Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a housing including a side surface;
an electrical conductor supported by the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing, the engagement portion being adapted to engage an electrical conductor of a device distinct from the apparatus;
a first magnet and a second magnet each fixedly disposed on the side surface of the housing, the first magnet and the second magnet are adapted to engage a first magnet and a second magnet of the device, respectively;
a projection extending from the side surface of the housing; and
a receptacle defined in the side surface of the housing.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrical connectors, electrical modules, and systems are provided. In one aspect, an electrical connector includes a housing defining a side surface, an electrical conductor supported by the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing. The engagement portion is adapted to engage another electrical conductor of another electrical connector. The connector also includes a magnet supported by the housing proximate the side surface of the housing, a projection extending from the side surface of the housing, and a receptacle defined in the side surface of the housing. In other aspects, an electrical module includes at least one of these electrical connectors. In further aspects, a system includes a plurality of these modules and the modules are selectively couplable together.
427 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing including a side surface; an electrical conductor supported by the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing, the engagement portion being adapted to engage an electrical conductor of a device distinct from the apparatus; a first magnet and a second magnet each fixedly disposed on the side surface of the housing, the first magnet and the second magnet are adapted to engage a first magnet and a second magnet of the device, respectively; a projection extending from the side surface of the housing; and a receptacle defined in the side surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electrical module, comprising:
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a circuit board; a first connector coupled to the circuit board, the first connector including a housing defining a side surface; an electrical conductor supported by the housing and including a coupling portion and an engagement portion, the coupling portion being adapted to engage and electrically communicate with the circuit board, the engagement portion being proximate the side surface of the housing; a projection extending from the side surface of the housing; a receptacle defined by the side surface of the housing, the projection configured to be received within a receptacle of a device distinct from the electrical module and the receptacle configured to receive a projection of the device; and a second projection extending from a second surface of the housing different than the side surface, the second projection being adapted to engage the circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a first electrical module; and a second electrical module, the first electrical module and the second electrical module couplable together to transmit electrical current between the first electrical module and the second electrical module, each of the first electrical module and the second electrical module having at least one functionality associated therewith, each of the first electrical module and the second electrical module including (1) a connector having a housing having a side surface and a projection extending from the side surface of the housing configured to be received within a receptacle of the other of the first electrical module and the second electrical module and (2) a receptacle defined in the side surface of the housing configured to receive a projection of the other of the first electrical module and the second electrical module; when the connector of the first electrical module is coupled to the connector of the second electrical module, the functionality of one of the first electrical module and the second electrical module is dependent upon the other of the first electrical module and the second electrical module. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification