ES1295054U - Modular structure for games (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular structure for games characterized in that it comprises a series of bars (H) and one or more links (A) from which one or more arms start, each arm ending in a terminal (D) for hooking the bars (H). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Modular structure for games

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present application refers to a modular structure for games, which allows toy structures to be formed for use on the surface of the water (floating) or dry. It is of special interest for use in swimming pools. It can also be configured as furniture, especially for children, and can be fixed to walls, taking the form of shelves. Other uses are railings, handrails and other construction elements.

STATE OF THE ART

The use of buoyant foam bars, sometimes called "churros", which are used to assist buoyancy, is known in the state of the art. They are flexible bars or tubes, of an appreciable length (up to 120 cm or more) and a diameter of 6-15 centimeters).

The existence of connectors formed by a tube whose internal diameter allows the churro to be plugged in, and with one or more lateral openings also configured to connect the churro, is also known. In this way you can connect up to four churros or close churros on themselves.

However, these connectors allow few structures to be generated and therefore are not versatile enough to create complicated games: a volleyball net, a basket, a cabin...

The applicant is not aware of any element that allows these structures to be obtained in a similar way to the invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a modular structure for games according to the first claim and whose variants solve the problems of the state of the art.

The invention is a modular structure for games, which uses bars, such as those made of "churro" type foam, which may be circular, oval, polygonal, regular or not. To do this, it comprises one or more links from which one or more arms depart. The number of arms in each link can be different. Each arm ends in a bar hook terminal. Thus, it is possible to connect two links by means of a bar hooked to both terminals and arms.

The arms can be removable and/or flexible or articulated. When they are removable, preferably the terminals will also be removable from the arms in order to be able to hook a link to the other end of the arm. For this, the arms can be modular, so that the free end of the arm can be replaced, thus being able to be equal at both ends and connect to two links symmetrically.

The structure can have rigid or flexible polygonal panels between the bars.

Preferably, the terminals are female, that is, they are prepared for the insertion of the bars. In this case, it is possible to arrange the panels in slots along the outer or inner perimeter of the terminals. The panels would have insertable connection elements in these slots.

Other variants are seen in the rest of the report.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included.

Figure 1: View of a nexus example from which six arms start.

Figure 2: View of a terminal example.

Figures 3-5: Views of two examples of modules that form the arms.

Figure 6: View of a C connector according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 7: View of an example of a connection piece for a panel.

Figure 8: View of an example of flat connector.

Figures 9: View of an example of construction with the aforementioned elements.

Figures 10: View of a second example of construction with the aforementioned elements.

Figures 11: View of a third example of construction with the aforementioned elements.

Figure 12: View of a terminal cover, according to an example of embodiment.

MODES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the invention is briefly described, as an illustrative and non-limiting example of the latter.

Figures 1 to 8 show different parts with which the modular structure can be built. Thus, there is a nexus (A), with a series of peripheral mouths (A1) in which arms can be hooked, in a variable number. Generally six mouths (A1) will be arranged. Cylindrical terminals (D) can also be made to hook tubes or bars (H), which can be "churros", PVC tubes, polyethylene... The bars (H) can be of different lengths. It can be seen that the terminals (D) have peripheral grooves (D1), in this case over the entire surface. Terminal (D) has a female connector (D2) for the corresponding arm. The connector can be similar to the mouth (A1) or of another type, such as the one that will be explained later.

The terminal (D) can have notches on the perimeter of the insertion area of the tube or bar (H) to connect flat or almost flat elements, such as boards.

Figures 3-5 show different types of modules that allow the arms to be formed. A first module (B) can be seen that has two ball finials (B1) for its insertion in mouths (A1) of nexuses. The ball end piece (B1) and the nose piece (A1) form a joint, so the arm can come out at an angle. The ball finial (B1) has a groove that allows it to be temporarily deformed while it is being placed or removed from the mouth (A1).

The second module (C) starts from a ball finish (B1) and a smaller lug (C1). This smaller lug (C1) feeds into a larger lug which is similar, in operation, to the female connector (D2). These lugs (C1) form a joint with a single degree of freedom (rotation around an axis). One of the lugs (C1) has a protrusion that fits into a hole in the other to make accidental removal difficult. A third module (E) has both types of lugs (C1). Another module, not shown, would have a larger lug and a ball end (B1) to join two links symmetrically. The connectors (lugs (C1), ball (B1) or socket (A1)) can have opposing teeth that can set the angle more compactly, similar to a ratchet.

It must be considered that each module (B,C,E) can have the desired length. It can also be straight, curved or angled.

Figure 6 shows a connector at C (F), intended for placement on a bar (H). Its inner radius is similar to the outer radius of the bar (H) and it has grooves (D1) similar to those of the terminal. In these grooves (D1) it is possible to place connection pieces (J) that have a dovetail side, for the grooves (D1) and a clamp side to clamp panels (K), for example by clipping, by dovetail. dovetail, inserting a tightening rod... The length of the connection pieces (J) is variable, depending mainly on the size of the terminals (D) and the connectors at C (F). It must be understood that the circular arc of the connector at C (F) must exceed 180°, but it can also be circular. The sides of the panels (K) will be defined according to the length of the bars (H), being able to form squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, hexagons. The panels (K) can be rigid or flexible. If they are rigid, they will assist in the resistance of the formed structure.

The slots (D1) can be internal if the connecting pieces (J) are properly shaped (“U”), so that the panel (K) can be joined from the outside and the dovetail remains on the inside. Thus the slots (D1) are protected.

Figure 8 shows a flat connector (I), designed to be fixed to a flat surface, be it a wall or a floor. where appropriate by one or more screws.

Figure 12 shows a cover (M) that can be coupled to a terminal to close any of its ends and improve the aesthetic appearance and finish. This cover (M) can have holes for the passage of screws or rivets for joining other elements.

Figure 9 shows an example of construction formed by links (A) of approximately spherical shape. The nexus (A) has connectors, such as threaded holes, for the placement of a number of arms. There are terminals (D) on the arms for the connection of bars (H). The arms can be straight, flexible, rigid, articulated... For example, formed by modules (B,C,E) of those mentioned. Each of the modules (B,C,E) can be of different lengths, so that the different parts can be assembled in many ways.

Preferably the terminal (D) is female to be able to connect any type of bar (H). If the churro is of the tubular type, the terminal (D) can be male. Likewise, a terminal (D) can be defined with an edge to insert the bar (H) and a projection to insert it into the bar (H), so that it is male and female at the same time.

These links (A) allow the creation of three-dimensional structures, for example forming a lower platform on which to build a volleyball net, a basket. When the platform is made of churros, it will be floating.

The nexus (A) can have connectors all over its surface, in the directions of a trihedron. preferably on a regular basis. In this way it will be possible to arrange the arms in the desired direction, disassembling them and connecting the desired number of arms and at the required angle. It is also possible to have fixed arms, distributed over the surface, so that the angle is constant or, if they are flexible or articulated, thus modifying their position.

It is possible to link two nexuses (A) by means of an arm, without it being necessary to insert a bar (H) and two terminals (D). For example, the terminals (D) can be removable from the arms, which in turn are the same at both ends. Thus, the arm can end in a terminal (D) or in a nexus (A) indistinctly.

The structure can be completed with a platform (L), formed by a base on which lugs emerge with the same section as the bars (H). In this way it is possible to connect a terminal (D) to the platform (L), which is supported on the ground, fixed to a wall. and leave the structure extremely stable.

Claims (1)

1.- Modular structure for games characterized in that it comprises a series of bars (H) and one or more links (A) from which one or more arms start, each arm ending in a terminal (D) for hooking the bars ( h) 2- Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms are removable from the nexus (A). 3- Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms are flexible or articulated. 4- Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminals (D) are female for inserting the bars (H). 5- Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises polygonal panels (K) between the bars. 6- Modular structure for games, according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer perimeter of the terminals (D) has grooves (D1) configured to place connection pieces (J) and to embrace the panels (K). 7- Modular structure for games, according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises connectors (C) for fixing to the bars (H) that have grooves (D1) configured to place connection pieces (J) to embrace the panels (K ). 8- Modular structure for games, according to claim 2, characterized in that the terminals (D) are removable from the arms. 9- Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bars (H) are made of foam and flexible. 10- Modular structure for games, according to claim 3, characterized in that the arms are formed by a series of modules (B, C, E) formed by straight, curved or elbowed elements topped at each end by a connector selected from: a ball finish (B1) for its insertion in a mouth (A1) a larger ear a smaller lug (C1) insertable into a larger lug. eleven-

Modular structure for games, according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal (D) has a cover (M) attachable to said terminal