Abstract:
A modular construction system and method of assembly designed to provide the user with the flexibility to build a wide array of customized buildings and other similar items, while offering lifelike detail of construction materials in those items. The system and method include a number of stackable unique part shapes which may be used in different orientations to construct a building, partial building, sculpture, or other item. The pieces have an integrated system for attaching to one another, which is designed so that pieces may be oriented a number of different ways relative to one another, for example, in order to minimize the chance of pattern repetition in the texture of the walls of the final structure. The structural pieces of the product may contain only female receptacles for attachment. Attachment may be accomplished by inserting a double ended male piece into each of two abutting female receptacles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/720,536 entitled “Modular Construction Products and Method of Assembly Thereof” filed Oct. 31, 2012, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Aspects of the invention relate to assembleable and disassembleable building systems, particularly for model and toy applications, comprising a plurality of building piece portions and at least one type of connection piece designed to interconnectedly work together to allow assembly of construction products. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Aspects of the present invention provide a modular construction product designed to give the user the flexibility to build a wide array of customized buildings, while offering lifelike detail of construction materials in those buildings. The product includes a number of stackable or otherwise connectible unique part shapes (also interchangeably referred to herein as structural assembly components) that may be used in different orientations with connection pieces to construct a building, partial building, or sculpture, for example. The unique part shapes and connectors provide an integrated system for attachment, which is designed so that pieces may be oriented a number of different ways in relation to one another. In some variations, the attachment features are designed so as to minimize the chance of pattern repetition in the texture of the walls and/or other features of the assembled structure. 
         [0004]    In one example variation of a system in accordance with aspects of the present invention, the main structural pieces of the product contain one or more female receptacles (also interchangeably referred to herein as female cavities) for use in attachable assembly. Attachment is accomplished by inserting a double ended male piece (also interchangeably referred to herein as a male connector portion) into each of two female receptacles. In some variations, the male and female pieces are designed to lock together so that the pieces do not separate unintentionally. In other variations, the female receptacles are designed without the locking mechanism, so as to make disassembly/deconstruction of certain portions of the structure easier for use in game and other play. 
         [0005]    Additional advantages and novel features relating to aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Aspects of the present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limited to aspects of the present invention shown, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show example partial cutaway views of an example connector and pieces connectable by the connectors in accordance with a first example connector mechanism for securing elements of the product to one another, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show cutaway views of portions of the example connector and pieces of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the receiving female cavity containing a portion too small for the legs or extensions of the male portion to easily pass through in their extended positions, the legs or extensions being capable of flexing out of position in order to pass the shoulders of the female part, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show cutaway views of the example connector and pieces of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the legs or extensions are shown having passed the shoulders and returned to their original, extended position upon reaching a section of the opening that widens to its original dimensions past the shoulders section of the receiving opening, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows a cutaway view of the example connector and pieces of  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein a second piece of wall or floor may be added to the assembled portions of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , such as by attaching the second piece to the pieces of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in a similar manner to as described with regard to  FIGS. 1-6 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8A-8C  show example perspective views of the first example connection mechanism for holding the product together, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-9F  show aspects of the an example second connection mechanism wherein the male portion of each of the connectors has legs or extensions biased to an extended position, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10A-10F ,  11 , and  12  show various cutaway views of the example second type connector mechanism and connected portions, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 13A-13E , and  14  show a third example connection mechanism for holding various portions of the product together, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 15-63  show perspective and other views of various example connectible product portions for use in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 64A-64C  and  65 - 76  show perspective, partial cutaway, and other views of example connectible product portions and connectors in various states of partial and full assembly, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 77-84  show various views of example assembled products and/or portions thereof, assembled, disassembled, and use in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Aspects of the present invention include a variety of shaped three dimensional pieces (see below) that may be assembled to create structures, models, toys, or artwork, among other things. The system of specific piece sizes and shapes, combined with connecting features, such as double female/double male connection mechanisms allow greater flexibility when interconnecting pieces together than typical conventional modular construction systems of the related art. 
