초록 ▼

A bracket is for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure. The plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket. The bracket comprises at least two fo

A bracket is for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure. The plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket. The bracket comprises at least two foot portions for being coupled to respective plates. Each foot portion comprises a gripper element for being inserted into the hole of the plate and a linking member connecting the at least two foot portions and establishing a predefined fixed distance and a predefined fixed relative orientation between said foot portions. The gripper element is configured for enlarging a diameter in at least one direction in a plane parallel to the plate to obtain a friction coupling between the bracket and the plate or between the bracket and a further bracket provided from another side of the respective plate, when activated in operational use, and for reducing the diameter of the gripper element in a first direction of the plane parallel to the plate to release the bracket from the plate, when deactivated in operational use.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bracket for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure, wherein the plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket, wherein the bracket comprises

1. A bracket for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure, wherein the plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket, wherein the bracket comprises: at least two foot portions for being coupled to respective plates, wherein each foot portion comprises a gripper element for being inserted into the hole of the plate anda linking member connecting the at least two foot portions and establishing a predefined fixed distance and a predefined fixed relative orientation between said foot portions,wherein the gripper element is configured for enlarging a diameter in at least one direction in a plane parallel to the plate to obtain a friction coupling between the bracket and the plate or between the bracket and a further bracket provided from another side of the respective plate, when activated in operational use, and for reducing the diameter of the gripper element in a first direction of the plane parallel to the plate to release the bracket from the plate, when deactivated in operational use;wherein each foot portion comprises a protrusion element extending substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction within the plane parallel to the plate, wherein the protrusion element comprises a recess having inner walls for receiving a respective gripper element of a respective similar foot portion of a further bracket. 2. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket has a single configuration for the gripper element and the protrusion element such that it may grip into a further configuration of a respective gripper element and a respective protrusion element of a further bracket similar to itself. 3. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper element comprises at least two arms spaced apart and mechanically coupled with each other with a connecting member, each arm having a respective outer wall that is at least partially movable or rotatable in an outward and inward direction, respectively. 4. The bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arms are each coupled to the connecting member via a respective pivot point, wherein said outward rotation or moving of said respective arms around the respective pivot points starting from a respective release position, causes the enlarging of the diameter of the gripper element. 5. The bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket further comprises an expansion member, with a tapered surface, wherein said outward rotation or moving of said arms is effected by pressing the expansion member in between said arms towards the connecting member when the bracket is activated in operational use. 6. The bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein each arm comprises a respective activation member for forcing a rotation of the respective arm around the respective pivot point, wherein said outward rotation of said arms is effected by pressing said activation member in the direction of the connecting member for pivoting the respective arms around their respective pivot points when the bracket is activated in operational use. 7. The bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein a linking rod and a lever acting upon said linking rod for effecting said pressing when the bracket is activated in operational use. 8. The bracket as claimed claim 1, comprising an elastic member for bringing the bracket in a respective release position when the bracket is deactivated in operational use. 9. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper element comprises a toothed surface on the outer walls to increase the friction between the gripper element and the plate or between the gripper element and the further bracket. 10. The bracket as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protrusion element comprises a further toothed surface on the inner walls defining the recess, wherein the further toothed surface is configured for receiving the toothed surface of the gripper element when the bracket is activated in operational use. 11. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises two foot portions that are connected by the linking member for establishing a respective right angle between said foot portions to form an edge bracket for establishing a further respective right angle between said two plates. 12. The bracket as claimed in claim 11, wherein said foot portions are configured such that, when the bracket is rotated over 180 degrees with respect to a virtual axis which divides the respective right angle in two equal angles of 45 degrees, the configuration of the respective gripper element and the respective protrusion element is rotated over 90 degrees, wherein the configuration of each respective foot portion is such that the respective gripper element and the respective protrusion element extend in orthogonal and parallel directions only with respect to the respective direction in which the respective foot portion extends. 13. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises three foot portions that are connected by the linking member for establishing a respective right angle between said foot portions to form a corner bracket for establishing further respective right angles between pairs of said three plates. 14. The bracket as claimed in claim 13, wherein said foot portions are configured such that, when the bracket is rotated over 120 degrees with respect to a virtual axis which divides the respective right angles in two equal angles of 45 degrees, the configuration of the respective gripper element and the respective protrusion element remains the same, wherein the configuration of each respective foot portion is such that the respective gripper element and the respective protrusion element extend in a direction making a 45 degrees angle with respect to the respective direction in which the respective foot portion extends. 15. A modular construction system comprising at least two plates which are mechanically coupled in a releasable manner with a bracket for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure, wherein the plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket, wherein the bracket comprises: at least two foot portions for being coupled to respective plates, wherein each foot portion comprises a gripper element for being inserted into the hole of the plate anda linking member connecting the at least two foot portions and establishing a predefined fixed distance and a predefined fixed relative orientation between said foot portions,wherein the gripper element is configured for enlarging a diameter in at least one direction in a plane parallel to the plate to obtain a friction coupling between the bracket and the plate or between the bracket and a further bracket provided from another side of the respective plate, when activated in operational use, and for reducing the diameter of the gripper element in a first direction of the plane parallel to the plate to release the bracket from the plate, when deactivated in operational use;wherein each foot portion comprises a protrusion element extending substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction within the plane parallel to the plate, wherein the protrusion element comprises a recess having inner walls for receiving a respective gripper element of a respective similar foot portion of a further bracket.