EP2608858B1 - Illuminated toy building system and methods - Google Patents
Illuminated toy building system and methods Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2608858B1 EP2608858B1 EP10856237.2A EP10856237A EP2608858B1 EP 2608858 B1 EP2608858 B1 EP 2608858B1 EP 10856237 A EP10856237 A EP 10856237A EP 2608858 B1 EP2608858 B1 EP 2608858B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- male
- female
- building block
- transparent body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
- A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
- A63H33/086—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
- A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
Definitions
- This invention relates to building block systems and methods and more particularly to illuminated building block systems and methods.
- Building blocks have been around for generations, and allow children to use their imagination to create a variety of structures. Building blocks have come in many different structural arrangements. Originally, blocks did not interconnect but were merely placed on top of one another to build structures. Later, interconnected blocks such as those sold under the LEGO trademark, were developed that allowed children to create interconnected structures.
- US2007/184722 discloses building blocks with internal electrical circuits that can be mechanically and electrically connected to other blocks with integrated mechanical and electrical connectors, designed such that they cannot be connected in a manner that results in a short circuit. This is achieved by using card edge type electrical connectors with complementary receptacles. The electrical connectors have their contacts arranged such that the proper polarities are maintained regardless of the orientation of the blocks. Certain embodiments also provide blocks that can be connected in three dimensions. To achieve this, each block has connectors on a plurality of faces and nearly any block can be coupled with any other block.
- the present invention provides a building block system as defined by claim 1.
- a building block system using colored lights that can be interconnected to make a variety of multi-colored, three-dimensional shapes.
- each building block having at least two electrically conductive connectors, at least one of which is a male connector and at least one other is a female connector.
- each male connector is dimensioned for insertion into each female connector to provide a removable and well secured mechanical and electrical connection between adjoining building blocks.
- each body is generally transparent so as to transmit light outwardly through the body.
- the building blocks preferably include at least the following shapes: rectangles; cylinders; cylinders with one or more 90° bends; a generally "Y" configuration; and the form of a wheel. A wide variety of other shapes may also be used.
- all of the blocks have a common dimension.
- Each male and female connector associated with each block allows electric current to illuminate that single block, or to pass electric current from one building block to the next, or allow a block to be connected directly into a power source. As each additional building block is connected, electric current from a power source is transferred from building block to building block via the mechanically interconnected male and female connectors.
- the external power source comprises a power base container described below.
- the container holds direct current batteries that are electrically connected through the container with corresponding male or female connectors to one or more of the blocks in a manner which permits the blocks to be stacked upon the top surface of the container.
- a conductor cable may be interconnected with the container with means permitting the various illuminated blocks to be attached thereto.
- the power base version of the container includes an internal storage area for the blocks.
- the present invention is designed to challenge a child's mental acuity for building different and interesting lighted structures in a safe environment.
- the LEDs utilized in the building blocks are of different colors, to further provide stimulation to a child's imagination.
- the blocks are fabricated of high impact plastic, and the level of electricity used is small so as to not create any potential for a shock hazard.
- each block is capable of illumination without being interconnected with another block, a plurality of individual blocks may be installed upon a platform having appropriate connectors.
- the block set uses LEDs of different colors.
- a colored indicator on each block corresponds to the color of the internal LED for that block.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a whimsical construction made from the building blocks of the present invention as described in greater detail below.
- the construction shown in FIG. 1 may, in the mind of a child, comprise a mechanical dog, an insect, an alien or perhaps even a space station in which most of the building blocks are capable of being illuminated with internally-mounted LEDs of different colors.
- the construction referred to with reference numeral 10, includes cylindrical blocks 20 described below in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 ; rectangular blocks 40 ( FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 ); generally "Y"-shaped blocks 60 ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ); generally “U”-shaped blocks 80 ( FIG. 9 ); and generally wheel-shaped blocks 100 ( FIG. 10 ).
- Generally "L"-shaped building blocks 120 may also be provided as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3 of Application S.N. 11/839,444 , incorporated by reference.
- the construction 10 is powered through power cord 160 by batteries contained within a power unit 140.
- Each cylindrical building block 20 comprises a transparent body 21 formed of opposing halves 22A and 22B, separated by a seam 23, the two halves being held firmly together with an index pin 27 ( FIG. 2 ) fitted into index hole 28 ( FIG. 3 ) and with the two halves sonically welded together.
- the cylindrical body 21 forms opposing hollow ends 24, 25 with a barrel 26 extending outwardly from the body 21 to the end 25.
- barrel 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is depicted as having a circular cross-sectional shape, it will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes are suitable, so long as the shape corresponds to the shape of the opening at the end corresponding to the female connector of every other block, for example end 24 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- Each cylindrical block 20 further comprises a male connector 29 extending through the male cavity MC of the barrel 26 and available through the hollow end 25 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source, such as a power unit 140 ( FIG. 1 ) or power base 150 of FIGS. 11 and 12 or the power tower 200 of FIG. 14 .
- the male connector 29 is dimensioned to mechanically and electrically fit within a female connector of a second block, as will be better understood from the discussion set out below regarding FIGS. 6 and 15 .
- the female connector 32 extends through the female cavity FC and adjacent the end 24. The second opening at the end 24 is dimensioned to receive a barrel from a second block so that a male connector of the second block can be interconnected with the female connector 32.
- the respective connectors 29, 32 have rear conductive posts 37, 38, as seen in FIG. 3 .
- the male connector 29 includes a non-conductive collar 30 which fits into a holding recess 31 of body 21 and the female connector 32 likewise includes a non-conductive collar 34 that fits within a recess 33.
- the molded halves 22A and 22B of the cylindrical body 21 define the male cavity MC, the female cavity FC and a central cavity CC.
- Each cylindrical building block 20 is provided with a LED 35 that fits within the central cavity CC, and circuit means 36A, 36B and 36C connected so that the LED 35 is electrically connected across the inner and outer conductive portions of the male conductor 29; likewise, the circuit means 36A-C are configured so that the inner and outer conductive portions of the female connector 32 are wired with the LED 35 across those two portions of that connector.
- a resistor R provides a voltage drop for the LED 35. (See FIG. 15 ).
- FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the details of the rectangular block 40 shown in FIG. 1 .
- Each rectangular building block 40 comprises a transparent body 41 (e.g. a square body shown in FIG. 4 ) formed of opposing halves 42A ( FIG. 5 ) and 42B ( FIG. 6 ), the two halves being held together with index pins 47 fitted into index holes 48 and sonically welded together.
- the rectangular body 41 has two sets of opposing hollow ends 44, 45 with barrels 46 extending outwardly from the body 41 to the ends 45.
- Each rectangular block 40 further comprises two male connectors 49 extending through a respective barrel 46 and available through the corresponding open end 45 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source, such as power unit 140, the power base 150 ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) or the power tower 200 ( FIG. 14 ).
- the male connector 49 may be interconnected with a female connector of an adjacent block as is described below with reference to FIG. 6 .
- each male connector 49 includes a non-conductive collar 50 that fits into a holding recess 51, and each female connector 52 likewise includes a non-conductive collar 54 that fits within a corresponding recess 53.
- Each rectangular building block 40 is provided with an internal LED 55 and circuit means 56A, 56B and 56C connected so that the LED 55 is electrically connected across the internal and external conductive portions of all four male and female conductors 49, 52.
- a resistor (not shown) provides a voltage drop across the LED 5.
- one male connector 49 is axially aligned with a corresponding female connector 52 on the opposite side of the rectangular body 41 and the second male connector 49 is likewise axially aligned across the rectangular body 41 with the second female connector 52.
- the male connectors 49 fit within respective male cavities MC and the female cavities fit within respective female cavities FC.
- FIG. 6 The method by which the building blocks may be interconnected together is depicted in FIG. 6 , where two cylindrical blocks 20 are shown interconnected to a single rectangular block 40.
- the cylindrical block 20 shown in the upper left hand portion of FIG. 6 has its male connector 29 interconnected with one of the female connectors 52 of the rectangular block 40.
- the second cylindrical block 20 shown in the bottom left hand portion of FIG. 6 has its female connector 32 interconnected with one of the male connectors 49 of the rectangular block 40.
- a power source connected to any one of the available connectors of the cylindrical blocks (e.g., the unconnected male connector 29 in the bottom left hand corner of FIG. 6 or the unconnected female connector 32 in the upper left hand side of FIG.
- Each "Y"-shaped building block 60 comprises a transparent body 61 formed of opposing halves 62A and 62B, separated by a seam (not shown), with the two halves 62A and 62B being held firmly together with index pin 67 fitted into an index hole 68 and the two halves sonically welded together.
- the "Y"-shaped body 61 forms internal hollow ends 64, 65 with a barrel 66 extending outwardly from the body 61 to the end 65.
- Each "Y"-shaped block 60 further comprises a male connector 69 extending through the male cavity MC and the barrel 66 and is available through the hollow end 65 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source to energize an LED 75.
- the male connector 69 is dimensioned to fit within a female connector of a second block, in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 6 .
- the female connector 62 extends through a female cavity FC and to the adjacent end 64.
- the second opening at the end 64 is dimensioned to receive a barrel from a second block so that a male connector of the second block can be mechanically or electrically interconnected with the female connector 72.
- the respective connectors 69, 72 include respective rear conductive posts 77,78 as seen in FIG. 7 .
- the male connector 69 includes a non-conductive collar 70 which fits into a holding recess 71 and the female connector 72 likewise includes a non-conductive collar 74 that fits within recess 73.
- the male and female connectors 69, 72 are positioned at opposing sides of the body 61 and extend outwardly and generally parallel with each other in a first direction away from the body 61.
- the "Y"-shaped block 60 also includes a second female connector 72A that is positioned along the body 61 generally between the male and female connectors 69, 72 and extends outwardly from the body 61 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. It will of course be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the second female connector 72A may be replaced by a male connector as well.
- the generally “U”-shaped building block 80 will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 .
- the building block 80 is formed in a generally "U"-shaped body 81 having male and female connectors 89, 92 positioned at opposing sides of a generally “U”-shaped body 81, with an internal LED 95 and circuitry of the type described above positioned between the two internal ends of the connectors 89, 92.
- the construction of the "U"-shaped building block 80 is essentially like that of the "Y"-shaped building block 60 shown in FIG. 8 , with the exception that there is not a second female connector.
- the wheel-shaped building block 100 will now be described with reference to FIG. 10 .
- the building block 100 is formed in a generally wheel-shaped body 101 having a central axis AX, with the body 101 molded so as to define opposing openings 104,105 with the opening 105 extending from a barrel 106 much like that described above with reference to FIGS. 2-9 .
- the building block 100 includes a male connector 109 and a female connector 112 each of which has a corresponding non-conductive support collar 110,114. As shown in FIG. 10 , the male and female connectors 109,112 are axially aligned across the wheel-shaped building block 100 along the central axis AX.
- the male connector 109 extends through a barrel 106 outwardly to open end 105, and the female connector 112 is available for interconnection through opening 104.
- the building block 100 includes an internal LED 115 and circuitry including conductor 116A to provide current to the LED irrespective of whether the source of the current is the male connector 109 or the female connector 112.
- FIGS. 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 and 10 the overall dimension between the extremities of the male and female connectors 29, 32 is represented by the letter A.
- the overall dimension between the extremities of a first one of the male connectors 49 and a first one of the female connectors 52 is represented by the letter B; it will of course be understood that the same dimension applies as between the second pair of male and female connectors 49, 52 when the body 41 is square.
- the dimension between each combination of a male connector 69 and a female connector 72 or 72A is represented by the letters C and D.
- the overall dimension between the male connector 89 and the female connector 92 is represented by the letter E.
- the overall dimension between the extremities of the male connector 109 and the female connector 112 is represented by the letter F.
- the dimensions represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F are essentially the same, in order to facilitate an orderly fabrication of multiple block constructions.
- the edgewise dimension ED of the rectangular block 40 between the upper and lower surfaces of the body 41 is the same as the diameter of each cylindrical body 20, 60 and 80.
- each of the building blocks, including blocks 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 be provided with an indication of the blur of the internal LED.
- the color indicator can be a colored stripe S as shown in FIG. 8 .
- FIGS. 11 and 12 One form of a power base unit 150 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 .
- the unit 150 comprises a storage tray 152 having an internal storage area 154 and an upper plate member 156 having a plurality of connectors 158, for example female connectors, attached to the upper surface of the plate member 156 and coupled via a metallization pattern on a bottom surface 160 of the plate member 156 to a set of batteries 170.
- a cover member 162 fits over the plate member 156 and to the storage tray 152 via fasteners 166.
- the cover member 162 includes plural holes 164 in alignment with the connectors 158, so that when the cover member 162 is fitted to the tray 152 and over the plate member 156, the fasteners 158 extend through corresponding holes 164.
- a battery compartment 168 extends along a side of the cover member 162 and is dimensioned to receive the set of batteries 170 therein, together with opposing negative and positive electrodes 172,174, respectively.
- a power switch 180 is coupled to the batteries and to the metallization pattern on the bottom 160 of plate member 156 through aperture 181, with the top of the power switch 180 extending through an opening 182 in the cover member 162.
- the unit 150 further includes a battery cover plate 176 that is attached to the cover member 162 via fasteners 178,179. It will be appreciated that a variety of on-off mechanisms may be used, such as a motion sensor, a light sensor or a sound sensor.
- FIG. 12 the unit 150 is shown assembled and with examples of various blocks described above plugged in to the connectors 158 at the upper surface of the cover member 162. Operation of the power switch 180 will illuminate each of the building blocks 20, 60 and 100 connected through the top surface of the cover member 162, irrespective of whether another block is coupled to each block connected to the unit 150.
- FIG. 13 illustrates the power unit 140 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the power unit 140 comprises a plastic body having, in this instance, three sides, 142,144 and 146. Batteries 143,145 and 147 are situated within the power unit 140 along the respective sides 142, 145 and 146. Additionally, connectors 148, either male or female, are positioned at the three corners of the power unit 140; any one of the building blocks described above may be interconnected with one of the connectors 148, as the wheel block 100 shown in FIG. 13 . Additionally, the power unit 140 may include an output to a power cable 160.
- a power tower 200 in accordance with the present invention is show in FIG. 14 , and includes a base 202 and an upright tower formed of sides 204, including the specific six-sided structure shown in FIG. 14 .
- An internal construction comprising side walls 206 opposing respective sides 204 includes a metallization pattern 208 along the inside thereof, with connectors 210 attached to the interior members 206 and extending through holes 212 for interconnection with one of the blocks described above.
- the unit 200 includes an enclosing top 214.
- FIG. 15 is a representative cross-sectional illustration of the male and female connectors and the internal circuit components of a building block.
- the reference numerals in FIG. 15 correspond to the elements of the cylindrical block 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the male connector 29 includes an internal conductor MIC and an external conductor MEC, each comprising metallic sleeves.
- the male internal conductor MIC is electrically connected to the rear conductive post 37.
- the female connector 32 comprises a central pin P dimensioned to receive the bore BR of a male connector 29 (note the right hand side of FIG. 15 ).
- the female connector 32 further comprises an internal conductor FIC and an external conductor FEC.
- the internal conductor FIC of the female connector 32 makes a circuit between the male internal conductor MIC so as to complete a circuit with the rear conductive post 38.
- the female external conductor FEC makes contact with the male external conductor MEC to complete a circuit at post J on the female connector 32, which in turn is connected through circuit line 36A to post K that is electrically connected to the male external conductor MEC of the male connector 29.
- the rear posts 37, 38 are shorted together with one terminal of the LED 35 through circuit line 36B, with a third circuit line 36C coupled to circuit line 36A through resistor R. It will thus be understood that an application of electronic current through either the male connector 29 or the female connector 32 will result in the illumination of LED 35.
