EP0682964A2 - Set of mutually articulated elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Each of the components (A,B) in the assembly has at least one straight edge equipped with prongs (A1,A2,B1,B2) which are all of the same length and have recesses (1) and projections (2) on opposite faces of their free ends which enable two components to be joined together and pivot relative to one another. The prongs on opposite components are offset relative to one another and in different numbers, e.g. four on one component and five on the other, allowing the components to be positioned symmetrically when their prongs are engaged. The number of prongs also allows more than one pair of components to be joined together, all able to pivot by means of the linked projections and recesses. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a set of elements each having at least one straight edge along which said elements are articulated to each other using protuberances that have said straight edges, protuberances meshing with each other.

A set of elements articulated to each other as mentioned above can give rise to the most diverse applications: games, production of architectural models, furniture such as shelves, bookcases, or larger structures dimensions such as an exhibition stand, for example. The application to games represents, however, in the present case, the primary aim of the invention. In this case, the elements may consist of polygonal plates, most often triangular, which, by being articulated with each other, will allow the realization of pyramids or polyhedra. These polyhedra can be joined to each other, by their edges, which makes it possible to form other polyhedra. Thanks to the multiple articulation, the polyhedra produced can also be provided with interior walls; if the faces of these polyhedra, as also their interior walls, have openings, the game may consist in passing bodies, spherical or other, through these openings, or in attaching complementary parts, according to established rules. If the elements of the game are provided with figurative or symbolic patterns, their whole could constitute spatial puzzles, in three dimensions, offering additional possibilities compared to the usual puzzles which are planes.

In fact, the number of applications of such a set of elements articulated to each other, even limited to games, is considerable.

It should be noted that it is already known to articulate elements with one another, even in the field of games, using protrusions which have a rectilinear edge of each element. However, in known embodiments, on the one hand, it is hardly possible to combine more than two elements while retaining the articulation character, the elements then being simply assembled but not articulated, and on the other hand their assembly cannot, when 'they are more than two, to be carried out only using one of the elements, forming an intermediate connecting member, without all the elements of the assembly, whatever they may be, being articulated, in pairs , two by two.

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem.

This object is achieved by the means defined in claim 1.

The drawing represents, by way of example, several embodiments of the subject of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a set of four plates capable of being articulated to each other two by two, in pairs.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the series of protuberances and the free spaces of two of the four plates of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the four plates of FIG. 1 articulated two by two.

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged view of part of the first two plates of FIG. 3 illustrating the method of attachment of the protrusions to each other.

Fig. 5 shows the four plates of FIG. 1 articulated all four to each other.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the four plates of FIG. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the series of protrusions and free spaces of ten cases of four plates capable of being articulated two by two, among which case 7 corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

Fig. 8 schematically represents two shorter suites of protrusions allowing any three to three articulation of four plates.

Fig. 9 schematically represents three sequences of protrusions allowing eight articulations two by two of six plates, out of fifteen theoretically conceivable, but with many more positions.

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of the sequences of protuberances of a variant.

Fig. 11 shows a set of five plates able to be articulated to each other.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 11.

Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of the sequences of protrusions of three of the five plates of FIG. 11.

Fig. 14 shows a plate in the shape of an equilateral triangle belonging to a set of identical plates.

Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of the series of protrusions and free spaces on the three sides of the triangular plate shown in FIG. 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a square-based pyramid formed by four plates such as that shown in FIG. 14.

Fig. 17 is an exploded view of this pyramid, on a smaller scale.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a square base pyramid formed by four plates such as that shown in FIG. 14, but arranged in a different manner from that of FIG. 16.

Fig. 19 is an exploded view of this pyramid, on a smaller scale.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a pyramid formed by a set of pyramids such as that shown in FIG. 18, on a smaller scale than that of FIGS. 16 and 18.

Fig. 21 is an exploded view of the pyramid of FIG. 20.

Figs. 22 and 23 are views similar to those of FIGS. 20 and 21, respectively, of a variant pyramid.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a square plate belonging to a set of identical plates whose protuberances are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a cube formed by six plates such as that shown in FIG. 24.

Fig. 26 is an exploded view of this cube.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of part of a cubic network formed from identical square plates such as that of FIG. 24.

Fig. 28 shows, in a manner analogous to FIG. 3, two plates hinged to each other, the attachment protrusions however being different from those of the various previous examples.

Fig. 29 is a view of a detail of FIG. 28, on a larger scale.

Fig. 30 shows the attachment of three plates to one another using protuberances of the same type as those of FIGS. 28 and 29.

Fig. 31 is a section along the line XXXI-XXXI of FIG. 30.

Fig. 32 is a section along the line XXXII-XXXII of FIG. 30.

Fig. 33 is a schematic representation, similar to that of FIG. 9, for example, series of protrusions and free spaces in which the protrusions have the shape of those of FIGS. 28 to 32, applied to five cases of four plates able to be meshed two by two.

Figs. 34 and 35 represent two square plates, the first at sixteen positions and the second at fifteen, in which the protrusions, schematically represented, have the shape of those of FIGS. 28 to 32, allowing the production of solids by meshing identical plates, and

Fig. 36 is a schematic representation, similar to that of FIG. 33, series of four plates capable of being articulated two by two.

The four plates of fig. 1, designated by A , B , C and D , respectively, have been shown in schematic form to illustrate the principle of the invention. They are able to be articulated to each other in pairs, in pairs, and therefore able to be articulated all four to each other.

It should be noted that, physically, the plates A and C are identical, but shown in the drawing turned over recto-verso one with respect to the other. It will be said that they are symmetrical with respect to each other. The same is true for plates B and D.

One of the longitudinal, straight edges of these four plates is provided with protuberances designated by A for plate A , by B for plate B , by C for plate C , and by D for plate D. These protrusions, visible on an enlarged scale in FIG. 4, are each formed by a tongue projecting from the rectilinear side of the plate, and which are split longitudinally so that each protuberance is thus formed of two branches A₁ and A₂, B₁ and B₂, C₁ and C₂, D₁ and D₂ , elastically deformable.

The branches A₁, B₁, C₁ and D₁ each have, formed on their external lateral face, a hemispherical recess 1, while the branches A₂, B₂, C₂ and D₂ present, on their external lateral face, a hemispherical projection 2. When the plates are assembled to each other, by reciprocal engagement of their protuberances with each other, the projections 2 of each protuberance engage in the recesses 1 of an adjacent protuberance, which ensures the articulated assembly of the plates to each other, the axis passing through all of the recesses 1 and the projections 2, designated by 3 in FIGS. 3 and 4, forming the axis of the joint.

The protrusions A, B, C and D are all of the same width, this width constituting the unit of measurement of the free spaces or intervals separating said protrusions from one another or separating the protrusions from the ends of the sections of the rectilinear sides of the plates on which these protrusions are distributed. These length units, whether occupied by protuberances or whether they are formed by free spaces, will hereinafter be called "positions". These positions have been indicated by points 5 in FIG. 1.

Fig. 2 shows the continuation of the positions of the plates A and B , the plates C and D being respectively identical to them, in the case of the present set of plates. We see first of all that these sequences are at eighteen positions. We then see that they are arranged on either side of an axis, indicated at 4 in Figs. 1 and 2, which passes through the middle of the straight edge of the plates having the protuberances. It can also be seen that the half-suites located on either side of axis 4 are asymmetrical with respect to this axis.

If we consider only the free spaces and give them a number corresponding to their number, before, between or after the protuberances, we see that the left half-suite of plate A , appearing in the upper part of fig. 2, is expressed by 0240, while the right half-sequence is expressed by 151, which is not symmetrical. The same is true for plate B for which, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 2, the left half-suite is expressed by 412 and the right half-suite by 322. In addition, in the case of plates A and B , and consequently also of plates C and D , the two half-suites located on either side of axis 4 are not only asymmetrical, but also are different from each other.

Figs. 5 and 6 show how the plates A , B , C and D can be articulated all four, together, to each other.

It should be noted that, in these figures, the protrusions A, B, C and D of these four plates have been represented in a stylized manner while they are of the type shown in detail in FIG. 4.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the protuberances of the four plates A , B , C and D of the first embodiment is not the only one which allows the assembly, two by two, in pairs, of four plates.

Indeed, a general analysis of this first embodiment, namely a multiple hinge with four plates (N = 4) shows that several other arrangements of the protrusions can be taken into account, the number of positions still being, in this case, eighteen (P _{sym 2.2} = 18).

This number is conditioned by the fact that the symmetry between the plates A and C on the one hand and B and D on the other hand requires double bonds AC ... CA and DB ... BD.

• soit deux groupes de trois protubérances type ACA et BDB
• soit un groupe de trois protubérances + deux groupes de deux protubérances type ACA et BD ... DB
• soit quatre groupes de deux protubérances type AC ... CA et BD ... DB pour chaque demi-suite.

These bonds are necessarily formed by

• either two groups of three protuberances type ACA and BDB
• either a group of three protrusions + two groups of two protrusions type ACA and BD ... DB
• or four groups of two protuberances type AC ... CA and BD ... DB for each half-suite.

Symmetrical groups of two or three protrusions can only be separated from one another by an even number of protrusions (0 or 2) since

ACXBD, where X is A, B, C or D, leads to already existing situations, namely CA, BD, or which have no interest, being of the CC or BB type.

Consequently, a separation protuberance is excluded.

ACXYZBD, where X, Y, Z are A, B, C or D, leads to a similar situation with three separation protuberances, because X cannot be neither A, nor C, nor Z, cannot be neither B, nor D , nor Y and can only be A or C on the one hand or B or D on the other hand, which is impossible.

   Il est à noter que, dans ce tableau, les lettres dans les cases correspondent aux protubérances et que les liaisons entre les protubérances appartenant à des plaques symétriques ont été indiquées en caractères gras.This leads to the following ten cases, illustrated in fig. 7, in which the series of intervals has been indicated, as in FIG. 2, by numbers:

It should be noted that, in this table, the letters in the boxes correspond to the protuberances and that the connections between the protuberances belonging to symmetrical plates have been indicated in bold type.

It is also possible to envisage a representation in the form of a "binary" tab, as indicated below for case 1 only, where the figures "1" express the presence of a protuberance and the figures "0" a free space. Such a binary representation facilitates mathematical or computer processing.

   Concernant les deux cas suivants (cas 5 et 6), il est à noter que l'on ne peut séparer les deux groupes ACA et DBD que par deux lettres, et non pas par une seule. En effet, en séparant ces deux groupes par une seule lettre X on obtiendrait ACA X DBD. Or, X = A ou B ou C ou D, de sorte que l'on formerait AA ou BD, BD ou AC, AC ou encore DD, toutes liaisons sans intérêt.In cases 2, 3 and 4 indicated below in the form of tables, the missing connections DC, BC, AB are made to the left and to the right of the ACADBD block.

Concerning the two following cases (cases 5 and 6), it should be noted that one can separate the two groups ACA and DBD only by two letters, and not by only one. Indeed, by separating these two groups by a single letter X we would obtain ACA X DBD. Now, X = A or B or C or D, so that one would form AA or BD, BD or AC, AC or even DD, all links without interest.

   Ce cas correspond à la forme d'exécution des figs. 1 à 6.Similarly, there is no point in inserting three protrusions X, Y, Z between two groups, which would lead to a situation analogous to that where one would insert a protrusion X only.

This case corresponds to the embodiment of figs. 1 to 6.

   La demi-suite de ce cas est obtenue à partir de la demi-suite du cas 6 en déplaçant simplement la liaison BD de l'extrême droite à l'extrême gauche.In this case, the half-suite is obtained from the half-suite of case 5 by simply moving the AC link from the far left to the far right.

The half-sequence of this case is obtained from the half-sequence of case 6 by simply moving the link BD from the far right to the far left.

   La demi-suite du cas 10 est obtenue à partir de la demi-suite du cas 9 en déplaçant la neuvième protubérance "isolée" de l'extrême gauche à l'extrême droite.We can also consider that the groups ACA and BDB are separated to form AC ... CA and DB ... BD. There are then only two ways of placing them which constitute cases 9 and 10.

The half-sequence of case 10 is obtained from the half-sequence of case 9 by moving the ninth protrusion "isolated" from the far left to the far right.

It should be noted that it is not possible to insert this ninth protuberance between the four groups of two symmetrical protuberances, since there would then be either a repetition of protuberances or a repetition of groups of two symmetrical protuberances.

Formally, it is always possible to swap the names of the protrusions. For example A with C or B with D, or even AC with BD, since it is a question of designating the plates and the sequences of protuberances which they carry in an arbitrary manner; physically they are not variants.

These ten cases have been illustrated schematically in FIG. 7 similar to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. In this figure, the designations A and B of the plates have been provided with a numerical index corresponding to the case in question.

Incidentally, case 7 of fig. 7 corresponds to the first embodiment (fig. 2).

In the ten cases of fig. 7, it can be seen that two sequences of protuberances are sufficient in each case, the other two sequences being superimposable by inversion.

Five protrusions are required in one suite and four in the other. The eighteen positions are therefore all occupied.

The analysis of the intervals on each of the ten cases shows that the sum of the intervals of the two sequences is worth 27 units. This figure of 27 is made up of 3 x 7 + 1 x 6 considering the half-suites. In case 1, for example, the sum of the intervals of the left half-sequence of A is six positions and that of the right half-sequence of seven positions, while the sum of the intervals of the half-sequence of left of B is seven positions and that of right also.

We find, in each of the ten cases, a sequence which begins with an end protuberance.

In none of the suites or half-suites there are adjacent protrusions so that there is no "0" inside a half-suite.

When the protrusions are three in number and two of them are located at the ends of the half-suite, the sum of the intervals of the half-suite is worth six positions. As a result, the longest interval is five positions.

It is excluded that there are two intervals of three units which are contiguous, either 331, or 133, or 033. This would imply inevitable double bonds so that there would be lack of others, necessary, which excludes these cases. . On the other hand, the half-sequence "313" is possible (see cases 1 and 2 in fig. 7).