         [0019]    In some variations in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a number of different connectors, such as locking and slip-fit connectors, allow a user to lock specific pieces together, while allowing other components to be easily taken apart for ease of use or other purposes, for example, such as when utilizing the product for hobby activities (e.g., role-playing or other miniature combat games). 
         [0020]    In accordance with aspects of the present invention, textures of the body pieces may be varied in order to add variety to the types of buildings that may be constructed with various sets of parts. For example, the parts shown in  FIGS. 15-63  may provide for at least a portion of their external surfaces to have the appearance of rough stone construction typical of medieval fortifications (castles); however, by changing the texture to cut stone and adding vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, flying buttresses, etc., the models could be used to represent cathedral and church architecture, for example. By varying the textures to half-timbered style, for example, the pieces may be used to represent European urban architecture. By changing to more modern or futuristic textures, the product can be used to represent futuristic or science-fiction settings, etc. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show partial cutaway views of an example connector and pieces connectable via the connectors, in accordance with a first example connector mechanism (interchangeably referred to herein as example Peg Type  1 ) for securing elements of the product to one another. Example Peg Type  1  is designed so that male portions of the connectors have legs or extensions that extend from a central body portion and are biased to a radially extended position, such that when inserted into a cooperating female opening, the legs or extensions biasedly engage a receiving slot shoulder in the female opening wall, thereby retaining the male extension within the female opening. 
         [0022]    Specifically, as further shown in the cutaway views of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , because some portions of the receiving female cavity may be too small for the legs or extensions to pass therethrough in their extended positions, the legs or extensions may flex out of position (inwardly radially, relative to one another and relative to an axis longitudinally extending [e.g., in the A/A′ direction as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ] through the center of the peg) in order to pass the shoulders of the female part, via, for example, a ramp portion declinably extending toward the cavity opening. The shoulders in the female part may be designed so as to provide a narrow passage, through which the legs or extensions cannot easily pass in their extended state, via a retaining section located adjacent the shoulder at the end of the cavity opposite the opening. Force applied in the A or A′ direction as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  may cause the legs or extensions to flex inward in order to pass through the opening. 
         [0023]    As further shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , with regard to the example implementation of  FIGS. 1-4 , the legs or extensions, having passed the shoulders, may return to their original position (e.g., extend outwardly relative to one another) when reaching the section of the opening that widens to its original dimensions past the shoulders section of the receiving opening. Once returned to their original, extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the legs or extensions may be locked in place by the shoulder cooperating with an outwardly extending tab or other extending or otherwise retaining feature of the leg. Until a force equal to or greater than the force applied in the A direction in  FIG. 6  (the B′ direction) is applied, for example, the two pieces may remain locked together. The adjoining cavities of two pieces locked together may be sized and shaped such that the central body portion is contained within the adjoining cavities and is thereby not visible, with the pieces being tightly fitted to one another, for example. When a force is applied in the B′ direction, such as a force equal or greater than the force that was applied in the B direction, then the pieces may separate. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , further to the example implementation of  FIGS. 1-6 , a second piece of wall or floor may be added to the assembled portions of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , such as by attaching the second piece to the pieces of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , along the A′ direction of the peg, in a similar manner to as described with regard to  FIGS. 1-6 . As with the assembly of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second piece may similarly be locked via the peg, so that the three pieces together are assembled, unless and until force is applied in both the C and the C′ direction (e.g., contemporaneously), at which time the pieces may be separated. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 8A-8C  show example perspective views of the Peg Type  1  mechanism for holding the product together. As further shown in  FIGS. 9A-9F , example Peg Type  1  may be designed, for example, such that the male portion of each of the connectors has legs or extensions biased to an extended position, such that when inserted into the female opening in the D direction as shown in  FIGS. 9A-9F , the legs or extensions biasedly engage a receiving slot shoulder in the female opening wall, thereby retaining the male legs or extensions within the female opening. In the example implementation shown in  FIGS. 9A-9F , these legs may be positioned such that one or more of the legs engage the sides (flats) of the female openings in order to avoid, for example, detritus from the casting process that may be left in the corners of the cast pieces. 
