U.S. patent application number 13/899490 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for building elements with sonic actuation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hasbro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard Kwok-wah Laung, Winston Kim Wa Lee, Richard J. Maddocks, Paul N. Paulson, Ka Fat Wong.
Application Number | 20160296849 13/899490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51935664 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160296849 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Paulson; Paul N. ; et
al. |
October 13, 2016 |
Building Elements with Sonic Actuation
Abstract
A toy includes a building element apparatus having coupling
mechanisms on at least two exterior surfaces of a housing
containing a vibration speaker that includes a permanent magnet
that is moveable relative to a base; a coil positioned near the
permanent magnet, moveable relative to the permanent magnet, and
configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from a control
system such that both the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate at
the same time in manners that are based on the electromagnetic
signal frequencies; and a sound producer including a diaphragm that
is mechanically linked to the coil to move with the coil. The
simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the permanent magnet
causes the simultaneous vibration of the at least two exterior
surfaces of the building element apparatus, movement of a toy
component mechanically linked to the permanent magnet, and the
production of audible sound.
Inventors: |
Paulson; Paul N.;
(Riverside, RI) ; Maddocks; Richard J.;
(Barrington, RI) ; Lee; Winston Kim Wa; (Mongkok,
HK) ; Laung; Richard Kwok-wah; (TaiPo, HK) ;
Wong; Ka Fat; (Sham Shui Po, HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hasbro, Inc. |
Pawtucket |
RI |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140349545 A1 |
November 27, 2014 |
|
|
Family ID: |
51935664 |
Appl. No.: |
13/899490 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13477944 |
May 22, 2012 |
8911275 |
|
|
13899490 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/062 20130101;
A63H 33/042 20130101; A63H 33/086 20130101; A63H 33/14 20130101;
A63H 33/046 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. A toy construction system comprising: a plurality of
interconnectible building elements; a control system that generates
an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker including: a
permanent magnet that is moveable; a coil positioned near the
permanent magnet and moveable relative to the permanent magnet, the
coil configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from the
control system such that the coil, the permanent magnet, or both
vibrate in a manner that is based on the electromagnetic signal;
and a sound producer including a diaphragm that is mechanically
linked to the coil to vibrate with the coil as the coil vibrates;
and a building element apparatus that houses the vibration speaker
and is mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration
speaker; wherein: the coil vibrates relative to the permanent
magnet when the electromagnetic signal includes frequencies within
a first frequency range, the vibration of the coil causing the
diaphragm to vibrate and produce an audible sound, and the
permanent magnet vibrates when the electromagnetic signal includes
frequencies within a second frequency range, the vibration of the
permanent magnet causing the building element apparatus to
vibrate.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the building element apparatus
comprises: a top surface including coupling mechanisms; and a
bottom surface including coupling mechanisms; and both the top
surface and the bottom surface are caused to vibrate due to the
vibration of the permanent magnet.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more vibration
isolator devices each having a coupling mechanism that mates with
the coupling mechanisms of the building element apparatus.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the building element apparatus
and the vibration speaker are mechanically and fixedly linked
together.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the vibration speaker comprises a
base on which the permanent magnet is moveably mounted, the
building element apparatus and the vibration speaker base being
fixed together.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bristle module
including a bristle pad positioned between a first building element
and a second building element, the first building element
connectible to the building element apparatus, wherein the
vibration of the building element apparatus causes the first
building element to vibrate, the vibration of the first building
element is converted into a unidirectional movement of the second
building element by way of the bristle pad.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the bristle pad comprises a
plurality of slantable bristles extending below a plate, the plate
sized to fit within an opening of the second building element and
the bristles resting on a top surface of the first building
element.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the control system is within the
building element apparatus.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the building element apparatus
includes a platform building element.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the building element apparatus
completely encloses the vibration speaker.
11. A toy comprising: a control system that generates an
electromagnetic signal; a building element apparatus having
coupling mechanisms on at least two exterior surfaces of a housing,
the coupling mechanisms for connecting to building elements of a
toy construction system, the building element apparatus housing
containing a vibration speaker, the vibration speaker including: a
permanent magnet that is moveable relative to a base; a coil
positioned near the permanent magnet, the coil moveable relative to
the permanent magnet, the coil configured to receive the
electromagnetic signal from the control system such that both the
coil and the permanent magnet vibrate at the same time in manners
that are based on the frequencies of the electromagnetic signal;
and a sound producer including a diaphragm that is mechanically
linked to the coil to move with the coil as the coil moves; and a
toy component that is mechanically linked to the permanent magnet;
wherein the simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the
permanent magnet causes the simultaneous vibration of the at least
two exterior surfaces of the building element apparatus, movement
of the toy component, and the production of audible sound that
complements the toy component movement.
12. The toy of claim 11, wherein the at least two exterior surfaces
of the building element apparatus comprise at least two opposite
sides of the building element apparatus.
13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the at least two opposite sides of
the building element comprise a top side of the building element
and a bottom side of the building element.
14. The toy of claim 11, wherein the simultaneous vibration of the
diaphragm and the permanent magnet causes the housing of the
building element apparatus to vibrate in a plurality of directions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosed subject matter relates to toy building
elements having sonic actuation.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Children enjoy playing and interacting with toys that move.
Typically, movement or animation in toys can be produced using a
motor and a set of gears, shafts, and linkages mechanically coupled
to the motor and to other parts of the toy.
[0003] Toy construction sets are made up of a plurality of building
elements, which include coupling mechanisms such as studs or
recesses of specific heights and placement to enable
interconnection with other building elements.
SUMMARY
[0004] In some general aspects, a toy construction system includes
a plurality of interconnectible building elements; a control system
that generates an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker; and
a building element apparatus that houses the vibration speaker. The
vibration speaker includes a permanent magnet that is moveable; a
coil positioned near the permanent magnet and moveable relative to
the permanent magnet, the coil configured to receive the
electromagnetic signal from the control system such that the coil,
the permanent magnet, or both vibrate in a manner that is based on
the electromagnetic signal; and a sound producer including a
diaphragm that is mechanically linked to the coil to vibrate with
the coil as the coil vibrates. The building element apparatus is
mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration
speaker.
