Stackable electonic blocks and a method for stacking the same
First Claim
1. ) A conductive building block comprising:
- at least four electrical connection areas arranged in a substantially square configuration;
a first conductive path connecting one of the electrical connection areas to a second electrical conductive area wherein the first conductive path is substantially diagonal with respect to the four electrical connection areas; and
a second conductive path connecting a third electrical connection area to a fourth electrical connection area wherein the second path is substantially diagonal and wherein the first path and the second path are substantially perpendicular to each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a mechanical structure having electronic circuits that easily and quickly connect together. The mechanical structures may be building blocks which are stackable and reusable. The building blocks may be removably held together by, for example, gravity and/or friction. The building blocks have electronic circuits which may have numerous uses, including, but not limited to educational, industrial and entertainment uses. More specifically, a building block of the present invention may be insert on, and secured to, a second building block. The building blocks may be identical or may have different features which accomplish varying desired functions. For example, a building block of the present invention may have a light and/or sound feature. In addition, the circuitry of the building blocks of the present invention has unique electronic paths which prevent electronic shorts across a power source. More specifically, the electronic paths of the building blocks have diagonal spacing which may not be shorted as a result of the mechanical limitations in stacking the building blocks
98 Citations
27 Claims
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1. ) A conductive building block comprising:
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at least four electrical connection areas arranged in a substantially square configuration; a first conductive path connecting one of the electrical connection areas to a second electrical conductive area wherein the first conductive path is substantially diagonal with respect to the four electrical connection areas; and a second conductive path connecting a third electrical connection area to a fourth electrical connection area wherein the second path is substantially diagonal and wherein the first path and the second path are substantially perpendicular to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. ) A method for stacking conductive building blocks comprising the steps of:
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providing a first building block having at least four electrical connection areas arranged in a substantially square configuration; providing a first conductive path connecting one of the electrical connection areas to a second conductive areas wherein the first conductive path is substantially diagonal with respect to the four connection areas; providing a second conductive path connecting a third electrical connection area to a fourth electrical connection area wherein the second path is substantially diagonal and wherein the first conductive path and second conductive path are substantially perpendicular to each other; providing a second building block having at least four electrical connection areas arranged in a substantially square configuration, a first conductive path connecting one of the electrical connection areas to a second conductive areas wherein the first conductive path is substantially diagonal with respect to the four connection areas, a second conductive path connecting a third electrical connection area to a fourth electrical connection area wherein the second path is substantially diagonal and wherein the first conductive path and second conductive path are substantially perpendicular to each other; providing at least one male connection surface on the first block and at least one female connection surface on the second block; and mechanically preventing the attachment of the first block to the second block in a manner which would allow any of the conductive paths to be shorted. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. ) A conductive building block comprising:
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a top side having an edge; at least four electronically conductive areas on the top side arranged in a substantially square configuration; providing a first conductive path connecting at least two of the electronically conductive areas wherein the first electronically path covers a portion of the edge of the top side; providing a second conductive path connecting a third electronically conductive area to a fourth electrically conductive area wherein the second conductive does not overlap with the first conductive path; and providing a male or female mechanically connection area wherein the male or female mechanically connection area connects to a corresponding connection area on a different surface and wherein the male or female mechanical connection area establishes an electrical communication with the corresponding connection area on the different surface.
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Specification