Construction set having clip fasteners

A construction set for forming three-dimensional models comprising:

• (a) hollow joint elements having multiple elongate joint openings located therein;
• (b) elongate struts adapted for interconnecting two of said joint elements, each strut having a clip located at both ends, said clip being elongate in cross section in a manner for snug releasable joinder with the joint openings when properly aligned therewith;
• (c) the clips being elastically depressable for insertion into the joint openings, and having means for interlocking with the joint elements upon return to the relaxed positions when seated in the openings;
• and
• (d) locking means adapted for fitting snugly within said clips, coplanar with the openings in the joint elements preventing inward deflection of said clips, said locking means comprising:
• (1) a second clip having a medial slot located therein with paired prongs defining each side of said slot, having an overall transverse dimension slightly greater than the mating opening in the joint elements, the prongs being deflectable inwardly toward the slot;
• (2) inclined ramps located on the outside surface of the prongs, for facilitating inserting the prongs into the openings, and for causing the prongs to be deflected inwardly when they are inserted into the openings;
• and
• (3) an outwardly facing notch being located in each prong intermediate its ends arranged for engaging the joint element and permitting the prongs to return to the relaxed positions when the second clips are seated therein.

A construction set for forming three-dimensional models comprising:

• (a) hollow joint elements having multiple elongate joint openings located therein;
• (b) elongate struts adapted for interconnecting two of said joint elements, each strut having a clip located at both ends, said clip being elongate in cross section in a manner for snug releasable joinder with the joint openings when properly aligned therewith;
• (c) the clips being elastically depressable for insertion into the joint openings, having means for interlocking with the joint elements upon return to the relaxed positions when seated in the openings;
• and
• (d) panels configured for removable joinder between predetermined arrays of the struts, said panels including flexible tabs adapted for adjoining the panels to the struts, the tabs being integrally attached to the edges of the panels substantially perpendicularly thereto and having outer faces adapted to conform to the struts, and having notches located behind the tabs, arranged for nesting of the tabs when adjacent panels are adjoined to a common strut.