Abstract: A reconfigurable walking toy which may be operated by turning a control knob which activates a gear mechanism within the toy used to move the leg members of the toy in order to simulate a walking action. The toy has two leg members, each having upper and lower leg members. The two upper leg members are rotatably engaged to a hollow body. Each of the two lower leg members is rotatably engaged to one of the upper leg members. The toy is supported by foot members which rotatably engage the bottom ends of the lower leg members. The gear mechanism features two sector gears which are rotatably mounted to the hollow body of the toy. The sector gears are driven by a pinion gear attached to a gear shaft. A control knob is used to rotate the shaft. Rotation of the knob back and forth causes one leg member to stride forward followed by the other leg member, simulating a walking movement of the toy.

Abstract: There are disclosed basic construction elements for forming toy modular units. The elements consist of polygonal shaped structural connecting members (10) into which the corners or one three sided opening of floor panels (14) may be inserted and held. Supporting members or columns (12) are inserted into circular openings (22) formed in the connecting members to hold the floor panels to the connecting members and to support connecting members and further floor members so as to form open modular structures (16). The structures may be easily put together by a child user, and are safe because the construction prevents children from climbing on them since the easily taken apart elements are fitted together in such a manner that a predetermined load applied to the top of an assembled structure will cause it to break apart.