Abstract:
A construction toy is disclosed which includes a set of construction components. The construction toy includes components that may be assembled by connecting male and female snap-lock connectors. A female snap-lock connector is disclosed that includes a deflectable channel opening into a wider cavity. A male snap-lock connector is disclosed with a cylindrical head, a neck, and seat. The construction components are connected by pressing a male head through a female deflectable channel and into the wider cavity allowing the deflectable channel to return to its non-deflected position surrounding the male connector neck and secure the construction component in position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to construction sets, and more particularly to construction toys with multiple shaped components removably connectable with male and female connectors.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Construction toys have been developed over the years for play, education, and industry modeling. Among the various examples are erector and leggo construction toys.  
         [0003]     In the case of erector sets, bolts and screws are used to assemble components. Erector components are generally planar and require construction to build three dimensional components.  
         [0004]     In the case of leggos, components are connected by pressing together male and female portions. Components are three dimensional, however they are limited in the angular orientation of connecting components. Also, the male and female connector portions generally are smooth and held together with friction, resulting in reduced stability and ultimately abrasive wear on components.  
         [0005]     Various others have attempted to overcome some of the limitations of such designs with various levels of success. There continues to be a need for multi-functional construction toys with multi-faceted and multi-angular connectable components. There also continues to be a need for reusable connector portions that lock into position and provide greater stability while being simple to use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with the present invention, a multi-functional construction toy includes inter-connectable reusable snap-lock components that are multi-faceted and multi-angular enabling a user to construct assemblies of various shapes. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the detailed description in which substantially identical elements, components, or families are commonly number, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment of a male snap-lock connector and female bi-directional snap-lock connector in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an embodiment of a female snap-lock connector with a spherical cavity in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of two male snap-lock connectors and a female bi-directional snap-lock connector in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  shows an overhead upper view of an embodiment of an elbow component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of an elbow component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5A  shows an overhead upper view of an embodiment of a tee component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a tee component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6A  shows an overhead upper view of an embodiment of a star component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a star component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7A  shows an overhead inside view of an embodiment of a wheel component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7B  shows an overhead external view of an embodiment of a wheel component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8A  shows a first side view of an embodiment of a base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8B  shows a second side view of an embodiment of a base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9A  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a quad-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9B  shows an overhead upper view of an embodiment of a quad-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10A  shows an overhead view of an embodiment of a pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10B  shows a side view of an embodiment of a pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11A  shows an overhead view of an embodiment of a dual pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 11B  shows a side view of an embodiment of a dual pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 12A  shows an overhead upper view of an embodiment of a triple pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12B  shows an overhead inner view of an embodiment of a triple pulley component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13A  shows an overhead view of an embodiment of a roto-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13B  shows a side view of an embodiment of a roto-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14A  shows a first side view of an embodiment of a motor-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14B  shows a second side view of an embodiment of a motor-base component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 15A  shows an overhead upward view of an embodiment of a swing-rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 15B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a swing-rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16A  shows an overhead upward view of an embodiment of an angle-rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 16B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of an angle-rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 17A  shows a side rear view of an embodiment of a large M-F rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 17B  shows an overhead upward view of an embodiment of a large M-F rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 18A  shows a first side view of an embodiment of an expandable M-M rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 18B  shows a second side view of an embodiment of an expandable M-M rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 19A  shows an overhead upward view of an embodiment of a short M-F rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 19B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a short M-F rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 20A  shows an overhead upward view of an embodiment of a short M-M rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 20B  shows an overhead rear view of an embodiment of a short M-M rod component in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 21  shows a composite of parts and assembly steps generating a toy construction vehicle in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 22  shows a composite of parts and assembly steps generating a toy tricycle in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0047]      FIG. 23  shows a composite of parts and assembly steps generating a toy crane in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0048]      FIG. 24  shows a composite of parts and assembly steps generating a toy all-terrain vehicle in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0049]      FIG. 25  shows a set of construction toys generated with construction components in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of male snap-lock connector  10  and female bidirectional snap-lock connector  12  is shown in accordance with the present invention. Connectors  10 ,  12  are implemented as a part or portion of construction components. Connectors  10 ,  12  enable detachable snap-lock connection of various components some of which are described more fully hereinafter as components of a construction toy in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0051]     Male snap-lock connector  10  is formed with a rigid plastic and shaped with head  14 , neck  16 , and shoulders  18 . In one embodiment head  14 , neck  16 , and shoulder  18  are circular-shaped around a central axis extending longitudinally. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , head  14  extends from neck  16  and has a widened central diameter region  20  and narrowed tip  22 . In another embodiment (as seen in  FIG. 3 ), head  14  has a mushroom shaped tip  22 . In yet another embodiment (as may be deduced from  FIG. 2 ), head  14  has a spherical shape. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , neck  16  has a conical shape with narrow region  24  joining with the base of head  14  and a wider region  26  joining with shoulder  18 . In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , neck  16  narrows where it joins with head  14  and has a cylindrical shape. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , shoulder  18  is cylindrically shaped with a smooth circular circumference. In another embodiment (as may be deduced from  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) shoulder  18  is octagonally shaped around its perimeter.  
