GB2301929A

GB2301929A - Electronic educational kits

Info

Publication number: GB2301929A
Application number: GB9511790A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-06-09
Filing date: 1995-06-09
Publication date: 1996-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-09
Also published as: GB9511790D0; GB2301929B

Abstract

A board 1 for building electronic circuits comprises an electrically insulating board 7 on which is mounted clusters 4 including a plurality of electrical connection sockets 5 which protrude below the lower surface of the insulating board 7. The board 1 may include at least one specific component 8 and a plurality of boards 1 may be used to form a educational electronic construction kit.

Description

IMPROVED VERSATILE CONSTRUCTION / EDUCATIONAL KITS This invention relates to educational construction kits useful in the teaching and demonstration of electric / electronic circuits and the ways in which they are built up. My kit allows for teachers to demonstrate to their students how a circuit as illustrated in a diagram is made in practice and it allows the student to build up a circuit from a circuit diagram and to see that the final circuit they have constructed looks exactly like the illustration. Also the circuit when constructed will function and can be used in practice to control / operate various devices and pieces of equipment.

In my patent number 2,205,985 1 described a versatile construction kit for the teaching of electric / electronic circuitry theory to students. One of the advantages of that invention is that when viewed from above the theoretical circuits made using the kit closely resemble the standard theoretical schematic circuit diagrams shown in electrical circuit textbooks. The invention is based upon the use of an electrically insulating base board into which are incorporated 'clusters' of electrical connecting points (sockets) which do not significantly protrude above the top or bottom surface of the board. The clusters are two or more electrically connecting sockets electrically connected together and adapted to receive electrical conductors entering from the same direction.The clusters in the base board are spaced between a grid pattern of holes in the base board spaced to allow parts from popular construction kits to be mounted thereon. The base boards are normally supplied with the clusters located in predetermined positions thereon. It is clear that when using base boards with preset clusters, it can prove to be expensive when only some of the clusters are being used. Thus the convenience of having all the clusters in position has to be offset against the cost of them.

In that patent I also described the use of 'component boards' and 'mini circuitboards' which are used in conjunction with the main base boards . In no circumstances did either the 'component boards' or 'mini circuit-boards' contain any 'clusters'.

I have now discovered that significant technical flexibility and economic saving can be made by the use of 'dedicated cluster' and/or dedicated' cluster component boards' as hereinafter defined.

By 'dedicated cluster board I mean an electrically insulating board on which is / are mounted in a linear relationship one, two, three or four clusters as described in my patent number 2,205,985, but in which the lower parts of the clusters protrude below the lower surface of the board so as to allow them to be electrically connected to each other by solder.

By dedicated cluster 1 component board I mean an electrically insulating board on which are mounted in a linear relationship two, three or four clusters as described in my patent no. 2,205,985, but in which the lower parts of the clusters protrude below the lower surface of the board so as to allow them to be electrically connected to each other by solder and at least one specific component, and, space permitting, the theoretical symbol for the component.

In both the dedicated cluster boards and in the dedicated cluster/component board cases the cluster(s) must have a vertical hole through the centre. In my previous patent the clusters were not carried on a dedicated cluster board, are always used in a cluster containing base board and never protruded significantly above the surfaces of the base board.

The dedicated cluster boards and cluster I component boards of my new invention are different from anything which has been produced before and the use of them provides a new, easy teaching system which is flexible, comparatively cheap to purchase and use as it allows kits of varying degrees of sophistication to be built up over time, beginning with a starter kit and adding the various more advanced components and mini-circuits as they are required.

The dedicated cluster boards of my invention comprise:- (a) a base made from any suitable electrically insulating material which is preferably rigid, but may be flexible, the only criteria being that it must firmly hold the cluster or in a multicluster board the clusters which have been fixed in place in the board and also be able to carry a component and have the relevant symbol for the component being carried marked thereon; (b) one, two, three or four clusters carried on the board in a linear relationship, each cluster containing two, three or four sockets, and each cluster having a central vertical hole through it; Generally a click rivet or electrically conducting reducer is inserted in the hole before the board is sold but it maybe the customer will prefer to do this later in which case the board is supplied with the hole completely open.The board may also have one or more small holes passing through to allow connecting wires from a component on the top side of the board to be inserted and connected on the underside of the board to the under-side of the cluster by means of e.g. solder when it is not desirable to connect the component to the cluster via one of the sockets in the cluster.

The dedicated cluster / component boards of my invention comprise:- (a) a base made from any suitable electrically insulating material which is preferably rigid, but may be flexible, the only criteria being that it must firmly hold in a spaced-apart relationship the clusters which have been fixed in place in the board, be able to carry a component and have the relevant symbol for the component being carried marked thereon; (b) two, three or four clusters carried on the board in a linear relationship, each cluster containing two, three or four sockets; (c) one or more components; and (d) where possible, the standard electrical / electronic symbol for the component being carried on the board. Generally it is only in those cases where large components are being used, e.g. batteries or large motors are being used that the theoretical symbols are not applied.When using large components such as the battery holder or large motors difficulties can arise when removing the component board if the locating pegs are at the ends of the boards. In such cases it can be advantageous to insert the locating click rivets towards the centre of the board before attaching the component. The electrical connections being made to the clusters at the ends of the board.

The board may also have one or more small holes passing through to allow connecting wires from a component carried on the top side of the board to be inserted and connected on the underside of the board to the under-side of the cluster by means of e.g. solder when it is not desirable to connect the component to the cluster via one of the sockets in the cluster.

Each dedicated cluster / component board carries at least a single component which is generally carried on the upper surface of the board. The component is connected to the clusters by wires, either releasably from the top by using one of the sockets of each cluster, or semi-permanently from underneath by passing the wires through the holes in the board, as previously mentioned, and making a solder joint to the underside of the cluster. When a sensitive component is being carried it is desirable also to include a protection device e.g. a resistor or diode to prevent accidental damage to the component, and such a protection device is preferably carried on the same board as the component.

In certain cases it may be advantageous to mount the components on the underside of the board especially passive components and those that are of a small size.

e.g. capacitors, resistors and diodes.

When more than two clusters are carried on a board it is sometimes desirable to prepare "systems" boards where two co-operating components, which are generally used together are semi-permanently mounted on a board e.g. a light sensor and a variable resistor Also on the board where possible is the standard symbol for the component, and this is preferably contained between the two clusters.

The clusters of my present invention all contain a central, vertical hole into which can be inserted pegs, preferably tapered, click-rivets or electrically conducting reducers. The central hole is usually of 5mm. diameter, so as to be compatible with the standard kits, but external supply connectors are usually 4mm in diameter and so when using an external power supply 4mm an electrically conducting reducer or sleeve is used which has an outside diameter of 5mm. and an inner diameter of 4mm. The reducers may be short or long depending upon the use to which they are to be put. Thus it is frequently desirable to use crocodile clips to complete an electrical circuit and in this case a long reducer may be used as it allows the crocodile clip to be attached to the top of the reducer protruding above the surface of the board.A long reducer can also be used as a locating device for attaching the cluster board or cluster I component board to a 'circuit assembly board' or the model to which component board is being attached, thus serving two purposes.

When a reducer is not being used it is usual to insert a click rivet in the central hole to locate and attach the cluster board or cluster component board onto a circuit assembly board or onto a model to which the component is being attached.

Another advantage of my new invention is that a base-board as previously used is not necessary, in that the dedicated component/cluster board can be affixed to any body containing the appropriately spaced holes.

With my new invention and because each component is carried on its own 'dedicated cluster board' or 'cluster component board' the previously required 'cluster-containing base boards' are not required and, consequently, a simple 'circuit assembly board' or other 'locating means' can be used. By 'circuit assembly board' I mean an electrically insulating board which contains a number of spatially related holes, preferably in a regular grid pattern, into which pegs or click-rivets can be removably inserted. The pegs can be such as to protrude above the surface of the board so as to penetrate into the 'dedicated component / cluster board' for location purposes. The board is usually rigid but may be flexible or semi-rigid, providing that it can hold the 'dedicated cluster / component boards' in the desired locations to build up the circuit.When the components are being used in the construction of models such as houses or mobile units, 'circuit assembly boards' are frequently not required and it is generally possible to be able to use parts of the model frame to locate the dedicated component I cluster board. Thus if a structure is being built it is possible to use perforated plastic or similar strip as the construction frame and to mount the dedicated cluster I component board thereon.

By using 'dedicated cluster board' and / or 'cluster / component boards' one can use a soldered joint on the under-surface of the board. The solder joint protrudes significantly below the bottom surface of the base board but this is not a problem when using my new invention.

The mini-circuit boards and component boards as described in my earlier patent can still be used with my new invention making the connections to the dedicated cluster component boards by means of single wire connections, as is used to connect 'dedicated cluster board' and / or 'cluster / component boards' to each other.

