Building element and coupling-pin for interconnecting such elements

• US 4,823,532 A
• Filed: 11/10/1986
• Issued: 04/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CFB Venture Fund II, LP
• Original Assignee: Cornelia P.M. Westerburgen
• Inventors: Westerburgen, Joseph P. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Application Number:
  US06/928,399
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 52/590-595, 52/582, 52/585, 52/587, 446/122, 446/121, 446/128, 403/298
• US Class Current: 52/592.6
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/10 to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/0223 of cylindrical shape

Abstract

A generally rectangular building element has projections on the top surface and matching recesses on the bottom surface. Apertures are provided in the projections so that coupling pins can be used to lock together building elements that are assembled together.

Claims

1. A rectangular building element having a box-like shape and which is open at one side, a top of the building element being provided at an outside with projections and at an inner side with studs, which are arranged in such a way, that when the elements are stacked one upon the other, the studs of the one element are clamped between the projections of the other element, whereby the projections are provided with a central aperture, wherein the central aperture comprises a top round opening and walls which are locally widened allowing connection of both elements by means of a coupling-pin having a head at the one end and hook-like lugs at the other end and which in operative position rests with its head on a projection of the one element and snaps with its lugs in the widening of the central aperture of the projection of the other element and further characterized in that the locally widened walls of the central aperture have an undulated cross section with inwardly directed crests, the top of which constitute a local continuation of the top round opening of the central aperture.

2. Building element according to claim 1, characterized in that the studs are tubular and a distal end of said studs is locally narrowed by an inner collar.

7. Building element according to claim 1, characterized in that an outer surface of the projections is constituted by four curves surfaces, joined by a substantial flat wall portion.

8. Building element according to claim 7, characterized in that the studs have a circular cross-section, while the curved outer walls of the outer surfaces of the projections are arranged along a cylindrical or slightly conical plane, corresponding with the outer surface of the studs.

3. Rectangular building element, which at one side is provided with projections and at the other side with recesses, such that, by arranging two elements one upon each other, the projections of the one element fit into recesses of the other element and whereby the projections are provided with a central aperture, wherein the central aperture comprises a top round opening and walls which are locally widened allowing connection of both elements by means of a coupling-pin having a head at the one end and hook-like lugs at the other end and which in operative position rests with its head on a projection of the one element and snaps with its lugs in the widening of the central aperture of the projection of the other element and further characterized in that the locally widened walls of the central aperture have an undulated cross-section with inwardly directed crests, the top of which constitute a local continuation of the top round opening of the central aperture.

4. Building element according to claim 3, characterized in that the undulated wall of the central aperture is constituted by four curved surfaces, which form the inwardly directed crests and which are joined by a substantial flat wall portion.

5. Building element according to claim 4, characterized in that the flat wall portions are parallel to the upstanding sides of the element.

6. Building elements according to claim 3, including a connector pin, said pin having a head at the one end, and tongues separated by longitudinal slits at the other end, which tongues are provided at their outer ends with outwardly extending hooklike lugs with a flat upper surface which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin and wherein the head has the shape of a star confined by four curved surfaces connected by substantial flat surfaces.