U.S. patent application number 14/216942 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for mobile power supply for powered toy blocks and related apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonathan P. Capriola. Invention is credited to Jonathan P. Capriola.
Application Number | 20140273711 14/216942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51529150 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140273711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Capriola; Jonathan P. |
September 18, 2014 |
MOBILE POWER SUPPLY FOR POWERED TOY BLOCKS AND RELATED
APPARATUS
Abstract
A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks includes
a battery housing having first and second ends with battery
contacts therein, first and second connectors arranged on the first
and second ends, and a switch controlling electrical power
application from the battery contacts to the first and second
connectors. Toy building blocks attached to the first and second
connectors can receive electrical power therefrom, and can include
side extensions covering opposite sides of the battery housing.
Inventors: |
Capriola; Jonathan P.;
(Sarasota, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Capriola; Jonathan P. |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51529150 |
Appl. No.: |
14/216942 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61802595 |
Mar 16, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/086 20130101;
A63H 33/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/91 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks, the
assembly comprising: a battery housing having first and second ends
with battery contacts therein; first and second connectors arranged
on the first and second ends, each of the first and second
connectors including a cylindrical mechanical connector with a
coaxial electrical connector arranged at least partially therein,
the coaxial electrical connectors being electrically connected with
the battery contacts to allow formation of a complete electrical
contact with a load connected to either one of the first and second
connectors; and a switch controlling electrical power application
from the battery contacts to the first and second connectors.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the battery housing is
elongated between the first and second ends.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
unpowered mechanical connector surfaces for toy blocks on the
battery housing between the first and second ends.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein first and second portions of
the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces are
arranged on opposite surfaces of the battery housing.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second portions
of the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces are
complementary.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the battery housing further
includes a removable battery compartment cover.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control board
located within the battery housing that controls electrical power
application based upon a position of the switch.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the control board is configured
to allow a plurality of power control schemes.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a
male mechanical connector and a male coaxial connector and the
second connector includes a female mechanical connector and a
female coaxial connector complementary with the male mechanical
connector and the male coaxial connector, respectively.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pendant
attachment having a base arranged in the first connector and cord
conduit through which a cord can be routed.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first toy block
connected to the first connector.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first toy block is
electrically powered through the first connector.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first toy block includes
at least one side extension extending along a side of the battery
housing toward the second connector.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first toy block further
includes a plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces
located on the at least one side extension facing away from the
battery housing.
15. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising at least one
accessory block attached to the plurality of unpowered mechanical
connector surfaces.
16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the first toy block further
includes at least another side extension extending along an
opposite side of the battery housing toward the second
connector.
17. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a second toy block
connected to the second connector.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein at least two side extensions
extending from at least one of the first and second toy blocks
completely cover opposite sides of the battery housing
therebetween.
19. A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks, the
assembly comprising: a battery housing having first and second ends
with battery contacts therein; first and second connectors arranged
on the first and second ends, each of the first and second
connectors configured to supply electrical power from the battery
contacts; and first and second toy blocks connected to the first
and second connectors, respectively, and receiving electrical power
therefrom.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein a plurality of side
extensions extending from at least one the first and second toy
blocks cover opposite sides of the battery housing between the
first and second connectors.
21. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a plurality of
unpowered mechanical connector surfaces on another side of the
battery housing between the first and second ends; and at least one
accessory block connected to the battery housing by the plurality
of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/802,595, filed on Mar. 16, 2013, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to powered toy construction
blocks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present inventor has previously developed lighted and
otherwise powered, toy construction blocks which afford enhanced
scope and flexibility to the creativity of children young and old.
Examples of such building blocks and innovative features and
accessories associated therewith can be seen in U.S. Pat. No.
7,731,558, U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
12/547,183, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
13/530,088, the contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety. Despite the many design options
offered by these building blocks, further developments are
possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a mobile power supply for powered toy blocks
and related apparatus. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, a mobile power supply for powered toy blocks includes a
battery housing elongated between first and second ends and having
a first connector at a first end thereof and a complementary second
connector at a second end thereof.
[0005] Toy building blocks attached to the first and second
connectors can receive electrical power therefrom, and can include
side extensions covering opposite sides of the battery housing. A
pendant connector received in one of the connectors can further
allow the assembly to be worn or otherwise suspended by the
user.
