Illuminated, three-dimensional modules with coaxial magnetic connectors for a toy construction kit

• US 7,322,873 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2005
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel-mega Holdings (US), LLC
• Original Assignee: Mega Brands America Incorporated (Mattel Incorporated)
• Inventors: Daftari, Parvis, Rosen, Lawrence I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci; John A.
• Application Number:
  US11/251,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20060134978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 446/91, 446/92, 446/124, 446/126, 446/484, 446/485, 362/217, 362/220, 362/225, 362/260
• US Class Current: 446/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/042 Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/046 comprising magnetic interaction means, e.g. holding together by magnetic attraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts

Abstract

A construction kit that is suitable for creating a variety of different structures includes a plurality of illuminated elements. Each illuminated element has a light source and is electrically conductive. Tin one embodiment, the kit includes a plurality of connectors for linking the plurality of illuminated elements mechanically and electrically to form an illuminated structure, each connector having at least two apertures and being electrically conductive. The kit can include a power supply for supplying power to one connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the power is transferred from the one connector to each of the plurality of illuminated elements and each of the remaining plurality of connectors, thereby illuminating the structure.

Claims

1. A construction kit, comprising:

a plurality of illuminated elements, each illuminated element having a light source and being electrically conductive,

a plurality of connectors for linking the plurality of illuminated elements mechanically and electrically to form an illuminated structure, each connector having at least two apertures and being electrically conductive, wherein each connector includes a center pin element containing two or more conductive pins for connecting the plurality of illuminated elements; and

a power supply for supplying power to one connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the power is transferred from the one connector to each of the plurality of illuminated elements and each of the remaining plurality of connectors, thereby illuminating the illuminated structure.

2. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein an element of the plurality of illuminated elements is linked to a connector of the plurality of connectors by inserting an end of the element into an aperture of the connector.

3. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein each connector comprises an insulating shell formed around the center pin element, a metal shell formed around the insulating shell, a plastic shell around the metal shell, and wherein the plastic shell, metal shell and insulating shell define aligned holes that expose each pin of the center pin element.

4. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein each connector is a sphere that links the plurality of illuminated elements at various angles.

5. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein the light source includes one of an electro-luminescent light, a light emitting diode and a miniature incandescent light bulb.

6. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein the light source further contains coaxial connector pins at each end of the element.

7. The construction kit of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit that illuminator with one of the plurality of elements a blinking, strobe and chase effect.

8. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements blink sequentially.

9. The construction kit of claim 1, wherein the illuminated structure contains a plurality of different colors of light.

10. A construction kit, comprising:

a plurality of illuminated elements, each illuminated element having a light source and being electrically conductive.

a plurality of connectors for linking the plurality of illuminated elements mechanically and electrically to form an illuminated structure, each connector having at least two apertures and being electrically conductive; and

a power supply for supplying power to one connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the power is transferred from the one connector to each of the plurality of illuminated elements and each of the remaining plurality of connectors, thereby illuminating the illuminated structure, wherein an element of the plurality of illuminated elements is linked to a connector of the plurality of connectors by inserting an end of the element into an aperture of the connector, wherein the end of the element includes a first ring of protrusions and cavities and the aperture includes a second ring of protrusions and cavities that is complementary to the first ring.

11. A construction kit comprising:

a plurality of construction modules, wherein each construction module includes

an internal chamber,

a light source disposed in the internal chamber,

a first coaxial connector located on a first external side,

a second coaxial connector complementary to the first coaxial connector located on a second external side,

a first series of protrusions and cavities, the first series being formed on the first external side around the first coaxial connector,

a second series of protrusion and cavities, the second series being complementary to the first series and being formed on the second external side around the second coaxial connector; and

a power source for applying power to the plurality of construction modules,

wherein the plurality of construction modules are linked mechanically and electrically by mating first coaxial connectors with second coaxial connectors such that power is applied to the plurality of construction modules.

12. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of construction modules is in the shape of one of a cube, cylinder, pyramid, and prism.

13. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein at least one side of each construction module is made of one of translucent and transparent material.

14. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein the first series is a first circular ring of protrusions and cavities and the second series is a second circular ring with protrusions and cavities formed complementary to the first circular ring.

15. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein

the first coaxial connector includes a first conductive ring and a first projection, the first projection being electrically conductive, having a magnetic surface of a first polarity, and being centrally disposed within the first conductive ring to extend outwardly from within the internal chamber,

the second coaxial connector includes a second conductive ring and a second projection, the second projection being electrically conductive, having a magnetic surface of a second polarity, and being centrally disposed within the second conductive ring extending outwardly from within the interior chamber,

a plurality of interior conductors located within the interior chamber to make the first conductive ring, the second conductive ring, the first projection, and the second projection electrically common, and

the light source being illuminated by power received via at least one of the first connector and the second connector.

16. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein the first series comprises radially-extending ridges and channels and the second series comprises radially-extending ridges and channels that are formed complementary to the first series.

17. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of construction modules includes at least one of a plurality of shapes and a plurality of different colors of light.

18. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein the power source comprises

a power module in the shape of a cube having one of a first coaxial connector and a second coaxial connector on five sides and a power plug for connection to a power supply on a sixth side, and

wherein the plurality of construction modules includes receiving modules in the shape of a cube having coaxial connectors on six sides.

19. The construction kit of claim 11, wherein the light source is at least one of an electro-luminescent light, a light emitting diode and a miniature incandescent light bulb.