US 2019/0160390 A1Published application

Spacing Connector for Toy Construction Set

AssigneeBasic Fun, Inc.

InventorsHeather Croston, Cory Ryan Mindler

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Abstract

A spacing connector for a rod and connector type construction toy set enabling rod and connector assemblies of known types to be joined in a new manner, spaced laterally one from the other and, if desired, rotatable with respect to each other. The new spacing connectors connect at ninety degrees to each of a pair of standard K'NEX connectors and enable the standard connectors to be joined in parallel relation. The spacing connectors have, at opposite ends, positioning elements engageable with central hubs of the standard connectors, and anti-rotation elements engageable with openings formed in the standard connectors in surrounding relation to their hubs. The spacing connectors frictionally engage with the standard connectors to secure the assembled relationship. The hub-engaging positioning elements have an axial length not more than one-half the thickness of a standard connector, enabling spacing connectors to be inserted simultaneously from both sides of a standard connector.

A spacing connector for a rod and connector construction toy set, where the construction toy set includes a plurality of rod elements and a plurality of connector elements and where said connector elements comprise a hub having a cylindrical opening extending axially through the connector element and defining a hub axis, each of said connector elements having a plurality of rod-receiving sockets disposed in a radially spaced array about said hub with axes of the respective rod-receiving sockets being disposed in a common plane, arrayed at a 45 degree angle to each other and intersecting with said hub axis, said connector element further defining a transverse opening associated with each rod-receiving socket, positioned between a radially inner end of the socket and said hub and extending from one side to the other of said connector element, and said connector element being of flat configuration defined by flat, parallel opposite sides and of predetermined thickness corresponding to a diameter of said rod elements, said spacing connector comprising

a body having a body axis and first and second end surfaces facing in opposite axial directions with on said body axis,
first and second positioning elements projecting axially outward from the respective first and second end surfaces along said body axis, said positioning elements being of a size and shape to have a frictionally gripped fit within the cylindrical opening of a connector element hub,
said positioning elements having an axial length, projecting from said end surfaces, of approximately one-half, but not more than one-half, the thickness of a connector element, such that positioning elements of a pair of spacing connectors can inserted into the same connector element hub from opposite sides thereof,
at least one anti-rotation element extending from each of the end surfaces of said spacing connector, spaced radially a predetermined distance from and extending parallel to said body axis,
said predetermined distance corresponding to the radial distance from the hub axis of said connector element to a transverse opening in said connector element, and
said at least one anti-rotation element being configured for frictional engagement within a transverse opening of a connector element.

3 more elements

Abstract

Claims13