Connector with multiple structural interfaces

Abstract

A connector includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis from one end-face to an opposite end-face. The body has an inner surface and an outer surface, and defines a first raised block, a second raised block, and first recesses in at least one end face. The first and second raised blocks each respectively extend from the outer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first raised block includes a first planar surface and defines protrusions that extend from the first planar surface. The second raised block includes a second planar surface and defines second recesses within the second planar surface. Each of the body, the first recesses, the first protrusions, and the second recesses separately defines a respective structural interface. Each structural interface is configured to engage with a respective corresponding structural interface of a component and couple that component to the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector, comprising:
 a body that extends along a longitudinal axis from a first end-face to a second end-face, the body having an outer surface,   wherein the body defines:
 a plurality of first recesses in at least one of the first end-face and the second end-face, 
 a first raised block that:
 extends from the outer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, 
 includes a first planar surface, and 
 defines a plurality of first protrusions that extend from the first planar surface, and 
 
 a second raised block that:
 extends from the outer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, 
 includes a second planar surface, and 
 defines a plurality of second recesses within the second planar surface, 
 
   wherein each of the plurality of first recesses, the plurality of first protrusions, and the plurality of second recesses separately defines a respective structural interface, and   wherein each structural interface is configured to engage with a respective corresponding structural interface of a component and couple the component to the connector.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first recesses are equally spaced along the at least one of the first end-face and the second end-face, and wherein each first recess has a depth that enables a frictional reception of a protrusion extending from a respective component and having a one of a thickness and a longitudinal length at least equal to the depth. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of first recesses are equally spaced along a circumference defined by the at least one of the first end-face and the second end-face. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of first protrusions have a cylindrical profile and extend a first distance from the first planar surface, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions arranged in at least one row on the first planar surface. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of first protrusions extend the first distance from the first planar surface, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions are arranged in at least two rows on the first planar surface. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of first protrusions defines a wall that surrounds the remaining first protrusions. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical profile of each of the plurality of first protrusions includes a cylindrical wall surrounding a hollow space that extends from a free end of a respective first protrusion to at least the first planar surface. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein each second recess of the plurality of second recesses extends a first depth from the second planar surface towards the longitudinal axis, wherein the first depth is less than a first thickness of the second block, and wherein each second recess is defined by a respective first inner surface of the second block to extend a first width along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein each second recess is defined to extend coaxially within the second block from a respective third recess, wherein each third recess is defined by a respective second inner surface of the second block to extend a second width along the longitudinal axis less than the first width and a second depth toward the first to at least the outer surface. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the body is a wall formed between the outer surface and an inner surface of the body, wherein a second thickness of the wall is at least equal to the first thickness of the second block, and wherein each third recess extends from a respective second recess to the body inner surface and defines an aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a third raised block that extends from the outer surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the third raised block includes a third planar surface and defines at least one second protrusion, and wherein the at least one second protrusion defines a structural interface that is different relative to the other structural interfaces of the connector and is configured to engage with a corresponding structural interface of a respective component and couple the respective component to the connector. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the body separately defines a structural interface that is different relative to the other structural interfaces of the connector, wherein the structural interface of the body includes a surface having a substantially uniform profile that is configured to engage with a corresponding structural interface of a component and couple the component to the connector. 
     
     
         13 . A connector, comprising:
 a hollow body that extends along a first axis, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a channel,   wherein the hollow body defines:
 a first raised block that:
 extends from the outer surface perpendicular to the first axis, 
 includes a first planar surface, and 
 defines a plurality of first protrusions that extend from the first planar surface, and 
 
 a second raised block that:
 extends from the outer surface perpendicular to the first axis, 
 includes a second planar surface, and 
 defines a plurality of first recesses within the second planar surface, 
 
   wherein each of the body, the plurality of first protrusions, and the plurality of first recesses separately defines a respective structural interface, and   wherein each structural interface is configured to engage with a respective corresponding structural interface of a component and couple the component to the connector.   
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the hollow body has a circular cross-section and the channel is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the second raised block is T-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the hollow body includes a cross-body and a stem body,   wherein the cross-body extends along the first axis from a first end-face to a second end, and   wherein the stem body extends along a second axis from a junction with the cross-body to a third end-face, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.   
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 16 , wherein the hollow body defines a set of second recesses in each of the first end-face, the second end-face, and the third end-face, and wherein the sets of second recesses define respective structural interfaces configured to engage with corresponding structural interfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein at least one ridge extends from the inner surface toward the first axis, wherein the at least one ridge is configured to provide a stop defined along the inner surface to limit a movement of an external component within the hollow body. 
     
     
         19 . A method of building an assembly with components from different types of building systems, the method comprising:
 providing a first connector having a first body that:
 extends along a longitudinal axis from a first end-face to a second end-face of the first body, 
 includes a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and 
 defines a first raised block and a second raised block that separately extend from the outer surface in respective directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first raised block defining a plurality of protrusions extending from a first planar surface, the second raised block defining a plurality of recesses in a second planar surface; 
   selecting a first component from components of a field system according to a first cross-section of the first body as defined by the first inner surface, the first component being one of a pipe, tube, and a rod have a first end with a second cross-section corresponding to the first cross-section;   selecting a second component from components of a first toy system according to a structure and arrangement of structural features of a second structural interface defined by one of the first raised block with the plurality of protrusions and the second raised block with the plurality of recesses;   coupling the first component to the first connector by engaging the first end of the first component with a first structural interface defined by the first inner surface of the first connector;   coupling the second component to the first connector by engaging an arrangement of accessible structural features of the second component with the second structural interface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 selecting a second connector according to a third cross-section of a second end of the first component, the second connector have a second body that:
 includes a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second inner surface defining a fourth cross-section corresponding to the third cross-section, and 
 defines a third raised block and a fourth raised block extending from the second outer surface; 
   coupling the second component to the first component by engaging a third structural interface defined by the second inner surface with the second end of the first component; and   selecting and coupling a third component from components of a second toy system to the second connector according to a structure and arrangement of structural features of a fourth structural interface defined by one of the third raised block and the fourth raised block.