Illuminated toy construction kit

Abstract

A construction kit having various construction elements including truss and joint connectors with each truss connector having a light source associated therewith and each joint connector connectable to a power source so as to energize the various truss connectors directly or indirectly operatively connected thereto. The various construction elements cooperate to be expandable into any of a variety of structural profiles and to provide an attractive illuminated visual display. Additional design/construction flexibility is accomplished via additional connecting elements such as variously shaped panel connectors.

1 . An illuminating construction kit comprising: 
 a first connecting element defining a number of sockets;    a second connecting element defining an elongated body with ends suitable to engage any one or more of said sockets; and    a third connecting element defining a panel with substantially rectilinear edges and one or more fasteners associated therewith, said fasteners being suitable to engage said body of said second connecting element,    wherein at least said second connecting element includes a light source.    
   
   
       2 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 1 , wherein said first connecting element includes a conductive nucleus with a number of conductive pin elements projecting outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       3 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 2 , wherein said conductive nucleus has a first shell thereabout.  
   
   
       4 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 3 , wherein said pins traverse said first shell via a respective number of first apertures defined in said first shell.  
   
   
       5 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 4 , wherein said first shell is surrounded by a second shell defining a number of second apertures.  
   
   
       6 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 5 , wherein each of said second apertures is each axially aligned with a respective first aperture of said first shell.  
   
   
       7 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second apertures cooperate with said pins to define said sockets of said first connecting element.  
   
   
       8 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of connecting collars, each of said connecting collars being operatively associated with a corresponding one of said sockets.  
   
   
       9 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 8 , wherein each of said ends of said second connecting element includes a conductive connecting element suitable to conductively communicate with said conductive core of said first connecting element via said conductive pins.  
   
   
       10 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 9 , wherein said conductive connecting element is a prong having a conductive sleeve thereabout, and an insulative sleeve about said conducting sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 10 , wherein said insulative sleeve has a connecting sleeve thereabout, said connecting sleeve being suitable for engaging a corresponding one of said connecting collars.  
   
   
       12 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 11 , wherein said connecting sleeve and said connecting collar cooperate to accomplish a releasable mechanical connection.  
   
   
       13 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 12 , wherein said mechanical connection is selected from a group consisting of: a friction-fit connection, a snap-fit connection, a thread-fit connection, or any combination of the same.  
   
   
       14 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 9 , further comprising a power source operatively connected to said first connecting element via at least one of said sockets so as to energize said first connecting element and any second connecting element directly or indirectly connected thereto.  
   
   
       15 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 14 , wherein each of said energized second connecting elements emits light.  
   
   
       16 . The illuminating construction kit of  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of said first or second connecting elements are operatively connected so as to form an illuminated structural profile.  
   
   
       17 . A connecting element for use in a toy construction kit, said connecting element comprising: 
 a rigid translucent body defining a hollow shaft; and    a light source disposed in said hollow shaft so as to provide an illuminating effect upon actuation thereof.    
   
   
       18 . The connecting element of  claim 17 , wherein light source is a luminescent source.  
   
   
       19 . The connecting element of  claim 18 , wherein said connecting element is operatively connectable to one or more other like connecting elements via one or more joint connectors having sockets associated therewith.  
   
   
       20 . The connecting element of  claim 19 , wherein said light source is actuated by a power source operatively connectable to said joint connectors via said sockets.  
   
   
       21 . An illuminating construction kit comprising: 
 one or more illuminating truss elements;    one or more illuminating joint elements; and    one or more illuminating panel elements,    wherein said truss elements, said joint elements, and said panel elements cooperate to form an illuminating structural profile by appropriate interconnection thereof.