GB2465339A - Illuminated connecting shapes - Google Patents
Illuminated connecting shapes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2465339A GB2465339A GB0820646A GB0820646A GB2465339A GB 2465339 A GB2465339 A GB 2465339A GB 0820646 A GB0820646 A GB 0820646A GB 0820646 A GB0820646 A GB 0820646A GB 2465339 A GB2465339 A GB 2465339A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- shapes
- ports
- make
- blocks
- battery
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011449 brick Substances 0.000 abstract description 18
- 239000011469 building brick Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S2/00—Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
- F21S2/005—Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction of modular construction
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A63H33/046—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts comprising magnetic interaction means, e.g. holding together by magnetic attraction
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H33/00—Other toys
- A63H33/22—Optical, colour, or shadow toys
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
- F21L4/00—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
- F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S9/00—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply
- F21S9/02—Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
- F21V21/08—Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
- F21V21/096—Magnetic devices
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
Abstract
Illuminated translucent interconnecting blocks (1) which may be connected together to effect sequenced illumination of the blocks (1). The blocks (1) are three-dimensional (3D) shapes, such as bricks or pyramids. Each block (1) has electrical contacts ports (2) on its side and an internal electronic controller. They are battery powered, with a master block (5) containing a battery and having a charging socket and an on / off switch. The contact ports (2) may comprise concentric magnets. The blocks (1) may be built together in different orientations to form various structures, and light may be made to "flow" (4) through the structure.
Description
3D translucent illuminated shapes This invention relates to a set of 3D translucent shapes which are illuminated in various sequences.
Children can play with all sorts of handy shapes, alphabet building bricks for example.
They can build these shapes up but cannot gain knowledge, or feel, of flow and movement. Prior art such as Rope lights give a certain amount of movement, but these lights are grouped into clusters of 6 or so lights with one master controller. The 6 or so lights are then copied down the rope, so that whatever happens to one group of 6, happens to all the other groups, making light flow limited, and making it impossible to separate each light as 7 connections would be required to provide the drive all down the chain.
To overcome this, the present invention proposes a set of 3D translucent shapes, powered by battery, which have mounted on some of their sides a minimum of two-way contact electrical ports that make it feasible to relay synchronized power, under electronic control inside each shape, to adjoining shapes, when brought together. Each shape has a controller inside which passes on synchronized power to the next adjoining shapes. Flow or sequenced illumination takes place via the energized controllers, where timing is critical.
With controllers inside each shape and only power relayed by ports, the intelligence required to control the lights does not need relaying through extra connections on the ports. These connections are inside the shapes instead. The two-way ports and internal controllers make it possible to build the shapes together into many designs that flow with light across the whole of their structures.
Preferably, the ports are mounted on enough sides of each shape, so that the shapes can be stacked together in all directions.
Preferably, the ports are made out of flush mounting magnets, to make for minimal effort in connecting and separating the shapes, and to make them waterproof.
Preferably, the magnets are in the form of concentric rings, to allow the shapes to be put together in many orientations.
Preferably, one master shape holds a battery inside to power the set, a charging socket and an on/off switch.
The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Figure 1 shows a set of bricks running in sequence, -Figure 2 shows a set of pyramids as an alternative to bricks.
In figure 1, a collection of plastic, translucent toy bricks I are held together by two-way concentric magnetic ports 2, mounted on several sides of each brick to make them 3D stackable. The magnets are not only used to hold the bricks together, but to pass power from one brick to another. The master brick 5 includes a battery and charging socket. Each brick contains at least two electronic timing functions. The first timer controls the switching of power to the conducting magnetic ports 2, and so initiates the functions in the adjoining brick or bricks 1 synchronously. The second timer and subsequent timers deal with turning on and off the light 3 in each brick. The direction of light flow 4 is as shown, from master brick 5 to the furthest away bricks.
The sequence is repeated a number of times, and then a random timer in each brick begins, making the lights 3 appear to jump around. After a number of random flickers have completed, all bricks are lit for a moment and then the cycle begins again through the first, original timer elapsing and removing power from adjoining bricks.
Figure 2 works the same way as figure 1, but with pyramid shapes instead of bricks.
Claims (4)
- Claims 1 A set of 3D translucent shapes, powered by battery, which have mounted on some of their sides a minimum of two-way contact electrical ports that make it feasible to relay synchronized power, under electronic control inside each shape, to adjoining shapes, when brought together, and so with critical timing, flow or sequenced illumination can take place via the energized controllers.
- 2 A set of shapes according to claim 1, in which the ports are mounted on enough sides of each shape, so that the shapes can be stacked together in all directions.
- 3 A set of shapes according to claim 2, in which the ports are made out of flush mounting magnets, to make for minimal effort in connecting and separating the shapes, and to make them waterproof.
