Modular building block system

Abstract

The system and method for the modular construction of three-dimensional structures, and more particularly, to the use of the three-dimensional structures as furniture, storage, and toys. The structures comprise a plurality of panels, rods, and connectors. The structures are made up of one or more inter-connectable blocks. The blocks may have parallel or perpendicular joints. The blocks may be of the same or of different sizes. Numerous accessories are also possible for the modular structures.

1 . A modular building block system comprising:
 at least two flat panels,   a plurality of rods,   each panel having a pattern comprising a plurality of cavities and a plurality of openings, each of the cavities being sized for matingly receiving one end of the plurality of rods and each of the openings being sized for receiving a connector,   a plurality of fasteners for securing an end of the plurality of rods to one of the panels to facilitate assembly into at least one three-dimensional structure, and   at least one connector for connecting the three-dimensional structure with another three-dimensional structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rods are fixed to the at least two panels through the use of bolts and inserts, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of rods. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rods are fixed to the at least two panels through the use of pins, or bolts and inserts, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of rods. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the combination of two parallel panels and a plurality of rods attached, via connectors, creates a hollow three-dimensional block. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein one or more blocks may be used in a plurality of applications. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more blocks may be assembled into larger structures through the use, but not exclusively, of loop connectors or clip connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein blocks of different sizes and shapes, may be assembled together. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two panels have openings cut parallel to each panel edge to enable modular and scalable assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein depressions on an external panel surface, together with openings and studs, enable stable block stacking. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein openings and depressions follow a standard pattern to enable modular and scalable assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A modular building block system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two flat panels, a plurality of rods and one or more connectors to assemble into at least one three-dimensional structure comprising blocks, the system having a standard pattern comprising:
 i. a base panel unit having one slot in the middle of each base unit panel edge;   ii. panels one size increment larger when compared to a size of the base unit have a long straight edge that is double the size of the base unit panel edge;   iii. panels larger than the base unit include step down openings, aligned with a line of openings included in the base unit;   iv. non-equilateral panel sizes increase such that the length of the long straight edge is double the length of a panel for one size smaller; and   v. openings and depressions in the panels enables stacking with edge-to-edge panel alignment or center-to-center panel alignment.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a planar face of a block may be connected to a planar face of another block according to three possible types of block-to-block connections: panel-to-panel, panel-to-rod and rod-to-rod. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the blocks comprise different shapes including:
 i. an equilateral triangular prism;   ii. a cube;   iii. a rhombus prism;   iv. a pentagonal prism;   v. a hexagonal prism;   vi. an octagonal prism;   vii. a cuboid;   viii. a trapezoidal prism;   ix. a parallelepiped prism;   x. a kite prism;   xi. a quarter cylinder;   xii. a semi-cylinder;   xiii. a cylinder;   xiv. an annulus sector (circular ring) block;   xv. a quarter elliptical block;   xvi. a semi-elliptical block;   xvii. an elliptical block; and   xviii. blocks with non-geometrical shape panels.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein blocks with non-geometrical shape panels comprises petals, animal shapes, parts of animal shapes, mandala shapes, oblongs, chevrons, and others. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein studs present at the bottom of one block fit into depressions and openings on the top of another block. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein studs are an extension of a rod end or disks attached to the panels. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein studs provide clearance protection to panel surfaces, anti-slip capability to blocks, grip and stability to blocks placed on soft surfaces, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein additional cavities may be added to panels for rods to be used as spacers between two or more stacked blocks. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of accessories may be attached to the blocks including, but not exclusively:
 i. fabric panels;   ii. thin flat panels;   iii. nets with frames;   iv. panel padding;   v. rod padding;   vi. rod grips;   vii. patterned covers;   viii. buttons;   ix. wall mounts; and   x. feet.