FR2536295A1 - CONSTRUCTION METHOD, CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD AND USE - Google Patents

Abstract

The construction elements are provided as assembly modules (R-L-S) capable of cooperating with at least one such assembly module (R-L-S), said modules (R-L-S) being interadaptable so as to form a tube, and characterized in that they are each comprised of two or three modules.

Description

-1-, 2536295

  The invention relates to construction elements for architectural and other models, three-dimensional puzzles and building sets,

  can be used especially for fun, educational, educational, psycho-

  technical, decorative and artistic.

  The object of the invention is to provide a set of long-lasting construction elements that allow numerous combinations and whose assembly is simple, fast and easy while ensuring good cohesion.

  to the constructions thus realized.

  The subject of the invention is an assembly module capable of cooperating with an identical module or of the same type to form a cube or a voidum written in a cube, said modules being able to occupy at least two different relative orientations for constitute said cube or said volume

writable in a cube.

  The invention also relates to a construction element capable of cooperating with at least one assembly module as defined above, each of said modules adapting to the construction element to the manner in which this module fits. to another module to constitute a cube or a volume ins:

write it in a cube.

  The invention further relates to the method of construction consisting in assembling according to the rules which precedes a module with a second module, 9 one or more modules with a construction element, or an element

  of construction with one or more other elements.

  Another subject of the invention is the constructions obtained according to the aforementioned method or comprising at least one element or a module enabling said process to be implemented.

  The assembly modules according to the invention are of two kinds.

  The modules of the first kind, called symmetrical modules, are characterized

  in that such a module is capable of being assembled with an identical module

  that according to three distinct relative orientations to constitute with this

  denying a cube or a writable volume in a cube A so-called symmetrical module preferably has a shape that has a ternary axis of symmetry as well as

  three planes of symmetry containing said axis.

  The second kind of modules include so-called left modules and modules

  said rights, characterized in that such a module is capable of being assembled with an identical module according to two distinct relative orientations to form with said module a cube or a volume writable in a

  cube A left module or a right module preferably has a form that pre-

  an axis of symmetry binary The symmetry relation between a left module

  che and a right module is the same as that existing between the left hand

and the right hand.

  So that they can be assembled to form a cube or

  a volume writable in a cube, two modules must be likewise

  ture, that is to say every two left or both right or all

two symmetrical.

  It will appear in the examples illustrating the detailed description of

  the invention, that this includes elements which, although they do not include

  no means of connection, are likely to form assemblies in the-

  which the last element or elements put in place are blocked by the

  following, thus constituting step by step the constructions of a

  made of these ideal assemblies, two extreme cases can be

to present oneself-

  According to a first possibility, the assembly can be separated into two or more parts, or contain one or more elements likely to be

  extracted singly or in small groups by simply sliding

  <Xes or said elements or groups of elements An improvement in the coherence

  such fixations may be obtained by the use of

  and / or elements operating paer coincidentally.

  A magnetic element is characterized in that when it cooperates with the method of the invention on a second element to be connected thereto by magnetic forces, each of the said elements presents to the other at least two that each pole of one is

  Gn contact with an opposite pole of the other.

  A wedging element is characterized in that

  carries at least two branches forming for example a U and which tend to

  com; rhyme at least one of the modules that cooperate according to the process of

  with that element when that element is completed by as many

it can be.

  According to a second eventuality, the installation in the assembly of an additional element - or at least of the one or those which one would like to integrate precisely in a given position and in a given orientation - is prevented by the environment of the element or elements with which

  the one or more additional elements are intended to be assembled.

  Steric hindrance problems such as those mentioned above

  can be solved by means of elements comprising at least a partial part

  bile in translation and / or rotation in order to temporarily retract the part or parts of the elements which prevent the insertion of the following one (s) and / or for the purpose of putting the element (s) to be inserted into the assembly in a conformation such that this insertion becomes possible Once the elements in place, the moving parts can take the position

  originally occupied, which has the effect of locking in the

  3-

  appearance Elements with moving parts have the additional advantage

  The second way of solving steric hindrance problems is to use elements that are susceptible to elastic deformations that are large enough for these elements to form a single element. may be placed in conformations allowing their insertion or the insertion of other

  elements in the assembly in question.

  The means of the invention as well as their operation can be

  fully understood by the following detailed description in which

  FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the invention where the assembly of two modules constitutes a writable volume

in a cube.

  Figure la shows a right module Figure lb shows two modules

  rights assembled according to the method of the invention as well as the cube in the-

  which is the assembly of said modules.

  Figure 2 shows a symmetrical module Figure 2b shows two modules

  the symmetrical assemblies according to the method of the invention as well as the cube

  in which the assembly of said modules is inscribed.

  Figure 3 shows an element that can be completed by two modules.

  rights. Figure 4 shows an element that can be completed by three straight modules.

