Abstract:
A toy construction kit is provided which includes, as basic building elements, a plurality of tubular elements having transverse throughbores routinely spaced along their length and routinely spaced about their periphery at relative displacements of 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Rod-like elements are also provided for insertion though the transverse bores and may be secured therethrough by bolts screwed into threaded recesses in the ends of the rods. Deformable rectilinear planar connectors are provided to which the rods may be joined through the use of the bolts. The connector has a circular opening at each end and at its center for permissive joinder of the rods thereto. The rods may eminate from the connector at various angles to thus enable the construction of various geometric forms. Tubular elements are also provided for insertion into the ends of the basic tubular elements to thus join two of those elements into an unitary member; rods are bolted through the assembly to secure the joint.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to playground and scaffolding type apparatus and more particularly to apparatus useful in constructing many types of outdoor and indoor play equipment and creative structures as well as other types of three-dimensional structural arrays. 
     This invention further relates to structural elements of an apparatus which may be dismantled and rearranged as desired into other types of structures using various geometric relationships among the elements of the apparatus, including geodesic designs. 
     The present invention relates to a toy construction set which will stimulate the ingenuity, imagination and creativity of children. The user will form a mental image of a structure to be built and may then construct such structure which will develop his skill or cleverness in design and model construction. One may readily construct a basic structure and subsequently more complex three-dimensional structures. 
     PRIOR ART 
     A wide variety of construction toys or kits have been developed over the years; however, they are primarily small models such as the well-known Tinker Toy sets. Larger units are available for use in constructing large apparatus for use in school and municipal playgrounds as well as backyards for exercise and play. Heretofore, such apparatus was usually constructed of metal or wood in the well-known geometric relationship to form a permanently fixed three-dimensional structure upon which children could climb and upon which swings, slides and other events were suspended. Prior art devices have predominantly been of a solid type of construction which limited the usage of the device to the events originally built into the apparatus. Little or no provision was made for the ingenuity of the participants in the design or function of such apparatus since structural alteration of the apparatus was difficult or impossible once construction of the apparatus was completed. Such apparatus, while occupying the time and having at least some beneficial effects on the participants, did little or nothing toward stimulating the creative thoughts and abilities of the participants. Furthermore, no provision was made to properly accommodate the changing needs of a growing family or community. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,416 to Munger et al. provides an apparatus that may be assembled or reassembled into different geometic shapes; however, the variations are limited to right angle construction principles without offering a means whereby various elements thereof may be joined at varying angles or to permit a plurality of elements thereof to join at a common junction. 
     Yet another example of a prior art play apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,704,667 to Sanders. While this structure permits its members to have angular relationships one to the other, the angles are predetermined and may not be varied by the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with this invention, toy construction elements are provided for forming basic composite structural members including geodesic designs and for joining the elements together to form rigid three-dimensional structures. The toy construction elements of the present invention permit their use in the formation of various forms of structural units. The elements of the resulting structures may have myraid relative angular displacement. 
     Tubular support members are provided which have varied transverse bores or throughbores. Tubular or solid rods may be inserted through these holes and secured therethrough by bolts which screw into threaded recesses in the ends of the rods. The rods may be joined to the tubular support members through the use of a novel strap-like member permitting the rods to eminate from their juncture at various angles. The connector which joins or acts to join the rods together is a linear rectilinear planar plastic member having a hole at each end and a hole at its center. The holes receive a bolt for securing the rods thereto by screwing the bolt into the threaded recesses in the end of the rods. Thus, the rods are joined to a single connector member which may also be joined to a tubular support member to thus permit the rods to be moved or rotated into myraid angular relationships. The connector may be joined to the periphery of the tubular support member in a number of different ways, each way resulting in the rod or rods involved being joined thereto at different angles. The user may easily construct varied and unusual structural configurations. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe durable and quality support system which will provide an apparatus which may be readily assembled into almost unlimited designs and embodiments for use as play apparatus. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector which may be used to join structural members of the present invention into various angular arrays. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a quality construction toy which will provide a creative building challenge to its user. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a play apparatus which has the inherent capacity to be altered and re-arranged to present varying challenges to a child&#39;s growing coordination and muscular development. A related important object is to provide a structural apparatus which has a sufficiently simple method of construction for the user to design and construct his own apparatus from elements which may be readily dismantled and re-arranged by the user to suit particular needs and aspirations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tubular support member having transverse bores or thoughbores; 
     FIG. 2 discloses yet another tubular support member having transverse bores or throughbores; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rod-like structural member having recessed threaded portions on each end; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tubular support member having a plurality of the rod-like structural members inserted therethrough; 
     FIG. 5(a) discloses a strap connector of deformable plastic having a circular opening near each end and at its center. 