- 4 A set of shapes according to claim 3, in which the flush mounting magnets are in the form of concentric rings to allow the shapes to be put together in many orientations.A set of shapes according to any of the preceding claims, in which one master shape holds a battery inside to power the set, a charging socket and an on/off switch.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0820646A GB2465339A (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2008-11-12 | Illuminated connecting shapes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0820646A GB2465339A (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2008-11-12 | Illuminated connecting shapes |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0820646D0 GB0820646D0 (en) | 2008-12-17 |
GB2465339A true GB2465339A (en) | 2010-05-19 |
Family
ID=40139755
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0820646A Withdrawn GB2465339A (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2008-11-12 | Illuminated connecting shapes |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2465339A (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130109267A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2013-05-02 | Modular Robotics Incorporated | Modular Kinematic Construction Kit |
WO2013096006A1 (en) * | 2011-12-23 | 2013-06-27 | LaRose Industries, LLC | Illuminated toy construction kit |
US8602833B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2013-12-10 | May Patents Ltd. | Puzzle with conductive path |
CN103517478A (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2014-01-15 | 佛山正能光电有限公司 | Interactive combined and vertical apparatus with electric field excitation light |
WO2014057340A1 (en) * | 2012-10-11 | 2014-04-17 | Nuru Energy Design And Development | Modular illumination assembly |
US8742814B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2014-06-03 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
EP2780631A4 (en) * | 2011-11-14 | 2015-07-15 | American Dj Supply Inc | Connectable lighting apparatus |
US9170010B2 (en) | 2011-07-27 | 2015-10-27 | American Dj Supply, Inc. | DMX controllable low profile lighting apparatus |
WO2015177818A1 (en) * | 2014-05-23 | 2015-11-26 | Pettiti Emilio | System for assembling luminous modular elements |
US9419378B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2016-08-16 | 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 |
US9873620B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2018-01-23 | Catalyst Design And Development | Modular illumination assembly having a base unit and an accessory unit mechanically and electrically connectable to the base unit |
US11330714B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2022-05-10 | Sphero, Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004018063A1 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2004-03-04 | Cambridge Display Technology Limited | Interconnectable building blocks |
JP2005253496A (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2005-09-22 | Haru Corporation:Kk | 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 |
US20060134978A1 (en) * | 2004-10-19 | 2006-06-22 | Rosen Lawrence I | Illuminated, three-dimensional modules with coaxial magnetic connectors for a toy construction kit |
US20070184722A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Dynatech Action, Inc. | Powered modular building block toy |
CN201008754Y (en) * | 2007-02-14 | 2008-01-23 | 蔡怡广 | Building blocks toy with great fun |
WO2009023037A1 (en) * | 2007-08-15 | 2009-02-19 | Jon Capriola | Illuminated building structures |
-
2008
- 2008-11-12 GB GB0820646A patent/GB2465339A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004018063A1 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2004-03-04 | Cambridge Display Technology Limited | Interconnectable building blocks |
JP2005253496A (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2005-09-22 | Haru Corporation:Kk | 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 |
US20060134978A1 (en) * | 2004-10-19 | 2006-06-22 | Rosen Lawrence I | Illuminated, three-dimensional modules with coaxial magnetic connectors for a toy construction kit |
US20070184722A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Dynatech Action, Inc. | Powered modular building block toy |
CN201008754Y (en) * | 2007-02-14 | 2008-01-23 | 蔡怡广 | Building blocks toy with great fun |
WO2009023037A1 (en) * | 2007-08-15 | 2009-02-19 | Jon Capriola | Illuminated building structures |
Cited By (45)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10569181B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2020-02-25 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10230237B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2019-03-12 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US11207607B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2021-12-28 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US11027211B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2021-06-08 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US11014013B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2021-05-25 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US8742814B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2014-06-03 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10981074B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2021-04-20 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10864450B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2020-12-15 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10758832B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2020-09-01 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10617964B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2020-04-14 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10158227B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2018-12-18 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US11383177B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2022-07-12 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US9559519B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2017-01-31 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10447034B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2019-10-15 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10164427B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2018-12-25 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US9583940B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2017-02-28 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US9590420B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2017-03-07 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US9595828B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2017-03-14 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10396552B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2019-08-27 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US9673623B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2017-06-06 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10355476B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2019-07-16 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10589183B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2020-03-17 | May Patents Ltd. | Sequentially operated modules |
US10177568B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2019-01-08 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US9293916B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2016-03-22 | Yehuda Binder | Sequentially operated modules |
US10155153B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2018-12-18 | Littlebits Electronics, Inc. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US11896915B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2024-02-13 | Sphero, Inc. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US8602833B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2013-12-10 | May Patents Ltd. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US10987571B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2021-04-27 | Sphero, Inc. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US8951088B2 (en) | 2009-08-06 | 2015-02-10 | May Patents Ltd. | Puzzle with conductive path |
US9873620B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2018-01-23 | Catalyst Design And Development | Modular illumination assembly having a base unit and an accessory unit mechanically and electrically connectable to the base unit |
US9170010B2 (en) | 2011-07-27 | 2015-10-27 | American Dj Supply, Inc. | DMX controllable low profile lighting apparatus |
US9597607B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2017-03-21 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US9831599B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2017-11-28 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US10244630B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2019-03-26 | 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 |
US9419378B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2016-08-16 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US10256568B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2019-04-09 | Littlebits Electronics Inc. | Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same |
US20130109267A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2013-05-02 | Modular Robotics Incorporated | Modular Kinematic Construction Kit |
US9320980B2 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2016-04-26 | Modular Robotics Incorporated | Modular kinematic construction kit |
EP2780631A4 (en) * | 2011-11-14 | 2015-07-15 | American Dj Supply Inc | Connectable lighting apparatus |
WO2013096006A1 (en) * | 2011-12-23 | 2013-06-27 | LaRose Industries, LLC | Illuminated toy construction kit |
CN103517478B (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2016-08-10 | 佛山正能光电有限公司 | There is the interactive assembling apparatus of electric field excitation light |
CN103517478A (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2014-01-15 | 佛山正能光电有限公司 | Interactive combined and vertical apparatus with electric field excitation light |
WO2014057340A1 (en) * | 2012-10-11 | 2014-04-17 | Nuru Energy Design And Development | Modular illumination assembly |
WO2015177818A1 (en) * | 2014-05-23 | 2015-11-26 | Pettiti Emilio | System for assembling luminous modular elements |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0820646D0 (en) | 2008-12-17 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |