Connector Set Limited Partnership

John Zimmer

Joel I Glickman

Robert Gleim

Matthew Dickinson

Michael D DiLabio

Mark C McCormick

Rachele Carlson

A panel, formed of molded plastic material in a variety of polygonal geometric configurations, for incorporation into structures built with K'NEX construction toy sets. The panels include elements, typically formed at corners thereof, corresponding in size and shape to rod elements of the construction set and adapted for lateral snap-in assembly with connector elements of the toy set. At least one pair of corner elements is aligned along a common axis and the end-to-end distance between the elements of such pair corresponds with the length of a standard rod element in the construction set so as to be capable of substitution for a rod element in a structure of K'NEX components. The panels serve both aesthetic and structural functions in the assembly.

Panels for construction toy set

Battery housing for construction toy set

A sectional toy action figure is constructed of snap-together plastic components, characterized by the fact that an action figure may be assembled in a large variety of sizes and configurations, using a limited variety of individual components. Arms and legs may be configured in life-like orientations with connector elements providing for ball and socket connections at one end and a rod socket at the other. An additional terminal connector, comprising a ball socket at one end and a rod-like post at the other, is combinable with the before mentioned connector elements. Significant variety in sizing and configuring of the action figure is made possible by the ability to join said connector elements to each other by a connector rod, and to join a connector element with a terminal connector. The action figure also includes a head structure formed of layer-like sections mountable on a rod in a variety of configurations and orientations, enlarging the variety or forms in which the action figure may be constructed, using a minimum number of component parts.

Articulated sectional toy figure

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

Panel for toy construction system

Motor housing for construction toy set

Head assembly for robotic toy figure

A motor for a toy construction set of the type having a plurality of connector elements and rod-like struts engageable with the connector elements to form a coherent structure wherein the connector elements have a center hub portion and a plurality of pairs of spaced-apart gripping arms adapted for lateral, snap-in engagement of the struts. The motor has a housing body and a plurality of sets of projections extending from the housing body, each of which is adapted for tight frictional engagement with a plurality of activities of the connectors. The sets of projections are located such that a connector mounted thereon can be interconnected, by said connectors and struts, to a connector mounted on another set of projections so the motor can be rigidly incorporated in an assembly comprised of a combination of the connectors and struts of the toy construction set.

Growing community of inventors

Lansdale, PA, United States of America

John Zimmer