Modular toy assembly

Abstract

A modular toy assembly. The modular toy assembly includes sliding play modules defined by a channel extending through each slidable play module. Each channel has at least one flat inner side that permits sliding of each slidable play module and prevents rotation of the slidable play module. A module support shaft extends through each channel to hold the sliding play modules. The module support shaft has a flat outer side having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of each channel of the play modules, so that the play modules are restricted from rotating about the axis of the module support shaft. A pair of side mounts support the assembly. The module support shaft detachably couples to the side mounts. The module support shaft can be removed from one end to interchange play modules. A first and second leg may attach the assembly to a surface. A travel adaptor end might include pieces/Velcro/hook and loop pieces that allow the contraption to be attached to other surfaces.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A modular toy assembly comprising:
 a plurality of slidable play modules defined by a channel extending through each slidable play module, each channel having at least one flat inner side that permits sliding of each slidable play module and prevents rotation of the slidable play module;   a module support shaft that extends through each channel to hold the plurality of slidable play modules, the module support shaft having at least one flat outer side extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of each channel of the plurality of the slidable play modules wherein each channel and the module support shaft are mated as the module support shaft is passed through each channel of the slidable play module wherein the slidable play module slides on the module support shaft but is restricted from rotation around an axis of the module support shaft; the module support shaft also includes a proximal end and a distal end;   a pair of side mounts including a first side mount and a second side mount that are spaced apart from each other wherein the first side mount and the proximal end of the module support shaft are detachably coupled and wherein the second side mount and the distal end of the module support shaft are detachably coupled to retain the plurality of slidable play modules on the module support shaft therein; and   a support that attaches the assembly to a surface.   
     
     
         2 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support is a clamp or a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a base block placed on the surface, the base block having a plurality of receptacles that are adjacent to each other along a path to receive the pair of side mounts wherein a distance between a user and the modular toy assembly may be reduced or increased based by switching the receptacles in which the side mounts are inserted. 
     
     
         4 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 1  wherein the pair of side mounts comprise a plurality of shaft holes extending along the length of the pair of side mounts, the pair of side mounts disposed in a spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of shaft holes are configured to mate with the at least one proximal end and distal end of the module support shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second module support shaft that is detachably coupled to the pair of side mounts. 
     
     
         7 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support that attaches the assembly to a surface. 
     
     
         8 . The modular toy assembly of  claim 3  wherein the base block further comprises a track for receiving an upper portion of the clamp. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a pair of side mounts comprising a mount end, a free end, and a plurality of shaft holes extending along the length of the pair of side mounts, the pair of side mounts disposed in a spaced-apart relationship;   at least one support for attaching the apparatus to a surface;   at least one module support shaft having at least one flat outer side, the at least one module support shaft extending between the pair of side mounts, the at least one module support shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end and the distal end are detachably attached to shaft holes along the length of the pair of side mounts; and   a plurality of slidable play modules, each including a channel, the channel having at least one flat inner side, the channel and the at least one flat inner side configured to mate with the at least one flat outer side of the module support shaft and enable longitudinal sliding of the of the at least one flat outer side, the channel and the at least one flat inner side configured to restrict rotation of the plurality of outer surfaces of the at least one module support shaft,   wherein the plurality of slidable play modules are inhibited from rotating about the at least one module support shaft,   wherein detachment of the proximal end or the distal end of the at least one module support shaft enables interchanging of the plurality of slidable play modules.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of shaft holes are shaped to enable mating with a proximal end and a distal end of the module support shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the at least one leg comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the at least one leg is a hook and loop fastener for attaching the apparatus to the surface. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a base block placed on the surface, the base block having a plurality of receptacles that are adjacent to each other along a path to receive the pair of side mounts wherein a distance between a user and the apparatus may be reduced or increased by switching the receptacles in which the side mounts are inserted. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second module support shaft that is detachably coupled to the pair of side mounts. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second support that attaches the apparatus to a surface. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the base block further comprises a track for receiving an upper portion of the clamp.