[0005] The coil vibrates relative to the permanent magnet when the
electromagnetic signal includes frequencies within a first
frequency range, the vibration of the coil causing the diaphragm to
vibrate and produce an audible sound. And, the permanent magnet
vibrates when the electromagnetic signal includes frequencies
within a second frequency range, the vibration of the permanent
magnet causing the building element apparatus to vibrate.
[0006] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, the building element apparatus can include a
top surface including coupling mechanisms and a bottom surface
including coupling mechanisms; and both the top surface and the
bottom surface can be caused to vibrate due to the vibration of the
permanent magnet.
[0007] The system can include one or more vibration isolator
devices each having a coupling mechanism that mates with the
coupling mechanisms of the building element apparatus.
[0008] The building element apparatus and the vibration speaker can
be mechanically and fixedly linked together. The vibration speaker
can include a base on which the permanent magnet is moveably
mounted, the building element apparatus and the vibration speaker
base being fixed together.
[0009] The system can include a bristle module including a bristle
pad positioned between a first building element and a second
building element, the first building element connectible to the
building element apparatus, where the vibration of the building
element apparatus causes the first building element to vibrate, the
vibration of the first building element is converted into a
unidirectional movement of the second building element by way of
the bristle pad. The bristle pad can include a plurality of
slantable bristles extending below a plate, the plate sized to fit
within an opening of the second building element and the bristles
resting on a top surface of the first building element. The control
system can be within the building element apparatus.
[0010] The building element apparatus can include a platform
building element. The building element apparatus can completely
enclose the vibration speaker.
[0011] In other general aspect, a toy includes a control system
that generates an electromagnetic signal; a building element
apparatus having coupling mechanisms on at least two exterior
surfaces of a housing, the coupling mechanisms for connecting to
building elements of a toy construction system, the building
element apparatus housing containing a vibration speaker; and a toy
component that is mechanically linked to the permanent magnet. The
vibration speaker includes a permanent magnet that is moveable
relative to a base; a coil positioned near the permanent magnet,
the coil moveable relative to the permanent magnet, the coil
configured to receive the electromagnetic signal from the control
system such that both the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate at
the same time in manners that are based on the frequencies of the
electromagnetic signal; and a sound producer including a diaphragm
that is mechanically linked to the coil to move with the coil as
the coil moves. The simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the
permanent magnet causes the simultaneous vibration of the at least
two exterior surfaces of the building element apparatus, movement
of the toy component, and the production of audible sound that
complements the toy component movement.
[0012] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, the at least two exterior surfaces of the
building element apparatus can include at least two opposite sides
of the building element apparatus.
[0013] The at least two opposite sides of the building element can
include a top side of the building element and a bottom side of the
building element.
[0014] The simultaneous vibration of the diaphragm and the
permanent magnet can cause the housing of the building element
apparatus to vibrate in a plurality of directions.
DRAWING DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present disclosure is further described in the detailed
description that follows, in reference to the noted drawings by way
of non-limiting examples of exemplary implementations, in which
like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the
several views of the drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a toy construction system that
uses a vibration speaker to produce both sound and tactile
vibrations;
[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of exemplary toy
construction systems;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary vibration
speaker that can be used in the toy construction systems of FIGS.
1, 2A, and 2B;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a top view of the vibration speaker of FIG.
3A;
[0020] FIG. 3C is a side cross-sectional view of the vibration
speaker of FIG. 3A;
[0021] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a self-contained apparatus
that includes the vibration speaker and other components of the toy
construction system of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B;
[0022] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the self-contained
apparatus of FIG. 4A;
[0023] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a self-contained
motion converter apparatus that can be used in the toy construction
system of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of the motion
converter apparatus of FIG. 5A;
[0025] FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary toy
construction system based on the concepts of the system of FIGS. 1,
2A, and 2B;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary toy
construction system of FIG. 6A;
[0027] FIG. 6C is a top plan view of an arrangement of building
elements and a motion converter apparatus of the exemplary toy
construction system of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of an exemplary toy
construction system based on the concepts of the system of FIGS. 1,
2A, and 2B;
[0029] FIG. 7C is a top plan view of an arrangement of building
elements and a motion converter apparatus of the exemplary toy
construction system of FIGS. 7A and 7B;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary toy construction
system based on the concepts of the system of FIGS. 1, 2A, and
2B;
[0031] FIGS. 9A-9C are side cross-sectional views of an exemplary
reversible bristle device that can be used in the toy construction
systems of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B;
[0032] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an exemplary rotary
reversible bristle device based on the designs of FIGS. 9A-9C;
[0033] FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of the reversible
bristle device of FIG. 10A;
[0034] FIG. 10C is an exploded side view of the reversible bristle
device of FIG. 10A;
[0035] FIG. 10D is a side cross-sectional view of the reversible
bristle device of FIG. 10A;
[0036] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an exemplary linear
reversible bristle device based on the designs of FIGS. 9A-9C;
[0037] FIG. 11B is a side cross-sectional view of the reversible
bristle device of FIG. 11A;
[0038] FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a cross-section of the
reversible bristle device of FIG. 11A;
[0039] FIG. 12A is a perspective top view of a male building
element that can be used in the toy construction systems of FIGS.
1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8;
[0040] FIG. 12B is a perspective bottom view of the male building
element of FIG. 12A;
[0041] FIG. 12C is a side view of the male building element of FIG.
12A;
[0042] FIG. 12D is a top view of the male building element of FIG.
12A;
[0043] FIG. 13A is a perspective top view of a female building
element that can be used in the toy construction systems of FIGS.
