The invention relates to a customizable, stackable, modular construction system. In particular, a construction system that includes panels that interconnect mechanically using compatible coupling elements as well as including optional architectural and electrical components coupled with electrical wiring to a power source. When themed panels are coupled, the modular construction embodies different structural shapes and resembles a variety of architectural styles or scenes customized per the builder's preference.
The use of construction systems as a holistic educational platform, for architecture, engineering, history, culture, arts, math, science, technology, programming, electronics and imaginative building amongst other fields.
The stackable modular construction system disclosed herein encourages engineering building and culturally inspired imaginative interaction via thematically designed basic modules comprised of mechanically interlocking wall panels coupled to a floor panel. Each panel includes two opposing surfaces, a thickness and at least three edges. At least one panel includes one trussed edge rim on all or portions of its edge's length. A trussed edge rim is configured by a series of repetitive alternating polygons. Trussed edge rims are configured such that panels may be connected mechanically between their trussed edges to form structures and/or scenes. In some embodiments, each edge of each panel is a trussed edge providing multiple ways of mating the modules when stacking or side by side. Its design facilitates assembly, structural integrity and maximum flexibility. Accordingly, the stackable modular construction system is easy to manipulate, assemble and disassemble.
The stackable modular construction system described herein comprise at least one basic module. Additional modules can be stacked upon each other and/or placed side by side to create a multiple story structure. When stacked, each basic module can be rotated relative to other modules below or above expanding re-construction-ability and encouraging design experimentation. Additionally, each stackable modular construction system packs in a compact and flat manner for easy storage, customization and transportation.
Any embodiment of the stackable modular construction system can be customized with a diversity of optional components and accessories which include but are not limited to a diversity of architectural components, electrical components, panel surface materials, accessories and embellishment elements all of which are compatible and connect with at least one stackable modular construction system component.
Architectural components may include but not limited to window and door accessories, stairs, elevators, and towers amongst others. Electrical components include but not limited to light source, fans, electronic sensors, buzzers, photovoltaic panels and motors amongst others coupled with electrical wiring to a power source such as a battery component and a hub. Electrical components may include a controller that allows a Bluetooth enabled device to remotely control other electrical components and/or a programmable controller equipped with sets of digital and analog input/output pins that may be interfaced to various expansion boards and circuits.
The stackable modular construction system is further customized by a diversity of surface materials and surface treatment of its wall and floor panels. These include but are not limited to illustration via print or tactile embossment, debossing, magnetic receptive material or coated with a smooth surface which allows non-permanent markings and erasing by its user. To further customize and embellish the structure, adhesive or magnetic accessory items can optionally be added to the face(s) of panels.
These and other features of the disclosed invention will be described in further details below in conjunction with the following drawings.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. In the following example illustrations, a stackable modular construction system of square polygon floor panel, represents a Middle Eastern architectural style. Whereas in the illustrations comprising a stackable modular construction system of hexagonal polygon base floor, a defense tower is represented. The disclosure's illustrations are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to two preferred embodiments, thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Numerous details are explained in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In other instances, well known processes and components have not been described in detail in order to not obscure the understanding of the present invention.
Each basic module is comprised of one polygonal shaped floor panel 100, 102 and a plurality of wall panels 101,103. Each panel comprises of two opposing surfaces and at least three edges with a thickness. The number of wall panels on each basic module correspond to the number of sides of its polygonal floor panel shape. For example, with a square or rectangular floor panel
Basic modules can have additional removable accessories, architectural 104 and electric components 105 attached to them such as ladders, stairs 106, elevators, wind towers 107, railings, balconies, terraces, windows 108, doors, towers, thematic background sceneries and electronics amongst others.
The floor panels can be shaped in any polygonal shape, such as a triangle, square 100, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon 102, etcetera depending on the architectural style the structure is representing. At least one of the floor panel's polygonal side edges will have one or more protruding tabs 109 compatible with slots 110 at the corresponding side wall panels. These slots and tabs serve as a fastener free mechanical coupling between floor and wall panels
Each floor panel may be solid or may include one or more openings of different size and shape which allows the placement and attachment of additional architectural 111 and electronic components 112 such as but not limited to a ladder, a mechanical or electrical elevator, pulley system, balcony, terrace, wind tower 107 amongst others. Additional openings in the floor panel may be for embellishment or to allow for the optional fitting of electrical wiring and electrical components to be coupled directly or indirectly to another electrical component, electrical wiring or to a power source.
In an embodiment, the floor panel's surface may be printed, etched, carved, painted, drawn, embossed, debossed, engraved or by means of any other technique to produce a graphic or tactile image and/or design 113. These images and designs are one of the ways the modular construction system is customizable.
In another embodiment, the floor panel surface can allow non-permanent and erasable coloring and recoloring by its users using a non-permanent marker, which stimulates creativity and enables further customization of the structure.
In yet another embodiment, the floor panel's surface can be of a magnetic receptive material, magnetically attracting a magnetic accessory or component.
The amount of wall panels per basic module depends on the polygonal shape of the floor panel it is coupled with. Each wall panel will have at least one kerf cut 114 approximately half way down or up the wall panel's height. These kerf cuts are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the panel.
Some of the kerf cuts will run from the top side and others from the bottom side of the wall panels. Every wall panel may have a single kerf cut or one of the following four combinations of kerf cuts: two kerf cuts running from the top side 115, two kerf cuts running from the bottom side 116, one kerf cut running from the top side and the second running from the bottom side 117 or a kerf cut running from the bottom side and the second from the top side (opposite to the previous wall panel) 118. These kerf cuts allow a fastener free assembly by sliding and interlocking wall panels to each other
The lower portion of some of the wall panels may have slots 110 sized to be compatible with the floor panel's protruding tabs 109. These wall panel's slots and floor panel's tabs also serve as fastener free mechanical coupling element
Each wall panel comprises at least one trussed edge 120, on all or portions of the edge's length. Said trussed edge design is comprised by a series of repeating polygonal shapes such as triangles, squares, octagons, hexagons or any other polygonal shape of varying size and proportions alternating up and down on its horizontal axis. This series of repeating polygons which make up the truss design provides and improves significantly the structural stability of the structure.
The truss design is configured such that wall panels may be stacked and/or connected mechanically by mating with compatibly trussed panels, providing multiple ways of mating the modules when stacking.
The size and design of the polygons that define the truss can vary depending on the architectural style the structure is representing
Each wall panel may be solid or may include one or more openings of different size and shape for doors 121, windows 122 and/or for access inside 123. These openings also allow the placement and attachment of additional architectural 124 and electronic components such as but not limited to a ladder, a mechanical or electrical elevator, pulley system, balcony, window box, terrace, wind tower etc. Additional openings in the wall panel may be for embellishment or to allow for the optional fitting of electrical wiring and electrical components to be coupled directly or indirectly to another electrical component, electrical wiring or to a power source 125. In particular, wires of the electronic components are passed through openings of different shapes, which may be, but not necessarily, organized in a grid like manner. These openings could be circles, triangles, squares, etc. big enough to allow the pass through of wires in order to connect to other electrical components.
In an embodiment, the wall panel's surface may be printed, etched, carved, painted, drawn, embossed, debossed, engraved or by means of any other technique to produce a graphic or tactile image and/or design 126. These images and designs are one of the ways the modular construction is customizable.
In another embodiment, the wall panel's surface can allow non-permanent and erasable coloring and recoloring by its users using a non-permanent marker, which stimulates creativity and enables further customization of the structure.
In yet another embodiment, the wall panel's surface can be of a magnetic receptive material, magnetically attracting a magnetic accessory or component.
For the basic module's construction, approximately half of the wall panels are assembled by sliding two wall panels of opposing kerf cuts, at a time, in order to interlock each other
The basic modules with the same polygonal floor base shape and mating truss design and proportions are able to be stack on top of each other creating a multi-story structure
The truss design of the panels of these modules, typically located but not limited to the upper and/or lower rim of the wall panels serves as a self-locking mechanism on all sides of the polygon once the modules are stacked. When modules are stacked, the truss design prevents relative lateral movement of one module relative to its upper or lower module, locking it in place on every direction within each individual polygonal shape that make up the truss design
The basic modules with the same polygonal floor base shape and mating truss design, dimension, contour and proportions which are stacked on top of each other may be rearranged in sequence and/or rotated on its vertical axis
The panels may be perforated in portions or all of its surface with equally spaced small perforations in a grid like pattern 127. This grid like pattern adapts to the flexible placement and attachment of the optional architectural and electronic components and/or accessories within the panels
Additional architectural components enhance the basic module and customize the architectural design of a specific modular construction system to resemble a specific architectural style typical of a specific region or country. For example, if the modular construction system resembles a Middle Eastern architectural style then it would include additional architectural components such as “Roshan” styled windows, Middle Eastern style doors or wind towers amongst others
There are other basic additional architectural components such as ladders, stairs, elevators, wind towers, railings, balconies, terraces, windows, doors, towers, thematic background sceneries and others that are shared between different architectural styles.
