Field of invention

The present invention relates to a construction system comprising at least two building elements provided with one or more cylindrical holes and at least one connection pin. The invention also relates to a method for making such system.

Prior art

JP 3210548 U discloses a wooden cylindrical joint rod for connecting blocks with holes. The joint rod is configured to be into a through hole and be moved the entire way through the hole.

The wooden joint rod, however, is expanded when exposed to moisture. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the joint rod needs to be produced in such a manner that the joint rod can be inserted into a hole even when the joint rod has been expanded. Therefore, the joint rod is not firmly attached to the hole when the joint rod is dry.

Moreover, the joint rod is inserted all the way through a through hole. This introduces the risk for permanent damage of the joint rod.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an alternative which reduces or even eliminates the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a construction system as defined in claim 1 and by a method as defined in claim 13. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent subclaims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The construction system according to the invention is a construction system comprising: a) at least two building elements provided with one or more cylindrical holes and b) one or more connection pins having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, wherein the connection pins are configured to be detachably inserted into the holes and hereby connect two adjacent building elements, wherein the connection pins are provided with a first notch extending along the longitudinal axis and a second notch extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first notch extends from the first end to a position between the first end and the second end, wherein the second notch extends from the second end to a position between the first end and the second end, wherein the width of the connection pins is larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a reliable construction system.

The building elements may have any suitable geometry and size.

The building elements are provided with one or more cylindrical holes.

The connection pin has a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis.

Each connection pin is configured to be detachably inserted into the holes and hereby connect two adjacent building elements.

Each connection pin is provided with a first notch extending along the longitudinal axis and a second notch extending along the longitudinal axis.

The first notch extends from the first end to a position between the first end and the second end. The second notch extends from the second end to a position between the first end and the second end. Hereby, an outwardly directed force will be provided from the pin to the wall of the hole. Accordingly, the pin will be firmly attached to the hole. At the same time, the notch will provide flexibility (the width of the pin can be reduced by compressing the distal end of the pin). This flexibility allows the pin to be:

A) detachably inserted into the hole and

B) removed from the hole in an easy manner.

The width of each connection pin is larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 2-10 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 3-8 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 4-7 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 5 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the end portions of the connection pins is 4.2 mm, wherein the width of the cylindrical holes is 4.0 mm.

In an embodiment, the width of the end portions of the connection pins is 4.2 mm, wherein the width of the cylindrical holes is 4.1 mm.

In an embodiment, the width of the end portions of the connection pins is 4.2 mm, wherein the width of the cylindrical holes is 3.9 mm. In an embodiment, the width of the end portions of the connection pins is 4.2 mm, wherein the width of the cylindrical holes is 3,9 - 4,1 mm.

In an embodiment, the depth of the holes corresponds to half the length of the pin.

In an embodiment, at least some of the holes are blind holes.

In an embodiment, all holes of at least one of the building elements are blind holes.

In one embodiment, the first notch comprises a distal portion composed by two parallel surfaces.

In one embodiment, the surfaces of the distal portion of the first notch extend perpendicular to the surfaces of the distal portion of the second notch.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one boxshaped building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one spherical building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one cylindrical building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one building element shaped as a hose. The hose comprises a hole provided in each end. Accordingly, the hose can be detachably attached to connection pins.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one plate designed to be detachably inserted into one of the notches of one of the connection pins and hereby be detachably attached to the connection pins.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one extension pin that are longer than the connection pin, wherein the end portions of the extensions pin correspond to the end portions of the connection pin.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises a pivot configured to receive an end portion of the connection pin.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one wheel comprising a rotatably mounted joint configured to receive an end portion of the connection pin.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of metal.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of steel.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of stainless steel.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of ceramics.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of carbon fibre.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of rubber.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of rubber composite.

In an embodiment, the connection pin is made of plastic.

In an embodiment, the building elements are made of wood. In one embodiment, the building elements are made of plastic.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of ceramics.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of carbon fibre.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of stone.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of amber.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of rubber.

In an embodiment, at least some of the building elements are made of rubber composite.