  Figure 5 shows an element that can be completed by two

metrics.

  The cubes shown in Figures 3 to 5 indicate where the elements in question can be supplemented by the appropriate modules.

  according to the method of the invention.

  FIGS. 6 to 10 relate to a second embodiment of

  the invention o the assembly of two modules is a cube.

  Figure 6 shows a right module completed by a second right module.

  Figure 7 shows a symmetrical module completed by a second symmetrical module. Figure 8 shows an element completed by two straight modules and a

left module.

  Figure 9 shows an element completed by three straight modules.

  Figure 10 shows an element completed by two symmetrical modules.

  FIGS. 11 to 17 relate to a third embodiment of

  the invention where the assembly of two modules constitutes a cube and where the modules

  and the elements have flat surfaces joined at right angles The figures

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  18 and following are in accordance with the present embodiment.

  Figure II shows a straight module assembled with a second right module.

  Figure 12 shows a symmetrical module assembled with a second module.

symmetrical dule.

  Figure 13 shows an element completed by two straight modules.

  Figure 14 shows an element completed by three straight modules and a

left module.

  Figure 15 shows an element completed by two symmetrical modules,

  a left module and a right module.

  Figures 16a and 16b show the same item completed successively

  by a left module and a right module.

  Figure 17 shows an element completed by a left module and a model

right dule.

  Figures 18a, 18b and 18c show an element consisting of two modules

  the left and the two assemblies achievable according to the method of

  the invention by means of two such elements.

  Figure 19 shows a -assembly of three elements such as that of

Figure 18 a.

  Figures 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d show an element consisting of a

  right dule and a symmetrical module, and three assemblies made by means of two such elements by cooperating their symmetrical module

  according to the method of the invention.

  Figures 21 to 35 show some examples of reali-

  by means of elements according to the invention and according to the method of the invention.

vention.

  Figures 36 to 41 show in a non-limiting way a collection of

elements according to the invention.

  Figure 42 shows by way of example some elements with

  parts that can be translated by sliding on each other.

  Figures 43 and 44 relate to the realization of a two-part connecting device that can be translated by sliding on one another. Figures 45 and 46 show two examples of use of elements

  having portions that can be translated by dragging.

  FIGS. 47a, 47b and 47c show an example of an element comprising

  parts movable by translation along their connecting axis.

  Figures 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d show an example of an element comprising

  both moving parts in rotation.

  Figures 49 to 52 relate to the production of

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  connection between two moving parts in translation and / or rotation.

  FIGS. 53a, 53b, 54a and 54b show two examples of use of elements comprising moving parts in translation along their axis.

link.

  FIGS. 55a, 55b, 55c and 55d show an example of the use of elements comprising rotatable parts around their connecting axis. Figures 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d show an unfeasible construction

  by means of monolithic and indeformable elements and three different solutions.

  rents for its mounting, using one to a sliding-movable element, the other to a rotating-movable element and the third to a movable-translationally-movable element along their axis

link.

  Figures 57 and 58 show polar configurations of modules

magnetic rights.

  FIGS. 59 and 60 show polar configurations of symmetrical magnetic modules FIGS. 61 and 62 show an element whose elastic deformation

  caused by its completion according to the process of the invention by two

  dules or elements produces a connection by wedging said modules or elements

  ments. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the assembly of two left modules or two right modules or two symmetrical modules generates a writable volume in a cube (C) as shown in FIGS. 5, the right modules (R) and the symmetrical modules (S) and the construction elements given as non-limiting examples,

  consist of segments of cylinders of circular section bent to an-

  right (Fig 1a, 1b and 4) or by the right-angle meeting of-at least two

  whether or not the cylinder segments are bent (Fig 2a, 2b, 3 and 5).

  lindre constituting a right module (R ') comprises two elbows and joins one of the vertices (1) of the cube at the opposite vertex (2) along the three edges

  (3, 4, 5) which connect said vertices A similar form for a left module

  che (not shown) can be deduced from that of a right module by symmetry

  As shown in FIG. 2 b, a symmetrical module (S ') consists of three straight cylinder segments, parallel to the three edges (6, 7, 8) coming from the same vertex (9) of FIG. cube (C) and joined at a right angle at said vertex It goes without saying that the cylinders may have a non-circular section and that the bends and the connections at right angles of said cylinders, rounded in FIGS. 1 to 5, may be marked by

  projecting ridges and re-entrant edges.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10, the assembly modules comprise a so-called surface (11, 12)

  internal and a so-called external surface such that when such a module is

  according to the method of the invention, with an identical module, the inner surface of one coincides with the inner surface of the other, the outer surfaces of the two modules being complementary to form the surface together.

  of the cube or the volume writable in a cube constituted by the meeting of-

  said modules A construction element according to this embodiment comprises at least one so-called internal surface making it possible to adapt it to at least one module having an identical internal surface. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the union of two straight modules (R and R) ') and the meeting of two symmetric modules (S and S') according to the present embodiment constitute cubes in which the modules (R and S) located behind appear

  through the modules (R 'and S') located in front of them.

