User-configurable toy structure

A system for building a structure, comprising:

• (a) a base, wherein the base further includes at least one base panel, wherein the base panel is attachable to or detachable from other base panels, and wherein the base panel further includes a plurality of mounting apertures and a plurality of channels formed therein and a plurality of connectors formed thereon;
• (b) a plurality of vertical support members each having a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the bottom portion of each vertical support member is adapted to engage one of the plurality of mounting apertures formed in the base, and wherein the top portion of each vertical support member further includes a plurality of notches formed therein;
• (c) a plurality of transverse support members attachable to and mountable between the top portions of the vertical support members, wherein each of the plurality transverse support members further includes:
• (i) at least one protrusion formed on each end thereof for engaging the notches on the vertical support members;
• and
• (ii) a slot formed lengthwise therein;
• and
• (d) a plurality of substantially flat display panels each having top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each display panel is mountable within one of the lengthwise slots formed in the transverse support members, and wherein the bottom portion of each display panel is adapted to engage one of the channels formed in the base.

A method for assembling a structure, comprising:

• (a) providing a kit, wherein the kit further includes:
• (i) a base, wherein the base further includes at least one base panel, wherein the base panel is attachable to or detachable from other base panels, and wherein the base panel further includes a plurality of mounting apertures and a plurality of channels formed therein and a plurality of connectors formed thereon;
• (ii) a plurality of vertical support members each having a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the bottom portion of each vertical support member is adapted to engage one of the mounting apertures formed in the base, and wherein the top portion of each vertical support member further includes a plurality of notches formed therein;
• (iii) a plurality of transverse support members attachable to and mountable between the top portions of the vertical support members, wherein each of the plurality transverse support members further includes:
• a) at least one protrusion formed on each end thereof for engaging the notches on the vertical support members;
• and
• b) a slot formed lengthwise therein;
• and
• (iv) a plurality of substantially flat panels each having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each panel is mountable within one of the lengthwise slots formed in the transverse support members, and wherein the bottom portion of each panel in adapted to engage one of the channels formed in the base;
• and
• (b) inserting the vertical support members into the base;
• (c) inserting the transverse support members into the vertical support members;
• and
• (d) inserting the panels into the transverse support members and into the channels in the base.