     FIG. 5(b) is a side view of the strap connector of FIG. 5(a). 
     FIG. 6 discloses a tubular structural member for use in joining other tubular structural members into a unitary member; 
     FIG. 7 is a bolt for use in joining the rods of FIG. 3 to the other elements of this invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular support member of FIG. 1 disclosing various uses for the strap connector of FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). 
     FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view along line 9--9 of FIG. 8 showing a detailed view of the strap connector. 
     FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view along line 10--10 of FIG. 8 showing a detailed view of the strap connector. 
     FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional view along line 11--11 of FIG. 8 showing a detailed view of the strap connector. 
     FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a strap connector secured at the end of a tubular member as used in FIG. 14. 
     FIG. 13 discloses a planar view of two strap connectors nested together. 
     FIG. 14 discloses a perspective view of a perferred embodiment of the present invention utilizing the various structural elements comprising the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will here be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiments illustrated. 
     The precise shapes and sizes of the components herein described are not essential to the invention unless otherwise indicated, since the inventionis described with only reference to embodiemts which are simple and straight forward. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 there is disclosed a perspective view of a tubular support element according to the present invention. A plurality of tubularmembers 2 are used or may be used in constructing a structure. Tubular members 2 are of a length determined by the user. Transverse bores or throughbores 4 are spaced at regular intervals along the length of tubularmember 2. Transverse bores 4 pass through the longitudinal axis 6 of tubular member 2. Transverse bores 8 also pass through the longitudinal axis 6 and are displaced 90 degrees from transverse bores 4. Transverse bores 10 also pass through the longitudinal axis 6 of tubular member 2 andare displaced 45 degrees from transverse bores 4. Tubular member 2 thus hasthroughbores relative to each other at 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     Tubular member 2 is made of a rigid material such as plastic which is both lightweight and sturdy. The particular diameter of tubular member 2 and the particular length of tubular member 2 may be varied to suit the needs of the intended user. 
     FIG. 2 discloses a tubular member 12 similar to tubular member 2 disclosed in FIG. 1, however, it has transverse bores disposed along the length thereof at 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees as shown by transverse bores 14, 16, 18 and 20 respectively. 
     FIG. 3 discloses a rod 22 of tubular construction having a recessed threaded portion 24 at each end. While the rod 22 is preferrably of tubular construction, it may, of course, be solid in construction. The diameter of rod 22 is less than the diameter of transverse bores 4, 8, 10,14, 18, and 20 disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, rod 22 may be inserted through the transverse bores and secured therethrough by the insertion of bolt 26 disclosed in FIG. 9. 
     Bolt 26 is disclosed in FIG. 7. It has a hexigonial head 28 with a recess 30 therein for receiving a screwdriver should one desire to use a screwdriver as opposed to turning the bolt with one&#39;s hands. Threads 32 are provided along the shank of the bolt and have a pitch conforming to the pitch of the recessed threaded portions 24 of rod 22 disclosed in FIG. 
     After a rod 22 has been inserted through a transverse bore of tubular members 2, the bolt is screwed into the recessed portion 24 of rods 22 to prevent that end of the rod from being removed from tubular member 2 or 12. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a plurality of rods 22 are disclosed inserted intotubular members 2 or 12. The particular angle and location of the rods are determined by the placement of the respective rod into a transverse bore having the location and/or angle desired. The tubular support members may have, as previously discussed, transverse bores disposed at varying angular and linear displacements limited only by the imagination or desireof the user. 
     FIG. 5(a) disclosed a top view of what is referred to as a strap connector;FIG. 5(b) is a side view. This particular structural member is made of deformable plastic. Strap connector 34 is a rectilinear deformable planar plastic member having a circular opening 36 and 37 at each end. There is also a circular opening 38 through connector 34 at its center. The diameter of circular openings 36, 37 and 38 is less than the diameter of rods 22 such that the rod 22 will not pass through the circular openings 36, 37 and 38. 
     The diameter of shank or shaft 32 of bolt 26 (FIG. 7) is smaller than the diameter of circular openings 36, 37 or 38. In use, the bolt 26 is inserted through circular openings 36, 37 or 38 and screwed into the threaded recess portions 24 of rods 22 to thus secure the end of the rod to the connector. A plurality of rods may be joined to the connector. Since the connector is made of a deformable or pliable material, the rods may be caused to have various angular displacements relative to each otherand yet be securely and firmly attached or secured to a single structural member. The rods may have varying lengths from that which maybe considereda nut to whatever length one may desire. 
     FIG. 6 discloses a tubular member 40 having a diameter less than the diameter of tubular members 2 or 12. The general configuration of tubular member 40 is the same as the general configuration of the tubular member 2or 12 with which it is to be used. In use, tubular member 40 is inserted internal to tubular member 2 or 12 to thus join two pieces of tubular members 2 or 12 together. Once tubular member 40 is inside the two tubularmembers to be joined together, a rod 22 may be inserted through the transverse bores of the tubular members to join them securely into a mating relationship. Should the user desire to merely join two pieces of, for example, tubular members 2 together while not having a rod 22 extending therefrom, he may select a rod having a length commensurate withthe diameter of tubular member 2 and insert it through tubular member 2 andthen screw a bolt 26 into both threaded portions 24 at the ends of rod 22. 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a tubular support member 2 having a plurality of rods 22 secured thereto by strap connectors 34. As can be seen from this detail, rods 22 may eminate from the connector at varied angles to permit the user to form geometric configurations not available with state-of-the-art toys. The rods are not limited to planar array but enjoy the ability to dispose themselves in a three-dimensional array at totally unrelated angles. Strap connector 34 is shown here in typical uses. Details of these exemplary uses are shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. 
     In FIG. 8, a first exemplary embodiment is generally shown at 100. Here strap connector 34 is bent or deformed such that its two ends are juxtaposed with circular openings 36 and 37 aligned. A rod 22 passes through a transverse bore in tubular member 2 and abuts strap connector 34at openins 36 and 37. Bolt 26 passes through openings 36 and 37 and is secrwed into the threaded recess in the end of rod 22. Yet another rod 22 is secured to circular opening 38 by a bolt 26 which is screwed into the threaded portion at the end of rod 22. 
     As can be appreciated, the rod attached to strap connector 34 at circular opening 38 has a certain freedom of movement with respect to tubular support member 2 provided by rotating strap connector 34 about rod 22 where it is secured to tubular member 2 and by variability provided by theflexibility of strap connector 34 and, in particular, the arc about circular opening 38. Circular openings 36, 37 and 38 have a diameter larger than the diameter of the shank 32 of bolt 26 and smaller than the diameter of rods 22. 
     A second exemplary embodiment of strap connector 34 is shown in FIG. 8 at 102. Connector 34 is joined to tubular support member 2 by rod 22 which passes through transverse bores in tubular support member 2 which rod 22 is joined to strap connector 34 at its center hole 38 by bolt 26 as previously described. In this embodiment, the strap connector has a rod 22secured at opening 36 and opening 37. These rods may be placed into any of myraid angles to permit its user to fashion heretofore unavailable designs. A detail of this particular embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. 