  8, 9 and 10 show as non-limiting examples three building elements to which can be adapted modules (R, L, S) according to the present embodiment In these figures, the elements are represented ea "full" while the modules that complement them are represented as

if they were transparent.

  According to a third embodiment of the invention constituting a particular case of the above, the so-called internal surface of a right (or left) module is composed of two rectangles (13) and two squares (14), the

  internal surface of a symmetrical module being composed of six squares (15).

  The rectangles and / or squares mentioned above are contained in the plans

  aim at the cube formed by the assembly of two identical modules in eight

  equal cubes Each module contains four of these small cubes (not

  Divided on the figures), so that its completion by a module i dentiue generates a large double edge cube of that of the small A module

  symmetrical (S ') is characterized in that the four small cubes

  ferime are arranged along the three edges (6, 7, 8)

  met (9) of the big cube In a left or right module (R '), the four small cubes are arranged along the three edges (3, 4, 5) joining two opposing vertices (1, 2) of the big cube As previously , a similar left module can be deduced from the right module by symmetry FIGS. 13 to 17 show

  as non-limiting examples, five building elements to which

  The modules (R, L, S) may be adapted according to this embodiment.

  In these figures, the elements are represented in "full" while the modules

  those who complete them are again represented as if they were transparent

  Likewise in FIGS. 1a and 12, the modules (R, S) located behind

  appear transparently through the modules (R ', S') located forward.

  A construction element according to the invention can be constituted by any body to which can be adapted at least a left modulate

  or a straight module or a symmetric module in accordance with the method of

  Such an element may for example comprise at least one module according to the invention or at least one surface adapting to the so-called surface (11, 12).

internal of such a module.

  According to a first embodiment, an element according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one module and can be completed in accordance with the method of the invention by at least as many modules as

contains some.

  According to a second embodiment, a compliant element V 'invention is characterized in that it comprises at least two assembled modules S such that the cubes obtained by completing these two modules according to the method of the invention together form a parallelepiped rectangle In the case where the totality of said modules generates volumes writable in cubes, it is the cubes in which are written the volumes thus obtained which together form a rectangular parallelepiped (16) as shown in Figure 3 According to a third mode of embodiment, an element according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least two modules joined by an ex

  tremité (17, 18) of each of these two modules.

  For reasons of simplicity, the fourth embodiment hereinafter is explained with reference to the third embodiment of the invention wherein each module is composed of four small cubes of arete half as long as the edge of the large cube generated by the assembly according to

the invention of two such modules.

  In said embodiment, an element according to the fourth embodiment comprises at least five small cubes joined to form in said element at least two distinct modules which can be comp

  successively by a module according to the invention according to the method of the invention.

  It is understood that an element according to the present embodiment can be executed in any other form and in particular according to the first or

  the second embodiment described above.

  Construction elements in accordance with the invention may well be

  to be made in any other way than the foregoing, just as they

  may be executed in any other form than the three described above.

  FIGS. 16 a, 16 b and 17 give two examples of elements according to the fourth embodiment. The element (19) represented in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b is composed of five small non-individualized cubes. FIG. 16 a, said element is completed, again according to the method of the invention, by

  a left module (L) whereas in FIG. 16 b, this same element is complete

  still in accordance with the method of the invention, by a right module (R).

  The comparison of the two figures shows that these two modules (R, L) can not

  simultaneously cooperate with the element (19) in question. The element (20)

  Figure 17 is composed of six small cubes and can be completed if-

  multaneously by a left module (L) and a right module (R) as it appears

  FIGS. 5 and 13 are in accordance with the third embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a member according to the second embodiment.

  Finally, all the elements represented in the set of

  attached forms are in accordance with the first embodiment.

  Figures lb, 6 and 11 show that a right module (R) can cooperate

  with a second right module (R ') according to two distinct orientations

  drawing-one from the other by a rotation of 180 of one of the modules around the axis (A 2) passing through the center of the cube formed by these modules and the middle

  of the edge (3) of this cube according to which is directed the middle part of the

  In the same way, two elements to which a right module can be adapted in accordance with the method of the invention can be assembled in two ways.

  separate guidelines, provided that the conformity of the

  ments in question does not preclude their meeting by the

  of the invention in said orientations or in one of said orientations.

