Techniques for constructing themed rockwork structures

Abstract

A rockwork system includes a support structure comprising a plurality of modular construction blocks. The plurality of modular construction blocks includes at least one terminal modular construction block forming an exterior face of the support structure, and the at least one terminal modular construction block includes a first coupler in a first coupler active configuration. The support structure also includes at least one additional modular construction block coupled to the at least one terminal modular construction block, and the at least one additional modular construction block includes a second coupler in a second coupler inactive configuration. The rockwork system also includes at least one exterior shaped piece comprising a mesh support, and the at least one exterior shaped piece is disposed at least partially around the support structure and is coupled to the first coupler of the at least one terminal modular construction block via a complementary coupler.

1 . A rockwork system, comprising:
 a support structure comprising:
 a plurality of modular construction blocks comprising at least one terminal modular construction block forming an exterior face of the support structure, the at least one terminal modular construction block comprising a first coupler in a first coupler active configuration; and at least one additional modular construction block coupled to the at least one terminal modular construction block, the at least one additional modular construction block comprising a second coupler in a second coupler inactive configuration; and 
   at least one exterior shaped piece comprising a mesh support, wherein the at least one exterior shaped piece is disposed at least partially around the support structure and is coupled to the first coupler of the at least one terminal modular construction block via a complementary coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one terminal modular construction block and/or the at least one additional modular construction block comprises a shape selected from a set of three-dimensional shapes. 
     
     
         3 . The rockwork system of  claim 2 , wherein the set of three-dimensional shapes comprises at least cubes, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, cylinders, cones, or pyramids. 
     
     
         4 . The rockwork system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one additional modular construction block comprises a first modular construction block and a second modular construction block having a same shape and size relative to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the second coupler is recessed in the second coupler inactive configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler is configured to transition from the first coupler active configuration to a first coupler inactive configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler is configured to articulate with respect to the at least one modular construction block. 
     
     
         8 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the second coupler is configured to transition from the second coupler inactive configuration to a second coupler active configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the second coupler is configured to protrude from the at least one additional modular construction block in a second coupler active configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first coupler or at least a portion of the second coupler is configured to transition between a first position or orientation and a second position or orientation. 
     
     
         11 . The rockwork system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modular construction blocks is coupled together via welding and/or fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . A rockwork structure, comprising:
 at least one modular construction block comprising at least one coupler; and   an exterior shaped piece comprising a mesh support disposed around the at least one modular construction block, wherein the exterior shaped piece comprises:
 a mesh support; 
 a filler material disposed within the mesh support; and 
 at least one complementary coupler extending from the mesh support and coupled to at least one modular construction block via coupling the at least one complementary coupler to the at least one coupler. 
   
     
     
         13 . The rockwork structure of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one modular construction block comprises a rail assembly coupled to the at least one coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The rockwork structure of  claim 13 , wherein at least one end of the at least one coupler is configured to translate along the rail assembly to adjust a position of at least one coupler relative to the at least one modular construction block. 
     
     
         15 . The rockwork structure of  claim 12 , wherein the filler material comprises concrete, the mesh support comprises metal wiring, and the at least one complementary coupler is affixed to the metal wiring. 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing rockwork, comprising:
 forming a support structure, the support structure comprising at least one modular construction block, the modular construction block comprising at least one or more couplers;   activating the one or more couplers of the at least one modular construction block; and   coupling an exterior shaped piece to the at least one modular construction block via the one or more activated couplers, wherein:
 the exterior shaped piece comprises a mesh support and one or more complementary couplers; and 
 the exterior shaped piece is disposed at least partially around the support structure. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 adjusting a position or orientation of at least one portion of at least one coupler of the one or more couplers relative to the support structure to couple the at least one coupler to at least one complementary coupler of the one or more complementary couplers.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 wherein adjusting a position or orientation of the at least one portion comprises extending or sliding the at least one portion along a rail assembly towards the at least one complementary coupler of the one or more complementary couplers.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein adjusting a position or orientation comprises rotating the at least one portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one coupler is coupled to a ball joint.