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WO2018169396A1 - Ensemble de connecteurs pour ensemble de construction tridimensionnel - Google Patents

Ensemble de connecteurs pour ensemble de construction tridimensionnel Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018169396A1
WO2018169396A1 PCT/NL2018/050160 NL2018050160W WO2018169396A1 WO 2018169396 A1 WO2018169396 A1 WO 2018169396A1 NL 2018050160 W NL2018050160 W NL 2018050160W WO 2018169396 A1 WO2018169396 A1 WO 2018169396A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
pair
capturing
grooves
protrusions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NL2018/050160
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Maria Magdalena DEICHMANN
Albert Herre BARTH
Antonius Hermanus Jozef SCHOLTE
Gerrit Christiaan VAN NIFTERIK
Remy SCHLOESSER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ludento BV
Original Assignee
Ludento BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ludento BV filed Critical Ludento BV
Publication of WO2018169396A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018169396A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/062—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements with clip or snap mechanisms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • A63H33/101—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements with clip or snap mechanism

Definitions

  • the field of the invention relates to an assembly of connectors for three-dimensional construction assembly.
  • the field of the invention further relates to a first connector usable for building an assembly according to the present invention.
  • the field of the invention further relates to a second connector usable for building an assembly according to the present invention.
  • the field of the invention further relates to a process for producing a first connector according to the present invention.
  • An assembly of connectors for three-dimensional construction assembly is generally known, such as for building a toy assembly by connecting several toy pieces to each other.
  • Such a toy assembly may comprise a small number of types of toy pieces for constructing the three-dimensional construction assembly.
  • the toy pieces may comprise rods and connector pieces, wherein a connector and a rod may be connected to each other or connectors may be connected to other connectors.
  • the construction toy system comprises a variety of molded plastic connector elements, which are arranged to be joined with rod-like struts elements, to form complex structural units.
  • the connector element comprises a socket -forming recess for receiving a strut.
  • the socket- forming recess comprises a pair of spaced-apart gripping arms.
  • the pair of spaced-apart gripping arms hold one pair of transversely extending ribs for receiving the strut.
  • the ribs have a cylindrical contour.
  • the transversely extending ribs project into the recess to form a constricted inner throat area within the socket -forming recess.
  • the strut element comprises end portions, each comprising a flanged portion at the end extremity, an annular groove adjacent thereto and, a cylindrical portion adjacent to the annular groove.
  • the strut elements are arranged to be inserted into the socket -forming recess of the connector element with the flanged portion at the end extremity being received in the locked section formed by the constricted inner throat area of the recess.
  • the construction toy system has the disadvantage that the flanged end portion of the strut element can only be connected to the connector element in a single relative position, wherein the angle of the strut element is relatively fixed to the connector element. Furthermore, in order to assemble the connector elements at various angle with respect to each other, an increasing types of connector elements are necessary, each connector type being designed for providing a specific angle.
  • the connectors may be improved, such that the size of the connectors is scalable, for example to construct a toy assembly or a miniature assembly in a first size or scale embodiment of the connectors or to construct a furniture assembly or other movable objects, such as tables and chairs, used to make a house, office, or other space suitable for living or working in another size or scale embodiment of the connectors.
  • Embodiments of the invention aim to improve the assembly of connectors for a three-dimensional construction assembly, which provides design freedom to connect the various connectors in a simple and reliable manner.
  • Particular embodiments aim to improve an assembly of connectors for easily assembling a three-dimensional construction assembly, wherein the connectors are designed to be scalable in a simple manner.
  • Additional particular embodiments aim to provide a simple method of producing a first connector according to the present invention.
  • an assembly of connectors for three- dimensional construction assembly comprising:
  • a first connector comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least one jaws pair arranged onto the body, said jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving a second connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing a second connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the second connector, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess; and
  • the second connector comprising a body having a peripheral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the peripheral surface of the body comprises a pair of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of the body and being arranged at locations of the peripheral surface such that in an assembled state of the first connector and second connector the jaws pair captures the second connector element, when positioned in the receiving recess, by introducing at least one pair of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector into the pair of grooves.
  • the first connector may capture the second connector, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess, by introducing one pair of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector into the pair of grooves.
  • the second connector is partly accommodated inside the receiving recess.
  • the first connector may capture the second connector, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess in a second position, by introducing both pairs of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector into the pair of grooves.
  • the relative angular position of the first connector relative to the second connector may be fixed.
  • the relative angular position of the first connector relative to the second connector may be freely adjustably arranged. Furthermore, when introducing one pair of capturing protrusions into the pair of grooves, the location of capturing the second connector may be adjustable by moving the pair of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves of the second connector.
  • the same type of connector having two pair of capturing protrusions for capturing a second connector may be used to assemble the first connector to the second connector in several different assembled states, wherein the second connector may have various positions inside the receiving recess of the first connector.
  • the assembly of the first connector and the second connector provides design freedom for connecting the various connectors in a simple and reliable manner in various ways.
  • the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions project into the receiving recess, such that the first pair and / or the second pair of capturing protrusions may capture the second connector, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess.
  • the pair of jaw elements may hold the first pair of capturing protrusions and the second pair of capturing protrusions substantially stationary such that the position of the protrusions inside the receiving recess is substantially fixed.
  • the pair of jaw elements may be resiliency mounted on the body of the first connector for resiliency increasing a distance between the pair of jaw elements, when receiving a second connector in the receiving recess between the pair of jaw elements.
  • the pair of jaw elements may constitute a suitable structural plastic material for holding the first pair of capturing protrusions and the second pair of capturing protrusions substantially stationary, such that the position of the protrusions inside the receiving recess is substantially fixed.
  • the pair of grooves extends up to an edge of the second connector along the longitudinal axis of the body.
  • the first pair of capturing protrusions and the second pair of capturing protrusions may easily be introduced into the pair of grooves by sliding the pair of capturing protrusions from the edge of the second connector along the pair of grooves up to a desired position along the longitudinal axis of the body of the second connector.
  • the first pair of capturing protrusions has capturing protrusions being arranged extending substantially opposite to one another along a first axis and the second pair of capturing protrusions has capturing protrusions being arranged extending substantially opposite to one another along a second axis.
  • the first pair of capturing protrusions is arranged inwardly into the receiving recess along the first axis.
