Abstract: A grooved supporting member for assisting in the construction of a card structure is provided. Specifically, the grooved supporting member provides support for the beginning foundational planar stackable members. The grooved supporting member includes a planar base member, top surface, bottom surface, at least one edge, and at least one groove. Preferably, the groove is cut completely through the planar base member and provides lateral support for a planar stackable member. In the preferred embodiment, the grooved supporting member has four edges and four grooves, thus providing support for four planar stackable members to create the cell of a card structure. The user may employ one or more of the grooved supporting members of the present invention in a card structure. Further disclosed is a kit including a grooved supporting member of the present invention and a plurality of stackable planar members.

Abstract: Mechanical and electromechanical components for rapidly constructing a user-definable apparatus may include components that are reconfigurable into other construction set components, and that have at least one demarcation defining adjacent segments thereof. The demarcations facilitate reconfiguration of the components to produce other construction set components. Openings to substantially prevent sharp edges from being formed during reconfiguration may be included in the components. An electromechanical drive assembly having an integrated speed control and operable to receive interchangeable, non-circular drive shafts may be provided. The electromechanical drive assembly may be configured to attach to and self-align relative to other construction set components. One or more of the components may be provided with openings through which the non-circular drive shafts may rotate. The drive shaft may be locked in relation to openings of components that, allow the drive shaft to rotate via a lock plate.

Abstract: A pivotally manipulable toy is disclosed which includes a plurality of sections pivotally coupled in series, with a plurality of counting apertures being located in a plurality of the sections. The pivotally manipulable toy can be manipulated to form a plurality of shapes including letters and numbers. The pivotally manipulable toy may be used in a manner that is both educational and enjoyable for children. Further, a manual which correlates each of the shapes with the number of unobstructed counting apertures that are visible when each shape is formed correctly may be provided together with the pivotally manipulable toy.

Abstract: A toy car race track set comprised of a plurality of easily connectible track sections, in which the track sections have novel provisions for integrating the track sections with structures formed with K'NEX rod and connector elements, including but not limited to structures for elevating track sections above a support or above other track sections, providing obstructions on the race course, and the like. A variety of shapes and forms of track sections enables a substantially limitless variety of track configurations to be assembled. Each section is provided at each end with at least one tongue element and one slot element positioned such that the tongue element of one section is received in the slot of an adjacent section with a desired, snap-in action substantially preventing unintended separation. Optional locking pins are provided for positively locking the track sections to other sections when desired.

Abstract: A construction system is described and which includes a construction element having at least one passageway extending therethrough; a fastener body telescopingly received in the passageway; and a locking member cooperating with the fastener body and which, in a first position, allows the fastener body to be received in the passageway, and in a second position, substantially impedes the removal of the fastener body from the passageway.

Abstract: A construction system is described and which includes a first construction element which has at least one passageway which extends therethrough; a fastener body having a first and a second portion, and wherein the first portion of the fastener body is received in the passageway defined by the first construction element; and a locking member having first and second portions which individually matingly cooperate with the respective first and second portions of the fastener body to secure the fastener body to the first construction element.

Abstract: A constructional system comprises a plurality of building blocks and one or more connectors. In order to propose an improved constructional system, the building block (1) is characterized by a square assembly opening (2) which is surrounded by an assembly funnel (3)(FIG. 1).

Abstract: A block set for assembling solid creations uses at least two types of cylindrical blocks. The cylindrical blocks are a thin cylindrical block and a thick cylindrical block. The thick cylindrical block may include a hole on a side face thereof for receiving the thin cylindrical block. A fabricating apparatus for fabricating the thin and thick cylindrical blocks has at least two types of rollers for rolling up paper, and a paper thickness notifying apparatus for notifying the user of the diameter of the cylindrical paper roll on a cylindrical paper roll up core.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting construction panels suitable for modular construction has a hybrid connector, a receptor connector and locking connector. The hybrid connector is inserted into the aperture of the receptor connector which limit the displacement relative to each other. The locking connector is inserted into the aperture of the hybrid connector to interlock the three connectors. A panel connector can have an extension tab to provide additional locking action. Panel connectors can have stiffening portions that fill spaces between the connectors to reduce the need to insulate the interconnection and assist in repelling foreign matter entry. A method for interconnecting construction panels includes mating the hybrid connector and the receptor connector and then mating the locking connector from either side of the receptor connector.

Abstract: A plurality of connecting bodies are formed in various shapes of a resilient material such as molded plastic or other resilient material. The connecting bodies each define a plurality of inwardly extending slots which form receiving mechanisms for the edge portions of a plurality of cooperating generally planar plate members. The plate members are assembled to form more complex structures utilizing the connecting bodies to form interconnection therebetween. In alternate embodiments, a complex structure for the inwardly extending slots includes flexible ribs on each side of the slots together with relief slots adjacent the ribs. In further alternate embodiments, the connecting bodies and plate members may be assembled to form complex fanciful figures utilizing specialized elements such as a fanciful head member which bears a fanciful face and leg elements.

Abstract: A plurality of connecting bodies are formed in various shapes of a resilient material such as molded plastic or other resilient material. The connecting bodies each define a plurality of inwardly extending slots which form receiving mechanisms for the edge portions of a plurality of cooperating generally planar plate members. The plate members are assembled to form more complex structures utilizing the connecting bodies to form interconnection therebetween. In alternate embodiments, a complex structure for the inwardly extending slots includes flexible ribs on each side of the slots together with relief slots adjacent the ribs. In further alternate embodiments, the connecting bodies and plate members may be assembled to form complex fanciful figures utilizing specialized elements such as a fanciful head member which bears a fanciful face and leg elements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a space accessory for forming a three-dimensional ornamental pattern. The space accessory includes a rotating center, necessary disk supports disposed along the rotating center and a predetermined number of vanes each having a design shape or pattern, said vanes being of the same shape, thickness and mass and fixed to the disk support for balanced rotation with a natural air current. For changes in the ornamental pattern of the space accessory there are only need in changes in the design or pattern of the vanes.

Abstract: A modular building model is provided. The modular building model includes a base and a lower level module disposed on and engaged with the base. An upper level module is disposed on and engaged with the lower level module. The base includes a releasable securing mechanism that secured the upper level module to the lower level module. The releasable securing mechanism permits easy assembly and disassembly of the model for travelling and storage purposes, and variation of mold buildings.

Abstract: A coupling element for releasable retention of an end of an elongate pull element has a cavity to receive said end. The pull element is formed with a constriction and the coupling element with a corresponding cavity. The pull element may be inserted unobstructedly and subsequently be locked by moving a movable portion, e.g. in the form of a hinged portion, into a locking position in which, in combination with the cavity, it establishes releasable locking of the pull element.

Abstract: A modular construction system and modular member are provided for the construction of concatenated structures having interconnected, overlapping, offset or parallel courses. The modular members are provided with substantially planar upper and lower surfaces with the thickness, width and hole spacing of each modular member being predetermined and interdependent. The modular members present holes which receive connectors, and may have holes presenting a plurality of bore diameters. The members may be cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member midway between adjacent holes to provide compatible modular member segments. The complementally shaped connectors are received in the holes and may include mechanical barbs or threads, or separate retainers for use with the connectors inhibit preventing vertical separation of overlapping adjacent modular members.

Abstract: A construction toy kit comprises a plurality of construction elements and fasteners adapted for forming structures of various forms. The construction elements comprise straight flat strip, angled flat strips of various configurations, plates of various configurations, angled brackets of various configurations, blocks of various forms, and other accessories such as axle rods of various lengths, wheels, pulleys, locking clips, pin connectors, fasteners, spacers, washers, etc. Each of the construction elements has at least two holes of a same diameter, each hole having an associated concentric embossment formed therearound. The kit also includes a hand toy tool for tightening and loosening fasteners, which could also be used an accessory of the construction element. The kit further includes a container for holding the components thereof.

Abstract: A construction system having structural members with pre-manufactured rows of holes for fastening. A first kind of structural member (33, 35 and 35a in FIG. 2) has a row of holes equally spaced at a distance N. A second kind of structural member for diagonal bracing (43 in FIG. 2) has a row of holes equally spaced at a distance equal to the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with the other two sides having a length of N or a multiple of N. A third kind of structural member (24 in FIG. 2) has two rows of holes equally spaced at a distance N, with the holes of one row perpendicularly intersecting the holes of the other row. Large diameter fasteners (60 in FIG. 8), with a cross-hole for a crossing fastener, allow mounting two or more structural members at the same longitudinal disposition to perpendicular sides of a structural member of the third kind.

Abstract: A connection device for toy construction sets comprises a cylindrical socket and a bolt-like locking element inserted therein. The socket is inserted into the bores of the construction elements to be connected and is provided at one end with a radially protruding outer edge shoulder as a retaining member as well as longitudinal slots. The locking element (9) is rotatable within the socket, but fixed axially and rotation of the locking element causes the socket to lock within the construction element.

Abstract: A cardboard toy or the like formed from a pattern in-the-flat and method. The pattern includes a plurality of panels each defined by a combination of straight fold lines and edges. Adjacent and parallel to each edge is an elongated slot defining a flap or tab between the slot and edge and arranged such that, when the pattern is folded into the configuration of the toy, opposing pairs of flaps and spaced slots are brought together. A length of one sided adhesive tape is then passed through the slots and around the mating flaps and adhered to form a tight retaining band securing each connection.

Abstract: Connectors for attaching thin, lightweight, walls of the type appearing in children's toys made up of geometrical units, and methods for using the same. In one embodiment, the connector consists of a cavity with a basal opening built into each of the walls to be connected and a separate insertable member, each end of which snaps into a corresponding cavity on each wall. The insertable member consists of a central element attached at each of its polar ends to a smaller distal element. The basal opening of the cavity may consist of an opening enclosed by the wall or may be a hole through the wall. The smaller distal element of the insertable member is of variable shape and diameter depending upon the specific attachment requirement.

Abstract: A construction toy including a plurality of rectangular plastic links which may be joined together to form three dimensional models. The links are made of injection molded plastic in various lengths, but of uniform width and thickness "t". Rectangular slots of square cross section, extend through the links, centered between their edges. The cross sectional sides of the slots are equal in dimension to "t". A "T" shaped plastic connector having a head and threaded shank is used with a mating nut to connect two or more links together in different configurations. The connector head and the end of the shank attached to the head are of equal square cross section, with a side dimension also equal to "t". Some of the links also include a plurality of interconnected perforations through which either a plastic bolt or the shank of a "T" connector is inserted to join the links together at various points along their length.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for maintaining the interlocked relationship of at least two relatively thin flat structural members positioned at right angles to each other. Bosses are provided on a notch on each element together with a spring means to receive and hold the other element in an interlocked state. The spring means comprises the material of a member intermediate a boss and a void formed in the material adjacent the boss.

Abstract: Construction units for forming multiple-faced polyhedrons and a wide variety of structural forms. The units are in the form of a circular disk and a link. The disk having concentric rings formed thereon, and further having a threaded female connector on one side and a male connector on the other side. The link is in the form of a ladder-shape having two end clamps for engagement with disk units and other link units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of building blocks of different shapes, wherein each individual building block unit comprises a horizontal partition plate (2) which divides the unit block into upper and lower compartments, a supporting partition wall (1) wherein on the surface of supporting partition wall (1) at the upper compartment of the unit there is a row of equi-spaced hole. One of the characteristics of the building blocks is that three of the faces of the block are not enclosed by any plate. The block units may have a square, rectangular, semicircular or circular shape. The block units may also have a triangular, sector, trapezium or a truncated sector shape, each of the last four shapes having an angle of either 60.degree., 72.degree. or 90.degree.. Hence, there are altogether 16 types of blocks which can be arranged in many geometric shapes.

Abstract: Hollow blocks formed of corrugated cardboard, for example, have top edge openings receiving inverted U-shaped connectors for joining successive blocks together in a row or course and end slots together with top center slots receiving T-shaped connectors that include locking means for joining stacked rows or courses together.

Abstract: A functional design element for use with a toy or toy-like assembly set comprises a substantially rectangular material strip being formed with two openings at its opposed longitudinal ends for two push-button-like fasteners whereby the material strip is formed either of a resiliently pliable or of a rigid synthetic resin within two respective groups of different functional design elements for obtaining technical-functional and at the same time esthetical different impressions for the visible surface of the assembled design body.

Abstract: A constructional toy kit consisting of an L-shaped block and a U-shaped block, both provided with series of bores located and extending in directions as specified in the disclosure. The kit further includes pins, strips, bevelled blocks assembling blocks, discs and washers to enable the assembly of many different models.