We note that, in all of these ten cases:
one space is 0
two to four spaces are worth 1
two to five spaces are worth 2
zero to two spaces are 3
one to three spaces are worth 4
zero to two spaces are worth 5
In other words, there is always at least one space worth 0, at least two spaces worth 1, at least two spaces worth 2, at least one space worth 4 and at least one space worth 3 or 5.

The choice of one or other of the cases 1 to 10 mentioned above may depend on the strength of the assembly or the mechanical torque necessary for the separation of two plates.

We will speak of torque as soon as the separation of the plates from each other is effected by twisting around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the two assembled plates, arranged, for the experiment, in the extension of one another. . The evaluation of the torsional strength can be carried out by considering cases 1 to 10 above.

d_xy étant la distance entre l'axe 4 et une liaison quelconque, appelée d'une façon générale XY.If a constant breakout force f is assumed for each pair of protrusions engaged with each other, the torque or moment M necessary for the separation of the two assembled plates, calculated relative to the axis median 4, will be as follows $${\text{| M}}_{\text{xy}}{\text{| = f · d}}_{\text{xy}}{\text{+ f · d}}_{\text{yx}}$$

d _xy being the distance between axis 4 and any link, generally called XY.

Of course, if there is a double bond, the moment M is the sum of the two.

   On voit que c'est le cas 7 qui est le plus favorable du point de vue mécanique puisque c'est celui dont l'écart entre les couples extrêmes est le plus faible (10f) et surtout celui pour lequel le couple minimum est le plus élevé (8f). Cependant, le cas 4 présente également un couple minimum de 8f ce qui le rend presque aussi favorable que le cas 7. Il en est de même du cas 9 où le couple minimum est également de 8f, la seule différence résidant dans un écart maximum de 12f au lieu de 10f pour le cas 7.The maximum difference between the extreme torques, the average torque and the minimum torque has been indicated opposite each table of cases 1 to 10 taken from fig. 7. The detail of the calculation of the couples was indicated for case 7 because it is the most favorable case.

We see that this is the case 7 which is the most favorable from the mechanical point of view since it is the one with the smallest difference between the extreme torques (10f) and especially the one for which the minimum torque is the most high (8f). However, case 4 also has a minimum torque of 8f which makes it almost as favorable as case 7. The same is true of case 9 where the minimum torque is also 8f, the only difference being in a maximum deviation of 12f instead of 10f for case 7.

Fig. 8 illustrates the case of four plates, two of which, indicated in A and B , are symmetrical with the other two, respectively, and which can be assembled three to three. One of the rectilinear sides of these four plates has sequences of protrusions, of ten positions each, divided into two half-suites each, located to the left and to the right of a median axis 4. FIG. 8 shows that the left half-suite of plate A has two end protrusions separated by a free space of three units, and the right half-suite has a protrusion located in the middle, flanked by two free spaces of two units each. As for the half-suite of plate B , it has a protuberance located at a distance of one unit from the end of the half-suite and three units from the other end. It is the same for the right half-suite of this plate B.

It should be noted that the notation 13,13 in fig. 8 could suggest that there is symmetry. However, this is not the case, because if the plate is turned over with respect to its median axis, it can be seen that the protrusions are then placed in different places.

Fig. 9 indicates the sequence of probabilities of three plates A , B and C , at eighteen positions, it being understood that the assembly will include three other symmetrical plates, respectively, plates A , B and C. This assembly will allow eight possible assemblies or hinges, among the fifteen assemblies two by two, theoretically possible, but with more positions.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates the case of a set of four plates with twelve positions, in which two of these plates A and B are symmetrical with respect to the other two, respectively. The two half-sequences of the protrusions A of plate A are expressed by 05 and 23 and those B of plate B by 23 and 05.

An auxiliary plate T whose half-suites of protrusions T, which are expressed by 121, are identical and symmetrical allows, in combination with the four plates of the assembly, a number of four assemblies A , B , C , D with T , therefore of any assembly of plates A , B , C and D two by two, with plate T.

,

,

,

,

,

et donc aussi tout assemblage de deux plaques A, B, C et D deux à deux avec la plaque T.As for figs. 11 to 13, they also illustrate a case of a set of four plates A , B , C and D , with thirteen positions, the plates C and D of which are symmetrical with the plates A and B respectively, together to which an auxiliary plate is added T. The latter has two half-suites of protrusions T located on either side of the median axis 4, and moreover a central protuberance T ', shown on a larger scale in FIG. 11, arranged on this axis, which differs from the other protrusions in that its elastic branches do not have a recess and a projection, as in all the preceding cases, but two recesses 2. The entire series of protrusions on plate T can be numbered as 022220 as shown in fig. 13. This auxiliary plate is therefore, only, symmetrical and the following assemblies are possible:

,

,

,

,

,

and therefore also any assembly of two plates A , B , C and D two by two with the plate T.

The plate shown in fig. 14, designated by A , belongs to a set of identical plates. It is constituted by an equilateral triangle whose three sides have sequences of protrusions with twenty-six positions marked by points 5, these sequences being symbolically represented by three arrows S₁, S₂ and S₃, the protuberances of these three sequences, represented by stylized way, being designated by A₁, A₂ and A₃, respectively. The midpoint of these three suites is marked by an axis 4 for each of them. Plate A is pierced with three holes 6, 7 and 8, of different shapes, making it possible to identify the sequences, whatever the face of the plate which is observed.

Plate A is intended to be used either in the position shown in fig.14, or turned over on itself, recto-verso.

The three half-suites of the suites S₁, S₂ and S₃ of protuberances are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 15 and are expressed, as previously, by numbers, namely 272 for the first half-sequence of S₁, 119 for the second, 0370 for the first half-sequence of S₂, 713 for the second, 614 for the first half continuation of S₃ and 551 for the second.

A set of triangular plates A like that shown in fig. 14 can be used to make a square base pyramid such as that shown in FIG. 16 or that of FIG. 18.

In the case of fig. 16, the four triangular plates A forming the pyramid, the base of which is not materialized but which could be by a square plate, all have the same face facing outwards or inwards, that is to say that is, none is returned double-sided. In addition, they are all oriented in the same way, the side of each plate forming the base being subsequently formed S₃.

In the case of the pyramid in fig. 18, on the contrary, the plates A are well used all turned in the same way but in different orientations. Thus the base edge of the pyramid is subsequently formed S par with regard to the anterior plate, designated by A ', by S , also with regard to the left plate in FIG. 19, designated by A '', by S₁ for the rear plate, designated by A ''', and by S₂ for the right plate in fig. 19, designated by A ''''.

We can, always using plates identical to plate A in fig. 14, make not only pyramids of the kind of those of figs. 16 or 18, but also pyramids with multiple layers, such as that of figs. 20 and 21 in which the central hole 9 of the plates has not been shown.

Fig. 21 is particularly representative of the way in which the pyramid of FIG. 20. This pyramid is made up of successive layers, the first of which, starting from the top, is made up of a pyramid such as the pyramid in fig. 18, the third by four identical pyramids, juxtaposed, and the fifth by nine identical pyramids, juxtaposed.

As for the even layers, they consist of identical but inverted pyramids, one for the second layer and four for the fourth layer, and, in addition, by additional triangular plates A , forming closing flaps.

The number of layers, always odd, may be greater than five, in the case of the example described and shown.

An interior partitioned pyramid is thus produced which, if the triangular plates A are provided with patterns, can constitute a three-dimensional puzzle. Likewise, if the plates A are pierced with a central hole such as the hole designated by 9 in FIG. 14, also shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the plates A can be used for making solid partitions allowing a game consisting in passing parts through the holes in the internal partitions of the solid or in fixing a part bearing a particular pattern, for example a character, a number or a letter (removable in this case, but which could also be printed directly on the plate).

We can make pyramids similar to that shown in figs. 16 and 18, like the pyramid in figs. 22 and 23, using plates A and B of two different types, in the shape of equilateral triangles. The plates of the two types will have, on their three sides, sequences of identical protuberances, but different for each of said two types.

It should be noted that multi-layered tetrahedra can be made in the same way as the pyramids, provided that they are cut according to planes whose angle is chosen so that we find ourselves in the same conditions as those of the pyramid.

In general, two-dimensional pavements, planar or in relief, also polyhedra, can be constructed with polygons provided with a single sequence A, or with a single sequence B. These pavements produce mesh type AC or BD respectively, that is to say between a sequence A and the same sequence A returned, namely C, since the opposite sides of a polygon if they face each other are turned.

Of course, an AC type paving can be linked on an open or closed perimeter, by its joints, to a BD type paving. This implies that partitioned structures can be produced by alternating the layers AC and BD. A pyramid can for example be thus produced from two types of triangles having, on their respective edges, one and the other three identical but different suites for each of these two triangles.

Different sequences around the perimeter of the same polygon have already been considered (fig. 14) but will also appear later (fig. 24).

When distributing different sequences along the perimeter of a polygon, it is possible to make choices leading to a reduction in the number of positions required, especially when these polygons are used for the construction of partitioned structures. In particular, as indicated above, an interesting solution is constructed with twenty-six positions (see figs. 14 to 21); in this case all the joints two by two are not necessary, since they do not appear during the construction of the construction.

In general, if the number of positions of twenty-six for a triangular plate is convenient, in particular for the assembly of partitioned pyramids, this number could be different, being between eighteen and thirty-eight, depending on whether 'We are satisfied with a minimum number of two linked edges, or on the contrary that we require that all the edges are linked two by two, with or without turning plates.