  • the second pair of capturing protrusions is arranged receiving recess along the second axis. In this way, the first pair and / or second pair of capturing protrusions are arranged for capturing a pair of grooves, which are arranged at opposite sides of the peripheral surface of the body of the second connector.
  • the pair of grooves is arranged at 180 degrees of one another over a circumferential perimeter of a peripheral surface of a cylindrical body.
  • the second connector has a plate structure having a pair of grooves located on a first planar surface and a second planar surface, respectively, of the second connector.
  • the pair of grooves is arranged at 180 degrees of one another, wherein each planar surface of the second connector has one groove of the pair of grooves.
  • the pair of grooves extends up to the side edges of the plate structure.
  • the first pair and / or second pair of capturing protrusions are arranged for capturing the plate structure, wherein a relative position or angle between the plate structure and the first connector may be varied, depending on the assembled state using one or two pairs of capturing protrusions.
  • the first axis and the second axis are arranged substantially parallel to one another.
  • the first pair and the second pair of capturing protrusions are arranged to be introducible in the same pair of grooves of the second connector. This arrangement facilitates an easy assembling of the first assembled state and the second assembled stale of the first connector and the second connector.
  • the first axis may be arranged at an angle with respect to the second axis. The angle may be any angle between 0 and 180 degrees.
  • the second connector may further comprise a second pair of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of the body and being arranged at second locations of the peripheral surface, which second locations are different from the locations of the first pair of grooves.
  • the second locations of the second pair of grooves on the peripheral surface relative to the locations of the first pair of grooves are such that in an assembled state of the first connector and second connector the jaws pair captures the second connector element , when positioned in the receiving recess, by introducing one pair of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector into the first pair of grooves in a first assembled state, and, in a second assembles state additionally introducing another one of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector into the second pair of grooves.
  • the first axis may be arranged perpendicular to the second axis.
  • first axis and the second axis are arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first connector. This arrangement enhances a controlled assembly of the first connector and the second connector in a common plane of the longitudinal axis of the body of the first connector and the longitudinal axis of the body of the second connector.
  • the first axis and the second axis are arranged offset one another along the longitudinal axis. This arrangement enhances a simple control of the position of the grooves of the second connector relative to the first and the second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector. This supports easy and selective assembling into one of a first assembled state and a second assembled state, respectively.
  • the jaws pair of the first connector may comprise a blocking surface arranged for abutting an end surface or a side surface of the second connector in the first assembled state.
  • the blocking surface determines an end position of the second connector along the longitudinal axis of the first connector in the first assembled slate.
  • the capturing protrusions of at least one of the first and second pair of capturing protrusions are shaped substantially as a hemisphere, as globular or as cone shaped, preferably the capturing protrusions of both the first and second pair of capturing protrusions are shaped substantially as a hemisphere.
  • the second connector in a first assembled state is fixed in a lateral direction thereof relative to the first connector and is fixed in a rotational direction about the first axis and / or the second axis relative to the first connector by introducing both pairs of capturing protrusions of the first connector element into the pair of grooves.
  • the jaws pair has a blocking surface arranged for in the first assembled state abutting an end surface of the second connector in relation to its longitudinal axis.
  • the second connector is a rod element having a pair of grooves.
  • the rod element is fixed in a lateral direction thereof relative to the first connector and is fixed in a rotational direction about the first axis and / or the second axis relative to the first connector.
  • the second connector further comprises at least one jaws pair, said jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving the first connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the first connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the first connector, when the first connector is positioned in the receiving recess; and the first connector further comprises a pair of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis of the body and being arranged at locations of the peripheral surface such that in an assembled state of the first connector and second connector the jaws pair of the second connector captures the first connector element by introducing at least one pair of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the second connector into the pair of grooves.
  • first axis and the second axis of the jaws pair of the second connector are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the body of the second connector.
  • the receiving recess of the second connector is shaped to receive and partly accommodated the jaws pair of the first connector and the receiving recess of the first connector is shaped to receive and partly accommodated the jaws pair of the second connector.
  • the second connector in another first assembled state the second connector is fixed in a lateral direction thereof and is fixed in a rotational direction about a first axis and / or a second axis relative to the first connector by introducing at least one pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector element into the pair of grooves of the second connector and introducing at least one pair of capturing protrusions of the second connector element into the pair of grooves of the first connector.
  • only one pair of capturing protrusions may be introduced in the pair of grooves of the other connector.
  • both pair of capturing protrusions may be introduced in the pair of grooves of the other connector.
  • the pair of grooves of the first connector and of the second connector extends up to the receiving recess of the jaws pair of the first connector and of the second connector, respectively.
  • This arrangement supports an easy assembling into the other first assembled state, wherein at least one pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector element is introduced into the pair of grooves of the second connector and at least one pair of capturing protrusions of the second connector element is introduced into the pair of grooves of the first connector.
  • the jaws pair has a blocking surface arranged for in the first assembled state abutting an end surface or a side surface of the second connector in relation to its longitudinal axis.
  • the second connector in a second assembled state is fixed in a lateral direction thereof in relation to the grooves of the second connector by introducing one pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector element into the pair of grooves, wherein the second connector is rotatable about the first pair or the second pair of capturing protrusions, respectively, in connection to the first connector.
  • the relative angular position of the first connector relative to the second connector may be freely adjustably arranged.
  • the second connector in the second assembled state the second connector is movable along its grooves along the longitudinal axis in connection to the first connector.
  • the location of capturing the second connector may be adjustable by moving the pair of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves of the second connector.
  • the second connector in the second assembled state the second connector is rotatable about the first axis or the second axis, respectively, in relation to the first connector based on the pair of capturing protrusions used in the second assembled state for capturing the second connector.
  • the jaws pair is resiliently openable and wherein a first jaw element holds one capturing protrusion of each of said first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions and a second jaw element holds another associated capturing protrusion of each of first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions.
  • a first connector usable for building an assembly according to the present invention wherein the first connector comprises a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least one jaws pair arranged onto the body, said jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving a second connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing a second connector according to claim to the present invention and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the second connector according to the present invention, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess.
  • the first connector comprises a second jaws pair arranged onto the body, said second jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving another connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing said another connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing said another connector.
  • the first jaws pair has a first axis of the associated first pair of capturing protrusions and the second jaws pair has another first axis of the associated first pair of capturing protrusions, preferably the first axis and the other first axis being arranged parallel to one another or alternatively the first axis being arranged at angle to the other first axis in the plane of the longitudinal axis and the first axis.
