US20210362069A1

US20210362069A1 - Construction System

Info

Publication number: US20210362069A1
Application number: US16/962,819
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthias Meister; Tony Ramenda; Sebastian Kalies
Original assignee: Tictoys GmbH
Current assignee: Tictoys GmbH
Priority date: 2018-01-25
Filing date: 2019-01-24
Publication date: 2021-11-25
Also published as: KR20200112858A; WO2019145436A1; EP3668622A1; EP3668622B1

Abstract

A construction system having construction elements is provided, which allows for unlimited designs of producible structures to be created. If the construction system is provided as a toy, then the construction elements can be played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the producible structures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball, for example. The construction elements can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a US national stage application, filed under 35 USC § 371, of international patent application no. PCT/EP2019/051773, filed Jan. 24, 2019, which claims the benefit of DE patent application no. 10 2018 101 724.3, filed Jan. 25, 2018 and DE patent application no. 20 2018 100 429.8, filed Jan. 25 2018, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a construction system.
Today, construction systems are manufactured and used in a large variety of manners. For example, numerous construction systems are known by means of which furniture or fitments, for example in the form of room dividers, can be produced. The design of the construction systems having a plurality of construction elements makes it possible for these objects to be scaled substantially as desired.
In particular, however, construction systems are known from the field of toys. For example, there are building blocks which cannot, however, be coupled together directly in a two-dimensional manner. Furthermore, the geometries are restricted.
In order to improve this, systems have already been proposed which are not arranged at right angles. For example, DE 696 30 711 T2 describes a construction system including a construction element that has a ball connector and a catching connector, as well as a body part arranged between said two connectors. The catching connector can be arranged directly on the ball connector or on the body part. Furthermore, two or more catching connectors can also be coupled together. As a result, it is possible to produce not only two-dimensional, but rather complex three-dimensional structures. However, structures produced thereby still look very much like bar structures.
A construction system is known from DE 10 2009 003 602 A2, in which the construction elements are two-dimensional and have three corner regions that include coupling elements for coupling to similar construction elements. Said construction elements are resilient. As a result, two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures can be produced. However, the coupling is relatively fragile, since it can be easily released or broken during playing. Furthermore, the couplings weaken following a plurality of coupling procedures.
A construction system is also already known from GB 797 877 A, in which each right-angled construction element includes two diagonally opposing male ends and two diagonally opposing female ends. The male ends are formed as pins and have a thickening. The female ends in turn include a corresponding restriction which has a smaller inside diameter than the thickenings. As a result, the male ends can be clipped into the female ends. Therefore, although the connected construction elements can be rotated relative to one another, and also withstand a certain degree of flexural stress, the coupling will, however, detach in the case of large amounts of acting energy, such as when playing with a formed ball, against a wall.
The durability of couplings can be improved, while at the same time maintaining the resiliency, if the elements are planar and the coupling takes place by means of slotting together female and male ends, in an interlocking manner, as is shown in European design 001625575. In this case, the construction element is formed of a resilient plastics material, wherein the connectors to be inserted into one another are formed so as to be curved, having two slits in each case. In this case, the female end of the slits faces inwards, and the male end of the slits faces outwards, and the width of the slits corresponds to the width of the thickness of the construction element. A disadvantage thereof is that the thickness of the construction elements is limited, and the construction elements weaken at the positions of the slits, since flexural stresses act there.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved construction system in which the connectors are slotted together in an interlocking manner. In particular, unlimited designs of producible structures should be possible. Preferably, the structures produced should be able to be played with largely without suffering fatigue, and without the coupling between individual construction elements being able to detach unintentionally. The produced structures should preferably also be sufficiently resilient and be able to be used for example as a ball. It is also desirable for it to be possible for the construction elements to be manufactured in a simple and also low-cost manner.
This object is achieved by the construction system according to the invention according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description, together with the drawings.
The inventors have found that this object can, in a surprising manner, be achieved particularly easily if pivoting of the second connector, along the longitudinal extension thereof, is required for coupling, because the connectors are then largely stress-free in the coupled state, as a result of which fatigue of the construction elements is prevented and the construction system can be played with for longer. However, this embodiment according to the invention can be used advantageously not only for games, but also for any other desired applications of construction systems.
The connectors are therefore coupling elements which are interlocked in one another in the coupled state. In this case, there is always at least one connector on one construction element, and a mating connector on the other construction element, which can, together, form an interlocking coupling. In this case, the connector may be of a different geometrical design from the mating connector, but it is also possible for both connectors to be geometrically identical in design.
The construction system according to the invention, includes a first construction element and a second construction element, wherein the first construction element includes a first connector, wherein the first connector has a first longitudinal extension and an aperture, and the second construction element includes a second connector, wherein the second connector has a second longitudinal extension, and the second connector of the second construction element with its longitudinal extension can be inserted into the aperture of the first connector of the first construction element, wherein coupling of the first construction element to the second construction element results only following pivoting of the second connector relative to the first connector following insertion of the second connector into the aperture, is characterized in that the first connector and the second connector are designed such that coupling of the first construction element to the second construction element results only following pivoting of the second connector along the longitudinal axis thereof, relative to the first connector.
Within the scope of the present invention “can be inserted in an interlocking manner” means that the first connector includes an aperture into which the second connector is introduced, wherein the coupling of the two connectors results only by means of the second connector being pivoted, relative to the first connector, following introduction thereof into the first connector.
In the example of the European design 001625575, insertion of the male end into the female end takes place, and only by pivoting about the longitudinal extension of the male end are the corresponding slits inserted into each other, resulting in the coupling. In this case, the construction elements cannot be oriented so as to be mutually parallel without the connector building up restoring forces which introduce flexural stresses into the construction system, leading to fatigue. In contrast, DE 696 30 711 T2 and DE 10 2009 003 602 A2 disclose merely clip connections, in which no pivoting is possible (DE 10 2009 003 602 A2) or pivoting does not bring about coupling, but instead merely rotation of the connectors against one another (DE 696 30 711 T2). GB 797 877 A, too, includes merely a clip connection, wherein the coupling takes place by way of the insertion. In contrast, possible pivoting does not bring about the coupling.
In contrast, according to the present invention pivoting takes place, along the longitudinal extension of the male end. As a result, the inclination of the longitudinal extensions of the first connector and of the second connector change with respect to one another. This is relative pivoting, i.e. it is possible both for the inclination of the longitudinal extension of the first connector to be changed relative to the longitudinal extension of the second connector, and for the inclination of the longitudinal extension of the second connector to be changed relative to the longitudinal extension of the first connector, as well as for the inclination both of the longitudinal extension of the first connector and of the longitudinal extension of the second connector to be changed.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector can be inserted into the first connector such that a plane in which the first longitudinal extension is located, and a plane in which the second longitudinal extension is located, are mutually parallel. Said two planes are preferably identical planes. If, therefore, in the connected state of the connectors, the longitudinal extensions of the connectors are at least in parallel planes, it is possible to prevent flexural stresses during playing, as a result of which fatigue of the construction elements is prevented, and the construction system can be played with for longer.
According to an advantageous development, the aperture includes an opening which extends along the longitudinal extension of the first connector. Coupled construction elements can then be arranged very flat, and in one plane.
According to an advantageous development, the aperture includes an opening which is formed in a shape from the group of polygon, circle, rectangle and square. These shapes can be formed in a particularly fatigue-free manner. Advantageously, the edges of the apertures can in addition be formed in a beveled manner.
According to an advantageous development, at least one construction element is designed so as to be flexible and/or resilient. As a result, it is possible to produce particular structures which are optionally also resilient, such that for example spherical structures such as balls can be played with.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector can be arranged in the first connector so as to be rotatable, transversely to the fir longitudinal extension. It is then possible to form a plurality of figures of different geometrical forms. In this case, in the connected state of the connectors the longitudinal extensions of the two connectors are necessarily in an identical plane.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector can be arranged in the first connector in a form-locking and/or force-locking manner. The structures produced are then formed in a particularly durable manner.