  Figures 18a, 18b and 18c show an element (21) consisting of two modules

  the left as well as the two assemblies achievable by means of two such

  elements (21 and 21 ') Note that these two assemblies are not equi-

  valents: in that of Figure 18b, the two elements (21 and 21 ') cooperate

  in a straight line whereas in that of Figure 18c, these same elements cooperate at right angles Figure 19 shows the assembly obtained by cooperating a third element (21 ") at right angles to one (21 ') elements of the assembly of Figure 18 c The third element could as well have been

to be added in a straight line.

  The above concerning the right modules and the elements

  to cooperate as modules right applies of course also

  left-hand modules and elements likely to cooperate as modu-

the left ones.

  Figures 2b, 7 and 12 show that a symmetrical module (S) can co-

  with a second symmetrical module (S ') according to three orientations dis-

  tincts deduced from each other by 12-00 rotations of one of the modules around the axis (A 3) passing through the center of the cube formed by these modules and the vertex (9) of this cube, from which are derived the three edges (6, 7, 8) according to which are directed the three branches of said module

  two building elements capable of cooperating as two modules.

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  the symmetries can be assembled according to three distinct relative orientations provided that the conformation of these elements does not prevent their meeting according to the method of the invention in said orientations. FIGS. 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d show an element (22) consisting of a right module and a symmetrical module and the three assemblies achievable by means of two such elements (22 and 22 ') by cooperating their symmetrical modules according to the method of the invention will be noted that as

  previously, these assemblies are not equivalent.

  The foregoing description of embodiments and forms of execution

  tion of the invention shows that it engulfs a large number of very diverse elements, this diversity, combined with the ability of the elements to be assembled not only with identical elements but

  also with different elements and in most cases according to several

  if not equivalent, allows these elements to be combined into one

  considerable number of extremely varied buildings as

  FIGS. 21 to 35 The constituent elements of the constructions of FIGS. 23 to 27 and 30 to 35, where the enantiomorphs of these elements are represented.

  in the collections of elements of Figures 36 to 41 o.

  FIGS. 21a, 21b and 2c show an element (23) consisting of two straight modules and a construction composed of three such elements (23, 23 '

  and 23 ") seen from two opposite sides.

  Figures 22a and 22b show an element (24) consisting of two symmetrical modus and a construction composed of three such 6 elements (24, 24 '

and 24 ").

  Figures 23a and 23b show two views of the same construction composed of three elements (25) consisting of two symmetrical modules, and

  of three enantiomorphic elements (26) of the three preceding ones (25).

  Figure 24 shows a cube consisting of four elements (27), two

  elements (28) and two enantiomorphic elements (29) c the two previous ones (28).

  Figure 25 shows a cube consisting of four elements (30) and four

elements (31).

  Figure 26 shows a cube consisting of four elements (32) and four

elements (33).

  The Tdale toro construction shown in FIG. 27 consists of eight enantiomorphic elements (21) of the elements (30), each element (21) being assembled in a straight line with one (21) of its two partners and

  at right angles to each other (21 ") as in Figures 18b and 18c.

  FIGS. 28 to 35 show periodic constructions, which may contain their constituent elements in arbitrary numbers. FIGS. 28-10 to 33 represent simply periodic structures FIG. 34 a doubly periodic structure composed of elements (37), FIG. triply periodic consisting of elements (38) Structures

  Figures 28, 29 and 30 have the particularity of not being able to

  holes or disassembled only by adding or removing a single element to Tafois to extfémités, each added element blocking the previous as

  each mesh added to a knit prevents the previous one from unraveling.

  Figures 31 and 32 show similar structures at the ends of the

  which elements (36) of which they are composed can be added in pairs (36, 36 '). Each pair (36, 36') added blocks the previous pair (36 ", 36" -Y and ensures, step by step, a perfect cohesion to each of these two constructions The structure of Figure 28 d is composed of elements (34, 21 and 30) shown in Figures 28a, 28b and 28c, assembled at right angles in

* the order (30, 34, 21, 34, 30, 34, 219 34, o :).

  The structure of FIG. 29b consists of elements (35) of which an isolated copy is represented in FIG. 29a, assembled at right angles to

  construction thus obtained has a helical symmetry Tdale order 4.

  The structure represented in FIG. 30 consists of elements (21)

  assembled at right angles, as in Figures 18c and 19 and presents a symmetry

Helicopter sort Tdale order 3.

  The structures shown in Figures 31, 32 and 33 are all

  three composed of identical elements (36) assembled in three different ways.

  The same elements (36) also make it possible to construct the three enantiomorphic structures of said structures. The one in FIG. 31 has a helical symmetry of order 3, that of FIG.

sym-

  4-dimensional helical pattern. Sections of these two structures may al-

  The structure of FIG. 33 has the particularity of being split into two parts at three places (39) by a rotation of 90 of said parts around the axis of periodicity.

  followed by traction on these parts in the direction of said axis.

