Modular construction system consisting of hollow cube modules and insertable connector elements for assembly with said modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular construction system consisting of insertable modules which are embodied as hollow cubes and have open quadratic side surfaces. Adjacent modules in said modular construction are connected to an upper and lower section by means of insertable connector elements. Both sections have two parallel beams which are distanced from each other. The beams of different sections are arranged at right angles to each other and respectively define the perimeter of the insertable element. Both sections have a common peripheral raised edge which is used as a stop when the insertable element is inserted into the hollow cube. The invention also relates to special modules and special insertable elements.

1 . Modular construction system with modules formed of hollow cubes with open, square lateral surfaces, into which connector elements can be inserted for connecting two adjacent cubes with each other, characterised in that the connector elements ( 9 ) concerning of an upper section ( 9   a ) and a lower section ( 9   b ) and are provided with two parallel beams ( 10 ,  11 ;  12 ,  13 ) each, the beams of different sections are arranged rectangular to each other and the beams delineate the periphery of the connector elements.  
     
     
         2 . System according to  claim 1 , in which the two sections ( 9   a ,  9   b ) have a common, peripherally extending raised rim which forms a stop means for inserting the connector element ( 9 ) into the hollow cube ( 1 ).  
     
     
         3 . System according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the beams ( 10 ,  11 ;  12 ,  13 ) of the connector elements ( 9 ) have a square cross-section with a width a and a length 4a, whereby the entire width of the hollow cube is 6a and the width of the aperture is 4a.  
     
     
         4 . System according to one of claims  1 - 3 , wherein a connector element ( 9 ) can be inserted into an aperture ( 0 ;  14 ) of a surface of the cube for positioning the cubes on top of each other or next to each other, and for connecting two cubes with each other the opposite free end of the connector element of a further cube can be inserted into the aperture thereof.  
     
     
         5 . System according to one of claims  1 - 3 , characterised in that a connector element ( 9 ) is insertable into an aperture of a cube surface and the connector element for connecting two adjacent cubes ( 2 ,  3 ) together with a further, staggered cube ( 1 ) above or below embraces two adjacent cube frame portions in a clamping manner so that the cube of one row is staggered in view of cubes of an adjacent row by half the width of the cube.  
     
     
         6 . System according to one of claims  1 - 5 , wherein the connector element ( 23 ) comprises a central rotational axis which is coincident with the center axis of the connector element.  
     
     
         7 . System according to any of claims  1 - 6 , wherein a base plate ( 26 ) as a support plate is provided for accommodating a plurality of elements with the raster of an individual module.  
     
     
         8 . System according to any of claims  1 - 7 , wherein an adaptor plate on its one side has a raster for accommodating hollow cube modules, and on the other side a raster for accommodating differently dimensioned modules or modules with a different format.  
     
     
         9 . System according to any of claims  1 - 8 , wherein a cover plate is provided the dimensions of which correspond with the dimensions of an aperture of the cube, and the cubes can be connected at embossed positions of the cover plate by a snap-on or latching effect.  
     
     
         10 . System according to  claim 9 , wherein the cover plate has a central aperture for removing modules from the cover plate or alternatively for accommodating and inserting further modules or additional elements.  
     
     
         11 . System according to any of claims  1 - 10 , characterised by a snap-on or latching member in the form of a cap or a disc with an axis on one or both sides, e.g. for connecting a wheel system.  
     
     
         12 . System according to  claim 11 , wherein the snap-on or latching member is formed as a wheel with a plug-on axis.  
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 1  comprising a module in the form of half a cube, which is divided into two diagonally opposite outer edges of the wall along a diagonal plane.  
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 1 , comprising a module in the form of a pyramide or a truncated pyramide with an aperture in the base surface to be plugged-on to a connector element.  
     
     
         15 . System according to one of claims  1 - 14 , wherein the connector element is provided with two different plug-on patterns at both surfaces, and that the plug-on pattern on the one side is designed for receiving the corners of four joint modules and the pattern at the opposite side is designed for receiving one individual module.  
     
     
         16 . System according to one of claims  1 - 15 , wherein the module in the form of a wheel is provided with a central connector element formed as a hub, and the connector element can be plugged onto a cube-type module.  
     
     
         17 . System according to one of claims  1 - 16 , wherein a number of cubes are combined to a column and are firmly connected with each other, e.g. manufactured in one unit or bonded together side by side on facing surfaces.  
     
     
         18 . System according to one of claims  1 - 17 , wherein a number of cubes are connected to a common, flat base plate in rows and columns and are firmly connected with each other, either manufactured in one piece or bonded together at facing sides.  
     
     
         19 . System according to one of claims  1 - 18 , wherein for the transfer from four cube modules fastened together to a square, to an individual cube module a special connector module is formed as a square plate with the dimensions of the base area of a cube, and are formed with feet or extensions of square cross-section at the corners of the plate.  
     
     
         20 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the inner distance of the feet is manufactured with twice the width (2a) of the beam thickness, and a peripheral stop rim is provided between the plate and the feet which rim is projecting conically tapering outwardly beyond the periphy of the plate.  
     
     
         21 . System according to one of claims  1 - 20 , wherein for designing faces or similar figures for different themes a base plate in the shape of a face or the like or alternatively with the picture of a face or the like is formed at the upper side with square recesses (2a×2a) with a plate dimension of 8a×8a, and on the rear side four feet, pins or similar extensions with the dimension (a) and with a distance of (6a) are provided which can be inserted into the recesses of the plate in a form-locking manner.  
     
     
         22 . System according to one of claims  1 - 21 , wherein for representing a headgear (hat, cap, helmet, etc.) a plate is provided which is adapted to the shape of the headgear at one side, the underside of the plate being provided with plugs, projections or the like, which can be plugged into corresponding apertures of a cube in a lockable manner, and wherein the distances of the plugs with the width (a) have a dimension of (4a).  
     
     
         23 . System according to one of claims  1 - 22 , wherein a module is designed as a trailer coupling comprising a base plate with the dimensions of the aperture or opening of the cube, with a support starting from the front side of the base plate, with an upright pin exending from the support and receiving latching means, and with a stopping rim between plate and carrier which tapers outwardly across the periphery of the plate.  
     
     
         24 . System according to one of claims  1 - 22 , wherein a module is formed as a trailer coupling comprising of a base plate with the dimensions of the aperture or opening of the cube, with an eyelet extending from the base plate and with a stopping rim tapering outwardly between the base plate and the eyelet.  
     
     
         25 . System according to one of claims  1 - 24 , wherein a symmetrically formed wheel is provided alternatively with a wheel hub having a bearing support for the axle at one or both sides, wherein the axle has a coupling plate at the outer periphery corresponding with the aperture of the cube and insertable into the cube aperture, and wherein the coupling plate is provided with an enlarged stopping rim forming a restriction when being inserted into the cube aperture.  
     
     
         26 . System according to one of claims  1 - 24 , wherein a symmetrical wheel formed as a wheel rim is provided with hub-type or circular extensions on one or both sides with axles on both sides having throughgoing bores for accommodating an axis.  
     
     
         27 . System according to one of claims  1 - 26 , wherein for connecting several wheels plug-on means are provided which are formed as cup-shaped basic bodies with a connector element starting from the bottom, which can be inserted into the cube.  
     
     
         28 . System according to one of claims  1 - 27 , wherein the module is a square battery module consisting of a row of cube elements, the interior of which is provided with an electrical battery, an accumulator, or a similar electrical source which is provided with terminals at the outside of the cube formed as plug-on connectors with other modules, or by means of a cable is connected with an electrical driving motor of a separate module, or as a lighting device.  
     
     
         29 . Container for accommodating modules for a modular construction system according to one of claims  1 - 28 , wherein the container is a bucket in the form of a square block similar to an individual module with enlarged dimensions, however, with closed lateral walls and a closed bottom surface, wherein the lateral walls and the bottom surface of the bucket have frame-type peripheral restrictions and cassette-type fillings, wherein the top side of the cubelike bucket is closed by a lid according to one of the lateral walls, and wherein the lid is fastened to the periphery of the bucket by latching means.  
     
     
         30 . Container according to  claim 29 , wherein the peripheral surface of the bucket from top to bottom is slightly tapered or of pyramidic shape so that a number of buckets can be stacked one with another.  
     
     
         31 . Container according to  claim 29  or  30 , wherein the lid has a flanged rim which at the upper frame portion of the lateral walls is engaged by snap-action.