Education and demonstration – Science – Molecular model or display having discrete element...
Patent
1985-11-08
1986-11-11
Skogquist, Harland S.
Education and demonstration
Science
Molecular model or display having discrete element...
G09B 2326
Patent
active
046220143
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to scientific appliances and educational aids, and more particularly it relates to a three-dimensional model of a molecular structure.
PRIOR ART
Three-dimensional models of molecular structures in the form of spheres with cutaway surfaces, connectable to one another by means of attachment units, offer obvious advantages over so-called skeleton models in the form of bars connectable at various angles. The dense consistency of the modules ensures that in modeling various conformation states of a molecular structure with the use of three-dimensional modules, proper ratios of Van der Waals' and covalent radii are retained. The intimate contacts of the spheres along the intersection surfaces enables these models to retain the inherent capacity of modeling valence angles and directions of imitated chemical bonds.
There is known a three-dimensional model of a molecular structure, comprising solid plastic modules with cylindrical openings for affixing these modules. The connecting members in the form of rods have projections or lugs, and complementing recesses are provided in the surfaces of the openings (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,452; Cl. 35-18, dated 1969). The openings in these modules have relatively sharp edges which do not provide for snug fitting of the rods. Furthermore, these models are unsuitable for studies with the use of X-rays as the latter easily penetrate the plastic.
There is further known a three-dimensional model of a molecular structure, comprising plastic modules representing each one atom of the molecular structure being modeled. The modules are shaped as spheres, semispheres, ellipsoids or polyhedrons wherein parts of the surfaces may be cut away. The elements interconnecting the modules, receivable in the sockets of the model, have surfaces of the same shape as the sockets. Thus, they may be shaped as two truncated cones interconnected by their larger bases. The peripheral surface of the cones is provided with grooves adapted to engage behind stepped lugs in the sockets of the modules when the latter are interconnected (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,246; Cl. 35-18, dated 1965). The connecting rods may alternatively be of a cylindrical shape.
However, these models are likewise unsuitable for studies with the use of X-rays, as both the modules and their connecting rods are made of plastics easily penetrated by X-rays, which means that a model cannot be employed for precise determination of the atomic coordinates, or else for comparison with electronic densitograms for quantitative evaluations.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The object of the invention is to create a three-dimensional model of a molecular structure which should provide for its employment for making X-ray photographs.
This object is attained in a three-dimensional model of a molecular structure, comprising plastic modules imitating each one atom of the molecular structure being modeled, interconnected by connecting members of a cylindrical shape, receivable in the sockets of each module, the shape of these sockets complementing the shape of the connecting member, in which model, in accordance with the invention, each plastic module has arranged centrally thereof an element shaped as a sphere or a part of a sphere, and each connecting member includes an insert extending axially thereof, the spherically-shaped element and the insert being made of an X-ray contrast material to produce on an X-ray photograph of the model the images of the centres of the plastic modules and representation of the chemical bonds of the modeled molecular structure.
SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further described in connection with embodiments thereof, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a part of a three-dimensional module embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a partly sectional perspective view of a module of a three-dimensional model embodying the invention;
FIG. 3 is a partly sectional view of a connecting member of a three-dime
REFERENCES:
patent: 3091870 (1963-06-01), Sangster
patent: 3183608 (1965-05-01), Jierree
Skogquist Harland S.
Tartusky Gosudarstvenny Universitet
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