US 2026/0306960 A1 · Shape-Shifting Cuboid Array Toy

Abstract

A construction toy system includes toy elements having bodies with openings and twist-lock interfaces, rods receivable through aligned openings of adjacent toy elements, and optional tenons and connector elements. The rods define pivot axes that permit adjacent toy elements to pivot relative to one another, while the twist-lock interfaces releasably connect selected toy elements by axial insertion and relative rotation to hold the selected toy elements in predetermined angular relationships. In some versions, square cuboid toy elements include side cavities for receiving tenons, and rectangular cuboid toy elements include end connection features and central twist-lock interfaces. The toy elements may be assembled into modules and larger structures that move between expanded and contracted configurations. By combining locked joints and pivoting joints in a single assembly, the system provides reconfigurable, shape-shifting toy structures.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A construction toy system comprising:

a plurality of toy elements, wherein at least some of the toy elements comprise respective bodies having a plurality of openings, at least some of the openings comprising mortises, corresponding cavities, and respective twist-lock interfaces;
a plurality of rods configured to fit into aligned openings of adjacent toy elements;
and
a plurality of tenons configured to be received in corresponding cavities of selected toy elements;
wherein the rods are configured to define pivot axes about which adjacent toy elements pivot relative to one another;
wherein the tenons are configured to connect selected toy elements together by insertion into the corresponding cavities;
and
wherein the twist-lock interfaces are configured to releasably connect selected toy elements together by axial insertion followed by relative rotation so as to hold the selected toy elements in predetermined angular relationships, such that the construction toy system provides pivoting joints, insertion joints, and locked joints within a same assembly.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shape-Shifting Cuboid Array Toy

Life of this patent

Shape-Shifting Cuboid Array Toy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19