Building element for different uses

Abstract

A building element of a specified shape having at least one surface including at least two diagonally opposed projected portions and at least two diagonally opposed recessed portions in relation to the diagonally opposed projected portions. The projected portions are adapted to engage and interlock by snap fit and/or by interlock friction with a substantially identical side of a corresponding building element.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A building element of a specified shape having at least one surface comprising:
 at least two diagonally opposed projected portions and at least two diagonally opposed recessed portions in relation to the diagonally opposed projected portions, wherein each projected portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and a circumferential side having in a first consecutive order a first, a second, and a third side, wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the third side faces away from the diagonally opposed recessed portions, or in a second consecutive order a first, a second, a third and a fourth side, wherein the first and the third side are opposite each other and the second and fourth side are opposite each other and wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and wherein the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions, and wherein each recessed portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and wherein the flat surface of each recessed portion is in a plane substantially parallel to the flat surface of each projected portions,   wherein at least the first and second side of the projected portions are adapted to engage and interlock by snap fit and/or by interlock friction with a substantially identical first and second side of a corresponding building element.   
     
     
         14 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein the specific shape has from two to ten surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein the specific shape is a cube having six surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The building element of any one of  claims 13 , wherein the at least one surface has two diagonally opposed projected portions and two diagonally opposed recessed portions. 
     
     
         17 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein the cube has eight corners of which four corners has three adjacent projected portions, and of which four corners has three adjacent recessed portions. 
     
     
         18 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein the snap fit of the first and second side is by means of a lip and a groove, or an overhang and an undercut, or wherein the first and second side forms an angle of less than 90° at the connection with the recessed portion. 
     
     
         19 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and the second side forms an angle of 90° at the connection with the recessed portion, and the first and second side of the projected portions are adapted to engage and interlock by friction. 
     
     
         20 . The building element of  claim 13 , wherein the building element is made of a solid molded material. 
     
     
         21 . A building element of a specified shape having at least one surface comprising:
 at least two diagonally opposed projected portions and at least two diagonally opposed recessed portions in relation to the diagonally opposed projected portions, wherein each projected portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and a circumferential side having in a first consecutive order a first, a second, and a third side, wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the third side faces away from the diagonally opposed recessed portions, or in a second consecutive order a first, a second, a third and a fourth side, wherein the first and the third side are opposite each other and the second and fourth side are opposite each other and wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and wherein the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions, and wherein each recessed portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and wherein the flat surface of each recessed portion is in a plane substantially parallel to the flat surface of each projected portions,   wherein at least the first and second side of the projected portions are adapted to engage and interlock by snap fit and/or by interlock friction with a substantially identical first and second side of a corresponding building element, for use as a toy for assembling a desired structure.   
     
     
         22 . A building element of a specified shape having at least one surface comprising:
 at least two diagonally opposed projected portions and at least two diagonally opposed recessed portions in relation to the diagonally opposed projected portions, wherein each projected portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and a circumferential side having in a first consecutive order a first, a second, and a third side, wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and the third side faces away from the diagonally opposed recessed portions, or in a second consecutive order a first, a second, a third and a fourth side, wherein the first and the third side are opposite each other and the second and fourth side are opposite each other and wherein the first side faces one of the diagonally opposed recessed portions and wherein the second side faces the other of the diagonally opposed recessed portions, and wherein each recessed portion has a flat surface facing away from the center of the building element and wherein the flat surface of each recessed portion is in a plane substantially parallel to the flat surface of each projected portions, wherein at least the first and second side of the projected portions are adapted to engage and interlock by snap fit and/or by interlock friction with a substantially identical first and second side of a corresponding building element, for use as a construction element in building a wall.