- FIG. 16 illustrates another form of a power cord 180 having modified cylindrical bodies 182,184 at the respective ends of the cable 180, with each of the cylindrical bodies having an LED 185 and a barrel 189 such as that described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 to house a connector, such as connector 29 in FIG. 2 , in order that either end of the cable 180 may be connected to one of the power units such as 140 shown in FIG. 13 or the combination unit 150 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 .
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- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to building block systems and methods and more particularly to illuminated building block systems and methods.
- Building blocks have been around for generations, and allow children to use their imagination to create a variety of structures. Building blocks have come in many different structural arrangements. Originally, blocks did not interconnect but were merely placed on top of one another to build structures. Later, interconnected blocks such as those sold under the LEGO trademark, were developed that allowed children to create interconnected structures.
- Children also enjoy playing with toys with brightly colored lights. Products exist that illuminate plastic members that children can use to create a variety of designs. However, these products typically only permit the creation of two-dimensional designs and pictures.
US2007/184722 discloses building blocks with internal electrical circuits that can be mechanically and electrically connected to other blocks with integrated mechanical and electrical connectors, designed such that they cannot be connected in a manner that results in a short circuit. This is achieved by using card edge type electrical connectors with complementary receptacles. The electrical connectors have their contacts arranged such that the proper polarities are maintained regardless of the orientation of the blocks. Certain embodiments also provide blocks that can be connected in three dimensions. To achieve this, each block has connectors on a plurality of faces and nearly any block can be coupled with any other block. - The present invention provides a building block system as defined by claim 1. In particular there can be provided a building block system using colored lights that can be interconnected to make a variety of multi-colored, three-dimensional shapes.
- In particular, there is provided a building block set where each building block having at least two electrically conductive connectors, at least one of which is a male connector and at least one other is a female connector.
- Each male connector is dimensioned for insertion into each female connector to provide a removable and well secured mechanical and electrical connection between adjoining building blocks. In a preferred arrangement, each body is generally transparent so as to transmit light outwardly through the body. Although not limited to such, the building blocks preferably include at least the following shapes: rectangles; cylinders; cylinders with one or more 90° bends; a generally "Y" configuration; and the form of a wheel. A wide variety of other shapes may also be used. Preferably, all of the blocks have a common dimension. Each male and female connector associated with each block allows electric current to illuminate that single block, or to pass electric current from one building block to the next, or allow a block to be connected directly into a power source. As each additional building block is connected, electric current from a power source is transferred from building block to building block via the mechanically interconnected male and female connectors.
- A variety of power sources may be used. In one embodiment, the external power source comprises a power base container described below. The container holds direct current batteries that are electrically connected through the container with corresponding male or female connectors to one or more of the blocks in a manner which permits the blocks to be stacked upon the top surface of the container. Additionally or in the alternative, a conductor cable may be interconnected with the container with means permitting the various illuminated blocks to be attached thereto. In addition to storage for batteries to power the illuminated blocks, the power base version of the container includes an internal storage area for the blocks.
- The present invention is designed to challenge a child's mental acuity for building different and interesting lighted structures in a safe environment. Preferably, the LEDs utilized in the building blocks are of different colors, to further provide stimulation to a child's imagination. Suitably, the blocks are fabricated of high impact plastic, and the level of electricity used is small so as to not create any potential for a shock hazard.
- Because each block is capable of illumination without being interconnected with another block, a plurality of individual blocks may be installed upon a platform having appropriate connectors.
- In a preferred form, the block set uses LEDs of different colors. A colored indicator on each block corresponds to the color of the internal LED for that block.
- Further details of the invention will be understood from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction utilizing the illuminated building block system of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of thecylindrical block 20 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of portions of thecylindrical block 20 shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of therectangular block 40 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of therectangular block 40 shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of twocylindrical blocks 20 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 interconnected with arectangular block 40 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a front view of the "Y"-shaped block 60 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the "Y"-shaped block 60 shown inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the generally "U"-shaped building block 80 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the wheel-shaped building block 100 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of apower base 150 in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembledpower base 150 ofFIG. 11 , interconnected with various building blocks shown inFIGS. 1-10 . -
FIG. 13 is a top plan view of thepower unit 140 shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a vertical power tower in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 15 is a partial cross-section of the male and female connectors and circuit components of one embodiment. -
