Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house

Abstract

A special tabbed pattern is integrated into a series of forms. The forms may be cookie cutters adapted to cut baked dough or other material set to desired density to provide a series of panels corresponding to the cutters. Alternatively, the forms may be molds, e.g, adapted to receive melted chocolate which is allowed to cool and set to form a series of panels corresponding to the molds. The panels are adapted to be joined together to form a decorative structure. The tabs are sized and positioned to provide a dovetail joint along each edge of the structure. The protruding tabs or ends are of a slightly smaller dimension than the notches that they fit inside of to provide a secure fit. This self-interlocking design allows each individual piece of the structure to be fitted together, one at a time, while maintaining an acceptable degree of stability throughout the assembly process.

1 . A device for creating an assembly of interlocking panels comprising 
 a form having at least one side surface defining a tab and a notch and adapted to form a first panel having a corresponding tab and a corresponding notch, the tab of the first panel interlocking with a complementary notch on a second panel and the notch of the first panel interlocking with a complementary tab on a second panel.    
   
   
       2 . A device as in  claim 1   wherein the form is a cookie cutter.    
   
   
       3 . A device as in  claim 1   where the form is a mold.    
   
   
       4 . A device as in  claim 3   wherein the mold includes a fill line.    
   
   
       5 . A device as in  claim 1   wherein the first panel comprises an edible material.    
   
   
       6 . A device as in  claim 1   wherein the first panel comprises a non-edible material.    
   
   
       7 . Apparatus for creating a decorative house comprising 
 a first device as defined in  claim 1  adapted to form an end panel for the house,    a second device as defined in  claim 1  adapted to form a side panel for the house, and    a third device as defined in  claim 1  adapted to form a roof panel for the house.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as in  claim 7   wherein the end panel has a bottom surface, a pair of opposed side surfaces each having a tab and a notch, and a pair of inclined top surfaces each having a tab and a notch,    wherein the side panel has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposed side surfaces, each side surface having a tab and a notch, the side panel tab being complementary to and interlocking with the end panel notch on one of the side surfaces of the end panel and the side panel notch being complementary to and interlocking with the end panel tab on one of the side surfaces of the end panel, and    wherein the roof panel has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposed side surfaces, each side surface having a tab and a notch, the roof panel tab being complementary to and interlocking with the end panel notch on one of the inclined top surfaces of the end panel and the roof panel notch being complementary to and interlocking with the end panel tab on one of the inclined top surfaces of the end panel.