Connection surface for a structural unit

Abstract

A connection surface that is disposed on at least a portion of a face of a structural unit comprises a first convex surface and a first concave surface arranged substantially along a first line. The shape of the first concave surface is complementary to the shape of the first convex surface. A second convex surface and a second concave surface are arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line. The shape of the second concave surface is complementary to the shape of the second convex surface. The concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line, such that the second convex surface corresponds with the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds with the first convex surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connection surface disposed on at least one face of a structural unit, the connection surface comprising:
 a first convex surface and a first concave surface, the first convex surface and first concave surface being arranged substantially along a first line, the shape of the first concave surface being complementary to the shape of the first convex surface; and   a second convex surface and a second concave surface, the second convex surface and second concave surface being arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line, the shape of the second concave surface being complementary to the shape of the second convex surface;   wherein a concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line such that the second convex surface corresponds to the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds to the first convex surface.   
     
     
         2 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein a first axis extends between the first convex surface and the first concave surface and the first concave surface is substantially a reflection of the first convex surface about the first axis; and wherein the first axis extends between the second convex surface and the second concave surface and the second concave surface is substantially a reflection of the second convex surface about the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein the first concave surface is complementary to the shape of both the first and second convex surfaces and the second concave surface is also complementary to the shape of both the first and second convex surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The connection surface of  claim 3 ,
 wherein a first axis extends between the first convex surface and the first concave surface and the first concave surface is substantially a reflection of the first convex surface about the first axis; and wherein the first axis extends between the second convex surface and the second concave surface and the second concave surface is substantially a reflection of the second convex surface about the first axis; and   wherein a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis extends between the first convex surface and the second concave surface and the second concave surface is substantially a reflection of the first convex surface about the first axis; and wherein the second axis extends between the second convex surface and the first concave surface and the first concave surface is substantially a reflection of the second convex surface about the second axis.   
     
     
         5 . The connection surface of  claim 3 , wherein the first convex surface and the second concave surface are arranged substantially along a third line; the first concave surface and the second convex surface are arranged substantially along a fourth line; the third and fourth lines being substantially parallel; and the third and fourth lines being substantially perpendicular to the first and second lines. 
     
     
         6 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein the first and second convex surfaces and first and second concave surfaces each comprise at least one partial geometric solid. 
     
     
         7 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein the first and second convex surfaces and first and second concave surfaces each comprise irregular rock-like surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein the connection surface is an interior portion of the at least one face of the structural unit. 
     
     
         9 . The connection surface of  claim 1  wherein the first convex and first concave surfaces together define a first S profile, and wherein the second concave and second convex surfaces together define a second S profile that is symmetrical but reversed with respect to the first S profile. 
     
     
         10 . The connection surface of  claim 9  wherein the first convex and second concave surfaces together define a third S profile, and wherein the second concave and first convex surfaces together define a fourth S profile that is symmetrical but reversed with respect to the third S profile. 
     
     
         11 . A structural unit comprising:
 a plurality of faces;   at least one connection surface disposed on at least two of the plurality of surfaces;   wherein each connection surface comprises:   a first convex surface and a first concave surface, the first convex surface and first concave surface being arranged substantially along a first line, the shape of the first concave surface being complementary to the shape of the first convex surface; and   a second convex surface and a second concave surface, the second convex surface and second concave surface being arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line, the shape of the second concave surface being complementary to the shape of the second convex surface;   wherein a concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line such that the second convex surface corresponds to the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds to the first convex surface.   
     
     
         12 . The structural unit of  claim 11  wherein the unit has a first and opposite second face, each said face having a connection surface thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The structural unit of  claim 11  wherein
 the first convex and first concave surfaces together define a first S profile, and wherein the second concave and second convex surfaces together define a second S profile that is symmetrical but reversed with respect to the first S profile; and 
 wherein the first convex and second concave surfaces together define a third S profile, and wherein the second concave and first convex surfaces together define a fourth S profile that is symmetrical but reversed with respect to the third S profile. 
 
     
     
         14 . A structure comprising:
 a plurality of structural units including at least first and second structural units, each of the plurality of structural units comprising a plurality of faces including at least a first and second face, each of which having at least one connection surface;   wherein each connection surface comprises:   a first convex surface and a first concave surface, the first convex surface and first concave surface being arranged substantially along a first line, the shape of the first concave surface being complementary to the shape of the first convex surface; and   a second convex surface and a second concave surface, the second convex surface and second concave surface being arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line, the shape of the second concave surface being complementary to the shape of the second convex surface;   wherein a concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line such that the second convex surface corresponds to the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds to the first convex surface;   wherein connection surfaces of the first and second structural units are coupled such that the first and second concave surfaces of the connection surface of the first structural unit are at least partially receive the first and second convex surfaces of the connection surface of the second structural unit, and such that the first and second convex surfaces of the connection surface of the second structural unit at least partially receive the first and second convex surfaces of the connection surface of the first structural unit.   
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14  wherein a gap is defined between mating faces of the first and second structural units, and wherein the gap is at least partially filled with a resilient material.