U.S. patent application number 11/446776 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for toy construction system having a compound connector joint.
Invention is credited to Melissa C. Sambenedetto.
Application Number | 20070281579 11/446776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38790846 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070281579 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sambenedetto; Melissa C. |
December 6, 2007 |
Toy construction system having a compound connector joint
Abstract
A toy construction system including a base member having a
plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed in a surface
thereof and a plurality of dowel members having female twist-lock
connectors formed in the ends thereof. A compound connector joint
is included that has a multiple axis extension from a central hub,
and a female twist-lock connector is formed in ends of the multiple
axis extensions. A plurality of male/male twist lock connectors are
included for use in joining various members together to form a
variety of structures. The toy construction system further includes
blocks having formed in each end thereof female twist-lock
connectors. The blocks include a multiplicity of female twist-lock
connectors formed on the surfaces thereof.
Inventors: |
Sambenedetto; Melissa C.;
(Niceville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J. RONALD RICHEBOURG
145 CIPRIANI WAY
NORTH VENICE
FL
34275
US
|
Family ID: |
38790846 |
Appl. No.: |
11/446776 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/067
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/124 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. A toy construction system comprising in combination: a. a base
member having a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed in
a surface thereof; b. a plurality of dowel members having female
twist-lock connectors formed in the ends thereof; c. a compound
connector joint having a multiple axis extension from a central
hub, and a female twist-lock connector formed in ends of said
multiple axis extensions; d. a plurality of male/male twist lock
connectors for use in joining various members together to form a
variety of structures.
2. The toy construction system as in claim 1 further comprising
blocks having formed in each end thereof female twist-lock
connectors.
3. The toy construction system as in claim 2 wherein said blocks
include a multiplicity of twist-lock connectors formed on the
surfaces thereof.
4. The toy construction system as in claim 2 wherein said blocks
are cylindrical in shape.
5. The toy construction system as in claim 2 wherein said blocks
are spherical in shape.
6. The toy construction system as in claim 2 wherein said blocks
are rectangular in shape.
7. The toy construction system as in claim 1 wherein said
twist-lock connectors include 90.degree. elbow-shaped
connectors.
8. The toy construction system as in claim 1 wherein said
twist-lock connectors include Y-shaped connectors.
9. The toy construction system as in claim 1 wherein said
twist-lock connectors include T-shaped connectors.
10. The toy construction system as in claim 1 wherein said
twist-lock connectors include cross-shaped connectors.
11. The toy construction system as in claim 1 further including
compound specialty ring connectors, each having a slidable member
mounted to said ring and having attached thereto a ball connector
disposed for attaching other members of said toy construction
system.
12. The toy construction system as in claim 1 further including
specialty head connectors, each having a male twist-lock connector
attached thereto for attaching said specialty head connectors to
other members of said toy construction system.
13. The toy construction system as in claim 1 further including
specialty stretch heads, which may be stretched or collapsed, and
including a male twist-lock connector disposed thereon for
attaching said stretch heads to other members of the toy
construction system.
14. In a toy construction system having a multiplicity of
interconnecting members, a complex ball connector comprising: a. a
ball connector having a male twist-lock connector extending
therefrom for attaching said ball connector to other members of
said toy construction system, and including a female twist-lock
connector formed on the surface of said ball connector; and, b. a
female socket flexible connector including openings disposed in the
sides thereof for connection of other members of said toy
construction system to said female twist-lock connector formed in
the surface of said ball connector.
15. A toy construction system comprising in combination: a. a base
member having a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed in
a surface thereof; b. a plurality of dowel members having female
twist-lock connectors formed in the ends thereof; c. a compound
connector joint having a multiple axis extension from a central
hub, and a female twist-lock connector formed in ends of said
multiple axis extensions; d. a plurality of male/male twist lock
connectors for use in joining various members together to form a
variety of structures; e. a plurality of blocks having formed in
each end thereof female twist-lock connectors; and,
16. The toy construction system as in claim 15 wherein said blocks
include a multiplicity of twist-lock connectors formed on the
surfaces thereof.
17. The toy construction system as in claim 15 further including
compound specialty ring connectors, each having a slidable member
mounted to said ring and having attached thereto a ball connector
disposed for attaching other members of said toy construction
system.
18. The toy construction system as in claim 15 further including
specialty head connectors, each having a male twist-lock connector
attached thereto for attaching said specialty head connectors to
other members of said toy construction system.
19. The toy construction system as in claim 1 further including
specialty stretch heads, which may be stretched or collapsed.
20. The toy construction system as in claim 19 further including a
male twist-lock connector disposed thereon for attaching said
stretch heads to other members of the toy construction system.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Patent Application relates to co-pending applications
Ser. No. ______, entitled TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING A VARIABLE
ANGLE JOINT, filed the same date hereof, and Ser. No. ______,
entitled TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING A ROTATABLE CONNECTOR
SPINNER DEVICE, filed the same date hereof, both by the same
inventor hereof; and the disclosure in each of these co-pending
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of toy
building systems and more particularly to an improved system
including a compound connector adaptable for joining a variety of
components, thereby enabling the construction of a wide assortment
of children's toys and projects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A variety of toy construction systems are available in the
market today and described in numerous issued U.S. Patents. Such
construction systems commonly have male and female interlocking
joints for connecting the various elements together. Although a
group of such construction elements can generally be interconnected
in a variety of ways, such systems generally have a limitation of
the connectors not readily locking in certain orientations, or
becoming worn over time, thereby becoming incapable of holding a
position at a desired angle.
[0004] Exemplary prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 409,744, entitled
TOY BUILDING BLOCKS, which issued Aug. 27, 1889, to A. F. C.
Garben. The invention disclosed in this patent relates to building
blocks designed for the amusement and instruction of children. The
invention includes sphere-headed coupling blocks, which provide a
universal joint between pairs of recessed blocks. The result is
that any two recessed blocks may be connected in line on a curve or
at any angle, and may be held together with sufficient rigidity to
make any desired toy structure. A large problem with this invention
is that over time the sphere-headed couplings become worn and the
objects created will not hold their shape.
[0005] Another relevant prior art toy construction system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,915,835 and 1,916,634, both entitled
TOY CONSTRUCTION BLOCK, both of which issued to C. H. PAJEAU on
Jun. 27, 1933 and Jul. 4, 1933, respectively. These patents
disclose the original "Tinker Toy" building block system, which
includes an assortment of relatively inter-fitting elements of
varying types that are adapted to be manually assembled into
structures and mechanisms of widely varying sizes and types. This
invention is somewhat limited in what may be built with the
elements.
[0006] Still another example of the prior art is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,622,335, entitled SECTIONAL TOY FIGURE, which issued
Dec. 15, 1953 to G. H. Calverley, The disclosed invention relates
to sectional toy figures having inter-engagable construction pieces
including bodies, heads, limbs, feet and connecting elements. The
joints include a socket in the body piece for interconnection with
similarly connecting elements. A key problem with this invention is
the same as discussed above. Wear on the elements will cause the
pieces not to hold their shape.
[0007] Yet another prior art example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,286,391, entitled CONSTRUCTION TOY HAVING A VARIABLE ANGLE JOINT,
which issued to M. Mengeringhausen on Nov. 22, 1966. This patent
discloses another joint mechanism for use with toy construction.
The invention includes a relatively small spherical connecting
member of elastic material having a plurality of substantially
cylindrical holes. Again, a key problem with this invention is the
same as discussed above. Wear on the elements will cause the pieces
not to hold their shape.
[0008] Another example of the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,458,949, entitled CONSTRUCTION SET, which issued to G. G.
Young on Aug. 5, 1969. This patent discloses a terminal unit of
spherical shape including a pair of like interlocking members, each
having a plurality of circumferential grooves in it. The side walls
of each groove, intermediate the ends of the groove, have
transversely opposite cavities which form a ball receiving socket.
The construction set disclosed in this patent is somewhat limited
in what may be constructed.
[0009] Many other examples of the prior art are illustrated in
issued such U.S. Patents as U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,979, entitled
ASSEMBLY KIT, which issued May 12, 1970 to A. Fischer; U.S. Pat.
No. 3,747,261, entitled BALL AND ROD LINKAGE FOR JOINING POLYHEDRAL
MEMBERS, which issued Jul. 24, 1973 to Nast Salem; U.S. Pat. No.
4,037,978, entitled RESILIENT SWIVEL CONNECTOR, which issued Jul.
26, 1977 to Brian W. Connelly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,328, entitled
CONSTRUCTION TOY SET, which issued Mar. 14, 1978 to Larry W.
Rayment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,417, entitled CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM,
which issued Apr. 27, 1999 to Michael J. Grey; and, U.S. Pat. No.
6,264,522 B1, entitled CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM, which issued Jul. 24,
2001 to Marilyn M. Dickson. Another prior art toy construction
system of interest is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,404,
entitled CONNECTOR UNIT HAVING RADIAL ARMS FOR STRAIGHT OR ANGULAR
CONNECTIONS, which issued Mar. 14, 1972, to Charles Ogsbury and Don
Witte.
[0010] What is needed is a toy construction system that allows the
interconnection of a large variety of components in a large variety
of structures or formations in order to foster child development of
dexterity and creativity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] As will be amplified in greater detail hereinbelow, the
present invention solves one of the prior art problems by providing
a compound connector joint in order to connect a wide variety of
components together.
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a toy construction system that will foster child
development of dexterity and creativity.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy
construction system capable of assembling a wide variety of
structures or formations.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
toy construction system with a compound connector joint element
that connects to a wide variety of components.
[0015] These and other objects, which will become apparent as the
invention is described in detail below, are provided by a toy
construction system including a base member having a plurality of
female twist-lock connectors formed in a surface thereof and a
plurality of dowel members having female twist-lock connectors
formed in the ends thereof. A compound connector joint is included
that has a multiple axis extension from a central hub, and a female
twist-lock connector is formed in ends of the multiple axis
extensions. A plurality of male/male, female/male, and
female/female twist lock connectors are included for use in joining
various members together to form a variety of structures. The toy
construction system further includes blocks having formed in each
end thereof female twist-lock connectors. The blocks include a
multiplicity of female twist-lock connectors formed on the surfaces
thereof.
[0016] Still other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description, wherein is shown and
described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by
way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out
the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments, and its several details are
capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not
as restrictive, and what is intended to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims. The present invention
will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the following
description and attached drawings, wherein like characters indicate
like parts, and which the drawings form a part of this
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a child's imaginary space
fantasy assembled with the novel elements of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a child's imaginary space
station assembled with the novel elements of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another child's imaginary
space fantasy assembled with the novel elements of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a child's imaginary
helicopter assembled with the novel elements of the present
invention.
[0021] FIGS. 4A through 4E illustrate details of the novel
specialty connectors useful in assembling structures with elements
of the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 4F through 4I illustrate details of additional novel
specialty connectors useful in assembling structures with elements
of the present invention.
[0023] FIGS. 4J through 4M illustrate details of still further
novel specialty connectors useful in assembling structures with
elements of the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate compound specialty connectors
useful in assembling structures with elements of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate compound specialty ring
connectors useful in assembling structures with elements of the
present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 7A through 7D illustrate additional compound specialty
band-head connectors useful in assembling structures with elements
of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate still further compound
specialty band-head connectors useful in assembling structures with
elements of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8E illustrates details of an alternate specialty
compound band connector.
[0029] FIG. 9A illustrates a circular band pivot head connector
useful in assembling structures with elements of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9B illustrates a shaped band pivot head connector
useful in assembling structures with elements of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a child's imaginary
alligator assembled with elements of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a child's imaginary hammock
suspended between imaginary palm trees assembled with elements of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toddler's fantasy
structure assembled with elements of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 12A is a detailed view of a toddler's specialty head
element useful in assembling the structure of FIG. 12.
[0035] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate specialty stretch heads in
stretched and collapsed positions, respectively, useful in
assembling structures with elements of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a specialty cone shaped
stretch head useful in assembling structures with elements of the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a detailed view of a star element (i.e., thingy
or part) having a ball connector attached thereto and useful in
assembling structures with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 16 is a detailed view of another star element (i.e.,
thingy) having a ball-receptacle attached thereto and useful in
assembling structures with the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 17 is a detailed diagram of a complex ball connector
showing optional connections thereto.
[0040] FIG. 18 is a detailed diagram of thingy or part coconuts)
having a twist-lock connector useful in ling the imaginary hammock
shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT
[0041] Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1A in particular,
a perspective view of an imaginary child's space fantasy structure
10 is shown. The structure 10 may be assembled from a variety of
elements of the toy construction system. First a base plate 11 is
assembled from a variety of panels 12 that interlock by means of
mating slots 13 and wedges 14. That is, one of the wedges 14 will
mate up with a corresponding slot 13 of a neighboring panel 12 in
order to lock the panels together.
[0042] A rotatable device 20, which is further described in detail
in my co-pending application entitled TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
HAVING A ROTATABLE CONNECTOR SPINNER DEVICE (Ser. No. ______), is
attached to the base plate 12 with a twist-lock connector 21. The
device 20 as amplified in the referenced co-pending application is
fixable in a chosen position, which may be altered by a rotation
force overcoming the bias between the top and bottom parts thereof.
A flexible connector 22, as further described in my co-pending
application entitled TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING A VARIABLE
ANGLE JOINT (Serial No. ______), is attached atop the spinner
device 20 by means of a twist-lock connection (not shown). The
other side of the connector 22 is coupled to one end of a dowel 24
also by means of a twist-lock connector. The other end of the dowel
24 is coupled to one leg of a triple axis compound connector 26 by
means of another twist-lock connector.
[0043] Connecting to one (i.e., horizontal) axis of the connector
26 is another dowel 28 by means of yet another twist-lock
connector. The second end of the dowel 28 is coupled to another
spinner device 30 by means of still another twist-lock connector
(not shown). The fantasy structure 10 may be enhanced by the
addition of a sphere 32 to the opposite side of the device 30 by
means of a flexible connector 34. It is pointed out that the
flexible connector 34 is amplified in greater detail in my
co-pending application entitled TOY CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM HAVING A
VARIABLE ANGLE JOINT, and includes both a ball connector and a
socket therefor. The connector 34 is coupled to the device 30 and
the sphere 32 by means of twist-lock connectors (not shown).
[0044] In a similar manner, a dowel 36 is connected along another
horizontal axis of the connector 26 (orthogonal to the first
horizontal axis) by means of yet another twist-lock connector. The
second end of the dowel 36 is coupled to yet another spinner device
38 by means of still another twist-lock connector (not shown). The
fantasy structure 10 may be enhanced by the addition of a sphere 40
to the opposite side of the device 38 by means of a flexible
connector 42. The connector 42 is coupled to the device 38 and the
sphere 40 by means of twist-lock connectors (not shown).
[0045] Another dowel 44 is connected along yet another horizontal
axis of the connector 26 (orthogonal to the second horizontal axis
and coincidental with the first axis) by means of yet another
twist-lock connector. The second end of the dowel 44 is coupled to
still another spinner device 46 by means of another twist-lock
connector (not shown). The fantasy structure 10 may be enhanced by
the addition of a star-shaped thingy 48 coupled to the other side
of the device 46 by means of a flexible connector 50, a dowel 54
and a compound connector 52 by means of twist-lock connectors (not
shown). Additional star-shaped parts 47 and 49 may be connected to
the compound connector 52 by means of dowels 51 and 53 connected
through flexible connectors 55 and 57.
[0046] Still another dowel 56 is connected along yet another
horizontal axis of the connector 26 (orthogonal to the first
horizontal axis and coincidental with the second axis) by means of
yet another twist-lock connector. The second end of the dowel 56 is
coupled to still another spinner device 58 by means of another
twist-lock connector (not shown). Coupled to the second side of the
device 58 is a two-axis compound connector 60, which may be used to
enhance the fantasy structure 10 by the addition of star-shaped
parts 62, 64 and 66 by means of a flexible connectors 68, 70 and
72, respectively, and dowels 74, 76, and 78, respectively by means
of twist-lock connectors (not shown).
[0047] Another dowel 80 may be coupled vertically from the compound
connector 26 (opposite the dowel 24), which may then be coupled to
another spinner device 82 by means of twist-lock connectors. On the
opposite side of the spinner device 82 a pivot head device 84 may
be coupled by means of a twist-lock connector. A flexible connector
86 may be coupled to the pivot head device 84 and to one end of a
dowel 88. The second end of the dowel 88 may be coupled to a
flexible connector 90 by means of a twist-lock connector, which in
turn may be connected to a spherical compound block 92.
[0048] Accordingly, it may be seen that a fantasy space device may
be constructed from a variety of disparate elements of the toy
construction system of the present invention.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 1B, a perspective view of a child's
imaginary space station 100 assembled with the novel elements of
the present invention is shown. The structure 100 may be assembled
from a variety of elements of the toy construction system. First a
base plate 101 is assembled from a variety of panels 12 that
interlock by means of mating slots 13 and wedges 14. That is, one
of the wedges 14 will mate up with a corresponding slot 13 of a
neighboring panel 12 in order to lock panels together.
