Abstract: A walk-in child playhouse having pivotally attached seating surfaces. In one embodiment, the walk-in child playhouse comprises an enclosed rotomolded plastic structure having walls, a roof, and at least one chair or seat member pivotally attached to the playhouse. In another embodiment, the walk-in child playhouse has a garden party theme in which the roof has a canopy portion overhanging the rear of the house. Under the canopy are two chairs or seat members pivotally connected the rear wall and the roof via a pair of continuous bosses, the rear wall also having a substantially horizontally extending table disposed between the chairs and under the canopy. In another embodiment, the playhouse comprises a series of double-walled hollow parts that are interconnected by a unique snap interlock system. In yet another embodiment, the playhouse comprises a lateral connection member for joining various wall panels at a lower portion thereof.

Abstract: A construction element, preferably a constructional toy, including a tubular body portion and, formed integrally with each of the opposite ends thereof, a pair of gripping jaws, each pair constituting a coupling portion. The constituent jaws of each pair are oppositely disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion and are separated by oppositely disposed peripheral coupling device. The tubular body portion is formed with longitudinally directed, angularly spaced-apart, first coupling device. Each pair of the gripping jaws of the construction element can embrace a body portion of a second construction element, with the jaws not extending beyond a median plane of the body portion of the second construction element, and with inner surfaces of the pair of jaws conforming to the outer surface of said body portion.

Abstract: A modular block construction system comprises blocks and other accessory parts that dynamically fit together to form different items of varying forms and shapes. One or more blocks of various sizes have outer, peripheral edges that can be mated with one another, or snap fitted to accessories including walls and wedges. Each cubicle block comprises six intersecting panels that have peripheral edges that alternate with pairs of spaced apart nubs and sockets that enable the panels to be orthogonally assembled. Outwardly projecting panel sides of assembled blocks can be snap fitted to abutting sides of other blocks. Spider connectors captivated within the blocks transform each connecting surface between male, female, and flattened configurations. Radially spaced apart follower slots are defined in the sides. Movable spiders captivated within the blocks have arms slidably received by and constrained within the slots.

Abstract: A hockey puck having integral rollers for use on hard surfaces other than ice. The rollers of the hockey puck, which are captured within and project from both sides of the main body thereof, enable the device to roll across various hard surfaces, overcoming the frictional forces that inhibit the sliding of conventional hockey pucks across surfaces other than ice. The two halves of the puck are securely fastened together using elastic snap members that simplify assembly of the puck while assuring greater reliability and durability.

Abstract: A toy construction set is described having construction modules with male connectors and female connectors on selected ends thereof. Each male connector comprises a projecting pin of generally rounded cross-section with an outwardly projecting shoulder adjacent the outer end thereof. Each female connector comprises a generally square socket formed by a pair of projecting opposed L-shaped fins with one leg of each L-shaped fin being no more than one half the length of the other leg thereby providing gaps on opposite sides of a module. The fins also have grooves on inside faces thereof adapted to receive and hold in a snap fit the projecting shoulder of a male connector. With this arrangement, the modules can be simply snapped together while at the same time being rotatable relative to each other. This rotatable feature adds a new dimension to the constructions and greatly increases play value. The design of the female connector socket also simplifies the moulding of the modules because there are no undercuts.

Abstract: An toy track coupling mechanism has guidance channels to aid alignment formed on confronting ends of the track sections. A horizontally operating latch prevents unwanted disconnection of the coupled track sections during assembly and play. A laterally adjacent horizontally operating release switch allows easy disassembly of the track sections by disengaging the latch in response to natural hand pressures and movements.

Abstract: A spherical toy formed by multiple conical-shaped members with the apexes of the cones adjacent the center of the sphere and the bases of the cones forming the outer surface of the sphere. Modifications include the use of solid or hollow cones and the use of various means of attachment of the apexes of the cones to form the core of the sphere.

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 construction toy system comprises straight and curved tube beams and injection molded beams. The beams have joint end in the continuation of the bodies. The joint ends area separated from the bodies by flanges surrounding the edge of the beams. The flanges are created to prevent the beams from pushing through when connected to connectors. The connectors comprise plural cubes with six cylindrical receivers to where the beams are connected, creating structures from the beams. The receivers have an aperture equivalent to the joint ends of the beams and each receiver incorporates an interior surface for holding the joint ends of the beams.

Abstract: Base-ten blocks for teaching arithmetic to children, in which each block (19) has a projecting boss (27) with curved (bowed-out) sides (29) and an aperture (33) with straight sides (35), so that blocks (19) can be securely joined together to form multiples of units. Integrally made rows (37) of ten blocks each have two end bosses (41) for joining to other rows (37) to make flats (47) of one hundred units. Each flat has four bosses (51) for joining to other flats (47) to make a cube of one thousand units. The blocks have one color for units, a different color for rows of tens, a different color for flats of one hundred, and a still different color for cubes of one thousand. The blocks can be used to teach addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, etc., to children.

Abstract: A mono-air-cell body made of a flexible elastic material and having a hollow interior and no less than one connecting tube for connecting different mono-air-cell bodies together one after another, for making up a shock-absorbing cushion. Each mono-air-cell body can have any shape in its top plan view. Each connecting tube can be a male one having at least one round circumferential groove or a female one having at least one round circumferential ridge so that the male and the female connecting tubes can be joined together, thereby connecting two mono-air-cell bodies together. The shock-absorbing cushion can be composed to have a shape of a band, a plane, a sphere or any three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A toy connector in accordance with the present invention joins first and second structural elements which are aligned adjacent one another and engaged to form a flush, secure connection having a female connector assembly joined to the first structural element having at least two recess elements and at least one female snap element disposed between the recess elements, and a male connector assembly joined to the second structural element having at least one tongue adapted to engage each of the recess elements, and at least one male snap element adapted to engage the female snap element.

Abstract: Toy building blocks of the type having an array of sockets on one principal face and a matching array of projections on the opposite face that can be wedged into the sockets of another block are also joinable in an end to end relationship which enables lateral pivoting of one block in either direction relative to the block with which it is linked. In the preferred form, the opposite ends of the blocks are linkable to still other blocks in a manner which enables pivoting or flexing in an orthogonal direction. This enables assembly of interlocking blocks into a greater variety of different constructions and enables pivoting of linked portions of an assembled construction in a greater number of different directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for safely playing a catching, hitting, or throwing game with an infant or disabled adult. The object to be caught, hit, or thrown is made the base of a pendulum and the object is caught, hit, or thrown near the most elevated position/location of the arc of the pendulum, at which the object comes to rest and where it is therefore easiest to catch, hit, or throw. Means are included to avoid hazards of hanging, strangling, choking, and contusions.

Abstract: An annular support device is formed by a series of identical torus segments with adjacent segments connected end-to-end in a continuous loop. One end face of each segment has a central channel for receiving the extension of the adjacent torus segment. The extension-channel interface between adjacent segments defines a twisting axis permitting each segment to be twisted through 360 degrees relative to the other segments. The support device may be twisted into an infinite variety of decorative and useful configurations. Each end face has a raised peripheral rim which abuts with an identical cooperating peripheral rim on the opposed face of the adjacent segment. The rims are circular and define a common interface plane perpendicular to the twist axis therebetween. The torus curve causes the twist axis at each end of a segment to be non-aligned, and prevents individual segments from being twisted relative to both adjacent segments simultaneously.

Abstract: A toy construction set connection device consists of a shaft and a shaft bushing. The bushing consists of two bushing parts which are fixedly mountable on the shaft. By means of an axial or rotational displacement of the second bushing part relative to the first bushing part, the whole shaft bushing can be anchored in a desired transverse groove on shaft. The anchoring may be released by pulling the second bushing part from the first part.

Abstract: An improved connector element is disclosed, for use in toy construction sets. The connector is of injection molded construction, using a minimum weight of plastic material and designed for high speed, high volume production as extremely low cost. The connector includes lugs arranged to be received within tubular structural elements, for example plastic straws. The lugs have a full-length, longitudinal slot recess defining opposed lug portions normally slightly larger at the outer and inner end extremities than the interior of the structural elements. The slot recess is wider in the center portions then at either end. An integral compression post extends between the opposed lug portions in the region of the wider portions of the slot recess, so that only the outer portions of the lugs deflect inwardly when inserted into a tubular structural element. The body of the connector is formed of a central tubular hub surrounded by a thin walled flange which mounts the lugs.

Abstract: A model skeleton comprises a plurality of interconnected members, hinge joints joining some at least of the adjacent members for relative articulation between those members and a skeletal torso such as to effect partial simulation of animal movements. Each hinge joint has a pair of projections projecting from one member engaging wall of an adjacent member for relative rotation, a barb on the projection retaining that engagement, and sealing surfaces surrounding the projection and effecting seal between those members.

Abstract: For simulating hydromechanical actuation of components in a toy model such as a toy excavator having legs and a shovel, means for exclusively mechanical power transmission are provided. These means include actuating units comprising each a cylinder casing and a piston rod slidably arranged therein and displaceable by a threaded spindle in engagement with the piston rod. Rotary motion is transmitted to the threaded spindle by a flexible shaft having plug-in connectors at both ends secured to a core and a protective hose of the flexible shaft. Each flexible shaft is connected with a driving unit installed in the toy model and releasably connected with a rotary power source such as handwheel or an electric motor.

Abstract: A domino type game is provided having game interlocking pieces formed with matching shapes rather than number dot patterns. In accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention, a playing piece is provided that has a stepped configuration with two generally flat engaging portions lying in two spaced apart planes and joined by a web. An upstanding post having a regular shape is mounted on one surface of one engaging portion, and a socket extends through the other engaging portion to the opposite surface. In at least some of the pieces, the shape of the post and the shape of the socket are different, so that a chain of shaped dominoes may be formed as a game.

Abstract: Tile for use in forming a toy roadway, each tile having a roadway pattern formed on it and each tile having an engagement structure for interlocking with similar adjacent tiles to form a complete system. The pattern of the roadways of the complete system may be varied by simply changing the orientation of one side of the toy roadway tile or by changing the alignment of an edge of one or more tiles.

Abstract: The toy combination includes a toy vehicle having one or more pairs of spaced apart shoulders on exterior sides of the vehicle body and one or more toy attachments releasably secured on the pairs of shoulders by snap-fitting a respective pair of rails on the toy attachment against a respective pair of shoulders. The toy attachment includes resilient extensions on which the rails are carried. The extensions are flexed to snap-fit the rails on the shoulders. The toy attachment can include first and second pairs of extensions adjacent opposite ends with a receptacle intermediate the extensions for releasably receiving a toy figure.

Abstract: Polygonal construction modules are capable of being connected together by their edges and by their faces to create many different three-dimensional shapes. Each module has a generally planar body with edge faces, a top face and a bottom. Each edge face has a plurality of outwardly projecting fingers designed to provide a snap-together lateral interlock between fingers of adjacent modules while permitting hinging or rotation between modules on an axis parallel to the side face. Projecting upwardly from each top face is at least one annular connector element for establishing a friction fit with a like connector element in face-to-face interlocking engagement. The connector element includes a series of projections arranged in a uniform circular array, each projection being segmental in shape with radial side walls.

Abstract: Flexible convoluted tubing is made of an elastomeric material in desired lengths in which one end has convolutions with a configuration different from the convolutions at the other end. This enables the ends of each length to be interlocked in order to form a continuous closed hose. Alternatively separate lengths of tubing can be joined by interlocking one end of each length of tubing to the dissimilar end of another length of tubing.

Abstract: An endless rail for a running toy is described. The rail includes a plurality of block bodies, each having a guide groove formed on a top surface thereof. Each block body is in the shape of an alphabet letter or symbol. Each guide groove is open to at least one end surface of the block body. A female fitting portion and a male fitting portion are formed adjacent each opening of the guide groove to connect block bodies together and communicate the guide grooves. The running toy is provided with a guide pin fitted into the communicated grooves.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting hollow toy building blocks having a generally cylindrical primary projection extending outwardly therefrom comprises a housing which is generally square in cross section, having two interconnected pairs of generally parallel sidewalls defining first and second open ends for receiving the blocks to be interconnected. The adapter further includes one generally cylindrical tubular member substantially within the center of the housing, the cylindrical tubular member extending generally parallel to the sidewalls and being supported by at least one flange member extending inwardly from one of the sidewalls, the flange member being generally parallel to and of substantially the same height as the sidewalls.

Abstract: A flying toy which can move through the air by flapping its wings which consists of a body having at least one opening, at least one flexible wing connected to the body which can flap to move the flying toy through the air, and an elastic band for storing power for flapping the at least one flexible wing. The toy also includes an activation assembly connected to the elastic band for activating the flapping of the at least one flexible wing by the elastic band. The at least one oscillating wing base is secured to the at least one flexible wing through the at least one opening. The toy also includes a wind-up assembly for winding the elastic band and a latching assembly for neutralizing the activation assembly before the flying toy is released to fly. The latching assembly is constructed and arranged such that activation of the flying toy to cause flight can be accomplished using only one hand.

Abstract: A collapsible barricade comprising a rigid cross-member coupled by an elastic joint to at least one pair of rigid legs. The elastic joint is developed by a flexible, elastic, resilient connecting member which is attached at one end to the cross-member and at the other end to the rigid leg in a manner such that the formed elastic joint is capable of stretching under stress to allow the pair of legs and attached cross-member to deform from a sturdy configuration when subjected to an impact by a vehicle or other moving object. The collapsible barricade can then be restored to its sturdy condition by merely repositioning or reattaching the connecting members to the respective legs and cross-member and by repositioning the deformed structure to its original configuration.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a clip for securing together adjacent collapsible, expandable, self-locking, self-supporting structures which include a plurality of pairs of crossed rod elements pivotally joined in scissored fashion to each other and to hubs having openings therein, the structures having at least one hub of each section adjacent each other, and the clip having at least two stems with each stem being interlockingly received in an associated opening of the adjacent hubs to thereby secure the structures to each other in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

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 fastener includes a pad element having number of connecting prongs having two locking ridges disposed thereon. The top locking ridges, which are disposed closest to the tip of the prongs, are smaller than the lower locking ridges, thereby facilitating easy alignment of the unisex fasteners of a mating pad. Back prongs on the pad are used for connecting the pad to a surface of an article having holes for receiving the back prongs such that the connecting prongs are positioned to face upwardly from the surface. The fastener is adapted for use in yieldably or separably anchoring a baseball base in place on a playing field ground support attachment having like-constructed fastener prongs whereby injury to a runner sliding into the base will be minimized due to yielding under a relatively low force or separating under a relatively high force of the fastener prongs upon contact thereof.

Abstract: An annular support device is formed by a series of identical torus segments with adjacent segments connected end-to-end in a continuous loop. One end face of each segment has a central extension, and the other end face has a central channel for receiving the extension of the adjacent torus segment. The extension-channel interface between adjacent segments defines a twisting axis permitting each segment to be twisted through 360 degrees relative to the other segments. The support device may be twisted into an infinite variety of decorative and useful configurations. Each end face has a raised peripheral rim which abuts with an identical cooperating peripheral rim on the opposed face of the adjacent segment. The rims are circular and define a common interface plane perpendicular to the twist axis therebetween. The torus curve causes the twist axis at each end of a segment to be non-aligned, and prevents individual segments from being twisted relative to both adjacent segments simultaneously.

Abstract: An encoding game device having a series of flexible elongated carriers including a series of compartments interconnected by reduced sections. Each compartment contains a rotatable sphere having raised binary 1's and 0's with different tactile backgrounds for visual and tactile sensing. The carriers are used in conjunction with registers for coding and decoding selected words using binary, phonetic and semantic codings.