Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
Patent Application of
Leon Lazerman for a:
MODULAR STRUCTURE
s
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to the general field of modular structures and
is
particularly concerned with a modular structure made of building blocks.
io
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
There exists a plurality of situations wherein it is desirable to form three
dimensional modular structures. One example of such situations is in the field
is of toys. Indeed, numerous geometric puzzles have been known in the past,
both in two dimensions as in plane geometry and in three dimensions as in
solid geometry. Building blocks toys have been popular for many decades as
an educational forum for the development of a child's imagination and
creativity
in the construction of three dimensional objects. The conventional building
20 block toys have designs ranging from simple cubicle blocks to complex
geometrical shapes having various interlocking means.
One of the most popular building block typically defines a generally
rectangular
parallelepiped-shaped configuration having three pairs of opposing surfaces in
i
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
which one of the pairs of opposing surfaces is provided with complimentary
inter-
engaging formations while the remaining pairs of opposing surfaces remain
substantially planar.
An example of such arrangement is the conventional brick, suitable for
constructing a wall or the like. Such prior art brick typically have a major
surface
that includes, spaced from the edge of the brick, two upraised projections and
an
opposite major surface. The major surface, in turn, includes, spaced from the
edges of the brick two corresponding recesses.
io
The projections and recesses are arranged so that two identical bricks may be
placed in an end-to-end relationship relative to each other. A third identical
brick
is typically placed on top of the other two with one of its recesses
accommodating one projection from one of the two bricks and one of its
is recesses accommodating one projection from the other of the two bricks
thereby
interlocking the bricks together.
Another conventional building block design includes a generally rectangular
interlocking building blocks having complimentary projections and recesses on
20 opposite of its major surfaces, the projections being provided with ribs
arranged
to form at least one upstanding cruciform shape.
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
One of the major problem associated with the hereinabove disclosed type of toy
building blocks is thafi the. blocks must be arranged in one of the Limited
orientations. This greatly limits the design of any construction incorporating
the
blocks. Furthermore, the type of links between the blocks does not allow
s relative movement between the blocks once they are assembled.
In order to circumvent the hereinabove mentioned disadvantages, some prior art
building blocks have been provided with relatively complex interconnecting
means typically taking the form of slotted pegs, metal springs, metal screws
and
io the like which are awkward to manipulate especially for a given child. The
overall complexity associated with such toys typically frustrates a child in
not
wanting to play further. Furthermore, some of the complex interconnecting
means associated with prior art building blocks not only increase the overall
manufacturing cost thereof but also potentially creates safety hazards.
is
There exists various other situations in numerous fields wherein an improved
modular structure made of building blocks would prove to be most desirable.
For
example, in the field of robotics there exist a long felt need for a modular
structure that can easily be configured according to various configurations.
Such
2o a configurable modular structure could be used for numerous applications.
For
example in the medical field and other fields it would be most desirable to be
provided with a three dimensional structure that can be re-configured
3
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
according to specific needs without external physical contacts with the actual
three-dimensional structure.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved construction block design
allowing for the construction of an improved modular structure and for an
improved modular structure.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a modular
structure, the modular structure comprising: at least two building blocks,
each of
io the building blocks including a block body defining at least one block
connecting
face, the block connecting face defining a block external connecting
configuration; a linking component, the linking component defining a pair of
linking component connecting faces, each of the linking component connecting
faces defining a linking component external configuration that is configured
and
is sized so as to at least partially mate complimentarily with the block
external
connecting configuration of one of the blocks; a magnetic force generating
means for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic force generating means
being anchored either to the block body and/or to the linking component so as
generate a magnetic force that emanates respectively either through the block
2o external connecting configuration andlor the linking component external
configurations; whereby the block external connecting configuration of each of
the blocks are adapted to be positioned in a facing relationship relative to
each
other with the linking component external configurations at least partially
mating
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
complimentarily with the block external connecting configuration of the
blocks,
the magnetic force generating means exerting a magnetic force that releasably
maintains the building blocks coupled by the linking component.
Preferably, the complementary block external connecting configurations and the
linking component external configurations allow both of the block bodies to
pivot
relative to the linking component about a common pivotal axis while
maintaining
the block bodies and the linking component in contact with each other.
to In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic force
generating means is a magnet component made out of a magnetized piece of
material. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic
force generating means is an electro-magnet component.
is In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, each building block
and
each linking component is provided with a set of electro-magnets, the modular
structure being provided with a selective actuating means for selectively
activating the formation of the magnetic field of at least some of the electro-
magnets according to a predetermined activation pattern.
Conveniently, the selective actuating means includes a means for generating
the
predetermined pattern; the electro-magnets and the building blocks being
configured, sized and positioned so that selective activation of the electro-
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
magnets according to the predetermined pattern modifies the configuration of
the
modular structure
Conveniently, the selective actuating means includes a set of receivers; each
s receiver being coupled to a corresponding electro-magnet; the selective
actuating means also including an emitter for selectively emitting a signal ;
whereby upon reception of the signal from the emitter, each receiver, in turn,
sends a signal to the corresponding electro-magnet to which it is coupled for
activating the latter.
io
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed modular
structure
is made out of building blocks and linking components that allow for
releasable
linking of the components while providing adequate structural rigidity. Also,
the
modular structure allows for selective relative movement between the
is components even when they are in an assembled state, hence allowing the
modular structure to change its configuration while remaining in an assembled
state.