  • a second connector usable for building an assembly according to the present invention
  • the second connector comprises a body having a peripheral surface extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the peripheral surface of the body comprises a pair of grooves each extending along the longitudinal axis of the body and being arranged at locations of the peripheral surface such that in an assembled state of a first connector according to the present invention and the second connector the jaws pair captures the second connector element by introducing at least one pair of the first pair and second pair of capturing protrusions of the first connector element into the pair of grooves.
  • each of the grooves has a shape of a V groove wherein the V groove has a span angle a.
  • a V shaped groove is easily produced, for example by using a milling process for producing a groove in the body of the second connector.
  • each of the grooves may have a shape of a U shaped groove, a rectangular shaped groove or a semi-circular shaped groove or any other suitable shaped grooves.
  • the pair of grooves extend up to an edge of the second connector. This arrangement facilitates easy introduction of the capturing protrusions into the pair of grooves.
  • the body constitutes a rod shaped element, preferably the rod shaped element having a substantially circular shaped perimeter, preferably the rod shaped element being constituted by a wooden material or a metal material, preferably the pair of grooves extending along the second connector along the longitudinal axis.
  • the body is constituted by a wooden material.
  • the wooden material of a second connector is easily processable to form a pair of grooves along the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the wooden second connector is easily scalable to various sizes.
  • the second connector has a plate structure having a pair of grooves located on a first planar surface and a second planar surface, respectively, of the second connector.
  • the pair of grooves is arranged at 180 degrees of one another, wherein each planar surface of the second connector has one groove of the pair of grooves.
  • the pair of grooves extends up to the side edges of the plate structure.
  • the first pair and / or second pair of capturing protrusions are arranged for capturing the plate structure, wherein a relative position or angle between the plate structure and the first connector may be varied, depending on the assembled state using one or two pairs of capturing protrusions.
  • the plate structure may have a second pair of grooves located on the first planar surface and the second planar surface, respectively, of the second connector.
  • the second pair of grooves may be arranged substantially parallel to the first pair of grooves and the second pair of grooves may be arranged at angle with respect to the first pair of grooves in the plane of the first planar surface and the second planar surface.
  • first pair of grooves and the second pair of grooves may be arranged perpendicular to one another.
  • both pairs of grooves are arranged near to a corner of the plate structure, wherein to each pair of grooves a jaws pair of a first connector is connectable, wherein the two jaws pairs of the one or more first connectors, when connected in a first assembled state to the plate structure, are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another in the plane of the plate structure.
  • This arrangement connecting the plate structure near a corner thereof to two jaws pairs of at least one first connector in the first assembled state provides a strong and reliable connection to other connectors in the assembly. In this way, a very stable assembly can be made having one or more plate structured second connectors.
  • the second connector further comprises at least one jaws pair, said jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving another first or second connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing said other connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing said other connector, when said other connector is positioned in the receiving recess.
  • each groove extends up to an end of the second connector, each groove further comprises a blocking surface arranged inside said groove for blocking a movement of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves and a doorstep element arranged inside said groove near said end of the second connector at a distance from the blocking surface for releasably holding one pair of protrusions of the first connector inside the pair of grooves between the doorstep and the blocking surface of each groove.
  • the blocking surface and the doorstep cooperatively and releasably hold one pair of protrusions of the first connector inside the pair of grooves, thereby supporting a rotation of the second connector about a first or second axis of the capturing protrusions in a second assembled state of the second connector and a first connector.
  • the one pair of protrusions is easily introduced in the distance between the doorstep and the blocking surface by sliding said pair of capturing protrusions from the end of the second connector along the pair of grooves over the doorstep.
  • the jaws pair may resiliently be move apart slightly to support the sliding movement of the capturing protrusions over the doorstep.
  • the blocking surface may be provided by a side wall of the groove at an end of the groove and may be provided by a blocking element provided inside the groove.
  • the distance between the doorstep and the blocking surface is suitably selected to allow only one pair of protrusions to be introduced and releasably held between the doorstep and the blocking surface. Additionally, a distance between the blocking surface and the end of the second connector is suitably selected to allow only one pair of protrusions to be introduced into the pair of grooves.
  • the second assembled state may be easily and controllably obtained by connecting the second connector to the first connector and is maintained by the doorstep.
  • the doorstep comprises a first, outer, guiding surface arranged towards the end of the second connector, and a second, inner, guiding surface arranged towards the blocking surface, wherein the second, inner, guiding surface is arranged sleeper than the first, outer, guiding surface between a bottom side of the groove and an upper side of the doorstep.
  • This arrangement enhances easy introduction of the one pair of capturing protrusions into the pair of grooves along the first, outer, guiding surface and increased holding capacity of the pair of capturing protrusions in the pair of grooves by the second, inner, guiding surface, which is arranged steeper between the bottom side of the groove and the upper side of the doorstep.
  • the second connector is rod shaped
  • the rod shaped second connector comprises two pairs of grooves distributed over the peripheral surface of the body, a first pair of grooves extending up to a first end of the rod shaped element and a second pair of grooves extending up to a second, opposite end of the rod shaped element, optionally each pair of grooves extending up to both ends of the rod shaped element, and wherein each groove of the two pairs of grooves further comprises a blocking surface arranged inside said groove for blocking a movement of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves, respectively, and a doorstep element arranged inside said groove near said end of the rod shaped element at a distance from the blocking surface for releasably holding one pair of protrusions of the first connector inside each pair of grooves, respectively.
  • a first connector may be connected to the rod shaped second connector.
  • the two pairs of grooves are distributed over the peripheral surface of the body.
  • the second pair of grooves is located at the peripheral surface of the body at a twist angle of substantially 90 degrees rotation about the longitudinal axis with respect to the first pair of grooves and both pairs of grooves extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal axis of the body.
  • the first connector and the other first connector both provide a rotational freedom about their first, outer, axis, respectively of the corresponding first pair of capturing protrusions in connection to the rod shaped second connector.
  • the first axis of the first connector and the other first axis of the other first connector are arranged at the twist angle of substantially 90 degrees rotation about the longitudinal axis of the second connector.
  • the rod shaped second connector may function as a ball a socket joint for connector the first connector to the other first connector.
  • a length of the rod shaped second connector along its longitudinal axis is minimized, wherein optionally the first axis and the other first axis may be arranged close to one another. This arrangement further enhances the ball and socket functionality of the rod shaped second connector.
