| 摘要 |
A construction toy system uses, as principle components, a connector (10) having one or more gripping sockets (14), and rod-like struts (13) having end portions configured to be received in the gripping sockets (14). The sockets (14) comprise pairs of gripping arms (16), formed of deflectable plastic material. Outer portions of the gripping arms (16) have concave grooves for lateral, snap-in assembly of struts (13) having complimentary cylindrical connector portions. The gripping arms (16) have locking projections (24) arranged to interlock with annular recesses (27) near the ends of the struts (13). The struts (13) have end flanges (26), received in a cavity at the closed end of the gripping socket (14). Certain forms of the connecting elements are designed so that an assembly of two such connector elements provides for sockets in each of two planes oriented at right angles to each other to form a right angle corner structure, for example, or a Tee-shaped structure. The system comprises a variety of connector elements, having one or more sockets arranged to be joined with struts, to form complex structural units. A plurality of single socket connector elements can be connected with a succession of crosswise oriented struts to form an articulated structure, of endless or finite length. Connector elements also may be joined to form connector assemblies with provision for mounting struts in several planar directions, Struts are provided in graduated sizes according to a predetermined length progression, such that one standard size strut can serve as the hypotenuse of a right isosceles triangle formed with struts of a smaller size. Complex structures can be assembled using right triangular subunits. The device is especially adapted for high volume production by injection molding techniques. <IMAGE> |