According to an advantageous development, the first construction element and/or the second construction element includes a body part having a third longitudinal extension, on which the first and/or the second connector is arranged, wherein the third longitudinal extension is preferably not in a plane with the first and/or the second longitudinal extension. It is thus possible to produce structures in which there is no height offset between the construction elements.
According to an advantageous development, the first and/or the second construction element includes at least one first and one second connector, preferably at least two first and two second connectors. It is then possible to produce structures that are dimensioned as desired.
According to an advantageous development, the first and/or the second construction element includes a plurality of first and second connectors, the first and/or second longitudinal extensions of which are in one plane. Construction elements built up in this manner are therefore in a plane of a produced structure.
According to an advantageous development, the first construction element and the second construction element are designed identically. The construction system is then set up in a particularly simple manner.
According to an advantageous development, the first connector is designed so as to be annular, at least in regions. The structures produced are then particularly favorable, wherein significant durability is achieved, together with the smallest possible material outlay. Furthermore, in this connector, the corresponding mating connector can be rotated about the axis of rotation of the annulus such that any desired geometrical structures can be produced.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector includes a connector element which is preferably round, at least in regions, wherein the connector element is in particular rounded, at least on one side, at least in regions. This, too, ensures a particularly high degree of durability of the produced structures. Furthermore, this connector can be rotated, in the mating connector thereof, about the axis of rotation of the round blank, such that any desired geometrical structures can be produced. In this connection “round” is intended to mean cylindrical, having a smaller height in relation to the diameter.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector includes a first stop which is designed such that it can be inserted through the first connector and, in the connected state of the first and second connector, prevents the second connector from being removed from the first connector perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the second connector, wherein the first stop is preferably designed as a protrusion, at least in regions, relative to the connector element, which protrusion in particular protrudes along the longitudinal extension of the second connector, relative to a connector element of the second connector. As a result, automatic decoupling of the connectors is prevented even if the construction elements are under stress, for example in the case of a curved three-dimensional structure.
Alternatively or in addition, it is advantageous for the second connector to include a first stop which can act as a leverage point and/or joint for the pivoting, during coupling of the first connector and of the second connector. This makes the coupling particularly easily possible.
According to an advantageous development, the second connector includes a second stop which prevents the second connector from being able to slide through the first connector upon insertion, wherein the second stop is preferably designed as a shoulder on the body part and/or on the connector element, which shoulder in particular has a larger cross section than the aperture of the first connector. As a result, erection of the desired structure from the construction elements is significantly facilitated. Furthermore, the couplings of the construction elements also cannot change during play, and therefore it is not possible to push the first connector through the mating connector.
Alternatively or in addition, it is advantageous for the second connector to include a second stop which can act as a leverage point and/or joint for the pivoting, during decoupling of the first connector and of the second connector. This makes the coupling and decoupling particularly easily possible.
According to an advantageous development, the first connector and the second connector are adjusted so as to be interconnected by means of an insertion tilting movement, and detached from one another by means of a tilt extraction movement. The desired structures can then be particularly easily produced and dismantled again. The tilting movement preferably takes place transversely to the longitudinal extension of the connector that is to be tilted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and further advantages of the invention will become clear in the following, with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the construction element according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment of the construction system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plan view from below of the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a ball, shown together with the construction element according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of the connection between two construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through the connection according to FIG. 6,