All additional customizing architectural components may assemble, attach, adhere and stack the same way as the basic modules by way of kerf cuts, tabs, slots and/or mating truss. Additional adherence comprises adhesion, static electricity, magnetic attraction, or mechanical attachment
Some of the accessories to further customize the modular construction system include, but are not limited to, furniture, human figures, animal figures, food, tools, household appliances, trees, flowers, light fixtures, containers or any other object of utilitarian or decorative design that are in-line with the particular architectural style of the structure it is representing.
Electric components are optionally integrated in the modular construction system in order to customize and integrate programmable electricity-based components transforming the modular construction system from a solely mechanical construction system into a platform for learning the application and programmability of electronic components 128, microcontrollers 129, Bluetooth 130 enabled technology and Internet of Things amongst others. The optional attachment of different electronic components is possible directly onto a modular construction system panel 131 or via an electronic component housing 132 which attaches to the equally spaced small slot perforations in a grid-like pattern 127 on the modular construction system's panels
The modular construction system can be fitted with electrical wiring 134 that allows a variety of different electrical components to be coupled directly or indirectly to another electrical component, wiring and/or to a power source
Electric components include, but are not limited to, light source 137, button 138, switch 139, buzzer 140, motor 141, Bluetooth enabled devices 130 to remotely control the building or electronic sensors such as temperature sensor 142, light sensor 143, touch sensor 144, sound sensor 145, humidity sensor, fan and display 146, amongst others
At least one receptacle 135 is provided on the housing or directly on the electric component so to electrically connect the electric component with a battery, base shield hub expansion board 147, or power source. All electric components can be operated by coupling it to either a battery component 148, a base shield hub expansion board component or another power source to supply its power. The base shield hub expansion board
Within each electric component is a printed circuit board (PCB) 150 with the electric circuitry necessary to couple the electric component with the power source. These electric components can be interconnected in a variety of different ways. Each component can be either coupled directly to a battery component or a base shield hub expansion board or can be coupled via one or more wired electrical connector components
The modular construction system may be made out of a semi-rigid or rigid material such as but not limited to wood, laminated wood, rigid foam, extruded polystyrene foam, plastic, foam-board, melamine board, dry erase board, white board, cardboard, paper, magnetic receptive material, magnetic material or metal.
In order to further customize the modular construction system, the surfaces of all or some of the modular construction elements may be printed, etched, carved, painted, drawn, embossed, debossed, engraved or by means of any other technique to produce a graphic or tactile design and/or image. These illustrations and/or designs may represent or simulate different design characteristics typical to the cultural region the specific modular construction system is representing amongst others. The modular construction system surface's may also allow for the user to non-permanently affix embellishment features to the structure.
In some instances, some or all of the modular construction system's elements may be coated with a smooth surface which allows non-permanent markings and erasing of markings of any color. The use of non-permanent markers or crayons, which markings adheres to the surface without binding or being absorbed by the surface, allows for unlimited coloring, drawing, erasing and decorating of the modular construction system.
In yet other instances, portions or all of the panels' surfaces can be of a magnetic receptive material, magnetically attracting and binding by attraction to its surface a magnetic accessory or component.
The wall panels of each basic module can be separated into individual components facilitating its assembly, disassembly. Additionally, it packs in a compact and flat manner for easy storage, customization and transportation
While this invention has been described using several preferred embodiments designs, there are additional possible embodiments, alterations, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and components of the present invention.
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/753,944 filed on Nov. 1, 2018 entitled “Customizable Stackable Modular and Electronic Construction Toy,” which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62753944 | Nov 2018 | US |