         [0026]    Example Peg Type  2  (as discussed further below) may also allow for slightly more displacement between connected pieces than example Peg Type  1 , in order to allow for potential tolerance discrepancies among pieces. Once inserted, a second piece may be attached to the opposite end of the peg for a tight connection, similarly to as shown and discussed with regard to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0027]    The pegs may be made from and/or incorporate various grades of plastic or other similar material, for example, to provide differing degrees of hardness, so as to achieve multiple holding strengths, depending upon the desired application. Pegs may be color coded or otherwise marked or indicated, such as to reflect different hardnesses and/or differing uses/applications. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 10A-10F ,  11 , and  12  show an example second type connector mechanism (also interchangeably referred to herein as example Peg Type  2 ) usable in accordance with aspects of the present invention for holding pieces of the system together. As shown in  FIGS. 10A-10F , example Peg Type  2  may operate similarly to example Peg Type  1 , except that Peg Type  2  may be designed, for example, such that the male portion of each of the connectors has legs or extensions on one side only, which are biased to an extended position, so that when inserted into the female opening in the E direction, the legs or extensions biasedly engage a receiving slot shoulder in the female opening wall, thereby retaining the male extension within the female opening. Unlike some other example peg types disclosed herein, the E direction half of example Peg Type  3  may be generally smooth on its external surface and designed to slidably fit inside of the shoulders that are integral to the retention features of the female receiving opening. The slidable fit may be an interference fit to assist in semi-permanently retaining the E direction half within the female receiving opening. These features, among other things, allow a user to create a slidable fit with the E directionally engaged piece as shown in  FIGS. 10A-10F  above, but leaving the locking mechanism exposed in the E′ direction so as to be able to lock only to the piece engaged from the E′ direction. 
         [0029]    As with some other variations disclosed herein, the example pegs of  FIGS. 10A-10F  may be made from and/or incorporate various grades of plastic or similar materials, for example, so as to provide different hardnesses to achieve multiple holding strengths depending upon the desired application, and they may be color coded or otherwise marked or indicated. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 13A-13E , and  14  show a third example connection mechanism (also interchangeably referred to herein as example Peg Type  3 ) for holding various portions of the product together. Example Peg Type  3  may be designed such that the male portion of the connectors have legs or extensions biased to an extended position, such that when inserted into the female opening in the F direction, the legs or extensions biasedly engage a receiving slot shoulder in the female opening wall, thereby retaining the male extension within the female opening. This example variation of the connection mechanism may operate similarly to that of example Peg Type  1 , for example, except that, in this variation, the legs or extensions may be positioned such that they engage into the corners of the female receiver (as opposed to with the flat side portions of the cavity, as shown and described with respect to example Peg Type  1 ) for minimal displacement between connected pieces. Once inserted, a second piece may be attached to the opposite end of the peg for a tight connection. 
         [0031]    As with some other variations disclosed herein, the example pegs of  FIGS. 13A-13E , and  14  may be made from and/or incorporate various grades of plastic or similar materials, for example, so as to provide different hardnesses to achieve multiple holding strengths depending upon the desired application, and they may be color coded and/or otherwise marked or indicated. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 15-63  show perspective and other views of various example connectible product portions for use in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Pairs of each of these example connectible product portions may be assembled together in various orientations, for example, using connectors and connection system features in accordance with aspects of the present invention, so as to form structures or other items. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 64A-64C  and  65 - 76  show perspective, partial cutaway, and other views of example connectible product portions and connectors, and systems therefore, in various states of partial and full assembly, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 77-84  show various views of example assembled products and/or portions thereof, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Although exemplary aspects of the present invention have now been discussed in accordance with the above advantages, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that these examples are merely illustrative and that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope hereof.