Interlocking panel and kit of such panels

Abstract

A modular system for forming without tools a variety of 3-dimensional structures comprises panels ( 10 ), and connectors ( 13, 14 ), and locking bridging members ( 30 ) for assembling the panels ( 10 ) together in a desired configuration. The panels can be disconnected so that the erected structure can be disassembled with ease for future reuse. The system can be used to erect children's playhouses made of polymer materials, as well as in a large variety of other applications to create 3-dimensional objects requiring rapid positive construction without tools.

1 . A system for forming 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising at least two interlocking panels, connectors being provided for attaching together edges of adjacent panels, each said connector comprising first and second connecting elements provided on one and the other of a pair of panels, said first and second connecting elements being adapted to snap engage together for attaching said pair of panels together in an interlocked position of said panels, wherein in said interlocked position, said first and second connecting elements are adapted to allow said pair of panels to pivot relative to one another in said interlocked position. 
   
   
       2 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein bridging members are provided, wherein each panel has at least one first or second connecting element on each of the edges thereof, wherein the panels in said interlocked position are able to swivel about a longitudinal axis of the connector to permit orienting the panels to a selected relative angle therebetween, and wherein adjacent parts of the panels may be fixed in place by one or more bridging member inserted along adjoining edges thereof to substantially prevent a rotation of the connectors. 
   
   
       3 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . The system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein guides are incorporated on the panels to align bridging members in order to locate them on the panels and maintain alignment. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein openings are defined in the panel perimeter flange and at said connectors for allowing the panels to be assembled and disassembled either from the outside or the inside of a built structure. 
   
   
       15 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A system for forming 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising interlocking panels, connectors, and locking clips, wherein each panel has at least one connector on at least one of its edges, with said connector being adapted to provide a positive snap-in lock with a mating connector on an adjacent panel, such that the completed connection is able to swivel about a longitudinal axis of the connector to permit orienting the panels to a selected angle in relation to each other, and wherein adjacent parts of the panels may be fixed in place by one or more clips inserted along adjoining edges thereof to substantially prevent a rotation of the connectors. 
   
   
       23 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . The system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the connectors and the clips or the bridging members incorporate locking mechanisms to ensure that once clipped together they cannot be inadvertently separated under normal use. 
   
   
       28 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . The system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein guides are incorporated on the panels to align the clips or the bridging members in order to locate them on the panels and maintain alignment. 
   
   
       34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . The system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein openings are defined in the panel at said connectors for allowing the interlocking panels to be assembled and disassembled either from the outside or the inside of the built structure. 
   
   
       36 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . A kit for forming 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising at least two interlocking panels, connectors being provided for attaching together edges of adjacent panels, each said connector comprising first and second connecting elements provided on one and the other of a pair of panels, said first and second connecting elements being adapted to snap engage together for attaching said pair of panels together in an interlocked position of said panels, wherein in said interlocked position, said first and second connecting elements being adapted to allow said pair of panels to pivot relative to one another in said interlocked position. 
   
   
       44 . The kit as defined in  claim 43 , wherein bridging members are provided, wherein each panel has at least one first or second connecting element on each of the edges thereof, wherein the panels in said interlocked position are able to swivel about a longitudinal axis of the connector to permit orienting the panels to a selected relative angle therebetween, and wherein adjacent parts of the panels may be fixed in place by one or more bridging members inserted along adjoining edges thereof to substantially prevent a rotation of the connectors. 
   
   
       45 . (canceled) 
   
   
       46 . A panel for use with other panels for forming 3-dimensional structures of a variety of shapes, comprising:
 at least first and second edges;   a first snap-on connection element about the first edge;   a resilient second snap-on connection element about the second edge, the second snap-on connection element being resilient;   wherein:   the first snap-on connection element of one of said panels is adapted to engage into the resilient second snap-on connection of another of said panels so as to form a snap-on connection interlocking said one panel and said another panel;   the snap-on connection enables a pivotal movement, about an axis, of said panel relative to said another panel.   
   
   
       47 . A panel as defined in  claim 46 , wherein a first opening is defined in the generally flat portion about the first snap-on connection element and a second opening is defined in the generally flat portion about the second snap-on connection element;
 wherein the first and second openings enable manual access to respectively the first snap-on connection element and the second snap-on connection element, whereby the first snap-on connection element and the second snap-on connection element can be manually locked and manually unlocked.   
   
   
       48 . A panel as defined in  claim 46 , wherein:
 the first snap-on connection element includes a bar;   the second snap-on connection element includes a C-shaped member; and   in a locked position, the C-shaped member snaps on the bar so that that the axis of the C-shaped member is coaxial with the axis of the bar.   
   
   
       49 . A panel as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the C-shaped member further comprises a finger tab. 
   
   
       50 . A panel as defined in  claim 46 , wherein:
 the first snap-on connection element is a male connecting member;   the second snap-on connection element is a female connecting member; and   in a locked position, the male connecting member snaps in the female connecting member; and wherein:   the male connecting element comprises two flanges, each flange having an internal surface and a center post projecting normally from the internal surface; and   the female connecting element comprises two flanges, each flange having a center hole formed therein;   whereby in a locked position, the center posts of one panel engages respectively in the center holes of another panel.   
   
   
       51 - 53 . (canceled) 
   
   
       54 . A panel as defined in  claim 46 , wherein:
 the panel comprises a raised rib configuration about the intersection of two edges of the panel, the panel being in combination with a bridging member adapted to engage the raised rib configurations of a pair of adjacent panels for attaching the same thereat.   
   
   
       55 . (canceled) 
   
   
       56 . A panel as defined in  claim 54 , wherein said bridging member includes a pair of opposed C-shaped members each adapted to receive therein part of one of the adjacent panels. 
   
   
       57 . A panel as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said C-shaped members include inner ribs for frictionally engaging the parts of the panels located therein. 
   
   
       58 . A panel as defined in  claim 57 , wherein at least one of the inner ribs is adapted to engage an aperture defined in the part of the panel. 
   
   
       59 . A panel as defined in  claim 56 , wherein said C-shaped members include end hook elements adapted to engage the panels, and wherein each said hook element is adapted to engage a groove defined by a pairs of ribs provided on the panel. 
   
   
       60 - 70 . (canceled)