[0006] These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the
invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and
following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile power supply for
powered toy blocks, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the mobile power
supply of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
mobile power supply of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile power supply of
FIG. 1, with a pendant attachment connected thereto;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pendant attachment of
FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of block
assembly built around the mobile power supply of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the block assembly of FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile power supply 10 for
powered toy blocks includes a battery housing 12 which is elongated
between first and second ends 14, 16. Complementary first and
second connectors 20, 22 are arranged on the first and second ends
14, 16, respectively. Preferably, a switch 24 controls the supply
of electrical power from batteries in the housing 12 to the first
and second connectors 20, 22. Powered toy blocks with complementary
connectors can be connected to either connector 20, 22 and powered
therefrom. Advantageously, connector surfaces 26 can be formed on
the housing 12 to facilitate connection with other toy blocks not
compatible with the first and second connectors 20, 22 and/or not
requiring electrical power.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 12 is advantageously formed
from upper and lower sections 30, 32 that are permanently fixed via
sonic welding or other attachment means. The housing 12 further
includes a removable battery compartment cover 34, which can be
releasably secured to the lower housing section 32 by a screw 36.
The housing 12 is preferably made of a suitably strong and durable
plastic material that is at least partially transparent or
translucent.
[0016] The switch 24 extends outwardly through the lower housing
section 32 and in the housing connects with a control board 40.
Based on input from the switch 24, the control board 40
(preferably, a printed circuit board) controls electrical power
application from battery contacts 42 to the first and second
connectors 20, 22. Preferably, the control board 40 is configured
to allow multiple power control schemes. For example, the control
board 40 can supply power such that attached lighted blocks could
light steadily as well as flash at different speeds.
[0017] In the depicted embodiment, the first connector 20 includes
a coaxial male electrical connector 50 at least partially contained
within a cylindrical male mechanical connector 52, (preferably
formed from connector halves 52A, 52B that are integral with the
housing 12). Likewise, the second connector 22 includes a coaxial
female electrical connector 54 at least partially contained within
a cylindrical female mechanical connector 56 (preferably formed
from connector halves 56A, 56B that are integral with the housing
12). With these connectors, toy blocks could be connected to the
mobile power supply at any angle of rotation while maintaining firm
electrical and mechanical connection.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, to increase the usability of the
mobile power supply 10, a pendant attachment 60 can be connected
thereto. The pendant attachment includes a split base 62 and a cord
conduit 64. The split base 62 is resiliently deformable and allows
the attachment 60 to be inserted and securely, but releasably,
retained in the first connection 20. The cord conduit 64 allows a
necklace or other cord to inserted therethrough, permitting the
mobile power supply 10 to be worn or otherwise conveniently carried
by a user. In the depicted embodiment, the pendant attachment 60 is
dimensioned to be accommodated in the first connector 20, although
it could also be dimensioned to fit the second connector 22.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mobile power assembly 10 can
advantageously be used in a specialized block assembly 68. The
block assembly includes first and second end blocks 70, 72 with
connectors 74 allowing them to be attached (and, optionally,
electrically powered by) the first and second connectors 20, 22,
respectively.
[0020] To enhance the overall appearance of the block assembly 68,
the first and second end blocks 70, 72 include side extensions 76.
With the end blocks 70, 72 attached to the mobile power supply 10
by the first and second connectors 20, 22, the side extensions 76
cover sides of the power supply 10, completely or partially masking
its appearance. Advantageously, the side extensions 76 from the end
blocks 70, 72 abut when the blocks 70, 72 are fully connected. As
depicted, the side extensions 76 extend from both end blocks 70,
72, but the side extensions could also extend from only one of the
end blocks and be made longer to abut the opposite end block
directly.
[0021] To further increase construction flexibility, connector
surfaces 26 are formed on the first and second end blocks 70, 72,
such that further accessory blocks 80 can be connected thereto.
Additionally, one or more accessory blocks 80 can be connected to
connector surfaces 26 of the mobile power supply 10, itself.
[0022] From the foregoing, it will be appreciate that the present
invention can offer a toy block set that is powered and affords a
large amount of design flexibility, while neatly concealing, or
almost entirely concealing, the power station from view. Play with
toy block designs constructed therewith can be accordingly
unimpeded with cords or other bulky attachments.
[0023] In general, the foregoing description is provided for
exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not
necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations
for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the
invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended
hereto.
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