Selectively conductive toy building elements
First Claim
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1. A selectively conductive toy-building element, comprising:
- a body adapted for releasable engagement to at least one other toy-building element body or to a corresponding baseplate, wherein the body has an upper portion, a lower portion and a plurality of sides extending between the upper and lower portions, each side having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of at least one of the sides including at least one conductive portion comprising an elastic arm that is attached at one end to the outer surface of said body and extends away from the outer surface, the elastic arm including at least a partial contact area having a conductive coating, wherein the elastic arm is adapted to generate pressure on an outer surface of an adjacent toy-building element by allowing displacement toward or away from the body, thereby avoiding an air gap between said elements and ensuring electrical conduction between said toy-building elements in a desired contact location and selected direction whenever the at least partial contact area with the conductive coating of the elastic arm of said toy-building element contacts a conductive portion or contact area on the surface of said adjacent toy-building element.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a selectively conductive toy building element, comprising: a body adapted for releasable engagement to at least one other toy building element body or to a corresponding baseplate, the body including at least one conductive portion having at least one contact area adapted to generate pressure on a conductive portion or contact area of an adjacent toy building element body, in such a way that ensures electrical conduction between said toy building elements in a desired location and direction.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A selectively conductive toy-building element, comprising:
- a body adapted for releasable engagement to at least one other toy-building element body or to a corresponding baseplate, wherein the body has an upper portion, a lower portion and a plurality of sides extending between the upper and lower portions, each side having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of at least one of the sides including at least one conductive portion comprising an elastic arm that is attached at one end to the outer surface of said body and extends away from the outer surface, the elastic arm including at least a partial contact area having a conductive coating, wherein the elastic arm is adapted to generate pressure on an outer surface of an adjacent toy-building element by allowing displacement toward or away from the body, thereby avoiding an air gap between said elements and ensuring electrical conduction between said toy-building elements in a desired contact location and selected direction whenever the at least partial contact area with the conductive coating of the elastic arm of said toy-building element contacts a conductive portion or contact area on the surface of said adjacent toy-building element.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of manufacturing a selectively conductive toy-building element, comprising:
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creating a connectable brick comprised of a non-conductive material and which includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of sides extending between the top and bottom portions, each side having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer side surface of at least one of the sides comprising at least one elastic arm that is attached to said outer side surface at one end, extends outwardly from said outer side surface and is adapted to generate pressure on a side portion of an adjacent building element that includes a conductive portion or contact area; and coating at least one section of said brick with a conductive layer, wherein said section includes said at least one elastic arm, thereby converting said at least one elastic arm into a conductive contact area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A kit comprising:
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a plurality of selectively conductive toy-building elements, each of said toy-building element comprising a body adapted for releasable engagement to at least one other toy-building element body or to a corresponding baseplate, the body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of sides extending between the top and bottom portions, each side having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of at least one of the sides including at least one conductive portion comprising an elastic arm that is attached at one end to the outer surface of said body and extends away from the outer surface, the elastic arm including at least a partial contact area having a conductive coating and which is adapted to generate pressure on a conductive portion or contact area of an adjacent toy-building element body by allowing displacement toward or away from the body to ensure electrical conduction between said toy-building elements in a desired location and direction; a plurality of non-conductive toy-building elements; and base plates and accessories of toy-building systems.
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Specification