The plate shown in fig. 24, designated by A , belongs to a set of identical plates. It is constituted by a square, the four sides of which have sequences S₁ and S₂ of protuberances, with eighteen positions. These protrusions, represented schematically, are designated by A₁ and A₂ according to the sequence to which they belong. The sequences of two opposite sides, represented symbolically by arrows S1 and S2, are identical to those of the plates A and B in FIG. 1. They are symmetrical with respect to the axes of the square indicated in 4. Using the same notation as above where the number of the positions of the free spaces separating the protuberances is encrypted, we see that the left half-suite of the sequence S₁ is expressed by 0240, the right half-suite by 151, the left half-suite in the S₂ suite by 412 and the right half-suite by 322.

Using six of these plates A , it is possible to make a cube such as that shown in figs. 25 and 26.

The assembly of these plates A can be repeated so as to form a partitioned network of cubic cells, as shown in FIG. 27.

In all the cases described and represented above, the protuberances for hooking or engaging the plates are split longitudinally so as to form two elastic branches. In the embodiments which follow, these protrusions are different and are not split. They have a symmetrical periphery with respect to their longitudinal axis. Their end is flared and their base narrowed. The plates are made of an elastically deformable material, so that, by deformation of the material, the interengaging of the protrusions with one another can be effected. Thus in fig. 28 have been shown two plates A and B having, respectively, protrusions A and B.

This arrangement has the advantage, compared to that of the examples previously described and shown, to allow the production of contiguous suites and therefore allow to reduce the number of positions required, as well as the total width occupied by two suites.

Physically, the two plates A and B are identical, but shown in the drawing turned inside out with respect to each other. They are therefore symmetrical with respect to each other. At each position, the rectilinear edge of the plates having the protrusions has slight semi-cylindrical projections, designated by 1 A for plate A and by 1 B for plate B. As for the protrusions A and B, they each have, on their front face, a recess 1A for the protrusions A and 1B for the protrusions B, the projections 1 A and 1 B engaging in the recesses 1B and 1A, respectively. which improves the rigidity of the assembly. In addition, when more than two plates are assembled together, as shown for example in FIG. 30, these projections 1 A and 1 B ensure the centering of the intermediate plate C.

In these different executions, the plates can mesh by forming between them angles different from 90 °. This is the case, for example, when the plates constitute the faces of a regular pyramid or a regular tetrahedron where they will then form between them angles of 109.47 ° and 70.53 °, respectively. It is important, for this purpose, that the protrusions are longer than wide, their width being equal to the thickness of the plate, of about 40%, to take account of the angle. The profile of fig. 29 allows both to center plates perpendicular to each other and to tilt them relative to each other.

It should be noted that chamfers 1 (figs. 31 and 32) have been provided on the plates in order to facilitate their interengagement.

FIG. 33 indicates the series of possible protrusions for sixteen positions allowing the interlocking of four plates two by two, the protrusions having the shape of those of FIGS. 28 to 32.

   On voit que c'est le cas 4 qui est le plus favorable du point de vue mécanique puisque c'est celui dont l'écart entre les couples extrêmes est le plus faible (8f) et celui pour lequel le couple minimum est le plus élevé (6f). Cependant, le cas 5 est presque aussi favorable, la seule différence résidant dans l'écart maximum qui est de 10f au lieu de 8f.The analysis of mechanical torques gives the following results:

We can see that it is the case 4 which is the most favorable from the mechanical point of view since it is the one with the smallest difference between the extreme torques (8f) and the one for which the minimum torque is the highest. (6f). However, case 5 is almost as favorable, the only difference residing in the maximum difference which is 10f instead of 8f.

Fig. 34 illustrates a square plate A whose four sides are at sixteen positions each, the protrusions, designated by A, being shown schematically while they correspond, as to their shape, to those of FIGS. 28 to 32. The four sequences of this square with sixteen positions are asymmetrical.

On the contrary, in the case of the square plate A of fig. 35, the sides of which are at fifteen positions each, the sequences which these fifteen positions constitute are, for two of them facing each other, symmetrical with respect to the axis a₁ of the square while the other two, which are made face, are asymmetrical with respect to the axis a₂ of the square. On the other hand, the two asymmetrical sequences with respect to the axis a₂ are identical if we consider the plate seen front and back.

As a variant, provision could be made for the case where the two symmetrical suites are in sixteen positions, provided that the central protuberance of the upper edge of the plate of FIG. 35 is of double width and then occupies two positions, namely the positions "8" and "9".

   L'analyse montre que la répartition des couples mécaniques est bien plus homogène que pour des suites qui seraient toutes symétriques.Fig. 36 is a schematic representation of the series of protrusions and intervals of the four assembly edges of four plates able to be meshed in pairs, all four being identical to that of FIG. 35. The sequences of the first two lines of fig. 36 are symmetrical while those of the next two lines are asymmetrical with respect to the middle of the side, these two asymmetrical sequences being the same, the plates being observed front and back, respectively.

Analysis shows that the distribution of mechanical torques is much more homogeneous than for sequences which would all be symmetrical.

   L'écart maximum est de 4f, le couple moyen de 8.3f et le couple minimum de 6f.It should be noted that this configuration is quite favorable from the point of view of the mechanical torque, in fact

The maximum difference is 4f, the average torque of 8.3f and the minimum torque of 6f.

   L'écart maximum est de 12f, le couple moyen de 8.3f et le couple minimum de 1f.It should be noted that an assembly of only symmetrical suites gives a poor distribution of the mechanical torques. So :

The maximum difference is 12f, the average torque of 8.3f and the minimum torque of 1f.

Structures such as one or other of those described above may be used not only for games such as three-dimensional puzzles, but for the production of models or prefabricated panels, used in particular in architecture, or even larger constructions such as exhibition stands for example.

It should be noted that the present invention may be applied to elements whose length of the rectilinear assembly edge will be greater than that of a series of protuberances and intervals. In other words, the length of the suites is independent of the length of their supports.

In the case of elements whose rectilinear edge carrying the protuberances of assembly is longer than the length of a series, one can either provide an axis of symmetry in the middle of this long edge with, on both sides, a repetition of half-suites, or on the contrary provide for a repetition of complete suites, this second possibility having the advantage of making it possible to cut the support of the suites at any point along its length.

The protuberance supports of great length may be either rigid plates or flexible elements, in textile for example, which must have, locally, enough rigidity so that the conditions of engagement of the protuberances remain satisfied; It is possible, thanks to this arrangement, to flip pieces of fabric relative to one another, whether in the field of clothing, furniture or other.

The assembly of such elements can be carried out using sliders like sliding closures of the type known as "Zipper" (registered trademark).

Claims (23)

Set of elements each having at least one rectilinear edge along which said elements are assembled to each other, using protuberances which have said rectilinear edges, which protuberances cling to each other, characterized in that said protrusions are all of the same width, which width constitutes the unit of measurement of the free spaces or intervals separating said protrusions along said straight edges, the latter having sequences of intervals and protuberances which are asymmetrical with respect to the middle of the side . Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that, in said suites, the protuberances and intervals are distributed along the straight sides of the elements, so that all the elements are able to be assembled in pairs. Set of elements according to claim 2, the elements of which are four in number, characterized in that their rectilinear sides comprise two suites, one of four protrusions and the other of five, these two suites constituting four half sequences in which the protuberances are separated by at least two intervals of one unit, by at least two intervals of two units, by at least one interval of four units and by at least one interval of three or five units. Set of elements according to claim 1, the elements of which are four in number, characterized in that their rectilinear sides comprise two suites, one of two protrusions and the other of three, these protrusions being separated by two intervals of one unit, by two intervals of two units and by three intervals of three units, said elements all being suitable for being assembled three by three. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that said protrusions each consist of a tongue split longitudinally so as to form two elastic branches, one of said branches having, laterally, a projection and the other a corresponding recess , the protrusion of a protuberance being intended to engage in the recess of the protuberance of another element with which it cooperates, in such a way that the elements are assembled with a hinge, that is to say hinged together to the others, around an axis passing through all of the protrusions and recesses of the protuberances attached to one another. Set of elements according to claim 5, characterized in that their rectilinear sides comprise two suites of eighteen units each divided into two half-suites, one of the half-suites of the first suite comprising two end protrusions and an intermediate protuberance located at an interval of two units from one of the end protrusions and at an interval of four units from the other end protuberance, the second half-suite comprising two protuberances each located at a distance d '' a unit of one of the ends of the half-suite and which are separated from each other by an interval of five units, one of the half-suites of the second suite comprising two protuberances, one of which is located at a distance of four units from one end of the half-suite and the other at a distance of two units from the opposite end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of one unit, the second half-suite comprising two protrusions, one of which is located at a distance of three units from one end of the half-suite and the other at a distance of two units from the opposite end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of two units. Set of elements according to claim 5, the elements of which are four in number, characterized in that their rectilinear sides comprise two suites of ten units, each divided into two half-suites, one of the half-suites of the first suite comprising two end protrusions separated by an interval of three units, the other half-suite comprising a central protuberance, the two half-suites of the second suite being identical and each comprising a protuberance situated at a distance of one unit from one end of the half suite and three units from the other end of the half suite. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that there is added to it an auxiliary element, carrying a symmetrical series of protuberances and intervals, able to be assembled with each of the elements of the assembly. Set of elements according to claim 8, the elements of which are four in number, characterized in that their rectilinear sides comprise two suites of thirteen units, one comprising two protuberances located one at a distance of one unit from one end of the series and the other at a distance of four units from the other end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of six units, the second series comprising two protrusions, one of which is located at a distance of two units from one end of the series and the other of which is located at a distance of five units from the other end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of four units, the auxiliary element comprising a series of thirteen units comprising five protrusions, namely two terminal protrusions located at the two ends of the suite, a central protuberance located in the middle of the suite and ux intermediate protuberances each located midway between one of the terminal protuberances and the central protuberance, the intervals between all the protuberances being two units. Set of elements according to claim 9, characterized in that the central protuberance of the auxiliary element is symmetrical and has attachment means of the same type - projections or recesses - on its two lateral faces. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that these elements are all identical, formed by equilateral triangles, having, on each of their sides, a series of protuberances and intervals of which the number of units is between ten - eight and thirty-eight. Set of elements according to Claim 11, characterized in that the said triangular elements have, on each of their sides, a series of protrusions of twenty-six units, divided into two half-series, the half-series of a first side of the triangle comprising a protuberance located at a distance of two units from one end of said half-suite and a second protuberance located at a distance of seven units from the first protuberance and at a distance of two units from the other end of said half-suite, the second half-suite on the first side comprising a protuberance located at a distance of a unit from the end of said half-suite and a second protuberance located at a distance of one unit from the first protuberance and at a distance of nine units from the end of said second half-suite, the first half -continued from the second side of the triangle comprising a first protuberance located at the end of said half-suite, a second protuberance located at a distance of three units from the first, and a third protuberance located at the other end of the half following and at a distance of seven units from the second protuberance, the second half-suite on this second side comprising a protuberance located at a distance of seven units from the end of the half-suite, and a second protuberance located at a distance of a unit of the first protuberance and at a distance of three units from the other end of the half-suite, the first half-suite of the third side of the triangle comprising a first protuberance located at a distance of six units from the end of the half-suite and a second protuberance located at a distance of one unit from the first protuberance and at a distance of four units from the other end of the half -suite, the second half-suite on this third side comprising a first protuberance located at a distance of five units from the end of the half-suite and a second protuberance located at a distance of five units from the first protuberance and at a distance of one unit from the other end of the half -after. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that these elements are all identical, formed of squares having on each of their sides a series of protrusions and intervals of which the number of units is between ten and eighteen . Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that these elements are all identical, formed of squares, having, on each of their sides, a series of protrusions of eighteen units divided into two half-series, the half -following a first side of the square comprising two end protrusions and an intermediate protuberance located at an interval of two units from one of the end protrusions and at an interval of four units of the other end protuberance, the second half-suite on the first side comprising two protuberances each located at a distance of one unit from one of the ends of the half-suite and which are separated one on the other by an interval of five units, the first half-suite on a second side of the square, adjacent to the first side, comprising two protrusions, one of which is located at a distance of four units from one of the ends of the half-suite and the other at a distance of two units from the opposite end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of one unit, the second half-suite on this second side of the square comprising two protuberances of which l one is located at a distance of three units from one end of the half-suite and the other at a distance of two units from the opposite end, these two protrusions being separated by an interval of two units, the third side of the square, opposite to the first, having a series of protrusions and free spaces identical to and symmetrical to that of the first side and the fourth side of the square having a series of protrusions and free spaces identical to and symmetrical to that of the second side. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that these elements are all identical, formed of squares, having, on each of their sides, a same series of protrusions of eighteen units, divided into two half-suites, the one of these half-suites comprising two end protrusions and an intermediate protuberance situated at an interval of two units from one of the end protrusions and at an interval of four units from the other end protuberance, the another half-suite comprising two protrusions each located at a distance of one unit from one of the ends of the half-suite and which are separated from each other by an interval of five units. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the elements having the protuberances comprises several series of intervals and protuberances, which follow one another along said edge. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the elements having the protuberances comprises a point of symmetry on either side of which succeed, along said edge, half-suites of intervals and protuberances. Set of elements according to claim 1, characterized in that their protuberances have a periphery substantially symmetrical relative to their longitudinal axis, their head being flared relative to their base which is narrowed. Set of elements according to claim 18, the elements of which are four in number, characterized in that their rectilinear side comprises two suites of four protrusions each, the two suites constituting four half-suites in which the protrusions are separated by at at least two intervals of one unit, by at least three intervals of two units, by at least one interval of four units, and by at least one interval of five units, or alternatively by two additional intervals of four units. Set of elements according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said auxiliary element consists of a quadrangular plate, two of the opposite sides of which have a series of protuberances symmetrical with respect to their center, while the other two opposite sides of the element each have a series of asymmetrical protrusions relative to their environment. A set of elements according to any of the combinations of claims 1 to 17 or claims 1 to 18 or 1, 18 and 19. Structure made using the elements according to either of Claims 13, 14 and 15. Structure according to claim 22, characterized in that it consists of a polyhedron.

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