  Figures 27 to 35 show the particular interest that can be

  elements conforming to the second and third embodiments, the elements (34 and 35) forming part of the constructions of FIGS. 28 d and 29 b being in accordance with the third embodiment and those (21, 30, 36, 37 and 38) forming part of the constructions of FIGS. 27, 28 d, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 being in accordance with both

  second and third embodiments.

  Figures 36 to 41 show by way of examples elements according to the

  second embodiment, some of which also comply with the third

seventh embodiment.

  Figure 36 shows elements consisting of two symmetrical modules.

  Figure 37 shows elements consisting of a straight module and a

symmetrical module.

  Figure 38 shows elements consisting of two straight modules. Figure 39 shows elements consisting of a left module and a

right module.

  Figure 40 shows elements consisting of three modules.

  Figure 41 shows elements consisting of four modules.

  Figure 42 shows some examples of elememeints with parts

  movable in translation by sliding said parts on each other

  two adjacent moving parts of such an element are Mées by means of a rail (40) integral with one of said parts and a slide (41)

  practiced in the other In the elements represented, the amplitude of the movement

  translation of two adjacent parts is substantially equal to the

  half the length of the edge of the cube formed by the assembly of two

  It should be noted that such translations transform these elements into other elements in accordance with the invention. FIG. 43 shows a portion of an element comprising a slideway

  T terminated at one end by a stop (42) constituted by the body of the

  The other end is closed by a cover (43) which engages with the body of the slide. The cover comprises a spacer (44) for the purpose of increasing the crush strength of the body of the body. slide.

  FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a single rail

  T-rail The rail is made of elastic material and split longitudinally along its length into two parts, (45 ') which

  tend to deviate from each other and are therefore

  the side walls (46, 46 ') of the slide The resulting friction

  This contact avoids the spontaneous sliding of the rail in the slideway.

  bot (47) at the base of the rail prevents the latitudinal movements of the latter in

the slide.

  FIG. 45 shows a cube consisting of four elements (48), two elements (21) and two elements (30) of which the element (30) comprises a part

  mobile (49), the assembly of said cube being not possible by means of these same

  my elements if they are all monolithic and dimensionally stable The element (30 ') l can be extracted from the construction by pulling it to the right after having actuated its movable part (49) in the direction of the arrow For the assembly,

  it is sufficient to operate in the opposite direction.

  The cube shown in FIG. 46 consists of four elements (27,

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  12 - 27 ', 27 "and 27"'), of two elements (32) one of which (32 ') has a movable part (49) and two enantiomorphic elements (33, 33') of the two previous ones (32). , 32 ') The element (27) can be extracted from the construction by pulling upwards after sliding of the two movable parts (49) in the direction of the arrows. FIGS. 47 a, 47 b and 47 c show, by way of example, an extension element (27) consisting of a left module (L) and a right module (R) joined by a rod (50). contained in said modules and along which at least one of the modules can slide away from each other to an extreme position of maximum stretching of the element FIG. 47 a shows the element (27 ) in its contracted state where the left and right modules constituting it are joined FIGS. 47b and 47c show the same element in two stretched states The length of the stretched element at the maximum is greater than its length in the corona state a quantity at least equal to the length of the ridge

  of a small cube In Figure 47c, the stretch is substantially equal or

  more than double the edge of a small cube.

  FIGS. 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d show, by way of example, an element (30) consisting of two straight modules rotatable relative to one another about their connecting axis (D) L element preferably comprises a device for blocking it in each of the four conformations

  particulars (30, 51, 52 and 53) shown in FIGS. 48 a to 48 d.

  Figures 49, 50 and 51 relate to a device for carrying out

  extensible elements of which the two parties joined by that

  tive to rotate around their link axis and be blocked

  in four different relative orientations.

  FIG. 49 is a section of an element constituted, for example, by a

  left (L) and right (R) modules joined at one end and

  such a device The left module is traversed by a bore comprising

  both a shoulder (54) at the end of said module in contact with the right module The connection between the two modules is made by means of a screw (50) square head on which are threaded a guide ring (55) and a spring (56) before said screw is inserted into the bore of the left module and screwed into the right module The bore is closed by means of a circular cover (57) having on its inner face a square depression (58). ) adapted to the shape of the head (59) of the screw and capping said head when the two modules are contiguous Thanks to its circular shape, the cover can be put in place regardless of the orientation of the head of the Once the screw has been screwed fully into the right module and the left module has been placed in the desired orientation. Figure 50 is a sectional view of the cover, the screw and the guide washer. thin washer (60) between the spring (56) and the shoulder (54) forming the

  bottom of the bore avoids the wear of said shoulder by the end of the spring.

  The rest length of the spring is preferably chosen to be the largest

  sible, so that said spring applies the two modules against each other with a force differing as little as possible from the force which is required.

  to maintain said modules in their maximum remote position.

  FIG. 51 is a sectional view of the same element made according to a

  of the preceding device in order to allow a transmission amplitude of its constituent modules at least equal to twice the arte of a small cube The present device is characterized in that each of the two

  parts (R, L) thus assembled is traversed by a bore containing a resistor

  fate (56,56 ') The connection between said parts is carried out by means of a rod (50) having at one of its ends a cylindrical head (61) and the other end a circular groove in which is encased a split ring (62) on which a guide ring (55) bears In one (L) of the parts united by the present device, the spring (56) bears

  on one side on the bottom (54) of the bore and the other on the washer of

  In the other part (R), the spring (56 ') bears on one side on the bottom (54') of the bore and on the other on the head (61) of the rod The rotational locking of the two parts (R, L) is ensured by a plate because; (63) threaded on the rod between said parts which comprise, on -les

  faces facing each other, a square depression (64, 64 ') of a depth

  substantially equal to half the thickness of the plate.

  quette is preferably integral with one of the parties.

  FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the body of a right module for

  the production of elements according to the devices described above.

  Figure 53a shows a Construction consisting of four elements (27)

  the last of which can not be put in place if the elements used are mono-

  lithic and indeformable Figure 53b shows that the last: element (27)

  can be put in place if one (27 ') _of the elements with which it is intended

  co-operate can be stretched by a quantity at least equal to the length of

the edge of a small cube.

  Figure 54a shows a construction consisting of three elements (65,

  ', 65'), an isolated copy of which is represented in another form of

  As previously described, the assembly is infeasible by means of three monolithic and indeformable elements, but can be realized if

  one (65) of said elements is stretchable by an amount at least equal to

  the head of a small cube, as shown in Figure 54b.

  Fig. 55a shows an assembly of three elements (52, 52 ', 52 ") con-

  forms in the third embodiment of the invention consisting of two

  straight modules joined together so that they can pivot around their connecting axis

  sound (D) and being in the conformation shown in Figure 48 c The 14 - phases of disassembly (and, in the opposite direction of the assembly) are illustrated by Figures 55 b, 55 c and 55 d initially (Figure 55 b), the element (52)

  disposed vertically is placed in the conformation (30) shown in FIG.

  48 a For the element (52 '), horizontally and front to back, to be extracted upwards, then it is sufficient (see Figure 55c)

  place it in the conformation (53) shown in figure 48 d or (see

  FIG. 55 d) placing the third element (52 ") in said conformation (53).

  In order that the rotations can be carried out easily, it is preferable that the elements (52, 52 ', 52 ") used for the realization of the present construction are extensible in the direction of their axis of rotation.

  and / or that their edges' are rounded.

  Fig. 56a shows an assembly comprising three elements (21, 21 ', 21 "), one element (27) and three elements (30, 30', 30") all assembled at right angles, in which the element (2 l ') or the element (30') can not however be inserted if the seven aforementioned elements are monolithic and indeformable.

  Figures 55b, 56c and 56d give three ways to achieve said assembly.

  In FIG. 56b, the element (21) comprises a movable part (49) which allows, in the position it occupies in said figure, the introduction of

the element (21 ').

  In FIG. 56c, the two left modules constituting the element (21) can pivot about their connecting axis. The element (21 ') can be inserted

  in the assembly if said element (21) is placed in the conformation enan-

  of the one (51) shown in FIG. 48 b for an element consisting of two straight modules. The elements (21, 21 ') being assembled, they rotate

  together around the axis (D) in the direction of the arrow to give the assembly

Figure 56 a.

  In FIG. 56 d, the element (30) is extensible so as to be able to

  inserted into the assembly (seen from a different angle than the one under-

  which he is seen in the first three figures) after being assembled with

the element (30 t).

  Cases of steric impediments of the type illustrated by the figures

  53 a-53 b, 54 a-54 b and 56 a-56 b can be solved in a manner similar to that shown in said figures by means of elements made of a sufficiently flexible material such as rubber or neoprenes so that they can be stretched by an amount at least equal to the length of the edge of a small cube A circular section or close to a circle of such elements will allow or facilitate the resolution, by torsion of these elements , steric hindrance cases such as those of FIGS. 55 a to 55 d and FIGS.

56 a-56 c.

  It goes without saying that any element or module according to the invention may comprise moving parts according to several types of movements, for example

  example a part movable in translation by sliding on a second part.

  it is mobile in rotation with respect to a third

  bins are of course possible.

  The description below relates to modules and elements

  magnetic, which may be linked to each other by forces

  of magnetic origin when they cooperate in accordance with the process of the invention.

  tion. A magnetic module is characterized in that; 4 ii has at least two

  magnetic poles arranged in such a way that in at least one of the

  according to which said module is capable of cooperating according to the method of the invention with an identical module, each pole of one is

  in contact with an opposite pole of the other.

