BUILDING COMPONENTS AND BUILDING SET

Info

Publication number: 20230012876
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2021
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2023
Inventor: MATTHIJS VAN LEEUWEN (BURIEN, WA)
Application Number: 17/375,232

Abstract

A building component for building structures, the building component configured to be releasable connectable to a second conjugate building component. The building component comprises a frame being a section of a basic geometrical shape. The frame having at least one side; the side having at least a protrusion. The conjugate building component being of the same structure also has a frame having at least one conjugate side; the conjugate side having at least a corresponding conjugate receptacle. When the building component and the conjugate building component are connected the sides of building components are next to each other. The protrusion and receptacle of the components snugly engage each other so that the inner and outer surfaces of the protrusion and receptacle are in contact with each other. The friction between the surfaces prevents the disconnecting of the components.

Description

Description

This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to and the benefit of, the following US Design Nonprovisional Patent Applications under 35 USC 171. All were filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and each having as inventor Mr Matthijs Van Leeuwen:

application No Date Filed Title of Design Patent Ser. No. 1 Apr. 30, 2021 Sphere Section Building Component 29/788,313 2 Apr. 30, 2021 Arc Shaped Building Component 29/788,312 3 Apr. 30, 2021 Section of a Torus Building Component 29/788,311 4 Jun. 27, 2021 Prism Section Building Component 29/788,576

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to building components as well as a set thereof for building structures. The building components comprise several different shapes with which a wide variety of structures can be assembled. After assembly of a structure it can be broken down and a new structure can be built.

BACKGROUND

Generally building or construction sets comprise brick-like components that are rectangular. This limits the building or construction to a layered brick construction structure. With this limitation what can be built are in general only straight walls and pitched roofs. While it is true construction or building component manufacturers have made efforts to extend the range of the structures that can be built this necessitated the introduction of special building components. These sets that contain the special building components however in general can only build one new structure. It is the object of this invention to mitigate the shortcomings mentioned.

SUMMARY

A building component for building structures is provided, the building component configured to be releasable connectable to a second conjugate building component. The building component may comprise: a frame being a section of a basic geometrical shape; the frame having at least one side; the side having at least a protrusion. The conjugate building component may comprise: a frame being a section of a basic geometrical shape; the frame having at least one conjugate side; the conjugate side having at least a corresponding conjugate receptacle; the protrusion having an outer surface and the receptacle having an inner surface. The components may be connected by lining up the protrusion and receptacle so that they engage each other when the components are moved towards each other. When the building component and the conjugate building component are connected the sides of building components may be next to each other. When connected the protrusion and receptacle of the components may snugly engage each other; so that the inner and outer surfaces of the protrusion and receptacle are in contact with each other; and the friction between the surfaces prevents the disconnecting of the components.

The building component may be also so configured that the side may have at least a receptacle; the conjugate side may have at least a corresponding conjugate protrusion.

The protrusion may have a small hole that acts as an air vent to let air escape that builds up when the protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when the two components are connected, because the protrusion fits so snugly in the receptacle air get trapped in the space between the protrusion front surface and inside of receptacle.

The receptacle may have small hole that acts as an air vent to let air escape that builds up when the protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when the two components are connected, because the protrusion fits so snugly in the receptacle air get trapped in the space between the protrusion front surface and inside of receptacle.

The basic geometrical shape of the building component and of the conjugate building component may be the same. The basic geometrical shape of the building component and of the conjugate building component may be different. The basic geometrical shape may be a tube and the frame may be arc shaped. The frame may have at least five sides and each side may have two receptacles and two protrusions.

The basic geometrical shape may be a sphere and the frame may have the shape of a section of a sphere. The frame may have at least three sides: a left side having a protrusion and two receptacles; a right side having a receptacle and two protrusions; and a bottom side having a receptacle and a protrusion.

The basic geometrical shape may be a torus and the frame may have the shape of a section of a torus. The frame may have four sides; a top side having a receptacle, a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left and right side each side may have three receptacles and three protrusions.

The basic geometrical shape may be a truncated cone and the frame may have the shape of a section of a truncated cone. The frame may have at least three sides; a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left and right side each side having two receptacles and two protrusions.

The basic geometrical shape may be a full cone and the frame may have the shape of a section of a full cone. The frame may have at least three sides; a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left side having two receptacles and one protrusion and right side having one receptacle and two protrusions.

The basic geometrical shape may be a ring and the frame may have the shape of a section of a ring. The frame may have at least four sides; a top side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left side having a receptacle, right side having a receptacle and a bottom side having two receptacles.

The basic geometrical shape may be an ellipsoid and the frame may have the shape of a section of an ellipsoid. The frame may have at least three sides: a left side having one receptacle and two protrusions and right side having two receptacles and one protrusion and a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle.

The basic geometrical shape may be a prism and the frame may have the shape of a section of a prism. The frame may have at least four sides a left and right side having two receptacles and two protrusions and a top and a bottom side having a protrusion and a receptacle.

The basic geometrical shape may be a pyramid and the frame may have the shape of a section of a pyramid. The frame may have at least four sides a left having two receptacles and one protrusion, right side having one receptacle and two protrusions, a top side and a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle. There may be a first building component and a second building component. The second building component may be the conjugate component of first component and may have a least a first side and a second side whereby connecting the side of the first component to the first side of the second component a first structure is achieved. Further by connecting the side of the first component to the second side of the second component a different second structure may be achieved.

There may be a first building component and a second building component and the second building component may be the conjugate component of first component. By connecting the side of the first component to the side of the second conjugate component a first structure may be achieved. By rotating the conjugate component through 180 degrees and connecting the side of the first component to the side of the second component a different second structure may be achieved.

There may be a set of multiple building components, wherein at least one building component may be a building component as previously discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described with reference to the attached drawings:

FIG. 1: shows a front view of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 2: shows the back view of the arc shaped building component.

FIG. 3: shows a perspective back bottom right side view of the arc shaped building component.

FIG. 4: shows a top view of the arc shaped building component.

FIG. 5: shows a perspective view of two arc shaped building components lined up and in relative close proximity of each other before being connected.

FIG. 6: shows a perspective view of two arc shaped building components connected to each other.

FIG. 7: shows the front view of a half arc shaped building component.

FIG. 8: front view of a quarter of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 9: shows a front top perspective view of two half arc shaped building components to be connected to the top side of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 10: shows a front top perspective view of another connection possibility where the left side of a half arc shaped building component is connected to the front side of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 11: shows a front top perspective view of another connection possibility where the right side of a half arc shaped building component is connected to the left side of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 12: shows a front back top perspective view of another connection possibility where two arc shaped building components are connected side by side and back to front to form an s-shape.

FIG. 13: shows a perspective front left side view of the sphere section building component.

FIG. 14: shows a bottom view of the sphere section building component.

FIG. 15: shows a perspective front right side view of the sphere section building component.

FIG. 16: shows a perspective right side inside view of the section of a torus building component.

FIG. 17: shows a perspective left side outside view of the section of a torus building component.

FIG. 18: shows a front view of a truncated cone section building component.

FIG. 19: shows an inside view of a full cone section building component.

FIG. 20: shows an outside view of a full cone section building component

FIG. 21: shows a perspective view of the inside top view of a ring section component.

FIG. 22: shows a perspective outside bottom side view of the ring section building component.

FIG. 23: shows a perspective view of the inside top side view of a second version of the ring section component.

FIG. 24: shows a perspective outside bottom side view of the second version of the ring section building component.

FIG. 25: shows an inside view of an ellipsoid section building component.

FIG. 26: shows an outside view of the ellipsoid section building component.

FIG. 27: shows an inside view of a prism section building component.

FIG. 28: shows an outside view of the prism section building component.

FIG. 29: shows a full prism building structure in hexagonal shape.

FIG. 30: shows two prism section building components connected side by side forming a straight line structure.

FIG. 31: shows two prism section building components connected side by side forming a corner structure.

FIG. 32: shows an inside view of a pyramid section building component.

FIG. 33: shows an outside view of the pyramid section building component.

FIG. 34 shows six the pyramid section building components assembled together to form a full pyramid structure in hexagonal shape.

FIG. 35: shows a perspective view of a dog structure built with the components of this invention.

FIG. 36: shows a perspective view of a droid structure built with the components of this invention.

FIG. 37: shows a perspective view of two connected full cone section building component pointing in the same direction.

FIG. 38: shows a perspective view of two connected full cone section building component pointing in opposite directions.

REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESCRIPTION

Table with Reference Numerals and Description Number Description 5 Arc Shaped Building Component 10 Right Side Upper Protrusion 15 Arc Shaped Frame 18 Front Side 20 Top Side Right Protrusion 25 Right Side Upper Receptacle 30 Front Side Upper Protrusion 35 Front Side Lower Receptacle 37 Small Hole 40 Right Side Lower Receptacle 45 Bottom Side Left Protrusion 50 Bottom Side Right Protrusion 55 Right Side Lower Protrusion 60 Top Side Left Protrusion 65 Left Side Lower Receptacle 70 Left Side Lower Protrusion 75 Left Side Upper Receptacle 80 Left Side Upper Protrusion 85 Top Side 90 Front Side Upper Receptacle 92 Small Hole 95 Bottom Side 100 Front Side Lower Protrusion 102 Back View Of Arc Shaped Building Component 105 Right Side 110 Left Side 115 Back Side 120 Back Bottom Side View Of The Arc Shaped Building Component. 125 Bottom Side Left Receptacle 130 Bottom Side Right Receptacle 135 Top Side Right Receptacle 140 Top Side Left Receptacle 145 Outer Surface 150 Inner Surface 155 Outer Surface 160 Inner Surface 165 Arc Shaped Building Component 170 Conjugate Arc Shaped Building Component 175 Bottom Side 180 Conjugate Right Side 185 Right Side Lower Receptacle 190 Inner Surface 195 Lower Protrusion 200 Outer Surface 205 Upper Receptacle 210 Inner Surface 215 Upper Protrusion 220 Outer Surface 225 Two Arc Shaped Building Components Connected To Each Other 300 Sphere Section Building Component 305 Right Side Upper Protrusion 310 Left Side Upper Receptacle 315 Sphere Section Frame 320 Right Side Receptacle 325 Left Side Protrusion 330 Right Side Lower Protrusion 335 Left Side 340 Bottom Side Receptacle 345 Left Side Lower Receptacle 350 Bottom Side Protrusion 355 Back Bottom View Of Sphere Section Building Component 360 Inside 365 Right Side 370 Bottom Side 375 Right Side Front View Of Sphere Section Building Component 380 Section Of A Torus Building Component 385 Top Side Receptacle 390 Top Side 395 Right Side Upper Protrusion 400 Right Side 405 Right Side Upper Receptacle 410 Right Side Middle Protrusion 415 Right Side Middle Receptacle 420 Right Side Lower Protrusion 425 Right Side Lower Receptacle 430 Left Side Lower Receptacle 435 Left Side Lower Protrusion 440 Bottom Side Receptacle 445 Bottom Side 450 Bottom Side Protrusion 455 Left Side Upper Protrusion 460 Left Side Middle Receptacle 465 Left Side Upper Receptacle 470 Frame 475 Outside 480 Left Side 485 Left Side Middle Protrusion 490 Truncated Cone Section Building Component 495 Frame 500 Right Side Upper Protrusion 505 Right Side Upper Receptacle 510 Right Side Lower Protrusion 515 Right Side Lower Receptacle 520 Bottom Side Protrusion 525 Bottom Side 530 Left Side Lower Protrusion 535 Left Side Lower Receptacle 540 Left Side Upper Protrusion 545 Left Side Upper Receptacle 550 Top Side 600 Full Cone Section Building Component 605 Frame 610 Right Side 615 Right Side Upper Protrusion 620 Right Side Receptacle 625 Right Side Lower Protrusion 630 Bottom Side 635 Bottom Side Protrusion 640 Bottom Side Receptacle 645 Left Side 650 Left Side Lower Receptacle 655 Left Side Protrusion 660 Left Side Upper Receptacle 665 Outside 670 Top Side Left Protrusion 675 Top Side 680 Top Side Right Receptacle 685 Right Side 690 Right Side Receptacle 700 Frame 705 Inside 710 Bottom Side Right Receptacle 715 Bottom Side Left Receptacle 720 Left Side Receptacle 725 Left Side 730 Outside 735 Bottom Side 740 Ellipsoid Section Building Component 745 Frame 750 Inside 755 Right Side Upper Receptacle 760 Right Side 765 Right Side Protrusion 770 Right Side Lower Receptacle 775 Bottom Side 780 Bottom Side Protrusion 785 Bottom Side Receptacle 790 Left Side 795 Left Side Lower Protrusion 800 Left Side Receptacle 805 Left Side Upper Protrusion 815 Outside 850 Hexagon Prism Section Building Component 855 Frame 860 Inside 865 Slanted Right Side 870 Slanted Right Side Upper Receptacle 875 Slanted Right Side Upper Protrusion 880 Slanted Right Side Lower Receptacle 885 Slanted Right Side Lower Protrusion 890 Bottom Side Protrusion 895 Bottom Side Receptacle 900 Slanted Left Side 905 Slanted Left Side Lower Protrusion 910 Slanted Left Side Lower Receptacle 915 Slanted Left Side Upper Protrusion 920 Slanted Left Side Upper Receptacle 925 Top Side 930 Top Side Protrusion 935 Top Side Receptacle 940 Outside 945 Bottom Side 950 Pyramid Section Building Component 955 Frame 960 Inside 965 Slanted Right Side 970 Slanted Right Side Upper Protrusion 975 Slanted Right Side Receptacle 980 Slanted Right Side Lower Protrusion 985 Bottom Side 990 Bottom Side Protrusion 995 Bottom Side Receptacle 1000 Slanted Left Side 1005 Slanted Left Side Lower Receptacle 1010 Slanted Left Side Protrusion 1015 Slanted Left Side Upper Receptacle 1020 Outside 1025 Top Side

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In this invention the building components shapes are based on basic geometrical shapes like a pipe or tube or cylinder, a sphere, a torus, a truncated cone, a full cone, a ring, an ellipsoid, a prism, and a pyramid. The shape of the building components are sections or fractions of the basic geometrical shapes. The building components are fractions typically of a ⅓th, ⅙th or 1/12th of the basic geometrical shapes. The building components shapes, however, can be any fraction of a basic geometrical shape. If should be understood that the invention is not limited to the basic geometrical shapes listed above. Any basic geometrical shape falls within the scope of the invention.

The building components can connect to each other in more than one direction relative to its shape. Different shaped building components can connect to each other. In this manner structures of a wide variety of shapes and forms can be built or constructed. The building components once they have been connected can be released from each other. Then they can be used again to build a new structure.

Each building component has at least one side. Each side of a building component has at least one receptacle or one protrusion. The building components connect with each other by means of a receptacle and a protrusion. The receptacle and the protrusion on the sides of two connecting components are in a conjugational relationship with each other. What is meant by this is a receptacle and a protrusion are in a sense opposites of each other and they form a pair, and they connect together. They are opposites of each other in that a protrusion fits in a receptacle. Each protrusion and each receptacle is thus the corresponding conjugate of each other. It can thus be said that the two connecting components are in a conjugational relationship with each other and the two connecting components are thus conjugates of each other. It can thus also be said that the sides of two connecting conjugate components are in a conjugational relationship with each other and the two connecting sides are thus conjugate sides of each other.

Two components are attached by firstly aligning the receptacle with the protrusion of two components. Secondly pushing or moving the two components under pressure towards each other while the protrusion and receptacle of the components engage each other. Enough force is applied to overcome the friction between the protrusion and receptacle. The protrusion and receptacle snugly fit into each other and remain connected due to the friction between the outer surface of the protrusion and inner surface of the receptacle.

The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various refinements and substitutions are possible based on the principles and teachings herein.

The first building component that will be discussed is an arc shaped building component. It is a section of the basic geometrical shape of a pipe or a tube or a cylinder. FIG. 1 shows a front view of the arch shaped building component indicated in general by 5. In this embodiment the arch shaped building component is a third of a circle. The arc shaped component 5 has frame 15 that is arc shaped. The frame 15 has a top side 85. On the top side 85 there is a top side left protrusion 60 and a top side right protrusion 20. On the right side of frame 15 there is a right side upper protrusion 10, a right side upper receptacle 25, right side lower protrusion 55, and a right side lower receptacle 40. Also shown in FIG. 1 on the front side 18 of arc shaped frame 15. On the front side 18 is front side upper receptacle 90, front side upper protrusion 30, front side lower receptacle 35, and front side lower protrusion 100. Front side upper receptacle 90 has small hole 92 and front side lower receptacle 35 has small hole 37. The small holes (92, 37) acts as air vents to let air escape that builds up when a protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when two components are connected. Frame 15 has bottom side 95. At the bottom side 95 is located bottom side left protrusion 45 and bottom side right protrusion 50. On the left side of frame 15 there is a left side upper protrusion 80 and a left side upper receptacle 75, left side lower protrusion 70, and a left side lower receptacle 65.

In FIG. 2 is shown the back view of the arch shaped building component 102. In FIG. 2 everything is basically the same as in FIG. 1 except what was on the right in FIG. 1 is now on the left in FIG. 2 and vice versa. What is additionally visible in FIG. 2 is the back side 115 of arc shaped frame 15, right side 105, and the left side 110.

In FIG. 3 is shown a back bottom right side view of the arc shaped building component 120. FIG. 3 is basically the same as FIG. 2. Bottom side 95 is now shown more clearly. What can be additionally seen is the bottom side left receptacle 125 and the bottom side right receptacle 130.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the arc shaped building component shown in FIG. 1. Top side 85 is now shown more clearly. What can be seen additionally in FIG. 4 is the top side left receptacle 140 and the top side right receptacle 135.

Show in FIG. 5 shows two arc shaped building components lined up next to and in relative close proximity of each other just before being connected. On the left side is the arc shaped building component discussed in the previous figures. For the purposes of explaining how the components connect we shall call this component arc shaped building component 165. What is further indicated is an outer surface 145 of right side upper protrusion 10. Also shown in FIG. 5 is an inner surface 150 of right side upper receptacle 25. Further indicated is an outer surface 155 of right side lower protrusion 55. Lastly what is further shown is an inner surface 160 of right side lower receptacle 40.

On the right side of FIG. 5 is conjugate arc shaped building component 170. Conjugate arc shaped building component 170 is basically the same as first arc shaped building component 165 except that it is turned upside down. Conjugate component 170 is the conjugate component of component 165. Conjugate component 170 has bottom side 175 and conjugate right side 180.

Right side 180 of conjugate component 170 is the conjugate of the right side 105 (shown in FIG. 3) of component 165.

On the conjugate right side 180 is located on the right side lower receptacle 185 with inner surface 190, lower protrusion 195 with outer surface 200, upper receptacle 205 with inner surface 210, and upper protrusion 215 with outer surface 220.

Each of the receptacles (25, 40, 185, 205) and each of the protrusions (195, 215, 10, 55) of the two components (165, 170) are in a conjugational relationship with each other. What is meant by this is each receptacle (25, 40, 185, 205) and each protrusion (195, 215, 10, 55) are in a sense opposites of each other, they form a pair, and they connect together. They are opposites of each other in that a protrusion fits in a receptacle. In this case each protrusion (195, 215, 10, 55) of a component has and fits in a corresponding receptacle (25, 40, 185, 205) of the conjugate component to which the first mentioned component connects. In the same manner each receptacle (25, 40, 185, 205) of a component has and receives a corresponding protrusion (195, 215, 10, 55) of the conjugate component to which the first mentioned component connects. Each protrusion (195, 215, 10, 55) and each receptacle (25, 40, 185, 205) is thus the corresponding conjugate of each other. As mentioned each receptacle or protrusion connects with the corresponding receptacle or protrusion. It can thus be said that components (165, 170) are in a conjugational relationship with each other and the components (165, 170) are thus conjugates of each other.

It can thus also be said that the sides (105, 180) of two connecting conjugate components (165, 170) are in a conjugational relationship with each other and the two connecting sides (105, 180) are thus conjugate sides of each other.

The component 165 and conjugate component 170 are connected to each other by first lining up the receptacles (25, 40, 185, 205) with corresponding conjugate protrusions (195, 215, 10, 55) of the two components so that they are opposite each other and engage each other when the components (165, 170) are moved towards each other. They are moved together by applying a force enough to overcome the frictional forces between the outer surfaces of the protrusions (200, 220, 145, 155) and the inner surfaces of the receptacles (150, 160, 190, 210). Shown in FIG. 6 are the two arc shaped building components (165, 170) connected together indicated by 225. When the first building component 165 and second building component 170 are connected the sides of building components (105 in FIG. 3, 180 in FIG. 6) are next to each other. The protrusions (195, 215, 10, 55) and receptacles (25, 40, 185, 205) of the components (165, 170) snugly engage each other; so that the inner surfaces of the receptacles (160, 150, 190, 210) and outer surfaces of the protrusions (200, 220, 145, 155) are in contact with each other. The friction between the surfaces prevents the disengagement or disconnection of the components. It is during this connection process that the small holes (92, 37) acts as air vents to let air escape that builds up when a protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when the two components are connected. Because the protrusion fits so snugly in the receptacle air get trapped in the space between the protrusion front surface and inside of receptacle. It should be understood that although holes (92, 37) in this embodiment are located in the receptacles holes that are located in the protrusions also falls within the scope of the invention. Holes can also be located on both the protrusions and receptacles and still fall within the scope of the invention.

Shown in FIG. 7 is a half arc shaped building component which is generally half the size of the arc shaped building component shown in the previous figures.

That makes this embodiment one sixth of the arc of a circle. It would thus take six of the arc shaped components shown in FIG. 7 to complete a full circle and form a complete pipe or tube structure. Being half it has one receptacle and one protrusion on the top and bottom of its frame. The sides are the same as an arc shaped building component previously discussed.

Shown in FIG. 8 is a quarter arc shaped building component which is generally a quarter of the size of the arc shaped building component shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 6.

This makes this embodiment one twelfth of the arc of a circle. It would thus take twelve of the arc shaped components shown in FIG. 8 to complete a full circle and form a pipe or tube structure. Being a quarter it has a protrusion and receptacle on the top and only two receptacles at the bottom of its frame. The function of the quart ⅙th arc is being able to switch the protrusion/receptacle structure needed in a dome type building structure and to provide a flat base when needed at the bottom of an object. The sides are the same as any other arc shaped building component.

It should be understood that even though the fraction of a pipe or tube of the embodiments of the invention that were discussed above were a third, sixth and twelfth this invention is not limited to these particular fractions. Any fraction of a pipe or tube falls within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 9 shows a connection possibility of two half arc shaped building components (each one sixth of a circle) to be connected to the top side of an arc shaped building component (one third of a circle).

FIG. 10 shows another connection possibility where a half arc shaped building component (sixth of a circle) is connected to the front side of an arc shaped building component (third of a circle).

FIG. 11 shows another connection possibility where a half arc shaped building component is connected to the left side of an arc shaped building component.

FIG. 12 shows another connection possibility where two arc shaped building components are connected side by side and back to front to form an s-shape.

It should be understood that what was shown above are merely a few examples of connection possibilities. There are many other connection possibilities that fall within the scope of the invention. There are many other connection possibilities between components of different shapes, that will be discussed later, that fall within the scope of the invention.

The next building component that will be discussed has the shape that is the shape of a section of the basic geometrical shape that is a sphere. This embodiment is a sphere section building component and is shown in FIG. 13. If enough sphere section building components are connected together they will form a sphere. The sphere section building component shown in FIG. 13 is one sixth of a dome. It would thus take six of the sphere section building components shown in FIG. 13 to complete a full dome and form half a sphere structure. For a complete sphere two domes are needed. It would thus take twelve of the sphere section building components shown in FIG. 13 to complete two full domes and form a top and bottom half of a sphere structure. The top and bottom half sphere structures can then be combined to form a single full sphere structure.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective front left side view of the sphere section building component indicated by 300. As can be seen the sphere section building component 300 has a frame 315 that has the shape of a section of a sphere. On the right side of frame 315 is right side upper protrusion 305 and right side lower protrusion 330 as well as right side receptacle 320. On the left side of frame 315 is a left side 335. On the left side 335 there is a left side protrusion 325 and a left side upper receptacle 310 and a left side lower receptacle 345. Also shown in FIG. 13 is a bottom side protrusion 350 and a bottom side receptacle 340.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective back bottom view of the sphere section building component indicated generally by 355. What is further indicated is the inside 360 of frame 315 and the right side 365. The bottom side 370 can now also be seen in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective front right side view of the sphere section building component indicated generally by 375. What can now be seen is right side 365. The sphere section building component connects with other components in a similar fashion as discussed above with the use of protrusions and receptacles. It should be understood that connections between different shape components are also possible.

It should be understood that even though the fraction of a sphere of the embodiment of the invention that were discussed above was a sixth this invention is not limited to this particular fraction of a sixth. Any fraction of a sphere falls within the scope of this invention.

The following embodiment that will be discussed is a section of the basic geometrical shape of a torus. The section of a torus building component is shown in FIG. 16. If enough sections of a torus building components are connected together they will form a torus. FIG. 16 shows a perspective right side inside view of the section of a torus building component indicated by 380. Section of a torus building component 380 is 1/48th of a torus and it would thus take 48 sections of building component 380 to build a full torus structure.

In FIG. 16 is shown the frame 470 that has the shape of a section of a torus. Further FIG. 16 shows top side 390 having top side receptacle 385. On the right side of frame 470 is right side 400. On the right side 400 is located right side upper protrusion 395, right side upper receptacle 405, right side middle protrusion 410, right side middle receptacle 415, right side lower protrusion 420 and right side lower receptacle 425. On the bottom side 445 is located bottom side protrusion 450 and bottom side receptacle 440. On the left side (not indicated in FIG. 16) is located the left side upper protrusion 455, left side upper receptacle 465, left side middle receptacle 460, left side lower receptacle 430 and left side lower protrusion 435. In FIG. 16 is also shown outside 475 of frame 470.

In FIG. 17 is shown a perspective left side outside view of the section of a torus building component. What can be seen is the left side 480 of frame 470 as well as the left side middle protrusion 485. What is more clearly visible is left side lower protrusion 435, left side lower receptacle 430, left side middle receptacle 460, left side upper protrusion 455, and left side upper receptacle 465.

It should be understood even though the fraction of a torus of the embodiment of the invention that was discussed above was a 1/48th and this invention is not limited to this particular fraction. Any fraction of a torus falls within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 18 shows a front view of a truncated cone section building component 490 where the frame is in the shape of a section of a truncated cone. In this embodiment the truncated cone section building component 490 is ⅙th of a truncated cone and it would thus take 6 sections of building component 490 to build a full truncated cone structure.

The truncated cone section building component 490 has a frame 495 that is in the shape of a section of a truncated cone. On the right side of the frame are right side upper protrusion 500, right side upper receptacle 505, right side lower protrusion 510, and right side lower receptacle 515. On the bottom of frame 495 is bottom side 525 and bottom side protrusion 520. On the left side of the frame 495 is left side upper receptacle 545, left side upper protrusion 540, left side lower receptacle 535, and left side lower protrusion 530. On the top of frame 495 is top side 550.

FIG. 19 shows an inside view of a full cone section building component 600 where the frame is in the shape of a section of a full cone. In this embodiment full cone section building component 600 is ⅙th of a full cone and it would thus take 6 sections of building component 600 to build a complete full cone structure. The component 600 has frame 605 that has the shape of a section of a full cone. On the right side of the frame 605 is a right side 610. On the right side 610 is right side upper protrusion 615, right side receptacle 620, and right side lower protrusion 625. On the bottom of frame 605 is bottom side 630. On bottom side 630 is bottom side protrusion 635, and bottom side receptacle 640. On the left side of the frame 605 is left side 645. On left side 645 are left side lower receptacle 650, left side protrusion 655, and left side upper receptacle 660.

FIG. 20 shows an outside view of a full cone section building component. Indicated is outside 665 of frame 605.

It should once again be understood even though the fraction of a truncated and full cone of the embodiment of the invention that was discussed above was a ⅙th and this invention is not limited to this particular fraction. Any fraction of a truncated and full cone falls within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the inside top view of a ring section component. The frame 700 is in the shape of a section of a ring. In this embodiment ring section building component 700 is ⅙th of a full ring and it would thus take 6 sections of the building component to build a complete full ring structure.

As mentioned the component has frame 700 that has the shape of a section of a ring. On the top of frame 700 is top side 675. Top side 675 has top side left protrusion 670, and top side right receptacle 680. On the right side of frame 700 is right side 685. Right side 685 has right side receptacle 690. On the inside of the frame 700 is inside 705. On the left side of frame 700 is left side 725. On left side 725 is left side receptacle 720. Also visible is bottom side left receptacle 715 and bottom side right receptacle 710.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective outside bottom side view of the ring section building component. Indicated is outside 730 and bottom side 735 of frame 700. Shown more clearly is bottom side left receptacle 715 and bottom side right receptacle 710.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the inside top side view of a second version of the ring section component shown in FIG. 21. The only difference is top side receptacle 680 is on the left and top side protrusion 670 is on the right of top side 675. FIG. 24 shows a perspective outside bottom side view of the second version of the ring section building component. FIG. 24 is the same as FIG. 22 except once again that the protrusion 670 is now on the left side and receptacle 680 is on the right side. Also shown is the outside 730 of frame 700.

One of the uses of the ring section building component, is to allow the protrusion and receptacle position to switch. This is useful when building a dome like structure using the ellipsoid or full cone building component.

It should once again be understood even though the fraction of a ring of the embodiment of the invention that was discussed above was merely an example. This invention is not limited to this particular fraction. Any fraction of a ring falls within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 25 shows an inside view of an ellipsoid section building component 740 where the frame 745 is in the shape of a section of an ellipsoid. In this embodiment ellipsoid section building component 740 is a sixth of a left or right half of a full ellipsoid. It would thus take twelve sections of building component 740 to build a complete full ellipsoid structure.

As mentioned the component 740 has frame 745 that has the shape of a section of an ellipsoid. Frame 745 has inside 750. On the right side of the frame 745 is the right side 760. On the right side 760 is right side upper receptacle 755, right side protrusion 765, and right side lower receptacle 770. On the bottom side of frame 745 is bottom side 775. Bottom side 775 has bottom side protrusion 780, and bottom side receptacle 785. On the left side of the frame 745 is the left side 790. On left side 790 is left side lower protrusion 795, left side receptacle 800, and left side upper protrusion 805.

FIG. 26 shows an outside view of the ellipsoid section building component 740. It is basically the same as FIG. 25 except it shows from the outside of the ellipsoid 740. Indicated is outside 815 of frame 745.

It should once again be understood even though the fraction of an ellipsoid of the embodiment of the invention that was discussed above was a sixth, this invention is not limited to this particular fraction. Any fraction of an ellipsoid falls within the scope of this invention.

The next building component that will be discussed is a prism section building component. It is a section of the basic geometrical shape of a prism. FIG. 27 shows an inside view of the prism section building component indicated in general by 850. In this embodiment the prism section building component is a sixth of a prism. The prism section component 850 has frame 855 that is shaped to form a prism section. The frame 855 has an inside 860.

Shown in FIG. 27 the frame 855 has a top side 925. On the top side 925 there is a top side protrusion 930 and a top side receptacle 935. The frame 855 has a slanted right side 865. On the slanted right side 865 there is a slanted right side upper receptacle 870, a slanted right side upper protrusion 875, a slanted right side lower receptacle 880, and a slanted right side lower protrusion 885. Frame 855 has a bottom side protrusion 890 and a bottom side receptacle 895.

The frame 855 has a slanted left side 900. On the slanted left side 900 there is a slanted left side lower protrusion 905 and a slanted left side lower receptacle 910, slanted left side upper protrusion 915, and a slanted left side upper receptacle 920.

FIG. 28 shows an outside view of the prism section building component shown in FIG. 27. What is now visible in FIG. 28 is an outside 940 as well as that a bottom side 945 of frame 855. What is shown more clearly is that bottom side 945 has the bottom side protrusion 890 and a bottom side receptacle 895.

In this embodiment shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 the prism section building component is a sixth of a full prism. The angle that the slanted sides (865, 900) form with the outside 940 is 30 degrees as measured from the outside plane of the component. It would thus take six of these prism section building components to form a full prism building structure as show in FIG. 29.

FIG. 30 shows two prism section building components connected side by side so that they form a straight line structure. FIG. 31 shows two prism section building components connected side by side forming a corner structure.

FIG. 32 shows an inside view of a pyramid section building component 950 where the frame is in the shape of a section of a pyramid. In this embodiment pyramid section building component 950 is ⅙th of a full pyramid structure and it would thus take 6 sections of building component 950 to build a complete full pyramid structure.

The component 950 has a frame 955 that has the shape of a section of a pyramid. On the right side of the frame 955 is a slanted right side 965. On the slanted right side 965 is slanted right side upper protrusion 970, slanted right side receptacle 975, and slanted right side lower protrusion 980. On the bottom of frame 955 is bottom side 985 and bottom side protrusion 990, and bottom side receptacle 995. On the slanted left side of the frame 995 is slanted left side 1000. On slanted left side 1000 is slanted left side lower receptacle 1005, slanted left side protrusion 1010, and slanted left side upper receptacle 1050.

FIG. 33 shows an outside view of the pyramid section building component shown in FIG. 32. Shown in FIG. 33 is frame 995 having outside 1010 and topside 1025. FIG. 34 shows six the pyramid section building components assembled together to form a full pyramid structure. It should once again be understood even though in this embodiment of the invention the full pyramid structure of the that was discussed above was so configured that it took six pyramid section building components to form a full pyramid structure this invention is not limited to this particular configuration.

FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of a dog structure built with the components of this invention. FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of a droid structure built with the components of this invention. FIGS. 35 and 36 are merely two examples of structures that can be assembled. There are many more examples that can be assembled. What is shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 is that there are many ways in which the building components can be connected. This includes building components having the same shapes as well as building components having different shapes.

It should be further understood that the number of protrusions and receptacles disclosed in the sides of the above embodiments is not an indication of the scope of this invention. Any number of protrusions or receptacles in a side still falls within the scope of this invention. A single protrusion or a single receptacle in a side also falls within the scope of this invention. The number of protrusions and receptacles on a side may or may not be the same.

A further feature of the invention is that two building components can connect to each other in more than one way. The result is that the same two components result in different structures. As can be seen in FIG. 6 are two arc shaped components (each a third of a circle). There is a first component on the left and a second conjugate component on the right. The second conjugate component on the right is turned upside down or rotated 180 degrees when compared with the first component. In FIG. 6 the right side of the first component is connected to the right side (a first side) of the second component. The result is a first structure that is two thirds of a circle or an open ended pipe with one third of the side of the pipe missing. On the other hand as can be seen in FIG. 12 the right side of the left first component however in this case is connected to the left side (a second side) of the second component on the right. The connection of the same two components resulted in a second different structure that has an s-shape.

It should be understood that similar different structures can be achieved with arc shaped components that are a sixth or a twelfth or any other fraction of an arc or any combination thereof.

The same effect as described for arc shaped true for similar components that are sections of a different basic geometrical shape such as a prism. Prism section building component show in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 are good examples. As can be seen in FIG. 30 the second conjugate component on the right is turned upside down or rotated 180 degrees when compared with the first component. In FIG. 30 the right side of the first component is connected to the right side (a first side) of the second component. The result is a first structure that results in two prism section building components connected side by side forming a straight line structure.

In FIG. 31 the right side of the left first component however in this case is connected to the left side (a second side) of the second component on the right. The connection of the same two components resulted in a second different structure that forms a corner structure. What is similar in both the arc shaped component and the prism section building component is that the connecting sides have an equal amount of protrusions and receptacles.

A similar effect can be achieved with a point-like component like the full cone section building component as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. With point-like component is meant the component has a bottom side having a set dimension whereas the top part ends in a point or it has top side that is narrower than the bottom dimension. Examples are the torus section component in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the truncated cone section in FIG. 18, the ellipsoid section building component in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, and the pyramid section building component in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33. One connection possibility is to connect the components all pointing (sharp point) in one direction (say upwards) so that the structure forms either part of or a full cone. Show in FIG. 37 is two full cone connection components pointing in the same direction. Both are pointing upwards and are connected. There is a first component on the left and a second conjugate component on the right. In FIG. 37 the right side of the first component is connected to the left side (a first side) of the second component. They are forming a first structure that is a third of a full cone.

Another connection possibility is to connect two components so that one component points upwards (sharp point) and the component to which it connects points downwards and so a structure of a different shape is formed. Show in FIG. 38 is two full cone connection components pointing in opposite directions. One is pointing upwards and one is rotated 180 degrees and pointing downwards. In FIG. 38 the right side of the first component is connected to the left side (a first side) of the second component. They are connected and forming a second different structure. What is similar in the point-like components is that the connecting sides do not have an equal amount of protrusions and receptacles.

One can say as a general rule in the case of an even number of receptacles and protrusions on the side of a component each receptacle and protrusion is positioned on the same level. In case of an odd number of receptacles and protrusions on the side of a component each receptacle and protrusion is positioned on the opposite level. This allows positioning of the components in both directions. There may be exceptions to this general ruling.

It should be further understood that although the cross sectional area when viewed from above of the protrusions and corresponding receptacles are circular in the disclosed embodiments it is not an indication of a limitation of the scope of this invention. The cross sectional area when viewed from above of the protrusions and corresponding receptacles can have many different shapes. The shapes can be for instance a square, rectangle, oval or star or some other polygon shaped and still fall within the scope of this invention.

The invention also provides that the building components discussed are also made available in a set of multiple building components. There is no limitation as to how such a set can be made up. Such a set can be made up of any number of building components. It can be made up of building components having only one shape; or two; or three; or all the shapes discussed above.

The components can be manufactured from any rigid material like wood or plastic. If plastic is used it can be made by injection molding or even with three dimensional printing. The components are not limited to a particular size. The components can be any size and still fall within the scope of the invention. A convenient size for the components for use as a construction toy would be between one and two inches.

Claims

1. A building component for building structures, the building component configured to be releasable connectable to a second conjugate building component; the building component comprising:

a frame having the shape of a section of a basic geometrical shape;

the frame having at least one side; the side having at least a protrusion;

the conjugate building component comprising:

a frame having the shape of a section of a basic geometrical shape;

the frame having at least one conjugate side; the conjugate side having at least a corresponding conjugate receptacle;

the protrusion having an outer surface and the receptacle having an inner surface;

the components are connected by lining up the protrusion and receptacle so that they engage each other when the components are moved towards each other;

so that when the building component and the conjugate building component are connected the sides of building components are next to each other; the protrusion and receptacle of the components snugly engage each other; so that the inner and outer surfaces of the protrusion and receptacle are in contact with each other; and the friction between the surfaces preventing the disconnecting of the components.

2. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the side has at least a receptacle and the conjugate side has at least a corresponding conjugate protrusion.

3. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the protrusion has small hole that acts as an air vent to let air escape that builds up when the protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when the two components are connected, because the protrusion fits so snugly in the receptacle air get trapped in the space between the protrusion front surface and inside of receptacle.

4. A building component as in claim 2 wherein the receptacle has small hole that acts as an air vent to let air escape that builds up when the protrusion is inserted in the receptacle during assembly when the two components are connected, because the protrusion fits so snugly in the receptacle air get trapped in the space between the protrusion front surface and inside of receptacle.

5. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape of the building component and of the conjugate building component are the same.

6. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape of the building component and of the conjugate building component are different.

7. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a tube and the frame is arc shaped.

8. A building component as in claim 7 wherein the frame has at least five sides; at top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side and a front and each side has two receptacles and two protrusions.

9. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a sphere and the frame has the shape of a section of a sphere.

10. A building component as in claim 9 wherein the frame has at least three sides a left side having a protrusion and two receptacles; a right side having a receptacle and two protrusions; and a bottom side having a receptacle and a protrusion.

11. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a torus and the frame has the shape of a section of a torus.

12. A building component as in claim 11 wherein the frame has at least four sides; a top side having a receptacle, a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left and right side each side having three receptacles and three protrusions.

13. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a truncated cone and the frame has the shape of a section of a truncated cone.

14. A building component as in claim 13 wherein the frame has at least three sides; a bottom side having a protrusion, a left and right side each side having two receptacles and two protrusions.

15. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a full cone and the frame has the shape of a section of a full cone.

16. A building component as in claim 15 wherein the frame has at least three sides; a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left side having two receptacles and one protrusion and right side having one receptacle and two protrusions.

17. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a ring and the frame has the shape of a section of a ring.

18. A building component as in claim 17 wherein the frame has at least four sides; a top side having a protrusion and receptacle, a left side having a receptacle, right side having a receptacle and a bottom side having two receptacles.

19. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is an ellipsoid and the frame has the shape of a section of an ellipsoid.

20. A building component as in claim 19 wherein the frame has at least three sides a left side having one receptacle and two protrusions and right side having two receptacles and one protrusion and a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle.

21. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a prism and the frame has the shape of a section of a prism.

22. A building component as in claim 21 wherein the frame has at least four sides a left and right side having two receptacles and two protrusions and a top and a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle.

23. A building component as in claim 1 wherein the basic geometrical shape is a pyramid and the frame has the shape of a section of a pyramid.

24. A building component as in claim 23 wherein the frame has at least three sides a left having two receptacles and one protrusion, right side having one receptacle and two protrusions, and a bottom side having a protrusion and receptacle.

25. A first building component as in claim 1 or 2 and a second building component; the second building component being the conjugate component of first component and having a least a first side and a second side whereby when connecting the side of the first component to the first side of the second component a first structure is achieved and by connecting the side of the first component to the second side of the second component a different second structure is achieved.

26. A first building component as in claim 1 or 2 and a second building component; the second building component being the conjugate component of first component whereby when connecting the side of the first component to the side of the second component a first structure is achieved and by rotating the conjugate component through 180 degrees and connecting the side of the first component to the side of the second component a different second structure is achieved.

27. A set of multiple building components, wherein at least one building component is a building component in any one of claims 1-22.

28. A set of multiple building components, wherein at least one building component is a building component in any one of claims 1-6.