Abstract: A stringer for a decking support frame, the stringer including a structural body having a front side, a back side, a top side, and a bottom side. The structural body also includes a plurality of weld free mounting tabs integral with the structural body extending from the top side and away from the bottom side. A plurality of apertures extend evenly spaced along a longitudinal length of the structural body and each aperture extends completely through the front side to the back side.

Abstract: A construction unit may have a main body formed from a flexible material. The main body may have a first side and a second side. The construction unit may have a plurality of magnetic connectors attached to the main body. A kit for construction of a structure may have a plurality of construction units, at least one flexible link, at least one active unit, and at least one control unit. A method of making a structure includes a first step of providing a plurality of construction units. There is second step of connecting at least one of the magnetic connectors of a first one of the construction units with at least one of another one of the magnetic connectors of the first one of the construction units, and at least one of the magnetic connectors of a second one of the construction units, whereby the structure is formed.

Abstract: A modular structure may comprise multiple mechanical linkages. The structure may undergo two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape transformations, such as bending, twisting, shearing, uniform scaling, and anisotropic scaling. These shape transformations may be actuated by applying force to one or more specific locations in the structure. Each of the linkages in the modular structure may comprise a four-bar linkage. The exact shape transformation that the structure undergoes may be determined by the type and location of the linkages in the structure.

Abstract: An interlocking disc includes a hub with an inner circular area with an inner thickness and a circular step. A plurality of petals circumferentially spaced apart extend radially outward from the outer area of the hub. Each of the plurality of petals are disposed within a common plane and include a catch on each of side of each petal. The catch is engageable to a circular stop of another interlocking disc to inhibit disassembly.

Abstract: A building toy and a method of building with it. The toy is designed to be constructed of a rigid and generally non-deformable material such as, but not limited to, wood and particularly hardwood, and is constructed in the fashion of a log-style building toy. The toy utilizes interconnecting notches in its construction, but provides for a variety of specialized pieces which allow for interconnection of parts where there is one notch but not another, as well as the ability to build roofs, floors, and specialty structures such as fireplaces through the use of specialized components. Further, the use of more strongly connecting components allows for stronger structures to be built. This includes, but is not limited to various types of bridges, including arch, suspension, and cable stay.

Abstract: A block may comprise a base comprising a first block side comprising a first side plane and a connective protrusion coupled to the base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the first side plane. The connective protrusion may comprise a center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the first side plane, a base portion coupled to the center pillar and the base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a first direction, and an overhang portion coupled to the center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction such that there is an overhang space between the first side plane and the overhang portion. The block may further comprise additional connective protrusions, and the connective protrusions of multiple blocks may enable the coupling of such blocks.

Abstract: An interlocking rotatable assembly includes multiple interlocking pieces. Each of the interlocking pieces has a disk, a center hole formed through a center of the disk, a mounting slit radially formed in a peripheral edge of the disk, two arms, and two engaging protrusions. The arms parallelly protrude from the peripheral edge of the disk and are oppositely disposed beside the mounting slit. The engaging protrusions protrude from the arms respectively. No undercut is formed on each of the interlocking pieces. Therefore, only a female die and a male die are needed when manufacturing the interlocking pieces by injection molding process. Molds and manufacturing process for manufacturing the interlocking piece are simplified. Accordingly, mold cost and manufacturing cost of the interlocking piece are reduced, and defect-free rate of the interlocking piece can be increased.

Abstract: A multipurpose piece of furniture (1) has four square panels (3, 4, 6, 7), i.e., a first vertical side panel (3), a second vertical side panel (4) arranged parallel thereto, a third panel (6) that is arranged between an edge (5) of the first side panel (3) and an edge of the second side panel (4) at a right angle to the first side panel (3) and the second side panel (4) and that connects the first side panel (3) and the second side panel (4) into a U-shaped piece of furniture. The fourth panel is an intermediate panel (7) that is inserted into the piece of furniture between the first side panel (3) and the second side panel (4) at a right angle thereto and at a right angle to the third panel (6).

Abstract: A retractor assembly for defining a working channel to a surgical site for conducting minimally invasive spinal surgery includes a plurality of relatively articulable components. Temporary interconnections are formed between adjacent sidewalls of the components to hold the components in a de sired configuration, such as in a closed triangular form. The components are articulable relative to each other for adjusting the working channel or for performing surgical functions.