FIG. 16 illustrates a circuit connector cord useful with this invention. - The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a whimsical construction made from the building blocks of the present invention as described in greater detail below. The construction shown inFIG. 1 may, in the mind of a child, comprise a mechanical dog, an insect, an alien or perhaps even a space station in which most of the building blocks are capable of being illuminated with internally-mounted LEDs of different colors. The construction, referred to withreference numeral 10, includescylindrical blocks 20 described below in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2, 3 and6 ; rectangular blocks 40 (FIGS. 4, 5 and6 ); generally "Y"-shaped blocks 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8 ); generally "U"-shaped blocks 80 (FIG. 9 ); and generally wheel-shaped blocks 100 (FIG. 10 ). Generally "L"-shaped building blocks 120 may also be provided as shown inFIG. 1 and inFIG. 3 of Application S.N.11/839,444 construction 10 is powered throughpower cord 160 by batteries contained within apower unit 140. - The
cylindrical building blocks 20 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 . Eachcylindrical building block 20 comprises atransparent body 21 formed ofopposing halves seam 23, the two halves being held firmly together with an index pin 27 (FIG. 2 ) fitted into index hole 28 (FIG. 3 ) and with the two halves sonically welded together. Thecylindrical body 21 forms opposing hollow ends 24, 25 with abarrel 26 extending outwardly from thebody 21 to theend 25. - While the
barrel 26 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 is depicted as having a circular cross-sectional shape, it will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes are suitable, so long as the shape corresponds to the shape of the opening at the end corresponding to the female connector of every other block, forexample end 24 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . - Each
cylindrical block 20 further comprises amale connector 29 extending through the male cavity MC of thebarrel 26 and available through thehollow end 25 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source, such as a power unit 140 (FIG. 1 ) orpower base 150 ofFIGS. 11 and12 or thepower tower 200 ofFIG. 14 . Alternatively, themale connector 29 is dimensioned to mechanically and electrically fit within a female connector of a second block, as will be better understood from the discussion set out below regardingFIGS. 6 and15 . In the same manner, thefemale connector 32 extends through the female cavity FC and adjacent theend 24. The second opening at theend 24 is dimensioned to receive a barrel from a second block so that a male connector of the second block can be interconnected with thefemale connector 32. Therespective connectors conductive posts FIG. 3 . Themale connector 29 includes anon-conductive collar 30 which fits into a holdingrecess 31 ofbody 21 and thefemale connector 32 likewise includes anon-conductive collar 34 that fits within arecess 33. - As is illustrated in the bottom portion of
FIG. 3 , the moldedhalves cylindrical body 21 define the male cavity MC, the female cavity FC and a central cavity CC. Eachcylindrical building block 20 is provided with aLED 35 that fits within the central cavity CC, and circuit means 36A, 36B and 36C connected so that theLED 35 is electrically connected across the inner and outer conductive portions of themale conductor 29; likewise, the circuit means 36A-C are configured so that the inner and outer conductive portions of thefemale connector 32 are wired with theLED 35 across those two portions of that connector. A resistor R provides a voltage drop for theLED 35. (SeeFIG. 15 ). -
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the details of therectangular block 40 shown inFIG. 1 . Eachrectangular building block 40 comprises a transparent body 41 (e.g. a square body shown inFIG. 4 ) formed of opposinghalves 42A (FIG. 5 ) and 42B (FIG. 6 ), the two halves being held together with index pins 47 fitted into index holes 48 and sonically welded together. Therectangular body 41 has two sets of opposing hollow ends 44, 45 withbarrels 46 extending outwardly from thebody 41 to the ends 45. Eachrectangular block 40 further comprises twomale connectors 49 extending through arespective barrel 46 and available through the correspondingopen end 45 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source, such aspower unit 140, the power base 150 (FIGS. 11 and12 ) or the power tower 200 (FIG. 14 ). Alternatively, themale connector 49 may be interconnected with a female connector of an adjacent block as is described below with reference toFIG. 6 . - The
respective connectors conductive posts 57, 58 (FIG. 4 ). Eachmale connector 49 includes anon-conductive collar 50 that fits into a holdingrecess 51, and eachfemale connector 52 likewise includes anon-conductive collar 54 that fits within a correspondingrecess 53. - Each
rectangular building block 40 is provided with aninternal LED 55 and circuit means 56A, 56B and 56C connected so that theLED 55 is electrically connected across the internal and external conductive portions of all four male andfemale conductors - As will be appreciated from a review of
FIG. 5 , onemale connector 49 is axially aligned with a correspondingfemale connector 52 on the opposite side of therectangular body 41 and the secondmale connector 49 is likewise axially aligned across therectangular body 41 with the secondfemale connector 52. Themale connectors 49 fit within respective male cavities MC and the female cavities fit within respective female cavities FC. - The method by which the building blocks may be interconnected together is depicted in
FIG. 6 , where twocylindrical blocks 20 are shown interconnected to a singlerectangular block 40. Note that thecylindrical block 20 shown in the upper left hand portion ofFIG. 6 has itsmale connector 29 interconnected with one of thefemale connectors 52 of therectangular block 40. In contrast, the secondcylindrical block 20 shown in the bottom left hand portion ofFIG. 6 has itsfemale connector 32 interconnected with one of themale connectors 49 of therectangular block 40. It will of course be appreciated that a power source connected to any one of the available connectors of the cylindrical blocks (e.g., the unconnectedmale connector 29 in the bottom left hand corner ofFIG. 6 or the unconnectedfemale connector 32 in the upper left hand side ofFIG. 6 ) or either of the available connectors of the rectangular block 40 (e.g., unconnectedmale connector 49 or unconnectedfemale connector 52 on the right hand side ofFIG. 6 ) will provide current to theLEDs 35 of the twocylindrical blocks 20, as well as to theLED 55 of therectangular block 40. - The details of the "Y"-shaped