  • a third connector comprising a semicircular gripping element shaped for capturing the body of the second connector, optionally further having a capturing protrusion arranged for introducing said capturing protrusion of the third connector into a groove of the second connector to fix a rotational position of the second connector about its longitudinal axis with respect to the third connector.
  • a) Providing a digital description of the jaws pair, said jaws pair comprising: a pair of jaw elements arranged opposite one another thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving a second connector, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing a second connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the second connector, when the second connector is positioned in the receiving recess;
  • the first connector comprises a second jaws pair according to the present invention
  • step c) comprises combining the digital body element and at least two digital jaws pair to generate a digital instruction file for producing the first connector
  • the first connector has a first jaws pair and a second jaws pair, wherein both jaws pairs have substantially the same size.
  • each jaws pair may have a pair of jaw elements, a receiving recess, a first pair of capturing protrusions for capturing a second connector and a second pair of capturing protrusions for capturing the second connector, which are substantially identical in size to one another, respectively.
  • the first connector may have a first jaws pair and a second jaws pair, wherein first jaws pair has a size different from a size of the second jaws pair.
  • first jaws pair may have a pair of jaws element forming a receiving recess and holding both pairs of capturing protrusions at a receiving distance of 8 mm and the second jaws pair may have a pair of jaws element forming a receiving recess and holding both pairs of capturing protrusions at a receiving distance of 20 mm.
  • the first connector may be used to connect a first sub-assembly, having connectors including jaws pairs at a first, e.g. smaller, size, to a second sub-assembly, which has connectors including jaws pairs at the second, e.g. larger, size.
  • Figures 1A, IB, 1 C and I D show a exemplary embodiment of a first connector piece.
  • Figures 2A and 2B show a first assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and another first connector piece 100' .
  • Figures 2C - 2E shows a second assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and another first connector piece 100.
  • Figures 3A - 3C show in another exemplary embodiment of a first assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and a rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • Figures 3D - 3E shows a second assembled state of another exemplary embodiment of the first connector piece 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • Figures 4A and 4B illustrate another connector piece according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B which shows another exemplary embodiment of a connector piece according to the invention.
  • Figures 6A and 6B show another exemplary embodiment of a connector piece.
  • Figure 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of a connector piece according to the present invention.
  • Figures 8A- 8C show another exemplary embodiment of a second connector piece.
  • Figures 9A- 9D show another exemplary embodiment of a second connector piece.
  • Figures 1A, IB, 1C and ID show a exemplary embodiment of a first connector piece.
  • Figure 1 A shows schematically a perspective view of an embodiment of the first connector 100.
  • the first connector piece 100 has a body 110 extending in a longitudinal axis LI and has two jaws pairs 120, 130 arranged at each end of the body 1 10 in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis L 1.
  • the first jaws pair 120 comprises a pair of jaw elements comprising a first jaw element 122 and a second jaw element 124 which are facing each other thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving another connector. Both jaw elements 122 and 124 extend along the longitudinal axis of the body 110. In this embodiment, the pair of jaw elements 122, 124 are arranged opposite one another enclosing the longitudinal axis LI of the body 110 thereby forming the receiving recess for receiving another connector. Furthermore, the first jaw element 120 comprises a first, outer, pair of capturing protrusions 128 for capturing a second connector piece and comprises a second, inner, pair of capturing protrusions 126 for capturing the second connector piece.
  • Figure I B shows a plane view on the first connector piece 110 thereby showing the body 110 the first jaws pair 120 and the second jaws pair 130.
  • the first pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b is arranged extending substantially opposite to one another and facing one another along a first axis PI.
  • the second pair of capturing protrusions 126a and 126b is arranged extending substantially opposite to one another and facing one another along a second axis P2.
  • the first axis PI and the second axis P2 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LI of the body 1 10 of the first connector piece 100.
  • the first axis PI and the second axis P2 are arranged substantially parallel to one another and are arranged offset to one another along the longitudinal axis LI .
  • the first axis PI is arranged at an outer end of the first jaws pair 120 and the second axis PI is arranged at an inner portion of the first jaws pair 120.
  • the first axis PI and the second axis P2 are arranged at a predetermined distance between one another along the longitudinal axis LI .
  • the capturing protrusions of the first pair of capturing protrusions 128a, 128b and the capturing protrusions of the second pair or capturing protrusions 126a, 126b are shaped substantially as a semisphere.
  • these capturing protrusions have a radius R of about x.
  • the radius R is also shown in figure 1C which shows one jaws pair 120 or 130 in the plane of the first axis and the second axis PI and P2 and an orthogonal direction O perpendicular to PI and P2.
  • the second jaws pair 130 which is shown in figure 1A and IB also has a pair of jaw elements 132 and 134 which are arranged opposite one another enclosing the longitudinal axis LI of the body thereby forming a receiving recess for receiving another connector. Furthermore, the second jaws pair 130 also has a first pair of capturing protrusions 136a and 136b and a second pair of capturing protrusions 138a and 138b as is shown for the first jaws pair 120.
  • the body 1 10 has two pairs of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis LI of the body. Both pairs of grooves 1 12 and 1 14 are arranged at locations of the peripheral surface of the body 1 10.
  • a cross section of the body 110 is shown in figure 1 D, wherein the peripheral surface of the body is shown and a first pair of grooves 1 12a, 1 12b and a second pair of grooves 114a, 114b. Each pair is arranged at an opposite side of the peripheral surface of the body 1 10 of one another.
  • the body 1 10 has a substantially circular shaped parameter wherein the parameter has a diameter D as shown in figure ID.
  • Each of the grooves 1 12a, 1 12b and 114a, 114b has a shape of a V groove wherein the V groove has a span angle a as shown in figure 1C.
  • the angle span a is selected in the range of 85 till 100°.
  • the grooves pair 112a and 1 12b extend along the longitudinal axis LI from the receiving recess of the first jaws pair 120 up to the receiving recess of the second jaws pair 130.
  • a pair of capturing protrusions may easily be introduced into the pair of grooves 112a, 112b by sliding the pair of capturing protrusions from one of the receiving recesses of the first connector 100 along the pair of grooves 1 12a, 1 12b up to a desired position along the longitudinal axis of the body LI of the first connector 100.
  • the first jaws pair 120 further has a blocking element 140 having a first guiding surface arranged adjoining to one groove 112a of the grooves pair 112a, 112b and a second guiding surface arranged adjoining to the other groove 112b.
  • the first and second guiding surfaces are arranged for guiding a pair of capturing protrusions towards the grooves pair 1 12a and 1 12b when assembling the first connector and another first connector 100', for example such as shown in Figures 2A and 2B for a first assembled state and such as is shown in Figures 2C - 2E for a second assembled state.
  • the blocking element 140 has a blocking surface arranged at a free end of the blocking element 140 along the longitudinal axis at a predetermined distance with respect to the first axis PI and / or the second axis P2.
  • the blocking surface is arranged at the free end of the blocking element 140 for abutting another connector, which is introduced in the receiving recess of the first jaws pair 120.
  • the second jaws pair 130 also has a blocking element 140 having a first guiding surface, a second guiding surface and a blocking surface arranged in the same way with respect to the grooves pair 1 12a, 1 12b and the receiving recess of the second jaws pair 130.
  • the pair of grooves 112a and 112b are arranged at a side or location of the peripheral surface of the body 1 10 such that a first connector piece 100 and another connector piece, such as another first connector piece 100, can be assembled in an assembled state wherein the protrusions 126a and 126b, optionally including the protrusions 128a and 128b, can capture the other connector piece 100', 200 by introducing said one or two pairs of capturing protrusions into the pair of grooves 212a and 212b of the other connector piece 100' , 200.
  • Such an assembled state is shown in figures 2A - 2B and in Figures 3 A- 3B, respectively.
  • Figures 2A and 2B show a first assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and another first connector piece 100'.
  • Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view and figure 2B shows a plane view on the first connector piece 100 and another first connector piece 100' in the first assembled state.
  • the outer pair of capturing protrusions 128of the first jaws pair 120 of the first connector piece 100 is introduced into a pair of grooves 112a' and 1 12b' of the other first connector piece 100' .
  • the outer pair of capturing protrusions 128' of the other first jaws pair 120'of the other first connector piece 100' is introduced into a pair of grooves 112a and 1 12b of the first connector piece 100.
  • the first jaws pair 120 and the other first jaws pair 120' are partly enclosed by each other.
  • the inner pair of capturing protrusions 126 of the first jaws pair 120 of the first connector piece 100 may be located outside a groove 112a of the other first connector piece 100' , such as being located in a space of the other first jaws pair 120'of the other first connector piece 100'.
  • first jaws pair 120 and the other first jaws pair 120' are arranged at a twist angle relative to one another about the longitudinal axis LI, such that the first jaws pair 120 and the other first jaws pair 120' do not block one another in the first assembled state.
  • first jaws pair 120 and the other first jaws pair 120' are arranged substantially perpendicular one another, i.e. at about 90 degrees, about the longitudinal axis LI .
  • the corresponding capturing protrusions 128, 128' including the associated first axis PI , ⁇ are arranged at a twist angle of about 90 degrees between one another about the longitudinal axis LI .
  • both first connector pieces 100, 100' are fixed in a lateral direction (or orthogonal direction O) perpendicular to the first axis PI , ⁇ of the other first connector piece 100, 100' and and are fixed in a rotational direction about the first axis PI and in a rotational direction about the other first axis ⁇ relative to the other first connector 100, 100' , respectively.
  • the twist angle between the first jaws pair 120 and the other first jaws pair 120', including the corresponding capturing protrusions 128, 128', about the longitudinal axis LI may be selected suitably, such as between 30 degrees and 90 degrees, for fixing both first connector pieces 100, 100' in a lateral direction (or orthogonal direction O) perpendicular to the first axis PI of the other first connector piece 100, 100'.
  • a relative position of the first connector pieces 100, 100' between one another along the longitudinal axis LI is determined by the blocking surface 140, 140' of each of the connecting jaws pairs 120, 120'by abutting the blocking surfaces 140, 140'against one another along the longitudinal axis L 1.
  • the second, inner, pair of capturing protrusions 126 of the first jaws pair 120 of the first connector 100 may be arranged to be introduced into a pair of grooves 112a' and 112b' of the other first connector piece 100' in the first assembled slate, similar to the exemplary embodiment of a first assembled stale of the first connector piece 100 and a rod shaped connector piece 200 shown in figures 3A - 3B.
  • the predetermined distance between the first axis PI and the second axis P2 may be selected of the first, outer, pair an the second, inner, pair of capturing protrusions 126, 128, respectively, such that both pairs of capturing protrusions 126, 128 of the jaws pair 120 is introduced into the pair of grooves 112a' and 112b' of the other first connector piece 100' .
  • the second, inner, pair of capturing protrusions 126' of the other first jaws pair 120 of the other first connector 100' may be arranged to be introduced into a pair of grooves 112a and 1 12b of the first connector piece 100 in the first assembled state, similar to the exemplary embodiment of a first assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and a rod shaped connector piece 200 shown in figures 3 A - 3B.
  • Figures 3A - 3C show in another exemplary embodiment of a first assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and a rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view in the first assembled state.
  • Figure 3B shows a plane view on the first connector piece 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • Figure 3C shows a cross section view on the first connector piece 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200 along a line C-C shown in Figure 3B.
  • both pairs of capturing protrusions 126, 128 of the jaws pair 120 of the first connector piece 100 is introduced into a pair of grooves 212a and 212b of the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 is fixed in a lateral direction (or orthogonal direction O) perpendicular to the first axis PI and / or the second axis P2 of the first connector piece 100 and is fixed in a rotational direction about the first axis PI and / or about the second axis P2 relative to the first connector 100.
  • a relative position of the first connector pieces 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200 along the longitudinal axes LI, L2 is determined by the blocking surface 140 of the connecting jaws pairs 120 by abutting the blocking surface 140 against an end surface of the rod shaped connector piece along the longitudinal axis L I inside the receiving recess of the first jaws pair 120.
  • Figures 2C - 2E shows a second assembled state of the first connector piece 100 and another first connector piece 100.
  • Figure 2C illustrates a perspective view of the second assembled state.
  • Figure 2D shows a plane view on the first connector piece 100 and the first connector piece 100'.
  • Figure 2E shows a cross section view on the first connector piece 100 and the first connector piece 100 along a line B-B shown in Figure 2D.
  • the one first connector piece 100' is fixed in a lateral direction (orthogonal direction O of first connector piece 100') by the capturing protrusions 128a, 128b of the first jaws pair 120 of the first connector piece 100 by introducing one pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b of the first connector piece 100 into the pair of grooves 1 12a and 112b of the other first connector piece 100.