     Yet another embodiment of strap connector 34 is shown at 104 in FIG. 8 and in more detail in FIG. 11. Here strap connector 34 is circumambient to tubular support member 2. The strap connector 34 has its two ends secured together between the end of rod 22 and bolt 26. Bolt 26 is screwed into the threaded recess of rod 22. Remembering that the diameter of rod 22 is greater than the diameter of circular openings 36 and 37, it can readily be appreciated that the two ends of strap connector 34 may be so joined. 
     The length of strap connector 34 is such that it closely conforms to the circumferential periphery of tubular support member 2 while snugly securing a rod 22 against tubular member 2. This particular embodiment discloses yet another way by which a rod may be joined to support member 2. This embodiment is disclosed in use in FIG. 14. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of the strap connector shown at 100 in FIG. 8. In supplement to the previous discussion of this embodiment, it can here be seen that rod 22 is secured at circular opening38 by bolt 26. Strap connector 34 may be rotated about rod 22 where it abuts tubular member 2. Additionally, rod 22 may be varied in angular position relative to tubular member 2 through the combined interaction of the connection at circular opening 38 and at openings 36 and 37 as well asthe flexure of the connector strap itself. 
     FIG. 10 discloses the strap connector at 102 of FIG. 8 in more detail. Strap connector 34 is secured at tubular member 2 by rod 22 which passes through transverse bores in tubular member 2. The rod is secured to strap connector 34 by bolt 26 as previously described. 
     In this embodiment, strap connector 34 permits or enables the rods 22 secured to its ends (circular openings 36 and 37) to transpose into any ofa number of angular positions. Rods 22 may abut the same or opposite sides of the strap connector. 
     FIG. 11 discloses yet another embodiment of the strap connector according to the present invention. This is a partial cross sectional view of FIG. 8. 
     In this embodiment, strap 34 is collared about tubular member 2 to secure arod 22 against the outside of tubular member 2. The two ends of strap connector 34 are secured together by the co-action of rod 22 and bolt 26 at circular openings 36 and 37. 
     FIG. 12 discloses a strap connector as it may be used at the end of tubularmember 2. Strap connector 34 is secured over the end of tubular member 2 and is secured to the ends of a rod 22 inside tubular member 2 through theholes in the sides thereof. This view is partially cut away to disclose itsjoinder. Yet another rod 22 is secured to opening 38 of connector 34. Strapconnector 34 may be rotated about its juncture points with tubular support member 2. This embodiment is also disclosed in FIG. 14. 
     FIG. 13 discloses two strap connectors 34 nested together. The two strap connectors are joined at their center circular openings 38 by a rod 22 andbolt 26 in combination as heretofore described. By utilizing two strap connectors, 4 rods may be joined to this one general location to easily accommodate construction of a structure having multiple rods connected at various angles to the same location. 
     FIG. 14 discloses a perspective view of a structure made from the use of the various elements of the present invention. This Figure is intended to demonstrate the various uses of the connector, the rods and the tubular support members in what is then an unitary structure. 
     It may be readily seen from the above discussion of the embodiments shown that a practically inexhaustible number of play equipment forms may be constructed from the elements of this invention. The practically limitlesspossibilities of play apparatus construction permits the users to constructtheir own equipment in any ingenious fashion they desire. The structure is so simple that a group of people can easily assemble a device of their choosing in a relatively short period of time yet result in an extremely durable and sturdy type of play apparatus construction. The advanatages presented by this type of structure, of course, make its application to public playgrounds and schoolyards extremely desirable. The sturdy and aesthetically pleasing structures which result from use of this invention,furthermore, are desirable for public facilities due to their low cost and durability. Many other uses for the apparatus disclosed herein will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     The elements of this invention need not by cylindrical but may be square, triangular or irregular in cross sections. However, the cylindrical shape adds to the invention from the aesthetic point of view and has certain advantages in production as well as being more challenging to the developing physical abilities of participants. In addition, round members provide a more comfortable and safe play apparatus than square timbers or members since no flats and sharp edges are present. 
     Many other modifications within the scope and spirit of this invention willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art.