The method according to the invention is a method for building a construction system comprising: a) at least two building elements provided with one or more cylindrical holes and b) at least one connection pin having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, wherein the connection pin is configured to be detachably inserted into the holes and hereby connect two adjacent building elements, wherein the connection pins are provided with a first notch extending along the longitudinal axis and a second notch extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first notch extends from the first end to a position between the first end and the second end, wherein the second notch extends from the second end to a position between the first end and the second end, wherein the method comprises the step of:

- inserting the first end of the connection pin into a hole of a first building element and inserting the second end of the connection pin into a hole of a second building element and hereby detachably attaching the first building element and the second building element, wherein the width of the connection pins is larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a reliable method that reduces or even eliminates the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

By having a pin width that is larger than the width of the cylindrical holes, an outwardly directed force will be provided from the pin to the wall of the hole. Accordingly, the pin will be firmly attached to the hole. At the same time, the notch will provide flexibility (the width of the pin can be reduced by compressing the distal end of the pin). This flexibility allows the pin to be:

A) detachably inserted into the hole and

B) removed from the hole in an easy manner.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 2-10 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 3-8 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 4-7 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes.

In an embodiment, the width of the connection pins is 5 % larger than the width of the cylindrical holes. In an embodiment, the depth of the holes corresponds to half the length of the pin.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one boxshaped building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one spherical building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one cylindrical building element.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one building element shaped as a hose.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one plate designed to be detachably inserted into one of the notches of one of the connection pins and hereby be detachably attached to the connection pins.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one extension pin that are longer than the connection pin, wherein the end portions of the extensions pin correspond to the end portions of the connection pin.

In an embodiment, the construction system comprises at least one wheel comprising a rotatably mounted joint configured to receive an end portion of the connection pin.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. IB shows a side view of a connection pin of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 2A shows a side view a connection pin of a construction system6 according to the invention;

Fig. 2B shows an end view of a connection pin of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 2C shows another end view of the connection pin shown in Fig. 2B;

Fig. 3A shows a perspective view of a connection pin of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 3B shows a side view of the connection pin shown in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C shows the connection pin shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B arranged in a position, from which the connection pin is arranged to be inserted into a hole;

Fig. 4A shows an end view of a connection pin of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 4B shows another end view of a connection pin show in in Fig. 4 A;

Fig. 4C shows a perspective view of a connection pin show in in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B;

Fig. 5A shows a building block of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 5B shows another building block of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 5C shows a further building block of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 5D shows two building blocks of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 6A shows two building blocks of a construction system according to the invention being attached to each other by means of a connection pin according to the invention;

Fig. 6B shows the two building blocks shown in Fig. 6A in an assembled configuration;

Fig. 7A shows three building blocks of a construction system according to the invention being attached to each other by means of pins according to the invention;

Fig. 7B shows the three building blocks shown in Fig. 7A ins an assembled configuration;

Fig. 8A shows two building elements of a construction system according to the invention in a configuration, in which the building elements have been attached to each other by means of a connection pin according to the invention;

Fig. 8B shows another view of the construction system shown in Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8C shows two building blocks of a construction system according to the invention in a configuration, in which the building blocks have been attached to a hose by means of connection pins according to the invention;

Fig. 9A shows a side view of a connection pin being inserted into a building element of a construction system according to the invention;

Fig. 9B shows a top view of a building element according to the invention comprising a ball bearing and

Fig. 9C shows a cross-sectional view of the building element shown in Fig. 9B.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a construction system 2 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a construction system 2 according to the invention. The construction system 2 comprises a first building block 4 and a second building block 4'. The first building block 4 comprises a blind hole 8. Likewise, the second building block 4' comprises a blind hole 8'. The construction system 2 comprises a connection pin 6 provided with a notch 10 extending along the longitudinal axis of the connection pin 6.

The hole 8' of the second building block 4' is cylindrical and has a width D. The hole 8 of the first building block 4 is cylindrical and has a width D. The distal portion of the connection pin 6 has been compressed in such a manner that the width of the distal portion of the connection pin 6 corresponds to the width D of the hole 8. It can be seen that the distal portion of the notch 10 has a smaller width than the proximal portion of the notch 10 because the distal portion of the connection pin 6 has been pressed together.

It can be seen that the connection pin 6 has a length L4. The depth D2 of the first building block 4 corresponds to the depth D ₂ of the second building block 4'. The depth D ₂ corresponds to one half of the length L4.

Fig. IB illustrates a side view of a connection pin 6 of a construction system according to the invention. The connection pin 6 comprises a notch 10 extending along the longitudinal axis of the connection pin 6. The width Li of the notch 10 is smaller than a third of the width L ₂ of the connection pin 6.

It can be seen that the depth L ₃ of the notch 10 is larger than two thirds of the length L4 of the connection pin 6. The bottom portion 12 of the notch 10 is concave.

The notch 10 makes the connection pin 6 flexible. The distal portion of the connection pin 6 can be compressed so that the width L ₂ is reduced as seen in Fig 1A. Fig. 2A illustrates a side view a connection pin 6 of a construction system according to the invention. The connection pin 6 corresponds to the one shown in and explained with reference to Fig. 1A and Fig. IB.

The connection pin 6 comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first end 16 comprises a closed portion, while the second end 18 comprises an open portion.

Fig. 2B illustrates an end view of a connection pin 6 of a construction system according to the invention. Fig. 2C illustrates the connection pin 6 shown in Fig. 2B seen from the other end.

The connection pin 6 comprises a first notch 10 having its free end in a first end of the connection pin 6. The connection pin 6 comprises a second notch 10' (indicated by a dashed line) having its free end in the opposite end of the connection pin 6.

Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a connection pin 6 of a construction system according to the invention. The connection pin 6 comprises a first notch 10 having its free end in a first end 16 of the connection pin 6. The connection pin 6 comprises a second notch 10' having its free end in the opposite end 18 of the connection pin 6.

The first notch 10 is basically plate-shaped and extends along the longitudinal axis X and a first lateral axis Z of the connection pin 6.

The second notch 10' is basically plate-shaped and extends along the longitudinal axis X and a second lateral axis Y of the connection pin 6. The three axes X, Y, Z extend perpendicular to each other and constitute a Cartesian coordinate system.

Fig. 3B illustrates a side view of the connection pin 6 shown in Fig. 3A. The connection pin 6 comprises a first notch 10 extending along the longitudinal axis X and the second lateral axis Y of the connection pin 6. The open end of the notch 10 is provided in the first end 16 of the connection pin 6, while the closed end of the notch 10 is provided in the opposite end 18 of the connection pin 6.

Fig. 3C illustrates the connection pin 6 shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B arranged in a position, from which the connection pin 6 is arranged to be inserted into a cylindrical hole 8 of a building block 4. The connection pin 6 comprises a notch 10' having its free end provided in the end 18 of the connection pin 6, while a closed portion is provided in the opposite end 16 of the connection pin 6. The width L2 of the end 18 of the connection pin 6 that is placed closes to the hole 8 is larger than the width D of the hole 8. When the distal portion of the connection pin is compressed, however, the width L ₂ of the end 18 of the connection pin 6 that is placed closes to the hole 8 is reduced to such an extent that the connection pin 6 can be inserted into the hole 8.

Fig. 4A illustrates an end view of a connection pin 6 of a construction system according to the invention. The connection pin 6 comprises a notch 10 having an open end. The connection pin 6 is seen from the end, in which the notch 10 is open.

Fig. 4B illustrates another end view (seen from the opposite end) of the connection pin 6 show in in Fig. 4A. The connection pin 6 comprises a notch 10' having an open end. The connection pin 6 is seen from the end, in which the notch 10' is open.

Fig. 4C illustrates a perspective view of a connection pin 6 show in in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B. The connection pin 6 has a basically box-shaped geometry.

The connection pin 6 comprises a first notch 10 having its free end in a first end 16 of the connection pin 6. The connection pin 6 comprises a second notch 10' having its free end in the opposite end 18 of the connection pin 6. The first notch 10 is basically plate-shaped and extends along the longitudinal axis X and a first lateral axis Z of the connection pin 6.

The second notch 10' is basically plate-shaped and extends along the longitudinal axis X and a second lateral axis Y of the connection pin 6. The three axes X, Y, Z extend perpendicular to each other and constitute a Cartesian coordinate system.

It should be noted that the connection pin 6 should be inserted into a hole having a basically box-shaped geometry.

Fig. 5A illustrates a building block 4 of a construction system according to the invention. The building block 4 is box-shaped and comprises a square cross section. Five holes 8' are provided in the front side of the building block 4. A single hole 8 is provided in the top side of the building block 4.

Fig. 5B illustrates another building block 4 of a construction system according to the invention. The building block 4 is box-shaped and comprises a square cross section. Four holes 8, 8' are provided in the front side of the building block 4.

Fig. 5C illustrates a further building block 4 of a construction system according to the invention. The building block 4 is box-shaped and comprises two square surfaces and four rectangular surfaces. Five holes 8 are provided in the front side of the building block 4. A single hole 8 is provided in the top side of the building block 4. Three holes 8 are provided in the right side surface of the building block 4.

Fig. 5D illustrates two building blocks 4, 4' of a construction system according to the invention. The building blocks 4, 4' are box-shaped and attached to each other by using one or more connection pins according to the invention (like shown in and explained with reference to Fig. 1A).

Five holes 8 are provided in the front side of the first building block 4. A single hole 8' is provided in the top side of the first building block 4. A single hole 8' is provided in the top side of second building block 4'.

Fig. 6A illustrates two building blocks 4, 4' of a construction system according to the invention being attached to each other by means of a connection pin 6 according to the invention. The building blocks 4, 4' are provided with holes 8'.

A connection pin 6 provided with a notch 10 having its open end facing the lowermost building block 4' is arranged in a position, in which the connection pin 6 can be inserted to a corresponding hole provide in the top side of the lowermost building block 4'. Moreover, the topmost building block 4 comprises a hole (not shown) designed to receive the connection pin 6 so that the first building block and the second building block can be detachably attached to each other.

Fig. 6B illustrates the two building blocks 4,4 shown in Fig. 6A in an assembled configuration.

Fig. 7A illustrates three building blocks 4, 4', 4" of a construction system according to the invention being attached to each other by means of connection pins 6, 6' according to the invention.

The uppermost building block 4" is spherical and comprise a hole (not shown) provided in its lower portion.

The lowermost building block 4 is box-shaped and comprise a hole (not shown) provided in its topmost surface.

A box-shaped building block 4 is arranged between the topmost building block 4" and the lowermost building block 4.

Fig. 7B illustrates the three building blocks 4, 4', 4" shown in Fig. 7A in an assembled configuration, in which the first connection pin 6 connects the first building block 4 and the second building block 4' and in which the second connection pin 6' connects the third building block 4" and the second building block 4'.

Fig. 8A illustrates two building elements (a box-shaped building block 4 and a plate 20) of a construction system according to the invention in a configuration, in which the building elements 4, 20 have been attached to each other by means of a connection pin 6 according to the invention.

Fig. 8B illustrates a different view of the construction system shown in Fig. 8A. It can be seen that the plate 20 is attached to the free portion of the notch of the connection pin 6. The other end of the connection pin 6 has been detachably attached to a hole (not shown) in the lowermost portion of the building block 4.

Fig. 8C illustrates two building blocks 4, 4' of a construction system according to the invention in a configuration, in which the building blocks 4, 4' have been attached to a hose 14 by means of connection pins 6, 6' according to the invention. The hose 14 is provided with holes arranged and configured to receive the connection pins 6, 6'.

Fig. 9A illustrates a side view of a connection pin 6 being inserted into a building element 24 of a construction system according to the invention. The connection pin 6 comprises a notch 10 extending along the longitudinal axis of the connection pin 6. The free end of the notch 10 is arranged in the distal end 16 of the connection pin 6, which is placed close to a hole 8 provided in the building element 24. The building element is forms as a wheel having a cylindrical body portion. The building element 2 comprises a centrally arranged ball bearing 26.

Fig. 9B illustrates a top view of a building element 24 according to the invention comprising a ball bearing 26. Fig. 9C illustrates a cross- sectional view of the building element shown in Fig. 9B.

The building element 24 comprises three holes 8, 8', 8". The central hole 8 is arranged between the two lateral holes 8', 8". It can be seen that the ball bearing 26 comprises balls 28 rotatably arranged in a bearing housing. Accordingly, a connection pin being inserted into the hole 8 surrounded by the ball beating 26 to able to rotate relative to the building element 24.

List of reference numerals

2 Construction system

4, 4', 4" Building block

6, 6' Connection pin

8, 8' Hole

10, 10' Notch

12 Bottom portion

14 Hose

16 First end

18 Second end

20 Plate

24 Wheel

26 Ball bearing

28 Ball Li, L ₂ Width L ₃ , L4 Width D Width

D ₂ Depth

X, Y, Z Axis