Marble actuated turntable
AssigneePike Brands LLC
InventorsJeffrey Forgrave, Chris Suen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An animation module is configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. The module includes a connector, an actuator, switch contacts, and a motor. The connector connects to a connector tube of a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules. The actuator has a button and a shaft, and is configured to dispose at least a portion of the button below a bottom of the connector. The shaft extends upward from the button. The switch contacts are mounted at least indirectly on the connector and have a closed state and an open state. The motor is operably coupled to the switch contacts to rotate responsive to the switch contacts transitioning between the open state and the closed state.
Claims19
An animation module configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each marble run module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface, each marble run module having one or more connector tubes, the animation module comprising:
- a connector configured to connect to a connector tube of a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules;
- an actuator having a button and a shaft, the actuator operably coupled to the connector to dispose at least a portion of the button below a bottom of a switch mount, the shaft coupled to extend upward from the button;
- first and second switch contacts mounted at least indirectly on the switch mount, the first and second switch contacts having a closed state and an open state;
- a motor operably coupled to the first and second switch contacts to rotate responsive to the first and second contacts transitioning from the open state to the closed state, or to rotate responsive to the first and second contacts transitioning from the closed state to the open state.
An animation module configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each marble run module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface, the animation module comprising:
- a housing configured to connect to a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules;
- a motor operably coupled to rotate responsive to receiving a drive signal;
- a platen supported on the housing and operably coupled to the motor to rotate responsive to rotation of the motor;
- a drive circuit operably configured to cause the drive signal to be provided to the motor responsive to receiving an activation signal;
- a marble detection switch having an open state and a closed state, wherein the marble detection switch is configured to transition between the open state and the closed state responsive to detection of a marble, and the marble detection switch is configured to cause the activation signal to be provided to the drive circuit responsive to a transition between the open state and the closed state;
- and
- wherein the marble detection switch includes an actuator and first and second switch contacts, and wherein the actuator is-operably coupled to at least one of the group consisting of the first switch contact and the second switch contact to transition the first and second switch contacts between one of the open state and closed state to another of the open state and the closed state responsive to a marble contacting the actuator.
An animation module configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each marble run module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface, the animation module comprising:
- a housing configured to connect to a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules;
- a motor operably coupled to rotate responsive to receiving a drive signal;
- a platen supported on the housing and operably coupled to the motor to rotate responsive to rotation of the motor;
- a drive circuit operably configured to cause the drive signal to be provided to the motor responsive to receiving an activation signal;
- a pedestal operably connected to be rotated by a plurality of gears, the pedestal operably coupled to the platen to rotate the platen when said pedestal rotates,
- wherein the pedestal includes an internal ring gear and a top flange, the top flange received by one or more features of the platen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.