  • the longitudinal axis L2 of the body and of the pair of grooves 1 12a and 112b of the other first connector piece 100' is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LI of the first connector piece 100. Additionally, in the second assembled state the other first connector piece 100' is rotatably mounted onto the first connector piece 100, as indicated by arrow T in figure 2D, about the first axis PI provided by the first pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b of the first jaws pair 120.
  • the other first connector piece 100' is moveable along its grooves 1 12a, 1 12b along the longitudinal axis L2 with respect to the other first connector piece 100.
  • the second assembled state provides the advantage that the other first connector piece 100' is moveable along the longitudinal axis L2 and is rotatable along a first axis PI of the first connector piece 100.
  • This provides freedom in assembling the first connector pieces 100, 100'to one another while having the freedom of selecting a longitudinal position of the capturing protrusions 128a, 128b along the pair of grooves 112a, 112b in the longitudinal direction LI and a rotational position or angle of the other first connector piece 100' in a rotational direction as indicated by arrow T about the first axis PI of the first connector piece 100.
  • Figures 3D - 3E shows a second assembled state of another exemplary embodiment of the first connector piece 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • Figure 3D illustrates a perspective view of the second assembled state.
  • Figure 3E shows a cross section view on the first connector piece 100 and the rod shaped connector piece 200 along a line A-A shown in Figure 3D.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 is fixed in a lateral direction (orthogonal direction O of the rod shaped connector piece 200) by the capturing protrusions 128a, 128b of the first jaws pair 120 of the first connector piece 100 by introducing one pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b of the first connector piece 100 into the pair of grooves 212a and 212b of the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 is rotatably mounted onto the first connector piece 100, as indicated by arrow T in figure 3E, about the first axis PI provided by the first pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b of the first jaws pair 120.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 is captured by the first connector piece 100 at a middle portion of the rod shaped connector piece 200.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 may be captured by the first connector piece 100 at an end portion of the rod shaped connector piece 200, i.e. along its longitudinal axis L2. In that position, a rotation range of the rod shaped connector piece 200 about the first axis PI of the first, outer, pair of capturing protrusions 128a and 128b as indicated by arrow T may be even further enlarged.
  • the rod shaped connector piece 200 is moveable along its grooves 212a, 212b along the longitudinal axis L2 with respect to the other first connector piece 100.
  • Figures 4 A and 4B illustrate another connector piece according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4A shows a plane view of the connector 300 along a longitudinal axis L 1 and an orthogonal direction O.
  • the connector piece 300 comprises a first jaws pair 320 which comprises a pair of jaw elements 322 and 324 arranged opposite one another. Furthermore, it comprises a body 310 extending along the longitudinal axis LI .
  • the pair of jaw elements 322, 324 is arranged opposite one another enclosing the longitudinal axis LI . Furthermore, the jaws pair 320 comprises a first, outer, pair of capturing protrusions 328a, 328b and a second, inner, pair of capturing protrusions 326a, 326b, similar to the way as shown for the first connector piece 100 shown in figures 1A until ID.
  • the first jaws pair 320 comprises a blocking element 340 having a blocking surface arranged for blocking another connecting piece, when said other connecting piece is introduced in the receiving recess of the first jaws pair 320 in an assembled state of the connector piece 300 with said other connector piece.
  • the connector piece 300 comprises a gripper 330 which has a shape of a semi circle and is arranged at one end of the body 310 along the longitudinal axis LI.
  • the gripper 330 has an inner surface of the semi circle which has a diameter of 1, which is in an example about 8 mm, which inner surface is conformal to a peripheral surface of a body 1 10 of another connector piece, and which is arranged for enclosing and gripping a peripheral surface of a body 1 10 of another connector piece.
  • the first axis PI of the first, outer, pair of capturing protrusions 328a, 328b and the second, inner, axis P2 of the second pair of capturing protrusions 326a, 326b are arranged at a predetermined distance ⁇ one of the other along the longitudinal axis LI.
  • the first axis PI and the second axis P2 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LI.
  • the second axis P2 is arranged at an offset distance a from the blocking surface of the blocking element 340 along the longitudinal axis LI .
  • the first axis P I is arranged at an offset distance c from the end of the jaw elements of the jaws pair along the longitudinal axis LI.
  • Figure 4B shows the connector piece 300 in a perspective view, thereby showing the first pair of jaw elements of the jaws pair 320, the body 310 and the gripper 330.
  • the body 310 has a first pair of grooves 312 and a second pair of grooves 314, which are arranged at locations if the peripheral surface of the body 310 similar to the way the first connector piece 100 has two pair of grooves arranged at the peripheral surface of the body 110.
  • the connector piece 300 may connect to another connector piece using the first jaws pair 320 as a connecting element in a first assembled state or a second assembled state, similar to the way is shown in Figures 2A - 2B, Figures 3A - 3C, Figures 2C - 2E and Figures 3D - 3E.
  • the connector piece 300 may connect to another connector piece using a pair of grooves 312 or 314 of the body 310 as connecting element in a first assembled state or a second assembled state, similar to the way is shown in Figures 2A - 2B.
  • the connector piece 300 may connect to another connector piece using the gripper 330 as connecting element by enclosing and gripping a peripheral surface of a body of another connector piece, such as a body 1 10 of a first connector piece 100.
  • FIG. 5 A shows a plane view on the connector piece 400 along a first longitudinal axis LI of the body 410 and along a second longitudinal axis L2 of the body 410.
  • Figure 5B shows a perspective view of the connector piece 400.
  • the connector piece 400 comprises a first jaws pair 420, a second jaws pair 430 and a third jaws pair 440.
  • the first jaws pair 420 and the second jaws pair 430 are arranged along the first longitudinal axis LI at each end of the body 410, respectively, along the first longitudinal axis LI .
  • the third jaws pair 440 is arranged at an end of the body 410 along the second longitudinal axis L2.
  • the second longitudinal axis L2 is arranged at an angle ⁇ with respect to the first longitudinal axis LI . In this example shown, the angle ⁇ is about 90°.
  • the connector piece 400 has the advantage that the connector piece 400 can be connected to other connector pieces by one, two or three of the jaws pairs 420, 430 and 440 which enables connecting to other connecting pieces along the first longitudinal axis LI and/or the second longitudinal axis L2.
