Construction set for constructing a user-definable apparatus

Abstract

A construction set for constructing a user-definable apparatus, for example a robot, is provided with one or more construction set components. The components may include components that are reconfigurable into other construction set components, and that have at least one demarcation defining adjacent segments thereof The demarcations facilitate reconfiguration of the construction set components to produce other construction set components. The construction set may include an electromechanical drive assembly having an integrated speed control and operable to receive interchangeable, non-circular drive shafts. The electromechanical drive assembly may be configured to attach to and self-align relative to other construction set components. One or more of the components may be provided with openings through which the non-circular drive shafts may rotate. The drive shaft may be locked in relation to openings of components that allow the drive shaft to rotate via a lock plate. A bearing plate may also be included.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A construction set for constructing a user-definable apparatus, said construction set comprising a unitary construction set component designed to be alterable by a user of the construction set to form at least one different construction set component.  
     
     
         2 . The construction set according to  claim 1 , wherein said unitary construction set component includes at least a first indentation and a second indentation residing in substantially opposed relation to the first indentation to facilitate reconfiguration of said unitary construction set component in relation to the first and second indentations.  
     
     
         3 . The construction set according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second indentations are configured to produce substantially no sharp corners in response to reconfiguration of said unitary construction set component.  
     
     
         4 . The construction set according to  claim 1 , wherein said construction set component includes substantially opposed indentations defining a border between a plurality of segments to facilitate reconfiguration of said unitary construction set component in relation to at least one segment.  
     
     
         5 . The construction set according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of segments have substantially the same dimensions.  
     
     
         6 . The construction set according to  claim 1 , wherein said unitary construction set component includes at least one demarcation defining a border between adjacent segments of the construction set component, the at least one demarcation operable to facilitate reconfiguration of said unitary construction set component in relation to said at least one demarcation.  
     
     
         7 . The construction set according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one demarcation is an indentation.  
     
     
         8 . The construction set according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one demarcation includes an opening.  
     
     
         9 . The construction set according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one demarcation includes a score.  
     
     
         10 . The construction set according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one demarcation is substantially V-shaped.  
     
     
         11 . The construction set according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one demarcation is operable to substantially prevent a sharp corner from being formed by separation of said unitary construction set component at the at least one demarcation.  
     
     
         12 . The construction set according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tool operable to alter said unitary construction set component by the user of the construction set.  
     
     
         13 . The construction set according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one tool includes a break press.  
     
     
         14 . The construction set according to  claim 13 , wherein the break press includes a V-shaped portion operable to alter said unitary construction set component.  
     
     
         15 . The construction set according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one tool includes a wrench.  
     
     
         16 . The construction set according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one tool includes a cutting device to alter said unitary construction set component.  
     
     
         17 . The construction set according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one tool includes a bending device to alter said unitary construction set component.  
     
     
         18 . The construction set according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one tool includes a device having both a cutting component and a bending component.  
     
     
         19 . The construction set according to  claim 1 , wherein said unitary construction set component is plastically deformable substantially without breaking.  
     
     
         20 . A construction set for constructing a user-definable apparatus with construction set components, said construction set comprising: 
 an electromechanical drive assembly including a controller and an electromechanical drive, the controller operable to control the electromechanical drive to move a construction set component at variable speeds.    
     
     
         21 . The construction set according to  claim 20 , wherein said electromechanical drive assembly further includes an H-bridge controller electrically coupled between the controller and electromechanical drive.  
     
     
         22 . The construction set according to  claim 20 , wherein the electromechanical drive is a DC motor.  
     
     
         23 . The construction set according to  claim 20 , further comprising a receiver operable to receive signals from the user to control the speed of the electromechanical drive.  
     
     
         24 . The construction set according to  claim 23 , wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver.  
     
     
         25 . A construction set for constructing a user-defined, electromechanical apparatus, said construction set comprising: 
 an electromechanical drive operable to translate electrical energy into movement; and    a coupling operable to couple a drive member to said electromechanical drive for movement therewith, said coupling being independent of a drive member coupling element and operable to enable interchangeability of the drive member with at least one other drive member.    
     
     
         26 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the drive members is an elongate drive shaft.  
     
     
         27 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , wherein said electromechanical drive is operable to translate electrical energy into rotational movement about an axis.  
     
     
         28 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , wherein said electromechanical drive is a DC motor.  
     
     
         29 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , wherein said coupling has an internal profile that is substantially the same shape as a shape of an exterior profile of at least a portion of said electromechanical drive member.  
     
     
         30 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , further comprising electronics including an H-bridge operable to drive said electromechanical drive at variable speeds.  
     
     
         31 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , wherein said coupling is operable to frictionally retain the drive member.  
     
     
         32 . The construction set according to  claim 25 , further comprising a housing about at least a portion of the electromechanical drive unit operable to enable attachment to another component of the construction set.  
     
     
         33 . A construction set for constructing a user-definable apparatus, said construction set comprising: 
 a plurality of construction set components, and    at least one spacer member having at least one cavity operable to receive a fastener coupled to at least one construction set component, and operable to be coupled between two construction set components to provide for separation between the two construction set components in constructing the user-defined apparatus.    
     
     
         34 . The construction set according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of said construction set components is designed to be alterable.  
     
     
         35 . The construction set according to  claim 33 , wherein said at least one spacer member is hexagonal.  
     
     
         36 . The construction set according to  claim 33 , wherein said the at least one cavity is threaded.  
     
     
         37 . The construction set according to  claim 33 ,, wherein the user-definable apparatus is an electromechanical device.