Framing system for a construction set

Abstract

A framing system for a construction set comprising a number of interchangeable elements which can be arranged to construct a variety of three-dimensional structures, as well as individual, stand-alone floors, which in turn are adapted to be stacked on one another. In some embodiments, the system comprises at least one central unit, a plurality of outer mid-columns, at least one tie beam corner unit, and/or at least one curved beam unit which cooperate to form a variety of stand-alone floors. The system comprises additional components which increase the stability of the construction set, including but not limited to internal corner brackets, cross pins, cross studs, square panels, and rectangular panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A framing system, comprising:
 a curved beam unit having a curved beam and a curved cross beam;   wherein the curved beam comprises a pair of end components integrally connected to a curved main body, a top surface, an outer face, an inner face, a pair of identical, end faces defined by said end components, and a bottom;   wherein the curved cross beam comprises a pair of end components integrally connected to a curved main body, a top surface, an outer face, an inner face, a pair of identical, end faces defined by said end components, a bottom, and a pair of stud receiving bores on the bottom of each of said end components.   
     
     
         2 . The framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the curved beam unit is adapted to be removably secured to at least one adjacent outer mid-column. 
     
     
         3 . The framing system of  claim 2 , wherein the curved beam unit is adapted to be removably secured to a pair of adjacent outer mid-columns. 
     
     
         4 . The framing system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one adjacent outer mid-column comprises a bottom component integrally connected to a vertical component, a top, a bottom, an external face, a pair of identical, lateral sides, and an internal side. 
     
     
         5 . The framing system of  claim 4 , wherein the pair of end faces of said end components of the curved beam are identically configured to the pair of lateral sides of the bottom component of the at least one outer mid-column;
 wherein the pair of end faces of said end components of the curved beam are adapted to be removably secured to the lateral sides of the bottom component of the at least one outer mid-column.   
     
     
         6 . The framing system of  claim 2 , wherein the top of said at least one outer mid-column comprises a first stud, a second stud, a first half stud, and a second half stud, wherein the first half stud and the second half stud each extend towards the external face of said outer mid-column; and
 wherein a half stud extends from the outer face of each of the end components of the curved cross beam, wherein each of said half studs of said curved cross beam is adapted to engage the first half stud or the second half stud of said outer mid-column to form a full stud.   
     
     
         7 . The framing system of  claim 6 , wherein the pair of stud receiving bores on the bottom of each end component of the curved cross beam are adapted to engage the first stud or the second half stud on the top of said at least one outer-mid column. 
     
     
         8 . An outer mid-column, comprising:
 a top, a bottom, an external face, a pair of identical lateral sides, and an internal side; and   a series of cross stud receiving bores positioned in a parallel row along the length of each lateral side.   
     
     
         9 . The outer mid-column of  claim 8 , wherein the external face further comprises a series of studs positioned in two, parallel rows. 
     
     
         10 . The outer mid-column of  claim 9 , further comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
 wherein the top and bottom surface each comprise a pair of cross stud receiving bores;   wherein the top and bottom surface are identically configured.   
     
     
         11 . The outer mid-column of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the rows of studs further comprise a first end and an opposing second end;
 wherein a first cross stud receiving bore is positioned on the external face between the first end of the at least one row and the top of said outer mid-column, said first cross stud receiving bore being in alignment with said at least one row;   wherein a second cross stud receiving bore is positioned on the external face between the second end of the at least one row and the bottom of said outer mid-column, said second cross stud receiving bore being in alignment with said at least one row.   
     
     
         12 . The outer mid-column of  claim 9 , further comprising a series of borings positioned between said series of studs, wherein the series of studs and series of borings span a length of said external face, wherein the series of borings span from the external face to the internal side;
 further comprising a top surface having a pair of studs, wherein a pair of half studs extend outward from the top surface and towards said external face, said half studs positioned in alignment with the two rows of studs on said external face.   
     
     
         13 . The outer mid-column of  claim 8 , further comprising a bottom component adapted to be removably secured to the bottom;
 wherein the bottom component comprises a top surface having a pair of studs, and an internal side defining at least one cross stud receiving bore;   wherein the vertical component extends upwardly from said top surface and is positioned distal relative to the pair of studs.   
     
     
         14 . The outer mid-column of  claim 8 , further comprising a bottom component integrally connected to a vertical component;
 wherein the bottom component comprises a top surface having a pair of studs, and an internal side defining at least one cross stud receiving bore;   wherein the vertical component extends upwardly from said top surface and is positioned distal relative to the pair of studs.   
     
     
         15 . A corner column, comprising:
 a top end, a first external face, a second external face, a first internal face, a second internal face, a recess comprising a grid structure and said recess positioned between the first and second internal faces, and a bottom end; and   a series of cross stud receiving bores positioned in a parallel row along the length of each internal face;   wherein the first and second external faces are identically configured;   wherein the first and second internal faces are identically configured.   
     
     
         16 . The corner column of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second external face each further comprise a series of studs positioned in two, parallel rows along a length of each external face. 
     
     
         17 . The corner column of  claim 15 , wherein the top end and the bottom end each comprise a plurality of cross stud receiving bores;
 wherein the top end and the bottom end are identically configured.   
     
     
         18 . The corner column of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the rows of studs further comprise a first end and an opposing second end;
 wherein a first cross stud receiving bore is positioned on each external face between the first end of the at least one row and the top end of said corner column, said first cross stud receiving bore being in alignment with said at least one row;   wherein a second cross stud receiving bore is positioned on each external face between the second end of the at least one row and the bottom end of said corner column, said second cross stud receiving bore being in alignment with said at least one row.   
     
     
         19 . The corner column of  claim 16 , further comprising a bottom portion integrally connected to a vertical portion;
 wherein the bottom portion of the corner column defines a top surface having a single stud positioned between the first and second internal faces of said corner column.   
     
     
         20 . The corner column of  claim 16 , further comprising a bottom portion adapted to be removably secured to the bottom end;
 wherein the bottom portion of the corner column defines a top surface having a single stud positioned between the first and second internal faces of said corner column.