Set of building components for building a plurality of predefined structures

Abstract

A building set includes a plurality of building components. The components may be configured so that one or more predefined structures may be constructed with a set of the components. For example, the set of components may be configured any number of predefined structures may be constructed, such as a table and chairs, a boat, a plane, and so on. The components may be made from a composition including polyolefin. The polyolefin may have a density in the range of about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft 3 ) to about 9 lb/ft 3 . As such, the components are compressible, resilient, and elastic. One or more of the components may include a first retaining element, and one or more of the components may include a second retaining element. The retaining elements are configured to engage together for securing or coupling the components together. For example, the retaining elements may be defined by one or more dimensions, with at least one of the dimensions of one of the retaining elements being greater than a corresponding dimension of the other retaining element. The retaining element with the greater size may be urged or inserted into the other retaining element, thereby being compressed. When received within the other retaining element, the compressed retaining element exerts a spring force, thereby causing the components to be retained by friction between abutting surfaces.

1 . A building set comprising a plurality of building components; 
 a first one of the components having a first retaining element and a second one of the components having a second retaining element; and    at least the first retaining element including resilient material such that when the retaining elements are engaged together, the first retaining element is compressed and applies a spring force against the second retaining element, thereby securing the retaining elements together.    
   
   
       2 . The building set of  claim 1  wherein a number of the components are made from a composition including a polyolefin such that the components are resilient.  
   
   
       3 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein each of the number of components includes a retaining element for engaging with the retaining element of another one of the components.  
   
   
       4 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein the polyolefin has a density in the range of about 1 pound per cubic foot (lb/ft 3 ) to about 9 lb/ft 3 .  
   
   
       5 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein the composition includes polyethylene.  
   
   
       6 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein the composition includes a first polyolefin having a density and a second polyolefin having a density that is different than that of the first polyolefin.  
   
   
       7 . The building set of  claim 6  wherein the first polyolefin has a density less than about 4 lb/ft 3 , and the second polyolefin has a density greater than about 4 lb/ft 3 .  
   
   
       8 . The building set of  claim 6  wherein the first polyolefin has a density in the range of about 1 lb/ft 3  to about 2 lb/ft 3 , and the second polyolefin has a density in the range of about 4 lb/ft 3  to about 12 lb/ft 3 .  
   
   
       9 . The building set of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the components is configured such that the first polyolefin and the second polyolefin are layered.  
   
   
       10 . The building set of  claim 6  wherein the first polyolefin and the second polyolefin have different colors.  
   
   
       11 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein the composition includes an adhesion layer.  
   
   
       12 . The building set of  claim 11  wherein the adhesion layer includes adhesive.  
   
   
       13 . The building set of  claim 11  wherein the adhesion layer includes material that is activated by heat.  
   
   
       14 . The building set of  claim 13  wherein the adhesion layer includes a polyolefin with a melting point of at least about 180° Fahrenheit (F).  
   
   
       15 . The building set of  claim 2  wherein the composition includes a utility layer.  
   
   
       16 . The building set of  claim 15  wherein the utility layer includes a markable surface.  
   
   
       17 . The building set of  claim 15  wherein the utility layer includes an attachment surface.  
   
   
       18 . The building set of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of the components is made from a composition excluding polyolefin.  
   
   
       19 . The building set of  claim 18  wherein at least one of the components made from a composition excluding polyolefin includes a retaining element that is substantially non-resilient.  
   
   
       20 . The building set of  claim 1  wherein the first retaining element includes a peg and the second retaining element includes a socket.  
   
   
       21 . The building set of  claim 20  wherein the peg is substantially rectilinear.  
   
   
       22 . The building set of  claim 20  wherein the peg is substantially curvilinear.  
   
   
       23 . The building set of  claim 20  wherein the socket is substantially rectilinear.  
   
   
       24 . The building set of  claim 20  wherein the socket is substantially curvilinear.  
   
   
       25 . The building set of  claim 20  wherein the peg has at least one dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the socket.  
   
   
       26 . The building set of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the components includes a plurality of retaining elements.  
   
   
       27 . The building set of  claim 26  wherein the plurality of retaining elements includes a plurality of different configurations.  
   
   
       28 . The building set of  claim 27  wherein at least one of the retaining elements is engageable with a plurality of retaining elements each having a different configuration.  
   
   
       29 . The building set of  claim 1  wherein the components are configured such that a number of predefined structures are constructible with at least a plurality of the components.  
   
   
       30 . The building set of  claim 1  wherein the components are configured such that a first predefined structure is constructible with at least a plurality of the components.  
   
   
       31 . The building set of  claim 30  wherein the components are configured such that a second predefined structure is constructible with at least a plurality of the components.  
   
   
       32 . The building set of  claim 31  wherein the first and the second predefined structures are constructed with the same components.  
   
   
       33 . A method for building structures, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of building components, a first one of the components having a first retaining element and a second one of the components having a second retaining element, at least the first retaining element including resilient material; and    coupling the first one of the components to the second one of the components by urging the first retaining element into the second retaining element, such that the first retaining element is compressed and applies a spring force against the second retaining element, thereby securing the retaining elements together.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein a plurality of the components each has a retaining element with a different configuration, further comprising: 
 decoupling the components by urging the first retaining element out of the second retaining element; and    coupling the first one of the components with another one of the components having a retaining element with a different configuration.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the plurality of components are configured such that a number of predefined structures are constructible with a set of the components, further comprising: 
 coupling the set of components together in a predetermined manner to construct one of the predefined structures.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 decoupling the set of components; and    coupling the set of components together in another predetermined manner to construct another one of the predefined structures.    
   
   
       37 . A method for building structures, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of building components each being made from a composition including a polyolefin that has a melting point of at least about 180° F.;    positioning two of the components together such that the components abut along an interface;    applying heat at or near the interface that is sufficient to cause the polyolefin to melt;    removing the heat such that the polyolefin cools, thereby adhering the two components together.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein: 
 the step of the applying heat comprises: 
 positioning a resistive element between the components at the interface; and  
 applying power to the resistive element.  
   the step of removing the heat comprises: 
 disconnecting the power from the resistive element.  
   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the step of applying heat comprises: 
 directing hot air at or near the interface.    
   
   
       40 . A building set for use in constructing a plurality of predefined structures, the building set comprising: 
 a plurality of components each made from a resilient material and including a retaining element being defined by at least one dimension;    a number of the retaining elements having a dimension that is greater than a corresponding dimension of another one of the retaining elements such that the retaining element with a greater dimension is compressed and thereby exerts a spring force against the other retaining element with a small dimension when engaged therewith;    the plurality of components being configured such that a plurality predefined structures are constructible from the components.    
   
   
       41 . The building set of  claim 40  wherein the plurality of predefined structures includes furniture.  
   
   
       42 . The building set of  claim 40  wherein the plurality of predefined structures includes play structures.