         [0052]     Female bidirectional snap-lock connector  12  is formed with a rigid plastic wall that is generally cylindrically shaped with a hollow interior and extends upward from base  27 . The interior of wall  28  is sized and proportioned to receive male snap-lock connector  10  when male connector  10  is inserted in the direction shown by the arrow and seated as shown with the dashed lined image of male connector  10 . The interior of wall  28  includes head shaped region  30 , neck shaped region  32 , and shoulder shaped region  34 . In one embodiment, shoulder shaped region  34  forms a octagonally shaped wall. Wall  28  includes one or more gaps (or regions of separation) extending longitudinally from upper region  36  (as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). In one embodiment, the gap extends near to base  27 ; and in another embodiment, the gap extends through base  27 . The gap or gaps enable the interior of wall  28  to elastically expand (or deflect) as the head of male connector  10  is pushed through neck shaped region  32  and to substantially return to its original state once the head  14  of male connector  10  is lodged within the head shaped region  30  of female connector  12 .  
         [0053]     As the head  14  slips into the head shaped region  30 , the shoulder  18  mates with the interior portion of wall  28  forming the shoulder shaped region  34 . In the event that shoulder  18  has a octagonal shape, then male connector  10  is locked into a particular orientation with respect to female connector  12 . The orientation of the mated connectors may be adjusted by axially twisting with a small amount of pressure to cause the faces of the octagonal shoulder  18  to shift with respect to the octagonal faces of the shoulder shaped region of wall  28 . In the event that shoulder  18  is circular, then male connector  10  can spin freely around its axis within female connector  12 .  
         [0054]     It may further be appreciated that female connector  12  is bi-directional in that male connector  10  may be inserted from either the direction of base  27  or upper region  36 . It may also appreciated that in the event that head region  30  is over-sized to provide for two heads  20 , then two male connectors  10  may mate simultaneously with female  12 . It may also be appreciated that while symmetrical octagonally shaped female shoulder cavities and corresponding male shoulder regions have been shown and described herein, other geometric shapes may be implemented including three, four, five, and n-sided shapes which may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, ‘n’ being an integer value. It may be further appreciated that while substantially sharp edges have been described herein, shapes with rounded edges are conceivable, such as, by example, a shamrock (four-sided) or cloverleaf (three-sided) shape.  
         [0055]     As a further feature of the invention, it may be noted that the male and female components connect axially. This connection provides both axial and lateral support when the head lodges into position in the female head cavity and the neck cavity elastically contracts to surround the neck of the male.  
         [0056]     Additionally, in the manufacturing process, plastic may be efficiently injected to produce male and female components. The components can be manufactured with simple 2-plate injection molds without the need for side core pulling. The injection molds can simultaneously produce multiple female connectors and associated components without the constraints imposed by the side-core pulling mechanisms.  
         [0057]     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , it may be appreciated that in the manufacturing process, a moving plate may be applied axially from the top and surrounding the volume to be filled by the female connector and the associated component, and, a base plate (ejector plate) may extend up from the base to fill the cavity of the lower shoulder, lower neck and head of the female connector. The moving plate inserts into the cavity to be formed between the upward reaching base portion of the component and the female external surface and also inserts into the shoulder and neck cavity of the female connector to be formed. The plastic may be injected into the volume including the female connector and associated component. When the injection molds opens, the moving plate is no longer pressing on the inner and outer surfaces of the component, allowing the supporting circular wings of the female cavity to deflect while the part is ejected from the plate.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of female snap-lock connector  42  is shown fixed to and connected to base  43  in accordance with the present invention. Female connector  42  extends upward from base  43  and is tubular shaped with a spherical top portion. The interior of female connector  42  is hollow and the interior wall includes a spherically shaped head region  44 , cylindrically shaped neck region  46 , and sloping shoulder region  48 . The interior wall of female connector  42  is shaped and proportioned to accommodate a male connector with a ball-shaped head. Gap  50  is shown separating opposing sides of the wall forming female connector  42 . Gap  50  extends longitudinally towards base  43  sufficiently to enable the opposing walls of female connector  42  to elastically separate as the head of a male connector is pressed through neck region  46  and to spring back into position as the head of the male connector slips into head region  44  of female connector  42 .  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , female snap-lock connector  12  is shown with two alternative embodiment male snap-lock connectors  54 ,  56 . Male snap-lock connectors  54 ,  56  have similar necks and shoulders as male connector  10 . Heads  58 ,  60  of male connectors  54 ,  56  are mushroom-shaped and sized with an axial length of approximately ½ of head  14  of male connector  10  permitting both heads  58 ,  60  to share the cavity of head region  30  of female connector  12 .  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 4A , elbow component  70  is shown with four bidirectional female connectors  12  extending upward from base  27  in accordance with the present invention. (For frame of reference, the view shown in  FIG. 4A  is referred to as the upper view). Elbow component  70  has corner  72  joining arms  74 ,  76  which are fixed at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other. Elbow component  70  also includes a forty-five degree arm  78  which is spaced forty-five degrees from arms  74 ,  76  and on the x-y plane formed by arms  74 ,  76 . A single female connector  12  extends upward from corner  72 , arms  74 ,  76 , and forty-five degree arm  78  such that male connectors (such as male connectors  54  shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be mated with the upper end of female connectors  12  at a ninety-degree angle with respect to the x-y plane. Also, as may be seen by referring to  FIG. 4B  (for frame of reference referred to as the rearward view), male connectors (such as male connectors  56  shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be simultaneously connected with the rearward end of female connectors  12 .  
         [0061]     Elbow component  70  includes two unidirectional female connectors  80  which respectively extend outward along arms  74 ,  76  in the x-y plane, such that male connectors (e.g. male connector  10 ,  54 , or  56 ) may be snapped into position along the x-y plane.  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIGS. 4A, 4B , unidirectional female connector  80  includes head  86 , neck  88 , and shoulder  90 . Female connector  80  has a gap  92  that extends longitudinally along the upward facing wall. Female connector  80  has an open surface joining with base  27 . Head  86  and neck  88  of female connector  80  has inner walls that extend sufficiently (greater than 180 degrees) around the circumference of female connector  80  to permit a male connector to be pressed either longitudinally into or axially onto female connector  80  and to snap back into place once the male connector slips into the head, neck, and shoulder cavities of female connector  80 . Additionally, the interior perimeter of shoulder  90  of female connector  80  is octagonally shaped to lock a male connector with a octagonally shaped exterior perimeter of its shoulder into a particular orientation with respect to the female connector. The orientation of the male connector can be changed by applying pressure axially to shift the orientation of the male shoulder with respect to the female shoulder.  
         [0063]     Elbow component  70  includes female U-joint connector  84  extending outward from forty-five degree arm  78 . The arms of female U-joint connector  84  are open sufficiently (less than one eighty degrees) to permit a shaft connector to be pressed between the open arms and oriented to snap back into place to grasp a shaft connector at a ninety degree angle with respect to the x-y plane. By mating with U-joint connector  84 , a construction component with a mating male shaft connector can be attached to elbow connector  70  and rotate in the x-y plane. It may be appreciated that the U-joint connector  84  may alternatively be replaced by a male shaft connector or that the orientation of the connector with respect to the x-y plane may be disposed at a different angle (such as at a zero degree angle with respect to the x-y plane). Also, it may be appreciated that various combinations of female or male connectors may be implemented at the ends of the respective arms of elbow component  70  and that the representation shown in  FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  is simply one example.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 5A , an upper view of tee component  100  is shown comprising two arms  102 ,  104  joined together in a tee in accordance with the present invention and describing an x-y plane. Arm  102  extends along the x-axis and includes three bi-directional female connectors  12  extending upward from base  27  and two unidirectional female connectors  80  extending from the ends of arm  102  along the x-axis. Arm  104  extends along the y-axis and includes one bidirectional female connector  12  extending upward from base  27  and one unidirectional female connector  80  extending from the end of arm  104  along the y-axis. Male connectors are insertable into female connectors  12  perpendicular to the x-y plane (z-axis); and, in the event that the shoulders of the male connectors are octagonally-shaped so they can mate with octagonally-shaped female shoulders  36 , then the respective male connectors can be locked into a selected orientation with respect to the respective female connectors.  
