Modular electro-mechanical agent

Abstract

A modular electro-mechanical agent having a plurality of modules including mechanical and electrical components, that can be constructed to complete at least one pre-determined task and/or contribute in performing the at least one pre-determined task. The electro-mechanical agent can include extension modules and can be altered as per user preference to add, eliminate or modify any features of the agent for completing and/or participating in a plurality of pre-determined tasks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Method of making a kit for constructing an electro-mechanical agent configured to achieve a task, said method comprising:
 providing a rail structure having a surface having a slot pattern configured to receive a fastener;   providing a unit comprising the rail structure and defining a support structure for a module;   providing an adapter configured to connect the module with another module and having an adapter hole pattern distributed over an engagement surface of the module and having a principal aperture configured to receive a shaft;   providing a controller configured to receive a command and control the module based on the command; and   providing a power source configured to provide power to the controller and the module;   wherein the electro-mechanical agent is configured to include the unit.   
     
     
         22 . Method of  claim 21  further comprising providing a connector configured to operably couple the unit to the module. 
     
     
         23 . Method of  claim 22  wherein the connector comprises a variable angle connector having a semi-circular aperture configured to accommodate variable angle connections and a complementing aperture. 
     
     
         24 . Method of  claim 22  wherein the connector comprises an indexable connector comprising:
 a first piece having a first splined surface, an opposite planar surface and an aperture configured to receive a fastener; and 
 a second piece configured to engage with the first piece and comprising a top portion having a hole pattern and a bottom portion having a slot and a second splined surface configured to complementarily mate with a first threaded surface. 
 
     
     
         25 . Method of  claim 22  wherein the connector comprises a servo motor connector having an embedded cavity configured to receive a servo motor and comprising a frame configured to house the servo motor and having peripheral apertures along a periphery of the frame configured to accommodate the servo motor, an alignment nub and a connecting aperture associated with the alignment nub. 
     
     
         26 . Method of  claim 22  wherein the connector comprises a variable angle connector comprising:
 a first portion having a semi-circular aperture and a complementing aperture; and 
 a second portion having a connecting aperture associated with an alignment nub. 
 
     
     
         27 . Method of  claim 22  wherein the connector comprises a plate having:
 a pattern of dimples configured to enable drilling a mounting point on the plate; and 
 two converging slots, each having an opening where the two converging slots intersect. 
 
     
     
         28 . Method of  claim 21  wherein the module has a module hole pattern configured to enable compatibility with another module and comprises a hex shaft configured to enable connectivity with the another module. 
     
     
         29 . Method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 providing a gear motor enclosure configured to accommodate multiple gear configurations and comprising a gear aligning element configured to align a principal gear and a conditional gear having geared teeth; 
 wherein:
 the gear aligning element comprises a terminal disc configured to be engaged by an elongated bar; and 
 the geared teeth are configured to extend away from the elongated bar. 
 
 
     
     
         30 . Method of  claim 29  wherein the terminal disc comprises an aligning nub. 
     
     
         31 . Method of making a kit for constructing an electro-mechanical agent configured to achieve a task, the method comprising:
 providing a rail structure having a surface having a slot pattern configured to receive a fastener;   providing a unit comprising the rail structure and defining a support structure for a module;   providing a connector configured to operably couple the unit and the module, wherein the connector has a first surface having a protrusion configured to operably couple with four surfaces in the slot pattern, and a second surface having a hole configured to receive the fastener and operably couple with a portion of the module;   providing a printed circuit board comprising an electrostatic discharge suppression point and a diversion diode configured to capture electrostatic discharge and send the electrostatic discharge to the electrostatic discharge suppression point;   providing a controller configured to receive a command, control the module based on the command, and execute on the printed circuit board; and   providing a power source configured to provide power to the controller and the module;   wherein the electro-mechanical agent comprises the unit.   
     
     
         32 . Method of  claim 31  wherein the rail structure has an extrusion. 
     
     
         33 . Method of  claim 31  wherein the connector comprises an indexable connector comprising:
 a first piece having:
 a first splined surface and an opposite planar surface; and 
 a fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener; 
 
 a second piece configured to engage with the first piece and comprising:
 a top portion having a hole pattern; and 
 a bottom portion having a slot and a second splined surface configured to complementarily mate with a first threaded surface. 
 
 
     
     
         34 . Method of  claim 33  wherein the connector comprises a servo motor connector having an embedded cavity configured to receive a servo motor, and a frame within the embedded cavity configured to house the servo motor and having peripheral apertures along a periphery of the frame configured to accommodate the servo motor, an alignment nub and a connecting alignment aperture associated with the alignment nub. 
     
     
         35 . Method of  claim 31  wherein the connector comprises a variable angle connector that comprises:
 a first portion having a semi-circular aperture and a complementing aperture; and 
 a second portion having a connecting aperture associated with an alignment nub. 
 
     
     
         36 . Method of  claim 31  wherein the connector comprises a plate having:
 a pattern of dimples configured to enable drilling of a mounting point on the plate; and 
 two converging slots, each having an opening at an intersection of the two converging slots. 
 
     
     
         37 . Method of making a modular construction kit comprising:
 providing a base having an extrusion;   providing a component comprising:
 a mechanical component attached to the base by a first connector comprising an indexable bracket; 
 an electrical component attached to the base by a second connector; and 
 a controller enclosure attached to the base by a third connector, the controller enclosure comprising a communications system and a controller module; and 
   providing an adapter configured to interconnect the mechanical component and another mechanical component, and having an adapter hole pattern configured to facilitate interconnection distributed over an engagement surface of the mechanical component and having a principal aperture configured to receive a shaft;   wherein the controller module is configured to direct the electrical component to move the mechanical component according to a command received by the communications system.   
     
     
         38 . Method of  claim 37  further comprising providing an indexable connector comprising:
 a first piece having:
 a first splined surface and an opposite planar surface; and 
 an aperture configured to receive a fastener; and 
 
 a second piece configured to engage with the first piece and comprising:
 a top portion having a hole pattern; and 
 a bottom portion having a slot and a second splined surface configured to complementarily mate with a first threaded surface. 
 
 
     
     
         39 . Method of  claim 37  further comprising providing a sensor enclosure attached to the base by a fourth connector and comprising a sensor configured to sense an environment around the modular construction kit. 
     
     
         40 . Method of  claim 37  further comprising providing a shaft collar configured to attach the mechanical component to the base and comprising:
 a first part having a head region and a body; and 
 a second part comprising a locking fixture configured to engage the body, wherein the body has a cantilever crenellation protruding from the head region and the locking fixture comprises a ring configured to engage the cantilever crenellation.