Abstract: An educational and recreational toy system for toddlers including a plurality of toy components having various shapes and sizes. The various shapes and sizes of the components are based upon a unit measurement. Toy structures are provided, including a balance, a stringer, and a pegboard for integrated use with the components. The toy components may be used interchangeably among the various toy structures. According to the invention, the system allows a child to improve motor, coordination, and thinking skills. This is accomplished by using the toy components—in conjunction with the toy structures—for matching, piling, patterning, and balancing exercises.

Abstract: An intellectual training toy has a large freedom of arrangement and enables connection between the driven ember and the rotary driving member even while the rotary driving member is rotating. The toy includes a base member which has a driving mechanism built-in and a field portion having a smooth surface. A rotary member is engaged with the driving mechanism and is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the smooth surface of the field portion. A driving body having a rotary portion is attachable to the field portion of the base member so that the rotary portion is connected to the rotary member to rotate according to a rotation of the rotary member. A first driven body can be held at a desired position on the field portion of the base member by magnetic attraction force and can engage with the rotary portion of the driving body while being held on the field portion of the base member by a magnetic attraction force.

Abstract: The modular base for a playing structure, such as a toy building set, includes a first planar member, or tile base, having attachment fittings on its bottom for removable attachment to a substructure, such as a lattice. The top of the first planar member has attachment fittings thereon. Preferably, each of the attachment fittings on the top of the first planar member are aligned with one of the attachment fittings on the bottom to form a common opening through the first planar member. The modular base also includes a second planar member, or tile, having attachment fittings on its bottom. The attachment fittings are preferably protrusions that are most preferably clover leaf in shape and have an interference fit with the attachment fittings on the top of the first planar member that are most preferably square openings.

Abstract: A display system is shown which comprises, in combination, a display panel and a modular multi-layer three dimensional figure which can be readily disassembled and re-assembled in different forms. The display panel has a structural member with a first and second outer covering member, at least one of which is a hook or loop material, and which outer coverings are joined at their lateral edges in a narrow, unobtrusive seam. The figure is comprised of a plurality of first flexible elements, flat in relaxed state, and having hook or loop fabric on at least one facial surface, and a plurality of second flexible elements, also flat in relaxed state, with hook or loop material on both facial surfaces which are releasably secured to the first flexible elements. A method of making the panel and a finger or hand puppet constructed from the flexible elements are also shown.

Abstract: A constructable spinning top maze kit having a base upon which rail pieces may be removably mounted to form a maze through which the spinning top may travel when launched from a launcher. Multiple bases may be joined together in a single plane to create an indefinitely-extendable maze, or multiple bases may be assembled in multiple planes to create an indefinitely-extendable multi-level maze. Because rail pieces are removably mounted on the base pieces, a maze may be disassembled and reconstructed to form another maze have a completely different geometry, or one or more rail pieces may be repositioned to less drastically alter the geometry of the maze. As with the rail pieces, the launcher may be removably mounted on the base pieces. Therefore, the launcher may be positioned at a variety of locations in a maze, easily repositioned, and used within a variety of maze geometries.

Abstract: A building set for a toy building comprising a number of building module frames (1,1a,1b,2) and a plurality of fittings (10,17,18), and wherein each of the building module frames (1,1a,1b,2) comprises a bottom plate (3,4,19) with a superstructure that defines the walls and ceiling of the building module frame (1,1a,1b,2), and wherein each bottom plate (3,4,19) is provided with coupling means (12) for interconnecting adjoining building module frames (1,1a,1b,2). By arranging the coupling means (12) on the top surface of the bottom plate (3,4,19) and by arranging the coupling means (12) to be releasably interconnected with complementary coupling means (11) on the underside of the fittings (10,17,18), a stable and secure coupling is obtained that possesses much holding force without much force being required to interconnect the building module frames.

Abstract: Various constructions may be formed from a plurality of different geometric blocks having mortises formed therein for receiving correspondingly shaped connecting and axial rods which permit the blocks to be assembled in both longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: The modular lattice substructure for a playing structure, such as a toy building set, includes a planar frame having a plurality of exterior corners and a column having a height greater than the height of the frame. The column includes a lower portion and one of the lower portion of the column and a corner of the frame have a receptive connector thereon for removable attachment to a protrusion connector on the other of the lower portion of the column and a corner of the frame. In this manner, a single frame can be attached to a plurality of columns, and a single column can be attached to a plurality of frames in order to form a modular lattice substructure for a playing structure.

