Assembly of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of stable grid structures

ES 2 223 944 T3

DESCRIPTION

Set of modules with magnetic anchor for the construction of stable grid structures.

The present invention relates to an improved set of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of stable grid structures.

From Italian patent n ° IT-A-01301090, owned by the same applicant, a set of modules is known that optimizes the exploitation of the magnetic energy available for anchoring between the modules in such a way that a plurality of grid structures that have the most complex and ingenious configurations.

The magnetic coupling point between two modules can be chosen as required in any one of the areas of the magnetically active and / or ferromagnetic surface of one of the modules and is not limited by a predefined orientation between the two modules so that the modules of the set can be totally combined with each other, obtaining a plurality of configurations.

In all currently known magnetic anchored mounting systems, and especially in magnetic anchored assemblies that underuse the available magnetic energy for anchorage between modules, it is shown how some configurations of the grid structure do not have the appropriate requirements stability and capacity for self-support, particularly with reference to resistance to shear or slip and bending. DE-A-3910304 describes an example of a panel for supporting a magnetic structure.

In these cases, the configuration of the original grid structure must be modified by adding it -ad hoc- other modules to ensure its stability.

This solution, in addition to modifying the original configuration of the required grid structure, can cause an excessive increase in the weight and cost of the grid structure itself.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a set of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures that achieve, with the same number of magnetic modules used, an improved resistance to deformation produced by shear, bending or torsional forces. . Another object of the present invention is to provide a set of modules with magnetic anchorage for the construction of grid structures that makes any required grid structure stable without having to modify its configuration or excessively increase its weight or total cost.

These objects are achieved by a set of modules with magnetic anchor for the construction of grid structures characterized by providing one or more elements for stabilizing the grid structure in the form of panels that can be removably mounted in corresponding circumscribed polygonal areas. by the modules of the grid structure.

The panels can be made of a light and inexpensive material and allow extremely stable grid structures to be obtained, while maintaining the original simplicity and flexibility of the set of modules.

Panels for stabilizing the grid structure may also allow new ways of using the grid structures both as strictly entertainment items and as display or supply items.

These aspects will become more apparent when reading the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be read simply by way of non-limiting example of the more general principle claimed.

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a set of modules with magnetic anchor that defines a two-dimensional structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partially sectional detailed view of the structure of a cylindrical module used in the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a set of modules with magnetic anchor that defines a two-dimensional structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a set of modules with magnetic anchor that defines a three-dimensional structure in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Y

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a grid structure similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, in which a different display panel structure is provided.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a two-dimensional eight-module assembly 1 is illustrated comprising four spherical modules 2 and four cylindrical modules 3.

The spherical modules 2 consist of a ferromagnetic ball, for example made of steel, while the cylindrical modules 3 each comprise a central ferromagnetic cylindrical tie rod 4 to each of whose opposite bases a corresponding cylindrical element 5 made of permanently magnetic material is attached. Four.

The permanently magnetic elements 5 are axially magnetized and are arranged with adjacent bases of opposite magnetic polarity in such a way that they are connected in series through the ferromagnetic strut 4.

If necessary, the cylindrical module structure 3 can be contained in a non-magnetic cover matrix 9.

The assembly 1 comprises a square plate or panel 6 with cut corners, which defines, in the direction of the thickness of the plate 6, recessed side edges 7 with an arched profile.

The radius of curvature of the four edges of the plate 6 is equal to the radius of the cylindrical element 3.

As can be seen, the set consists of four cylindrical modules 3 arranged in a square and four spherical modules 2 arranged at the corners of the square in contact with the end bases of the two cylindrical modules 3 that converge on them.

The cylindrical modules 3 are oriented in such a way that the magnetic voltages produced by them in the magnetic circuit formed by the assembly

ES 2 223 944 T3 are all combined in series.

Before concluding the assembly with the fourth and last cylindrical module 3, the panel 6 is inserted in the flat area defined by the three remaining cylindrical modules 3 until each edge of the panel 6 is mounted on the side wall of a corresponding cylindrical module 3 .

After the insertion of the panel 6, the last cylindrical module 3 is mounted on the side of the remaining free panel 6 to complete the assembly.

Clearly, panel 6, although leaving the flexibility of the set of modules unchanged, acts in the sense that it gives rigidity to the set and allows it to maintain its configuration even in places where there is shear or torsional stress, and at the same time it can act as a surface to support a weight.

The panel 6 can be made of natural or colored plastic or wood, of light metal or of any other light and inexpensive material, yet sufficiently resistant from the mechanical point of view.

The panel is removably provided with grooves between the cylindrical modules 3 and can naturally be reused for the formation of new and different assemblies.

The assembly of Figure 1 can form the basis for the construction of definitely more complex three-dimensional grid structures.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a set of modules for construction of a structure similar to that of Figure 1, but with modules having a different configuration and structure, is illustrated.

In this case, the spherical ferromagnetic modules 2 that form the upper parts of the square structure are replaced by permanently magnetic cubic modules 10 that have two adjacent faces 10 'and 10 "with opposite magnetic polarity, while the cylindrical modules 3 that form the Sides of the square structure are replaced by modules 8 that are structurally identical but in the shape of a parallelepiped with a square plan.

In this case, the detachable mounting system between the panel 12 and the modules 8, although still of the male / female type, is made in a different way by forming rectangular grooves 11 with a width equal to the thickness of the panel 12 along the edges. Longitudinal median axes of each of the four lateral faces of the parallelepipedic modules 8.

Of course, other forms of removable mounting panels can be envisaged in modules other than those shown here without departing from the claimed principle. Obviously, the number and points of placement of the panels for stabilization in a more complex grid structure can be varied as required by the person who builds it.

In order to adapt to the various possible configurations of the areas defined by the modules that form a grid structure, the panel can also in turn have a triangular, rectangular, pentagonal or generally polygonal configuration.

The present principle must also be considered extended to cases in which the modules of the assembly are different in terms of configuration, structure and dimensions with respect to those shown up to now, but in such a way as to produce a grid structure in any case. Modules that extend along a preferential axis, for example prisms or straight cylinders with a generally polygonal base, will preferably be used alone or in combination with modules without a preferential extension axis, for example cubes or spheres, and a panel, and mounting will take place between a panel and modules extending along a preferential axis defining a polygonal area of ​​the grid structure.

All the modules and the module assembly procedure illustrated in Italian patent number IT-A01301090 can be used to advantage.

In particular, the modules that form the grid structure can therefore be modules of a first type, consisting of at least one active magnetic element, that is, an element that has two surfaces of opposite polarity, at least one element. ferromagnetic and possibly a non-magnetic cover matrix or modules of the first type combined with modules of a second type, the latter consisting of a ferromagnetic element possibly inserted in a non-magnetic cover matrix.

The modules are assembled in such a way that the magnetic flux generated by the active magnetic elements used in the anchor closes totally or at least partially through the ferromagnetic parts of the grid structure, and in such a way that the Magnetic voltages produced in the magnetic circuit generated by the active magnetic elements.

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional assembly made of spherical modules 2 and cylindrical modules 3 identical to those described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In this example of assembly 1 ', which represents a model of a cubic crystalline grating with a centered body, the panels 6' have a hole in the center that allows a cylindrical module 3 inserted through it to be supported. The presence of at least three panels on three corresponding orthogonal faces of the cubic structure prevents the deformation of the structure produced by applying a bending or shearing action to it. If it is required to maintain the deformability of a structure in one of its main directions, it will be sufficient to remove from the structure the panel arranged in the plane in which deformation is to occur.

The panels can improve the recreational potential of the grid structure to be built, since, for example, they can represent parts of an image of a three-dimensional puzzle.

The panels can also act as explanatory or advertising boards, in addition to allowing the creation of closed, semi-closed or open volumes that can be used according to the most widely varying needs of furniture, support, containment and others.

A particularly advantageous panel structure in accordance with the present invention provides an actual panel that can be removably attached to a panel cover mounted on top of the panel, which panel cover extends beyond the edges of the corresponding panel to increase the part. cover of the modules that circumscribe the polygonal area in which the panel is fixed. This aspect of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 7, where an actual 6 "square panel is combined with a cover of

ES 2 223 944 T3 panel 14, in this case square and transparent, which protrudes beyond the edges of the panel 6 "until it covers almost half of the upper lateral surface of the cylindrical modules between which it is inserted.

The panel cover 14 has at all four corners feet 16 that can be snapped into a housing cavity 18 formed in the panel body 6 "such that it forms a single body with the panel 6".

The inner side of the panel cover 14 in turn supports a square plate 20 with dimensions equal to those of the panel cover 14, which plate carries a decorative image or pattern or part of an image to be displayed. Lastly, the plate 20 has in the four respective openings in which the feet 16 of the panel cover 14 can be inserted before the latter is in turn fixed to the panel 6 ".

The use of these panels allows a greater coverage, at most complete, of the modules of the grid structure and makes it possible for an image or a decoration for display to be separated, recomposed or changed without having to be opened or disassembled each time. grid structure modules.