[0050] Erection of the space station 100 begins with attaching a
first end of a dowel 103 and cylindrical blocks 104 and 105 to the
base plate 101 by means of male/male twist-lock connectors. A
spinner device 106 is mounted on the second end of the dowel 103,
where a pair of panels 12A and 12B are attached to opposite sides
of the device 106 by means of flexible connectors 22A and 22B,
respectively. Mounted atop the spinner device 106 is a rotator
device 108, and mounted atop that are three flexible connectors 22,
which are used to attach a variety of fanciful elements. For
example, a pair of wing-shaped parts 109 and 110 are attached on
opposite sides of the top of the rotator device 108. Attached to
the center of the device 108 is a dowel 111, which is then
connected to a specialty ring connector 112. A compound specialty
band-head connector 113 is slipped onto the dowel 111, which
provides a means for connection of a star-shaped part 114.
[0051] Additional compound specialty head devices are slipped onto
the ring 112, which provides a means for connection of additional
star-shaped parts 116 to the ring 112 by means of flexible
connectors 22. The ring connector 112 may comprise a single element
of the system as shown in FIG. 6B and amplified hereinafter.
[0052] Atop the cylindrical block 104 is attached another
cylindrical block 120 by means of a simple male/male twist-lock
connector, and atop that block is attached a spinner device 122.
Another rotator device 124 is attached to the top of the spinner
device 122. A multiplicity of dowels 125-130 are attached around
the periphery of the rotator device 124 and to the second end of
these dowels are attached blocks 132 through 137, respectively, all
by means of male/male twist-lock connectors (not shown). Additional
elements may be added to enhance the structure, such as a flag 140
attached to block 134 by means of a flexible connector 22, and a
star-shaped part 142 attached to the top of the rotator device 124.
A conical shaped block 144 may also be attached to the top of the
device 124 for supporting a super structure comprising a flexible
connector 22 securing a dowel 148 and conical-shaped elements 149,
150, 151 and 152 attached to a ring 154 by means of band-head
connectors and flexible connectors 22 as described hereinabove. It
is noted that the ring 154 and the ball connectors attached thereto
may comprise a single element of the system of the present
invention as amplified hereinafter in connection with the
description of FIG. 6A.
[0053] Imaginary ray guns 175 and 176 may be fashioned out of a
pair of simulated guns 177 and 178 for the ray gun 175 and guns 179
and 180 for the ray gun 176. Each of the guns 177 through 180 are
attached to the end of a dowel 182 and 183, respectively, by means
of compound specialty band-head connectors 184 and 185,
respectively. Specifically, the guns 177 through 180 are attached
to the compound specialty band-head connectors by means of flexible
connectors 187, 188, 189 and 190, respectively. The dowels 182 and
183 are supported by holes in the block 120 and dowel 103 for the
dowel 182 and by holes in the blocks 104 and 105 for dowel 183.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of another
child's imaginary space fantasy 200 assembled with the novel
elements of the present invention is shown. Again, the structure
begins with a base plate 210 assembled from a plurality of panels
12, each having a slot 13 or a tongue 14 for interconnecting the
various pieces together to form a single base plate. A cylindrical
block 212 is attached at one end to the base plate 210 by means of
a simple male/male twist-lock connector (not shown). A flexible
connector 22 is attached to the other end of the block 212, and a
conically-terminated head device 214 is connected to the other side
of the flexible connector 22. Next, a dowel 216 is connected to the
head device 214 and threaded through a cylindrical connector block
218 and a spherical connector block 220.
[0055] A spinner device 222 is coupled to the other end of the
dowel 216 by means of a twist-lock connector. A band pivot head
device 224 is attached to the other side of the spinner device 222,
and a flexible connector 226 is attached to the head device 224. A
first end of a dowel 228 is then attached to the flexible connector
226. The second end of the dowel 228 is connected to another
flexible connector 230, which is then attached to one leg of a
multi-leg compound connector 232 in accordance with the present
invention. A multiplicity of conical parts 234 through 240 are
coupled to the remaining legs of the compound connector 232 by
means of flexible connectors 242 through 248, respectively. Note
that each of the flexible connectors are coupled to the multi-leg
compound connector 232 by means of twist-lock connectors.