block 60 shown inFIG. 1 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8 . Each "Y"-shapedbuilding block 60 comprises atransparent body 61 formed of opposinghalves 62A and 62B, separated by a seam (not shown), with the twohalves 62A and 62B being held firmly together withindex pin 67 fitted into anindex hole 68 and the two halves sonically welded together. The "Y"-shapedbody 61 forms internal hollow ends 64, 65 with abarrel 66 extending outwardly from thebody 61 to theend 65. Each "Y"-shapedblock 60 further comprises amale connector 69 extending through the male cavity MC and thebarrel 66 and is available through thehollow end 65 for mechanical and electrical interconnection to an external current source to energize anLED 75. Alternatively, themale connector 69 is dimensioned to fit within a female connector of a second block, in the manner described above with reference toFIG. 6 . The female connector 62 extends through a female cavity FC and to theadjacent end 64. The second opening at theend 64 is dimensioned to receive a barrel from a second block so that a male connector of the second block can be mechanically or electrically interconnected with thefemale connector 72. Therespective connectors conductive posts FIG. 7 . Themale connector 69 includes anon-conductive collar 70 which fits into a holding recess 71 and thefemale connector 72 likewise includes anon-conductive collar 74 that fits within recess 73. As is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 , the male andfemale connectors body 61 and extend outwardly and generally parallel with each other in a first direction away from thebody 61. Further, the "Y"-shapedblock 60 also includes a secondfemale connector 72A that is positioned along thebody 61 generally between the male andfemale connectors body 61 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. It will of course be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the secondfemale connector 72A may be replaced by a male connector as well. - The generally "U"-shaped
building block 80 will now be described with reference toFIG. 9 . Thebuilding block 80 is formed in a generally "U"-shapedbody 81 having male andfemale connectors body 81, with aninternal LED 95 and circuitry of the type described above positioned between the two internal ends of theconnectors building block 80 is essentially like that of the "Y"-shapedbuilding block 60 shown inFIG. 8 , with the exception that there is not a second female connector. - The wheel-shaped
building block 100 will now be described with reference toFIG. 10 . Thebuilding block 100 is formed in a generally wheel-shapedbody 101 having a central axis AX, with thebody 101 molded so as to define opposing openings 104,105 with theopening 105 extending from abarrel 106 much like that described above with reference toFIGS. 2-9 . Thebuilding block 100 includes amale connector 109 and afemale connector 112 each of which has a corresponding non-conductive support collar 110,114. As shown inFIG. 10 , the male and female connectors 109,112 are axially aligned across the wheel-shapedbuilding block 100 along the central axis AX. Themale connector 109 extends through abarrel 106 outwardly to openend 105, and thefemale connector 112 is available for interconnection throughopening 104. Thebuilding block 100 includes aninternal LED 115 andcircuitry including conductor 116A to provide current to the LED irrespective of whether the source of the current is themale connector 109 or thefemale connector 112. - Attention is now drawn to
FIGS. 2 ,4 ,7 ,9 and 10 . InFIG. 2 , the overall dimension between the extremities of the male andfemale connectors rectangular block 40 shown inFIG. 4 , the overall dimension between the extremities of a first one of themale connectors 49 and a first one of thefemale connectors 52 is represented by the letter B; it will of course be understood that the same dimension applies as between the second pair of male andfemale connectors body 41 is square. For the "Y"-shapedblock 60 depicted inFIG. 7 , the dimension between each combination of amale connector 69 and afemale connector FIG. 9 , the overall dimension between themale connector 89 and thefemale connector 92 is represented by the letter E. InFIG. 10 , the overall dimension between the extremities of themale connector 109 and thefemale connector 112 is represented by the letter F. In accordance with the present invention, the dimensions represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F are essentially the same, in order to facilitate an orderly fabrication of multiple block constructions. Further, as shown inFIG. 6 , the edgewise dimension ED of therectangular block 40 between the upper and lower surfaces of thebody 41 is the same as the diameter of eachcylindrical body blocks FIG. 8 . - One form of a
power base unit 150 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and12 . - First noting
FIG. 11 , theunit 150 comprises astorage tray 152 having aninternal storage area 154 and anupper plate member 156 having a plurality ofconnectors 158, for example female connectors, attached to the upper surface of theplate member 156 and coupled via a metallization pattern on abottom surface 160 of theplate member 156 to a set ofbatteries 170. Acover member 162 fits over theplate member 156 and to thestorage tray 152 viafasteners 166. Thecover member 162 includesplural holes 164 in alignment with theconnectors 158, so that when thecover member 162 is fitted to thetray 152 and over theplate member 156, thefasteners 158 extend throughcorresponding holes 164. Abattery compartment 168 extends along a side of thecover member 162 and is dimensioned to receive the set ofbatteries 170 therein, together with opposing negative and positive electrodes 172,174, respectively. Apower switch 180 is coupled to the batteries and to the metallization pattern on thebottom 160 ofplate member 156 throughaperture 181, with the top of thepower switch 180 extending through anopening 182 in thecover member 162. Theunit 150 further includes abattery cover plate 176 that is attached to thecover member 162 via fasteners 178,179. It will be appreciated that a variety of on-off mechanisms may be used, such as a motion sensor, a light sensor or a sound sensor. - Turning now to
FIG. 12 , theunit 150 is shown assembled and with examples of various blocks described above plugged in to theconnectors 158 at the upper surface of thecover member 162. Operation of thepower switch 180 will illuminate each of thebuilding blocks cover member 162, irrespective of whether another block is coupled to each block connected to theunit 150. -
FIG. 13 illustrates thepower unit 140 shown inFIG. 1 . Thepower unit 140 comprises a plastic body having, in this instance, three sides, 142,144 and 146. Batteries 143,145 and 147 are situated within thepower unit 140 along therespective sides connectors 148, either male or female, are positioned at the three corners of thepower unit 140; any one of the building blocks described above may be interconnected with one of theconnectors 148, as thewheel block 100 shown inFIG. 13 . Additionally, thepower unit 140 may include an output to apower cable 160. - A
power tower 200 in accordance with the present invention is show inFIG. 14 , and includes abase 202 and an upright tower formed ofsides 204, including the specific six-sided structure shown inFIG. 14 . An internal construction comprisingside walls 206 opposingrespective sides 204 includes ametallization pattern 208 along the inside thereof, withconnectors 210 attached to theinterior members 206 and extending throughholes 212 for interconnection with one of the blocks described above. Theunit 200 includes an enclosingtop 214. -
FIG. 15 is a representative cross-sectional illustration of the male and female connectors and the internal circuit components of a building block. The reference numerals inFIG. 15 correspond to the elements of thecylindrical block 20 illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown inFIG. 15 , themale connector 29 includes an internal conductor MIC and an external conductor MEC, each comprising metallic sleeves. The male internal conductor MIC is electrically connected to the rearconductive post 37. Thefemale connector 32 comprises a central pin P dimensioned to receive the bore BR of a male connector 29 (note the right hand side ofFIG. 15 ). Thefemale connector 32 further comprises an internal conductor FIC and an external conductor FEC. It will thus be understood that when amale connector 29 from a secondcylindrical block 20 is inserted into thefemale connector 32 with the bore BR sliding across the pin P, the internal conductor FIC of thefemale connector 32 makes a circuit between the male internal conductor MIC so as to complete a circuit with the rearconductive post 38. The female external conductor FEC makes contact with the male external conductor MEC to complete a circuit at post J on thefemale connector 32, which in turn is connected throughcircuit line 36A to post K that is electrically connected to the male external conductor MEC of themale connector 29. The rear posts 37, 38 are shorted together with one terminal of theLED 35 throughcircuit line 36B, with athird circuit line 36C coupled tocircuit line 36A through resistor R. It will thus be understood that an application of electronic current through either themale connector 29 or thefemale connector 32 will result in the illumination ofLED 35. -
FIG. 16 illustrates another form of apower cord 180 having modified cylindrical bodies 182,184 at the respective ends of thecable 180, with each of the cylindrical bodies having anLED 185 and abarrel 189 such as that described above with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 to house a connector, such asconnector 29 inFIG. 2 , in order that either end of thecable 180 may be connected to one of the power units such as 140 shown inFIG. 13 or thecombination unit 150 shown inFIGS. 11 and12 . - There are a significant number of modifications and changes that may be made in the illuminated toy system and its various components described above without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims (13)
- A building block set having a plurality of building blocks (20, 40, 60, 80, 100), with at least some of the blocks (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) comprising:a generally transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101) having first and second openings and an internal light source (35, 55, 75, 95, 115) operable into an illuminated state in response to an electrical input;a male electrically conductive connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109);a female electrically conductive connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112) fitted into the second opening of the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101); andcircuit means (36, 56, 76, 116) within the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101) electrically coupled with the internal light source (35, 55, 75, 95, 115) and both the male and female connectors (29, 49, 69, 89, 109, 32, 52, 72, 92, 112) for powering the internal light source (35, 55, 75, 95, 115) in response to an electrical input into just one connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109, 32, 52, 72, 92, 112);the male electrically conductive connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) being fitted into the first opening of the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101); characterised in that:the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101) further comprises a hollow barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) extending outwardly to the first opening;the second opening is dimensioned to receive a barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) from a second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) so that a male electrically conductive connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) can be mechanically interconnected with the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112); andthe barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) surrounds the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) such that, when the barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) is located in the second opening, the barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) is interposed between the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112) and the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101) and the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) is located inside the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112).
- The building block set of Claim 1 wherein the first and second openings, the barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) and the male and female connectors (29, 49, 69, 89, 109, 32, 52, 72, 92, 112) are circular in cross section.
- The building block set of Claim 1 wherein:the light source (35, 55, 75, 95, 115) is electrically connected across inner and outer conductive portions of the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) and across inner and outer conductive portions of the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112); andwhen the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) is located inside the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112), the inner conductive portion of the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) is electrically connected to the inner conductive portion of the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112) and the outer conductive portion of the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) of the second block (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) is electrically connected to the outer conductive portion of the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112).
- The building block set of Claim 1 wherein the barrel (26, 46, 66, 86, 106) and the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) are dimensioned to mechanically interconnect with a corresponding female electrically conductive connector (148, 158) fitted to a power source container (140,150).
- The building block set recited in Claim 1 wherein the male and female connectors (29, 49, 69, 89, 109, 32, 52, 72, 92, 112) are spaced apart and aligned either axially or in parallel across the transparent body (21, 41, 61, 81, 101).
- The building block set recited in Claim 5 further comprising:a second male connector (49);a second female connector (52); and whereinthe second male connector (49) and the second female connector (52) are spaced apart and aligned with each other across the transparent body (41).
- The building block set recited in Claim 5 wherein the transparent body (21) is shaped as a cylinder.
- The building block recited in Claim 5 wherein the transparent body (101) is shaped as a wheel having a center axis (Ax), with the male and female connectors (109,112) axially aligned across the transparent body (101) and along the axis (Ax).
- The building block set recited in Claim 1 wherein the male connector (69, 89) and the female connector (72, 92) are spaced apart and extend generally parallel in a first direction away from the transparent body (61, 81).
- The building block set recited in Claim 9 further comprising a third connector positioned generally between and parallel with the male and female connectors (69, 72) and extending in a second direction from the transparent body (61) opposite the first direction, the third connector being either a male or female connector (69, 72).
- The building block set recited in Claim 1 further comprising:a container (140,150);battery means (143, 145, 147) within the container (140,150); andmeans fitted to the container for supplying electrical energy from the battery means to one of the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) and the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112), comprising a connector (148, 158) mechanically interconnectable with one of the male connector (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) and the female connector (32, 52, 72, 92, 112).
- The building block set recited in Claim 11 wherein the container (140, 150) comprises an outer surface with the means fitted to the container comprising a connector (148, 158) extending through the outer surface of the container (140, 150).
- The building block set recited in Claim 12 wherein the outer container surface comprises a flat surface having a plurality of connectors (148, 158), each dimensioned for mechanically interconnecting with one of the male connectors (29, 49, 69, 89, 109) and the female connectors.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL10856237T PL2608858T3 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2010-08-18 | Illuminated toy building system and methods |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2010/045880 WO2012023935A1 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2010-08-18 | Illuminated toy building system and methods |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2608858A1 EP2608858A1 (en) | 2013-07-03 |
EP2608858A4 EP2608858A4 (en) | 2014-01-08 |
EP2608858B1 true EP2608858B1 (en) | 2016-10-26 |
Family
ID=45605370
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10856237.2A Not-in-force EP2608858B1 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2010-08-18 | Illuminated toy building system and methods |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2608858B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5675983B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103025399B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2010359374B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2774756C (en) |
DK (1) | DK2608858T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2615203T3 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2608858T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012023935A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8602833B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2013-12-10 | May Patents Ltd. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US9019718B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2015-04-28 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US9597607B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2017-03-21 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US11330714B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2022-05-10 | Sphero, Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
AU347408S (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2013-03-04 | Littlebits Electronics Inc | Connector for modular electronic building system |
CN103280663B (en) * | 2013-06-19 | 2015-06-24 | 赵燕 | Accumulation circuit connecting device and system |
US9061216B1 (en) | 2014-04-07 | 2015-06-23 | Factor 10 LLC | Induction light toy and related methods |
US10376804B2 (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2019-08-13 | Shao-Chun Lu | Magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block |
CN109224475B (en) * | 2018-09-30 | 2020-08-25 | 上海葡萄纬度科技有限公司 | Building block assembly |
CN109621456B (en) * | 2018-09-30 | 2021-03-16 | 上海葡萄纬度科技有限公司 | Building block |
CN109464817B (en) * | 2018-10-26 | 2021-03-19 | 上海葡萄纬度科技有限公司 | Building block |
EP4109436B1 (en) * | 2021-06-22 | 2023-12-20 | Clementoni S.P.A. | Assemblable module for toy electric circuits |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3696548A (en) * | 1971-01-18 | 1972-10-10 | Kinetic Technologies Inc | Educational building toy modules with interior lights and mechanical connections acting as circuit closers |
JPS4720395U (en) * | 1971-01-26 | 1972-11-07 | ||
DE3146247A1 (en) * | 1980-11-22 | 1982-06-24 | Ulrich 7000 Stuttgart Aldinger | Building element |
JPH0568599U (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1993-09-17 | 株式会社公文教育研究会 | Joint block |
US5908328A (en) * | 1997-12-14 | 1999-06-01 | Chen; Chin-Yi | Building block assembly |
KR100360080B1 (en) * | 1999-08-12 | 2002-11-04 | 신동수 | Block toy |
WO2006044636A2 (en) * | 2004-10-15 | 2006-04-27 | Mega Brands International, Luxembourg, Zug Branch | Illuminated, three-dimensional modules for a magnetic toy construction kit |
US20060084357A1 (en) * | 2004-10-15 | 2006-04-20 | Rosen Lawrence I | Illuminated toy construction kit |
US20070184722A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Dynatech Action, Inc. | Powered modular building block toy |
US7731558B2 (en) * | 2007-08-15 | 2010-06-08 | Jon Capriola | Illuminated toy building structures |
-
2010
- 2010-08-18 AU AU2010359374A patent/AU2010359374B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2010-08-18 PL PL10856237T patent/PL2608858T3/en unknown
- 2010-08-18 WO PCT/US2010/045880 patent/WO2012023935A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-08-18 EP EP10856237.2A patent/EP2608858B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2010-08-18 JP JP2013524824A patent/JP5675983B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-08-18 DK DK10856237.2T patent/DK2608858T3/en active
- 2010-08-18 ES ES10856237.2T patent/ES2615203T3/en active Active
- 2010-08-18 CA CA2774756A patent/CA2774756C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-08-18 CN CN201080045380.0A patent/CN103025399B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
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CA2774756A1 (en) | 2012-02-23 |
AU2010359374B2 (en) | 2013-04-18 |
CN103025399B (en) | 2015-11-25 |
CA2774756C (en) | 2017-01-10 |
JP2013534169A (en) | 2013-09-02 |
EP2608858A4 (en) | 2014-01-08 |
DK2608858T3 (en) | 2017-02-06 |
PL2608858T3 (en) | 2017-03-31 |
WO2012023935A1 (en) | 2012-02-23 |
AU2010359374A1 (en) | 2012-03-15 |
ES2615203T3 (en) | 2017-06-05 |
CN103025399A (en) | 2013-04-03 |
EP2608858A1 (en) | 2013-07-03 |
JP5675983B2 (en) | 2015-02-25 |
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