US 5,350,331 A · Construction toy system

Abstract

A construction toy is disclosed, which includes as principle components a connector having one or more gripping sockets, and rod-like structural elements having end portions specially configured to be received in the gripping sockets. The gripping sockets are comprised of pairs of gripping arms, formed of deflectable plastic material. Outer portions of the gripping arms are provided with specially contoured surfaces adapted for the lateral, snap-in assembly of a structural element having complimentary surface portions. The gripping arms and struts are provided mutually interengaging surfaces arranged to interlockingly mate to secure the parts in a coherent assembly. The novel arrangement of gripping socket and structural element allows lateral snap-in assembly of the struts with the connector elements, with the assembled elements being secured against both lateral and axial disassembly. The structural elements are also provided with portions of noncircular cross section, enabling them to be snapped into the gripping recesses and fixedly retained therein in an orientation 90.degree. to the normal orientation.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A construction toy system of the type comprising

(a) a connector element molded of resilient plastic material,
(b) a rod-like strut element formed of plastic material and removably joinable with said connector element to form a coherent structure,
(c) said strut element having a strut axis and having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion aligned on said strut axis,
(d) said connector element including a socket-forming section defining a socket having an open end and at least one open side,
(e) said socket-forming section comprising a pair of gripping arms and gripping surfaces symmetrically arranged with respect to and defining a single predetermined socket axis,
(f) said strut element having an end portion receivable between said gripping arms by lateral snap-in entry through said open side, in a direction transverse to said strut axis, with said gripping arms being resiliently deflectable to accommodate said entry,
(g) said gripping arms and said strut end portion having mutually engageable gripping surfaces operative, upon said gripping arms resiliently gripping said end portion from opposite sides, to maintain said strut axis and said single predetermined socket axis in substantially coincident alignment.

4 more elements

A construction toy system of the type comprising a plurality of connector elements and rod-like strut elements formed of molded plastic material and removably joinable with other elements to form a coherent structure, wherein at least one of the connector elements comprises

(a) a socket-forming section disposed on a predetermined defined socket axis and having at least one open side,
(b) said socket-forming section comprising a pair of spaced-apart gripping arms symmetrically arranged with respect to said socket axis and defining said socket axis,
(c) said gripping arms having gripping surfaces engageable with a strut element for releasably but firmly holding a strut element aligned with said socket axis,
(d) cooperating interlock surfaces formed in said socket-forming section and said strut element adapted to releasably but firmly hold a strut element, engaged by said gripping surfaces, in a predetermined axial position along said socket axis,
and wherein at least one of said strut elements comprises
(e) an elongated rod-like member formed with opposite end portions and intermediate portions integrally joining said end portions,
(f) said opposite end portions being provided with grippable first surfaces for engagement with said gripping surfaces, whereby a strut element is held in coaxial alignment with said defined socket axis, and with engageable second surfaces for engagement with said interlock surfaces, whereby a strut element is held in predetermined axial position on said defined socket axis,
(g) each pair of gripping arms defining between them an open-sided, socket co-axial with said defined socket axis, and
(h) said arms being resiliently deflectable to accommodate lateral snap-in reception of an end portion of a strut element from an open side of said socket forming section, in a direction transverse to said socket axis, whereby said strut element is firmly placed and positioned in fixed relation to said socket-forming section,
(i) said connector element including a hub portion having an axis intersecting with and disposed at right angles to said defined socket axis,
(j) said hub portion being defined by a cylindrical wall,
(k) at least two spaced-apart, spoke-like elements integrally joining said gripping arms with said cylindrical wall,
(l) end wall forming means integrally joined with said gripping arms adjacent the regions of connection thereof with said spoke-like elements, and
(m) said end wall forming means defining an inner end wall of said socket-forming section.

11 more elements

(a) a socket-forming section disposed on a predetermined defined socket axis and having at least one open side,
(b) said socket-forming section comprising a pair of spaced-apart gripping arms symmetrically arranged with respect to said socket axis and defining said socket axis,
(c) said gripping arms having gripping surfaces engageable with a strut element for releasably but firmly holding a strut element aligned with said socket axis,
(d) cooperating interlock surfaces formed in said socket-forming section and said strut element adapted to releasably but firmly hold a strut element, engaged by said gripping surfaces, in a predetermined axial position along said socket axis,
and wherein at least one of said strut elements comprises
(e) an elongated rod-like member formed with opposite end portions and intermediate portions integrally joining said end portions,
(f) said opposite end portions being provided with grippable first surfaces for engagement with said gripping surfaces, whereby a strut element is held in coaxial alignment with said defined socket axis, and with engageable second surfaces for engagement with said interlock surfaces, whereby a strut element is held in predetermined axial position on said defined socket axis,
(g) each pair of gripping arms defining between them an open-sided, socket co-axial with said defined socket axis, and
(h) said arms being resiliently deflectable to accommodate lateral snap-in reception of an end portion of a strut element from an open side of said socket forming section, in a direction transverse to said socket axis, whereby said strut element is firmly placed and positioned in fixed relation to said socket-forming section,
(i) said strut element having an intermediate portion of generally uniform cross section and formed with longitudinally extending socket engaging elements, and
(j) said socket-forming section being provided with contact surfaces for engagement with said longitudinally extending socket engaging elements when said strut is oriented at right angles to said socket axis and positioned between said gripping arms.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Construction toy system

Life of this patent

Construction toy system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12