Geometric construction system

Abstract

A geometric construction system includes: a plurality of construction pieces of polygonal shape, each of which has a plurality of sides faces, and each of which is formed with a plurality of threaded holes, each of the threaded holes extending inwardly from a respectively one of the side faces in a normal direction relative to the respective one of the side faces; and a plurality of stud bolts, each of which engages an adjacent pair of the threaded holes in an adjacent pair of the construction pieces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 094144033, filed on Dec. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a geometric construction system, more particularly to a geometric construction system including a plurality of construction pieces, each of which is formed with a plurality of threaded holes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional geometric construction systems normally include a plurality of panels of polygonal shape, which can be coupled together to form two- and three-dimensional structures through tongue-and-groove engaging means. However, the connecting strength of the structures thus formed is relatively weak. As a consequence, variations in shape, size, and complexity of the structures thus formed are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a geometric construction system that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Accordingly, a geometric construction system of this invention comprises: a plurality of construction pieces of polygonal shape, each of which has a plurality of sides faces, and each of which is formed with a plurality of threaded holes, each of the threaded holes extending inwardly from a respectively one of the side faces in a normal direction relative to the respective one of the side faces; and a plurality of stud bolts, each of which engages an adjacent pair of the threaded holes in an adjacent pair of the construction pieces and each of which has a length less than the total length of said adjacent pair of the threaded holes in said adjacent pair of the construction pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an unassembled geometric construction system according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to illustrate how a wheel piece of the preferred embodiment is pivoted to a shaft;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate how the preferred embodiment can be assembled into a table top support;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view to illustrate how the preferred embodiment can be assembled into a chair;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view to illustrate how the preferred embodiment can be assembled into a toy;

FIG. 6 is a partly exploded perspective view to illustrate how the preferred embodiment can be assembled into a vehicle; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view to illustrate the total length of an adjacent pair of the threaded holes in an adjacent pair of the construction pieces of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment of a geometric construction system according to this invention. The geometric construction system includes: a plurality of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120 of polygonal shape, each of which has a plurality of sides faces 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 121, and each of which is formed with a plurality of threaded holes 3, each of the threaded holes 3 extending inwardly from a respectively one of the side faces 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 121 in a normal direction relative to the respective one of the side faces 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 121; and a plurality of stud bolts 110, each of which engages an adjacent pair of the threaded holes 3 in an adjacent pair of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120 (see FIGS. 2 to 6) and each of which has a length less than the total length (D) (see FIG. 7) of said adjacent pair of the threaded holes 3 in said adjacent pair of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120.

In this embodiment, the threaded holes 3 in the side faces 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 121 of each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120 are in spatial communication with one another, thereby permitting many various connections among the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120. Each of the stud bolts 110 has an end face, and is formed with a patterned groove 114 that is indented inwardly from the end face and that serves for engaging a tool 140 so as to facilitate assembling of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120.

Each of the first construction pieces 10 is rectangular in shape, and has a square cross-section. The threaded holes 3 formed in each side face 11 of each of the first construction pieces 10 are equidistant from each other. Each of the second construction pieces 20 is rectangular in shape, has a square cross-section, and is shorter than the first construction pieces 10. Each of the third construction pieces 30 is generally rectangular in shape, has a rectangular cross-section, and further has a round end. Each of the fourth construction pieces 40 differs from the third construction pieces 30 in that both ends of each of the fourth construction pieces 40 are round in shape. Each of the fifth construction pieces 50 is cubic in shape. Each of the sixth construction pieces 60 is equilateral triangular in shape. Each of the seventh construction pieces 70 has an equilateral triangular end and a round end opposite to the triangular end. Each of the eighth construction pieces 80 is T-shaped, and has a square end and two opposite round ends. Each of the ninth construction pieces 90 is L-shaped, and has a square end and a round end. Each of the tenth construction pieces 100 is circular in shape. Each of the eleventh construction pieces 120 is circular in shape, and has a larger diameter than those of the tenth construction pieces 100. One of the threaded holes 3 formed in each of the side faces 121 of each of the eleventh construction pieces 120 is disposed at the center of the eleventh construction piece 120, and the remainder are arranged along a circle. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the eleventh construction pieces 120 can serve as wheels by pivoting to pivot shafts 130.

FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate how the geometric construction system of this invention can be assembled into different configurations.

By forming the threaded holes 3 in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh construction pieces 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, and with the inclusion of the stud bolts 110 in the geometric construction system of this invention, the geometric construction system of this invention can be assembled into various configurations that have a higher connecting strength as compared to those of the prior art.

With the invention thus explained, it is apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only as recited in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A geometric construction system comprising:

a plurality of construction pieces of polygonal shape, each of which has a plurality of sides faces, and each of which is formed with a plurality of threaded holes, each of said threaded holes extending inwardly from a respectively one of said side faces in a normal direction relative to the respective one of said side faces; and

a plurality of stud bolts, each of which engages an adjacent pair of said threaded holes in an adjacent pair of said construction pieces and each of which has a length less than the total length of said adjacent pair of said threaded holes in said adjacent pair of said construction pieces.

2. The geometric construction system of claim 1, wherein each of said stud bolts has an end face, and is formed with a patterned groove that is indented inwardly from said end face.

3. The geometric construction system of claim 1, wherein said threaded holes in said side faces of each of said construction pieces are in spatial communication with one another./