  • semi rigid elements 450 and 460 are arranged for connecting two of the jaws pairs with each other as is shown in figure 5A and figure 5B.
  • the semi rigid elements 450 and 460 may in embodiments be arranged, such that the jaws pairs remain substantially in the same position with respect to one another and remain substantially at the same angle with respect to one another in the plain of the first and second longitudinal axis L I and L2.
  • the body 410 has a number of pair of grooves arranged along the first longitudinal axis LI and arranged along the second longitudinal axis L2, respectively. Each of the pair of grooves is arranged for receiving capturing protrusions in the same way as is shown for connector piece 100, connector piece 200 and connector piece 300. Additionally, the body 410 comprises a hole part 416 which is substantially circular and is shaped for receiving and gripping a rod like or tubular like connector piece. The hole part 41 provides the advantage that the connector piece 400 can be connected to such a rod like or tubular like connector, wherein the connector piece 400 is rotatably mounted to said rod like connector about a rotation axis x.
  • Figure 6A and 6B show another exemplary embodiment of a connector piece.
  • Figure 6A shows a plane view on the connector piece 600.
  • Figure 5B shows a perspective view of the connector piece 600.
  • the connector piece 600 which is shown in figures 6 A and 6B comprises a body 610 extending along a first longitudinal axis LI and a first jaws pair 620 which has similar features as is shown in figure 1 A for a first jaws pair 120. Furthermore the connector piece 600 has a modified gripper 630, which is modified with respect to the gripper element 330 which is shown in the embodiment shown in figure 4A-4B.
  • the modified gripper 630 has a shape of a semi circle as is shown in the plain view 6A.
  • the gripper 630 has a pair of capturing protrusions 632a and 632b which are arranged opposite one another and facing one another thereby enclosing the first longitudinal axis LI.
  • Both capturing protrusions 632a and 632b extend along a width direction W. which is arranged perpendicular to the plane view of Figure 6A, and have a V shape along the width direction W.
  • the V shaped capturing protrusions have two contacting surfaces which are arranged at an angle ⁇ with respect to one another.
  • the capturing protrusions 632a and 632b are arranged at a location of the inner surface of the gripper 630, such that the capturing protrusions 632a and 632b may be arranged for capturing a pair of grooves of another connector piece by introducing the capturing protrusions 632a and 632b into said pair of grooves of the other connector piece.
  • FIG. 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of a connector piece according to the present invention.
  • the connector piece 700 comprises a body 710 extending along a longitudinal axis LI and comprises a first gripper element 720 and a second gripper element 730 arranged at each end of the body 710, respectively, along the longitudinal axis LI .
  • Each of the first gripper 720 and second gripper 730 has a shape, which is similar to the shape of the gripper 630 of the exemplary embodiment shown in figures 6A and 6B.
  • the body 710 comprises two pairs of grooves similar to the body 110 shown in figures 1 A-1D.
  • Figures 8A- 8C show another exemplary embodiment of a second connector piece according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8B shows a perspective view of the rod shaped second connector 800.
  • Figure 8A shows a plane view on the second connector piece 800 along a first longitudinal axis LI of the body 810 and along a first axis P I of the first pair of capturing protrusions 828.
  • the rod shaped second connector 800 has a rod shaped body 810 and a jaws pair 820 connected to the body 810.
  • the body 810 further comprises two pairs of grooves 812, 814 distributed over the peripheral surface of the body 810. Each pair of grooves 812, 814 extends along the longitudinal axis LI . A first pair of grooves 812 is located at a twisting angle of 90 degrees with respect to the second pair of grooves 814 about the longitudinal axis LI . Each pair of grooves 812, 814 extends up to an end of the second connector 813.
  • Each groove 812, 814 further comprises a blocking surface 815, 815' arranged inside said groove 812, 814 for blocking a movement of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves 812, 814 and a doorstep element 816, 816' arranged inside said groove 812, 814 near said end of the second connector 813 at a distance from the blocking surface 815, 815'for releasably holding one pair of protrusions of the first connector (see Figure 8C) inside the pair of grooves 812, 814 between the doorstep 816 and the blocking surface 815 of each groove.
  • Each of the grooves 812, 814 has a shape of a V groove wherein the V groove has a span angle a as shown in figure 1C.
  • the angle span a is selected in the range of 85 till 100°.
  • the doorstep 816, 816 may be shaped protruding over a part of a depth of the groove 812, 814 and extending over a part of the width of the groove 812, 814, as shown in Figures 8 A - 8B.
  • Figure 8C shows a plane view of a second assembled state of the rod shaped second connector 800 and a first connector 100.
  • the blocking surface 815 and the doorstep 816 cooperatively and releasably hold the first pair of protrusions 128 of the first connector 100 inside the pair of grooves 814, thereby supporting a rotation of the second connector 800 about a first axis PI of the capturing protrusions in a second assembled state of the second connector 800 and a first connector 100.
  • the first pair of protrusions 128 is easily introduced in the distance between the doorstep 816 and the blocking surface 815 by sliding said pair of capturing protrusions 129 from the end of the second connector 813 along the pair of grooves 814 over the doorstep 816.
  • the jaws pair 120 may resiliently be move apart slightly to support the sliding movement of the capturing protrusions 128 over the doorstep 816.
  • the distance between the doorstep 816, 816' and the blocking surface 815, 815' is suitably selected to allow only one pair of protrusions to be introduced and releasably held between the doorstep 816, 816'and the blocking surface 815, 815' .
  • This arrangement enhances, that not both pairs of capturing protrusions 128, 126 are introduced into the pair of grooves 812, 814.
  • the second assembled state may be easily and controllably obtained by connecting the second connector 800 to the first connector 100.
  • the first connector 100 is connected to the second connector 800 by introducing the first pair of capturing protrusions 128 into the other pair of grooves 812.
  • the doorstep 816 comprises a first, outer, guiding surface arranged towards the end of the second connector 813, and a second, inner, guiding surface arranged towards the blocking surface 815, wherein the second, inner, guiding surface is arranged steeper than the first, outer, guiding surface between a bottom side of the groove 812, 814 and an upper side of the doorstep 816.
  • This arrangement enhances easy introduction of the one pair of capturing protrusions 128 into the pair of grooves 812, 814 along the first, outer, guiding surface and increased holding capacity of the pair of capturing protrusions 128 in the pair of grooves 812, 814 by the second, inner, guiding surface, which is arranged steeper between the bottom side of the groove and the upper side of the doorstep 816.
  • Figures 9A- 9D show another exemplary embodiment of a second connector piece according to the present invention.
  • Figure 9A shows a perspective view of the rod shaped second connector 900.
  • Figure 9B shows a plane view on the second connector piece 900 along a first longitudinal axis LI of the body 910.
  • the rod shaped second connector 900 has a rod shaped body 910 having two free ends 913, 913' .
  • Figure 9C shows a side view on the second connector piece 900 when looking in the direction of the first longitudinal axis LI of the body 910 at the first end 913 of the rod shaped element 900.
  • the body 910 further comprises two pairs of grooves 912, 914 distributed over the peripheral surface of the body 910. Each pair of grooves 912, 914 extends along the longitudinal axis LI. A first pair of grooves 912 is located at a twisting angle of 90 degrees with respect to the second pair of grooves 914 about the longitudinal axis LI .
  • a first pair of grooves 912 extends up to a first end 913 of the rod shaped element and a second pair of grooves 914 extends up to a second, opposite end 913' of the rod shaped element.
  • each pair of grooves 912, 914 extends up to both ends 913, 913'of the rod shaped element.
  • Each groove 912, 914 further comprises a blocking surface 915, 915' arranged inside said groove 912, 914 for blocking a movement of capturing protrusions along the pair of grooves 912, 914 and a doorstep element 916, 916' arranged inside said groove 912, 914 near said end of the second connector 913, 913' at a distance from the blocking surface 915, 915'for releasably holding one pair of protrusions of the first connector (see Figure 9C) inside the pair of grooves 912, 914 between the doorstep 916 and the blocking surface 915 of each groove.
  • each of the grooves 912, 914 has a shape of a V groove wherein the V groove has a span angle a as shown in figure 1C.
  • the angle span a is selected in the range of 85 till 100°.
  • the doorstep 916, 816 may be shaped protruding over a part of a depth of the groove 912, 914 and extending over a part of the width of the groove 912, 914, as shown in Figures 9A - 9C.
  • the blocking surface 915, 915' is arranged at a distance h from the corresponding end 913, 913'of the rod shaped connector, such that only one pair of protrusions of the first connector (see Figure 9C) is introduced in the pair of grooves 912, 914 from the corresponding end 913, 913'of the rod shaped connector 900.
  • Figure 9D shows a plane view of a second assembled state of the rod shaped second connector 900 and a first connector 100 and another first connector 100' .
  • a first connector 100, 100' may be connected to the rod shaped second connector. Both pairs of grooves 912, 914 extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal axis of the body LI.
  • the first connector 100 and the other first connector 100' both provide a rotational freedom about their first, outer, axis PI, ⁇ , respectively of the corresponding first pair of capturing protrusions 128, 128' in connection to the rod shaped second connector 900.
  • the first axis PI of the first connector 100 and the other first axis Pl 'of the other first connector 100' are arranged at the twist angle of substantially 90 degrees rotation about the longitudinal axis of the second connector LI .
  • the rod shaped second connector 900 may function as a ball a socket joint for connecting the first connector 100 to the other first connector 100' .
  • a length of the rod shaped second connector 900 along its longitudinal axis LI is minimized and the blocking surfaces 915 and 915' of the corresponding pairs of grooves 912, 914 are arranged, such that the first axis Pi and the other first axis P
  • This arrangement further enhances the ball and socket functionality of the rod shaped second connector 900.
  • the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
  • the terms "a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one.
  • the term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two.
  • the term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more.
  • the terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).
  • the term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un ensemble de connecteurs pour ensemble de construction tridimensionnel comprenant : un premier connecteur comprenant un corps s'étendant le long d'un axe longitudinal et ayant au moins une paire de mâchoires disposée sur le corps, ladite paire de mâchoires comprenant : une paire d'éléments de mâchoire disposés en vis-à-vis l'un de l'autre formant ainsi un évidement de réception pour recevoir un second connecteur, une première paire de saillies de capture pour capturer le second connecteur et une seconde paire de saillies de capture pour capturer le second connecteur, lorsque le second connecteur est positionné dans l'évidement de réception ; et le second connecteur comprenant un corps ayant une surface périphérique s'étendant le long d'un axe longitudinal du corps, la surface périphérique du corps comprenant une paire de rainures s'étendant le long de l'axe longitudinal du corps et agencées à des emplacements de la surface périphérique tels que, dans un état assemblé du premier connecteur et du second connecteur, la paire de mâchoires capture le second élément connecteur, lorsqu'il est positionné dans l'évidement de réception, en introduisant au moins une paire de la première paire et de la seconde paire de saillies de capture du premier connecteur dans la paire de rainures.
PCT/NL2018/050160 2017-03-15 2018-03-14 Ensemble de connecteurs pour ensemble de construction tridimensionnel Ceased WO2018169396A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2018523A NL2018523B1 (en) 2017-03-15 2017-03-15 Assembly of connectors for three-dimensional construction assembly
NL2018523 2017-03-15

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WO2018169396A1 true WO2018169396A1 (fr) 2018-09-20

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220111301A1 (en) * 2019-01-11 2022-04-14 Atwood Rope Mfg Card clips

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0490033A1 (fr) * 1990-12-11 1992-06-17 Connector Set Limited Partnership Jeu de construction
US5172534A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-12-22 Adl Partners Chainable building blocks
EP0900112A1 (fr) * 1995-12-11 1999-03-10 Primordial, L.L.C. Systeme de construction
GB2426213A (en) * 2005-05-20 2006-11-22 Shoptaugh Philip L Toy construction system with jaw components
WO2015112012A1 (fr) * 2014-01-24 2015-07-30 Buildex (F.E.) Limited Élément de raccordement destiné à un système de construction

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0490033A1 (fr) * 1990-12-11 1992-06-17 Connector Set Limited Partnership Jeu de construction
US5172534A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-12-22 Adl Partners Chainable building blocks
EP0900112A1 (fr) * 1995-12-11 1999-03-10 Primordial, L.L.C. Systeme de construction
GB2426213A (en) * 2005-05-20 2006-11-22 Shoptaugh Philip L Toy construction system with jaw components
WO2015112012A1 (fr) * 2014-01-24 2015-07-30 Buildex (F.E.) Limited Élément de raccordement destiné à un système de construction

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220111301A1 (en) * 2019-01-11 2022-04-14 Atwood Rope Mfg Card clips

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