FIGS. 8a-c are three different views of an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIGS. 9a-c are side views of the construction element according to the invention, according to a second, third and fourth preferred embodiment,

FIGS. 10a-c are perspective views of the construction element according to the invention, according to the second, third and fourth preferred embodiment,

FIGS. 11a-b are two different views of an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9 b,

FIG. 12 shows an example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9 c,

FIG. 13 shows a further example of construction using construction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9 c,

FIGS. 14a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a starting position,

FIGS. 15a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a position inserted into one another.

FIGS. 16a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a position inserted into one another and tilted, and

FIGS. 17a-b show the principle of the coupling according to the invention in a coupled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, various views of a first preferred embodiment of the construction system 10 according to the invention are shown.
It can be seen that the construction system 10 comprises identically designed construction elements 12 which each comprise a central body part 14 and connectors 16, 18 arranged thereon, which connectors are arranged such that the provided the construction element 12 approximately with the shape of a rectangle, in plan view (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). In case, however, recesses 20, 22 are provided, as a result of which the construction element 12 appears narrower in plan view, and furthermore the absence of play is increased.
It can furthermore be seen that the first connector 16 is designed so as to be annular, in regions, and comprises a circular aperture 24 having a beveled edge 26.
The second connector 18 comprises a connector element 28 that is formed so as to be round, in regions, having a beveled top edge 30. In this case, the bevel 30 is formed more prominently than the bevel 26, as a result of which the coupling between the second connector 18 and the first connector 16 can take place in a particularly simple manner, as will be explained in the following.
Furthermore, the second connector 18 comprises a first stop 32 which is formed as a protrusion, in regions, and is located opposite the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 (cf. FIG. 2). There is, in addition, a second stop 34 which is formed as a shoulder on both sides of the body part 14. Said stop 34 has a larger cross section that the cross section of the connector element 28. Furthermore, the stop 34 has a larger cross section than the inside diameter of the aperture 24.
The inside diameter of the recess 24 and outside diameter of the connector element 28 are matched to one another such that an interference fit, and thus a form- and force-fitting connection, results when the two connectors 16, 18 are coupled together.
It can furthermore be seen that both the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 in each case have longitudinal extensions L1, L2 which are in the same plane E (cf. FIG. 2). More precisely, the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 are each located in their own planes which, however, coincide in the plane E.
The plane in which the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 is located is spaced apart therefrom, wherein the body part 14 is in addition also curved. There is therefore no plane, in which the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 is located, that coincides with a plane in which the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 are located.
FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of an object produced using the construction system 10, which object is shown as a ball 100.
It can be seen that, in this case, a total of 30 individual construction elements 12 have been interconnected such that an approximately spherical outside face 103, having recesses 104, 106 located therein results around an inside 102 of the ball 100. Said sphere shape 103 is also made possible in particular because the planes of the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 of the connectors 16, 18 are arranged so as to be set back relative to the plane of the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14, such that no offsets and cracks arise, as exist for example in the European design 001625575.
More precisely, the ball 100 comprises two different recesses 104, 106, wherein the first recess type 104 is approximately circular and is formed by coupling three construction elements 12 a, 12 a′, 12 a″ along the recesses 20 thereof, along the relevant longitudinal extension L3 of the body parts 14.
The recesses 106, in turn, are approximately stellate, having five points. They result from coupling five construction elements 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 a″ along the recesses 22 thereof, perpendicularly to the relevant longitudinal extension L3 of the body parts 14.
Since the body parts 14 are curved and, due to the flexibility thereof, the ball 100 can be easily put together, and it is also highly resistant to detachment of the construction elements 12 from one another, as well as flexibility in the event of pressure on the ball surface 103. As a result, not only can the ball 100 be produced very quickly, but it is also excellent to play with. In other words, throwing the ball 100 against a solid wall (not shown) does not lead to detachment of the construction elements 12 from one another, but instead, upon striking the wall, the kinetic energy of the ball 100 leads to bending of the resilient construction elements 12, as a result of which said kinetic energy is stored and is released again upon relaxation of the bent construction elements 12, as a result of which the ball 100 bounces back from the wall. This is a substantial difference from all known construction elements, which are interconnected by simple perpendicular clipping, and where bouncing of this kind would lead to detachment of the construction elements.
The assembly and separation of the construction elements 12, 12′ is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7.
It can be seen that, during assembling, the second connector 18 is simply inserted into the first connector 16. More precisely, the first stop 32 of the connector element 28 of the second connector 18, which stop protrudes relative to the connector element 28, along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18, is inserted ahead, into the aperture 24 of the first connector 16. In this case, the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are tilted relative to one another, for example by 90°. In contrast, owing to the significant protrusion of the first stop 32 relative to the round connector element 28, perpendicular insertion of the second connector 18 into the first connector 16 is not possible when the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are oriented so as to be in parallel.