1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8 and that can mate with the
male building element of FIGS. 12A-12D;
[0044] FIG. 13B is a perspective bottom view of the female building
element of FIG. 13A;
[0045] FIG. 13C is a side view of the female building element of
FIG. 13A;
[0046] FIG. 13D is a top view of the female building element of
FIG. 13A;
[0047] FIGS. 14A-14F are close-up side views of a bristle in a
natural environment that can be used in the toy construction
systems of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8;
[0048] FIG. 15A is a bottom plan view of an exemplary circular
bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be
used in the toy construction systems of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B,
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8;
[0049] FIGS. 15B and 15C are side views of the exemplary bristle
arrangement of FIG. 15A;
[0050] FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of an exemplary circular
bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be
used in the toy construction systems of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B,
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of an exemplary rectangular
bristle arrangement of a motion converter apparatus that can be
used in the toy construction systems of FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B,
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8, and showing an exemplary motion imparted to
the second element;
[0052] FIG. 18A is a side cross-sectional view of a self-contained
apparatus that includes the vibration speaker and other components
of the toy construction system of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B;
[0053] FIG. 18B is a side plan view of the self-contained apparatus
of FIG. 18A; and
[0054] FIG. 18C is a perspective view of the self-contained
apparatus of FIG. 18A.
DESCRIPTION
[0055] The following description provides exemplary implementations
only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the following description
of the exemplary implementations provides those skilled in the art
with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary
implementations. Various changes can be made in the function and
arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, a toy construction system 100 is
designed to harness the tactile vibrations 105 produced from a
vibration speaker 110 to animate one or more interconnectible
building elements 115 of a construction set 117 while also being
able to provide sound 120 from the vibration speaker 110. The sound
120 produced by the vibration speaker 110 can be synchronized with
the animation of the building elements 115 to provide for more
realistic play. The vibration speaker 110 can provide a
cost-effective solution to provide both motion and sound in a
compact design for controlling building elements and other
components of construction sets. The construction sets therefore
can be built with different configurations to provide different
animations in combination with sound without requiring an
additional vibrating mechanism or motor. Moreover, the vibration
speaker 110 can be configured within a building element; and
therefore can be repositioned within the construction set depending
on the animation desired.
[0057] In particular, the vibration speaker 110 produces the
tactile vibrations 105, the sound 120, or both the tactile
vibrations 105 and the sound 120 depending on the frequency
characteristics of an electromagnetic signal 125 that is input to a
coil 127 within the speaker 110, the signal 125 being generated
from a control system 130.
[0058] The control system 130 includes internal memory that can
store information about components of the system 100, and a
processing unit that accesses the internal memory. The control
system 130 can also include an input/output device for
communicating with other components, such as the arrangement of
building elements 115 or other building elements of the
construction set 117, or for communicating with users to enable
users to input information to the control system 130. For example,
an electrical connection can be connected to the control system 130
and implemented in any of the building elements of the construction
set 117 or the arrangement of building elements 115 or to another
component such as a base that houses the control system 130. The
electrical connection can be a female socket that receives a signal
from a male plug to enable users to create their own sound effects
and mix animation frequencies that can be input through the male
plug, through the female socket, and to the control system 130. The
control system 130 can be configured to access information within
internal memory housed in these other building elements and can
output the signal 125 based on this accessed information.
[0059] The control system 130 receives energy from an energy source
135 (such as a battery) when one or more switches 140 are
activated. The coil 127 generates a magnetic field that depends on
the frequency characteristics of the signal 125; and it is the
interaction of this generated magnetic field with a nearby
permanent magnet 145 within the vibration speaker 110 that is
adjusted to thereby produce the tactile vibrations 105, the sound
120, or both the tactile vibrations 105 and the sound 120.
[0060] The tactile vibrations 105 are produced by the motion of the
permanent magnet 145, which is suspended by a suspension system 150
relative to a base 155 of the vibration speaker 110. The permanent
magnet 145 gains kinetic energy most effectively (and therefore
produces the greatest tactile vibrations) if a driving frequency of
the signal 125 is below a predetermined tactile frequency value,
the predetermined tactile frequency value depending on the design
and types of materials used within the speaker 110 and also on the
material and weight of the permanent magnet 145, which is the
heaviest component of the vibration speaker 110. Thus, for a
permanent magnet 145 made of ferrite and having a suspension system
150 made of metal, the predetermined tactile frequency value can be
about 120 Hz; and the frequency range at which the tactile
vibrations 105 are most efficiently produced can be about 70 Hz-120
Hz.
[0061] On the other hand, for driving frequencies within the signal
125 that are greater than an predetermined audible frequency value,
the permanent magnet 145 is not able to gain kinetic energy as
effectively, and there is very little relative motion between the
permanent magnet 145 and the coil 127; in this situation, most of
the kinetic energy is transferred to the coil 127, which moves and
vibrates relative to the permanent magnet 145 due to the
interaction of the generated magnetic field with the permanent
magnet 145. A diaphragm 160 attached to the coil 127 moves and
vibrates with the coil 127; and it is the vibration of the
diaphragm 160 that causes the oscillation of pressure transmitted
through the air adjacent the vibration speaker 110 to produce the
sound 120. In one particular example in which the diaphragm 160 is
made of Mylar.TM., the predetermined audible frequency value can be
about 20 Hz, and the audible frequency range at which the diaphragm
160 efficiently vibrates can be about 20 Hz-20 kHz.
[0062] Thus, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic signal
125 that has frequency characteristics within both ranges to
produce both tactile vibrations 105 and sound 120 from the
vibration speaker 110. It is also possible to adjust the frequency
characteristics to select one or the other of the tactile
vibrations 105 and the sound 120 to output depending on the design
of the building elements 115 and the animation desired. The
electromagnetic signal 125 can include two sets of signals, one
that is within a range of frequencies below the predetermined
tactile frequency value and one that is within a range of
frequencies above the predetermined audible frequency value; and
these signals can be adjusted by the control system 130, as needed,
to produce different sounds and animations in the building elements
115.
[0063] Importantly, the tactile vibrations 105 are not harnessed
from the sound 120 or from the motion or vibration of the diaphragm
160 (and the coil 127), which produces the sound 120; rather, the
tactile vibrations 105 are harnessed from the motion and vibration
of the permanent magnet 145, and also the base 155, which moves
because the permanent magnet 145 moves. Additionally, the tactile
vibrations 105 are mechanically linked to the vibrations of objects
(in this case, the magnet 145 or the base 155) while the sound 120
is produced from the oscillation of pressure in the compressible
medium such as air due to the vibration of the diaphragm 160.
[0064] The tactile vibrations 105 produced by the vibration speaker
110 are mechanically transmitted to a support building element 165,
which includes one or more coupling mechanisms 167 for enabling the
support building element 165 to be interconnected with other
building elements of the construction set 117. The support building
element 165 can be designed as a platform building element 165 with
a flat shape or can be an elongated or rounded building element
with any suitable shape that can depend on the toy building built
or the application of the vibrations. The toy construction system
100 also includes a motion converter apparatus 170 that converts
the tactile vibrations 105 into a unidirectional motion 180, which
is thereby transferred to the building elements 115 mechanically
linked to the apparatus 170 to cause the building elements 115 to
move along a unidirectional path defined by the motion 180. The
unidirectional motion 180 can be a rotational motion in which
objects travel along a path of a circle or a translatable motion in
which objects travel along a linear path. The unidirectional motion
180 can be reversed to reverse the path of the building elements
115 by reversing a setting of the motion converter apparatus 170,
as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0065] As also discussed below, and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
the motion converter apparatus 170 can be a self-contained
apparatus in which all of the components of the apparatus 170 are
within a single building element unit. Alternatively, the motion
converter apparatus 170 can be made up of distinct components,
which are described below.
[0066] The vibration speaker 110, the support building element 165,
the control system 130, the one or more switches 140, and the
energy source 135 can be separable components of the toy
construction system 100. In some implementations, which are
described below, the vibration speaker 110, the support building
element 165, the control system 130, the one or more switches 140,
and the energy source 135 are part of a self-contained apparatus,
within a single building element unit.
[0067] Referring also to FIG. 2A, an exemplary toy construction
system 100 is shown in which the tactile vibrations 105 from the
vibration speaker 110 can be mechanically transferred to an
optional arrangement 266 of building elements that could include
the support building element 165 described above. The tactile
vibrations 105 can be mechanically transmitted through each of the
building elements of the arrangement 266 to the motion converter
apparatus 170, which converts the tactile vibrations 105 into a
first unidirectional motion 280. The first unidirectional motion
280 is mechanically transferred to an arrangement 215 of building
elements, which, in this example, are shown in a first arrangement
to produce a first animation.
[0068] The motion converter apparatus 170 includes a first element
271 that is mechanically constrained by the motion of the tactile
vibrations 105 (for example, through the arrangement 266) so that
the first element 271 vibrates with the tactile vibrations 105. In
some examples provided below, the first element 271 can be a
building element that has coupling mechanisms that enable the first
element 271 to be interconnected with other building elements of
the toy construction set 117. The first element 271 includes a
first receiving surface 272. The motion converter apparatus 170
also includes a second element 273 that includes a second receiving
surface 274. The first element 271 and the second element 273 are
moveable relative to each other. The second element 273 can be a
building element that has coupling mechanisms that enable the
second element 273 to be interconnected with other building
elements of the toy construction set 117.
[0069] The motion converter apparatus 170 includes a set of
slantable bristles 275 positioned between the second receiving
surface 274 and the first receiving surface 272; the bristles 275
being slanted at a first angle relative to a neutral position 201.
Each of the bristles 275 makes contact at its first end with the
first receiving surface 272 such that the tactile vibrations 105
transmitted to the first element 215 are transmitted to the first
ends of the bristles 275. The first ends of the bristles 275 are
unconstrained and able to freely move and because of this, the
bristles 275 can be considered to be slantable by an angle relative
to the neutral position 201. The bristles 275 are set or fixed at a
particular angle relative to the neutral position 201 while in a
natural environment, which can be considered as the environment in
which the bristles 275 are not in contact with, and therefore are
not receiving any force from, the first element 271. Moreover, the
second ends of the bristles 275 are constrained by the second
receiving surface 274 so that as the second ends of the bristles
275 move, the second receiving surface 274 moves. Additional
details about the geometry of the bristles and the arrangement of
the bristles 275 are discussed below and with reference to FIGS.
14A-17.
[0070] The arrangement of the bristles 275 impacts the path of the
unidirectional motion 280; thus, if the bristles 275 were arranged
in a rectangular pattern, then the unidirectional motion 280 would
be linear and if the bristles 275 were arranged in a circular
pattern, then the unidirectional motion 280 would be circular. To
enable the bending of the bristles 275, the bristles 275 are made
of a soft, bendable, and non-magnetic material such as urethane or
silicon. In some implementations, the bristles 275 are made using
an injection molding process. Other processes for making the
bristles 275 are possible. For example, the bristles 275 can be
made with casting molds.
[0071] When the first element 271 vibrates, the slanted bristles
275 are forced to vibrate between bent shapes and the natural
shapes of the bristles 275 when in the natural environment, and the
amplitude of the vibration periodically bends the bristles 275 at
the frequency of the vibration. As the bristles 275 snap back to
their natural shapes from being bent, the bristles 275 are forced
into the unidirectional motion 280; thus, the vibration is
converted into the first unidirectional motion 280, and this motion
depends on the angle at which the bristles 275 are slanted. The
slanted bristles 275 move with the unidirectional motion 280 and
cause the second element 273, which is constrained by the motion of
the second ends of the bristles 275, to also move with the
unidirectional motion 280. The unidirectional motion 280 of the
second element 273 is mechanically transferred to the arrangement
215 to produce an animation. The animation of the arrangement 215
depends on the configuration, geometry, and types of building
elements used in the arrangement 215.
[0072] Referring also to FIG. 2B, as mentioned above, the
unidirectional motion can be reversed to reverse the path of the
building elements 215 by reversing or changing a setting of the
motion converter apparatus 170. In this example, the setting that
can be reversed or changed is the angle at which the bristles 275
are slanted relative to a neutral position (which, in FIGS. 2A and
2B is indicated at line 201). Thus, in FIG. 2B, the bristles 275
are slanted at another angle (which is opposite to the angle at
which the bristles 275 are slanted in FIG. 2A) relative to the
neutral position 201. In this way, when the first element 271
vibrates, the slanted bristles 275 in FIG. 2B are forced to
vibrate, and this vibration is converted into a second
unidirectional motion 281 that depends on the angle at which the
bristles 275 are slanted in FIG. 2B. The slanted bristles 275 that
move with the second unidirectional motion 281 cause the second
element 273 (which is constrained by the motion of the second ends
of the bristles 275) to also move with the second unidirectional
motion 281 along the second unidirectional path (which is opposite
to the first unidirectional path). Thus, the arrangement 215
produces a second animation.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 3A-C, an exemplary vibration speaker 310
is shown. The vibration speaker 310 includes the permanent magnet
345 that floats or is suspended from the base 355 by way of a
suspension system 350 (which, in this example, is a spider
structure). The vibration speaker 310 also includes the diaphragm
360 that is mechanically linked to the coil 327. Vibrations of the
permanent magnet 345 occur at particular frequencies of the signal
125, and these vibrations are transferred to the suspension system
350 and to the base 355.
[0074] The permanent magnet 345 can be made of any material that
can be permanently magnetized. Thus, for example, the magnet 345
can be made of a rare earth material such as neodymium or it can be
made of a nonmetallic, ceramic-like ferromagnetic compound such as
ferric oxide or ferrite. The suspension system 350 can be made of a
material that is elastic; examples of the material used in the
suspension system 350 include plastic and metal. The suspension
system 350 can be adjusted to have a particular elasticity that
depends on the materials used and on the weight and material of the
magnet 345 that it suspends.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, and as mentioned above, in
some implementations, the vibration speaker 110, the support
building element 165, the control system 130, the one or more
switches 140, and the energy source 135 can be configured within an
exemplary self-contained apparatus 485. In this example, the
support building element 465 and the vibration speaker 410 are
suspended by a suspension 486 or 487 over a base 488, which houses
the control system 430 and the energy source 435. The suspension
487 is a porous structure such as foam and the suspension 486 is a
solid/pliable structure such as a spring. Either or both of these
types of suspensions can be used to suspend the support building
element 465 and the vibration speaker 410 above the base 488 to
enable the free movement of these components. Other types of
suspension structures are possible. In any case, the suspension 486
or 487 enables the vibrations 105 from the vibration speaker 410 to
be freely transmitted to the support building element 465. The base
488 can also include one or more coupling mechanisms 489 such as
recesses for interconnecting with other building elements of the
construction set 117.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an exemplary self-contained
motion converter apparatus 570 is designed as a building element
that can be connected with other building elements of the
construction set 117. In this example, the motion converter
apparatus 570 includes a first building element 571, a second
building element 573, and a plurality of bristles 575 between the
first building element 571 and the second building element 573. The
first and second building elements are moveable relative to each
other along a unidirectional path, yet they are also constrained
such that they cannot move along paths other than the
unidirectional path (for example, along a direction perpendicular
to the unidirectional motion that defines the unidirectional path).
In this particular example, the second building element 573 is
rotatable relative to the first building element 571 about the axis
501 but the second building element 573 is not translatable
relative to the first building element 571 along the direction of
the axis 501 by more than enough distance to enable this free
rotation between the elements 571, 573.
[0077] The first building element 571 includes coupling mechanisms
such as recesses 576 that enable the element 571 to be
interconnected with other building elements of the construction set
117. The first building element 571 also includes a first receiving
surface 572 that faces the bristles 575. The first building element
571 includes a first connector 577 positioned such that the axis
501 intersects the center of the first connector 577. The first
connector 577 enables attachment between the first building element
571 and the second building element 573, as discussed below. The
first building element 571 is the element that is in contact with
and constrained by the tactile vibrations 105 so that the first
building element 571 vibrates with the tactile vibrations 105.
[0078] The second building element 573 includes coupling mechanisms
such as studs 578 that enable the element 573 to be interconnected
with other building elements of the construction set 117. The
second building element 573 also includes a second receiving
surface 574 that faces the first building element 571, and a second
connector 579 that mates with the first connector 577 to enable the
relative motion of the elements 573, 571 along the unidirectional
path but to constrain the elements 573, 571 along directions
perpendicular to the unidirectional path.
[0079] The bristles 575 are slanted at a first angle relative to a
neutral position or axis, which, in this particular example,
extends along the axis 501. Each of the bristles 575 makes contact
at its first free end with the first receiving surface 572 such
that the tactile vibrations 105 transmitted to the first building
element 571 are transmitted to the first ends of the bristles 575.
Moreover, the second ends of the bristles 575 are constrained by
the second receiving surface 574 so that as the second ends of the
bristles 575 move, the second receiving surface 574 moves. In this
particular example, the second ends of the bristles 575 are fixed
to a top plate 537, which is fixed to the second receiving surface
574. In other implementations, the second ends of the bristles 575
are fixed directly to the second receiving surface 574.
[0080] Thus, when the first building element 571 vibrates, the
slanted bristles 575 are forced to vibrate, and the amplitude of
the vibration periodically bends the bristles 575 at the frequency
of the vibration. As the bristles 575 snap back from being bent,
the bristles 575 are forced into a unidirectional motion that
depends on the angle at which the bristles 575 are slanted relative
to the neutral axis, which is the axis 501. In this example, the
unidirectional motion is a circular motion; the slanted bristles
575 rotate about the axis 501 and cause the second building element
573 (which is constrained by the motion of the second ends of the
bristles 575) to also rotate about the second axis 501. The
direction of rotation depends on the angle at which the bristles
575 are slanted relative to the neutral axis which is the axis
501.
[0081] Referring also to FIGS. 6A-6C, an exemplary toy construction
system is shown that includes the self-contained apparatus 485 that
houses the control system 430, the one or more switches 440, and
the energy source 435 and suspends the vibration speaker 410 and
the support building element 465. In this example, an arrangement
666 includes four 2.times.2 building elements mechanically
connected to the support building element 465. The motion converter
apparatus 570 is mechanically connected to the top building element
of the arrangement 666 to convert the vibrations 105 produced by
the vibration speaker 410 within the apparatus 485 into a circular
unidirectional motion 680 that causes an arrangement 615 of
building elements to rotate about the central axis 501 of the
apparatus 570. In this example, the arrangement 615 is designed to
resemble a rotor system of a helicopter. The building elements of
the arrangement 615 include coupling mechanisms such as studs for
connection to other elements of the toy construction set 117.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 7A, in one implementation, the vibrations
105 from the vibration speaker 110, which are transmitted through
the support building element 165, are transmitted to a remote
location by way of an elongated building element 771, which can be
considered as the first element 271 of the motion converter
apparatus 170. In this case, the bristles 775 are positioned next
to and contacting the elongated building element 771 to thereby
convert the vibrations 105 into a first unidirectional motion 780
of a second element 773, which is then transmitted to the
arrangement of building elements 115. As shown in FIG. 7B, if the
angle of the bristles 775 is reversed, then the vibrations 105 are
converted into a second unidirectional motion 781 of the second
element 773. In this way, the vibrations 105 that can be produced
by the vibration speaker 110 at one location of the construction
system 100 can be transmitted across various elements of the system
100 to a remote position at another distinct location of the
construction system 100.
[0083] In this particular example, as more clearly shown in FIG.
7C, the elongated building element 771 may have a smooth surface
over which the bristles 775 are placed; and the bristles 775 can be
in a rectangular arrangement such that the vibrations 105 cause the
bristles 775 and also the second element 773 to move along a linear
unidirectional path 780.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, in another implementation, the
vibrations from the vibration speaker 110, which are transmitted
through the support building element 165, are transmitted to a
remote location by way of an arrangement 866 that includes an
elongated building element 868 that is interconnected with the
support building element 165, and a box-like building element 869
that is interconnected or joined with the elongated building
element 868. Moreover, a motion converter apparatus 870 is
mechanically linked with the box-like building element 869 and the
arrangement of building elements 115 is interconnected with the
motion converter apparatus 870. In this particular implementation,
the vibrations 105 produced by the vibration speaker 110 are
transmitted through the arrangement 866, namely, through the
elongated building element 868 and the box-like building element
869, which is remote from the support building element 165. The
motion converter apparatus 870 converts the vibrations 105 into the
unidirectional motion 880, which is transmitted to the building
elements 115.
[0085] Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, the bristles of the motion
converter apparatus 170 can be incorporated into a reversible
bristle device 990 that includes a set of slantable bristles 975
unconstrained at a first end while fixed at a second end to a cap
973, which serves the same purpose as the second element 273
detailed above. The cap 973 is moveable relative to a base 991
along a first path 998 away from or toward a neutral position A
(shown in FIG. 9A) and that is constrained relative to the base 991
along a second path 999 that is perpendicular to the first path.
The neutral position A is a position in which the bristles 975 are
unslanted relative to the first receiving surface 272 (which is
shown in FIG. 9A), which is the vibrating surface that the bristles
975 contact to enable motion conversion. In other words, in the
neutral position A, the bristles 975 are normal to the plane of the
first receiving surface 272.
[0086] The base 991 has a plurality of through holes 992 through
which the first end of the bristles 975 extend. As mentioned above,
the cap 973 is constrained relative to the base along the second
path 999 so that the cap 973 and the base 991 can be held together
as a self-contained unit. To enable this, the cap 973 and the base
991 include mating connection mechanisms. For example, the cap 973
can include a flange 993 and the base 991 can include clips 994
that extend above the flange 993 so that the cap 973 is unable to
move a significant amount along the second path 999. Some motion
along the second path 999 may be needed to enable the cap 973 to
move freely relative to the base 991 along the first path 998.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 9B, the cap 973 can be moved relative to
the base 991 along a first direction 996 of the first path 998 to a
position B and fixed in position B relative to the neutral position
A. In position B, the bristles 975 are slanted in a first manner
relative to the neutral direction (which extends along the second
path 999). Thus, while in position B, the bristles 975 of the
bristle device 900 act to convert vibrations 105 applied to the
first receiving surface 272 into a first unidirectional motion
(which would actually be in the first direction 996). As shown in
FIG. 9C, the bristle device 900 can be reversed so that the
bristles 975 convert the vibrations 105 applied to the first
receiving surface 272 into a second unidirectional motion that is
opposite to the first direction 996. In FIG. 9C, the cap 973 is
moved relative to the base 991 along a second direction 997 of the
first path 998 to a position C and then fixed in position C. In
position C, the bristles 975 are slanted in a second manner
relative to the neutral direction. In this way, the motion
conversion direction of the bristle device 900 is easily reversed
by moving the cap 973 relative to the base 991.
[0088] The cap 973 may or may not include coupling mechanisms (such
as studs) for connecting to building elements of the construction
set 117. While such coupling mechanisms are not shown in FIGS.
9A-9C, they are included in the design of FIGS. 10A-10D.
[0089] The bristles 975, the cap 973, and the base 991 can be
designed to convert the vibrations 105 into a linear unidirectional
motion; in this particular case, the bristles 975, the cap 973, and
the base 991 would have a rectangular geometry.
[0090] The reversible bristle device 990 can also include a
fixation apparatus for fixing the base 991 at a particular position
or angle relative to the cap 973 and thus ensure that the bristles
975 are held at a certain angle. The fixation apparatus can be a
frictional engagement between the base 991 and the cap 973. For
example, one of the base 991 and the cap 973 can include detents
and the other of the base 991 and the cap 973 can include a
pressure activated latch. As another example, one of the base 991
and the cap 973 can include a keyed-out area and the other of the
base 991 and the cap 973 can include an extrusion that allows the
base 991 to stay at a given angle relative to the cap 973.
[0091] In other implementations, and with reference to FIGS.
10A-10D, the reversible bristle device 1090 is designed to convert
the vibrations 105 into a rotational or circular motion. In the
bristle device 1090, the bristles 1075, the cap 1073, and the base
1091 have circular geometries. The reversible bristle device 1090
also includes a plate 1095 that is mechanically linked to the cap
1073 so that the plate 1095 moves as the cap 1073 moves relative to
the base 1091 along the first path 1098 away from or toward the
neutral position (which is the position shown in FIGS. 10A-10D).
The bristles 1075 are connected to the plate 1095 at their second
ends to enable the fixation between the second ends of the bristles
1075 and the cap 1073.
[0092] The plate 1095 can be mechanically linked to the cap 1073
using one or more of adhesive or bonding agents, connection
devices, and a frictional engagement. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 10B-10D, the plate 1095 includes an opening 1077 through
which a peg 1079 of the cap 1073 is inserted, and the size of the
cross-sectional shape of the peg 1079 is complementary to the size
of the plate opening 1077 to enable a frictional engagement between
the plate 1095 and the peg 1079 to thereby constrain the movement
of the plate 1095 to the movement of the peg 1079 and the cap 1073
to which the peg 1079 is attached. In the bristle device 1090, the
cap 1073 includes coupling mechanisms such as studs 1078 for
connecting to building elements of the construction set 117.
[0093] The bristle device 1090 is shown in the neutral position in
FIGS. 10A-10D. To active the bristle device 1090 to convert
vibrations 105 applied to the first receiving surface 272 into a
circular or rotational motion, the cap 1073 is rotated relative to
the base 1091 along the first path 1098 away from the neutral
position (for example, using counterclockwise motion). The circular
motion can be reversed by rotating the cap 1073 relative to the
base 1091 along the first path 1098 using a clockwise motion. In
this way, the bristle device 1090 can be easily manipulated to
reverse the unidirectional motion produced by the motion converter
apparatus 170.
[0094] In other implementations, and with reference to FIGS.
11A-11C, the reversible bristle device 1190 is designed to convert
the vibrations 105 into a linear motion. In the bristle device
1190, the bristles 1175, the cap 1173, and the base 1191 have
rectangular geometries. The reversible bristle device 1190 also
includes a plate 1195 that is mechanically linked to the cap 1173
so that the plate 1195 moves as the cap 1173 moves relative to the
base 1191 along the first path 1198 away from or toward the neutral
position (which is the position shown in FIGS. 11A-11C). The
bristles 1175 are connected to the plate 1195 at their second ends
to enable the fixation between the second ends of the bristles 1175
and the cap 1173.
[0095] The plate 1195 can be mechanically linked to the cap 1173
using one or more of adhesive or bonding agents, connection
devices, and a frictional engagement. While not show, the cap 1173
can include coupling mechanisms such as studs for connecting to
building elements of the construction set 117.
[0096] The bristle device 1190 is shown in the neutral position in
FIGS. 11A-11C. To active the bristle device 1190 to convert
vibrations 105 applied to the first receiving surface 272 into a
linear motion, the cap 1173 is translated relative to the base 1191
along the first path 1198 away from the neutral position (for
example, to the right of the page of the drawing) by moving a knob
1184, which is mechanically linked to the base 1191, relative to
the cap 1173. As the knob 1184 is moved along the first path 1198
(to the right of the page), the base 1191 moves because the base
1191 is constrained by the knob 1184, for example, by a direct
connection between the base 1191 and the knob 1184. The linear
motion can be reversed by moving the knob 1184 along the first path
1198 in the opposite direction, for example, to the left of the
page, relative to the cap 1173. In this way, the bristle device
1190 can be easily manipulated to reverse the unidirectional motion
produced by the motion converter apparatus 170.
[0097] As discussed above, vibrations 105 produced by the vibration
speaker 110 are transmitted through the support building element
165, and to the motion converter apparatus 170. The vibrations 105
can be mechanically transmitted through each of the building
elements of the arrangement 266 to the motion converter apparatus
170. The mechanical transmission can be performed through the
coupling mechanisms of the building elements. Thus, it is the
connection between the coupling mechanisms of adjacent building
elements that transfers the vibrations 105 between the adjacent
building elements. In some implementations, a special mechanical
joint can be incorporated into one or more building elements in the
toy construction system 100 to enable the mechanical transmission
of the vibrations 105 from any one of the building elements to
another building element.
[0098] For example, with reference to FIGS. 12A-12D and 13A-13D,
one particular joint is a male and female dovetail; in which the
male dovetail 1218 is formed on the building element 1221 and the
female dovetail 1319, which interfits with the male dovetail 1218,
is formed in the building element 1322. The joint can be formed
into the building elements by injection molding.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 14A, a close-up of one of the bristles 275
is shown fixed or constrained to the second element 273 and in the
neutral position 201. As discussed above, the bristles 275 can be
set at an acute angle relative to the neutral position 201; the
angle selected determines how the second element 273 will move in
response to the vibrations 105 imparted to the first element 271.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 14B, the bristle 275 is at an angle
.THETA..sub.1 from the neutral position 201 and as shown in FIG.
14C, the bristle 275 is at an angle .THETA..sub.2 from the neutral
position 201. The angle selected can be any value from 0.degree.
(at the neutral position 201) just below 90.degree. (which is close
to being flat against the surface of the second element 273).
Additionally, as discussed in more detail below with respect to
FIGS. 15A-15C, 16, and 17, the motion converter apparatus 170 can
include bristles 275 having variable angles to achieve different
results in the motion produced at the second element 273.
[0100] The length L.sub.B of the bristles 275 can be selected based
on the geometry of the motion converter apparatus 170, and also can
be selected based on the desired motion to impart to the second
element 273. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 14D, a shorter
length L.sub.B for the bristles 275 could impart a slower (low
speed) motion or a shorter distance of motion to the second element
273 while, as shown in FIG. 14E, a longer length L.sub.B for the
bristles 275 could impart a faster (high speed) motion or a longer
distance of motion to the second element 273. Moreover, the
bristles 275 of the motion converter apparatus 170 can be designed
to have variable lengths, to achieve different results in motion
produced at the second element 273.
[0101] Moreover, while the bristles 275 can have a linear or
straight geometry (as shown in FIG. 14A) when in the neutral
position 201 (and when not receiving any force from the first
element 271), other geometries for the bristles 275 can be used
either alone or in combination with linear geometries. For example,
the bristles 275 can have a non-linear geometry, such as the curved
geometry shown in FIG. 14F, when in the neutral position 201 and
when not receiving any force from the first element 271.
[0102] In some implementations, the angles, geometries, and the
lengths of each of the bristles 275 of the motion converter
apparatus 170 can be identical to each other. However, it is
possible to use different or variable angles, different or variable
lengths, and different or variable geometries for the bristles 275
in a single motion converter apparatus 170.
[0103] Additionally, while we have described bristle 275
arrangements that have simple geometric shapes such as circles and
rectangles, which are easily described using mathematics, the
arrangement of bristles 275 could be non-geometric or complex
geometries (which would not be easily described using mathematics).
Additionally, the arrangement of bristles 275 could be selected or
designed to produce a sequence of unidirectional motions or a
random, non-vibratory motion.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 15A-15C, an exemplary circular
arrangement of bristles 1575 is shown in its natural environment
(thus, the first element 271 is not applying any force to the
bristles 1575). The arrangement includes three sets of bristles,
1575A, 1575B, and 1575C, with each set being on a concentric circle
having a distinct radius and all of the bristles of every set being
constrained by the motion of the monolithic second element 1573 (or
the monolithic plate 1595 if a plate is used). The bristles in set
1575A are naturally slanted at an angle .THETA..sub.A, the bristles
in set 1575B are naturally slanted at angle .THETA..sub.B, and the
bristles in set 1575C are naturally slanted at angle .THETA..sub.C,
these angles given relative to the neutral position 1501, which is
shown going into the page in FIG. 15A. Thus, for example, the angle
.THETA..sub.A is greater than the angle .THETA..sub.A, which is
greater than the angle .THETA..sub.C. By adjusting the angle at
which the bristles 1575 of the arrangement are naturally set, the
motion imparted to the second element 273 can be adjusted, for
example, to impart the motion more efficiently to the second
element 273.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 16, another exemplary circular arrangement
of bristles 1675 is shown in its natural environment (thus, the
first element 271 is not applying any force to the bristles 1575).
The arrangement includes three sets of bristles, 1675A, 1675B, and
1675C, with each set being on a concentric circle having a distinct
radius and the bristles of each set being constrained by the motion
of a respective partition or segment 1673A, 1673B, 1673C of the
second element 1673 (or the segments of a plate 1695 if a plate is
used). Each segment 1673A, 1673B, 1673C of the second element 1673
can move independently about the center of the circular arrangement
while being constrained along the axial direction. In some
implementations, the bristles in each of the sets 1675A, 1675B,
1675C can be naturally slanted at distinct angles, or can have
distinct lengths or geometries. In other implementations, the
bristles in all of the sets 1675A, 1675B, 1675C can be naturally
slanted at the same angles. By segmenting the second element 1673
(and the bristle sets 1675A, 1675B, 1675C constrained by each
segment of the second element 1673), it is possible to create
distinct unidirectional motions in the second element 1673. For
example, the segment 1673A could move more slowly than the segments
1673B and 1673C. Or, if the angles of the bristles in distinct sets
are in different directions, then it could be configured to move
the segment 1673B along a unidirectional path 1681B that is the
opposite to the paths 1680A, 1680C, taken by respective segments
1673A and 1673C (as shown in FIG. 16).
[0106] Referring to FIG. 17, this concept of a segmented bristle
arrangement and a corresponding segmented second element can be
applied to a rectangular geometry. In this case, the bristles 1775
are segmented into sets 1775A and 1775B, which are respectively
constrained by second element segments 1773A and 1773B. In this
way, it might be possible to impart a non-linear (for example,
circular) unidirectional motion 1780 to the rectangular
bristle/second element geometry.
[0107] Referring to FIGS. 18A-C, in another implementation, the
vibration speaker 110, the support building element 165, the
control system 130, the one or more switches 140, and the energy
source 135 can be configured within an exemplary self-contained
apparatus 1885 (or building element apparatus), in which
omni-directional vibrations can be transmitted to permit the
vibrations to be transferred from more than one surface of the
apparatus 1885, for example, from two distinct and opposite
surfaces, as described next. The vibrations are produced in all
three dimensions because the apparatus 1885 is rigidly fixed to the
base 1855 of the vibration speaker 1810.
[0108] In this example, the support building element 1865 and the
vibration speaker 1810 are fixedly secured to the building element
base 1888, which houses the control system 130 and the energy
source 135 (not shown in FIG. 18A). For example, the base 1855 of
the vibration speaker 1810 can be firmly mounted to the support
building element 1865, and the support building element 1865 can be
firmly mounted or fixed to the building element base 1888 of the
apparatus 1885. The building element base 1888 includes one or more
coupling mechanisms 1889 such as recesses for interconnecting with
other building elements of the construction set 117.
[0109] Thus, in this particular implementation and to contrast with
the implementation described in FIG. 4B, the vibration speaker 1810
and the support building element 1865 are not suspended to freely
move relative to the building element base 1888. In this way, the
vibrations 105 from the vibration speaker 1810 are freely
transmitted along all directions outward to the outer surfaces of
the apparatus 1885. Thus, the vibrations can be transmitted in an
upward direction to the support building element 1865 and to any
building element attached to the support building element 1865, as
discussed previously. Moreover, the vibrations 105 from the
vibration speaker 1810 are also freely transmitted along a downward
direction to the building element base 1888 and to any building
element to which the building element base 1888 is attached.
[0110] In this example, the building element base 1888 is connected
to a plate 1883, and the plate 1883 can be attached to isolator
devices 1811, 1812. The isolator devices 1811, 1812 can be
vibration-dampening devices such as rubber pads that prevent the
vibrations imparted to the plate 1883 from being imparted to any
item on which the plate 1883 is placed. Moreover, the vibrations
imparted to the plate 1883 can be transferred to other building
elements (such as element 1871) attached to a top side of the plate
1883 that are remote from the apparatus 1885.
[0111] Other implementations are within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *