Projectile firing building element

A toy construction system comprising:

• a projectile comprising a linear portion having a first end and a second end, and an engagement portion at the first end;
• a base comprising a clamp and a pivot point, the base defining a first opening that receives the second end of the linear portion of the projectile and a second opening that provides access to the second end of the linear portion, and the clamp retaining a portion of the projectile;
• a first actuator removably coupled to the pivot point, the first actuator configured to cause release of the projectile from the clamp in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the linear portion when force is applied to the first actuator in a direction that is different from the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the linear portion;
• and
• a second actuator configured to cause release of the projectile from the clamp when force is applied to the second end of the linear portion of the projectile.

A device comprising:

• a projectile comprising a linear portion that extends along a longitudinal axis, and a flat face and a post that extend radially from the longitudinal axis;
• a base comprising a coupling stud, a coupling recess, a pivot point, and a clamp, the base defining an opening in one side that receives the linear portion of the projectile, and the clamp retaining the linear portion of the projectile in the base;
• and
• an actuator coupled to the base at the pivot point, the actuator comprising a wall portion and a trigger portion, the wall portion being disposed between the flat face of the projectile and the side of the base that defines the opening,
• wherein applying force to the trigger portion of the actuator in a first direction causes movement of the flat face of the projectile in a second direction, distinct from the first direction, and releases the projectile from a frictional engagement.

A toy construction system comprising:

• a plurality of interconnectible building elements;
• and
• a toy assembly configured to connect to at least one of the interconnectible building elements, the toy assembly comprising:
• a projectile comprising a linear portion and an engagement portion;
• a base comprising a pivot point and defining an opening that receives the linear portion of the projectile, the base retaining the projectile in a frictional engagement;
• and
• an actuator comprising a trigger portion, the actuator coupled to the base at the pivot point,
• wherein applying force to the trigger portion of the actuator in a first direction causes movement of the engagement portion of the projectile in a second direction, distinct from the first direction, and releases the projectile from the frictional engagement.

A toy assembly comprising:

• a projectile comprising:
• a linear portion that extends along a longitudinal axis, the linear portion comprising a first end and a second end, and
• a post that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis at the first end;
• and
• a base defining an opening that receives the linear portion, and the base comprising a clamp extending outward from a surface of the base, the clamp receiving the post that extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis, wherein
• the projectile is released from the base in response to a force applied directly to the second end of the linear portion.