Abstract: The set of blocks in this invention comprise "slot blocks" and "key blocks." A slot block is a cube having two slots on each face. Each slot crosses the entire face and bisects a pair of opposite edges. The cross section of each slot is a square whose width and depth are one-fifth the length of the edge of the cube. A key block is a rectilinear polygon whose thickness is equal to the slot width and depth. Each side of each polygon has a length that is a whole number multiple of the slot width and depth. The shapes of the key blocks are such that they can completely fill all the slots, internal and external, of an aligned stack of slot blocks, with the external key blocks forming continuous intersecting ridges whose width and height are equal to the slot width and depth. The key blocks, with or without the slot blocks, also lend themselves to the construction of other attractive forms that would be rarely, if ever, realized with other block sets.

Abstract: The modular terrain for a playing structure, such as a toy building set, includes a plurality of terrain pieces. Some of the terrain pieces have a flat exterior edge. The flat exterior edge is only matable with a flat exterior edge on another of the terrain pieces. The flat exterior edge has spaced longitudinal end points. The flat exterior edge has no change in height between the spaced longitudinal end points. The distance between the spaced longitudinal end points of the flat exterior edge is one of Y, .sqroot.2Y and 2.sqroot.2Y. Some of the terrain pieces have a hill exterior edge. The hill exterior edge is only matable with a hill exterior edge on another of the terrain pieces. The hill exterior edge has spaced longitudinal end points. The hill exterior edge has a change in height between the spaced longitudinal end points of X. The distance between the spaced longitudinal end points of the hill exterior edge is Y. Some of the terrain pieces have a slope exterior edge.

Abstract: A marble track is constructed from cubes, base blocks, tower dowels, track dowels and rubber bands. Each cube has four vertically oriented tower bores, through-bores of approximately the width of the tower dowels, adjacent and parallel to the four vertical edges of the cube. Each base block has four vertically oriented tower bores with the same spacing as the tower bores in the cube. Cubes may be positioned on tower dowels extending vertically from a base block, and the position of a cube may be stabilized by a rubber band around the tower dowels just below the cube. A channel in each cube (except the "end cubes") permits a marble to pass through the cube. A channel may be bifurcated, and may have entrances/exits to any combination of the six faces of a cube. Track dowels may be inserted in track bores below each side channel entrance/exit to permit the marble to roll out of the channel and onto the track dowels.

Abstract: A toy building system for the construction of e.g. in-door settings and furniture element groupings, comprising a number of substantially box-shaped fittings (1,2,3) with a top surface, a bottom surface and a number of lateral walls, comprising a front with furniture-like functional parts, such as doors, shelves, etc., and a back (4) with coupling means (5,6) and wherein each fitting (1,2,3) has at least two functionally identical coupling means (5,6), said coupling means (5,6) comprising coupling means (5) that protrude a distance from the back (4) of the fitting (1,2,3), and wherein the coupling means (5,6) are arranged at a mutual modular distance and provided in such a manner that the fittings (1,2,3) may be interconnected back (4) to back (4) in at least two different positions relative to each other.

Abstract: A panel for housing a photovoltaic cell or the like, for use in combination with a toy construction set of the type having a plurality of connector elements and rod-like struts engageable with the connector elements has a panel body and a plurality of legs extending from the panel body. The legs are adapted for tight frictional engagement with cavities in the connectors and are located such that the connectors mounted thereon can be interconnected to each other using the connectors and struts so that the panel can be incorporated in an assembly comprised of a combination of the connectors and struts. Outside legs are located near the corners of the panel such that one connector can be used to join two adjacent panels. A pair of inside legs are located near the center of the panel for mounting a center connector.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the formation of modular units from individual plate-like elements and other elements with special interlocking joints at their ends that allow them to form cubes that can be grouped together to form storage "cubbies" and modular structural systems and toy construction sets and the like, wherein, in one embodiment, the plates are formed with one end having studs on a 45 degree angled surface, and the other end having receptacles or openings such as sockets on a 45 degree angled surface for interlocking with a second mating plate like the first, but in which the studs and sockets are interchanged, allowing a cube to be formed by two of each type of plate, with the use of studs and sockets on the surfaces allowing two or more such cubes to stick together; and wherein, in another embodiment, the cube is made from four identical plates, as by an extrusion process, where one end of a plate contains double male features, such as barb arrows, and the other end contains double correspo

Abstract: A light table having a table top surface fabricated of translucent or transparent polymer material, one surface being of a smooth and planar configuration, while the alternative surface may include a series of integral sockets, and into which various light blocks or game pieces may insert, and be built up into structured configurations. The smooth table top surface may be used with planar light transmitting pieces, tinted to various colors, be either translucent or transparent in configuration, and through their combination can provide both pleasure through their usage, and a source of education to the child regarding light and its transmission and color mixing to attain various coloration. The light blocks may be fabricated as fiber optics, and scintillating fiber optics, or of translucent material, to enhance the transmission of light emanating from the illuminating lamps provided within the interchangeable table top surfaces of this invention. The light table may incline.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for creating three-dimensional figures or forms starting from any flat surface image. The process includes the steps of selecting an illustration to be reproduced in three dimensions and then preparing an assistance plan for the assembly starting from the figures own, or cast, shadow. Thereafter, contour drawings are made of each piece, joining each point that defines a level, following the model's contour until arriving back at the point of departure. The design is then broken down by drawing each of the component pieces thereof individually and cataloging them and grouping them by material, texture and color; making the pieces obtained from the individual drawings, then grouping and cataloging by level each of the fabricated pieces. A base or theoretical point is space is determined over which the work will be assembled; marking at level zero, or the base, the position at which level one will be placed on the base.

Abstract: A unit toy system comprises at least partially differing landscape units, which have a base area and at least one bearing area for the base area of the in each case other landscape unit. The bearing areas have a vertical distance from the respective base area that corresponds to an integral multiple of a vertical modular dimension. A locking aperture is formed on each bearing area. In the vicinity of the base area, locking elements are formed, which are provided with snap-in locking elements which can detachably engage with the locking aperture.

Abstract: A carrying case provides a storage space for toy building system components which include couplers and building pieces. The case has a hinged lid with apertures which can detachably receive and lockably mount the couplers. The apertures are arranged in an array of staggered rows laid out so that couplers mounted on the lid can be interconnected by the building pieces. Models can be built upon the mounted couplers in a desired form and configuration. Each aperture on the lid is configured to receive a coupler peg in an insertion area. The peg includes a neck and a head. In order to lockably mount the coupler, it is shifted laterally from the insertion area, so that the peg neck moves through a transition channel and into a clasping area where the coupler is locked in position. The coupler cannot be removed vertically from the locked position because the peg head is trapped below the lid, compressing the lid between the coupler and the peg head.

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 toy building block set, that includes a plurality of building blocks each having a plurality of sides for interconnection with the sides of other building blocks; and at least one side of each building block having a semicircular-shaped channel formed therein for alignment with the semicircular-shaped channel of another building block to form a circular channel. In addition, there is a plurality of cylindrical rod-like members each for placement in one of the circular channels of the aligned building blocks and for extending from the aligned building blocks to support other building blocks in the toy building block set.

Abstract: A special education device to teach the severely mentally retarded the basic skills of reading comprising four elements; a plurality of blocks, joining mechanisms, a base and a connecting member. Each of the blocks have three special structural characteristics; a symbol or pictorial representation; a means of joining other blocks to form words and sentences only in a horizontal left to right direction; and a means of connecting to the connecting member. All four elements are capable of being united by a student that has severe handicaps in finger dexterity and arm movement. At least the following structures can be formed; sorting in vertical columns; associating the word or sentence formed with a pictorial representation of this word or sentence; words and sentences formed in rows which are parallel to each other and to the flat top surface of the base; formation of words by changing the beginning and ending consonants of a root phonogram.

Abstract: This educational device has been specifically developed so that a severely mentally disabled person can build simple and compound machines that are used in the teaching of basic mechanics.The four elements-building units, linkages, connector-strips and a special supporting base called a linkage-box, are capable of being united even though the disabled person may also have severe physical disabilties in hand and arm movements.As the machines are built, the disabled person is also having a three dimensional real life experience with concepts such as, "force", "weight", "mechanical advantage", pulley, wheel, axle, velocity, rotation, directionality and cause and effect relationships.The knowledge and skills developed can also find practical application in the vocational, residential and recreational settings.

Abstract: A base for a modular multi-part construction toy is disclosed which has a surface which permits the assembly of a number of toy modules thereon to form an erected toy. The base further includes a number of mechanically movable elements which are used in association with various drive shaft pieces to rotate or otherwise move part or all of the erected toy. The drive shaft pieces are engaged by the movable elements which in turn are driven in movement by gearing mechanically coupled to a motor which is housed internally within the base. The base further includes a number of electrical receptacles for supplying electric power to electric light emitting toy modules, and an audio output mechanism for producing sounds associated with the erected toy. The surface of the base may further be provided with a desired contour or profile and have indicia which simulates a particular geographic location, vehicle, vessel, or other structure.

Abstract: A construction kit comprises a base panel having a peripheral frame, a rear wall for locating on the base panel against a rear portion of the peripheral frame, and side walls. The side walls have rear edges for engagement in grooves provided at opposite ends of the rear wall, and studs at the bottom of their front edges for engaging in holes in the top face of the peripheral frame of the base panel.

Abstract: A toy building construction kit includes a plurality of floor defining elements, means 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shape sorting bucket for use in combination with a set of construction toy blocks having coupling elements that make them detachably stackable onto each other. The bucket is made of three parts including a container defining an enclosure in which the construction toy blocks can be stored, a shape sorting rim extending above the container, this rim having walls provided with holes of different shape, and a lid detachably connectable onto the rim, this lid having an upper surface from which project coupling elements similar to or compatible with those of the construction toy blocks, whereby the lid can be used as a base plate for use to play with the construction toy blocks. Some of the construction blocks are sized and shaped to snugly fit into and thus be sortable through the holes in the walls of the rim, whereby the bucket can also be used as a shape sorting toy. This bucket can be personalized into a character.

Abstract: A building element for a constructional building set having coupling means for coupling to other building elements included in the building set by cooperation with their coupling studs arranged with mutual modular measures, said coupling means comprising flanges whose side faces are adapted to engage a plurality of the coupling studs on the other building element in a first number of orientations of the building element with respect to the other building element, said flanges being divided into sections so as to form edge faces which serve as engagement faces with the coupling studs in a second number of orientations of the building element.

Abstract: A receptacle for the storage of building elements for a constructional building set is constructed as a trunk having hinged parts. The receptacle is formed with one or more recesses to receive plate-shaped elements incorporated in the constructional building set. Coupling portions in the form of projections are provided along at least a portion of the periphery of the recesses to cooperate with complementary coupling portions in the form of grooves on the plate-shaped elements with a view to establishing temporary retention of the elements.

Abstract: A strategy game with the flavor of Tic Tac Toe embodied in both two dimensional(planar) and three dimensional (cubic) configurations. Each consists of a lattice type matrix forming a plurality of interconnected adjacent open cubes. The playing members are spherical and player differentiated by color. These player balls are inserted into the matrix alternately by the players and scoring is achieved by ball patterns; e.g., three in a row or nine in a single plane. The uniqueness in this game is the ability of the player balls to move from one cube to another in the matrix by the players forcing one ball against another. This capability dramatically increases scoring and blocking opportunities.

Abstract: A miniature light string display container for selectively displaying a plurality of light bulbs of a miniature light string in a desired arrangement, including a container with a front display panel having an array of regularly spaced mounting openings therethrough, which openings are sized for securely receiving light bulbs of a light string at least partially therethrough in a desired arrangement or pattern which is selectable on the array of mounting openings. The display container also includes a reversibly openable entry panel with a closed position and an open position, in which open position a rear surface of the display panel may be accessed. Electrical connection wire is extendable through the display container, when closed, for connecting the string of lights to an electrical power source, so that the pattern of inserted light bulbs is illuminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to construction and building toys, blocks and the like for children and structurally similar construction and building materials and components for building retaining walls, support structures and lattices, trellises, and enclosed structures and other self supported units comprised of a plurality of individual, modular, high-shear panels, and more particularly, to a plurality of cross members having discrete and individual openings at various and specific locations within the cross members and a plurality of tubular or cylindrical or other cross-sectional shaped lateral members, the lateral members being set into the openings within the cross members such that, upon assembly, modular, high shear strength panels are created.

Abstract: A magnetic toy or puzzle comprising a plurality of essentially two-dimensional pieces that may be assembled to form a hollow three-dimensional object. Each piece has at least three edges, and a magnet is mounted along each edge of each piece to allow the edges of the pieces to be joined together. The magnets are preferably keyed to allow: (a) only certain edges to attach to each other; or (b) the edges of the pieces to fit together in only one orientation. The magnets allow the edges to be joined in certain configurations to obtain the three-dimensional object. A holder for the puzzle pieces is provided that adds additional puzzle possibilities.

Abstract: A doll and doll stand combination is adapted for removable attachment of the doll to the stand. The doll has at least one foot which is adapted to rest on the stand. The foot has a hollow sector which defines a bottom wall, with a slot extending through the wall into the hollow. The stand has a plug adapted to be inserted into the slot, and includes a resilient flange adapted to extend over the inner face of the bottom wall when the plug is inserted. The flange has sufficient resiliency to prevent the plug from being extracted from the slot by the weight and leverage of the doll and stand, but allows the plug to be pulled out of the slot by a force that will not break the bottom wall.

Abstract: An interlockable connection system is disclosed herein for releasably joining a selected number of tiles together wherein each tile includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to snap-lock with a retaining element used in common with other tiles so as to provide a composite object composed of multiple tiles of various polygonal shapes. The retaining elements may be of many shapes and tiles may be of a variety of geometric configurations. The connection system provides convenient repeatable joining and unjoining of the retaining elements with the tiles and permits rotation of the joint through a large angle about the axis of the joined tile edges.

Abstract: A marble run game consists of a set of block elements constructed and arranged for assembly and disassembly by a user to create an extended, generally horizontal path for travel of a marble. Each block element has a top surface and one or more side surfaces, the top surface and at least one side surface of the block element together defining at least one groove for generally horizontal travel of a marble along the top surface and through a plane of the side surface.

Abstract: A toy that can be assembled by a child. At least one first block element consisting of a rod made of a flexible material including a fitting terminal at one end or opposite ends thereof is provided. The fitting terminal has at least one fitting projection thereon. A second block element has a plurality of fitting holes each adapted to be fitted onto one of the fitting projections. The first block element and the second block element are combined with each other during an assembling operation so as to exhibit a desired three dimensional configuration. Each fitting terminal is provided with a plurality of fitting projections projecting from the outer surface of the fitting terminal so that the fitting projections can be selectively fitted into one of the fitting holes on the second block element. The rod constituting the first block element is composed of a plastically deformable core and a flexible sheath molded of a soft synthetic resin surrounding the core.

Abstract: A changeable grid system kit for constructing three-dimensional toy and scale model designs, including a base component fabricated of a tough, resilient material, slots formed in the top face of the base, and slats which are insertable into the slots. The invention is designed to ensure that there is little or no loss in the tight fit between the slats and the base material after repeated insertion and removal of the slats. The base material is selected so as to avoid fracturing or splintering caused by repeated use or incidental contact. One such material is a closed-cell crosslinked polyethylene foam. In one embodiment of the invention, the base component is placed vertically such that the slats extend from the slots to form quasi-horizontal surfaces. In this orientation the present invention may be used as an educational tool to illustrate such physical principles as gravity, friction, and the like.

Abstract: A play kit, including a carrying case with a storage volume sized to enclose therewithin and allow removal therefrom a play tray and a play sheet. The play tray includes a rigid planar supporting member having first and second planar surfaces. The first surface is a bearing surface for bearing against a foreign surface to support the tray in use and the second surface is a mating surface with a demateable attachment elements for demateable attachment of the play sheet. The supporting member it is bordered by opposing vertical extension members extending beyond the first surface of the supporting member and sized to limit sliding motion in the plane of the play tray. The play sheet includes first and second surfaces. The first surface is adaptable for use as a game or toy and the second surface is substantially planar and includes demateable attachment elements corresponding to the attachment elements on the second surface of the supporting member for demateable attachment of the play sheet with the play tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides an educational apparatus for creating both mental and physical tasks. The apparatus includes a peg board, manipulative members sized to cooperatively engage the peg board and a template for locating specific indicia with respect to the pegs on the peg board. Corresponding indicia are disposed on the manipulative members such that a preferred association exists between a given manipulative member and a given peg. The user initially performs the mental task of forming the preferred association, and subsequently performs the physical task of cooperatively engaging the manipulative member upon the corresponding peg.

Abstract: An interactive sculptural composition comprising a support member and at least one design member matingly attached thereto. The support member defines a plurality of parallel channels and possesses a multiplicity of projections arranged into rows parallel to the channels with at least one row of projections being present between each adjacent channel. The design member is matingly attached to the support member by either: (1) inserting at least one of the projections of the support member through a hole in the design member or (2) inserting a first edge of the design member into a first channel of the support member and inserting a second edge of the design member into a second, adjacent channel of the support member.

Abstract: A three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle sculpture is provided for use in retaining puzzle pieces in assembled form in a decorative piece of art. The jigsaw puzzle sculpture includes a frame which defines the shape of the sculpture, and puzzle assembled to the frame. The frame has a three-dimensional configuration and includes a channel extending around the periphery of each frame section to hold the puzzle pieces in place. Each frame section provides a substantially planar surface circumscribed by a channel, which planar surface provides a support for the puzzle pieces. The planar surfaces include one or more apertures which are utilized to remove the puzzle pieces from the frame. Separable frame members are assembled to one another utilizing pin and hole interlocks. The three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle sculpture, when fully assembled, provides a decorative piece of art which may be subsequently disassembled and reassembled as desired.

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: A play system for enabling a construction to be built has a base plate, the base plate having a plurality of slots in the main surfaces thereof. A container for a toy or game, in the form of a box having two parts hinged together, can be mounted on the base plate. At least one of the parts of the box has a main wall with an edge portion which can be located in one of the slots in the base plate, whereby said container can form one or more walls for the construction.

Abstract: Building block system, magnetically held together, comprising a base plate (1) and at least one building block (2). The base plate (1) comprises a magnetizable metal core (3) and at least one building block (2) comprises at least one magnetizable metallic joining element (4) placed inside the building block. The metal core (3) of the building block system is preferably electrically magnetizable and the parts of the system have smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A toy is provided with a catapult having a launching surface, a plurality of interlocking figures, similarly shaped and sized to be launched from the launching surface, and a wave-like undulating surface with which the interlocking figures also fit.

Abstract: A play table and activity center for use with a modular building system having a multitude of interlocking elements has a generally planar play surface which includes a plurality of recesses sized and shaped to matingly receive the interlocking elements of the modular building system. Preferably, the recesses are provided by individual segments which are assembled to collectively define the play surface, the individual segments being removable for use at a remote location and to facilitate the cleaning of the play table. An opening in the play surface provides access to a removable storage compartment for retaining the interlocking elements of the building system. Optionally, the play table may be converted into a substantially conventional table by assembling a flat panel above the play surface.

Abstract: A gameboard apparatus made up of a gameboard adapted to have assembled thereon stacking pieces and top pieces that are frictionally interlockable onto the gameboard and with each other. The gameboard comprises a plurality of adjacent gameboard or playing-position squares arranged in an equilateral matrix and is preferably divided into equal sections. The squares each comprise within their bounds vertical walls adapted to frictionally interlock with complementing vertical walls of stacking pieces and top pieces. The stacking pieces are hermaphroditic in nature having on one end interlocking male wall and on the other interlocking female walls whereby stacking pieces are adapted to frictionally interlock with complementing vertical walls of the gameboard, top pieces and each other.

Abstract: An educational and recreational toy for babies and children including: a plurality of rectangular blocks 30 having rectangular protrusions 31 provided with letters, figures and symbols selectively placed thereon and rectangular recesses 32 for connection to protrusions on other blocks; a plurality of triangular blocks 40 having rectangular and triangular protrusions 41, 42 and recess 44 thereon respectively; a platform 20 having a plurality of protrusions 10 on its front surface; and wheel means 60 having a rectangular recess 61 at the center. According to the invention, various letters, figures, and patterns as well as a dynamic playing model such as an airplane and an automobile can be made, so that babies and children can play, while at the same time, various educational effects can be obtained naturally.

Abstract: A discretionary mosaic art kit which comprises a support board arranged so as to selectively accommodate individual pieces of design creating elements at a selected location on said board, and a plurality of design creating elements in the form of an equilateral triangle, each adapted to be fixed to said board at a selected location.

Abstract: An artistic toy for producing a desired design, figure or picture includes a support with cells and a plurality of blocks to be mounted in the cells. Once mounted in the cells, the blocks are firmly held therein. The toy further includes a block remover which enables the blocks to be readily removed, one by one, from the cells no matter how the blocks are located relative to one another. Another artistic toy includes (i) a holding plate which can be connected to a support to hold blocks from above, (ii) means for standing an assembled toy of the support, blocks and the holding plate on a flat surface, and (iii) means for hanging the assembled toy on a wall.