Abstract: Connectors for joining a ball element having multiple facets, each facet defining a joint opening, to a toy brick include at least two projections in spaced relationship with each other mounted on a base. The projections are in releasable frictional engagement with the joint opening. A female connector frictionally engages with a male face of a brick. The female connector includes a set of four prongs, each having gripping sides, projecting symmetrically outward from the base. Adjacent gripping sides of adjacent prongs frictionally grip cylindrical protrusions of the male face. A male connector may join with a brick having a female face with symmetrically arranged gripping surfaces. The male connector frictionally engages a female side of a brick. The male connector includes a set of four prongs, projecting symmetrically downward from the base. Each of the prongs has exterior gripping surfaces for frictionally engaging gripping surfaces of the female face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire arranged to circumscribe a spheroidal construction set joint element of the type having multiple facets located around its periphery each having a joint opening located therein. A portion of the facets circumscribe the joint element around a diametric axis and are arranged in a particularly defined pattern. The tire comprises an annular rim having a width slightly greater than the facets and is fabricated from a yieldable material so that it can be easily stretched for installation onto the joint element. The inner side of the tire includes a plurality of planar engaging surfaces, each having substantially the same shape as the joint element facets, arranged in the same pattern as the circumscribing facets. Accordingly, when the tire is placed over the joint element, the engaging surfaces mate with the facets to prevent rotation of the tire relative to the joint element.

Abstract: A close coupling strut for interconnecting multi-faceted joint elements is comprised of paired oppositely-facing, in line, elastically compressible clips which are separated and joined together by an intermediate bridge. The bridge is configured to separate the clips, which snap fit into mating joint openings located in the facets of the joint elements, and to release the clips for removal from the joint openings upon application of squeezing pressure thereon. Extension means are attached to each side of the bridge and extend outwardly thereof beyond the joined facets of the joint elements to facilitate squeezing of the bridge means when the user's fingers cannot be inserted between the closely spaced joint elements. Each clip has a V-shaped tip with ends that are separated by an overall transverse dimension which is greater than the height of the opening in the joint elements, and the bridge means has an overall transverse height approximately equal to the height of the joint openings.

Abstract: A construction set is comprised of a plurality of hollow 26 faceted joint elements with the facets being arranged in a selected orientation and having an opening, located in each facet, which is configured for receiving an elongate strut for interconnecting a plurality of the joint elements to form a three-dimensional framework. The struts have clip fasteners at each end adapted for snap fitting engagement within the openings such that they are not separable merely by application of tensile force to the struts; and locking means are provided for preventing inadvertent disengagement of the struts from the joints.Due to the particular geometrical configuration of the joint elements, the openings and the clip fasteners both are elongate in order to provide maximum clip strength without sacrificing the structural integrity of the joint elements.