PARTS LIST 1. Dedicated two cluster cluster board 1 b. Bulb dedicated cluster I component board 1 e. Resistor dedicated cluster / component board if. Capacitor dedicated cluster I component board 1 g. Variable resistor dedicated cluster I component board 1 h. Microswitch dedicated cluster I component board li. Motor dedicated cluster I component board 2. 'Click rivet' peg 3. Hole 4 Cluster 5 Sockets 6 Connecting wire 7 Base board 8 10k resistor component 9 Theoretical symbol 10 Single dedicatedl cluster board 11 Blank space for a symbol 12 Bulb symbol 13. Resistor symbol 14. transistor symbol 15 100k variable resistor symbol 16 Three cluster I dedicated component board 17. Light sensor symbol 18a. Battery dedicated cluster / component board 18b.Battery dedicated cluster I component board with switch 1 8c. 1.5 volt Battery dedicated cluster / component board 18d. 6 volt Battery dedicated cluster I component board 19. Switch 20. Mini circuit-board 21. LED and protection symbol 22. Circuit assembly board 23. Schematic circuit diagram 24. Bolt 25. Wheel supports 26. Motor 27. Pulley 28. Belt drive 29. Bulb 30. Batteries 31. Movable labels 32. Perforated insulating strip 33. Electrical conducting reducers 34. Crocodile clip 35. Electric plug REFERRING TO DRAWINGS 1 to 20 Fig. 1 This drawing shows in detail a dedicated two cluster cluster board with board (1).

An enlarged drawing of a 'click rivet' (2) which goes into hole (3). A cluster (4) of sockets (5) are spaced around the hole. A connecting wire (6) is shown above an enlarged socket (5).

Fig. 2 Shows in perspective a drawing of a dedicated cluster / component board with the board (1) with a 1 OK resistor component (8) and its theoretical symbol (9) mounted on a base board (7). Sockets (5) are grouped to form two clusters (4) each cluster containing a central hole into which has been placed a 'click rivet' peg (2).

Fig. 3 This plan view drawing shows a single cluster board (10). It comprises a cluster (4) of four sockets (5) spaced around a hole (3).

Fig. 4 This plan view drawing shows a two cluster 'cluster board' and various types of dedicated cluster / component boards.

Fig. 4a shows a two cluster 'cluster board' with board (1) with a blank space allowing the user to attach a component and draw its theoretical symbol in the blank space (11).

Fig. 4b shows a bulb dedicated clusters board with board (1) which carries an electric bulb and the appropriate symbol. (12). Fig.4c shows an LED dedicated cluster I component board, with board (1) with an LED and its protection resistor and the associated symbols (13a) and (13b). Fig. 4d shows a transistor dedicated cluster / component board, with board (1) with a transistor and the associated symbol (14).

Fig. 5 Fig. 5a shows a three cluster dedicated cluster / component board or 'system board', with board (16) which carries a 1 OOK variable resistor with a 1 OOK variable resistor symbol (15) and a blank space for a symbol (11).

Fig. 5b shows a three cluster I dedicated component board or 'system board', with board (16) which carries a 1 OOK variable resistor and a light sensor with a 100K variable resistor symbol (15 ) and a light sensor symbol (17).

Fig. 6 This plan view drawing shows a battery dedicated cluster I component board, with board (18a). Standard battery cases (not shown) are attached onto this board. It is then used as a power supply for the circuits. A plan view drawing showing a battery dedicated cluster/component board, with board (18b) . Standard battery cases (not shown) are attached onto this board. It is then used as a switched power supply for the circuits using the switch (19).

Fig. 7 This drawing shows a plan view of a mini circuit-board (20) designed to carry a 555 timer chip. The sockets (5) are shown around the edge.

Fig. 8 This perspective drawing shows a resistor dedicated cluster / component board, with board (1) carrying a 1 OK resistor about to be inserted into a small circuit assembly board (22) and a bulb dedicated cluster /component board, with board (1) carrying a bulb in a holder which is shown already pushed into the small circuit assembly board"(22). A connecting wire (6) links them together Fig. 9 Represents a typical schematic circuit diagram (23). It is based on a timer circuit using a 555 timer chip.

Fig. 10 Shows a plan view of a circuit constructed using the system of my present invention which has been assembled using the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 9. The circuit assembly board (22) locates and holds a dedicated cluster I component board (1 e), bulb dedicated cluster / component board (1 b), capacitor dedicated cluster I component board (if), variable resistor dedicated cluster / component board (1g), single cluster boards (10), a battery dedicated cluster I component board (18a) and a mini circuit-board (20 ). The dedicated cluster / component boards and the mini circuit-board are linked together using connecting wire (6).

Fig. 11 This side view drawing shows a vehicle that moves forward until it hits an object, it then reverses until it hits another object and then moves forward again. It is assembled on a circuit assembly board (22). The wheels are held in position by 'wheel supports' (25) which are attached with 'bolts' (24). The motor (26) is mounted on a 'motor dedicated cluster/component board' (1 i) which in turn is mounted on a 'circuit assembly board' (22) providing drive to the wheels via a 'pulley' (27) and the 'belt drive' (28). The power for the motor comes from a 1.5 volt battery held in a '1.5 volt. battery holder dedicated cluster / component board' (18c).

Mounted on the top of the 'circuit assembly board' (22) is the control circuit that controls the motor. The two 'microswitch dedicated cluster/component boards' (1 h) act as sensors and are mounted at each end of the vehicle. The other circuitry shown includes a '6 volt supply battery holder dedicated cluster I component board' (18d) used to power the electronics, two 'mini circuit-boards' (20), and 'connecting wires' (6).

Fig. 12 This plan view drawing shows a model of a simple set of traffic lights mounted on a 'circuit assembly board' (22). The three 'bulbs' (29) used for the traffic lights are mounted on' bulb dedicated cluster / component boards' (1). They are controlled by the three 'switches' (19) which are mounted on 'dedicated cluster/component boards' (1). The power supply comes from the 'batteries' (30) held in the battery holder which is attached to the 'battery dedicated cluster/component board' (18). The circuit is wired up with 'connecting wires' (6).

Fig. 13 A front view drawing showing a model house with an upstairs and downstairs lighting system. The frame being assembled from perforated insulating holed strip (32). On levels 1 and 2 bulbs are mounted on 'dedicated cluster I component boards' as shown in fig. 4b. These bulbs are operated by using a switch mounted on a push switch mounted on a dedicated cluster/component board as described in fig. 4e. The power is provided by a batteries held in a battery holder and mounted on a 'battery dedicated cluster / component board' illustrated in fig. 6.

Fig. 14 This exploded drawing shows a 'dedicated cluster/component board' (1) with 'long electrically conducting reducers' (33) inserted in the 'hole' (3) in place of the normal 'click rivet' (2) as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 This drawing shows a side view of a dedicated cluster/component board (1) with electrically conducting reducers (33). A crocodile clip (34) with connecting wire (6) is attached to the top of the electrical conducting reducer (33). An electric plug (35) is also shown inserted in the centre of the electrically conducting reducer (33).

Claims

1. A dedicated cluster board comprising an electrically insulating board on which is/are mounted one, two, three or four clusters as hereinbefore defined.

2. A dedicated cluster board as in claim 1 but containing more than one cluster and in which the clusters are in a linear relationship.

3. A dedicated cluster board as in any of the preceding claims and in which the clusters contain two or three sockets.

4. A dedicated cluster board as in any preceding claim and in which there is a hole through the centre of the clusters.

5. A dedicated clusterboard as in any preceding claim and in which there are additional holes through the board to enable connecting wires from components mounted on the upper surface of the board to be inserted and connected on the underside of the board to the underside of the clusters.

6. A dedicated clusterboard as in claim 5 and in which there are positioned in one or two of the additional holes independent sockets to allow for components having more than two connections such as transistors, thyristors or double pole/double throw switch.

7. A dedicated clusterboard as in any preceding claim and on the upper surface of which is/ are mounted one or more components with their connecting wires passing through one or more of the additional holes in the board and then connected by solder to the underside of the appropriate sockets.

8. A dedicated cluster/component board as in claim 7 and on which there is mounted an electrical protection device useful in protecting the component.

9. A dedicated cluster/component boards in claim 7 and on which are mounted two cooperating components.

10. A dedicated cluster/component board as in any of the preceding claims and on which board is/are carried the theoretical symbol(s) of the component(s) being carried on the board.

11. A dedicated cluster/component board as in claim 10 and in which the theoretical symbol(s) of the component(s) being carried is/are centrally mounted on the board between the clusters.

12. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in any previous claim and in which a click-rivet is positioned through the central hole(s) in the cluster(s).

13. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in any of the preceding claims and in which an electrically conducting reducer is used in one or more of the holes in the centre of the cluster(s).

14. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in claim 13 and in which the reducer is a short one.

15. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in claim 13 and in which the reducer is a long one.

16. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in claims 13. 14 or 15 and in which the external diameter of the reducer is 4 or 5mm and the internal diameter is between 0.5 and 4 mm inclusive.

17. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in claims 13, 14 or 15 and in which the external diameter of the reducer is Smm, and the internal diameter is 4mm.

18. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in any preceding claim and where the board(s) is used in conjunction with a circuit assembly board.

19. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in any preceding claim and which is mounted upon the frame of the structure being constructed.

20. A dedicated cluster/component board as in any of the preceding claims and on which is mounted a long component e.g. a battery and which component is mounted in a carrier in which the click-rivets are positioned towards the centre of the carrier and not at the ends.

21. A dedicated cluster or cluster/component board as in any of the preceding claims and in which the board is made of

22. A dedicated cluster and/or cluster component board substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings.