Abstract: A toy construction block kit is disclosed. The basic unit of the toy construction block unit has three basic sides, with two side walls and a connecting wall. Each of the two side walls have ‘tongues” extending from their interior sides. The back connecting wall has means for reversibly capturing the tongues. The construction block units have two tongues that stick out from opposing walls, and a distal part which contains a double receiving clip. As each construction block unit has the two tongues and a double receiving clip, when two blocks are pushed together, they double lock. The construction block unit can be attached to one or more other construction block units, or could be attached to a blank cube.

Abstract: A framework for modular furniture comprises a plurality of structural members interconnected by brackets. The brackets include at least one tubular socket to receive a respective one of the structural members. The sockets have at least one planar face, and an array of holes on the planar face of the socket to permit connection of an attachment to the bracket to support ancillary components. The array of holes is arranged as two parallel rows spaced apart to define a grid.

Abstract: A tack room curtain hanging apparatus, system and method. A system for hanging display curtains includes a display curtain hung on a display curtain frame including a door frame, a plurality of horizontal planks and a plurality of vertical planks coupled together by a set of brackets to form the display curtain frame, the set of brackets including a tee bracket and a corner bracket, the tee bracket including a horizontal socket mated to an end of a particular one of the plurality of horizontal planks, and a vertical socket mated to a top end of a particular one of the plurality of vertical planks, the top end aligned with a bottom of the horizontal socket, a first single fastener coupling the top end of the vertical plank to the vertical socket, and a second single fastener coupling the end of the horizontal plank to the horizontal socket.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for use in conjunction with rod and connector construction toy sets, such as K'NEX, to enable incrementally adjustable positioning of rods relative to associated connectors. The new mechanism includes first and second positioning members. The first, positioning member is, mounted on a rod for angular movement and includes a cylindrical outer surface with multiple detent notches. The second positioning member has a convergent pair of resilient fingers engaged with a spaced pair of the detent notches to releasably retain the first positioning member in any incrementally adjusted position. The second positioning member includes mounting studs engageable with laterally spaced connectors of an assembly, and a separate locating element engageable with at least one of the connectors to fix the second positioning member against rotation.

Abstract: All-shape building blocks may be shaped as platonic solids. All-Shape building blocks may be modified to include a flange on each tetrahedron edge, where each flange and each tetrahedron vertex may include magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, ferromagnetic metals). All-Shape building blocks may be combined to form or provide an optical appearance of various geometric structures, and the included magnetic materials may be used to retain the formed geometric structure shape.

Abstract: All-shape building blocks may be shaped as platonic solids. All-Shape building blocks include a flange on each tetrahedron edge, where each flange and each tetrahedron vertex may include magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, ferromagnetic metals). All-Shape building block flanges may be used to capture kinetic energy from a fluid. Multiple All-Shape building blocks may be combined to form larger structures, and the included magnetic materials may be used to retain the formed geometric structure shape.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for use in conjunction with rod and connector construction toy sets, such as K'NEX, to enable incrementally adjustable positioning of rods relative to associated connectors. The new mechanism includes first and second positioning members. The first, positioning member is, mounted on a rod for angular movement and includes a cylindrical outer surface with multiple detent notches. The second positioning member has a convergent pair of resilient fingers engaged with a spaced pair of the detent notches to releasably retain the first positioning member in any incrementally adjusted position. The second positioning member includes mounting studs engageable with laterally spaced connectors of an assembly, and a separate locating element engageable with at least one of the connectors to fix the second positioning member against rotation.

Abstract: An interlocking building block, and procedure for constructing the same, having a planar locking mechanism and a spatial locking mechanism. The planar locking mechanism being a three-clawed piece built around an equilateral triangle with protruding arms and grooves corresponding to a circular arc. The protruding claws are rotated on a plane around a center of rotation. These align with grooves of another three-clawed piece to offer a locking mechanism, where the center point of the circular arc is identical to the center of planar rotation. The spatial locking mechanism may have a hexagonal prism placed next to the three-clawed piece and connected to the corners of the equilateral triangle, into which the three-clawed piece is placed so that the protruding claws extend beyond the hexagonal prism, or the spatial locking mechanism consists of protrusions ensuring a groove/taper connection and connecting grooves, so that each piece contains protrusions and grooves.

Abstract: A resonance testing apparatus has a plurality of arms for supporting a workpiece. At least one of said arms incorporates an articulation assembly having: a strut, a joint element which is movable in response to movement of the strut, and a clamp arrangement for clamping the joint element. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is movable and a second condition in which the clamp arrangement acts on the joint element to damp or restrict movement of the strut. The assembly includes a seating for the joint element, and a biasing arrangement for the seating. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is arranged on the seating and is movable on the seating and a second condition in which the biasing arrangement acts on the seating to damp or restrict movement of the joint element on the seating.

Abstract: A slotted rod for a construction toy is comprised of an elongated rod having a body portion with a length that is longer than the thickness. A conventional connector is located at each end of rod for connection to a hub or to another rod for constructing a structure utilizing the construction toy system. The rod includes a plurality of elongated slots arranged around the periphery with each slot extending axially along the length thereof. Each slot is capable of allowing a piece of sheet-like material to pass therethrough. The slots may be formed directly in the body of the rod or in a sleeve that slides over and covers the body portion. In one embodiment, the slot has an opening at one end whereby the sheet-like material can be inserted into the slot by moving it axially into position.

Abstract: A fluid purification unit includes a case including a hollow and a plurality of openings communicating with the hollow to flow a fluid inside into the hollow and outside from the hollow, the case including combining protrusions formed on a first face and concave portions formed on a second face opposite to the first face, each of the combining protrusions having a first cross sectional area and being regularly arranged in a first direction and at a first interval and each of the concave portions having a second area corresponding to the first cross sectional area and being arranged at a second interval corresponding to the first interval.

Abstract: A soccer ball assembly (10) includes a central mounting core (14) defining thirty-two holes and thirty-two construction elements which are mountable to the central mounting core in an arrangement wherein the construction elements extend radially outwardly therefrom. Twenty of the constructions are hexagonal elements (18) which are hexagonal in cross-section and twelve are pentagonal elements (16) which are pentagonal in cross-section. Each construction element has a spigot formation at an inner end thereof which fits into a different one of the holes in the mounting core (14). In the fully assembled condition, the soccer ball assembly resembles a soccer ball.

Abstract: A log based building system including a plurality of logs having different lengths and a square cross section; at least one connector having an opening sized to slide over an end of a stack of at least two logs and thereby clamp the at least two logs together. The two logs can include notches that allow a third log to be clamped in place by the connector, this arrangement allows for building toys with long reach arms.

Abstract: A slotted rod for a construction toy is comprised of an elongated rod member having a body portion with a length that is substantially longer than the thickness. A conventional connector is located at each end of said rod member for connection to a hub member or to another rod member for constructing a structure utilizing the construction toy system. The rod includes a plurality of elongated slots arranged around the periphery with each slot extending axially along the length thereof. Each slot is capable of allowing a piece of sheet-like material to pass therethrough. The slots may be formed directly in the body portion of the rod member or in a sleeve that slides over and covers the body portion. In one embodiment, the slot has an opening at one end thereof whereby the sheet-like material can be inserted into the slot by moving it axially into position.

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

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Abstract: A connector element for a rod and connector construction toy set of the type enabling a lateral snap-in assembly of rod elements into sockets of the connector is formed of two hingedly connected connector half sections. Each connector half section is formed along one edge with one male and one female hinge element such that two identical connector half sections can be joined together, by a snap-together action of the hinge elements, to form a connector element with one half pivotally movable relative to the other half. Each connector half section is formed with a plurality of rod-engaging sockets accommodating the construction of complex, three-dimensional structures. Advantageously, the two connector half sections are of identical construction, such that both components may be formed of a single mold configuration.

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: Supporting pipes for hanging toys pivotally connect to each opening formed around a seat of a toy supporting frame with first ends and mount on a playard or a mattress with second ends. A rotary cover is further rotatably mounted on the seat and has openings corresponding to the openings of the seat. When the rotary cover rotates to a first position, the openings of the rotary cover align with the openings of the seat such that each supporting pipe is rotatable relative to the seat between an opening status and a folding status. When the rotary cover rotates to a second position, the openings of the rotary cover misalign with the openings of the seat such that each supporting pipe is retained in an opening status.

Abstract: Techniques are described for constructing geodesic dome structures. For example, a method includes connecting a set of panels to form a geodesic dome. The panels have surface contours that conform to a surface contour of a geodesic dome having a dimension larger than a dimension of the geodesic dome formed by the panels. Another method includes attaching flanges to a set of permanent structure members that form a permanent geodesic dome structure. The method further includes fastening a set of panels to the flanges. The panels enclose the geodesic dome structure to form the geodesic dome. The techniques described may allow the construction of a geodesic dome structure of precisely controlled dimensions with relatively small numbers of people and little strenuous labor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for realizing complex constructions, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of basic elements, and a plurality of constructive and/or figurative elements, that can be coupled with said basic elements, each basic element being comprised of ferromagnetic material, to be coupled with a first type of constructive and/or figurative magnetic elements, said basic elements being further provided with not-magnetic coupling means, for coupling with at least a second type of plastic material elements, said plastic material elements being provided with coupling means corresponding to the coupling means provided on said plurality of basic elements.

Abstract: A toy construction set including a plurality of elongated tubular elements each including first and second ends having identical outside diameters. A plurality of differently configured connectors each include a plurality of connecting legs having ends with identical inside diameters sized to closely mate and providing releasable engagement with the tubular elements. The connectors are individually configured to have preferably up to eight (8) connecting legs variously oriented one to another and radially extending from a focal point wherein the toy construction set is used to assemble a three-dimensional structure including a plurality of tubular elements releasably connected to a plurality of connectors.

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

Abstract: A multi-part construction toy incorporating rod and connector elements, as well as block elements, modified in a way to accommodate the building of hybrid structures utilizing both types of building components. Specialized adapter blocks are provided with openings for receiving special adapter rods. A connector element may be attached in the usual manner to an adapter rod projecting from a block element. For existing rod and connector construction toy sets, the adapter blocks are specially dimensioned to enable multiple attachment points to be established such that complex hybrid structures can be formed. For the large existing base of block type sets, the invention provides a specially dimensioned rod and connector set, compatible with existing toy construction blocks, such that the complex hybrid structures described above can also be executed utilizing existing block elements of standard dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a construction system based on genderless connectors. The improvements consist of chamfered entries to permit greater ease of connection and a suite of female connectors that extend the capabilities of the basic genderless connectors on which the construction system is based.

Abstract: A polymeric connector block for interconnecting a plurality of elongate tubular members into a structure has five-sided front and back sides with an orthogonal pattern of three parallel through-apertures therethrough. A fourth through-aperture passes from the left side to the right side, intersecting two of the parallel through-apertures at 90°. A non-through aperture passes from the top side and intersects the other of the parallel through-apertures at 90°. A sixth aperture extends into the block at an intermediate angle such as 45°. There are no apertures in the bottom side. Tubular members are insertable into the apertures and lockable therein by lockscrews. Tubular members may comprise tubing, pipe, electrical conduit and the like, and may include non-tubular materials such as solid rods. A wide range of structures may be created.

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

Abstract: Techniques are described for constructing geodesic dome structures. For example, a method includes connecting a set of temporary spacers to a set of connectors. The spacers arrange the connectors in space so that the connectors are referenced with respect to one another to form the geometries of a geodesic dome. The method may further include making the temporary geodesic dome structure permanent. The techniques described may allow the construction of a geodesic dome structure of precisely controlled dimensions with relatively small numbers of people and little strenuous labor.

Abstract: A construction system and method of constructing is disclosed. The construction system includes a substantially spherical hub and linear member attached to the substantially spherical hub to construct a variety of structures. The method of constructing a structure utilizing a plurality of substantially spherical hubs and linear members includes inserting the linear members into the substantially spherical hubs and rotating them to lock them securely in place.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a construction system based on genderless connectors. The improvements consist of chamfered entries to permit greater ease of connection and a suite of female connectors that extend the capabilities of the basic genderless connectors on which the construction system is based.

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

Abstract: A track structure for a toy construction set. A box-like structure is formed by a plurality of closely spaced, generally X-shaped track braces, which support elongated tubular flexible track. elements by track supports at the upper extremities of the “X”. The track elements have longitudinally extending slots therein to tightly receive the track supports. The track braces are supported and positioned by means of longitudinally extending rods, arranged in parallel relation to the track elements and secured to the track braces by a snap-in engagement of the rods with open-ended gripping sockets formed by the lower extremities of the X-shaped track braces. A plurality of track braces may be mounted on a single pair of rods, and rods may be connected together end to end to make a track assembly of any length. The flexible track elements may be of more or less continuous length.

Abstract: A rod and connector toy construction set, especially for use by young children. Connector elements, are formed with one or more rod-gripping sockets arranged radially with respect to a hub. The sockets are open at opposite sides, enabling lateral insertion and removal of rods. The connector elements are formed of a soft and pliant plastic material, to facilitate assembly and disassembly of rods with the connector elements by small hands. The rods generally are formed of a plastic material harder and stiffer than the connector material. The rods include enlarged, generally cylindrical end portions and adjacent neck portions of reduced diameter. The connector sockets include inner portions, configured to receive and closely confine the rod end portions, and outer portions arranged to receive and snuggly grip the rod necks, such that rods are held in axial alignment with the connector sockets.

Abstract: A system of interconnectable construction elements created from molded plastic, and which include planar and cylindrical strut members of varying lengths and thicknesses which can be coupled together and to various construction elements of varying geometries, wherein the construction elements are capable of movement such as pivoting relative to an attached construction element, wherein cylindrical struts include regularly spaced ball structures and regularly spaced gaps therebetween, and wherein the planar and cylindrical struts include a variety of attaching means disposed on the ends thereof that are capable of coupling with complementary structures to thereby form a variety of models, shapes, patterns or designs.

Abstract: A novel construction set particularly useful for children safely to assemble and use two-and three-dimensional structures of a wide range of sizes and shapes with flexible foam-like tubes or rods detachable to male or female elements carried by foam-like connectors, and preferably of hexaoctahedral or spherical contour, and with such novel geometric design also useful with other construction materials for other uses as well.

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

Abstract: A structural frame or truss, suitable for use as part of a light aircraft fuselage includes steel tubular members joined by structural connectors or connector blocks. The blocks include bore holes into which the ends of lateral tubular members are inserted, and longitudinal tubes or longerons are inserted through holes extending between opposed block faces. The structural connector blocks not only connect the tubular members, but they serve as jigs for assembling the structural frame. Tubes can be plug welded to the blocks, and the fuselage outer skin can be attached to the structural connectors to form a dual fuselage structure.

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

Abstract: A system for modular construction provided by interconnectable and stackable polymeric blocks having end and side walls connected to a top wall, and exterior and interior cylinders. The exterior cylinders are matable with the interior cylinders of a connecting block, and apertures in the top wall allow for re-bar, conduit or installation of insulation. Raised ribs located adjacent to the top wall contact the connecting block to further enhance stability of the erected structure.

Abstract: A storage unit assembly kit comprising only two types of rectangular panel pieces are repetitively interlocked to form a storage array for miniature toys. The first type of panel piece includes enlargements at each corner pierced by a first and second aperture extending completely across the plane of the panel. The second type of panel piece, in turn, includes a first and second set of posts extending laterally in the panel plane for insertion in the respective ones of the apertures. The second type of panel piece may also include a bounding barrier generally dimensioned to receive and confine the toy therebetween.

Abstract: A gravity-deformable toy is formed by interlocking a plurality of flexible struts with a plurality of nodes. Each strut has a truncated sphere on at least one end thereof and each node has a plurality of spherical cavities defined therein. A truncated sphere of a strut is received in a spherical cavity to lock the strut to the node. Each of the struts has a center uniform cylinder having an outer diameter, and a diameter of the truncated sphere. The diameter of the truncated sphere is larger than the diameter of the center uniform cylinder. Each of the cavities has a circular entrance which has a diameter equal to the diameter of the central uniform cylinder and each of the cavities has a diameter equal to the diameter of the truncated sphere. When assembled, the toy is deformed by gravity when pendently supported.

Abstract: A number of connectors each have a central hub and flexible arms radiating out from the hub, which may interlock orthogonally with other hubs or structural members. A twist in the flexible arms permits axial flexing in addition to the lateral flexing capability in all directions. Distal receiving ends of the flexible arms have laterally expanding and contracting flexible loops, arms, coils, sleeves, cables, or spring-loaded forked arms capable of contracting and expanding from two to ten times the thickness of the flexible arms to accommodate a wide range of sizes of tubes attachable to the flexible arms. Various colors, lengths, and diameters of inexpensive drinking-type straws may connect between connectors to form a wide variety of structural shapes.

Abstract: A multi-directional magical building block set includes a solid sphere, a rod and a tube able to connect to one another. The solid sphere has a circumference with multiple studs radially extending from the circumference of the solid sphere. The studs equally divide the circumference of the solid sphere. A through hole to receive a rod or a stud from another solid sphere is defined in the solid sphere perpendicular to a plane containing the studs. The tube has a through hole longitudinally defined to receive a rod or a stub extending from a solid sphere. Consequently, the blocks of the present invention can be assembled in multi-directions depending on the user's wish to arouse the user's imagination and originality.

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-function puzzle including a plurality of irregularly shaped puzzle pieces having uniform thickness which are capable of being joined together in a predetermined matrix. A tray is provided that is dimensioned for receiving the irregularly shaped puzzle pieces thereon in the predetermined matrix in a two-dimensional orientation. The tray has a central section having an upwardly extending peripheral sidewall with a height corresponding to the thickness of the puzzle pieces. The central section has a foam-padding layer disposed thereon. The foam-padding layer has a design thereon corresponding with the irregularly shaped puzzle pieces. A plurality of connectors are provided that each have a different arrangement of radially extending slots. The slots are dimensioned for receiving the irregularly shaped puzzle pieces therein in a three-dimensional orientation.

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: The present invention is directed to a joint of a supporting frame, which includes a basic unit to connecting with one to six connecting units at a related side plate. The connecting unit can connect with related crossbeams to assembling a supporting frame; wherein each connecting unit has provided with a folded elastic plate at both ends with a related groove therebetween to engage with an end of the crossbeam. The basic unit is cubic and has one side opening, which can be sealed by a door to form a complete cubic hollow unit. By use of the basic unit engaging with desired connecting units, it provides the joints with various configurations, which can be used at any position in a supporting frame.

Abstract: A set of universal blocks includes a plurality of uniform-sized cubic elements, a plurality of uniform-sized connecting elements, and at least one disassemble aid. The cubic element each is provided at all six sides with an insertion hole each. The connecting element each is adapted to insert into the insertion holes on the cubic elements and has a length twice or almost twice as long as that of the insertion holes. The disassemble aid is a long flat element provided with a plurality of through holes adapted to easily disassemble the connecting elements from the cubic elements. The cubic elements may be freely connected to one another via the connecting elements to create a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric shapes, and be conveniently used to play various kinds of games, including puzzles.

Abstract: A modular structural system for building structural models or for constructing actual structures. The system includes at least one connector hub member comprising a plurality of projections arranged in a plurality of planes each for engaging an end of a strut member, with all projections having cross sectional geometries identical with cross sectional geometries of attached strut members at sites of respective attachment. Second, the system includes at least one strut member having a first end and a second end, with each end having an engageable portion for engagement with a projection of the connector hub member. The strut member has a strut cross-sectional geometry identical to and in alignment with the cross-sectional geometry of a projection and adjacent protuberances of the hub member when the strut member is engaged with the projection.

Abstract: A construction system includes one or more body members each having one or more apertures extending through a body wall to a cavity forming a socket. Each body member further has one or more balls spaced-apart from the body and attached to the body by an arm. The body wall and/or ball is formed of a flexible and resilient material, and the ball is sized slightly larger than the aperture to connect two body members together by inserting the ball of one member through the aperture of another. The system may include rod members having opposite ends and spherical-shaped balls formed on each end; disk members having an annular groove and open in a radially-facing direction to receive balls; a base member; and/or decorative members.