A transformable building block comprises a body configured to receive a connector post or other portion of another building element, an appendage movably coupled to the body, and a post configured to protrude from the body and retract into the body. Inserting a connector post into the body of the transformable building block may cause the appendage to move and the post to protrude from the body. Removing the connector post from the body may cause the post to retract into the body.

A building block includes a plurality of panel elements that are each rotatable relative to each other one of the plurality of panel elements; a connecting pin that passes through and rotatably connects the plurality of panel elements to each other; and a plurality of connectors, each connector rotatably attached to a respective panel element, where each one of the panel elements includes at least on locking feature configured to create a releasably fixed connection between adjacent panel elements. A connector assembly, including two barrel connectors that are rotatable relative to an I-shaped main body of the connector assembly, can connect multiple building blocks to each other.

A block set for building models. The block set includes a first cuboid block. The first cuboid block includes stacking surfaces including a first stacking surface and a second stacking surface substantially parallel to the first stacking surface. The first cuboid block includes side surfaces extending between the stacking surfaces for interlocking said first cuboid block to other cuboid blocks by sliding said first cuboid block adjacent to other cuboid blocks in a direction from the first stacking surface to the second stacking surface. A first side surface opposes a second side surface. The first side surface includes a dovetail-shaped proturbance for receipt by a second side surface of a second cuboid block. The second side surface of the first cuboid block defines a formation for receiving a dovetail-shaped proturbance of a first side surface of a third cuboid block.

A connector joint device for connecting rods or arms at a joint or intersection. The connector joint includes more than one hexagon shape faces, more than one octagon shape faces, more than one 4-sided polygon shape faces. A first face among the more than one octagon shape faces has a hole extending in a direction at an angle with respect to a perpendicular line to the first face.

Circuit blocks are provided. A circuit block may include a substrate and at least one electrical component mounted on the substrate. The circuit block may also include a non-conductive frame coupled to the substrate, and at least one post coupled to the substrate and extending from the substrate and through at least a portion of the frame in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate. Moreover, the circuit block may include a contact coupled to a second, opposite surface of the substrate and including a corner section projecting outwardly from the frame and extending in at least two directions substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one post. The block may also include at least one magnet positioned proximate the flexible corner section of the contact and configured to magnetically attract at least one other circuit block.

A toy building brick system includes a brick which has an outer surface including a plurality of outer walls. A male peg is attached to one of the outer walls. The male peg is configured to engage a female connector and includes a post having a terminal end. The terminal end has an outer peripheral edge. The outer peripheral edge has a notch positioned therein. The notch faces an adjacent edge of the outer wall attached to the male peg to prevent adjacent male pegs of adjacent bricks from abutting in such a manner that the male pegs bias the adjacent bricks apart from each other.

A building block of six female sides wherein each side of the block is adapted to accept a male side of a second different block. The first block is made up of a cross form comprised of tubular projections, a skeleton block form, and connection components connecting the cross form to the skeleton block form. The second different blocks are made up of at least four generally cylindrical projections extending normally outward from the base plate of the block that may be inserted into any of the six sides of the first block and interconnect by frictional engagement. These blocks can be interconnected and assembled into a block structure that has both a finished outward appearance in which each outermost side of every block is customizable and provides internal passageways for adding structural elements, wiring, lighting or anything else needed to run through the blocks and block structure.

Circuit blocks are provided. A circuit block may include a substrate and at least one electrical component mounted on the substrate. The circuit block may also include a non-conductive frame coupled to the substrate, and at least one post coupled to the substrate and extending from the substrate and through at least a portion of the frame in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate. Moreover, the circuit block may include a contact coupled to a second, opposite surface of the substrate and including a corner section projecting outwardly from the frame and extending in at least two directions substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one post. The block may also include at least one magnet positioned proximate the flexible corner section of the contact and configured to magnetically attract at least one other circuit block.

Embodiments provide a toy construction element having an outer shell and moving members that can extend from and retract into openings in a face of the outer shell. The toy construction element may have a plurality of pegs for attaching to other engagement elements (e.g., blocks or figurines) and the openings may each be centered with respect to a 22 arrangement of pegs on the face. The moving members may be in contact with an actuating member, e.g., opposing arms of a rocking member. As one moving member is pushed down the rocking member may lift the other moving member. Upon attaching an engagement element to the toy construction element, one moving member can be pushed down to force up the other moving member so that the engagement element is released. Other actuating members may be used, such as push-rods or camshafts.

An active lattice capable of self-transforming responsive to a stimulus, such as heat or moisture, includes a plurality of links interconnected to each other at a plurality of nodes. At least a subset of links includes at least two materials that have different coefficients of expansion in response to an external stimulus. The two materials can be arranged in an alternating, periodic or aperiodic pattern. Embodiments can be used in apparel and sportswear, manufacturing, aviation and automotive applications, and furniture and interior products.