In this case, the second stop 34 of the second connector 18, which has a larger cross section than the inside diameter of the aperture 24, comes into contact on the first connector 16, as a result of which the second connector 18 cannot slide through the first connector 16.
The contact points of the second stops 34 on the upper face 36 of the first connector 16 then function as a joint and leverage point, and the second connector 18 can be tilted about this joint, relative to the first connector 16, until the first stop 32 strikes the lower face 38 of the first connector 16. In this case, the tilting takes place transversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18. In other words, in this case pivoting takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18.
In this case, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 and, opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element 28 is pressed into the aperture 24, as a result of which the first and second connectors 16, 18 form an interference fit.
As a result, the connection between the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 is locked by means of the contact of the first stop 32 on the lower face 36 of the first connector 16 and of the second stop 34 on the upper face 38 of the first connector 16, as a result of which the connection, i.e. the coupling between the first connector 16 and the second connector 18, and thus the coupling between the first construction element and the second construction element 12′, is particularly durable.
If, in contrast, the second connector 18 is not inserted so deeply into the first connector 16 that the second stops 34 come into contact on the upper face 36, then, upon tilting, the first stop 32 comes into contact on the lower face 38 of the first connector 16. This contact of the first stop 32 on the lower face 38 then functions as a corresponding joint and leverage point.
Then, upon tilting, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 is in turn pressed into the aperture 24, as a result of which the first and second connectors 16, 18 form an interference fit. Therefore here, too, pivoting takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18.
For separating the connection between the first and second connector 16, 18, opposing tilting of the second connector 18 is carried out, transversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18, relative to the first connector 16 (in this case, pivoting in turn takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18). In this case, the joint formed by the contact of the second stops 34 on the upper face 36 of the first connector 16 in turn acts as a leverage point, as a result of which the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 and, opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element 28 can be withdrawn from the aperture 24 and, as a result, the interference fit is released and, finally, the second connector 18 can be removed from the first connector 16.
Here, too, the larger cross section of the second stop 34 of the second connector 18 with respect to the inside diameter of the aperture 24 in turn prevents the second connector 18 from sliding through the first connector 16.
Furthermore, the significant protrusion of the first stop 32 relative to the round second connector 28, perpendicular removal of the second connector 28 from the first connector 18 is not possible when the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are oriented so as to be in parallel.
The relatively significant length of the body part 14 with respect to the spacing of the rear edge 33 and bevel 26 from the joint being formed creates relatively significant leverage during connection and separation of the construction element 12, which means that no high forces are required.
Forming the first connector 16 as an annulus in part, and the second connector 18 in a manner having a round connector element 28, makes it possible for two interconnected construction elements 12 to be freely pivoted about the vertical axis formed by the connection of the two connectors 16, 18 (cf. FIG. 6), specifically until the construction elements collide along the recesses 20 or the recesses 22. This free mobility is further assisted by the recesses 20, 22 and the inclined attachment 40 of the first connector 16 to the body part 14.
As a result, two construction elements 12 can be interconnected not only by means of one corresponding connector 16, 18, respectively, but rather also by means of two adjacent connectors 16, 18, wherein a connection is possible both along the recess 20 and along the recess 22.
In addition to complex shapes, such as the ball 100, in which the construction elements 12 are oriented so as to be angled with respect to one another, other shapes can also be produced thereby, in which at least some construction elements 12 are mutually parallel.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show just one coupling of the two construction elements 12, 12′ by means of coupling the second connector 18 to the first connector 16. Coupling of the second connector 18′ to the first connector 16′ could also exist at the same time, however, such that the two construction elements 12, 12′ would be connected along the recesses 22 of the body parts 14.
In the example of construction 200 shown in FIGS. 8a-c , two construction elements 12, 12′ are connected by coupling the second connector 18 to the first connector 16, and the second connector 18′ to the first connector 16′, along the recesses 20 of the body part 14, 14′, resulting in an opening 202 which is of exactly large enough to receive the body part 14″ of a third construction element 12″ therein in a force-fitting, i.e. clamped, manner. As a result, complex 3-dimensional shapes can be produced, because it is now possible to couple further construction elements 12 directly to the construction element 12″, independently of the construction elements 12, 12′.
Furthermore, two construction elements 12, 12′ can also be coupled together in a manner resting directly on top of one another (not shown), wherein all the first connectors 16, 16′ are then coupled to the corresponding second connectors 18, 18′. As a result, the outwardly curved body parts 14, 14′ in each case in turn form an opening, in which a third construction element 12′″ can be arranged in a force-fitting, i.e. clamped, manner.
