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US 6,805,605 B2Granted
Electrically conductive block toy
OwnerLynn E. Reining, William N. Reininginventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrically conductive block component and method of producing such a block component are disclosed. The electrically conductive block component includes a main block section having first and second faces opposed to one another and a first channel extending through the main block section from the first face to the second face. The electrically conductive block component also includes a first conductive pin positioned within the first channel and having first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively. The first and second end portions of the first conductive pin are configured so that the electrically conductive block component can be both physically assembled with and electrically coupled to another electrically conductive block component.
Claims18
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section having first and second faces opposed to one another and a first channel extending through the main block section from the first face to the second face, wherein the respective first and second faces are substantially outermost surfaces of the main block section;
- and
- a first conductive pin positioned within the first channel and having first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively,
- wherein the first and second end portions of the first conductive pin are configured so that the electrically conductive block component can be both physically assembled with and electrically coupled to another electrically conductive block component,
- wherein the first and second end portions of the first conductive pin have first and second complementary shapes, and
- wherein the first end portion of the first conductive pin is a head forming a protrusion out of the main block section beyond the first face, and the second end portion of the first conductive pin is a base including an indentation recessed into the second face of the main block section, wherein the indentation is complimentary in shape with respect to the protrusion.
3 more elements
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section having first and second faces opposed to one another and a first channel extending through the main block section from the first face to the second face;
- and
- a first conductive pin positioned within the first channel and having first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively,
- wherein the first and second end portions of the first conductive pin are configured so that the electrically conductive block component can be both physically assembled with and electrically coupled to another electrically conductive block component,
- wherein the first end portion is a head and the second end portion is a base, and wherein the electrically conductive block component is assembled by inserting the first conductive pin into the first channel with the head proceeding first into the first channel followed by the base,
- wherein the first conductive pin includes a slot extending parallel to an axis of the first conductive pin through the head, and a first ridge on the head, wherein the first ridge extends beyond an outer perimeter of a remaining portion of the head, and
- wherein the first channel includes a notch capable of receiving the first ridge when the first conductive pin is inserted into the first channel.
4 more elements
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section having first and second faces opposed to one another and a first channel extending through the main block section from the first face to the second face;
- and
- a first conductive pin positioned within the first channel and having first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively,
- wherein the first and second end portions of the first conductive pin are configured so that the electrically conductive block component can be both physically assembled with and electrically coupled to another electrically conductive block component, and
- wherein the first conductive pin includes a main pin portion and a cap at the first end portion, and wherein the block component is assembled by inserting the main pin portion into the first channel and then affixing the cap onto an end of the main pin portion that protrudes out beyond the first face.
2 more elements
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section having first and second faces opposed to one another and a first channel extending through the main block section from the first face to the second face, wherein the respective first and second faces are substantially outermost surfaces of the main block section;
- and
- a first conductive pin positioned within the first channel and having first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively,
- wherein the first and second end portions of the first conductive pin are configured so that the electrically conductive block component can be both physically assembled with and electrically coupled to another electrically conductive block component, and
- further comprising a second conductive pin positioned within a second channel of the main block section,
- wherein the second conductive pin additionally has respective first and second end portions proximate the first and second faces, respectively, and
- wherein the first and second conductive pins are electrically coupled by a first connection.
4 more elements
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section having a plurality of channels extending between first and second surfaces of the main block section;
- a plurality of electrically conductive pins, wherein each pin is inserted within a respective one of the channels, and wherein each pin has a respective head forming a respective protrusion out of the first surface and a respective base including a respective indentation recessed into the second surface;
- and
- at least one connection tat electrically couples at least two of the electrically conductive pins.
1 more element
An electrically conductive block component comprising:
- a main block section;
- a first row of electrical contacts, each of which is formed, respectively, as part of a respective physical connection feature on a first surface of the main block section;
- a second row of electrical contacts, each of which is formed, respectively, as part of a respective physical connection feature on the first surface, and wherein the first row and second row are parallel to one another and aligned with one another so that each electrical contact of the first row is positioned alongside a respective one of the electrical contacts of the second row;
- and
- a plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupling the electrical contacts of the first row with the electrical contacts of the second row, wherein each of the electrical connectors electrically couples a respective one of the electrical contacts of the first row with a respective one of the electrical contacts of the second row that is diagonally positioned relative to the one of the electrical contacts of the first row.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.