Furthermore, the proposed components of the improved modular structure allow
ao for ergonomical handling thereof without requiring special tooling or
manual
dexterity. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the components of the
modular structure can be moved relative to each other without the need for the
intended user to physically contact the structure.
6
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
Another advantage of the present invention relates to the fact that the
modular
structure could optionally be provided with means for allowing the self-
modification of its structural configuration through the use of magnets or
other
s force generating means. This additional feature could lead to the
construction
of functional structures such as miniature robots that could be used in the
medical field or any other suitable fields.
Still further, the components of the proposed modular structure are
specifically
io designed so as to provide an aesthetical pleasing modular structure.
Furthermore, the proposed modular structure is specifically designed so as to
provide building components that are manufacturable using conventional forms
of manufacturing so as to provide a modular structure that will be
economically
feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
is
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of
example, in reference to the following drawings in which:
FIGURE 1: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block component part
of the modular structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
FIGURE 2: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block shown in FfG. 1
having linking components attached thereto.
s FIGURE 3: in an exploded view, illustrates the building block component and
associated linking components shown in FIG. 2 with the linking components
removed from the building block.
FIGURE 4: illustrates various elevational side, top and bottom views of the
io building block shown in FIG. 1
FIGURE 5: in a perspective view, illustrates a pair of building blocks about
to
be linked together by a linking component.
is FIGURE 6: illustrates the building blocks and linking component shown in
FIG.
in a proximal relationship relative to each other.
FIGURE 7: illustrates the building blocks shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 attached by
the linking component in an assembled configuration.
FIGURE 8: in a perspective view, illustrates an additional building block
being
attached to the modular structure shown in FIG. 7 using another linking
component.
s
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
FIGURE 9: in a perspective view, illustrates the assembled configuration using
three (3) building blocks.
s FIGURE 10: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 11: orthographic views, illustrates the various sides of the building
block shown in FIG. 10.
no
FIGURE 12: in an exploded view; illustrates the building block shown in FIGS.
and 11 having linking components about to be attached thereto.
FIGURE 13: in a perspective view, illustrates the building block and
associated
is linking components shown in FIG. 12 in a proximal relationship relative to
the
building block.
FIGURE 14: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block having linking
components attached thereto.
FIGURE 15: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. The building block having
two connecting faces.
9
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
FIGURE 16: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The building block being
shown with one connecting face.
s
FIGURE 17: in a side elevational view, illustrates various configurations of
linking components.
FIGURE 18: in an exploded view, illustrates a building block in accordance
io with yet another embodiment of the present invention having three (3)
different
block connecting face configuration and associated Finking components about to
link corresponding differently shaped linking blocks.
FIGURE 19: in an elevational view, illustrates various configurations of block
is connecting faces.
FIGURE 20a: , inside an elevational view, illustrates the configuration of a
linking component associated with another embodiment of the present invention.
2o FIGURE 20b: in an exploded view, illustrates a linking block using linking
components such as shown in FIG: 20a for connecting spacing components
thereto.
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
FIGURE 21: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present invention having a geometrical
cross
sectional plane extending therethrough.
s FIGURE 22: in a perspective view, illustrates a building block having been
cut
along the geometrical plane shown in FIG. 21.
FIGURE 23: in a transversal cross sectional view, illustrates the internal
configuration of a building block and the complementary connection face such
as
to shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.
FIGURES 24 THROUGH 29: illustrates relative movements between a pair of
building blocks attached together using the configuration shown in FIGS. 21
through 23.
is
FIGURE 30: in a perspective view, illustrates the configuration modification
of
a modular structure formed with building blocks in accordance with the present
invention.
2o FIGURE 31: in a perspective view, illustrates the change of configuration
of a
matrix formed by building blocks such as shown in FIGS. 1 through 30 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
n
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a modular structure (10) in accordance
with
an embodiment of the present invention. The modular structure (10) includes at
least two building blocks (12). Each building block (12) includes a block body
defining at least one complementary connecting face (14). The
complementary connecting face (14) defines a block external connecting
configuration.
to
The modular structure (10) also includes a linking component (16). The linking
component (16) defines a pair of linking component connecting faces (18).
Each linking component connecting face define a corresponding linking
component external configuration that is configured and sized so as to at
least
is partially mate complimentarily with the adjacent block external connecting
configuration of one of the blocks (12).
The modular structure (10) further includes a magnetic force generating means
for generating a magnetic field. The magnetic force generating means is
2o anchored either to the block body or to the linking component (16) so as to
generate a magnetic force that emanates respectively either through the block
external connecting configuration or the linking component external
configuration.
12
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
Typically, the block external configuration takes the form of a recess and the
linking component external configuration takes the form of complimentary
protrusions. Alternatively, the block external connecting configuration could
take
s the form of a protrusion and the linking component external configuration
could
take the form of a complimentary recess.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic force generating
means is anchored to the block body so as to generate a magnetic force that
to emanates through the block external connecting configuration.
Alternatively,
the magnetic force generating means could be anchored to the linking
component (16) so as to generate a magnetic force that emanates through the
linking component external configuration.
is In the embodiments shown in FIGS: 1 through 16, the block external
connecting
configuration takes the form of a concavity defining a generally curved recess
inner surface. In FIGS. 1 through 16, the linking component (16) has
correspondingly generally rounded convexities. Preferably, the rounded
convexities form a generally lenticular configuration.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 9, each building block (12) has a
generally hexagonal configuration defining a six block connecting faces (14).
In
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 through 14, the connecting block has a
13
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
generally triangular configuration defining three connecting faces (14) while
the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively define building blocks
having two and one connecting faces (14). Alternatively, each building block
could have a generally frustro-conical configuration or any other suitable
s configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 17 through 20b, there is shown
alternative embodiments of the invention wherein from the connecting blocks
(12') have generally cylindrical configurations defining longitudinally
opposed
to connecting faces (14'). FIG. 17, illustrates various configurations of
linking
components (16) while FIG. 19, illustrates corresponding configuration of
connecting faces (14).
One of the main features of the present invention resides in the presence of
the
is magnetic force generating means. In one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetic force generating means is a permanent magnet component made out
of a magnetized piece of material. The permanent magnet component may be
embedded within the block body so that a magnet outer surface (20) thereof
merges with the curved recess inner surface (14).
In another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic force generating means
includes at least one electro-magnet component (22). Adjacent electro-magnet
components can produce attractive or repulsive forces as is well known in the
14
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
art. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 through 31, the outer surfaces of both the
building
blocks (12) and the linking components (16) are preferably lined with a
plurality
of electro-magnet components (22). Alternatively, either or both the building
blocks (12) and linking components (16) can be provided with combinations of
s permanent magnets and/or electro-magnets.
In some embodiments of the invention, the modular structure is provided with a
selective actuating means for selectively activating the formation of the
magnetic
field of at least some of said electro-magnets according to a predetermined
to activation pattern.
Typically, the selective actuating means includes a means for generating the
predetermined pattern. The electro-magnets and the block (12) are typically
configured, sized and positioned so that the selective activation of the
electro-
is magnets according to the predetermined pattern modifies the configuration
of the
modular structure.
For example, in Figure 30, the selective activation according to a
predetermined
sequence of the electro magnets (22) located on the surface of building block
20 (12) and on the surface of linking component (16) to create an attractive-
repulsive force combined with the activation of the electro-magnets (22)
located
on complementary connecting face (14) to create an attractive-repulsive force
that allows two building blocks (12) to slide around each other that changes
the
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
overall configuration of the modular structure from a generally rectilinear to
a
generally 'L"-shaped configuration.
The selective actuating means can take various forms. In one embodiment of
the invention, the selective actuating means includes external logic device
like a
computer. In such an embodiment, the selective actuating means would reside
apart from the invention and would relay the actuation information through a
base in which the building blocks (12) rest, the information and current would
to travel through an array of electrodes (19) on the surface of the building
blocks
(12) and connecting faces (14) as shown in FIG. 21.
In another embodiment of the invention, the selective actuating means includes
an internal logic device like a computer. In such an embodiment, the selective
is actuating means would reside in the building blocks (12) and would relay
the
actuation information through and an array of electrodes (19) on the surface
of
the building blocks (12) and connecting faces (14) as shown in FIG. 21.
As shown in FIGS. 21 through 31, grids of electro-magnets can be strategically
2o positioned on the building blocks (12). When grids of electro-magnets are
used,
adjacent building blocks (12) can be moved relative to each other while
remaining in contact with each other.
16
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
FIGS. 27 through 29, illustrate the relative movement along three orthogonal
axis between adjacent building blocks (12). The relative movement between the
building blocks (12) results from the selective activation according to a
specific
pattern of the electro-magnets (22) positioned at the interface between the
block
components (12) and the linking components (16).
FIG. 30 illustrates the relative movement between three building blocks (12)
showing that a set of three building blocks (12) can be moved from a generally
rectilinear configuration to a generally L-shaped configuration by the mere
to selective activation in a predetermined sequence of the electro-magnets
(22)
mounted on the building blocks (12).
FIG. 31 further generalizes the concept by showing the relative movement
between several building blocks (12) forming a block matrix. The block
structure
is or matrix changes configuration from a generally cubic-shaped to a
generally flat
shape through the mere activation of the electro-magnates (22) mounted on the
building blocks (12) according to a predetermined activation sequence or
pattern.
In use, the building blocks (12) are assembled together using the linking
2o components (16) and can be either manually displaced relative to each other
or
moved according to various patterns using selective activation of magnet
components mounted thereon.
m
w
CA 02370624 2002-O1-25
In one embodiment of the invention, the building blocks (12) andlor the
linking
components (16) are provided with a colored or textured outer surface.
Relative
movements therebetween therefore creates display of corresponding color
patterns. Such a display can be used for numerous applications including LCD-
like displays or similar applications.
t~