[0056] Other devices may be connected to the spherical connector
220, such as one end of a dowel 250. The second end of the dowel
250 is coupled to another rotating spinner device 252 by means of a
twist-lock connector. A flexible connector 254 is coupled to the
other side of the device 252, which in turn is connected to another
spherical connector 256.
[0057] Another dowel 258 may be coupled to another area of the
spherical connector 220 by means of a flexible connector 260. The
second end of the dowel 258 is connected to yet another spinner
device 262. Another spherical connector 264 may be connected to the
other side of the device 262 by means of another flexible connector
266.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3, a child's imaginary helicopter 300
assembled with the novel elements of the present invention is
shown. A spherical connector 302 forms the main cabin portion of
the helicopter 300 and a conical block 304 forms the rotor shaft of
the helicopter. A dowel 305 passes through an opening in the
spherical connector 302 and through an opening in the conical block
304. The first end of the dowel 305 is coupled to one end of a
conical end connector 306. Rotor blades 308A through 308D are
connected to an end of the conical connector 304 by means of
flexible connectors 310A through 310D, respectively. A conical end
connector 312 is connected to the second end of the dowel 305. A
user may rotate the blades by grasping and spinning any of the
blades 308A through 308D. The blades spin around the dowel 305,
which remains stationary.
[0059] Further enhancements to the imaginary helicopter 300 may be
made by the addition of skids 314 on the bottom, which are formed
of a series of dowels connected together in a "T" shape. The skids
314 may be attached to the spherical connector (or helicopter body)
302 by means of flexible connectors 316 and 317. A tail section may
be made by the addition of a pair of conical connectors 318 and
319, which are coupled to the spherical connector 302 by means of a
flexible connector 320. A dowel 321 is passed through a lateral
opening in the conical connector 318 and through a longitudinal
opening in the conical connector 319. A conical end connector 322
is coupled to an end of the dowel 321 by means of a twist-lock
connector. A tail rotor 324 is attached to one end of the conical
connector 319 by means of flexible connectors 325. The blades of
the rotor 324 spin around the dowel 321, which remains
stationary.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4E, details of the novel
specialty connectors of the present invention are shown. Starting
with FIG. 4A, an exterior view of a male/female twist-lock
connector 400 is shown. However, it is pointed out that the
connector 400 could be fabricated with a male twist-lock connector
on each end thereof, i.e., a male/male twist-lock connector. FIG.
4B illustrates a cross-section view of FIG. A wherein details of
each of the male and female connector parts are shown. FIG. 4C
illustrates a female/female connector 402. FIG. 4D illustrates an
exterior view of a male/female elbow twist-lock connector 404, and
FIG. 4E illustrates a cross-section view of the same connector
wherein details of each of the male and female connector parts are
shown.
[0061] Referring now to 4F through 4I, details of additional novel
specialty connectors of the present invention are shown. Starting
with FIG. 4F, a cross-sectional view illustrates a male/male elbow
twist-lock connector 406, while FIG. 4G illustrates a female/female
elbow twist-lock connector 408. FIG. 4H illustrates a
male/male/male "Y" connector while FIG. 4I illustrates a
female/female/female "Y" connector 410.
[0062] Referring now to 4J through 4M, details of still further
novel specialty connectors of the present invention are shown. FIG.
4J, illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female/female/female
"T" twist-lock specialty connector 412, while FIG. 4K illustrates a
male/male/male "T" twist-lock specialty connector 414. FIG. 4L
illustrates a four-way female cross specialty connector 416 while
FIG. 4M illustrates a four-way male cross specialty connector
418.
[0063] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a variety of possible cross
connectors useful in assembling structures with the system of the
present invention. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates a three-axis
cross connector wherein both ends of each axis are terminated with
a female twist-lock connector 501. FIG. 5B illustrates a four-axis
connector wherein both ends of each axis are terminated with a
female twist-lock connector 503. FIG. 5C illustrates a three-axis
cross connector wherein both ends of each axis are terminated with
a male twist-lock connector 505. It is pointed out that any
combination of male/female twist-lock connectors may be made in
each of the cross connectors. It is pointed out that the connectors
may be made with or without elbows.
[0064] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate compound specialty ring
connectors useful in assembling structures with elements of the
present invention. Each illustrated ring connector includes a
slidable member 601 having a ball 603 adaptable for receipt by a
socket (not shown), which forms the flexible connector 22,
described hereinabove and in my co-pending applications. It is
pointed out that the ball and sockets may be reversed. That is, the
slidable members may have a socket attached thereto for receipt of
a mating ball of other elements of the invention. Note also, the
ring connector shown in FIG. 6A includes a male stem connector 604,
which enables attachment of the ring connector to other elements of
the system of the present invention. The ring connector shown in
FIG. 6B is basically the same as the one shown in FIG. 6A, but
without the stem connector 604 in the center.
[0065] FIG. 6C illustrates a compound specialty ring connector 605
having attached thereto a male twist-lock connector 607 adaptable
for connection to other members of the system of the present
invention. FIG. 6D illustrates yet another possible shape of a ring
606 for slidably coupling connector members 601. It is pointed out
that the ring itself may be smooth (as shown) or fluted. It is
noted that each of the above-described ring connectors may be of
any shape or configuration.
[0066] FIGS. 7A through 7D illustrate additional compound specialty
band-head connectors 701 useful in assembling structures with
elements of the present invention. Each such band-head connector
includes a sleeve part 703 and one or more balls 705 adaptable for
receipt by a socket for forming the flexible connector 22. However,
the balls may be substituted with sockets. As illustrated in the
drawings, one, two, three or four balls 705 may be attached to a
single sleeve 703. FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate still further
compound specialty band-head connectors 801 useful in assembling
structures with elements of the present invention. The band-head
connectors 801 are similar to the band-head connectors 701, except
that the sleeve is adapted for receipt by dowels with faceted sides
thereof (similar to that of many wooden pencils).
[0067] FIG. 5E illustrates details of an alternate specialty
compound band connector 802 wherein female connectors 805 are
coupled to a faceted sleeve part 803 as shown. However, a smooth
sleeve may be used as well. FIG. 9A illustrates a circular band
pivot head connector 901 useful in assembling structures with
elements of the present invention. Arrows 903 illustrate directions
of movement possible for the head portion 905 of the connector 901.
Note that the illustrated connector 901 includes an extension with
a twist-lock connector 910, which enables connection to other
members of the system of the present invention. FIG. 9B illustrates
a shaped band pivot head connector 907 useful in assembling
structures with elements of the present invention. In this example,
the sleeve portion 908 is adapted for being received by a facet
sided dowel (such as that of many wooden pencils). Note that the
illustrated connector 907 includes an extension with a twist-lock
connector 911, which enables connection to other members of the
system of the present invention.
[0068] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a child's imaginary
alligator 1001 assembled with elements of the present invention.
The alligator 1001 is constructed from a variety of parts, such as
a pair of faceted dowels 1002 and 1003 coupled together by a
flexible connector 22 therebetween, thereby forming the main trunk
of the alligator. A triple-pronged compound specialty band-head
connector 1005 (similar to that shown in FIG. 8C) is slid onto the
dowel 1002, wherein a fin 1006 is attached to one of the three ball
connectors by means of a flexible connector 22. A pair of feet 1007
(made from thingys) are coupled to the connector 1005 by means of
flexible connectors 22. A specialty stretch head 1008 is coupled to
the end of the dowel 1002 by means of a twist-lock connection (not
shown); and, a tail part 1009 is coupled to the other end of the
head 1008 by means of a flexible connector 22.
[0069] A double pronged compound specialty band-head connector 1010
and a single-pronged compound specialty band-head connector 1012
are slid onto the dowel 1003. Another pair of feet 1004 are
attached to the two balls of the connector 1010 by means of
flexible connectors 22. A fin part 1013 is attached to the single
ball of the connector 1012 by means of the flexible connector 22.
Another specialty stretch head 1016 is coupled to the other end of
the dowel 1003, which forms the neck of the alligator 1001. A head
part 1018 is attached to the second end of the stretch head 1016 by
means of a flexible connector 22.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a child's imaginary hammock
1100 suspended between two imaginary palm trees 1101 and 1102
assembled with elements of the present invention. The palm trees
1101 and 1102 are formed of specially shaped blocks 1103 and 1104
constructed in the same manner as described hereinabove, which
simulate the tree trunks. For example, the palm tree trunks may be
attached to a base plate (not shown) by means of flexible
connectors 22 coupled to the bottoms thereof. Palm fronds 1005 are
specially shaped parts that are attached to spherical compound
connector blocks 1106 and 1107 by means of flexible connectors 22,
each are coupled to the top ends of the palm tree trunks 1103 and
1104, respectively. Additional ball-shaped parts 1108 may be
attached to the sphere connectors 1106 and 1107 to simulate
coconuts (as illustrated in FIG. 18 hereof).
[0071] Openings 1110 and 1111 are formed in the blocks 1103 and
1104 for receiving a dowel 1112, which forms a structure for
suspending the hammock 1100. The hammock 1100 is constructed of a
center part 1114 forming the hammock bed, and each end of the part
1114 is coupled to a specialty band head connectors 701 by means of
a flexible connector 22. The head connectors 701 are slidably
mounted onto the dowel 1112, which allows the hammock 1100 to
swing.
[0072] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toddler's fantasy
structure 1200 assembled with elements of the present invention.
Specialty head connectors 1202 and 1203 are connected to either end
of a dowel 1204 by twist-lock connectors, and the dowel 1204 has a
pair of openings 1205 and 1206 formed therein. A second dowel 1208
is slipped through the opening 1205 in the dowel 1204 and another
pair of specialty head connectors 1209 and 1210 are attached to
either end of the dowel 1204 by twist-lock connectors. A
heart-shaped spindle 1211 may also be slipped onto the dowel 1208.
A third dowel 1212 may be slipped through the opening 1206 in the
dowel 1204, which supports a loose specialty head connector
1213.
[0073] FIG. 12A illustrates a specialty head connector, like
connector 1213. Note that the illustrated connector 1213 is torrid
shaped, but it may comprise any shape desired. A male twist-lock
connector stem 1215 extends from one side of the connector 1213 and
a ball connector 1216 extends from the opposite
(diametrically-opposed) side of the connector 1213. Note that the
ball may be replaced with a ball receptacle (i.e., a socket). This
affords many options for connecting other objects of the present
invention.
[0074] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a specialty stretch head 1301
in stretched and collapsed positions, respectively, useful in
assembling structures with elements of the present invention. The
specialty stretch head includes a male twist-lock connector 1303 at
a first end thereof and a ball connector 1304 at the second end
thereof. The male twist lock connector 1303 is adapted and sized
for connection to any of the female twist-lock connectors on
components of the system of the present invention. In a similar
manner, the ball connector 1304 is adapted and sized for connection
to any of the flexible connectors on components of the system of
the present invention. The specialty stretch head 1301 is made of
flexible plastic material having memory for returning a distance
"d" back to a shortened size when collapsed (FIG. 13B). It is noted
that the stretch head 1301 may include connectors 1304 at each end,
or twist-lock connectors (either male or female) at either end
thereof.
[0075] FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a tapered specialty cone
shaped stretch head 1401 useful in assembling structures with
elements of the present invention. In a similar manner as described
above regarding head 1301 a male twist-lock connector is attached
to one end of the head 1401 and a ball connector is attached to the
other end thereof.
[0076] FIG. 15 is a detailed view of a star element (i.e., thingy)
1501 having a ball connector 1503 attached thereto and useful in
assembling structures with the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 16 is a detailed view of a stylized star element (i.e.,
a part) 1601 having a ball-receptacle 1603 attached thereto and
useful in assembling structures with the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 17 is a detailed diagram of a complex ball connector
1701 showing optional connections of a ball 1703 by means of a
twist-lock connector 1705 insertable into a female twist-lock
connection 1706 formed inside the ball. The ball 1706 is insertable
into a female flexible connector 1708 having a male twist-lock
connector 1709 affixed thereto, which allows connection to other
members of the toy construction system. The female flexible
connector 1708 includes openings 1710 in the sides thereof, which
allows connection of the ball 1703 after the ball 1706 is inserted
into the flexible connector 1708. The ball connector 1701 may also
include a male twist-lock connector 1711 attached thereto, which
enables coupling of other elements having a female twist-lock
connection, such as an elbow 1712.
[0079] FIG. 18 is a detailed diagram of specialty ball cluster 1801
having a twist-lock connector 1803. This ball cluster may be used
for simulation of coconuts 1108 on the palm trees 1103 and 1104
(FIG. 11). It is noted that parts or thingys may have connectors
that comprise balls, ball sockets or twist-locks.
[0080] Although the invention has been described with reference to
a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the
disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the
invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon
reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore
contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such
modifications of embodiments that fall within the true scope of the
invention.
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