         [0065]     Tee component  100  also includes two forty-five degree arms  106  which are spaced forty-five degrees from arm  104  and on the x-y plane formed by arms  102 ,  104 . Arms  102 ,  104 ,  106  include unidirectional female connectors  80  which respectively extend outward along each arm and in the x-y plane, such that male connectors (e.g. male connector  10 ,  54 , or  56 ) may be snapped into position along the direction of the respective arm and in the x-y plane.  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 5B , a rear view of an embodiment of tee component  100  shows octagonally-shaped shoulders  34  of female components  12  connected to base  27  and the open portion of unidirectional female connectors  80  in accordance with the present invention. With respect to the base end of female components  12 , male components are insertable simultaneously with or independently of male components inserted from the upper face.  
         [0067]     It may further be appreciated that various combinations and types of female or male connectors may be implemented at the ends of the respective arms of tee component  100  and that the representation shown in  FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  is simply one example. Also, fewer bi-directional female connectors  12  may be incorporated in alternative embodiments.  
         [0068]     Referring to  FIG. 6A , an upper view of star component  110  is shown comprising arm  102  and two arms  104  joined together in a cross in accordance with the present invention and describing an x-y plane. Star component  110  also includes four forty-five degree arms  106  which are spaced forty-five degrees from arms  102 ,  104  and on the x-y plane formed by arms  102 ,  104 . Arms  102 ,  104 ,  106  include uni-directional female connectors  80  which respectively extend outward along each arm and in the x-y plane, such that male connectors (e.g. male connector  10 ,  54 , or  56 ) may be snapped into position along the direction of the respective arm and in the x-y plane.  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIG. 6B , a rear view of an embodiment of star component  110  shows octagonally-shaped shoulders  34  of female components  12  connected to base  27  and the open portion of uni-directional female connectors  80  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0070]     It may further be appreciated that various combinations and types of female or male connectors may be implemented at the ends of the respective arms of star component  110  and that the representation shown in  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  is simply one example. Also, fewer bidirectional female connectors  12  may be incorporated in alternative embodiments.  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 7A , the inner surface of wheel component  120  is shown with exposed base  27  centered at the axle and bi-directional female connector  12  extending axially from base  27  towards the external surface of wheel component  120  in accordance with the present invention. Shoulder  34  of female connector  12  is octagonally shaped for mating with a male connector (e.g. male connector  10 ,  54 , or  56 ) with a rounded or octagonally shaped shoulder depending on whether wheel component  120  is to be freely turning or in fixed orientation with the male connector.  
         [0072]     Referring to  FIG. 7B , the external surface of wheel component  120  is shown with female connector  12  extending axially from base  27  in accordance with the present invention. Female shoulder  36  is octagonally-shaped for mating and fixing the orientation of a male connector with a octagonally-shaped shoulder mounted onto female connector  12  through the upper portion.  
         [0073]     It may be further appreciated that various alternate connectors may be implemented as a connector for wheel component  120 , such as implementing a uni-directional female or male connector in place of bi-directional female connector  12  or combinations thereof.  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , base component  130  is shown with male connector  10  extending axially from a first side of base  27  and female U-joint connector  84  extending axially from an opposite side of base  27  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 9A , a rear view of quad-base component  140  is shown with female connector  12  extending axially from base  27  and four female U-joint connectors  142  extending outward from the center axis in accordance with the present invention. Female shoulder  36  is octagonally-shaped for mating and fixing the orientation of a male connector mounted onto female connector  12  through the upper portion and having a octagonally-shaped shoulder. The U-portion of U-joint connectors  142  include an inner surface  144  that extends circumferentially greater than 180 degrees in order to grasp an inserted axle or other mate-able connector.  
         [0076]     Referring to  FIG. 9B , an upper view of quad-base component  140  is shown with female connector  12  extending axially from base  27  in accordance with the present invention. Female shoulder  36  is octagonally-shaped for mating and fixing the orientation of a male connector with a octagonally-shaped shoulder mounted onto female connector  12  through the upper portion in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0077]     It may be further appreciated that various alternate connectors may be implemented with quad-base component  140  or that the U-joint connectors may be oriented with different angular relations to the axis of female connector  12 .  
         [0078]     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a pulley component  150  is shown including male connectors  152 ,  154  connected axially and perpendicular to the plane described by base  156  in accordance with the present invention. Octagonally shaped shoulder  158  of male connector  154  may be mated with a octagonal shaped shoulder of a female connector to lock a particular orientation between mated connectors. Smooth circular shaped shoulder  160  of male connector  152  permits male connector  152  to be mated with a female connector and freely rotate with respect to the female connector while pulley component  150  is supported by components with corresponding female connectors. Base  156  has a concave surface  162  along its circular perimeter for retaining a line (or cable, chain, thread, cord, belt, rubber band or similar article) for operation with pulley component  150 .  
         [0079]     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , dual pulley component  170  is shown with two parallel concave shaped perimeter surfaces  172 ,  174  for retaining respective lines (as described by example above) and a hollow center described a smooth interior surface  176  in accordance with the present invention. Smooth interior surface  176  enables dual pulley component  170  to be mounted and supported for free rotation in accordance with the demands of attached lines.  
         [0080]     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , triple pulley component  180  is shown with three axially centered pulleys  182 ,  184 ,  186  having successively increasing diameters in accordance with the present invention. Pulleys  182 ,  184 ,  186 , respectively include concave shaped perimeter surfaces  188 ,  190 ,  192  for retaining respective lines (as described by example above). Triple pulley component  180  includes a smooth interior surface  194  with two parallel struts  196  connected to the inner surface such that triple pulley component  180  can be mounted in fixed relation onto another component that is sized and proportioned to abut the surfaces of the rods. Smooth interior surface  194  has a depth that extends from the top surface  198  of pulley  182  to the bottom surface  200  of pulley  186  such that axial support is provided to each pulley. It may be appreciated that the combination of interior surface  194  and struts  196  provide a slot opening such that triple pulley component can be adjustably connected with another component upon which triple pulley component is mounted.  
         [0081]     Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , roto-base component  210  is shown with a central interior surface  212  describing a circular opening and two male connectors  214 ,  216  extending on a common axis from oppositely disposed portions of external surface  218  in accordance with the present invention. Octagonally shaped shoulders of male connectors  214 ,  216  enable respective female components to mate in a fixed orientation. Central interior surface  212  enables roto-base component  210  to freely rotate when mounted and includes a sufficient width to form a ring and provide axial and transverse axis support (e.g. circular opening is sized ¾″ and interior surface width is ¼″).  
         [0082]     Referring to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , motor-base component  220  is shown with male connector  222  connected to base  224  of clip  226  in accordance with the present invention. Clip  226  includes semi-circular surfaces  228 ,  230  for cradling and gripping another component such as a motor or transmission. Semi-circular surfaces by example may be sized to surround an object of 1″ diameter and have a depth of ½″ to provide axial and lateral support to a mounted object. Semi-circular surfaces  228 ,  230  include ends  232 ,  234  which may elastically be widened to enable insertion of the object to be mounted.  
         [0083]     Referring to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , swing-rod component  240  is shown including two bi-directional female components  12  extending upward from base  27 , unidirectional female connector  80  extending from one end, and axle connector  242  extending from the other end in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0084]     Referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , angle-rod component  260  is shown including rod portion  262  with two bidirectional female components  12  extending upward from base  27  and unidirectional female connector  80  extending open at end  264  and including angled rod portion  266  disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of rod portion  262  in accordance with the present invention. Male connector  268  extends from end  270 . By example, a selected angle may be 30, 45, 60 degrees.  
         [0085]     Referring to  FIG. 17A , large M-F rod component  280  is shown with multiple bi-directional female connectors extending upward from base  27  and male connector  282  and unidirectional female connector  12  extending from respective ends in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0086]     Referring to  FIGS. 18A and 18B , expandable M-M rod component  290  is shown with multiple representations of adjustable rod sections  292 ,  294  demonstrating the connection states of the respective sections in accordance with the present invention. Rod section  292  includes open end  296 , vent section  298 , and end section  300 . Vent section  298  is shaped rectagonally and includes two series of vents  299  and centrally disposed ridges  301  extending in parallel relation on opposite sides. End section  300  includes bi-directional female connector  12  extending upward from base  27  and male connector  302  extending axially. Rod section  294  includes insertable expansion section  304  and end section  306 . End section  306  includes two bidirectional female connectors  12  extending upward from base  27  and male connector  308  extending axially. Expansion section  304  includes a parallelogram-like shaped tip  310  disposed with its longer axis extending parallel with the axis of bidirectional female connectors  12 . Parallelogram-like shaped tip  310  including two opposite sides  312  with concave perimeters.  
         [0087]     Image ( 1 ) and ( 4 ) of  FIGS. 18A and 18B  show the orientation of rod sections  292 ,  294  when connected and locked into position. Image ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) show the orientation of rod sections  292 ,  294  in order to in order to unlock the two sections and to adjust the extension of expandable M-M rod component  290 . When oriented in position ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), vertex  314  of tip  310  is oriented with vertex  316  of open end  296  and concave sides  312  are oriented with disposed ridges  301  so that rod section  294  can slide freely in and out of rod section  392 . Rod section  294  is locked into place by twisting the rod clock-wise when vertex  314  abuts one of the series of vents  299  and by sliding vertex  314  into the cavity of vent  299  as may best be seen in image ( 4 ). When locked into place, each of the female connectors  12  from both rod sections are aligned in parallel.  
         [0088]     Referring to  FIGS. 19A and 19B , short M-F rod component  340  is shown with bi-directional female connector  12  extending from base  27 , unidirectional female connector  80  extending from one end, and male connector  342  extending axially from the other end in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0089]     Referring to  FIGS. 20A and 20B , short M-M rod component  350  is shown with bi-directional female connector  12  extending from base  27  and two male connectors  352 ,  354  extending axially from opposite ends in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0090]     Referring to  FIG. 21 , toy bi-ped vehicle  2100  is shown assembled from components herein described in accordance with the present invention. Step  1  ( 2110 ) in  FIG. 21  shows the layered combination of wheel  120  mated with pulley  150 , mated with tee  100 , mated with two pulleys  150 , mated with two expandable rods  290 , mated with two pulleys  150 , mated with tee  100 , and mated with two pulleys to produce a multi-rotational section. Step  2  ( 2120 ) in  FIG. 21  shows the combination of two pulleys  150  with tee  100 , mated with expandable rod  290 , mated with oppositely disposed angle rods  260 , and mated with two additional angle rods  260  producing a second section. Step  3  ( 2130 ) in  FIG. 21  shows the joining of the two sections with two expandable rods  290 , mated with small M-M rod  350 , and mated with wheel  120  to generate toy bi-ped vehicle  2100 .  
         [0091]     Referring to  FIG. 22 , toy tricycle  2200  is shown assembled from components herein described in accordance with the present invention. Step  1  ( 2210 ) in  FIG. 22  shows the combination of two big rods  280  with two small M-M rods  350 , mating of two M-M rods  350  with unidirectional female connectors of big rods  280 , mating of small M-M rod  350  with the two small M-M rods  350 , and mating small M-F rod  340  with small M-M rod  350  connected at the lower end of big rods  280  to generate a first main frame section. Step  2  ( 2220 ) in  FIG. 22  shows the combination of two more big rods  280  with the first main frame section using two pairs of small M-M rods  350  and the mating of angle rod  260  with bi-directional female connector  12  of small M-F rod  340  to generate a second main frame section ( 2230 ). Step  3  ( 2240  and  2250 ) shows the combination of six angle rods  260  to generate a pair of handle bars which are mated with bidirectional female connector  12  of small M-M rod  350  located at the upper portion of main frame section to generate the third main frame section ( 2260 ). Step  4  ( 2270 ) shows the combination of expandable rod  290  and two large M-F rods with the bidirectional female connectors  12  of three lower small M-M rods  350  located on main frame section ( 2260 ) and the addition of two pulleys  150  to the M-F outside rods  280  located on main frame section ( 2260 ) to generate a fourth main frame section ( 2280 ). Step  5  shows the combination of wheels  120  with pulleys  150 , mating of two pulleys  150  with the outside portion of wheels  120 , mating two pulleys with expandable rod  290 , and the mating of four additional wheels to the respective pulleys  150  to generate the toy tricycle  2200 .  
         [0092]     Referring to  FIG. 23 , toy crane  2300  is shown assembled from components herein described in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0093]     Referring to  FIG. 24 , toy all-terrain vehicle  2400  is shown assembled from components herein described in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0094]     Referring to  FIG. 25 , various constructable toys are shown assembled from components herein described in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0095]     The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. By example, it has been shown and mentioned several times that the various male and female connectors may be changed with respect to the example components which have been discussed and described herein. Additionally, various embodiments of the invention may utilize values that are different from what is specified herein. Furthermore, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims.