′ (see  FIG. 3 ) are defined in the perimeter band  11  about respectively each of the first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′, on both sides  11  and  11   2 . 
         [0043]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′ and the second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ will be described in more detail. 
         [0044]    As previously mentioned, side  11   1  comprises two openings  19  and  19 ′, which are square-shaped and defined on one side by the square frame  16 , and on the opposite side, by bars  17  and  17 ′ of first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′, such that the longitudinal axes of bars  17  and  17 ′ are coaxial with the edge  80   1  of panel  10 . Two protruding blades  21  and  21 ′ project from respectively each end of the bars  17  and  17 ′, perpendicular to the axes of the bars  17  and  17 ′ and generally parallel to the perimeter band  11 . 
         [0045]    Side  11   2  is similar to side  11   1 ; accordingly, a description of the former is similar to the above description of the latter. 
         [0046]    Side  11   3  comprises a pair of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ mounted on the edge  80   3  of panel  10 . The second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ comprise respectively C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ and finger tabs  23  and  23 ′. C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ generally each have the form of a cylinder cut longitudinally just over its half-way point and are made of a resilient material and provide the snap-on connection to the bars  17  and  17 ′ of the connection elements  14  and  14 ′. Finger tabs  23  and  23 ′ are provided at free ends of the C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′, extend longitudinally therealong and protrude therefrom. C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ are configured to accommodate respectively bars  17  and  17 ′ of another panel  10 . Two slots  22  and  22 ′ are formed on edge  80   3 , respectively at each end of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′. Typically, the bars  17  and  17 ′ are substantially of the same length as the second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′. 
         [0047]    Side  11   3  is similar to side  11   4 ; accordingly, a description of the former is similar to the above description of the latter. 
         [0048]    The pair of first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′ and the pair of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ are respectively positioned congruently on edges  80   1  or  80   2 , and on edges  80   3  or  80   4 , so that in a locked position, the pair of first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′ of one panel  10  is opposite to the pair of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ of another panel  10 . Likewise, slots  22  and  22 ′ are located respectively opposite to protruding blades  21  and  21 ′. 
         [0049]    It is to be noted that the pair of first snap-on connection elements  14  and  14 ′ and the pair of second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ are, in the present embodiment, symmetrical about center lines  84  and  86  of panel  10 . 
         [0050]    In the locked position of two adjacent panels  10 , C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ of one panel  10  snap on bars  17  and  17 ′ of the other panel  10 , such that the axes of the former are coaxial with the axes of the latter. In this manner, C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ and bars  17  and  17 ′ form a pivot assembly about which the two panels  10  can pivot relative to one another. Slots  22  and  22 ′ ensure that protruding blades  21  and  21 ′ are not obstructed while a pivotal movement is effected between both panels  10 . 
         [0051]    Bars  17  and  17 ′ are bordered by structural ribs  20  and  20 ′, which merge into the protruding blades  21  and  21 ′. These elements will be described in more detail hereinbelow. Structural ribs  20  and  20 ′ have a function of locating and stabilizing bars  17  and  17 ′. The distance between structural ribs  20  and  20 ′ are such that the bars  17  and  17 ′ can be snapped into place in the second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ with little or no lateral play, while allowing the second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′ to generally rotate freely about bars  17  and  17 ′. Openings  19  an  19 ′ allow a user&#39;s fingers to have access to bars  17  and  17 ′ and C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′. It should be noted that openings  19  and  19 ′ allow access to perform this function from both sides of panel  10 . Accordingly, assembling or disassembling a structure made of panels  10  can be performed from both sides thereof. 
         [0052]    Finger tabs  23  and  23 ′ of the second snap-on connection elements  13  and  13 ′, as shown in  FIG. 3 , can provide a gripping means so as to unsnap C-shaped members  18  or  18 ′ of one panel  10  from bars  17  or  17 ′ of another panel  10 . Protruding blades  21  and  21 ′ protrude from perimeter edges  80   1  or  80   2  of panel  10  at a distance Y. Similarly, finger tabs  23  and  23 ′ protrude from perimeter edges  80   3  or  80   4  of panel  10 , at a distance Y′, wherein Y=Y′, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, many panels  10  can be assemble in a symmetric fashion. It should be further noted that when multiple panels  10  are assembled together, for instance in a vertical fashion perpendicular to a support surface such as a floor, the lowermost row of panel perimeter edges  80  will be supported at a same elevation with respect to the floor since the panels are supported by the finger tabs  23 / 23 ′ or the protruding blades  21 / 21 ′ and since Y=Y′. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4A  illustrate two panels in a locked position, whereas  FIGS. 4B and 4C  are two sectional views therefrom, respectively in an unlocked position and in a locked position. Turning now to  FIG. 4B , C-shaped element  18  is characterized by a slightly closed “C” shape, i.e. a transversal view of C-shaped element  18  is characterized by a perimeter which is slightly longer than that of exactly half a circle, the C-shaped element  18  extending at  88 , i.e. on a side thereof opposite the finger tab  23 , beyond a median plane of the perimeter band/flange  11 . The slightly closed configuration of the “C” provides interference for the entry of bars  17  and  17 ′. The material and thickness used to manufacture C-shaped member  18  and  18 ′ are chosen so as to allow limited outward deflection thereof, and the deflection is to be resilient. The material can be advantageously a polymer resin. Accordingly, the interference between C-shaped member  18  and bar  17  is overcome by a resilient deformation of C-shaped member  18 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates a bar  17  in a locked position in a C-shaped element  18 , wherein the latter accommodates and retain therein the former. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the two panels  10 , which are in a locked position, can pivot relative to one another by an angle greater than 270°, the pivotal movement being only restricted by the perimeter band  11  of a first panel&#39;s abutting against bulge  88  of another panel  10 , wherein the extended span of the pivot angle advantageously favors both a flexibility of construction and an increased number of configurations. 
         [0055]    It is possible to assemble many panels  10 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , so as to form a flat wall  90 . In order to stabilize the wall  90 , a bridging member  30  in the form of a locking clip, as better shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , is provided. Bridging member  30  is inserted between adjacent panels both for bridging the panels  10  and for stabilizing them at a chosen angle as desired by the builder. More specifically, bridging member  30  allows stabilizing two panels together from an acute angle to an angle of 180° therebetween, depending on the angle chosen for the bridging member  30 . Equally the bridging member can be made to have variable angles by way of, for example, a lockable hinge type mechanism, or a multiple bridging elements creating a center spoke type bridge system. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , about each corner  310  of the panel  10 , there is provided on each side of the panel  10  a rib configuration  15 , which is generally characterized by two parallel and spaced “L”-shaped ribs  42  and  43 . In the present illustrative embodiment, each segment of the “L” is perpendicular to an edge of panel  10 . However, it is believed to be within the reach of one skilled in the art to envisage other configurations for a rib configuration, depending on the geometry of a panel. At each end, the “L”-shaped ribs  42  and  43  open or flare (in a Y-shape) to form funnels  44  and  44 ′, so as to facilitate an insertion of the bridging member  30  in a gap  46  defined between the “L”-shaped ribs  42  and  43 . More particularly, facing, inwardly extending, end walls (or hooks)  33  and  33 ′ as well as  50  and  50 ′ of the bridging member  30  can register snugly in the gaps  46  of rib configurations  15  provided on adjacent corners of the two connected panels  10  and on each side of these panels  10 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  7 A and  FIG. 7B , the bridging member  30  will now be described in detail. Bridging member  30  has a general configuration of two back-to-back elongated “C” shapes  100  linked by a separating wall  32 , the thickness of which is substantially equal to a gap  70  between two joined panels  10 , and as shown in  FIG. 9A . Opposite to the separating wall  32 , the “C” shapes  100  each terminate with a hook-like end wall  33  and  50 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the panel  10  is characterized by slightly raised rib configurations  15  on all of its corners. Two slot openings  36  and  36 ′ are defined at both ends of bridging member  30  and define the open ends of the “C” shapes  100 . Typically, the width of the slot openings  36  and  36 ′ is generally the same as, or slightly less than, the thickness of perimeter band  11 , so that when bridging member  30  is in place, it provides a positive squeezing on perimeter band  11  of panel  10  by way of resilient deformations of the elongated “C” shapes  100  of bridging member  30 . Advantageously, bridging member  30  is made of a slightly flexible polymer material having a spring-like memory. 
         [0058]    Inside the elongated “C” shapes  100 , and opposite to slot openings  36  and  36 ′, two corresponding slots or grooves  37  and  37 ′ are defined in the separating wall  32 . Similarly, the thickness of slots  37  and  37 ′ is generally the same as, or slightly less than, the thickness or perimeter band  11 . For the purposes of rendering an example in this invention the bridging member  30  is symmetrical about the center of the separating wall  32 . As seen in  FIG. 7A , hook-like end walls  33  and  50  have chamfered corners  39  and  39 ′ so as to facilitate locating the bridging member  30  on the rib configurations  15 . Once inserted in the rib configurations  15 , the bridging member  30  allows for stabilizing two interlocked panels  10  at a chosen angle. The bridging member  30  can further comprise rigidifying ribs  56 . In the present illustrative embodiment, the two elongated “C” shapes  100  are so configured as to bridge two panels  10  at an angle of 180°. However, different bridging elements can be used, such that the “C” shapes thereof are so configured as to bridge two panels at another angle, for angle. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 9A , the bridging member  30  is used to stabilize two adjoining panels  10  that are already connected via the first and second snap-on connection elements  14 / 14 ′ and  13 / 13 . Furthermore, the bridging member  30  may serve to structure adjoined panels by solidifying and locking the rotating hinge joint between the panels.  FIG. 9A  illustrates two adjoining panels  10 , with the bridging member  30  before it is inserted in the raised rib configurations  15 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates the bridging member  30  in place after it has been inserted in the raised rib configurations  15  of the two joined panels  10 . As it can be noted on  FIG. 9B , the bridging member  30  stabilizes the two panels  10 . 
         [0060]    The bridging member  30  can also be used to stabilize  4  panels by first assembling two such panels as shown in  FIG. 9B , and by then assembling  2  more panels as shown in  FIG. 10 . Once assembled as such, the bridging member  30  can be moved to the position shown in  FIG. 10  where it straddles  4  panels instead of just 2. This will have effect of stabilizing  4  panels. 
         [0061]    So as to control the registration and degree of travel of the bridging member  30  once inserted, the inside of each of the “C” shape  100  of the bridging member  30  is further characterized by two rows of ribs  51  which act as abutments against both sides of the perimeter flange/band  11 . A gap  60  between the rows of ribs  51  is essentially equal to the thickness of the perimeter flange  11  on panel  10 . This insertion of the bridging member  30  can further be made to terminate in a over center snap detail where there is a hole or depression  41  on the panel  10  in the area of the rib configuration  15  and an opposing central rib  52  and  52 ′ found on the bridging member  30  at the center of each “C”. Each rib  52  and  52 ′ is the same height as all other ribs  51  and further exhibits a protrusion  38  substantially at the center point of the rib  52 / 52 ′, as shown in  FIG. 7A , such that when the bridging member  30  is inserted, termination of the insertion includes the snapping of the protrusion  38  into the hole or depression  41 . This snap assembly can be made to be removable so as to allow for disassembly. 
         [0062]    The rib configuration  15  is found symmetrically on both sides of the perimeter band  11  such that the back to back “C” configuration can be used to pin and hold the panels  10  at a given angle. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the bridging member  30  can be fashioned where the openings  54  and  53  can be at various angles one to the other so as to control the various configurations of the inter-panel assembly. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B , the panels  10  are easy to assemble without tools, and may even be assembled by children with limited motor skills. This fact taken into consideration, as well as the fact that bars  17  and  17 ′ as well as C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′ must be assembled to each other, by way of a means of compressing the bars  17  and  17 ′ into the C-shaped members  18  and  18 ′, the openings  19  and  19 ′ have been provided to allow the user&#39;s finger access to compress the elements together. It should be noted that this assembly procedure may be performed from either side of the panel in an unimpeded fashion. Thus, if the user has assembled multiple panels  10  together, the user may choose to assemble additional panels from the inside or the outside of the constructed assembly. 
         [0064]    In another illustrative embodiment, the snap-on connection is made by means of a male connecting element and a female connecting element, as will be described in detail hereinbelow, with reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  12 A and  12 B. Typically, but not necessarily, the connecting elements are located about the center of an edge of a panel, although a longer edge can bear more than one connecting element. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , two similar resilient female connecting elements  413  and  413  comprise respectively a flange  419  and a flange  419 ′ projecting normally from an edge  450  of a first panel  410 . The flanges  419  and  419 ′ are terminated by external surfaces  404  and  404 ′ and internal surfaces  406  and  406 ′, each being traversed respectively by center holes  425  and  425 ′. Opposite to the female connecting elements  413  and  413 ′, two similar male connecting elements  414  and  414 ′ comprise respectively a flange  418  and  418 ′ projecting normally from an edge  428  of another panel  410 . Flanges  418  and  418 ′ are terminated by external surfaces  400  and  400 ′ and internal surfaces  402  and  402 ′. Center guide posts  411  and  411 ′ project respectively from and perpendicular to the internal surfaces  402  and  402 ′ of male connecting elements  414  and  414 ′. In a locked position, center guide posts  411  and  411 ′ are snap inserted respectively in center holes  425  and  425 ′. It is to be noted that the distance between flanges  418  and  418 ′ and the distance between flanges  419  and  419 ′ are chosen so as to provide an effective snap on connection when female connecting elements  413  and  413 ′ and male connecting elements  414  and  414 ′ are in the locked position, i.e. the female connecting elements  413  and  413 ′ and the male connecting element  414  and  414 ′ are substantially opposite to one another. It is to be noted that, in order to facilitate the snap on connection, i.e. a snap assembly, it is possible to use a material and a thickness so that the male connecting elements  414  and  414 ′ are also resilient. Indeed, flanges  419  and  419 ′ may be permitted to elastically deflect when in contact with flanges  418  and  418 ′, or both pairs of connecting flanges  419  and  419 ′, and  418  and  418 ′, may be permitted to deflect elastically and independently when engaged together for snap assembly. 
         [0066]    To further facilitate a snap assembly, cylinders  462  and  462 ′ are interposed between internal surfaces  402  and  402 ′ on the one hand, and center guide posts  411  and  411 ′ on the other hand. Cylinders  462  and  462 ′ each have an outer chamfered edge  423  and  423 ′, respectively. Chamfers  430  and  430 ′ are provided on the external surfaces  404  and  404 ′, wherein chamfers  430  and  430 ′ interfere with outer chamfered edges  423  and  423 ′. In a locked position, cylinders  462  and  462 ′ are coaxially engaged in the center holes  425  and  425 ′, thus forming a hinge about which the two interlocked panels  410  can pivot. When the cylinders  462  and  462 ′ are snapped in place in the center holes  425  and  425 ′, chamfers  430  and  430 ′ slightly deflect flanges  418  and  418 ′ outwardly, and flanges  419  and  419 ′, inwardly, thus allowing cylinders  462  and  462 ′ to snap in place in the center holes  425  and  425 ′, as can be seen in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
         [0067]    Yet to further facilitate assembling the connecting elements  413 ,  413 ′,  414  and  414 ′, chamfers  430  and  430 ′ comprise radial slots  432  for facilitating guiding the center guide posts  411  and  411 ′ towards the center holes  425  and  425 ′ and thus engaging the cylinders  462  and  462 ′ therein. Slots  432  also help prevent center posts  411  and  411 ′ from being deflected too far from their original positions. 
         [0068]      FIG. 12A  illustrates the male  414  and  414 ′ and the female  413  and  413 ′ connection elements in an unlocked position, just before a locked position is reached, whereas  FIG. 12B  illustrates the same elements in a locked position. 
         [0069]    In the second illustrative embodiment, two panels  410  are being interlocked together about a common axis. However, it is to be noted that more than two panels  410  can be interlocked together about a same axis. Indeed, a panel  410  with male connecting elements having center guiding posts on external surfaces of corresponding flanges, such that the center guiding posts are directed outwardly instead of inwardly, can engage into center holes of a corresponding female connecting element from the inside thereof. In this manner, a panel  410  can be locked by engaging the center holes from the inside, whereas another panel  410  can be locked by engaging the center holes from the outside. As a result, three panels are interlocked together about a same axis. So as to facilitate multiple interlocking of panels, chamfers can be provided on both surfaces, internal and external, of the flanges corresponding to the female connecting elements. 
         [0070]    By varying the orientation of, and adding, chamfers and center guiding posts, as well as varying distances between pairs of two male/female connecting elements, it allows three or more panels to be interlocked about a same axis. 
         [0071]    Given by way of examples,  FIG. 13A  illustrates flanges  419  and  419 ′ of a female connecting element, and flanges  501  and  501 ′ of a male connecting element, from which center guiding posts  504  and  504 ′ protrude outwardly.  FIGS. 13B and 13C  illustrate an assembly of four panels  410 , two of which have female connecting elements with flanges having double chamfer elements  503 , the other two panels  410  having male connecting elements with outwardly-directed center guiding posts. 
         [0072]    The description of the present invention has been made with illustrative embodiments featuring panels that have a square shape. The illustrative embodiments have been given by way of example and it is to be noted that other shapes for the panels can be used. Indeed, a panel can be of any shape having three sides or more, the length of which can be variable relative to one another. This allows for fabricating structures based on principles of geodesic domes and related geometries, as well as, but not limited to, other Platonic and Archimedian polyhedra, or any other shapes that can conceivably be made from the system of panels, connectors, and clips described hereinabove. 
         [0073]    The connection elements are advantageously made from a material that allows repeated deflections to occur, without permanent deformation thereof. Thickness of the connection elements is chosen so as to obtain similar results. 
         [0074]    The area of the panel  10  circumscribed by the perimeter band  11  may be flat, dished, embossed, or otherwise formed. This is more clearly shown in  FIG. 2  by the convex surface  12  and square frame  16 . This convex surface serves to stiffen and strengthen the panel by increasing its moment of inertia and section modulus, respectively. In order to allow efficient stacking of the panels and to lower weight and cost, the thickness of the panel is normally kept as thin as is consistent with end use and method of manufacture. Stiffness and strength may also be adjusted by using different materials, adding or removing ribs, incorporating some other form of surface development, or adding to or subtracting from material thickness. 
         [0075]    Although not required for construction of the structures described in this invention, a further part of this invention is the creation of an interactive World Wide Web based tool which allows a builder to build a virtual representation of the structure by selecting from a library of parts and assembling them on a computer. 
         [0076]    In its simplest embodiment, this tool allows the builder to construct virtual space enclosures and other structures prior to selecting the pieces required to build them, and to print construction plans for their creation. 
         [0077]    Additionally, similar software used to allow a user to build structures via interaction on the World Wide Web, may be accessed by other software dissemination means such as a recorded containment means of said software which the user can then load onto a local computer for use, such as but not limited to an optically recorded digital memory disc. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, there is provided a packing box which acts as both a reusable storage box as well as transport dolly, and is adapted to the size and shape of the panels and connectors, and ergonomically suited to the end user&#39;s age, strength, and degree of manual dexterity. The box is resealable and can be comprised of wheels to facilitate transport and a handle to securely grip to transport it. 
         [0079]    The panels  10  are stackable in a tight arrangement, including in the illustrated embodiment, a relative rotation of 90° between adjacent panels such that there is a substantial nesting of the bars  17 / 17 ′ and the C-shaped members  18 / 18 ′ of one panel  10  respectively with the C-shaped members  18 / 18 ′ and the bars  17 / 17 ′ of each of the panel  10  located under and above the aforementioned one panel  10 . 
         [0080]    Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments can be modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.