SELF-INTERLOCKING BLOCKS FOR HABITABLE STRUCTURES
Disclosed herein is a non-permanent habitable structure that includes a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head. Further included is a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The second wall is detachably connected to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners and the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. A roof is detachably connected to each of the first wall and the second wall. A method of erecting a non-permanent structure is further disclosed.
This application is a nonprovisional patent application the claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,703, filed Dec. 15, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELDThe subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to easy-to-assemble and disassemble habitable structures. More particularly, this subject matter provides for building blocks.
BACKGROUNDIt is often the case with respect to leisurely outdoor activities and/or military settings that a temporary or non-permanent shelter or habitable structure is needed where none presently exists. Typical shelters like tents, or shelters made from natural materials, and the like, have many component parts that are easily misplaced. Further, shelters like tents and those made from natural materials are not quick to assemble and assembly thereof often requires instructions which can be lost or damaged in weather. Often, a variety of tools are needed to assemble shelters or habitable structures, which only add to the difficulty and lengthiness of assembly.
Accordingly, a non-permanent structure that can be erected by pressing structural components together, and which can assemble in different configurations depending on the specifications of the structure that is needed, would be well received in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONAccording to one embodiment, a non-permanent habitable structure comprises: a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head; a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the second wall detatchably connected to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners and the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and a roof detatchably connected to each of the first wall and the second wall.
According to another embodiment, a method of erecting a non-permanent habitable structure comprises: providing a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head; providing a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, detatchably connecting the second wall to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the second wall; and detatchably connecting a roof to each of the first wall and the second wall.
According to another embodiment, a non-permanent habitable structure comprises: a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners having a flexible stem extending to a round head, wherein a first edge surface of the first wall is covered by at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein at least one face of the second wall includes a first strip along an edge of the second wall, the first strip covered by at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the first edge surface of the first wall is detatchably connected to the first strip of the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first edge surface and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first strip.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
Moreover, the stems 7 and the heads 6 may be replaced by other self-interlocking mechanisms. For example, the mushroom shaped heads 6 may be replaced by differently shaped heads such as cones, cones with blunted tips, square-based pyramids, or square-based pyramids with blunted tips, so long as the stems 7 and heads 6 self-interlock in a manner that is detachable and reclosable. The building blocks 1, 2 may be different colors, or the same color. The building blocks 1, 2 may be colored such that each face of the building blocks 1, 2 are a different color.
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Another embodiment is shown in
Further, these walls 14, 100, 110 may include dual lock or self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the top and bottom edges as well such that a roof or floor section may be connected. In one embodiment, as shown in
It should be understood that the building blocks, walls, roofs, etc. disclosed herein may have a variety of different colors or patterns. For example, the building blocks 1, 2, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 100, 110 could have a camouflage pattern, or have a pattern which lends itself to the concealment of the habitable structure 20 in a forest environment, desert environment, jungle environment and the like. As another example, the faces of the building blocks 1, 2, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 100, 110 could have a reflective coating to reduce heat accumulation within the habitable structure 20. It should be further understood that the individual building blocks 1, 2, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 100, 110 are not limited to being rectangular in shape. For example, the building blocks 1, 2, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 100, 110 could each be a different shape, or all the same shape, such as a triangular prism, hexagonal prism, a cube, and the like. In other embodiments only portions of the surface may include dual lock or self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.
The building blocks, walls, roof, base and the like may be configured such that the inside of any structure constructed therefrom includes means to hang tools, or any items needed in order to use the habitable structure as a garage, office, and the like. The habitable structure 20 may be configured such that a plumbing system 202 having plumbing pipes could be affixed to or hang from the faces of the walls or building blocks within the habitable structure 20. The plumbing system itself may include a plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners that may attach within the habitable structure 20 to a wall, such as the wall 19 as shown. The plumbing 202 may hang inside the habitable structures by other means than the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners such as hooks, straps, and the like. Further, building blocks, such as the building block 1 described hereinabove may be configured to attach to a wall, such as the wall 19 as shown, such that the building blocks can function as shelves. In other embodiments, the walls or the building blocks may include holes or conduits configured to receive electrical wires therein. In some embodiments, the plumbing 202 system and the electrical system may both be housed within the walls, like the insulation, with particular conduits, tubes, openings, or the like found between the faces of the wall or within the building blocks. In some embodiments, a wall may be created by interconnecting a plurality of building blocks, some of which may include openings, conduits, or holes therethrough, which may connect to other openings, conduits or holes of other building blocks to create an elongated opening, conduit or hole through a plurality of interconnected building blocks along an entire length of the plurality of interconnected building blocks. For example, a wall may be built with ten vertical layers of the building blocks 1, 2. Only one or two of the layers may use building blocks having horizontal holes or conduits running horizontally therethrough. These holes or conduits may further include access point openings provided in a face of the wall created by the building blocks. These access points may be located in only a couple blocks in a given wall, where appropriate.
In some embodiments, the building blocks may have openings proximate to each corner, which openings are configured to receive a stake, dowel, pole, or the like as a means to secure the building blocks to the ground by pushing the stake, dowel, pole, or the like through the building block and into the ground. The opening could be a slot, a hole, a split, a vent, and the like.
In another embodiment, windows may be provided that include a plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The self-interlocking reclosable fasteners may be disposed about the edge surface of a window structure. An opening may be provided in one or more walls for receiving windows. In some embodiments, only a bottom edge surface of the window may include self-interlocking reclosable fasteners for interconnecting with self-interlocking reclosable fasteners disposed in a bottom of the opening in the walls for receiving the window. This may hold the window in place from the bottom, where additional fastening means may hold the window in place along its side and top edges.
Still further, a door is contemplated having a plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners along one of the edge surfaces on a side of the door. A wall of the habitable structure may be created where a surface of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners is hingedly connected to the wall. This surface may be a single layer structural surface of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners and may be configured to receive the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the door. This may be a vertically disposed surface that may be hingedly attached to a vertical edge of a wall.
In another embodiment, a method of erecting a non-permanent habitable structure, such as the habitable structure 20, is disclosed. The method may include providing a first wall, such as the wall 19, that is at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, such as the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners 5, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head. The method may include providing a second wall, such as the wall 18, the second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The method may include detachably connecting the second wall to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the second wall. The method may include detachably connecting a roof, such as the roof 16, to each of the first wall and the second wall.
In accordance with the method, the roof may be at least partially covered by a third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the method further comprising interconnecting at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof with at least a portion of the first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall.
In accordance with the method, each face of the first wall may include a strip, such as the strips 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, that runs along each edge that is covered by the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. Each edge surface, such as the edge surfaces 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, of the second wall may be covered by the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The method may include detachably connecting a first strip of the first wall is to a first edge surface of the second wall and interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first strip and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first edge surface.
The method may include providing a base, such as the base 200, that is at least partially covered by a fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The method may include detachably connecting the first wall to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base. The method may include detachably connecting the second wall to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base.
The method may further include providing an attached device, such as the attached device 201, which may be a solar panel, an antenna, and a communication mechanism. The attached may be at least partially covered by a fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The method may include detachably connecting the attached device to the roof by interconnecting at least a portion of the fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the attached device and at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof.
Still further, the method may include providing a shelf, such as the shelf provided by the building block 1 shown in
The method may include providing a plumbing system, such as the plumbing system 202. The plumbing system may include seventh plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners. The method may include attaching at least a portion of the plumbing system to at least one of the first wall, the second wall, and the roof and interconnecting at least a portion of the seventh plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the plumbing system with the at least a portion of one of the first, second and third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall, the second wall and the roof.
Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A non-permanent habitable structure comprising:
- a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head;
- a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the second wall detachably connected to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners and the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and
- a roof detachably connected to each of the first wall and the second wall.
2. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 1, wherein the roof is at least partially covered by a third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the roof is detachably connected to each of the first wall and the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof with at least a portion of the first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall.
3. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 1,
- wherein the first wall comprises a first plurality of building blocks, each of the first plurality of building blocks at least partially covered by a plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the first plurality of building blocks are detachably connected to form the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on each of the first plurality of building blocks; and
- wherein the second wall comprises a second plurality of building blocks, each of the second plurality of building blocks at least partially covered by a plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the second plurality of building blocks are detachably connected to form the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on each of the second plurality of building blocks.
4. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 1, wherein each face of the first wall is completely covered by the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein each face of the second wall is completely covered by the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.
5. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 1, wherein each edge surface of the first wall is completely covered by the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein each edge surface of the second wall is completely covered by the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.
6. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 5, wherein each face of the first wall includes a strip that runs along each edge surface that is covered by the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein each edge surface of the second wall is covered by the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein a first strip of the first wall is detachably connected to a first edge surface of the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first strip and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first edge surface.
7. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 2, further comprising a base at least partially covered by a fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the first wall is detachably connected to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base, and wherein the second wall is detachably connected to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base.
8. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 7, further comprising an attached device, wherein the attached device selected form the group consisting of a solar panel, an antenna, and a communication mechanism, wherein the attached device is at least partially covered by a fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the attached device is detachably connected to the roof by interconnecting at least a portion of the fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the attached device and at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof.
9. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 8, further comprising a shelf that is at least partially covered by a sixth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the shelf is detachably connected to an inner face of the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the sixth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the shelf and the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall.
10. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 9, further comprising a plumbing system, wherein the plumbing system includes a seventh plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein at least a portion of the plumbing system is attached to at least one of the first wall, the second wall, and the roof by interconnecting at least a portion of the seventh plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the plumbing system with the at least a portion of one of the first, second and third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall, the second wall and the roof.
11. A method of erecting a non-permanent habitable structure comprising:
- providing a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each self-interlocking reclosable fastener having a flexible stem extending to a round head;
- providing a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners,
- detachably connecting the second wall to the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on the second wall; and
- detachably connecting a roof to each of the first wall and the second wall.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the roof is at least partially covered by a third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the method further comprising interconnecting at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof with at least a portion of the first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall and at least a portion of the second plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein each face of the first wall includes a strip that runs along each edge that is covered by the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein each edge surface of the second wall is covered by the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, the method further comprising: detachably connecting a first strip of the first wall is to a first edge surface of the second wall; and interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first strip and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first edge surface.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- providing a base at least partially covered by a fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners;
- detachably connecting the first wall to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base; and
- detachably connecting the second wall to the base by interconnecting at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the second wall with at least a portion of the fourth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the base.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- providing an attached device, wherein the attached device selected form the group consisting of a solar panel, an antenna, and a communication mechanism, wherein the attached device is at least partially covered by a fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and
- detachably connecting the attached device to the roof by interconnecting at least a portion of the fifth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the attached device and at least a portion of the third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the roof.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- providing a shelf that is at least partially covered by a sixth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and
- detachably connecting the shelf is to an inner face of the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the sixth plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the shelf and the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- providing a plumbing system, wherein the plumbing system includes a seventh plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners;
- attaching at least a portion of the plumbing system to at least one of the first wall, the second wall, and the roof; and
- interconnecting at least a portion of the seventh plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the plumbing system with the at least a portion of one of the first, second and third plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first wall, the second wall and the roof.
18. A non-permanent habitable structure comprising:
- a first wall at least partially covered by a first plurality of self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, each of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners having a flexible stem extending to a round head, wherein a first edge surface of the first wall is covered by at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners; and
- a second wall at least partially covered by a second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein at least one face of the second wall includes a first strip along an edge of the second wall, the first strip covered by at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners,
- wherein the first edge surface of the first wall is detachably connected to the first strip of the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first edge surface and at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners of the first strip.
19. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 18, wherein each face of the first wall includes a strip that runs along each edge of the first wall that is covered by at least a portion of the first plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, and wherein each edge surface of the second wall is covered by at least a portion of the second plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners.
20. The non-permanent habitable structure of claim 19,
- wherein the first wall comprises a first plurality of building blocks, each of the first plurality of building blocks at least partially covered by a plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the first plurality of building blocks are detachably connected to form the first wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on each of the first plurality of building blocks; and
- wherein the second wall comprises a second plurality of building blocks, each of the second plurality of building blocks at least partially covered by a plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners, wherein the second plurality of building blocks are detachably connected to form the second wall by interconnecting at least a portion of the plurality of the self-interlocking reclosable fasteners on each of the second plurality of building blocks.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2016
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2017
Inventor: DAVID M. SCACCIA (Nassau, NY)
Application Number: 15/380,710