Abstract: A system may include at least one multipurpose container with a bottle portion and a cap portion, and the bottle portion may include a bottle wall about the interior and forming an outer surface. The outer surface may have primary faces configured to permit vertical stacking of the container on another container in a stack of containers, and secondary faces. Alignment features may facilitate alignment of the bottle portions in a stack of containers, and at least a pair of the alignment features may be located on the primary faces. The alignment features may include at least one aligning lug located on and protruding from the first primary face and at least one aligning recess located on and depressed into the second primary face to removably receive the at least one aligning lug of a said container in the stack of containers.

Abstract: A decorative toy for fusible toy bead includes a bead engagement portion. The bead engagement portion includes a protrusion, a groove or a hole having a width dimension which is set in accordance with a maximum dimension of fusible toy beads, and is configured to be engageable with an aggregation of the fusible toy beads.

Abstract: A system of interlocking smart bricks includes a shell having at least one raised protrusion and at least one hole. A plurality of sensors is disposed within the shell. Each sensor is configured to detect a proximity of additional smart bricks. A processor receives proximity detection data from the plurality of sensors. A radio transmitter transmits the proximity detection data to a host device. The host device receives the proximity detection data, determines an arrangement of the shell therefrom, compares the determined arrangement of the shell with a known target arrangement, determines a degree of match between the arrangement of the shell and the known target arrangement based on the comparison, and authenticates a user to one of a plurality of authentication levels based on the degree of match.

Abstract: A dovetailed building block includes a block body having a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces are constructed in an order of having a side surface with a dovetailed recess next to another surface with a dovetailed projection. The dovetailed projection of one said block body can engage the corresponding dovetailed recess of another said block body in a 90-degree cross manner. Thereupon, while in stacking a plurality of the block bodies, variety of secured and stable three-dimensional curved configuration can be built through angular engagement of one dovetailed projection of one block body and another dovetailed recess of another block body.

Abstract: A decorative and connectable display arrangement that includes a housing of multi-sided form having opposed first and second sides and a bottom, an inner support frame that is disposed within the housing and including a cap member having an open top port, and at least one decorative member that is supported within the housing and extends upwardly through the open top port. The decorative member includes a base piece that is pivotally supported in the housing and a stem piece extending from the base piece and extending through the open top port. A solar energy source or panel is supported in the inner support frame and is effective for driving the at least one decorative member in a predetermined motion direction. The housing has 3 on opposed sides thereof an interlock tongue and groove mechanism that enables adjacent ones of the housings to be engaged together.

Abstract: A construction toy set with multiple construction elements, the construction elements having a generally wafer shaped element body with one or more internal receiver passages extending through the element body, the receiver passages having one or more receiver tracks extending laterally across the receiver passage, the element body having one or more element keys protruding laterally from the element body, element key dimensioning providing for insertion of an element key of a first construction element in a receiver track of a second construction element and for slidable mating of the element key of the first construction element with the receiver track of the second construction element.

Abstract: A toy assembling apparatus is disclosed. The toy assembling apparatus includes at least one connector, and each connector having at least one of a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion includes a connection plate and a connection pillar disposed on the connection plate. The second connecting portion includes a left side board, a right side board, a back side board, a bottom board, and a top board, which jointly form a containing slot for inserting the first connecting portion. The containing slot includes a plate slot for containing the connection plate and a pillar slot for containing the connection pillar. Limit grooves or limit protrudes are formed on the connection pillar. The pillar slot has protrudes or grooves formed thereon correspondingly. The limit grooves match the limit protrudes, such that the first connecting portion matches the second connecting portion of another connector tightly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exterior wall for tilt-up construction comprising: (a) a fascia wythe; (b) a structural wythe; (c) a layer of insulating material disposed between the fascia wythe and the structural wythe; and (d) a thermal break in contact with at least the structural wythe, the thermal break comprising an elongate body comprising one or more thermal insulating materials, a first surface suitable for mounting a fixture, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first contacting surface, and a second contacting surface opposite the first contacting surface, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The elongate body is substantially made of a non-wood material, and the structural wythe contacts at least a portion of the second contacting surface. The present disclosure further relates to methods of constructing an exterior wall comprising a thermal break.

Abstract: A decorative and connectable display arrangement that includes a housing of multi-sided form having opposed first and second sides and a bottom, an inner support frame that is disposed within the housing and including a cap member having an open top port, and at least one decorative member that is supported within the housing and extends upwardly through the open top port. The decorative member includes a base piece that is pivotally supported in the housing and a stem piece extending from the base piece and extending through the open top port. A solar energy source or panel is supported in the inner support frame and is effective for driving the at least one decorative member in a predetermined motion direction. The housing has 3 on opposed sides thereof an interlock tongue and groove mechanism that enables adjacent ones of the housings to be engaged together.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal break for use in tilt-up construction. The thermal break generally comprises an elongate body comprising a thermal insulating material. The thermal break may further comprise one or more protrusions extending away from the elongate body. The present disclosure further relates to a method of constructing an exterior wall comprising the thermal break positioned between a fascia wythe and a structural wythe of the exterior wall. The exterior wall may be tilted up to a vertical position during construction of a building, and the thermal break provides a fixture-mounting surface onto which a fixture, for example a door frame, window frame, air venting grill, or other building component can be mounted.

Abstract: Provided is a mosaic piece having a body contour inscribed within a circle, and being formed with at least one projection having a projection contour.

Abstract: A building system toy preferably includes a double female connector, a male-female connector, a male connector, a right angle connector, a split male-female connector, a split opposing male-female connector, an angle connector and a double angle connector. The double female connector includes a base female connector and four female connection rings. The male-female connector includes the base female connector and four cylinders. The male connector includes a star base and four small cylinders. The right angle connector includes a base, a small cylinder, a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The split male-female connector and the split opposing male-female connector both include the base female connector, two female connection rings and two cylinders. An angle connector includes a first connection portion and a second connector portion. The double angle connector includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion and a third connector.

Abstract: A building system toy preferably includes a double female connector, a male-female connector, a male connector, a right angle connector, a split male-female connector, a split opposing male-female connector, an angle connector and a double angle connector. The double female connector includes a base female connector and four female connection rings. The male-female connector includes the base female connector and four cylinders. The male connector includes a star base and four small cylinders. The right angle connector includes a base, a small cylinder, a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The split male-female connector and the split opposing male-female connector both include the base female connector, two female connection rings and two cylinders. An angle connector includes a first connection portion and a second connector portion. The double angle connector includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion and a third connector.

Abstract: A toy construction system includes a block component and a connector component. The connector component has a connector-to-block coupling section for releasable coupling to the block component and a connector-to-connector coupling section for releasable coupling to a substantially similar connecting component. The connector-to-block coupling section defines a connector block contacting surface for contacting the block component. The coupling aperture defines a peripheral edge retaining section made out of a substantially resiliently deformable material.

Abstract: An interlocking toy block set may include at least two blocks with at least one constraining groove formed in a surface of each of the at least two blocks. At least one connector may have at least two attachment members formed thereon. The attachment members may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the constraining grooves.

Abstract: A toy block adapted to be interconnected, the block includes one or more block faces having an outer surface intended for abutment against an outer surface of a corresponding toy block, connector holes, connector pegs, and the connector pegs frictionally engage the connector holes of a corresponding block and the connectors pegs of the corresponding block frictionally engage the connector holes of the toy block.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a set of parallelepipedal bodies (generally, cubes) capable of matingly compatible engagement for interconnection with substantially similar cubes. When a number of cubes are assembled into a cubic array, there can be slab movement, row movement or solo cube movement. Each cube is constructed from six plates with an interior physical configuration adapted for connective assembly and the strategic placement of electrostatic or electromagnetic motors or motor halves therein.

Abstract: An interconnecting container system is described. Each container has a rounded rectangular parallelepiped body with four symmetrical sidewalls, a rounded square base and a rounded square top. An elongated sidewall slot is provided on each sidewall, the slot has a surrounding lip thereby creating an internal edge recess. The sidewall slot has an open end and an adjoining closed end. The adjoining closed end is centrally disposed along a transversal axis of the rectangular sidewall. A similarly constructed elongated base slot is provided on the base. The adjoining closed end of the base slot is centrally disposed on the square base. A neck is centrally provided on the top and extends from the top, it has a surrounding rim and an opening thereon. The rim of the neck and the internal recess of the base slot and the sidewall slot are dimensioned and shaped for sliding and interconnecting engagement.

Abstract: A building block system includes building blocks which have elongated grooves on opposite faces. An elongated connector is received by the grooves of two adjacent building blocks and serves to hold the building blocks together. The connector is slightly wider than the grooves so it can be press fit into the grooves to ensure a tight fit. The connector is flexible so that it can be received by curved grooves, and the connector also has chamfered ends to facilitate insertion into the grooves. The system can be used to build structures containing a plurality of building blocks.

Abstract: Modular building blocks and block systems including a connecting lug extending outwardly beyond the exterior surface of a block for engaging another block or block accessory, the connecting lug having a recessed slot for engaging a lug rail of a mating component, each building block further having lug rails projecting inwardly from interior surfaces of the building block accessible for engaging a recessed slot of a connecting lug of another block or block accessory, wherein a width of the first recessed slot of the building block corresponds to a width of the lug rails of the building block.

Abstract: A connecting means for construction elements, e.g. (toy) building blocks, comprises a strip-shaped member having a thickened portion and a component of a detachable connecting mechanism. The strip-shaped member is insertable into a groove in the side faces of the construction elements. To that component of the detachable connection, e.g. to a nut, further construction elements can be attached in a simple but stable manner. The detachable mechanism is preferably the one that is provided in the construction element for connections without using the connecting means. The connecting means thus allows an extension of the assembly possibilities in a stable manner in other directions than those provided by the construction elements themselves.

Abstract: An interlocking toy block set may include at least two blocks with at least one constraining groove formed in a surface of each of the at least two blocks. At least one connector may have at least two attachment members formed thereon. The attachment members may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the constraining grooves.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a set of parallelepipedal bodies (cubes) capable of matingly compatible engagement for interconnection with substantially similar cubes or matingly conformed rails, so as to allow up to three degrees of freedom in the sliding movement of an individual cube or grouping of cubes about a grouping of other interconnected cells from the set. Each cube is constructed from six plates with an interior physical configuration adapted for connection and that lends itself to monolithic injection molding. The exterior physical configuration of all plates are substantially similar. When a number of cubes are assembled into a cubic array, there can be slab movement, row movement or solo cube movement.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a set of parallelepipedal bodies (cubes) capable of matingly compatible engagement for interconnection with substantially similar cubes or matingly conformed rails, so as to allow up to three degrees of freedom in the sliding movement of an individual cube or grouping of cubes about a grouping of other interconnected cells from the set. Each cube is constructed from six plates or from three plate pairs. The interior physical configuration of tabs and slots lends itself to injection molding of plates or plate pairs. The exterior physical configuration of all plates and at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rails are substantially similar. When a number of cubes are assembled into a cubic array, there can be slab movement, row movement or solo cube movement.

Abstract: Interlocking plastic blocks, trademarked as PIXELBLOCKS, are configured to serve as basic pixels, i.e. picture elements, in the creation of a variety of two- and three-dimensional graphic artifacts. The pixel blocks can be made in various equilateral polygonal cross-sectional shapes of designated length, typically embodied in an equilateral cube shape. All side facets in the outline of cross-sectional shape, e.g. four facets of the cube, are made identical, each facet configured with a tongue alongside a groove in a symmetrical complementary configuration such that adjacent blocks can be interlocked together to form one- and two-dimensional arrays; thus pixel blocks of uniform depth front-to-back can form two-dimensional artifacts. A 3D embodiment includes posts and post holes for Z axis attachment to form multi-layer three-dimensional artifacts.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric material. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. Sounding elements are disposed within the interior space of at least some of the secondary objects. The sounding elements are free moving and produce noise within said secondary objects when said novelty device is manually shaken.

Abstract: A toy building set, including a set of building blocks, in at least some of the sides of which there are slots parallel to the sides, in which there is a locking recess and a connector series, including a set of connectors intended to join the building blocks to each other, in which there are arms joined to each other and equipped with tips, and which arms can be fitted into a slot of a building block, the tips fitting into the locking recess, to join the building blocks to each other. The locking recess is a locking slot pair arranged on the bottom of the slot, which is arranged to expand the slot in the direction of the side of the building block and the arms of the connectors are arranged to be formed of rigid lugs, at the end of which is the said tip, and a shank connecting the lugs to each other.

Abstract: A building block toy set has first and second blocks each having a first connection device at the upper end and a second connection device at the lower end which is releasably mateable with the first connection device on the other block, whereby the first block is connectable on top of the second block in a first configuration and the second block is connectable on top of the first block in a second configuration. Each first connection device has an actuator formation on the first connection device and at least the second block is a smart block having a sensor assembly associated with the second connection device which is activated by the actuator formation when the second block is interconnected with the first block in the second configuration. A processing unit is mounted in the smart block and associated with the sensor assembly to produce a sensory output signal when the sensor assembly is activated.

Abstract: Toy brick or block elements in particular of artistic and educational type, in which a plurality of brick elements made of a variety of different colors and a variety of different shapes are interlocked between each other by means of tongues and corresponding grooves to build a great variety of precise and coherent patterns or designs.

Abstract: Toy-building elements including various combinations of the following features: a top having a broad surface and at least one projection or ball-shaped coupler extending above the broad surface; an interior having contact surfaces that are accessible through an open bottom and are adapted for effecting a releasable restraining engagement with an interconnectable projection or ball-shaped coupler on a second toy-building element; at least one sidewall including at least one groove for effecting a releasable restraining engagement with a tongue in a sidewall of another toy-building element; at least one sidewall including at least one tongue for effecting a releasable restraining engagement within a groove in a sidewall of still another toy-building element; and at least one sidewall including an axel-shaped or ball-shaped coupler for effecting a variably positional engagement with an interconnectable coupler in yet another toy-building element.

Abstract: A toy race track providing a mat for simulating a stock car racing track is disclosed. The toy race track includes a plurality of interlocking tiles having top and bottom surfaces. Each interlocking tile top surface includes top surface indicia depicting a portion of a stock car race track. Upon interlocking the tiles, the various top surface indicia cooperate to depict a complete stock car race track.

Abstract: Walls and other structures can be made from blocks assembled from relatively light-weight standard panels that fit together like a puzzle. The blocks are held together without the use of mortar. Each block is formed of six rectangular panels fitted together by sliding capturable elements into cooperating receiving grooves. All of the panels have a common thickness and each panel has two parallel faces. Three types of panels are involved in making the block.

Abstract: A construction toy system comprised of a plurality of molded plastic girders and connectors. The girder elements of generally square cross section, with interlocking elements extending axially from each end. The interlocking elements each comprise a flange of square configuration, a groove structure of squared configuration adjacent the flange, and a generally cylindrical rod-like extension projecting between the end of the girder body and the groove structure. Connector elements are formed with one or more sockets for receiving interlocking elements of the girders. The sockets have one open side into which the interlocking elements can be inserted with a lateral snap-in action. The flange portions are freely received in a slot formed in the socket, and the groove structure engages and cooperates with opposed locking ribs formed on the sidewalls of the connector socket. Opposed axial grooves in the socket sidewalls engage opposite side portions of the rod-like extension with a snap-in locking action.

Abstract: A rod and connector toy construction set, especially for use by young children. Connector elements, are formed with one or more rod-gripping sockets arranged radially with respect to a hub. The sockets are open at opposite sides, enabling lateral insertion and removal of rods. The connector elements, which are relatively large for easy handling by small children, are formed of a soft and pliant plastic material, to facilitate assembly and disassembly of rods with the connector elements by small hands. The rods generally are formed of a plastic material harder and stiffer than the connector material to accommodate easy handling of the rods during assembly and disassembly and to provide adequate strength in an assembled structure. The rods include enlarged, generally cylindrical end portions and adjacent neck portions of reduced diameter.

Abstract: A rod and connector toy construction set, especially for use by young children. Connector elements, are formed with one or more rod-gripping sockets arranged radially with respect to a hub. The sockets are open at opposite sides, enabling lateral insertion and removal of rods. The connector elements, which are relatively large for easy handling by small children, are formed of a soft and pliant plastic material, to facilitate assembly and disassembly of rods with the connector elements by small hands. The rods generally are formed of a plastic material harder and stiffer than the connector material to accommodate easy handling of the rods during assembly and disassembly and to provide adequate strength in an assembled structure. Selected rods of longer sizes can, however, be formed of softer, bendable material to enable the rods to be shaped. The rods include enlarged, generally cylindrical end portions and adjacent neck portions of reduced diameter.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable display system which includes plural, hollow, plastic panels having uniquely contoured corners. The panels may be of flat or curved configuration. Most of the plastic panels are fabricated to present smooth front and rear faces. However, some panels are made with at least one slotted face for supporting shelves therein. Straight plastic connector components are designed to accept the corners of the panels, thereby connecting the panels in a manner to form a display area. Hinged plastic connectors are provided so that adjacent panels may be arranged at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred eighty degrees.

Abstract: A modular structural system for building models and structures. The system comprises a plurality of connector hub members each having spherical symmetry, and a plurality of strut members having longitudinal symmetry, wherein, each of the connector hub members provides a strut joining feature adapted for receiving the strut members, and each of the strut members provides a hub joining feature adapted for engaging the strut joining feature of the connector hub members, such that the strut members are removably engagable with the connector hub members in alternative first and second positions placing the strut members in corresponding radial and tangential positions relative to the connector hub members.

Abstract: Square and octagonal building elements for a set of toy building elements that are capable of being inteconnected in a releasable engagement both side-to-side and top-to-bottom. The side walls of the building elements include a groove and/or a split flexible tongue that is compressed when frontally forced into a groove in another such building element to effect a releasable restraining frictional engagement within the groove.

Abstract: A building element for a set of toy building elements that are capable of being interconnected in a releasable engagement includes side walls having grooves and tongues, a top having a broad surface that extends toward the side walls and a primarily cylindrical projection extending above the broad surface; a open bottom; and an interior having a plurality of ribs with contact surfaces that are accessible through the open bottom and disposed for interconnecting with the projection on the top of another such building element. At least some of the contact surfaces of the interior ribs include lateral indentations; and the projection includes a circular lateral ridge disposed above the broad surface for being interconnected in a releasable restaining engagement within the indentations in the interior contact surfaces of the ribs of another such building element.

Abstract: A building block toy set having flat plate elements containing semi-circular recesses located along the periphery thereof. The flat plate elements are interconnected utilizing various configurations of interconnection elements that are received within the recesses. The flat plate elements may have various geometric shapes such as triangles, squares and rectangles. The multi-configured interconnection elements allow for numerous plate element interactions, which enable the creation of a large variety of structures.

Abstract: In a method for forming a block having a core, the core is formed in a vertical orientation, providing for increased control of wall thickness. The block has a projection on one surface and a groove on an opposing surface. The block core is disposed parallel to the projection and the groove. The block may be used in a step assembly, a ramp assembly, or a wall. Assemblies made from the block are easy to construct and can be assembled with or a without adhesive.

Abstract: A building element for a set of toy building blocks that are capable of being interconnected in a releasable engagement includes a box with side walls, a top having one or more projections, and an open bottom providing access to interior surfaces for frictional engagement with the top projection(s). The side walls includes a plurality of grooves having entry openings of a given predominant width and a plurality of tongues having distal portions of a predominant width that is greater than the given predominant width of the groove entry openings for interconnecting in a releasable restraining engagement with grooves in another such building element. The tongues are flexible and split longitudinally into sections so that the tongues can be compressed laterally in order to effect the restraining engagement by frontally pressing the tongues into the grooves. The tongues can also be disengaged from the grooves by sliding the tongues from one end of the grooves.

Abstract: An assembling structure for main wing of a model airplane. The main wing is composed of a left wing and a right wing. The mating faces of the left and right wings are disposed with complementary engaging seat and engaging block which are mated with each other and tightened by a conic screw. Therefore, the left wing and the right wing can be quickly firmly assembled to form the main wing. The screw can be easily untightened to quickly disassemble the left wing from the right wing for easy carriage or storage.

Abstract: A teaching aid is designed to develop intelligence of the preschoolers and is composed of a base and a plurality of sliding members. The base has a pathway portion which is provided with a plurality of intersecting paths. The sliding members are provided thereon with an alphabet, pattern, or symbol and are selectively slid in the paths of the base to locate at a predetermined position of the pathway portion of the base such that the alphabet, pattern, or symbol of the selectively-slid sliding members form a predetermined word or figure.

Abstract: A toy block set includes a plurality of toy block configurations that are slidably, pivotally and fixably coupled to one another and which are further capable of three dimensional slidable and pivotal maneuvering with respect to one another by virtue of rail extension members, rail guide members and pivot members. A first group of the block configurations includes embodiments with a rail extension member which consists of a first thinner segment and a second wider segment. A second group of the block configurations includes embodiments with rail guide members which are configured to permit multi-directional movement of the rail extension members therethrough. A third group of the block configurations includes embodiments with pivot members which are configured to permit multi-directional pivotal and slidable movement of the rail extension members therethrough. In an alternative embodiment, the rail extension members may be independent pieces.

Abstract: Toy building pieces are disclosed which may be advantageously used in conjunction with a variety of different shaped framing pieces or connectors for building of structures such as polyhedral figures, geodesic domes or many other structures. One or more faces of the building pieces have interlocking devices and have an aperture in the surface thereof to receive a thin rectangular shape such as a craft stick, or a circular shaped end of a framing piece of various cross-section or connectors which are I-shaped in cross-section. Other faces of the piece may incorporate piece interconnection devices, which may include for example: especially configured angular connection pieces which can be used in conjunction with other pieces to construct polyhedral figures, other pieces designed for hinged connection; a dovetail tongue on one part adapted to engage a dovetail groove on another part; or a tongue projecting from a face to engage one of the apertures. Other interconnecting devices are also contemplated.

Abstract: A building block has connectors on its side walls comprising interlocking male and female dovetails for connecting blocks side-by-side, in addition to connectors on its upper and lower ends for connecting the blocks vertically. The building blocks also have mating ribs and grooves on the side walls to minimize twisting movement between horizontally attached blocks. The building blocks may be relatively small for use as toy building blocks or relatively large for use as construction blocks.

Abstract: A modular building for a toy building set includes a planar member, or foundation, having raised ribs on its top and a wall member having a wall portion and a base portion. The wall portion of the wall member is substantially orthogonal to the base portion of the wall member. The base portion of the wall member has a cleft therein sized to receive one of the ribs of the foundation to removably attach the wall member to the foundations. A substantially planar coupler connects at least two or more of the foundation. The coupler has at least two clefts therein. The clefts are sized to receive the ribs on each of the two foundations for removable attachment of the foundation to the coupler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy construction system comprising building elements of a first type having a pair of opposed walls that define a space between said opposed walls, wherein the space has, at the free edges of the opposed walls, an open end and two opposed open sides, and wherein those sides of the walls that face towards the space are provided with protrusions, and building elements of a second type having a coupling head that may, by snap-fit with the protrusions, be received and releasably secured in the space between the walls on a building element of the first type. The toy construction system is characterised in that the protrusions are situated at the free edges of the walls.

Abstract: A toy building construction kit includes a plurality of floor defining elements, connectors for interconnecting the floor defining elements, a plurality of support pillar elements for interconnecting adjacent floors, and partition elements adapted to be received between the support pillar elements to define walls. A particularly rigid interconnection of the floor defining elements is achievd by using connecting elements and an arrangement of connecting lugs and recesses. The connecting lugs are T-shaped and fit tightly within corresponding recesses.