Owing to the resiliency, folding of the construction elements 12 at the recesses 20 is also possible, wherein the first connectors 16 can be coupled to the opposite second connectors 18 of said construction element 12.
FIGS. 9a-c and 10a-c are side views and perspective views, respectively, of alternative embodiments for the construction element 210, 212, 214 according to the invention.
It can be seen that these construction elements 210, 212, 214 also comprise two first connectors 216, 218, 220 and two second connectors 222, 224, 226, respectively, which are not, however, arranged in a square, as in the case of the construction element 12, but instead linearly on a bar-shaped body 228, 230, 232, wherein the second connectors 222, 224, 226 are in each case located on the outside, and the first connectors 216, 218, 220 are arranged therebetween.
These construction elements 210, 212, 214, too, are resilient to such an extent that they are foldable (not shown), in order to couple a second connector 222, 224, 226 to a distinct first connector 216, 218, 220.
The construction elements 212, 214 additionally comprise openings 234, 236 into which other construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be inserted. If said construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 were folded as described, they can be suspended in the openings 234, 236, in order to form movable branches of complex 3-dimensional constructions.
In the case of the coupling between a first construction element 214 and a second construction element 214 (not shown), the second connector 226 of the second construction element 214 could also be pushed through the opening 236 of the fir construction element 214 and subsequently coupled to the first connector 220 of the first construction element 214.
FIGS. 11a and 11b are a perspective view and a plan view of an example of construction 300 comprising a plurality of construction elements 212 arranged so as to be at right angles to one another.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are a perspective view and a plan view of examples of construction 400, 500 comprising a plurality of construction elements 214 arranged so as not to be at right angles to one another.
FIGS. 14 to 17 show the general principle of the coupling 600, according to the invention, of a first connector 602 and a second connector 604. In this case, FIGS. 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a are each perspective views, and FIGS. 14b, 15b, 16b and 17b are each side views. Said connectors 602, 604 can be arranged, as first and second connectors, on each of the construction elements 10, 210, 212, 214 shown, or also on construction elements of different geometrical designs.
It can be seen that the first connector 602 is in turn annular, comprising a circular opening 606. In this case, the opening 606 extends along the longitudinal extension L′1 of the first connector 602.
The second connector 604 comprises a connector element 608 which is almost completely spherical. A first stop 610, in the form of a protrusion, in regions, and a second stop 612, in the form of a shoulder, are provided on the connector element 608, on which shoulder a body part 614 is arranged. Further first connectors 602 and/or second connectors 604 (not shown) can be provided on said body part, but this does not have to be the case.
The first stop 610 has an arc-shaped contour on the lower face 616 thereof, which is dimensioned such that it can be inserted, together with the spherical connector element 608, into the circular opening 606 of the first connector (cf. FIG. 15). The arc-shaped contour thus extends tangentially from the connector element 608.
In contrast, the second stop 612 protrudes, relative to the connector element 608, along the longitudinal extension L′2 of the second connector 604, and therefore the connector element 608 can be inserted into the opening 606 of the first connector 602 only up to halfway (cf. FIG. 15).
Once the second stop 612 has come into contact on the first connector 602 (cf. FIG. 15), the second connector 604 is pivoted relative to the first connector 602, wherein the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2 are tilted, relative to one another, from the 90° orientation shown in FIG. 15, via a tilted orientation (cf. FIG. 16), into a 180° orientation (cf. FIG. 17).
During tilting of the second connector 604 relative to the first connector 602, the connector element 608 functions as a swivel head, about which the opening 606 rotates. Said rotation is stopped, in the state of shown in FIG. 17 in which the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2 of the first connector 602 and second connector 604 are oriented so as to be in parallel, in that the rear face 618 of the first connector 602 comes into contact on the first stop 610, and the front face 620 of the first connector 602 comes into contact on the second stop 612.
The decoupling between the first connector 602 and the second connector 604 simply takes place in the reverse sequence, i.e. by tilting (cf. FIG. 16) as far as a 90° orientation (cf. FIG. 15), and removal of the second connector 604 from the first connector 602 (cf. FIG. 14).
Advantageously, an interference fit exists between the opening 606 and the connector element 608.
It is clear from what has been set out above that the present invention specifies an improved construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600, by means of which unlimited designs of producible structures can be manufactured. If the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 is provided as a toy, then the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the producible structures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball 100 for example. Finally, the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner. In addition to toys, however, the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 can also be used for any other desired applications, for example in robotics or other fields where there is a mechanical connection between individual construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214, and thus free scalability is provided.
Unless otherwise specified, all the features of the present invention can be combined freely with one another. In addition, unless otherwise specified the features described in the description of the figures can also freely combined, as features of the invention, with the remaining features. In this case, features of the construction system and of the construction element that relate to objects can also be used in the context of a method, when reworded as method features, and method features can be used in the context of the construction system and of the construction element, when reworded as features of the construction system and of the construction element.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A construction system comprising:

a first construction element comprising:

a first body;

a first connector extending from the first body, the first connector comprising a first longitudinal extension and an aperture; and

a second construction element comprising:

a second body;

a second connector extending from the second body, the second connector comprising a second longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the aperture of the first construction element,

wherein coupling of the first construction element to the second construction element results only following:

insertion of the second connector into the aperture; and

pivoting the second connector, about the second longitudinal extension thereof, relative to the first connector.

17. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein:

the second connector comprises a first stop designed to be inserted through the first connector, and

upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element, the first stop prevents the second connector from being removed from the first connector perpendicularly to the second longitudinal extension of the second connector.

18. A construction system according to claim 17, wherein the first stop comprises a protrusion extending away from the second longitudinal extension.

19. A construction system according to claim 17, wherein the second construction element comprises a second stop adapted to prevent the second connector from sliding through the first connector upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element.

20. A construction system according to claim 19, wherein the second stop comprises a shoulder having a cross section that is larger than a cross section of the aperture.

21. A construction system according to claim 20, wherein the second stop is located on the second body.

22. A construction system according to claim 20, wherein the second stop is located on the second connector.

23. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector comprises a spherical or round portion.

24. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein, upon said coupling the first construction element to the second construction element, the first longitudinal extension is parallel to the second longitudinal extension.

25. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the aperture comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of: a polygon, a circle, a rectangle and a square.

26. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first construction element and the second construction element is flexible and/or resilient.

27. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector is connected to the first connector such that the second connector may be rotated transversely to the first longitudinal extension.

28. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connector is form-fitted and/or force-fitted into the first connector.

29. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the first connector comprises a third longitudinal extension connected to the first body and the first longitudinal extension.

30. A construction system according to claim 29, wherein the first longitudinal extension is not in a plane with the third longitudinal extension.

31. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein:

the second connector comprises a third longitudinal extension connected to the second body and the second longitudinal extension, and

the second longitudinal extension is not in a plane with the third longitudinal extension.

32. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second construction element further comprises a third connector extending from the second body, the third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension and a second aperture

33. A construction system according to claim 32, wherein the first construction element further comprises a fourth connector extending from the first body, the fourth connector comprising a fourth longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the second aperture of the second construction element.

34. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the second construction element further comprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the aperture.

35. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the first construction element further comprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extension and a second aperture.