Abstract: Construction-set elements for use in kits for children and in puzzles. The construction-set element contains a flat rectangular base and a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly is formed of four groups of protrusions, provided on the base. The protrusions of the first group have a cruciform cross-section. The protrusions of the second group are tubular with a square-shaped cross-section. The protrusions of the third group are in the form of rectangular plates having barrier-walls along the short sides thereof, the barrier-walls being angled toward one another with the formation of a gap. In the fourth group, the protrusions are positioned at the corners of the base and are made in the form of L-shaped elements, the sides of which are perpendicular to the plane of the base.

Abstract: A magnetic toy apparatus and method, an embodiment including a plurality of bodies, at least one of which is rod-shaped, the bodies each having voids adjacent to its corners or ends, a plurality of magnets each disposed in one of the voids so as to be freely rotatable to facilitate connecting the bodies to each other by magnetic force.

Abstract: A construction kit including a plurality of construction assembly pieces each comprising a resilient half rod. The half-rod comprises a rod divided in half longitudinally and having a set of teeth. The set of teeth comprises teeth disposed at intervals along a longitudinal length of said half-rod located in alternate planes to either side of a longitudinal mid-plane of the rod. The teeth are configured to provide a snap-fit interlock with a corresponding set of teeth on the half-rod of an edge of a second corresponding construction assembly piece to define a full, preferably circular cross-section, rod where the two assembly pieces interlock. Each construction assembly pieces defines a flexible plastic rectangle partly open along one edge to allow the rectangle to be flexed further open, for modeling structures having fluid shapes.

Abstract: A toy construction set comprises a base block and one or more rotating blocks configured for coupling to the base block, to other rotating blocks, or to both. The base block may be define by an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side surface. The base block may comprise a body and a plurality of projections extending outward from the body. Interior cylindrical surfaces may extend between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base block. An upper chamfer may connect the interior cylindrical surface with the upper surface, and a lower chamfer may connect the interior cylindrical surface with the lower surface. The rotating blocks may comprise a hub having a body and a grip extending upward from the upper end of the body. Optionally, the hub may also have a coupling mechanism extending downward from the lower end of the body. Structural elements may emanate from the body of the hub.

Abstract: A building toy component comprises a main body having opposing top and bottom surfaces and a thickness. The building toy component also comprises at least one slot that opens on a peripheral edge of the main body, wherein a nominal width of the slot is substantially equal to the thickness of the main body. The slot includes opposing sidewall having at least one engagement strip within each slot. In particular, each engagement strip extends traversely across a sidewall of the slot and tapers along a height of the sidewall.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to green roof, deck and patio apparatuses, also known as roof, deck and patio landscaping apparatuses and roof, deck and patio gardens, that are suitable for supporting live plant growth on building decks, rooftop and patio surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a toy building block that can create a cubic article by assembling a unit piece, the unit piece comprising: a plate body made of a flexible material in which an outer profile of the plate body is formed by a pair of upper and lower short sides curved inward and a pair of right and left long sides curved inward; projections provided at a corner portions located on one of diagonal lines of the plate body on a plate face of the plate body at a right angle; and through holes into which the projections can be fitted, the through holes being provided at the corner portions located on the other diagonal line of the plate body.

Abstract: One piece, injection-moldable, functionally polyhedral construction modules. The construction modules are thin-walled, cored out versions of a polyhedron. Each construction module comprises one polyhedron wall portion that is interiorly tangent to each face of at least one set of identical faces of a superimposed polyhedron template. Each polyhedron wall portion forms a complex with its tangent face of its superimposed polyhedron template that is the mirror image of at least half of such complexes. Each polyhedron wall portion is visible in both directions along a predetermined axis. Each polyhedron wall portion comprises an asymmetric aligning means that may include one or more snap-fit connectors. Every polyhedron wall portion is part of a single piece of material. Accordingly, these construction modules may be injection molded as single pieces of material, and, when they are aligned face-to-face, they exhibit the constructive properties of their polyhedron templates.

Abstract: An erector set for creating artistic structural designs comprising: a base and a set of modular structural elements connectable to one another, said modular structural elements comprising stiff, arcuate members having v-shaped slots in the convex and/or in the concave surfaces thereof and having either a v-shaped slot or a taper on each of the end portions thereof, said tapered end portions being configured to mate with and be held within any of the said v-shaped slots in said convex or concave surfaces or in end portions of the said arcuate members.

Abstract: The invention provides a geometric puzzle having a plurality of flat square and rectangular elements with slots that allow the elements to be sequentially interlocked to form two separate geometric shapes, the smaller shape (4-D Qube) being capable of fitting into the larger (Archimedes Qube) to form one geometric structure.

Abstract: A walled structure apparatus generally orientated perpendicular to a horizontal surface, the apparatus including a first panel with a major plane, a corner and a notch, a second panel with a major plane, a corner and a tab received with the notch, and a hinge structure within the notch. The hinge structure generally uniting the panels for movement to a number of selected positions and includes interengaged flexible components permitting inward and outward movement and being generally located within the notch and tab. Through this movement, the walled structure apparatus exhibits a deformed structure.

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: Magnetic structural components utilized to permit construction of a wide variety of structural profiles and to thereby increase design and/or construction flexibility and choice. The structural components each include a number of magnets operatively associated with a periphery thereof to provide a number of points of magnetic connection. In addition, each structural component has at least one mechanical connector operatively associated therewith to provide at least one point of mechanical connection. The structural components can be magnetically and/or mechanically interconnected to form a variety of different two or three-dimensional structural profiles of varying complexities.

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: Disclosed is a character toy which can be fabricated with the use of a component pattern sheet for the character toy, on which bodily components of the character toy and component connecting plates are arranged, the bodily components being formed with at least one connecting slit, and the component connecting plates being formed with a plurality of connecting slits through which the bodily components are coupled to each other at any selected angles, and a clothing pattern sheet for the character toy on which clothing elements to be put on the bodily components fabricated for the character toy are arranged.

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: A suite of construction toy systems in which mechanical connection is provided by hermaphroditic and functionally identical (genderless) connectors. Both hub-and-rod and building-block construction toy systems are disclosed. In the hub-and-rod construction systems, the use of genderless connectors allows: rods to connect directly to rods by the same means rods connect to hubs (longer rods can be directly formed out of shorter rods); hubs to connect to hubs by the same means that rods connect to hubs; and, in some assemblies hubs to be substituted for rods. An additional useful feature of the genderless connectors used and of the overall design of these toy systems is that many of the different construction toy systems disclosed herein will inter-connect. By the application of this invention, a very wide range of very different and independent toy systems can be designed that freely inter-connect.

Abstract: A construction toy is disclosed which interconnects construction toys of different types. One version connects toys of the construction block type to toys of the hub and spoke type. Gripper posts (22) or gripper arms (34 and 46) on the interconnector create channels (24, 36 and 48, respectively) which receive a hub (40) from a hub and spoke construction toy. Spokes from the hub and spoke construction toy connect with the block toy at many different angles. Blocks from the block type construction toy connect normally on all faces of the base interconnector. Channels (24, 36 and 48) on the base allow variable hub (40) placement to accommodate the different sizes and spacings of the different toys. This invention maintains substantially all the possible connections of each toy after interconnection.

Abstract: A self-aligning wing structure and method of assembly utilizes a main spar formed with spaced apart notch openings. The main spar is positioned on a substantially flat surface for receiving a plurality of ribs formed with leading edge slot openings and trailing edge slot openings. A leading edge core member is slid into the rib leading edge slot openings and a trailing edge core member is slid into the rib trailing edge slot openings. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a self-aligning aerodynamic wing structure in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A suite of construction toy systems in which mechanical connection is provided by hermaphroditic and functionally identical (genderless) connectors. Both hub-and-rod and building-block construction toy systems are disclosed. In the hub-and-rod construction systems, the use of genderless connectors allows: rods to connect directly to rods by the same means rods connect to hubs (longer rods can be directly formed out of shorter rods); hubs to connect to hubs by the same means that rods connect to hubs; and, in some assemblies hubs to be substituted for rods. An additional useful feature of the genderless connectors used and of the overall design of these toy systems is that many of the different construction toy systems disclosed herein will inter-connect. By the application of this invention, a very wide range of very different and independent toy systems can be designed that freely inter-connect.

Abstract: A multi-purpose interlocking pentagonal block having five points each formed with a slot, the slot having a width slightly greater than a thickness of the block, two adjacent edges of the block having a notch therebetween, the notch having a width greater than the width of the slot, whereby the multi-purpose interlocking block can be assembled with other similar blocks into many different structures and can be used as a dart or top to play with.

Abstract: Puzzle pieces and connectors are provided to assemble a large variety of two and three-dimensional objects, including objects with moving parts. Puzzle pieces utilize joints and apertures to interconnect the pieces. Supporting protrusions are provided in some embodiments to reinforce and strengthen the legs of joints. Other elements provided with these connecting joints and apertures, such protrusions, ridges, securing apertures, enlarged ends, gripping legs, and grooves, assist in providing a more secure interconnection between pieces. Connectors may be provided to build pivotable connections.

Abstract: A slotted and grooved construction toy of the type having a plurality of flat bodies with slots interlocking with other flat bodies. The flat bodies have a plastic foam core in combination with a laminated surface. The foam core is a semi-rigid and compressible material which is resilient and durable after repeated use. The laminate is a durable and scratch resistant material that will provide a compressible surface to the foam core. The grooves provide a channel to guide and support the interlocking flat bodies of the construction toy, while allowing a firm, tight connection between the flat bodies and providing a countervailing barrier to shearing stress.

Abstract: An object is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of puzzle pieces. The object includes first and second puzzle pieces, each having a joint positioned along a first outer side edge and having a substantially U-shaped mortise comprising a bottom edge, and first and second inner side edges extending from the bottom edge. The bodies of the first and second puzzle pieces are transverse to each other when the joint of the first puzzle piece is interconnected with the joint of the second puzzle piece.

Abstract: Puzzle pieces and connectors are provided to assemble a large variety of two and three-dimensional objects, including objects with moving parts. Puzzle pieces utilize joints and apertures to interconnect the pieces. Supporting protrusions are provided in some embodiments to reinforce and strengthen the legs of joints. Other elements provided with these connecting joints and apertures, such protrusions, ridges, securing apertures, enlarged ends, gripping legs, and grooves, assist in providing a more secure interconnection between pieces. Connectors may be provided to build pivotable connections.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, representational puzzle having frictionally mating pieces with selected pivoting pieces which allow motion of the puzzle when assembled. The exemplary puzzle is representative of a dinosaur, wherein a V-shaped cut-out is provided in a pivoting piece representing a leg, on which a slitted piece supporting the body of the dinosaur rests. A puzzle representing a dinosaur which can rock on its appendages or otherwise positioned is thereby created.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flat pieces, preferably disks or chips of circular shape fabricated, of flexible plastic material, that have a series of slots or notches alongside their circumferential edges. One of these slots is bigger in size and of different configuration, which configuration makes possible the launching a first piece into the air with the help of a second piece which is used as a propeller. In addition, the small slots are used to create a great variety of structures or sets, by inserting a small slot of a first disk in a small slot of a second disk, and so on. The planar faces of the disks may be used to imprint any legend or drawing.

Abstract: The invention includes a chip of resilient material that is capable of being secured to one or more chips of similar design, as desired to build a structure, sculpture or other shape. The chip has one or more slots extending inwardly from its perimeter for engaging another chip of similar design. The slot may be used to engage a similar slot fashioned in another similar chip or to engage only the perimeter of another chip.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model structure is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of puzzle pieces. Each puzzle piece has at least three outer side edges and at least one joint having a substantially U-shaped mortise defined by a first leg and a second leg. The U-shaped mortise has first and second inner side edges extending from a bottom edge to define an opening. A first corner is defined between the first inner side edge and the bottom edge. The first leg is defined by the first inner side edge and a first outer side edge. A protrusion may be provided along the first outer side edge at a location substantially opposite the bottom edge of the joint, or a bump may be provided at the first corner, to reinforce the first leg. In addition, the top corners connecting a second outer edge and the inner side edges may be curved or chamfered to widen the opening of the U-shaped mortise.

Abstract: In order to permit a purchaser to assemble a collapsible cage simply and without the need for special tools, the side walls (2 to 5), which are usually four in number, are connected to each other by sectional corner connectors (7 to 10). The sectional corner connectors are longitudinally divided into two parts and consist of an outer part (16) and an inner part (17). Both parts are undetachably connected via rotating parts (22). In one variant, spreader springs (35, 36) ensure that the parts (16, 17) of the sectional corner connectors are held apart in the untightened state so that the widest possible gap (33) is created for inserting the edge zones (19, 20) of the gratings. When the rotating parts (22) are rotated, for example through about 90.degree., this causes the inner part (17) of the sectional corner connector to move towards the outer part, while at the same time clamping the edge zones (19, 20) of the gratings.

Abstract: Free-standing sound absorber consisting of an open-cell foam body designed in the manner of a board, having at least one opening in a lateral face for plugging together another, similarly designed foam body. The opening has a height corresponding approximately to half the height of the foam body. The depth of the opening corresponds to the thickness of the foam body.

Abstract: In a block set toy, the block set having a plurality of identical subsets of triangular blocks, each block being in the form of a thin sheet having internal rectilinear slots and rectilinear side slots defined therein. The sheets are about 1/8th of an inch in thickness and the slots have a width slightly greater than 1/8th of an inch. Shallow triangular notches are formed in the sides of some of the blocks. A grooved base block is provided for supporting the blocks vertically. The blocks can be interconnected to a highly cantilevered structure.

Abstract: The preferred clip is comprised of a hub with four equally spaced arms, each having at least one coin-engaging slot. Coins are retained by frictional engagement and by cooperation between the residual coin rim and ridges in the slots. Structures may be built of coins that are in orthogonal or parallel relationship. Coins of more than one size (denomination) can be retained by a single clip.

Abstract: A construction toy configured as a humanoid figurine formed from: a torso having a front wall and a rear wall, a head area, downwardly extending legs and outwardly extending arms. The torso and its front and rear walls provide first and second attachment surfaces which are complementally formed mirror images, one of the other so as to provide connecting elements when the figurines are to be stacked and interconnected. Because the nature of the attachment surfaces is neutral with respect to its center, the connecting elements can also allow attachment to an adjacent stack of figurines in a rotational pattern. The connecting elements also allows quadrans of the torso to be stacked forming imbrications. The head has a profile provided with a first fastening elements for interconnection with either the second attachment surface or other fastening elements. Each leg is formed from two pieces of planar stock spaced one from the other defining a groove. The groove defines a second fastening elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a support structure, or leg, for a piece of furniture such as a table or the like. A blank of planar sheet material is provided with a rectangular opening adjacent one end and bent about an axis extending through the opening to form the support structure of the invention. The opening is sized such that after bending an edge of a table top is inserted in the opening and supported thereby. A plurality of the support structures, or legs, are attached to the table top to provide necessary support.

Abstract: Sheet material building components or units in the shape of different regular polygons of equal edge length have strips of hook-and-pile fastening materials permanently secured so as to extend along their side edges. Hook type fastening material is disposed toward one end portion of each side edge and pile type fastening material is disposed toward the other end portion of each side edge. The strips of hook type and pile type fastening materials alternate around the circumference of each unit. Different units can be connected substantially edge-to-edge by simply placing the desired edges in contact to form a wide variety of two-dimensional or three-dimensional arrays or shapes.

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: An elongate rectangular bar useful as a toy construction element and including one or more apertures and one or more pairs of transversely aligned notches. Each aperture has a generally non-circular configuration and defines top bottom and intermediate portions each having a constant width.

Abstract: The toy horse is characterized by a rigid structure assembled of components with appropriate tenons and mortises. The structure can facilitate shipment and storage. Erection and dismantling of it can provide interllectual training to children and educate them with basic concepts of organization and structure. It further incorporates casters kept in the bottoms of supporters and which can be extended to contact with the ground to provide a mobile toy.

Abstract: A building element for use in constructing a play structure with similarly shaped elements is disclosed. The building element has a rectangular base provided with longitudinal slots in the center of each lateral side. Each slot extends inwardly by distance equal to one half of the distance from a respective corner of the base to an adjacent edge of a respective longitudinal slot. At least one lateral slot is also provided along each longitudinal side, the lateral slots are sized the same as the longitudinal slots and spaced from a respective corner or each other by the same distance which the lateral slots are spaced from a respective corner. A peripheral flange extends perpendicular from the back face of the base around the periphery of the back face and slots. The outer edge of the peripheral flange is spaced from the front face by a distance nominally equal to the width of the slots.

Abstract: A playhouse, easily assembled by a child of tender years requiring a minimum of parts and no fastening elements, and having a sufficient structural rigidity that it can be picked up and moved without collapsing. The playhouse comprises a plurality of flat structural members, two of which, when assembled, are vertical members adapted to coact and form a self-standing cross member. A third member having passageways therein adapted to register with the first and second members rests on horizontal intersecting surfaces of the vertical members assembled to form the cross member and adds rigidity to the assembly. The third member also has slots in the periphery which register with the vertical members forming the cross member. At least one of the vertical members has one portion spaced from another portion by a horizontal supporting surface. Both spaced portions have a shoulder at one end thereof which projects through slots in a roof panel.