WO1998033158A1

WO1998033158A1 - Earth globe consisting of interlocking elements

Info

Publication number: WO1998033158A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Frezza
Original assignee: Giuseppe Frezza
Priority date: 1997-01-24
Filing date: 1998-01-21
Publication date: 1998-07-30
Also published as: ITCN970002A1; AU5677798A

Abstract

Earth globe (1) consisting of two types of elments: structural elements (2, 3) and covering elements (4, 5). The structural elements (2, 3) suitably assembled, according to a specific geometrical method, make up the structure of the framework (20) of the earth globe (1) and covering triangles (4, 5) are slotted into the same, on which the earth globe is printed or to which a sticker of the earth globe is applied. On fitting all the covering triangles (4, 5) bearing the print of the earth globe (according to a specific geographical criterion) onto the framework (20) made up of structural triangles (2, 3), the earth globe is fully reconstructed (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

EARTH GLOBE CONSISTING OF INTERLOCKING ELEMENTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

My invention relates to globes of the earth, construction games and educational toys.

BACKGROUND ART

In previous art there are small spherical models of the earth that we all know, there are cardboard globes made with pre-cut cardboard pieces that fold and fit together to create a globe, thdimensional puzzles made with cardboard pieces, and magnetic puzzles. The cardboard models are fragile and wear out rapidly if assembled and dismantled several times, they are costly and cannot be considered a construction game.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is the creation of an interlocking globe of the earth, which can be assembled and taken apart several times and is therefore as much fun as a construction game, and educational in helping in the learning of geography. The present invention in fact consists of an interlocking globe of the earth consisting of two types of elements: structural elements making up a framework of the earth globe, and covering elements bearing an image of part of the earth globe which slot into the framework to create a complete globe. The earth globe is basically a construction game made up of plastic elements which fit together and can be assembled and dismantled several times like all standard construction games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 : shows an eguilateral structural element and an isosceles structural element according to the invention.

Figure 2: shows triangular covering elements, one eguilateral and one isosceles, printed with a part of the earth globe, illustrated in plan and in section. Figure 3: shows the interlocking system of the various structural triangles.

Figure 4: shows in perspective, by means of a three-dimensional diagram, the connection system between a structural t angie and a covering triangle. Figure 5: provides a schematic view of an interlocking earth globe with the shape of a geodesic dome according to the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode for carrying out the present invention in the most economical manner is to form an interlocking earth globe with a geodesic dome shape. This globe, as shown with reference number 1

Claims

1) Interlocking earth globe (1) characterised by the fact that it consists of two types of elements : structural elements (2,3) which form a framework (20) of the earth globe and covering elements (4,5), bearing an illustration of part of the earth globe and which, by interlocking with the structural elements (2,3) create a complete earth globe (1).

2) Interlocking earth globe (1) according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the structural elements (2,3) are made up of eguilateral triangular elements (2) and of isosceles triangular elements (3) and by the fact that the covering elements are made up of equilateral (4) and isosceles (5) triangular elements respectively.

3) Interlocking earth globe (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the structural elements (2,3) feature slots (10) into which elastic connecting pegs (12) of the covering elements (4,5) are fitted, in a removable manner.

4) Interlocking earth globe (1) according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that the pegs (12) are provided on these covering elements, on the side opposite to the external surface (11), bearing said part of the illustration of the earth globe.

5) Interlocking earth globe (1) according to claim 4, characterised by I

The illustrated non-limiting example drawings show flat triangular elements which, when assembled according to a specific geometrical and geographical method, form a faceted earth globe with the form of a geodesic dome. It is however obvious that, according to the variants which have not been illustrated for the sake of simplicity, elements 2,3,4,5 could also be of spherical triangular shape (that is, outlining surfaces 11 convex curves) which, if properly assembled form a perfectly spherical interlocking earth globe. The structural elements (2,3) and the covering elements (4,5) could take the form of modules of another geometrical form other than triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shape for example, or any other module composed of flat or spherical triangles, always within the scope of this invention and therefore still be covered by the present invention patent. The type of slotting may also change within the scope of this invention and therefore still be covered by the present invention patent.

(fig.5), consists of various types of triangular elements: structural triangular elements (2, 3 fig. 1 ) and covering triangular elements (4, 5 fig. 2). The structural triangular elements, equilateral (2) and isosceles (3), fit together in a removable manner, along each side, by means of click-in joints of known type (fig. 3), in which the male joints (7 fig. 3) are fitted into corresponding female seats (8 fig. 3) and remain firmly fixed thanks to the pressure of the elastic tabs (9). The structural triangular elements (2,3) feature three female slots (10) at their tips. The covering triangular elements, eguilateral (4) and isosceles (5), feature external surfaces (11), on which is printed part of the illustration of the earth globe, or to which a sticker printed with the illustration of the earth globe is applied (fig. 2). The covering triangles (4,5) also feature on the opposite side of surface (11), elastic pegs (12) that click into slots (10), in a removable manner, as shown in figure 4.

The structural triangles (2,3), fitting together and assembled according to a precise geometrical method form a framework (20) with the shape of a geodesic dome, consisting of a number of such triangles (2,3), as shown in figure 5.

The covering triangles (4,5), by means of the male pegs (12), fit into the corresponding structural triangles (2,3) on which the female slots (10) are positioned. On fitting all the covering triangles (4,5) (with print or sticker of the earth globe) on framework (20) consisting of structural triangles (2,3) according to a specific geographical criterion, an interlocking earth globe is obtained with a geodesic dome shape (fig. 5). the fact that the said part of the image of the earth globe is printed on the said surface (11 ), or is obtained by a sticker applied to this surface (11).

6) Interlocking earth globe (1), according to anyone of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the structural elements (2,3) are connected by means of click-in male joints (7) and female seats (8), in a removable manner, along its sides, so as to form said framework (20) with the shape of a geodesic dome.

7) Interlocking earth globe, substantially as illustrated and as described with reference to the attached drawings.