  A left or right magnetic module preferably comprises at least

  four poles arranged in such a way that in each of the two directions

  which said module is capable of cooperating in accordance with the procedure

  of the invention with an identical module, each pole of the one is in con-

  tact with an opposite pole of the other.

  A symmetrical magnetic module preferably comprises six or twelve poles.

  the arrangements so that in each of the three orientations according to

  which said module is able to cooperate according to the method of the invention with an identical module, each pole of one is in contact

with an opposite pole of the other.

  A magnetic building element is characterized in that it

  carries at least two magnetic poles arranged so that said Ete-

  can cooperate with at least one magnetic module in the manner in which the

  said module cooperates with an identical module.

  An element intended to magnetically cooperate as a left medula or a right module preferably comprises at least one group of four

  poles arranged as in a module left or as in a module right.

  An element intended to magnetically cooperate as a symmetrical module preferably comprises at least one group of six or twelve poles arranged as

in a symmetrical module.

  For example, a magnetic element consists of at least two modules

magnetic.

  Figure 57 shows a preferred polar configuration of a magnetic module.

  right tick (R), characterized in that it comprises four poles (+, -) arranged

  in the two rectangles (13) which form part of the surface

  dull of said module Each rectangle (13) has two opposite poles (+, -)

  arranged symmetrically with respect to the line (66) dividing said rectangle

  -16- gle in two squares, the two poles (+) that are near the ends

  (17) of the module being of the same sign.

  Figure 58 shows another polar configuration of a magnetic module.

  that right (R), characterized in that it comprises four poles (+, -) arranged in the squares (14) constituting the other part of the inner surface of said

  Each of the two squares (14) has two opposite poles disposed

  metrically on either side of the diagonal of the square which is in the extension of the diagonal of the other The poles are distributed in the squares so that two poles of the same sign are on the same side

  from the line (67) defined by said diagonals.

  FIGS. 59 and 60 show two pole configurations of a symmetrical magnetic module (S). As shown in said figures, these modules comprise a pair of opposite poles (*, -) in each of the six

  squares (15, 15 ') constituting the so-called internal surface of said modules.

  the (+, -) of the same square (15, 15 ') are arranged symmetrically on either side of the diagonal, of said square, one end of which coincides with the center of the cube formed by the meeting according to the method of the invention of two modules The configuration shown in FIG. 59 is characterized in that the two poles (+, -) arranged near one salient (68) or reentrant edge (69) defined by two adjacent squares (15, 15 ') are of opposite sign The configuration shown in FIG. 60 is characterized in that the two poles arranged near one and the same edge (68, 69) are likewise

  sign Six-pole configurations can be inferred from the two preceding

  dentes by removing the two poles (+: -) of a square (15 or 15 ') out of two.

  During the assembly according to the method of the invention of two modules

  identical magnetic elements according to any one of the configurations

  57 to 60 or one of the six light configurations

  above, each (+) pole of one of the modules coincides with an ope-

  posited C-) of the other irrespective of the relative orientation of said modules.

  All these configurations are of course equally applicable to

  said internal elements of any element according to the invention intended for

  cooperate as a right magnetic module or as a symmetrical magnetic module

  Similar polar configurations for left magnetic modules and for elements intended to cooperate as magnetic modules

  left are deduced by symmetry from those described above for moduli

rights.

  Any magnetic element or module can be made, for example,

  by inserting one or more dipolar or multipole magnets into said element or module Another method is to realize said element

  in a material loaded with a ferromagnetic powder suitably polarized.

  Another means of connection, mechanical, is to replace, in the

  polar configurations of Figures 57 to 60 and those that can be de-

  riveted, all the poles of the same sign (+) by small protuberances, for example hemispherical, the poles of the other sign (-) being replaced by depressions adapted to the shape of the protuberances When assembling such modules or elements according to the method of the invention, each

  protuberance of each of said modules or elements fits into the depres-

  the other element or module due to slight distortion

  elasticity of said modules or elements.

  Figures 61 and 62 show, with strongly exaggerated curvatures 2

  two embodiments of an element (27) functioning by wedging

  that such an element (27) is completed according to the method of the invention by a left module and a right module, its two branches (70, 71) are elastically spaced apart by said modules and maintain the latter by the pressure they They can be easily assembled so that the wedge-engaging elements and the elements intended to cooperate with them preferably have rounded edges. Among the elements which can work by wedging, mention may be made of all the elements which conform to each other. in both the second and third embodiments and more generally the elements according to the second embodiment which comprise at least one module connected to the remainder of the element by one of its ends (17, 18). other elements not falling within the scope of these definitions may also work by jamming, for example the elements (51, 53) of the figures 48b and 48d, the elements (72, 73, 74, 75) of FIG. 37, the elements (32, 76, 77, 78, 79, 31) of FIG.

  38 and the elements (80, 81, 48, 82, 83, 84) of FIG. 39.

  Examples of constructions illustrating the description of the invention

  show that it can be used in teaching, particularly the notion of symmetry The conceptual difficulty of assembling certain constructions can be used for the elaboration of

  psycho-technical tests and educational games to reveal and devel-

  lopper the faculties of abstraction Of course, the invention lends itself to

  your kinds of other applications including those mentioned at the beginning.

18 -

Claims (16)

  1 assembly module (R, L, S) capable of cooperating in at least two distinct orientations with an identical module or of the same type for   create a cube or a writable volume in a cube.   2 fedule assembly according to claim i characterized in that it is capable of cooperating in two separate orientations with a module   (R, L) identical or of the same nature to constitute a cube or a volume criptibie in a cube.   3 assembly module according to claim 1 characterized in that   is likely to cooperate in three distinct orientations with one   dule (S) identical or of the same nature to constitute a cube or a volume writable in a cube.   Assembly module according to any one of the preceding claims   dentes'characterized in that it is composed of four small cubes of edge equal to half of the edge of the large cube that said module is susceptible to train with an identical module.   Assembly module according to any one of the preceding claims   dentes characterized in that it comprises at least two magnetic poles (+, -)   arranged in such a way that in at least one of the orientations according to which   said module is able to cooperate with an identical module to form a cube or a writable volume in a cube, each pole of one   coincides with an opposite pole of the other.   6 assembly module according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises at least four poles (+, o) arranged so that in each of the two orientations in which said module (R, L) is likely to   cooperate with an identical module to constitute a cube or a volume   in a cube, each pole of the one concide with a poole opposed to another, 7 Assembly module according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises six or twelve poles (+, -) arranged so that in each of the three orientations according to which said module (S) is capable of cooperating with an identical module to form a cube or a volume that can not be written in a cube, each pole of the one concides with an opposite pole of the other. 8 Construction element to which at least one module can be adapted   assembly (R, L, S) according to any one of the preceding claims.   dentes in the manner in which said module can be adapted to a second module identical or of the same nature to constitute a cube or a writable volume in a cube. 1 2536295   9 construction element according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly module (R, L, S) in accordance with one   any of claims 1 to 7.   Construction element according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises at least two assembly modules, each of which is   form as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, joined by one end (17, 187.   11 construction element according to any one of claims 8   to 10 characterized in that it comprises at least two modules of assembly of which   each is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 of   in such a way that the cubes or the volumes writable in cubes obtained by completing said modules with identical modules or of the same nature constitute a rectangular parallelepiped or a volume writable in a rectangular parallelepiped (16).   12 building element according to any one of claims 8   11 characterized in that it comprises at least two parts that can slide on one another, preferably joined by means of a rail (40) and a slide (41).   13 construction element according to any one of claims 8   to 12 characterized in that it comprises at least two parts rotatable relative to each other about an axis (D) or slide along said axis away from one another or perform each of these two movements, said parts being joined for example by means of a screw or a rod (50).   14 construction element according to claim 13 characterized in that it comprises means for blocking said parts in at least one orientation or means for maintaining said parts le'une   against the other or simultaneously two such means.   Construction element according to any one of claims 8   11 or assembly module according to any one of claims 1 to 7   characterized in that it is made of a material sucepant of large elastic deformations such as-rubber or ngoprene or any other   natural or synthetic elastomer.   Construction element according to one of the claims 8   characterized in that it comprises at least two magnetic poles (+, -) arranged as in a module according to claim 5 and preferably as in a module according to claim 6 or 7, so that   said element can cooperate with at least one module according to the   cation 5, 6 or 7 in the manner in which said module cooperates with an identical module. tick. 2536295, -   17 Construction element according to claim 16 or assembly module   binder according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the poles (+) of the same sign are replaced by protrusions, for example hemispherical, and the poles (-) of opposite sign are replaced by adapted depressions. to the shape of the protuberances.   18 construction element according to any one of claims 8   at 17, characterized in that it comprises at least two branches (70, 71) forming a U-shaped example and which tend to compress at least one of the elements   or modules with which it cooperates, at least when said element is   as many elements or modules as it can be.   19 Construction method consisting of assembling two modules (R, L, S)   each of which is according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for   to form a cube or a writable volume in a cube, or to assemble a pre-   first element according to any one of claims 8 to 18 with   least one module or at least one second element so that said module   or said second element cooperates with the first in the manner in which two   dules cooperate to form a cube or a writable volume in a cube.   Construction comprising at least one module conforming to any one   claims 1 to 7 or at least one element conforming to any one of that claims 8 to 18.   21 Use for educational or educational purposes, in particular for the purpose of   the notion of symmetry.