| WO2005003574A1 | 2005-01-13 |
| CA2422838A1 | 2004-09-17 | |||
| CH608550A5 | 1979-01-15 | |||
| GB247616A | 1926-02-19 | |||
| DE9101959U1 | 1991-07-04 | |||
| CN2564616Y | 2003-08-06 | |||
| DE19512651A1 | 1996-10-10 | |||
| DE4444213A1 | 1995-08-10 |
| CLAIMS 1. A set of parts for assembly to provide a terrain over which a land vehicle can travel, comprising a plurality of discrete modules (1) , characterised in that each module (1) has a body (2) of a desired configuration in plan, in that each module (1) is adapted by a plurality of integral interengagement means (3, 4, 5, 6) , in that each interengagement means (3, 4, 5, 6) is adapted for interengagement with complementary means (3, 4, 5, 6) of at least one other substantially identical module (1), and in that when separate modules are assembled together by interengagement of the complementary interengagement means (3,4, 5, 6) a terrain of desired configuration is provided. 2. A set according to Claim 1, characterised in that the modules (1) each comprise a body (2) of substantially the same thickness whereby to provide height variations of a terrain when assembled from superposed modules (1). 3. A set according to Claim 2, characterised in that the interengagement means (3,4) each comprise alternate profiles (9a) and grooves (9b) and in that the interengagement means (5,6) comprise alternate grooves (9d) and profiles (9e) respectively complementary to the profiles (9a) and grooves (9b) of the body (2). 4. A set according to Claim 3, characterised in that the interengagement means (3, 4, 5, 6) of each body (2) comprises two profiles (3,4) and two complementary shaped recesses (9c). 5. A set according to Claim 4, characterised in that the body (2) has elongate elements (7,8) supporting the respective interengagement means (3,4) and in that said interengagement means each comprise a projection (9). 6. A set according to Claim 5, characterised in that there are channels (7a,8a) extending from the recesses (9c) to the exterior of the body (2) and in that the width of the channels (7a, 8a) is adapted to receive a respective elongate element (7,8) with a push fit. 7. A set according to either of Claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the recesses (9c) are adapted to receive the projections (3,4) with a push fit. 8. A set according to any of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that each projection (3,4) is opposite a respective interengagement means (5,6). 9. A set according to any of claims preceding Claim, characterised in that each module (1) is formed from a rubber or rubber-like material. 10. A set according to any of Claims 5 to 9, characterised in that when a projection (3,4) of one module (1) is received in a recess (5,6) of another, the modules (1) are secured together. 11. Aset according to any of Claims 2 to 10, characterised in that there is additional complementary locking means (11,12) adapted to secure at least one module (1) on top of another. 12. A set according to Claim 11, characterised in that the complementary locking means (11,12) comprises a through bore (11) in the body (2) and a separate connector means (12) adapted to extend through superimposed bores (11) whereby to secure superimposed modules (1) together. 13. a set according to any preceding Claim, characterised in that each body (2) has desired substantially identical configuration in plan. 14. A terrain assembled from a set of parts according to any preceding Claim, characterised in that a plurality of modules (1) is adapted to be interengaged both substantially horizontally and substantially vertically whereby to provide an undulating terrain. 15. A terrain according to Claim 14, characterised in that the terrain comprises an irregularly undulating surface. 16. A module according to any preceding Claim, characterised in that the module (1) comprises a body (2) adapted by a plurality of integral interengagement means (3, 4, 5, 6) for interengagement with complementary means (3, 4, 5, 6) of at least one other module (1), and in that when separate modules are assembled together by interengagement of the complementary interengagement means (3, 4, 5, 6) a terrain of desired configuration is provided. 17. A module according to Claim 16, characterised I that there are two interengagement means comprising projections (3,4) from the body (2) and two comprising complementary shaped recesses (5,6). 18. A module according to Claim 17, characterised in that there is an additional interengagement means comprising a through bore (11) in the body (2) and a connector means (12) of complementary shape to the through bore whereby two modules (1) can be secured together when superimposed. 19. A set of parts, terrain or module according to any preceding Claim, characterised in that the respective complementary interengagement means (3,4,5,6,11,12) are secured together with an interference or push-fit. 20. A set of parts, terrain or module according to Claim 19, characterised in that the connector means (12) comprises an elongate member which is adapted to be cut to a desired length for connecting a plurality of superposed modules (1). |
The invention relates to a set of parts and apparatus assembled therefrom, particularly to a set and apparatus which can provide a terrain over which a land vehicle can travel.
Land vehicles such as 4 -wheel drives, SUVs and the like are often driven off-road.
Manufacturers of such vehicles therefore often need to test them over terrain to test the suspension, steering, brakes and other features whilst driving off-road. Finding suitable locations for testing is time-consuming and expensive, and in any event local by-laws and statutes might preclude use of otherwise suitable off-road locations. Purpose built artificial off-road are also expensive to build.
It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for assembly to provide a terrain over which a land vehicle can travel, comprising a plurality of discrete modules each of which has a desired, preferably substantially identical, configuration in plan and each of which is adapted by a plurality of integral interengagement means for interengagement with complementary means of one or more other modules, whereby when separate modules are assembled together a terrain of desired configuration is provided.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a terrain whenever assembled from a set of parts as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a module, comprising a body having a desired configuration in plan and thickness and a plurality of integral
interengagement means adapted for interengagement with complementary means of one or more other modules.
A module of a set of parts for assembly to provide a terrain over which a land vehicle can travel, and embodying the invention, is hereinafter described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings:
Fig.l is a schematic partly perspective plan view of a module embodying the invention; and Fig.2 is a view similar to Fig.l showing an additional securing means.
Referring to the drawings there is shown a module 1 of a set of parts for assembly to provide a terrain over which a land vehicle can travel, comprising a plurality of discrete modules each of which in the embodiment shown has a desired substantially identical configuration in plan , such as an X-like shape body 2 in plan as shown and each of which is adapted by a plurality of integral interengagement means 3, 4, 5, 6 for interengagement with complementary means of one or more other modules, whereby when separate modules 1 are assembled together a terrain of desired configuration is provided.
In the preferred embodiment shown, the body 2 has elongate elements in the form in the embodiment of projections or legs 7,8 which terminate in respective interengagement means 3, 4, each of which has an external profile of gear-like configuration 9 in the form of projecting profiles or noses 9a alternating with grooves 9b. The interengagement means 5,6 complementary to the means 3,4 each have an internal recess 9c of gear follower- like configuration in the form of alternate grooves 9d and profiles 9e. Each interengagement means 5,6 has a channel 7a, 8a respectively for receiving a projection or leg 7,8. Thus when say a means 4 of one module is offered up to a means 5 of another and inserted fully downwardly so that the means 4 is seated in the means 5 and a leg 7,8 is received in a channel 7a or 8a , the two modules are secured together in the same plane with the 'gears' and 'gear followers' interengaged by profiles 9a being received in grooves 9d and profiles 9e being received in grooves 9b.
A terrain is thus built up by combining modules via interengagement means 3,4,5, 6 as described.
Terrains of varying height can be formed using a set of parts as described with reference to the drawings. To this end, the body 2 of each module 1 has a central through orifice 11 of, in the embodiment shown, key hole-like configuration. The set also comprises separate connector means 12 of, in the embodiment, key-like configuration, its surface being complementary in shape to the boundary surface of the through orifice 11. The connector means 12 has a length greater than the depth or thickness of the body 2, as shown in Fig.2, so that when one module is offered up to a second module 1 of the set the module with a key 12 inserted in the orifice 11 and the second module is pushed downwardly onto the key 12, a double thickness of part of the terrain is provided. Thus by repeating assembly of modules of the set in a horizontal and vertical direction, a terrain of variable height and length can be assembled.
It will be understood that the interengagement means 3, 4, 5, 6, legs 7,8 and channels 7a, 8a, and orifice and 11 and key 12 have an interference or push fit to provide a securely assembled set of parts.
The modules 1 are in a preferred embodiment 25mm deep and accurately produced so that they link together horizontally, but can also be superposed by being placed on top of each other to increase the depth.
The key 12 in the embodiment has a height of 50mm which as described above can connect two basic modules 1, one on top of another. This 50mm key can then be joined to an adjacent module 1 of the same height - or taller - or shorter.
Stated in another way, in the preferred embodiment of the invention referred to and shown herein there are just two kinds of pieces for the set, the first being modules 1 of, in the embodiment shown, 25mm in depth and the second being keys 12, which can be of any desired length such as 25mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm. Alternatively, the keys 12 could in an alternative embodiment each of which comprise a single length , say 1 metre long, in which case a user would cut a desired length of key off from the single length depending on the height of a particular section of terrain to be created.
The modules 1 are made from any suitable material such as a rubber or a rubber-like composition as by for example moulding, provided the material is strong enough to support the weight of a vehicle passing over it. The keys 12 are also made from a suitable material such as rubber or a rubber-like material as for example by extrusion, again the material being strong to support the weight of a vehicle passing over it.
It will be understood too that in an alternative embodiment, not shown, the set may comprise modules 1 of different thicknesses whereby on assembly an artificial terrain of varying height is assemblage in the horizontal plane, it also being possible in this embodiment to stack or superpose modules one on top of another in a substantially vertical plane.
It will be understood that using the invention described with reference to the drawings, a user can assemble an artificial terrain of any desired configuration, which could for example be straight, curved, of uniform height, or of variable height in sections to provide an undulating surface.
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