Toy construction set

Abstract

A toy construction set including a plurality of balls each having a plurality of bores formed on an outer surface thereof and a plurality of connectors for connecting the plurality of balls to form a toy structure. Each connector has first, second and third rod members oriented in a generally zigzag configuration. The first rod member is provided at one end for insertion into a bore of a first ball. The second rod member is provided at an opposite end for insertion into a bore of a second ball. The third rod member extends between the first and second rod members. The central axes of the first and second rod members intersects at a center of the first ball at an angle of about 5° to about 45°, and the third rod member extends along an arc intercepted by the angle. The toy construction set may also include rod-shaped, T-shaped and cross-shaped connectors.

1 . A toy construction set comprising:
 (a) a plurality of balls each comprising a plurality of bores formed on an outer surface thereof;   (b) a plurality of connectors for connecting said plurality of balls, each connector comprising first, second and third rod members in generally zigzag configuration, said first rod member being disposed at one end for insertion into a bore of a first ball, said second rod member being disposed at another end for insertion into a bore of a second ball, and said third rod member being disposed in the middle and connecting said first and second rod members;   (c) wherein a central axis of said first rod member intersects a central axis of said second rod member at an angle of about 5° to about 45°, and said third rod member extends along an arc intercepted by said angle.   
   
   
       2 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said angle is about 15°. 
   
   
       3 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said angle is about 30°. 
   
   
       4 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said angle is about 45°. 
   
   
       5 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said central axis of said first rod member intersects said central axis of said second rod member at a center of said first ball when said first rod member is inserted into said bore of said first ball. 
   
   
       6 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said third rod member extends along an outer surface of said first ball with a curvature generally conforming to said outer surface when said first rod member is inserted into said bore of said first ball. 
   
   
       7 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second rod members are sized and shaped for frictionally engagement with an inner surface of said bores of said first and second balls. 
   
   
       8 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bores of said first and second balls comprise a hexagonal cross section. 
   
   
       9 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each ball comprises six bores. 
   
   
       10 . A toy construction set comprising:
 (a) a plurality of objects each comprising a plurality of bores formed on an outer surface thereof; and   (b) plurality of connectors for connecting said plurality of objects, each connector comprising first, second and third segments in generally zigzag configuration, said first segment being an end segment insertable into a bore of a first object, said second segment being another end segment insertable into a bore of a second object, and said third segment being a middle segment connecting said first and second segments.   
   
   
       11 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a central axis of said first segment intersects a central axis of said second segment at an angle of about 5° to about 45°. 
   
   
       12 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said angle is about 15°. 
   
   
       13 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said angle is about 30°. 
   
   
       14 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said angle is about 45°. 
   
   
       15 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said third segment extends along an arc intercepted by said angle. 
   
   
       16 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said central axis of said first segment intersects said central axis of said second segment substantially at a center of said first object when said first segment is inserted into said bore of said first object. 
   
   
       17 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said third segment extends along an outer surface of said first object with a curvature generally conforming to said outer surface when said first segment is inserted into said bore of said first object. 
   
   
       18 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said first and second segments are sized and shaped for frictionally engagement with an inner surface of said bores of said first and second objects. 
   
   
       19 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said bores of said first and second objects comprise a hexagonal cross section. 
   
   
       20 . The toy construction set as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a free end of each of said first and second segments comprises a longitudinally extending diametric slot defining two longitudinally extending deflectable arms, and a projection integrally formed on an outer surface of said deflectable arms for frictional engagement with an inner surface of said bore when each of said first and second segments is inserted into said bore and said arms are inwardly deflected.